Thomas Street Studios / Fusion Studios
reviews and complaints

With repetitive lies and contradictions, I didn’t feel safe communicating with this company.

I applied through a website for possible modelling jobs and received a call from TS studios. I wasn’t really bothered as I just wanted to see if I could make some extra money on the side doing background cast work etc. The man on the phone sounded very interested and enthusiastic, so I organised to go to the studio for a practice shoot the following week.

A £100 deposit was required and I was assured I would get it back if I turned up on the day or in the case of an emergency. My train on the day was cancelled (during the massive train strikes), and I called them up to explain the problem that my train was cancelled and I couldn’t get a lift to the train station for any other train, as I was meant to be getting a ride in with my friend who was working (and had already left by the time they answered the phone after 4 missed calls). I was told I would not receive the £100 back. I said I wasn’t happy them holding my money to wait for me to book another appointment, as I didn’t have any available dates in the near future and ideally needed the deposit back for security. The man on the phone said he’d go and talk to his manager. 15-20 seconds later he called back and said he could see other trains that I could get. He did not contact his manager but wanted to further push the fact that there were other trains running and therefore it was my fault I couldny get there. I asked for any legal document stating that they have the rights to hold the money, to which he refused to answer. He said he will keep the money until I give him a date to come back.

Looking into their company I found multiple websites (approx. 3 representing the company, some with different names claiming they own TS studios?) and an instagram stating they have ties to Miami studios. The man on the phone told me they want individual models to have their portfolio so they dont have to tie themselves to an agency. He had also mentioned that they wanted the best agency signing for models and that they would help that. When asked the question - what exactly is your company - I received different responses every time. I was cautious going in initially but as I thought it was going to be free I thought I might as well try it and ignore any propositions they had for a portfolio..

I called the London branch a week later asking for the same document and they immediately processed a refund.

All in all, very dodgy. Looking at other reviews it seems they’re dodgy overall!

I was informed by Paulo Garcia a worker from Thomas Studios to pay just 50£ To cover my daughter photographs and the day, I did my daughters hair myself and after my daughter finished the photos, an agent sat us in a room and say to get the photos we needed to pay a package of 1500 which I didn’t pay, they made me sign a contract. I never received anything from Thomas Studios and now I have CRS chasing me for 1900£? By law if I don’t have the product I don’t have to pay for anything they can’t force me to have the photos and pay the balance as I don’t have that money, they should stop harassing people and stop damaging peoples verdict scores with nonsense thanks

I visited the studios on Thursday 10th of November,

I emailed them on Friday 11th due to the failure of receiving the email I was promised about the detailed information of all the model agencies they are partners with and the photos I paid for on Thursday.

I am a vulnerable customer as I have mental health problems for which I am in treatment with the NHS.

I made the mistake to trust them and believe on what they were saying.

Their staff member took £1,000 pounds from my credit cards that night before I even signed any contract, didn’t allow me to read the contract whilst on the premises and once he gave me the contract, this was in a closed envelope and I was asked to leave the premises straight away through a back door which wasn’t the one I got in to begin with and led straight outside the premises from that office.

I was pressured to pay and sign the contract whilst being spoken to very quickly, he kept me distracted and pressured, he kept saying he was explaining everything in the contract so I didn’t need to read it. I was overwhelmed and intimidated.

I felt intimidated on the way everything was happening but due to my mental health problems I was paralyzed and I felt the pressure to be quick and do as I was told.

When I left the premises which I was pressured to do through that back door so I wouldn’t have time to open the envelope and read whilst still on the premises, I realized it says that if I had left the premises I couldn’t cancel or back up on the contract. I didn’t receive any service or any photos for which I paid for, the USB I was given is empty. The contract also says I won’t receive anything until I have paid everything off even though I was told by the staff member that I was receiving the photos on that USB and that the model agencies contract will be sent to me. That is illegal, they are making me pay for something I haven’t seen, or received.

I am struggling financially now as they have taken a total of £1,050 from my credit cards and now I am left with debt and suicidal thoughts and a mental health crisis.

