Complaint Review: Statement Models

I worked a Trade Show back in May for Statement Models in Washington, DC. The owner is Allan Knauer. It has been almost six months later and I have yet to receive payment in full. My contract stated that I would be paid 1100 for 4 days work. I received a check in August for only half, 550. I have repeatedly contacted Allan asking for payment and have received a laundry list of excuses. I have included those below. I now believe that I will never see the rest of money, that I was SCAMMED by STATEMENT MODELS and ALLAN KNAUER. So if you consider working for Statement Models, AKA Indy Models I would not unless you don't want to be paid.

DO NOT WORK FOR STATEMENT MODELS


07/12/08
I am writing to give you the latest update regarding the mailing of checks.

We are nearly completed with the launch of a new business that is going to take us in a different direction. This is a move we have contemplated for over a year and, unfortunately, you are caught up in the midst of it finally happening. I don't know at this point if the agency is going to continue past September. We are currently staffing bookings for which we are already committed but are not actively seeking new bookings. If we do continue the agency business, it will only be after we have completed the launch of our new venture and it is operating without 24/7 attention. It also will only be after restructuring the agency business to make it consistently profitable.

I know.....what you really want to know is when the money is going to be mailed. That's all you should care about. We will be able to complete another large check batch on Tuesday and will be mailing many checks that day. We will be processing agency check batches each Tuesday for the remainder of July. By the last Tuesday in July, we will be current. The original plan was to be current by this weekend but it didn't work out that way.

This is the best it's going to be. It is unfortunate that a handful of you have not yet been paid as fast as we normally do but we purposely picked the time we did to minimize the number of people who were going to be affected. Our world is going to improve greatly as a result of this move and, in a short time, the comparatively small impact it has had on you will end. Those of you who are waiting on checks from work in May have been very patient and it has been greatly appreciated. If we do decide to continue the agency business, we will make it up to you when we start actively seeking new bookings. Either way, I wish all of you much success in your future work

07/26/08
The wait is almost over. Please make sure the address you gave us is the one at which you currently receive mail. Of the last 8 checks we mailed, 2 have been returned as undeliverable with no forwarding address. Thanks.

08/04/08
If you're receiving this, the following is a summary of the questions we've received and the answers that apply to you:

Have you mailed my check yet? No.

Why not? We are awaiting 2 large settlement checks that will provide the cash-flow to pay everyone. Neither has yet arrived.

When will I get my check? 3 weeks ago, we were sure you would have it by now. Unfortunately, there has been an unforeseen delay in receiving the checks referenced above. The day we have the funds, your check will be in the mail.

Are you filing bankruptcy? No, bankruptcy is for those who have debts and no means to pay them. We have debts and a way to pay them....eventually.

Is the agency still open? Kind of. We are in select markets where we can keep a cash-flow moving that will allow the business to operate long-enough for us to return to being current.

Will the agency stay open after that? Don't know yet. If so, probably not in as many markets as we have been.

That's the update. Everyone will be paid just as soon as possible. Admirably, we've had 2 girls, in Atlanta and Orlando, who have offered to work new jobs to help keep the agency cash-flow moving to allow everyone to be paid. When we do send checks, yours will be the first 2 created. Sadly, there have been 2 as well who have resorted to libelous rants on Internet websites. You'll be paid as well but your checks will be created last :)

I understand that everyone is irritated and wants to be paid. I want to be paid as well. Someday soon, we all will be paid. The relatively small amount of money that all of you are waiting on is not enough to have a cow over. It is coming.

08/26/08
We anticipate mailing another batch of checks from the time period of the Vanda job on approximately September 4th

WHICH WAS NOT MAILED TO ME SO I SENT AN EMAIL TO FOLLOW UP AND GOT THIS RESPONSE:

9/11/08
It will be in the mail the day we mail it.

10/20/08
We won't be paying anyone anything until our reorganization filing is complete. We hope to have it approved by the end of the month. Once done, we'll be able to pay those who are still waiting on a check per a schedule. If all goes as we hope, we will have a payment schedule for all by early November. This is the only way anyone who is still waiting is going to be paid, so let's all hope our reorg is approved.

Laura
Springfield, Virginia
U.S.A.