Complaint Review: 1stPlaceModels - StatementModels - IndyModels

Yes,Allen is big deceiver! A SCAM artist! A s***! I had lost a total of $10400 in the last year.

If you have some info about him, contact me please!

Update: Allen Roger Knauer Longstreet is still not paying many models; it's now throughout the nation for various trade shows, conventions, expos, and other various promotional events. He also now has several other employees or aliases including Erin Darlage, Monica Robertson, and April Bianchi (aka 1stplacemodels [website taken down], Statement Models [www.statementmodels.com]. Indy Models [www.indymodels.com], and the newest is Tradeshow Hostesses: [www.tradeshowhostesses.com]. If you are a company/client looking for other models, please Google these various agencies to see the plethura of bad reviews and pick a different agency to hire your staff through. For those models looking to book an event through these various agencies, I'd suggest you also look at the reviews as well.

allen has a new name and a new company he recently emailed me with his same scams and snappy emails like he displays above! he scamed me in 2010 he is now going by the name (Erin Darlage) and like Tamra said there new name is (TradeshowHostesses.com) i will never get my money but i never want a girl to go thru what i went to. (google allen knauer a chicago tribune article) same guy same game

Thank you for posting my full name, as I (unlike Allen Roger Knauer Longstreet, 1st Place Models, Indy Models, Statement Models, Circle City Photography, and now Trade Show Hostesses) have an amazing reputation as being one of the best promotional spokes models in the busines. "Alienated from other agencies"...I think not. I have many other reputable agencies that will vouch for me for my work ethic, reliability, and past promotional history (10 years plus). Allen on the other name had burned many promotional models/specialists (of which I have a list of 30+ if anyone would like to get in contact with directly), as well as a few agencies who can vouch that they paid, were happy with the models, and would never use his "agency" again. Also don't you find it odd that they have changed their name SO many times, as well as Allen having so many alias. Try googling each of them or looking them up through the Labor Board, BBB, Complaints board, as well as various postings on this site. Let's face it, the facts show they are fraudulent and I don't want any other models to have to deal with what I did.

These falsehoods are being posted by a girl name Tamara Barton.  She has alienated every known agency in America and we have all dropped her.  There is no work for her and she is bitter.  Had she put 1/10 as much effort into the booking we had for her years ago, she wouldn't now be unhappy and without work. 

We are the nation's largest provider of trade show and event models.  Since 1994, we have staffed more jobs in our industry than all other agencies (real and perceived) combined.  2011 was the best year in our history and 2012 is on track to top it.  We offer well-screened clients, the best pay in our industry, and a lot of work.  Contrary to Tamara's rambling, we also pay everyone who completes the job they contract to do.  If you want to work for the best, and are worthy of working for the best, contact us.  Send your name, location, background, and sample images.  We will get back to you promptly.  

We thank Tamara for continuing to give us the chance to tell models about what we have to offer and to set the record straight. 

Just to update anyone searching on the Internet to see if Trade Show Hostesses www.tradeshowhostesses.com is legit, please note that it is owned and operated by the same guy stated above. He hires promotional models, gets paid by the client, and then never pays the talent. BEWARE!!!!!!!

ALlen, YOu are a SCAM artist. a good one too. i am getting a list of the girls that didn't get paid and we are reporting you to further invistigation, i have big connections everywhere...Karma is a B, and it's coming to catch you now.the same way you are taking money from people, one day someone will do that to you or to your family.... , watch your name in the news...it's coming soon.

Tell me how many other modeling agencies get complaints like you did...none, i ve worked with diff companies for sooo many years, and i always got paid. stop trying to clean your image, Just admit it, you take people 's money..

At least 98% of those who work as contractors for modeling agencies enjoy the experience and are successful, both for themselves and for the agency which contracted with them. 

There are, however, in any group of people, those who make like difficult for the majority.  You can read their libelous gossip here.  The blatant lies included in this nonsense are nothing short of amazing.  It's very easy for poor-performers to come to a site like this and libel an agency.  It comes from one or more of the following:

- Not doing the job they were contracted to do.

- Violating the terms of the contract they signed.

- Not understanding the terms of the contract.  This is especially true of beginners.

- Being desperate for money.

- Expecting to get a check the day the job ends. 

- Gossip like what is found on this site.

For modeling contractors, payment can sometimes take many weeks.  It's a reality of this type of work.  Musicians, actors, models.....it's a known and accepted norm in such industries that checks take time.  It depends on a long list of variables.  Today's economy is especially relevant.  

These scam Internet sites are an easy, and illegal, way for poor-performers to libel a reputable business that merely held them to the terms of the agreement they signed.  There's no confirmation required for any of this nonsense; they just post it and move on.  They don't, however, ever come back and correct their libelous conduct once they get paid.  Sites like this one exist for one reason: to make money!  They attempt to sell advice to those complaining and "reputation repair" services to those who have been libeled.  It's all a big scam. 

To the hundreds of model contractors who work in this industry, who contract for work, do your job, get paid, and move on to the next job, thank you!  Yes...in this economy, payment can be slow.  That's not in dispute.  However, those of you who do this often know that, eventually, the major agencies do send your check.  Maybe not as fast as you like but you aren't libeling them here.  To those who shouldn't be attempting to work as a contractor model, who are desperate for money and can't abide by the terms to which you agreed, who don't have the skill-set required and muddy the water for everyone and then whine here when you get docked part of your pay (or don't get paid at all for violating the terms you agreed to), everyone would really appreciate it if you just moved on and found something else to do.       

Well...looks like Allen has tried to come back onto the scene looking for fresh meat to rip off and he actually has the audacity to post promotional spokes modeling casting calls. All be aware:
Circle City Photography
MM Photographer #1294498
http://www.modelmayhem.com/circlecityphotography

I was finally paid 85 days later, only because I chased after Allen Roger Knauer and his fraudulant business. I have also been contacted by 10-15 other models in the past year that have also not been paid by his companies. If you would like to be put in contact with the other models, please email me (((ROR REDACTED)))]

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

This matter was resolved over a year ago. Does the site routinely remove these posts when they are no longer relevant? If not, it should.

Let it be known, it is November 12, 2007 and I (Tamara) have NOT been paid the money owed and will continue to pursue this matter with the court and authorities! Anyone in this same situtation with 1stPlaceModels or their affilliates are encouraged to contact me asap!

Tamara has received payment in full, per the terms of the agreement she signed, and per the payment timeline that she agreed to PRIOR to posting this notice on Ripoff Report. We work very hard to be fair to all but sometimes expectations just aren't realistic. We wish Tamara well in her future endeavors.