Complaint Review: E-Model (TCT Talent)

I was 'discovered' at a night club about two years ago by someone holding an open casting call. I was interested/curious, so I went.

There was a group of about 15 people in a room, all of which had been 'discovered'. We watched a video, walked the mock runway to show our stuff, and then had one on one interviews with the scouts.

I was told that I could make it in print modeling. I decided to think about it and meet for a second interview in Chicago. My mistake, I signed up, gave pictures, $500 and my credit card info. I went home with a user id and password to get on their website (where I would have my information posted) and a talent number.

I went on the site frequently and never found my information. I called and spoke with a SpokesModel (Gary) who told me that my pictures were lost and that I would need to send new ones. He made sure that my information was posted (without the pictures).

A few days later, my profile was on the site, but still my pictures were lost. I sent new pictures, and checked again. Still nothing. Frustrated I called back and requested to cancel the charges on my credit card because they did not do as told in the agreement.

They told me that they would not charge my credit card, but for my troubles I would remain a talent on their webpage (I insisted because of the original $500 I put down).

Though they stopped charging my credit card, they soon took me off of the webpage.

I received nothing in regards to the name/company changes, and my userID and password have been cancelled. They have also deleted my talent number from their system.

What was my $500 payment for?

Jennifer
Western Springs, Illinois
U.S.A.