Wilhelmina Philadelphia review: Wilhelmina of pa is a scam 116

m another person that thinks this is just a Scam. Just break down the overall presentation they give when you arrive there in the middle of nowhere next to 2 or 3 warehouses to. Let’s look at the location 1st. It sits in the back of a warehouse area. No advertisement nothing. Is this the setting for a Modeling Company? Or does it fit a scam that wants to be out of the main public eye? Think to yourself, does it make sense. Also look at the way they have responded to the aforementioned complaints. Be real, any half minded business person would know not to respond or to have real talent from their agency respond.

Also do you see any one on the complaint page say that they have actual been help by this agency. Let’s think about this... wouldn’t it be likely that this agency has at least 1 person they could have stand up for them...

So don’t be fooled don’t use this agency

Wilhelmina PA is a twist of the old Wilhelmina Scouting Network which was proven to be a fraud and scam and closed down by the authorities in many states. The operators of this new scam, Wilhelmina PA, paid a licensing fee to the real Wilhelmina Model Management Co. in New York City for use of the name 'Wilhelmina' But, that's where the affiliation ends. The scam works like this, you see an ad in the newspaper or on the internet announcing "OPEN CALL FOR MODELS & ACTORS" sponsored by Wilhelmina PA. You are invited to attend this event at a local hotel or office building. A presentation is made to all model and actor hopefuls, telling them that they can become rich and famous in show business with the guidance and direction of Wilhelmina PA. You are told that there is no fee to join Wilhelmina PA. However, you are told that you MUST pay them upfront fees for expensive photo sessions, comp card printing, modeling and acting lessions, portfolio books, webpage design, Fedex shipping fees, etc., etc., etc. You are told in order for Wilhelmina PA to invest in you, you must invest in yourself. The initial amount requested from a wannabee model or actor is usually $1000.00 to $6000.00. Depending on what the scammers think they can get from you. You are told that you are extermely lucky to be accepted by Wilhelmina PA, because not everyone is accepted. This is partially true only to the extent that if you don't have a credit card or cash, then you're not accepted. If you are 4'11" tall and weight 300 pounds and have a credit card then you're accepted instantly. Most people that pay Wilhelmina PA never received a paying acting or modeling job, it's all false promises by a bunch of scammers. Beware of this scam and if you go on any auditions or casting and are requested to pay a fee or purchase anything then run out as fast as you can. In the real world of modeling or acting a manager or agent makes a commission of 10% or 20% from all paying jobs they arrange for their models and actors. Don't let anyone sell you a dream of fame and forture. You have to have talent and work with honest and reputable people.

In all actuality I went to this so-called casting call and was very disappointed as well about the nature of how it was handled. I agree with everyone when they feel as though you should not have to pay to be represented by an agency of any stature. If the agency feels as though you could make them some money they will sponsor you and they will get their pay out of what you make. No agency should ask for money up front at all. I had my pictures on a disk and I have thosands of pictures and I specifically targeted the pictures they were looking for. None of the pictures that I put on that disk were unprofessional. I have natural beauty and in none of my pictures did I have on a stitch of make up. They were still unhappy. I also went to the interview with Kelly and when I handed her the disk of photos she didn't even look at it, she handed it over to her assistant who took the disk for no more than two minutes and came back and said that I needed to shoot with their photographer. [censor]! I had the walk, the personality, and the pictures, what more where they looking for. (MONEY) So I decided that I didn't want to work for them. I have a manager now that has gotten me into some big agencies without money. I have been contacted by FORD, JUICY, and HUGO for women. And my manager didn't ask for a penny upfront. He got paid when I got paid. I also did a promotional tour that he set up for me to do and got paid for that as well. The most recent gig he got me is to host a party in NYC where I will be getting four figures to do this party. I agree when people say nothing comes to you for free, but in the model industry when you've got everything they are looking for and more, why should you have to pay. You should not have to pay for a website, photos, ruway coaching, ect.

P.S. If Kelly Harmans son made so much money in the model industry why is he not in it now. From my recollection of her talking her son is in college and is playing football. They make everything seem so glamourous until they ask for fees.

