I was hired to work the SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas, NV by "TradeShow Hostesses" in December 2012. The show ran in mid-January 2013 for four days. I completed the assignment without any issues. I inquired about when we would receive our pay checks from the company at which time they said checks would be mailed out the following week. This was on February 2nd, 2013. When the check was never received viz mail, I once again inquired about when we should expect to be paid and they responded with another month.
After they kept postponing payment, I did a little research on the company. They have had to change their name over three times for not paying models and committing fraud in different states. At that time I decided to get my lawyer invovled. He was able to locate their companies registered address. I had a friend go to the address to see if it was legit, and of course it was not. It is actually a Cross Fit gym. The guy on the other end of the computer goes by Allen Knauer. He also claims to have a employee that goes by the name Erin Darlage. She has yet to be confirmed as an actual person to date.
After several attempts to collect payment Allen stated that they no longer had to pay me because I was "bothering" them about when we would be paid too much. He also replied at a later date that he was going to pay me when he "felt" like it since I was being "difficult". I was never diffcult. Always professional. I showed up to work on time everyday and the client was extremely satisfied with my work. I completed my end of the contract and exceeded the clients expectations. Allen, however, does not have the intention of paying his models at any of these shows.
You can see a trend as every year he pops back on the map with a new name and new way to scam. He claims to be the biggest tradeshow staffing agency in the country, yet he is unable to pay his models. NOTE TO MODELS: ALWAYS DO BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THESE COMPANIES. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE WORKING FOR THEM AND SEEK THE INFORMATION FROM AN UNBIASED SOURCE.
I have been doing tradeshows since 2003 and have NEVER had an issue. Nor had I ever heard of his company (mainly because he changes his name every year or so) so do NOT let this guy fool you. It is NOT worth it. If you google any of the above mentioned companies they are all reported on rip off sites and even a article in the Chicago Tribune about his scams:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-09-30/news/0709290488_1_e-mails-modeling-bottom-line
Here is another recent complaint (for there are SEVERAL over the past few years) on another website filed for non payment with indepth reports of the "run around" this guy gives you:
(((link redacted)))
The payment is now 5 months past due and he is no longer responding to any of his 4 emails I aquired from www.godaddy.com (includes public contact information for the owner of all his websites) My lawyer sent them a FINAL NOTICE last Friday, May 31st, 2013, to either pay or we would file a judgement against him. Since we have not heard from him a week later we have begun the judgement process. If you have been scammed by Allen or any of these fictional characters that work for him, please contact me if you would like to start a judgement I would be happy to put you in contact with my lawyer so he can help you as well. My lawyer has found enough supporting evidence on this guys "payment history" (or should I say lack there of) and I would be happy to include you in on the judgement (and lawsuit) we are proceeding with.
IF YOU ARE READING THIS POST IT IS BECAUSE PAYMENT HAS STILL NOT BEEN RECEIVED.
iDontWorkForFree
Los Angeles,#2Author of original report
Tue, October 15, 2013
Allen still owes me $375 and it is now 10 months past due. He said I would be paid the final amount shortly after I got half my check, but he just sent me threatening emails saying I have to take down my report on here and I am lucky to get paid at all. I updated it accordingly and said I was paid half with that contigency of getting the rest when I correctly updated my report, but now that I updated he paid half he refuses to pay me and only responds with crazy threatening emails. He has not reponded to one email in the past month and the last email received just said "You are lucky you got anything at all"... whatever that means. I worked hard for that money and this guy is just a conartist. Will update if I ever get paid in full, but looks like this guy has no intention of paying his clients so DO NOT WORK WITH HIM.
HardWorkingModel
San Francisco,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, October 11, 2013
I hope you continue to demand your second half of your payment which Roger still has not paid you and I am sure you have been waiting many months. Roger runs a nationwide scam and it is time that there are some consequences to his mistreatment of female promotional models. I was in the same situation as you and finally got paid after he had long breached the contract and sending multiple emails/ calling etc. He often sent back unpleasant emails. When that wasn't enough I was able to get some help from authorities (yes it is possible).
I had to work very hard to get Roger to pay me and I will never work for his or any of his other scam agencies again. We work hard, get up early and receive positive feedback from the client just to find out that there is an individual in Indianapolis who tries to take advantage of models from out of state. I find this very unacceptable and hope that everyone continues to fight for their well earned money. Granted we shouldn't have to spend hours upon hours upon hours trying to get our money but it is better than letting Roger Allen Knauer of Indianapolis, IN hang on to it.
ModelsAgainstConartists
Los Angeles,#4Author of original report
Wed, September 18, 2013
I was contacted by Allen about a month ago threatening to remove these messages. On here he said the my report was completely untrue, but in the emails he was very much the same ol' Allen with his empty threats and usual blubbering tone delivering excuse after excuse for his continued unprofessionalism. I told him I would gladly update as soon as he paid me in full. He sent me half of the balance and promised to send the other half once I updated my report. I agreed, but once my end of the deal was done, once again, the conartist disappeared off the map. I messaged him everyday for the past month asking where my second check was...
finally I sent him a message saying explaining my lawyer would be in contact with him. He responded immediately with a very threatening message. I have been nothing short of professional this entire time and just want to get paid and terminate this business relationship. Allen on the other hand seems to think he has the right to be done with models and just not pay them for whatever reason. My lawyer has been behind me in every step of this so I know I have not breeched contract in anyway. I am taking action. Which is legal. Especially in this circumstance when dealing with a criminal who doesn't pay his debts.