I spoke to my lawyer and my banks and them both have advised that if I don’t receive a full refund, I should go to the police and trading standards to report them as they are acting against the law and taking advantage of vulnerable people whilst pressuring them to pay before signing or reading anything and asking them to leave the premises straight away as they know exactly what they are doing and don’t want the customers to know what they are signing up for.

They are working against the Consumer Protection from unfair trading regulations 2008.

I saw an ad on Facebook for models wanted I applied and received a call from the studio to book a shoot with them by initially paying £50. I agreed and visited the studio. The shoot was ok, the make up artist didn't match my make up but went with it. After the shoot I was told to wait and then they led me to a room. The woman in the room showed me my photos and told me how photo genic I was and they needed plus size models, She then told me to sign the contract for the photo shoot package of £3000 . I am a teaching assistsnt so that wss quite steep for me so she said she'd take a deposit of £250.00 and the rest in instslments of 250.00, and proceeded to tell me that I wouldn't receive any jobs or porfolio untill all the money was paid, I thought this was odd but because I hadn't done this before reluctantly agreed as I was promised work without a doubt and this would be the only time this would be guaranteed. So I trusted her words and signed the contract being still unsure. She also didn't give me time to read the contract as she said she was very busy and had other clients to see.

A few months later I lost my job due to covid and told them, they said they would reduce the payments and also give me a months grace I reluctantly agreed but I didn't have any incone as on universal credit so told them I was in financial difficulty and couldn't pay and because no services was received, I now have received communication that my debt has been passed onto the CRS. I can't pay this amount, and I've never received anything from them to warrant payment.

I applied online to become a model, they told me i would need to pay £50 to reserve a spot to take pictures.

On the day i said i couldnt afford they knew i couldnt but they said there would be no issues i could back out of the modeling contract at any point i just wouldnt get pictures.

Anyways still in the first month i message saying i have lost my job its covid i am starving barely able to afford my bills and they message back trying to set up a payment plan and tell me i cannot cancel.

They keep trying to take money out of my account i keep them updated on my situation and then next minute money has gone up nothing recieved and a debt collection agency harrassing me.

I havent gotten anything i am not persuing anything but they wont listen

I'm not happy at all I phoned up months ago for you to take the monthly payments and still you never did and now your taking me to court for the money but no contact from yourself to why you haven't tried to take the monthly payments which I have proof from my bank I'm not convinced that your a fraud company so I'm contacting the action fraud company now to let them know what your doing to myself and others thank

They are a scam they have got CRS and AJJB harassing and threatening me to take me court trying to make me pay 1.2k for pictures I’ve never even received and I haven’t even got any jobs like they promised they pressured me into signing a contract and now they threatening to take me to court. Do not sign nothing with these people they are fraudsters they need to be closed down. Report them to financial ombudsman and action fraud

Scammers!

They are a fraud company. Total fraudster. Beware of them! They try to trap people give them all promises and quietly make you sign a document to pay them a heavy amount of £1500 or more without giving you anything, just the promises. Nothing they promises is written on paper so once you signed the document you can't ask them for anything. The woman in the room showed the photos clicked, praised too much and kept us engaged in the conversation. She then told to sign the contract for the photo shoot package. She also made sure I don’t pay attention to what’s written in the contract. Then they chase you for payments without delivering anything to you because all that was promised was not written in the document. In past they have even cheated vulnerable people. Shame on them. They should go and sit on high streets and beg for money and tell their own children that instead of doing a decent job or earning money decently they are framing people. Let see how proud their children will be of them.. I am sure they will raise their own kids to follow their path of scamming people.

These people have to be stopped. What if someone commit a suicide because of their scaaaaaaammmmmm.

They are doing this with children! Children services will be involved as they are exploiting and abusing children. They will have to be fined heavily as they are abusing children

There is no zero stars option to select otherwise I would have given so left with one star

Pl read below list of complains by others and many more if you google-

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.modelguides.co.uk

https://www.complaintsboard.com/thomas-street-studios-fusion-studios-b116827

I had signed up for a photo shoot 6/05/2022 and spoke to a gentleman named Daniel Lucas. He initially seemed nice, I paid my deposit on 29/04/22. The money was taken out immediately. I was told that if I could not make it to call and I had a week to do so. Now taking into account that I spoke to him On Tuesday 29/04/22, we then had the weekend, then bank holiday Monday. Which meant today 03/05/22 was the only day I could cancel as I had a pressing bill I did not anticipate.