My daughter was signed with Wilhelmina of PA (Harrisburg). Unfortunetly, we were giving Kelli Walters a.k.a.Kelli Harman the benefit of the doubt when we signed with her. I say this because my daughter also was affiliated with her when she ran Millienia out of State College, PA and she was a crook. The only reason we signed with her 10 years later was because of the Wilhelmina name. We thought Kelli straightened out her business practices and would have to run the Wilhelmina agency closer to Corp.Wilhelmina standards. That was not the case, after being with Wilhelmina of Pa issues arose and we settled out of court with Kelli. Models can think what they want of Wilhelmina, but I personally would urge them to reconsider ever signing with any agency that is run by Kelli Walters (Harman). If you're serious about wanting to model, go to Wilhelmina of New York.
To those defending Kelli or Wilhelmina of PA, you're either an employee or just plain gullable..."AnchorMan"

My name is David, I signed with Wilhelmina of PA a year ago. I did exactly what they told me to do, got my pictures and comp cards, built my book, practiced my runway. It was hard being patient but I had to give it a try, if not, I would have had something on the back of my mind wondering what if. So I practiced hard then they asked me to walk in the showcase for their grand opening party and I got seen by Wilhelmina NY, LA, and Miami. I just found out that Wilhelmina Miami is going to sign me! I am so excited, I have lived in Scranton PA my whole life and now I am moving to Miami! I am going to be a working model. My dream is coming true!

I just wanted to express my sons experience with the agency...we had previously gone to john casablancas which is really a school, then we found Wilhelmina of PA I was a little skeptical at first b/c of the fee's but I believed in my son and Wilhelmina. Jodi our booker took us under her wing and gave us tips on how to audition and do go-see's. We did a couple at first but then after trial and tribulation we booked childrens place! I am so excited we just did the shoot last week, and now we have another go see with Macy's Kids. I am very happy with the services provided by Wilhelmina of PA thanks you so much!

I am a model with Wilhelmina of PA, and have been with them for about a year now, I just went to their grand opening party in Philadelphia and got seen by Wilhelmina NY, LA, and Miami. I was signed to NY Wilhelmina! Thanks to everyone at the office who helped me get to NY! I figured I would write something about my positive experience with them, since they helped my dreams come true! From what I understand the people who left complaints here never signed to Wilhelmina PA b/c they did not have the upfront fee's. From my experience in this indrustry you have to pay fee's to get the best to get into the best agencies. Thanks again Wilhelmina PA!

I have been reading a lot of the complaints hoping for something to either sway or stop me from signing up. I was selected as a Wilhelmina of PA model and was told to pay a fee for my comp cards, websites and headshots and what not. I called NY and they don't charge you upfront but they do take it out of an account they set up from you which can be bad or good depending on how much money you make working with them.

Then again in order to model for Wilhelmina, NY you have to be at least 5'8. And I'm a lot shorter than that. Luckily for me the PA one does Promotional Modeling and Print.

The only thing that took by surprise about the PA agency is the upfront fee. I went to the open call. Yes, it was very far, 3 1/2 hours away and it was in a discreet location. But the staff was very nice. The only issue I had was with the woman who talked to me. Her rudeness, however was understandable. I have a dimple piercing and I could tell it irked the hell out of her. Discouraged, I though she wanted nothing to do with me until I got the call a week later.

They don't close your file completely if you cannot pay the fee. The woman I spoke with had mentioned always keeping it in case I change my mind. They did not pressure me to pay like I know a lot of scam agencies might. The woman was really polite and easy going, offered a payment plan and even said if I can't pay, it's alright. That she'll keep my file.

I compared this phone call to a real scam in which I had also gone through this past week. The phone call from Davison Inventions was pushy and the woman put a lot of pressure on me to make a decision. She was also very disgruntled when I didn't want to pay.

Comparing that call to the one I got about Wilhelmina really got me thinking that Wilhelmina of PA is legit. Not to mention they ARE mentioned in the Better Business Borough under their former name Harmon. They just merged with Wilhelmina of NY last year 2009. I'm expecting that's why their office isn't the best looking from the outside. They are also listed as an affiliate on the main Wilhelmina site as well as with a lot of other affiliates.