It is CLEAR that this conartist does not have any money. Who knows where he spends all the money collected from clients from last years convention season, but clearly he has a problem. Bottom line, this guy is a criminal. DO NOT WORK FOR HIM OR WITH HIM OR ACCEPT HIS EXCUSES. If you've worked with him previously and he is sending you threats like he is me, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES for futher instruction.
HardWorkingModel
San Francisco,#5Consumer Comment
Thu, August 08, 2013
Snowybee- Thank you for your comment on my report. I totally understand the situation you are in because I had to go through the same thing as you and received the same emails promising payment over and over again. The situation is totally unacceptable especially when models work long days at tradeshows, receive positive feedback from the client and show up on time every day. He seems to be doing this across the nation. He relies on models not doing anything about the situation and thats why he gets away with it time and time again! However, posting reports, filing with the DOL, filing with the FBI under scams etc etc is part of the process that we must undertake to get something done about this fraudulent activity and finally hope to see a check after waiting well beyond the time limit stipulated in the contract.
I would like to share more information with you and would like to find away to be in touch with you regarding the matter. I hope to hear back soon!
snowybee
San Pedro,#6Author of original report
Wed, August 07, 2013
I have received check one of two today. The check was for $375 and was cashed without any issues.
snowybee
San Pedro,#7Author of original report
Fri, August 02, 2013
Sorry I meant to say the "below" was not true, didnt know what format rip off would post it in. Anyways... you can google Allen or one of his many company names online and get tons of information about his horrible reputation. When he said 99% of his models and clients were happy and I was the 1%, I think he got that confused. Only 1% get paid, the rest of us our left high and dry. This guy is a con artist. I know the client prepaid him and he just didn't pay me. Where did the money go allen? You should have been able to pay me immediately after the show. Everything went withouta hiccup and there was NO reason to delay my pay and you know it.
LIKE I SAID BEFORE I REFUSE TO RETRACT MY STATEMENTS UNTIL I AM PAID IN FULL. I held up my end of the contract...why am I not being paid??????? I feel so bad for all the people being effected by this horrible person. Its truly sad whats going on.
snowybee
San Pedro,#8Author of original report
Fri, August 02, 2013
I had only worked for this company once before and was paid two weeks following the show which is why I accpeted another job with them. However, after not being paid after a month of the shows closing, I realized there was a problem.
I did not violate any terms of our agreement. I showed up to work everyday ON TIME and the client was extremely satified with my work ethic. I know this because I asked. Like I said in my above statment, I have been working promotional shows for almost 10 years and have NEVER ran into an issue ever. My contract stated I cannot discuss how much I am being paid, which was never discussed. After 3 months of not being paid and verbally abusive emails (which Ill be happy to send to anyone inquiring but due to ripoff reports terms of agreement I am not allowed to post here), I contacted the company that had hired me and simply asked if they had paid the company yet because I had not recieved my payment. They then informed me that they PREPAID for his services. So why would 3 months even be able to pass? Where did that money go? Also, the client contacted Allen directly and he told them when they pay me "is none of his business". Needless to say the client emailed me back and said they would never be doing business with him again. Allen has told me he wouldnt pay me, then he was going to wait till the last minute then pay me..it goes back and fourth. Now I get regular "Your check is in the next batch" which is a joke. If you go to their website they have no direct contact numbers for this reason. EVERYONE is trying to contact him and get paid :( Allen has been using my contact with the client (which did not breach contract) as an excuse to not pay me since the 90 days late mark they reached in April. I have already contacted my lawyer and we have proceeded to file a judgement against the company. Unfortunately all his business addresses listed are not actually his business, but other business such as a Cross fit gym in Indy. I have had friends go to the location to serve him. Its only a matter of time before he is served though. I have been contacted by serveral other models in my position since posting this on ripoff report!
I have recieved TWO emailed since my first report from the company telling me my check is being processed and is in "the next batch"...their famous last words. The last email I received was asking for my address with where to send the payment. But there is no payment being sent, and there is no next batch. DO NOT WORK WITH THIS COMPANY. They have been in business a couple years and have changed there name 4 times (that I know of!!)
WHAT KIND OF REPUTABLE COMPANY HAS TO CHANGE THEIR NAME OVER AND OVER????? Exactly.
If you are reading this "Allen" or "Erin" or whatever your name is today, I will not stop spreading the word about your company nor will I retract my statements until I am paid. Be mindful, that judgement comes with laywer fees so I advise you to send me a check sooner than later - otherwise you will have to come to CA and deal with the courts here once you are served.
TSH
Nationwide,#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, July 28, 2013
This report was filed by Sara Newton. What she didn't bother to tell you is that she had worked for us several times before this and had been paid each time.
Sara violated the terms of our contract with her on this booking and is now using this website to defame our name anonymously. We would have preferred that she simply work the job as agreed and there would not now be a need for her to be posting defamatory nonsense against us anonymously.....
We have been in business for 21 years. We work with hundreds of contractors each year and nearly all find the experience fun and rewarding. A small handful, like Sara, do not. In 99% of those cases, they cause their own trouble and then whine about it in places like this.
Read her rambling rant and judge it for yourself. Our staff (small but they all exist :) work very hard. We are the largest agency of our type in the world and hundreds are happy we're here. We don't deserve this type of nonsense to be posted.
Inertia421
Los Angeles,#10Consumer Comment
Sat, June 22, 2013
There are many others in the same situation as you. Please contact me at (((ROR redacted)))
snowybee
San Pedro,#11Author of original report
Fri, June 07, 2013
Here is a link to all the complaints filed directly for Allen (owner of Trade Show Hostesses) dated back to 2009. I wish I would have read this before accepting the assignment.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/allen-knauer.aspx