I rang today for a refund, and he was very abrupt and told me I could not have a refund and this is not how it works.

Now again I would like the amount of £50 to go into my account or I will take this matter further.

I have since looked up Thomas Street and it comes across as a scam, or many people have been coned out of their money and refusal of deposits.

Hello

I booked a session for my wife on the 26th of Feb in Birmingham for a shoot and was informed that I would have to pay £50 in order to secure a slot which I did.

However following reading through the small print of additional payment which was need to be paid in order to secure further support we cancelled well over the 7 days limit in order to get a refund.

However 2 months later I am still awaiting the refund.

When I call numbers I simply get a voice mail which I leave and no one ever replies and I have sent 3 emails and get an automated reply.

This is simply not good enough.

I would like a refund simple as that.

Matthew Grace

Hello, I got a call from the studio to book a shoot with them by initially paying £50. I however agreed for it and visited the studio. The shoot was not that professional. Then the told us to go into the under ground floor room. The woman in the room showed the photos clicked, praised too much and kept us engaged in the conversation. She then told to sign the contract for the photo shoot package of £700 and told she would also give discount. I am an international student and I don’t earn enough. I asked her if I can ask me parents and come back later. She denied and told thats this is the only chance to sign. I came into her words and signed the contract being so unsure. She also made sure I don’t pay attention to what’s written in the contract.

Later I requested her to cancel the contract as my parents said that I should concentrate on my studies and they don’t have money for all this. It is too stressful for me to work part time and manage my expenses, I cannot pay the amount. I also read to many complaints against these studios. I cannot afford to lose more money.

They keep phoning up and texting me I don't want to go to them don't want to be scam.

They are stressing me out trying to cancel my thing with them and can't and they are causing me stress I don't need it as I maybe having a operation to remove a plexiform tumour it could be cancerous

I can't make a date I can't email them

I've got a call from someone who said that I got selected into commercial models and the location is at Camden studios but I made a payment deposit to Thomas street studios, Manchester. I went for photo shoot yesterday and everything went well. Finally when I met someone there who told me that modeling jobs are too good. Some people like me got successful and they are earning 2000 pounds per day. He suggested me to choose better package so I chose 1500 pounds silver package for agent, digital z card, portfolio website and pictures. I told I'll pay monthly installments. I've already paid 100 pounds including deposit. My 400 pounds will be deducted from my account on 22nd of this month. From next month onwards 100 pounds will be deducted for 11 months. I signed the contract without thinking twice. After coming home, I researched about this and it says it's a scam. They have my bank details too. If I block my card before they deduct my money, they can take me to court if I don't pay. What should I do? I've already signed the contract. They gave me another copy of contract but there's no sign of it. They have the contract which I signed but the one which I have, it doesn't have my signature. They can threaten me or put a blame on me for signing the contract. What should I do? Can I ask bank to block my card and ignore?

I dont know where to start, took my son who is very enthusiastic and interested in a modelling or acting career. The worst thing I have done is trusted these ppl, the money I spent on travel and accommodation and had to pay a deposit of £50 which I was told I will get back once I attend, at the end of shoot I was then taking to a room where a lady kept going on and on about how great my son was and bam ! I was hit with some outrageous prices which I could not afford as I was never told about these packages ranging from 399 to 2499, I was shocked, disappointed and very embarrassed as I had no money, the lady kept going trying to convince me, giving payment plans, when I tried to cancel was told they would keep the £50 which I was initially told I would get back. I felt horrible for my son after we travelled so far, they then came up with a way to get the last 20£ I had in my pocket. I then went home and I called them 2 days later after I felt pushed conned and tricked into this and told them I want to cancel they said I cant as I signed a contract that cant be cancelled. I am a single mum just trying to put my kids in positive positions not to be scammed/conned and deceived.
Also they claimed they emailed me regarding the photo packages, I showed them I had never received any email when she checked email was sent to wrong address so I was not aware of any packages or I would decline as I dont have those funds.
Now they are threatening to damage my credit! This is very unfair and cruel in these trying times and I dont even have the products

