Seattle's Emerald City And Modeling Scam Seattle Washington
We signed our son up with Emerald City Talent Agency in January. Went there for photoshoot, owner (not professional photographer) took my pics (badly) and half the photos had my head cut off?! Totally scammed as I was directed there by a secretary posting ads on CL for promo gigs and brand ambassaders and when I get there...its a modeling place. ?! So I go in assuming I got a job and get hit with pay 600 bucks for photos. He said I could "work out a deal" paying onlya few hundred until my next "job" comes which is what I did. NEVER have gotten my "headshots", NEVER have gotten a job, total BS. Scammed like no tomorrow. BUt happy I didnt pay the 600 bucks and instead paid half that but still scammed. Its been almost a month and nothing. The guys a real tool and the place isnt real.
We still did not receive his "headshots", (photos taken of him) I have asked the owner, John Harb, several times to mail them, but have not received a response. Can you believe it? I have asked several other questions regarding Emerald City's business practices as well. It usually takes three to four times before an answer is given. They are unprofessional and very slow to respond. I do not recommend them. Don't waste your money here! These people are scam artists. They make their money by insisting that "you would be great" and they have "tons of jobs for you to go on right now". But as soon as you have paid them for your (unprofessional) headshots that ONLY they can do ($600.00-$1,000.00) You will never hear from them again! This is the way they make their money- getting people to pay a lot of money for bad "headshots".
If you are serious about getting into the model/talent business don't waste your time or money here they are unprofessional and they will not help further your career. You might get a listing from them for a job that you could probably find on craiglist on your own or modeling for a hair show (which there are also plenty on craigslist) Don't be a sucker to this SCAM!!!! I'd say it's the only thing professional here.
Qpid_red23
yakima, Washington
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Jennifermilbrad
Snohomish,Washington,
U.S.A.
No garentees in this business
#3UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 11, 2009
Emerald City Model and Talent has been in business for 23 years with over 500 clients like boeing, microsoft, disney, etc. and also has been with the better business bureau since 1991. They are not a school, they have no sign up fees, when people come here in order to get into the data base they need to take photos of them which acurately reflects on how they actually look. They don't do glamour shots or fashion pictures because they are a real people agency. Of course the talent has to pay for their own portfolios just like any other business, they cannot gaurentee work because they are not the ones that are choosing the employees for the ad or commercial. The main point of being with an agency is that you need to stick with it long term because everybody is different, some people get their first job in 2 weeks and other may take 3 or 4 months to get their first job. They do not gaurentee anyone any jobs because we cannot predict the future.
Swan
Yakima,Washington,
U.S.A.
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME/MONEY!
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, October 20, 2008
A friend and I were refered to this place so we decided to check it out. First off it's all the way in Edmonds, in a strip mall type location. It was a tiny little office space. When we walked in the "receptionist" or "assistant" was nice and told us to have a seat, they'd be right out. We waited for about half an hour...the staff there is totally creepy and unprofessional.
One of the emloyees named Johnny is so strange. He comes off like he's an A list celeb and talked our ears off with boring and useless info. We met the man who takes your photos if you choose to do so. It is around $600 to take around 3 photos! He said he'd give me and my friend a "deal" and only charge half price. My friend simply didn't have the money at that time so they told her she could come back at a later date. She tryed to get a hold of them many times to tell them she needed to reschedule but they never called her back and then ended up calling me and nagging me for her #. Yeah, like I'd give that out. I actually got a couple really nice photos out of it so I don't regret it completely.
Then after a week or so they called me to tell me my pictures were ready to pick up whenever. I drive all the way down to Edmonds (about an hour drive from where I live) and I walk up to the door and it was locked! Lights were on but no one there. Very frustrating. Called # no one answered so left detailed message. Johnny calls me back hour later, asks when I can come down again, demanded him to please mail my pictures to me instead. I know this business has it's ups and downs and you have to watch out for scam but come on this place doesn't even pretend to have any class, VERY unprofessional. I've never even heard of anyone being proudly represented by this place. Beware, just don't waste your time.