My 16 year old was recruited by a Industry Modeling and Talent Studios representive at Willowbrook Mall in NJ. A gentleman called and scheduled an appointment within 2 days. When we first walked in the place (Saturday September 1) was packed. Most people were coming for photoshoots.
In the waiting area, IMTA has a screen which supposedly shows their "clients" such as Elijah Wood, Katie Holmes and Ashton Kuchner. After waiting a while, a director comes to greet us. He takes us to the second floor where he looks at our son and his pictures not even briefly. He tells us that our son is extremely photogenic, has great features and an "exotic" look to him. He will be excellent for print and acting. However, because he is only 5'8 he will not be used for runway modeling. He then starts showing us numerous magazines of which IMTA models appear and tv shows or movies that have casted or used from IMTA.
Afterwards, he grabs a binder from the month of August showing us all of the jobs IMTA's clients have received from the various top notched agencies they work with. Again, he tell us how well our son is going to do and that he will aggressively market him. Next, shows a paper with all of the different photoshoot packages ranging from $550 and up. He states that it is fine if we just want the headshot, but, versatilty is the key. He says that with one, our son will not be able to show his versatility and so on... He says that the photoshoot for 3 outfits and headshots or higher is best. He schedules the photoshoot for the following Sunday.
After doing so, he then asks for the money...$1,000. My husband told him that he would leave a deposit of $100.00 and pay the rest on the day of the shoot. Mr. Davis laughs and says no, he must pay the majority or all of it. We ended up paying. Only after all of this did Mr. Davis then pull-out the photoshoot contract to reiterate the photoshoot date and the amount paid. He asked my husband to initial and sign. He then shook my son's hand, and said that he will be at his photoshoot and that he will be really good and do well at IMTA.
Prior to going for the appointment, I had went onto to research them with the BBB. Nothing came up, so I requested a report; however, did not get that report until we returned later that night (9-1-07). I did not like what I read, or the amount of complaints.
Also, I saw at least three usacomplaints.com reports on IMTA which sounded all too familiar. Immediately the next morning (9-2-07) around 11:25 am I called and told them that I wanted to cancel the whole thing and told the representative (Keisha) that I read the BBB report and others and what the BBB says the Nature of their Business is.
She denied it saying they do help seek employment for its clients and that they now have a satisfactory rating with the BBB. I told her that the things we were told were deceptive and I am cancelling 7 days before the shoot as required and wanted my accounts credited back. She then said that a manager would return my call on Tuesday (9-4-07) because Monday was Labor Day. No call came in. I called again today (9-5-07) and was directed to a main voicemail message center. I left a message.
Around 10:15 Donald Layton called and basically said, once the photoshoot is scheduled, no money would be refunded. Not even partial payment. He said that it is stated in the photoshoot paper that Mr. Davis had my husband to initial and sign. I then told him that the first thing you do is schedule the shoot, collect the money, which has to be cash or money order; therefore, noone gets their money back. I then told him that I did not initial or sign anything; therefore, the contract did not apply to me and my debit card and therefore, he should recredit my account of $700.00. He got quiet and then said, I will need to pull up our son's "ACCOUNT" and then call me back later today.
Basically, it seems to me and when you go there that IMTA primary goal is to sell PHOTOGRAPHS and HEADSHOTS. Their tactics are deceptive and they do not tell you that YOU CANNOT GET YOUR MONEY BACK. However, they do tell you that if you reschedule the shoot in less than 7 days, you will be charged an additional $100.00. Again, they make sure to offer dates less than 7 days from the day you are their so if an emergency comes up, you will be charged an additional $100.00. We cancelled the whole thing in less than 24 hours!
They have had 91 complaints in three years. Imagine all of these people who feel foolish to tell someone that they have been scammed or do not know how to go about contacting someone. This company needs thoroughly investigated. Especially their practices, and how they set up the shoot and collect money before giving the photoshoot contract.
Also, they tell you that if you want to purchase the copyrights to your child's photo's that it will be $40 a roll. I have filed a report with the BBB in Trenton, NJ as well and encourage anyone who feels that they have been scammed, deceived, or ripped off by IMTA to do so.
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