My daughter and I are both registered disabled, my daughter has learning difficulties ASD and ADHD. Her father was duped by one of Fusion Studios representatives as my daughter had aspirations of becoming a model, she's beautiful, slim and 5'9", they looked at her photos and said they could guarantee her work, they persuaded him to book her in for a photo shoot with their branch in Manchester (Thomas Street Studios) they said they would need a £50 time slot holding fee that would be returned and we had no obligation to buy. We went to the studios at the allotted time on the 25/1/2019 my daughter's hopes were high. They acted professionally until after the photo shoot, her father had to go put more money in to the parking metre and whilst he was gone they bullied and pushed me into signing for a package they knew I could not afford, saying the small package was only 5 photos and no agency help, they used my daughter's dreams of becoming a model and offered a lower repayment plan to push me into signing and blatantly lied about their connection with legitimate agencies. Within a week I was constantly spammed by scammers wanting money to represent my daughter with no guarantee of work, all which I investigated and saw nothing but bad reviews exposing them as scam agencies. I had already put myself into debt paying almost half of the £1800 owed to Thomas Street studio when I realised I'd been scammed. Since refusing to pay any further payments I have received threatening emails, my account has been passed to third parties with the debt rising rapidly with ridiculous amounts of interest and fees added to the balance and I'm now looking at a potential CCJ. If this is not resolved amicably I will be seeking legal counsel to assist in not only resolving the debts legitimacy but also exposing Thomas Street Studios/Fusion Studios as the scam artists they are preying on vulnerable consumers and I will put in a counter claim to retrieve the money already paid. I may even go to a national paper to make sure no one else gets scammed by them.

I applied for a modelling contract thinking they were an agency, they emailed me to say I was successful and invited me for a photoshoot at Thomas street studios in Manchester, paid an upfront fee of £50 to secure my appointment as they said, travelled all the ways from Newcastle to Manchester for the shoot. The makeup was so unprofessional, the studio doesn't even look professional, I took most of my pictures in the street. Most of the pictures turned out fine though. After the shoot, they told me I was so good and born for modelling, told me that two other agencies are interested in working with me, momco and fusion management. I was excited that I had to record our conversations so I could let my partner listen to what transpired. Then they asked me to purchase a portfolio, I have just arrived the country and didn't have much money, told her I didn't have money. She conned me into signing a contract that they will collect £300 from my account and I told her I would pay if I start getting modelling jobs which she said it will happen within a month. She subtracted the initial £50 I paid from the money and I had an outstanding £250 to pay and I travelled back to Newcastle. The next day, I got a call from people claiming to be from a modelling agency called momco, asked me to pay £100 for representation which I did. At the end of the week another call from fusion management and another £100 gone. After a week of not hearing from the agencies, I tried calling them as well as the studio, nobody answered. At the end of the month, I got a debit of £27. Called them to confirm why I haven't gotten a job, but I was told the number doesn't exist. I wasn't working at that time as well. I was devastated. My account was wiped. I couldn't afford the payment anymore. I decided to stop paying. They have been sending me emails that they will take legal actions on me, am done paying. They can do whatever they like. They are all con artists, shattering hopes and dreams and I hope they are happy for killing my modelling dreams

We received a phone call saying my Fiance had won a free make over and photo shoot worth £250, all she had to do was pay a £5 booking fee which is fully refundable on the day of the shoot. After the phone call we googled this company and was horrified when we read the reviews. We quickly realised that the £5 deposit was just a way of getting your card details so that if you did read the reviews and didn't turn up they could take their £75 so called cancellation fee. We immediately cancelled the card and called citizens advise who explained that they cannot take the cancellation fee by law as long as you cancel with in 14 days of the date you booked it. This comes under the consumer contracts (information, cancellation and additional charges ) regulations 2013. They said as long as we stated this in our letter that we would be legally protected and if there was any further problems with the company they would help us take legal action. I hope this stops any one else being bullied by this company as legally they don't have a leg to stand on...