The Blue Rooms Photographic Studios review: Mis-lead to sign a contract under pressure and sold a package which I won't be able to use 3

I applied for my daughter via a facebook link (uk models) to become a model. On the 10th october I was contacted by uk models new face consultant Joe saying that my daughter application has been successful and they would like to book her in for a photo shoot. I was asked a few questions by Joe. One of the questions was, "do we work full time?" I answered yes, both of us.

I asked him, "if my daughter is successful, when does the modelling/ castings take place?" Joe answered "during school holidays and weekend". Purely based on this answer, we decided to go ahead with the photo shoot.  My husband and I are working and our hours are 7:30am-17:00pm so we are available over weekends and school holidays.

   The photo shoot took on sunday 15th august 2023 at 11:30am. About 45min after the photo shoot, we were called in by Gav, to view the photos. He informed us that the photo shoot went far better than what they would expect from an 17 year old, especially as this was her first time doing something like this and more because she is so beautiful and she have a big potential to do modelling. He then started asking us questions about my daughter and us. 

Again one of the questions was, "do we work full time?" I said yes and Gav told us that all modelling/ casting will take place on weekends and school holidays. He said this is right and then went ahead to explain how the whole process will work and showed us the packages we can purchase.

  He also explained that this is a models cv and how important this will be for my daughter to start her modelling. He then went ahead and explained the packages available but emphasised how important the portfolio, efolio and z card is for a model and that all models need this to go further.

  The package we purchased was £2500 - All images, Model E-book (10 airbrushed images), downloadable Z card,20 Prints in a faux leather album, free advice/ information /support for 24 months he said or until kayleigh gets signed.

  We tried to tell Gav that we did not come prepared to pay that amount, because previously we were informed by Joe - New faces consultant that after the shoots it will be our choice if we want to make a portfolio for our child and that he will be around of 100£ and in no case 3700£, as Gav suggested us like a package the first time.

    Gav immediately said that he apologizes that Joe omitted to specify, that it was an error but in any case he will make an offer and will suggest us to buy the £2500 package, which will include the same elements as the £3700 package. And of course we don't need to pay all money in that day, just 450£ more and plus that 50£ from depozit, and the rest of the money we can pay montly.

    I said the same thing, that we are not prepared for this extraordinarily large amount. Gav immediately asked if we have a friend who can help us, to borow this £450, and again, to think it is about our child, that we have to invest in her,  for her future and is a good oportunity, and more because my daughter have this ability.

    I tried to ask for a little time, to see where I can get the money, but Gav once again specified that I have to get the answer on the spot and he can't wait, otherwise we lose everything!

  We felt pressurised, as this was a lot of money. We can't leave the premises and discuss this. If we wanted to go ahead, we need to decide right then. I tried to call a friend to help me with the £450, which Gav told me I need to pay to start the contract, but having no signal in that room, I went out for a few minutes, during which Gav asked my girl: What do you think, your mother will be able to do waste of money, or do I have to find another option?

Of course, when I just come back because she is still a child she didn't know that this possibly meant something hidden in the middle and more when Gav seen I have the 450£ he started to be more excited then us and to explain my daughter possibly future and my child forgot to tell me what did he ask her.

      And we decided to take the package based on the advice and information that Gav provided for 2500£ in total:

     1. Modelling and casting take place on weekends and school holidays.

    2. All models need a portfolio, z-card and efolio as this is like their cv.

     3. We need the portfolio to apply to agencies and casting websites.

     Then he further explained that there are 2 routes to follow. One is through signing with agencies. If you apply to an agency, they do all the work and find you castings. You need to go on the agency website and fill in an application form. The agency will ask for some photos and this is where you use your portfolio photos you have purchased from uk models (blue rooms).   The agency will then sign you or not and normally take around 25% of what you get paid for the job. Second path is through casting websites. This is freelancing, where you need to sign up to their website. All castings get advertised on the website and then you apply for the jobs yourself. You need to be very pro-active and check the website daily. 

What he did not tell us is that the casting websites all cost money. We told him as we work full time we will use the agency route.

I tried to get some information from agency websites who can deal with teenagers, and  One of the first things every single website which I tried is that all modelling/ casting takes place during working hours monday-friday and that you should be able to travel on short notice normally 24 hours. And I am very furios because I was asked two times if we working full time and we said yes.

Secondly nearly all the websites said you don't need professional photos to apply. Thirdly some agencies have their own photographers and you can only use their photographers and this cost more money. These are but a few.

   Once again we felt mislead. If we were told that most casting takes place during school time we would never have signed the contract and not even have attended the photo shoot and more because my daughter is still in school time and she will not be able to miss from scholl not at all.

   I was mis-sold a package I cannot use. I was mis-lead to sign a contract. No agency wants to sign my daughter with the stipulation she can only work holidays or weekends. I have tried:One of answer from agency websites which is more then enough:

      Bonnie and betty website

"Please bear in mind that castings are generally very short notice, sometimes the agency is given less than 24hrs notice, and are mainly in central london for the southern division and central manchester for the northern division. Castings for school age children are generally after school, normally between 4-6pm. Castings for children not of school age generally take place during the day.

Shoots will nearly always take place during the day, so for school age children, parents must be happy for their child to miss school as and when. The agency/client will apply for a child performance licence for your child when required. Parents must of course also be available to chaperone their child to castings/shoots."

     We are asking for a full refund on the basis of

• misleading actions and omissions and incorrect information given which lead to

Us signing a contract

• aggressive commercial practices

• we were lead to believe a portfolio, efolio and z card is essential to get a model started, like her cv. Agencies don't ask for a portfolio and will do their own photos once the model signs with them.

    Today, 17.10.2023, following the above, I tried to discuss with the manager from The blue rooms studio to find a solution to cancel the package chosen only 2 days ago, and to be refund the £500 , money that I was told is like a deposit. She could only say that she understood everything I told her, that it is possible that some information was omitted, but unfortunately they cannot cancel the package, and that the money cannot be returned once I have signed some sheets. Actually she didn't want to give me any help at all, and she didn't let me say my opinions.

Which is way, being very disappointed by the manager's attitude,  I contacted citizen's advice.

       I have taken advice from citizen's advice. They told me this dispute falls under the consumer protection for unfair trading regulations 2008, misleading information played a significant factor into us entering into a contract.