I have an appointment to meet with Wilhelmina of PA in Monday. I am going to ask them to fax or email a copy of the contract to me so I can read it before then.

Thanks for the helpful reviews.

BMJModel - It is listed under the main webstite under "Affiliates."

I have been a model with Wilhelmina of PA for about 8 months now, since
then I have walked in fashion shows Philadelphia fashion week and
Rittenhouse square and have been on numerous go see's for other projects ie:
commercial print, industrials, etc. I have met with Sak's 5th ave, and
bloomingdales. I had to pay for my pictures and tools just like every other
model and actor. This is the way the industry works, I was just doing a
simple search on the agency when i saw this and felt i had to say something
about my experience which has been nothing but positive with this agency

To Whom this may concern,

I have been a model with Wilhelmina of PA for about 8 months now, since then I have walked in fashion shows Philadelphia fashion week and Rittenhouse square and have been on numerous go see's for other projects ie: commercial print, industrials, etc. I have met with Sak's 5th ave, and bloomingdales. I had to pay for my pictures and tools just like every other model and actor. This is the way the industry works, I was just doing a simple search on the agency when i saw this and felt i had to say something about my experience which has been nothing but positive with this agency.

AnchorMan,
I posted the links relating to Ms. Harmon simply because I felt the information was pertinent. I mentioned attending a casting call there to my fellow employees at the state, and they directed me to STAG (State Attourney General) archives about her previous agencies. I followed up by a quick search online about her and found this board, to which I posted the links as the fairest way of imparting information to those wishing to see it. That much was entirely impartial.
As for other problems, I will be less impartial. There was a comment earlier about the contract that each of us was asked to sign. I took it to a third party for legal analysis and it was noted that the address for the agency was not the physical location of the office/studio. This, I was told, is a big no-no. Less problematic was the excusivity clause. Two years for no other option for representation within the entire state of PA? I have worked in markets from Philly to Erie and everywhere in between. Heery, Mike Lemmon, even Barbizon of Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre do not have such a clause because they know they can not adequately cover the entire state.
Finally, I have modeled and, occaisionally, acted for over 8 years and have received regular training in these areas. Would Willhelmina represent me without the $2500 up front? Would I be denied because I opted to have my head shots done by the same proffessional I have been using? Or if I chose not to purchase new comp cards to replace ones that are only a few weeks old?

You're an idiot. The fact that you have to pay a fee to be on their website demonstrates that they don't believe you'll be able to generate revenue for their company. Good luck, Ugly.

You're an idiot. The fact that you have to pay to be on their website demonstrates that they don't expect you to generate any revenue for their company. Good luck, Ugly.

By the way. I challenge EVERYONE that's complaining, to go to Ford, or Wilhelmina NY/LA. Reply back after you do that. Let me know how it goes. .. seriously, I want to hear the stories.

Just curious.

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

I filed the complaint!

Let's make them stop!

I read this complaint after driving down there for what I thought was an interview to get more work myself and being a sesaoned pro I want to share too because ANYONE can fall for it and should be warned - at least about the 'cattle call' they disguise as an 'appointment.'

Well, next time I will read what people post on-line. Honestly I would never have thought to check into their behavior. I can tell you I never made it to the fees and such because even though they offered I was so pissed by the 'cattle call' and unprofessional behavior of one of their employees (see my letter to them below) that I was done. PPS Modeling schools have fees like that and furthermore yes, models pay for their pictures and shoots many times. And agencies have fees, but they should have a client list too to book you.

If it helps I understand that in Philly agents like Mike Lemon and such handle movies, extra work and commercial stuff quite well - according to the actors I've met. My LETTER BELOW and keep in mind I left before I heard the hard sell you guys got:

Dear Louis, Kelly and whom it may concern,

When an other actor suggested I submit to you for work I did send in my resume and images. I did not send them in to be over-looked and asked to attend a 'cattle call.' No big deal but not professional in my book of over 25 years of experience.
I've worked in fashion for over 25 years, probably longer than you have been alive Louis. I have worked for everything from Italian Vogue to Glamour with top photographers from Walter Chin, Scavullo and Antoine Verglass to Robert Mappeltharpe. I've done the Armani campaign to Lane Bryant outlet - all make-up and hair. I have worked long enough to tell you that poster in your office of Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford - I did Lindas first test when she was scouted by Elite Models before Marita O'Connor of Elite sent her to Paris. In fact, Cindy was an Elite Model as well and Christy was discovered and groomed by Ford.

