I spent the entire afternoon today at a job interview. The ad said that it was a "dream job" with "money-making potential" up to $70,000. Wow. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, take my word for it: it is.
Options Scouting Company is a world-wide organization. They hire honest, hardworking people as "scouts" through all types of media, proclaiming the earning potential to be "outstanding". Of course, you must work awfully hard at deceiving people to get anywhere near "pretty good".
I went in there looking for a decent job that paid well, but I was a bit leary at first. As the day went by, the feeling in my gut was telling me that something was amiss. The more information I got from the franchise owner and co-office director, the more I was sure this place was conning people out of their money. I came home, jumped online, and started doing research. After about 45 minutes, I have decided never to go near that place again.
Everything I have read from former employees about their deceptive tactics is true. They "scout" models and actors. What this really means, is that they want you to walk up to anyone on the street and hand them a card inviting them to an "open call". If they decide to go, they will be evaluated by someone who works there, but may or may not have experience in the industry. After that, the potential model will be scheduled a call from the "corporate" office to offer them a position on the website. What they don't tell you, is that EVERYONE receives this call.
Why is that? Because these people calling the potential models are nothing but telemarketers, in my opinion. They say that they can have your compcard put on their website and tout big-name companies and agencies that use their site. All for a one-time fee of $595. Then there are the maintenance fees...$19.95 every month. Then, they will pressure them to use their photographers. More money lost, because they are over-priced.
Of course, the scouts work off of commission at first... Then are told they will be given a base plus commission after 30 days or so, unless you sleep with Alec or Ryan, or both. Most scouts don't make it the first week. Then you have to rely on "corporate" to make the sale, so you can get your money. No way would I trust a bunch of strangers down in Florida to handle my money. That's just ridiculous.
Anyway, I wanted to share my info with others before they got into this, because when I realized what Options was actually doing, it made me sick. I wasn't hurt or cheated in any way, other than a wasted afternoon, but there are, I'm sure, some people who will return for the training tomorrow. I hope they look into this for their sake.
I welcome any questions, or comments regarding the OKC location, or any other location, for that matter. Also, I'm going to contact the local media to see if I can get them to blow the public whistle on this place. If anyone is interested in that, please contact me here.
Tonya
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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