We were also ripped-off by Kids.com. I got the same letter and called and set up an appointment with them to "meet" my 6 month old son. We went and met with Susanne Casella, a senior representative, who told us how gorgeous our son was and how if we didn't decide to go with their company that we had to persue modeling for him. He supposidely had the look and personality as well. When we sat down with her she showed us pictures from Parenting magazine as well as Gerber ad's etc.
She then proceeded to tell us of the cost of using Kids.com. When we heard the price of $595.00, my husband told her we could not afford it. She informed us that if we had a major credit card they could set up monthly payments until it was paid off and it would not interfere with getting his head shots done. We could start the process before we were paind in full. Then she left the room for a while to let us discuss things. We fell, hook, line and sinker! We signed contracts and were told that we would be receiving a package with our son's file number and the photographer to bring him to.
I received the package and called a photographer and went to get the head shots done. It cost me another $200 for a copy of the pictures for us and a $20 sitting fee.
After that, I told my sister-in-law about the company and she decided to take her 3 children to sign up as well. We were told that they try to get families in all the same shots and commercials, especially since they were all under the age of 9.
While talking to a mutual friend we told her of what they kids were doing and she asked the name of the company. She lived in New Jersey and said oh, no. There was a report on the news about Kids.com and they don't do what they say they do. We were also told that if it was a legit modeling company we shouldn't have to pay them anything up front. We should only be paying for our head shots, and then after we get gigs the get a cut of that. Well my sister-in-law had only just met with them and was able to put a stop payment on her check. Unfortunately for us we were already paid in full.
My son is now 19 months old and the only thing that they promised that came true was having his picture put on their website! They are scammers! We are out alot of money!
I tried to get my credit card company to go after them, but they claimed they had never breeched the contract! I hope others don't fall for it like we did. They know how you feel about your children and use it to their advantage.
I also learned after going to a few more modeling agencies that the head shots that their photographer had taken were not any good to us. They were all in color and should have been black and white! Please learn from my bad experience!
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