My point, I have worked long and hard enough to expect respect and professionalism when dealing with an agent setting up an appointment with me. Clearly if someone sends you their headshot, images and resume to do commercial work in your market area and you set up and appointment it is assumed you are going to have a professional dialogue and meet with that person because you are both interested parties in getting more work for them and making money for yourself.

That was not the case here. I did not see it coming but you were only filling seats for the huge open go-see cattle call even after I sent you my information and resume and confirmed an appointment with me.

Could you not have just forwarded it to whomever is in charge of working talent and let them make a decision based on the imagery and resume without subjecting me to a 172 mile hike for a cattle call?
And then set-up a professional meeting (which is what I thought this was) and not send this (and I am sorry to say) misleading ### email giving me an appointment that I needed to 'let the receptionist know LOUIS invited me to the office.'

I am currently working as a make-up and hair artist through Illusions which is a part of CLICK Models in NYC. I was a Fashion and Beauty Editor for MAR Magazine for over 4 years as well until they closed (below you can find links to my work). I do photography as well these days and have done and am doing paid tests for the plus models - Agencies and Models: Dorothy Combs (Miami), Wilhemina NYC, Ford. I have currently been doing acting, extra work, featured extra, on-camera commercial work myself after taking classes last summer in NYC and in the last two months & have booked over 20 jobs - currently with Abrams, Funny Face Talent and Avanti in NYC - all on my resume. I don't ### people. I am an honest person and must say, yesterday traveling to your office and being met by LOUIS at the door who has no sense of professionalism with an attitude of 'here fill this out and take a number' in the midst of all that open call chaos was insulting.

After being told by this ### that I could 'just leave now' when I was confused and trying to understand what he needed me to do after being thrown papers to fill out, ignored for asking questions, and given a I'm too busy to answer you questions attitude from the kid (LOUIS) was only furthered by his continuing dialogue with some ### kissing woman who said, 'you've got one in every bunch and him saying 'that's right" just after he told me I 'could just leave now and not been seen because I was pissed and still not given an explanation as to what he was asking me to do - Like I was the ### because he had NO control of the chaos and furthered the confusion by making people go back up to take a number from the receptionist who had stepped away - which of course no one knew because - who knew there was a receptionist in the first place arriving to be greeted by LOUIS throwing papers at you. Yep, def confusing and not any 'APPOINTMENT' I've ever had after submitting my headshot and resume.

I do appreciate that you, Kelly, helped me get the other actor seen for the split second and a side, whom I had given a ride down as well, because he too had a supposed 'appointment' and I really wanted to get the hell out of there by then. I will add however, it was odd to me that you came down, scoped the situation out, asked me what was the problem and did not introduce yourself. I am intelligent enough to know a savvy and professional person when I see one. I'd suggest you not put your business in the hands of babies - I got a real sense you're someone who can make things happen for your agency. Also, introduce yourself when you meet the guy who they might be running upstairs to tell you is causing problems. I can tell you most often people don't walk into an interview to start a fight - you'll find they have been dealt with badly and most likely provoked by someone.

On a side note, the girls I met there were kind and tried to be helpful in that bad situation - but again did not introduce themselves - in fact, I only figured out who Louis was by the fact someone called his name.

I'd like to add you create your own hell and if you tell a professional they have an appointment then you better have damn well organized one. If you are doing an open go-see to find new talent who know nothing about the business then you should make that clear - I've been in the business long enough to know that there is a big difference.

LOUIS you wasted my time and were rude to me and I hope in your future you learn to deal with people in a polite and patient way.
Kelly, thank you for handling a bad situation & I am sorry I had to meet you under such bad circumstances.

