Report: #402665

Complaint Review: Statement Models Indy Models Allen Knauer

Statement Models, Indy Models, Allen Knauer DID NOT PAY, responds to emails very slowly, does not pick up the phone at all. Indianapolis Indiana

Reported By:

— Evanston Illinois
Submitted:

Thu, December 18, 2008
Updated:

Sun, January 18, 2009

Statement Models, Indy Models, Allen Knauer

P.O. Box 47821

Indianapolis, Indiana

U.S.A.
Phone:

317-786-8135
Category:

Modeling & Talent Agencies

*REBUTTAL Owner of company: A little patience goes a long way... *Consumer Comment: indy models, statement models or 1st place models all the same BS *Consumer Comment: indy models, statement models or 1st place models all the same BS *Consumer Comment: indy models, statement models or 1st place models all the same BS *UPDATE Employee: Why sites like this one aren't very reliable *Author of original report: Paid over 90 days later.

I worked at the NACS conference in Chicago, October 2008, for Ruiz Foods and went through Statement Models. It was a two day gig, and now, December, I still have no recieved anything, nor have I been told when I will be paid. They owe me $400, and they owe the other girls as well.

I realized something was wrong when they would not pick up their phone (I believe it is a cell phone because I know someone was able to contact "them" at night and apparently woke them up). They did not even pick up the phone the day of the trade show when my company initially did not show. They also take a long time to respond to emails.

I have recieved email confirmation twice that I would "probably" be paid. One was in November saying the checks had not yet been written and would be sent by the 15th. Nothing. The next came November 26th saying, "We will be in a position to mail a large number of checks by early next week." Note that the wording always makes it convenient for them to say that your check might be coming soon, but perhaps they just didn't get to you yet.

It has been well over two months. I should not have to wait 4 months or more for payment on a job. Most agencies pay within 3 weeks, closer to the 2 week mark.

There is a clause in my contract with Statement Models that disallows me from contacting the company I worked for, under penalty of no payment. This is another convenient way for them to stop models from pursuing their payment. Companys have to pay modeling agencies before or immediately after the conference, so they money has undoubtedly already been given to Statement. It just hasn't been given to us.

Mia
Evanston, Illinois
U.S.A.

6 Updates & Rebuttals

Mia

Evanston,
Illinois,
U.S.A.

Paid over 90 days later.

#7Author of original report

Sat, January 17, 2009

After I filed a report with RipOffReport.com and the Better Business Bureau of Indiana I only received this from Statement Models: "Mia will be paid according to her contract." It had been over 90 days, so I took action. I contacted the Bluhm Legal Clinic and they advised me to file reports with the Indiana Attorney General for Consumer Fraud, as well as contact the Attorney General for Cook County (since the job took place in Chicago). I then notified Statement Models of my actions.

Their reply said they would pay me at the end of the week. They also said they found my actions to be harassing and that I should no longer contact them except by certified mail. However, their mailbox that they have listed on the website is a P.O. Box which could not receive certified mail. They further said they would contact other agencies in Chicago to notify them of my "behavior." I'd like to add that simply notifying a company of the legal action I have taken because I have not been paid could not possibly be considered harassment. I contacted them maybe a total of 6-8 times since working the job over 3 months ago. If I were calling or emailing multiple times a day, THAT would be harassing.

At the end of their email, they claimed the message was protected by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and that I could not show it to anyone. This act actually only protects email in transit (i.e. from being intercepted before arriving at a destination), usually from government taps, etc. My personal opinion is that this was a bullying tactic to keep me from sharing their actions with anyone interested.

***************
End of the story: I was paid the full $400. The check cleared. But it took 90 days and the very real threat of legal action to get it done. As of the middle of this week, the two other girls still have not been paid. Hopefully it will happen soon.

Jessica

Greenwood,
Indiana,
U.S.A.

Why sites like this one aren't very reliable

#7UPDATE Employee

Sat, January 17, 2009

I heard these complaints were here, so I came to see for myself. After reading this, you'd think that no one has ever been paid and the entire agency is a scam.

I have worked for this agency for 5.5 years. Yes, there are times when I have been paid more slowly than others. But the point is....EVERYONE is always paid! With all the REAL scams out there, it's really irritating when this stuff is posted on the Internet about one of the few agencies that actually has real work!

Again, I understand that it's slow sometimes. It's slow a lot lately. I hear the complaints on jobs. But you have to see the bigger picture! There's very few real agencies out there. Very few with any real work. This agency books a ton of events every week and they book a lot of girls. I'd much rather have work and wait a while to get paid than never get paid at all.

You want to talk about real scams? There are several out there. This agency isn't one of them. Slow? Definitely. But...everyone gets paid eventually! I've worked nearly 100 jobs by now and have been paid for every one of them.

You may have your own gripe, and it may be valid, but it isn't like what you read on this site. There's no one validating what people put on here. Ask your own questions and be skeptical of anything you read on a site like this.

Rusty

Mattews,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

indy models, statement models or 1st place models all the same BS

#7Consumer Comment

Thu, January 08, 2009

This company has been in business not even a year and "We have filed for a reorganization and that process is not done. It is not bankruptcy; we're just realigning our debt into a schedule. Once done, we can start paying it. With any luck, it will be done by 10/31."

According to the state of Indiana they have been in business less than a year, see details below.

Name Searched On: INDYMODELS (Legal)
Entity Legal Name:INDYMODELS, LLC
Entity Address:
P.O. Box 47821, Indianapolis, IN 46247
Control Number: 2008033100136
Status: Active Entity Type: Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Entity Creation Date: 3/29/2008 1:10:45 PM
Other Names for this Entity:
4/17/2008 STATEMENT MODELS (Assumed)
4/17/2008 1ST PLACE MODELS (Assumed)
Registered Agent(name, address, city , state , zip):
Roger Knauer
5555 Elmwood Ave. Suite H
Indianapolis , IN 46203
03/29/2008 03/29/2008 Articles of Organization
04/17/2008 04/17/2008 Certificate of Assumed Business Name

Good luck

Rusty

Mattews,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

indy models, statement models or 1st place models all the same BS

#7Consumer Comment

Thu, January 08, 2009

Rusty

Mattews,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

indy models, statement models or 1st place models all the same BS

#7Consumer Comment

Thu, January 08, 2009

Statement Models

Indianapolis,
Indiana,
U.S.A.

A little patience goes a long way...

#7REBUTTAL Owner of company

Wed, January 07, 2009

We have already explained to Mia that her check will be mailed this Friday. This is consistent with the terms of the agreement she signed.

We staff over 30 events a week, every week of the year. Most are happy with the experience and find the money to be a great 2nd income. Some, like Mia, are the exception. While we try to make everyone happy, we must also be realistic and fair to all.

We wish Mia luck in her future endeavors.

Respond to this Report!