- Report: #603970
Complaint Review: Icon Model Management - Toronto Ontario
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Author Confirmed
Why?
Icon Model Management
402-130 Spadina Avenue Toronto, Ontario, United States of America
Phone:
416-504-4266
Web:
www.IconModels.ca
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Icon Model Management Preys on Model Wannabes, Makes money off of portfolio fees, Dishonest Sales Practices Toronto, Ontario
I answered an ad in the local newspaper about a modelling agency that was looking for models with or without experience of all races and shapes for work in movies, music videos, print media, etc. in May 2005. I cannot believe that it took me this long to file this complaint, but I guess it was out of embarassment of falling for such a scam, but I still remember everything as if it happened yesterday.
Since I had just finished university at the time and was looking for a new career, I decided to take the plunge and made an appointment to see them. Right away, the owner, Riz Paradiso (real name being Rizwan Bhatti) was quite nice and told me that I had the look and wanted to sign me right away, but I had to pay for the portfolio photos myself. I asked about why I had to pay such upfront fees for photos if they were signing me, but Riz told me that the fee was to cover administrative costs as well as for booking the makeup artist and photographer for me.
So I ended up paying close to $1000 CAD for a few photos that weren't that great anyway. I cannot believe that I fell for such an excuse because according to the following link, "the Cardinal rule is that you, the model, never pay money to an agency. Genuine model agencies find you work and make their money by taking a cut, not by charging you for a portfolio, registration or other "services"":
http://www.wolfkettler.co.uk/models/modelsguide/sellyourbody/spotterscams.html
I also found out that this "golden rule" is reiterated on many modelling information websites such as http://www.NewModels.com, so I honestly wonder if Cindy Crawford had to pay for her portfolio photos upon being signed by Elite Models before hitting the big time? Anyhow, after the photo shoot as well as picking up the photos a few weeks later, I heard NOTHING back from Icon Models...no contact at all, let alone calls about auditions or jobs afterwards and in the years since then. I should have listened to my instincts about them from the start because I noticed that after I paid for the photos, Riz seemed like a different person because he told me that I should lose some weight if I wanted to make it in the modelling business. Well, if I don't fit the bill, why even bother wasting both of our time with a photo shoot (especially one I had to pay for myself)?! This obviously makes them a scam artist masquerading as a modelling agency only after the money of vulnerable model wannabes.
I know my situation took place a few years ago but I recently thought about them and did a Google search, and ended up finding numerous complaints and negative comments about Icon Models, namely their practice of asking money upfront for portfolio fees from aspiring models. The following are a few examples of such links:
http://www.ModelMayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=148795
At this point, I would very much like to have my hard-earned money refunded from them. I have also escalated this grievance by filing a complaint with the local BBB in my area. Hopefully, these measures will help to stop Icon Models from preying on other vulnerable victims dreaming about fame and fortune in the modelling business.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Helper10
Chicago ,Illinois,
Canada
Scammed
#2Consumer Comment
Wed, March 30, 2016
I know a few more people that experienced what happened to you including myself. I was wondering if you did anything else after that? If you don't mind, could you email me so I could get more information about this. [email protected]
Helper10
Chicago ,Illinois,
Canada
Scammed by icon
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, March 30, 2016
I have also been scammed by icon, paid them a large amount and then was not contacted. I was wondering if I could you did anything else to see what happened?
firefly
Ontario,icon
#4General Comment
Sun, January 11, 2015
hello I'm sorry you are frustrated. With all do respect though, with all agencies, you need to have professional photos/headshots etc. so that is what the cost was upfront. Yes, the Rule is not to pay any 'fees' or 'costs' upfront, which professional photos are not a fee they are to advance your career ------> especially if you had no pro photos to begin with. Agencies cannot send blank faceless "resumes." If you previously had professional photos done walking into it, then that would be different story, and you could have just used those photos.
Icon's cost for photos really isn't that much to be honest - many other photographers charge 650+ before print/comps so I consider their photo cost to be fair at least in my opinion.
Anyway hope everything worked out for you, did you end up going with another agency?
Anonymous
United States of AmericaOther victims should report this agency ASAP!
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, May 25, 2010
I know some other models who were scammed by Icon as well i.e. paid for overpriced photos.
With all the online complaints against this agency, as well as others for that matter, I don't understand why other victims haven't reported them to their local Ministry of Consumer Services.
In Ontario, the Ministry of Consumer Services can be reached at 416-326-8800. Please call this number and file a complaint if you were scammed/wronged by this agency as well, as this is the only constructive way to put an end to such scams.
FYI, Icon is listed on ACTRA's "no-cheque" list (on their blacklist of agencies), which speaks for itself here: (((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.