THAT WAS MY LETTER to them:

& here are my credentials: www.behance.net/olanart

I was going to go there tomorrow with my daughter. so glad i looked on the web first.This is a scam you should not have to pay anything for a agent. My daughter has one now and she only gets money if she gets a job, we were just looking for a bigger agent but glad we didn't drive 2 and a half hours for this. there is a lot of scams out there in this business you have to be careful. just like the company walking around the malls they are a scam too just want your money and maybe after paying thousands of dollars they will get you a few background jobs. big deal you can get them yourself.

took my 15 yr old beauty 2 a so called open call. couldnt even find the place at first, its in the back side of another businesses building. club met I believe. There was no individual attention, or an interview at all, we were herded up these steps to a tiny room. The building was in a state of disrepair and it took all I had not to grab my kid and go running out. I was horrified at the cost. We have checked into John Robert Powers, John Casablancas and Barbizon, which r also no nos! they want the basic crap a couple grand 4 classes on manners and use of their photgrapher, blah blah blah..wilhelminas in nyork r ruining their good name and due to the internet it is going out at lightning speed. I think I will save my couple of grand and put it to better use. YOU DO NOT need professional pictures ...YOU DO NOT need to go to modeling school, the agencies prefer that you dont. because what they teach is wrong. I refuse to let another 2 bit company waste my time and gas. thankfully we live local, but people who were there came from New york, ohio and conneticut...NEWYORK 4 goodness sakes, why didnt they just go to the wilhelmina there? why travel 4 hours to go to an agency when u can go to one a few miles away? this whole industry makes me sick with all of the scams and perverts, I wish someone would make an agency to help the models, and not just to line their pockets with money.

Kelli seems to be a great roll model;

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/CPReport.aspx?matterID=201487668

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:IWstar-qOfUJ:www.melissadunphy.com/journals/2004/09/kelli-harman-worst-talent-agent-ever.html+attorney+general+kelli+harman&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

I have modeled in the past and the very first complainer is absolutely right. I've worked with Elite and Wilhelmina NYC and neither one of the two charged fees. I am a business woman myself and I know the agency should only invest money into the model if they are confident this model can make money. The model should never pay a dollar unless they are guarenteed to make money! When you go to work, you work then get paid right? You do NOT pay then work. Interviews are free! ANY agency that asks for money upfront is a scam!

Seems that any complaints to the contrary are from wilhelmina insiders. Here's my two cents. In the art and design world an illustrators agent makes 20%. If your portfolio isnt what they like they tell you to improve it and come back. They are in the business of making money when you make money. If an agency is making you, the talent, pay for services then they are in the business of portfolio creation, and making money off of YOU.

All this hogwash about fees being tax deductible is ###. If they are tax deductible THEN WHY DOESNT WILHELMINA DEDUCT THE FEES FROM THEIR TAXES? They are the ones in the business of talent representation, not us. Gas and a haircut is one thing, but website fees and modelling/actomg classes are another. Also as soon as I went into an open call, you get Keli Hariman with 3 HUGE wall sizes pictures of her kid on the wall. First 20 minutes is her talking about her kid and how hes a "supermodel". While I'm sitting their Im like OH NO what are they trying to sell me, this is not a good sign. If the agency was legit, they wouldn't have to entice you, or give you a sales speech, unless they are making money off you somehow. Also, as a web designer, I can tell you that website fees ARE ###. You should never pay a fee to be on someones website and make THEM look better. It costs them nothing to put your picture on their site. NOTHING. When I do independent conracting design work, I have the person I'm contracting with PAY FOR ALL MY MEALS, TRANSPORTATION, AND EVEN A TRANSPORTATION DAY RATE so I make money WHILE IM DRIVING. Thats what being an independent contractor is, its consultant work, not inferior employment. Wilhelmina is a big business, with big lines of credit and they can afford to KEEP ON STAFF, acting coaches, runway coaches, photographers, etc. that could be used to take pictures and help models WITHOUT CHARGING THEM. On the form wilhelmina gives you, the back page is a FAQ. On the faq it tells you the difference between NYC and PA Wilhelmina. Apparently in NYC your costs come out of your check and are tax deductible. Thats more OK, because you are never out of pocket. In Wilhelmina PA, you pay them first and then have NO GUARANTEE OF ANY WORK! They basically hold all the power! Its ###.

As a designer there is something called spec work, which designer SHOULD NEVER DO. This is when someone says, hmmm let me see what you can do and If I like it I will pay. Basically saying hey, even though you are a professional, how about you TRY OUT for my design job, you put 8hrs of work in and if you WIN my little contest, I will pay you. The way I work is, you want my services, you pay me. You don't like what I did, too bad, I still get paid for my time. If you have a problem with it, then you should have picked a different designer BEFORE you decided on me.

How about this guys, If you were going to work somewhere but before you did they said you had to PAY for job training and then PAY for the uniform you would tell them to shove it up their ###. Last time I did training for a job, THEY PAID ME FOR THE TRAINING! Of course as an employee they are required by law to pay you for anything having to do with the company. You know what the difference in being and independent contractor is...you get paid for your travel and meals too! Not YOU HAVE TO PAY.

The fact that the PA agency is not listed on the main website is a bit suspect to me :/

This attitude towards having to pay for the shoot and other things is starting to become a little ridiculous. How is this a scam? The agency just represents you, you dont work for them. Being a model is no different than owning your own business. When you have a good idea for a company no one is just like...your so good let me get you started for free. Plus, any monies you spend are tax deductible and so is the gas money i hear everyone complaining about. This is an opportunity for you not a freakin handout. Why would they put all the money out for you if your kind isnt talented enough to move or act behind a camera and there just a face? You people need to realize that this is a competitive business not a charity. BTW my daughter is signed to wilhelmina of PA and makes 5 figures at the age of 5...she makes more money than some adults i know. SO whats 2 grand when shes making 30 g's? The only people who think this is a scam are the people who dont have the money to do it and want to complain about it... Do some research before your think your cutie is gonna be the next dakota fanning. Oh by the way "dabull" theres no need for comments about a light skin dude who works there. Who cares what skin color he is?

I have went to one of the top performing high schools and a BFA in Music/Theater from UF and was told I need acting classes. I could probably teach their acting classes! Don't get me started.

MAn MAn Man, SMH. I had traveled from Delaware which was at least three hrs. I was Hyped up for the monologue i had practiced all night because I love to ENTERTAIN and also do my modeling thing. Its feel great to actually be in front of camera. But I was feeling good until i arrive to some back road where they set up a Pool hall and there was no big sign of Wilhelmina PA. Instead I seen a little ### black sign made out of cardboard box and a lot of cars parked hovering the small abandoned building the call WILHELMINA PA. I stepped into the building and still feels like I'm still the hell outside "The Building had no heat. C'mon im freezing my nuts off in here. Damn I felt like i was walking the Brooklyn bridge to go get DIDDY a cheesecake the way my feet were num" . So there is no one at the front desk directing on where to go or what to actually do but there are signs on the wall. I can tell they just set all of this up because it was very unorganized already. Then this light skin dude comes down asking everyone all loud "Did everyone sign in. I also need you to fill out these applications and staple your pic and resume to it also". I can tell he was rushing and overwhelmed by so many people throughout the day. Then we just waited...for like an hr in the freezing cold while the damn door kept opening because of new applicants. Man It was so many people in one lil ### room that i thought i was at a Roscoe Jenkins family reunion. We finally made it upstairs to here this Women "Kelli Harmon" speak on the success of her young son who is now 18, who she started at a young age to get him where he is now. Bravo that is what im here for too lady. "SUCCESS" But anyway we had babies, young teens, young adults, and just the straight elderly packed into this lil ### room with a broke ### runway. LOL. We all had these packets they had handed out before we walked into the room that explained some crazy ### rates for us. So everyone was to stand up and introduce themselves. This Lady Kelli Harmon was in the back just relaxing not paying anyone no mind. While her two punkass assistants look at everyone weird as hell while they speak. PRETTY CREEPY. So I had to walk the runway and killed it. Then afterward i had to cold read and do a entertaining monologue for this guy in a lil office. I talked with the person that supposedly had scouted me when i sent off my pics. So i gave her some good personality. And I was off for a long ### trip back to the DE. A couple of days later I received a call from a blocked number.I dont know about you but I dont answer blocked ID's. So I got a msg from Wilhelmina PA saying to call them back. I called them back today and I conversed with the scout who says that they want to represent me. Helllll YEAHHHHHH! Scout:So we want to set up a photo shoot and get you out here to sign the manager contract that is for specifically for two years. So You have a fee of $2500 that is due when we meet. ME: OH HELL NAH! Got [censored] another SCAM. I cant wait to look back on this situation when I make it big . HAHAHAH Wilhelmina PA $2500 for a photo shoot, the kits, website fee. Remember My face when you turned me down. Well look at me now.

WHAT THERE DOING IS ILLEGAL.

Occupations Code, Chapter 2105.201 prohibits advance or registration fees that are a condition of a talent agency’s registration or representation of you. A talent agency may *offer* the sale of services and/or products; however, you are not required to spend money in order for the talent agency to register you or represent you. Beware of the following: a talent agency may not require you to use or to subscribe to a specific publication, video, audio tape, postcard service, advertisement service, resume service, photographer, or acting or modeling school or workshop. However, if you decide to purchase a service and/or product from a talent agency, the talent agency shall disclose to you, in a written contract signed by both the talent agency and you, that such purchase is not required as a condition of the talent agency’s registration or representation of you.

i also waisted gas on this open call to what i thought was an opportunity with a major agency. i was thrilled about the overall opportunity. so i drove all the way to god knows where up in the cut and was a bit thrown off by the fact that there were like 80 people in the building, possibly more. when i got there. i wasnt surprised because i mean they did put it on craigslist. but at the same time i figured wihelmina would have been more selective on the groups coming out to see them. then the presentation was ridiculous. in my case i got an email back for a set appointment so i thought it would have been more one on one. this women who showcased her son the whole presentation then takes it upon herself to allow everybody to go around the room and say their name where they were from and how they ended up wanting to model. im thinking ARE YOU KIDDING ME? lol we got cancer survivors in the building telling there story which was sad but just irrelevant and too much. i was ready to go at this point. then we were all asked to walk the runway which was pointless as well because this [censored] wasnt even payin attention. ok so in essence of the charges that they are trying to collect from the possible models. some of the fees i didnt have a problem with because i could have used some of the stuff. but i didnt need most of stuff they where offereing i could have paid that i went along. but at the end of the day they still were asking me for 1100 dollars. and this broke down to 75 dollars for a port folio binder. 60 dollars for 2 to 12yr post on their website. 375 dollars for a modeling expertise class, 80 dollars for fed ex ups mailing fees. 180 or so dollars for orientation and some other crap. ok so i had agreed to pay the website fee, the port folio binder fee and that was all i was giving. now the modeling expertise class you charge 375 for what i was told was a one time class. so for someone not like myself but for someone who might have never modeled. if you get this person a job 8 months after the class how much effect really is this 400 dollar one time only class gonna really have. so i thought that was crazy. then on top of that im lookin at their website and the models that they have existing now on there. the photos are pictures of the models that im sure they shot or the models have allowed them to use of them. so my questions is where is the work proof that you have gotten the people you represent already. before i blow my money how fast am i goin to benefit from doing so? so again the professionalism was terrible and i wouldnt recommend them to anybody as well. check me out @www.modellog.blogspot.com. this is what i do. just did the cover to a local magazine called swerv. issue comes out dec 18th. dc, md area or go to swervmag.com to order. im gonna do this with or with out these lames.

Sorry, the url I meant to upload:

http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/kelliharman.html

Wilhelmina of PA is owned/operated by Kelly Harmon, who ran a couple of other agencies in the past.

Wilhelmina Philadelphia — Wilhelmina of pa is a scam

Easy Background Check
Kelli S. Harman (Kelli Harman, Kelly Harman), Owner, The Harman Agency (www.theharmanagency.com)

September 23, 2005

[Last Updated: September 29, 2005 ]

"The state Attorney General's office is seeking more than $5, 000 in sanctions against Kelli Harman, owner of State College modeling agency
Excel Model Management, as well as a court order prohibiting Harman from operating a modeling agency in Pennsylvania."

So far, she is still within the bounds of the law.

I have heard, however, that she is holding models' pay until certain fees are paid by those models (e.g. $69 fee to put portfolio on website). This is a bit of a no-no...as the models have a right to choose to be on the website or not, and if they do want to be on it, the fees can and should be deducted from the models' paycheck.
I took the contract papers I was to be examined by a third party to get their legal opinion. The contract I was given would require that I only work for Wilhelmina and no other agency, for two years. The address on the contract was not the address of the agency's office in Harrisburg, but a mailbox in Mechanicsburg where Kelli Harmon resides which is not how any other agency (that I am aware of) operates.

I do not understand why you people think this is a scam all the time. All major modeling agencies do this... You can bring in other photos but they have to be marketable... if the pictures are not marketable... i.e. done by an amateur photographer whose lighting and angles are wrong, you wont get booked because the clients only have your pictures and measurements to go on when they search for who to book for. It would be ill advised for a prestigious agency like Wilhelmina to not make sure that their interests (and the models interests) are not put first.

I model for both Wilhelmina in NY and in PA and trust me, if you think this agencies fees are bad, don't even attempt to go to NY to model. You CAN get sponsored if you are of a very rare and extremely fit and beautiful figure, but again this happens in about 1 in 100 or more models. A lot of the fees you speak of that you think are a scam are the photography fees and web site fees. How do you think the photographers get paid, and the web site administrators and web site hosting fees get paid. You really don't know what you are talking about. I hope any one who clicks on this page from Google reads these comments, but as soon as they read the illegitimate nature of your complaints they will realize that you are the one that is delusional and not regard this as a valid complaint anyway.

The people you talked to in L.A. are not a modeling agency. They are sort of like the chamber of commerce for modeling agencies, they don't actually do any modeling, booking, or talent marketing themselves, so they wouldn't have a clue about what fees are actually involved. For them to think that this is free or should be free baffles me because of what i said before about the fees needing to pay to have you marketed. I would love to know where the money is going to come from to get your pictures taken, put you in the agency book, put you on the website, time the employees put in to book you for jobs and market you... etc. like the person above said... some agencies will pay for you, but if you don't get booked, expect to be sued for what you owe them.

You are wrong about the modeling industry. Anyone who has actually been in the industry (IE NYC) would know better. All the big agencies charge you fees, and they charge a lot higher fees than affiliate agencies like this one.

The difference is, this agency is charging the fees up-front, whereas the big agencies basically loan you the money, and then take it out of your earnings. They get you going with all the things you have to do to become marketable, and debit it to your account. Then as you get booked they take that money back. And if you don't get booked? They go after you for what you owe them.

THAT is how the modeling industry works. Unless you are 6 foot, Brazilian and have 1 percent body fat, no one is going to give you a free ride. Trust me I've there.

I think it is a shame that the internet has become a HUGE bathroom wall where people can put up FALSE complaints and LIES about companies and their policies...

THIS COMPLAINT IS A COMPLETE LIE! The policies at Wilhelmina of PA are LEGIT. The fact that Wilhelmina of NY and LA both confirmed that any and all fees are legit says it all. First, Wilhelmina of PA DOES accept photography from excellent photographers outside the list of photographers we provide to new talent. We do NOT require everyone to use photographers from the approved list. They CAN shoot with other fashion or commercial photographers who will give the Agency excellent images to market a new model. The photographers on our list have proven to give us amazing images and a wonderful experience to our talent. They are worth the investment. The consultants who come in to work with our talent and train them in specific areas SHOULD be compensated for their time. Do you (the complainer) go to work for free? Why would you expect to not invest in your own career? We train our models in order to give them an edge in a very competitive industry.

When you are represented by Wilhelmina, you are expected to be better than the average model. You must have better photos/portfolio, great skills, and a professional attitude. This complainer does not come close to what we look for in a new talent with regard to a great attitude. We would NOT be interested in working with someone so negative and someone who does NOT understand how the industry works. This is a business and like all businesses we will charge for our professional services offered. We work with the world's top models and we expect them to invest in themselves just as we invest in them.

I challenge anyone to find another agency offering the same opportunity to work with top photographers, trainers, clients and booking agents - all under the same umbrella. This format provides talent the best opportunity possible to reach their potential.

-Wilhelmina PA Staff

This type of scam has been going on for YEARS! Try contacting your local Attorney General's office or the Federal Trade Commissioners office to file a complaint & see if they can assist you in retreiving your funds.