emodel.com (now Options Talent) Complaints

The following is a summary of complaints about and allegations against emodel (now options talent) by prestigious modeling agencies, former scouts, people who worked for emodel, emodel members, aspiring models, parents, and industry watchers.

Misrepresentation/False Advertising/Misleading Information

» emodel claimed they were affiliated with prestigious modeling agencies

» emodel claimed prestigious models (supermodels) use emodel.com

» emodel claimed Kim Alexis was the founder of emodel.com

» emodel claimed very famous models got discovered through emodel.com

» emodel violated copyright law with commercial purpose using video footage and color photographs of supermodels for its corporate advertising

» emodel acts like a modeling agency while denying it is a modeling agency

» emodel makes fraudulent internet forum posts posing as satisfied customers using different handles (names) from its corporate headquarters in Orlando, Florida

» emodel uses misleading, irrelevant, and unsubstantiated statistics for advertising

Lack of Basic Information

» emodel does not say how many or what percentage of its members get work through emodel

Scouts

» emodel made potential scouts pay $395 for their training

» emodel did not pay scouts

» emodel has a high turnover rate of new recruiters ("scouts") and is well aware of it

» emodel recruits people who are not going to get work (they do not meet industry standards, too short, etc.)

» emodel recruiters say virtually everyone has "the look"

» emodel preys on the dreams of girls and women

» emodel gouges girls and women who want to fulfill modeling dreams

» emodel claims they call back only 1/3 of those attending an open call, when they actually ask almost everyone to pay the fees and become a member

» emodel recruiter ("scout") claimed emodel had been around for 10 years

Experience

» emodel founders had no modeling industry experience

» emodel has a lack of modeling industry experience

» emodel does not require new franchise owners with modeling industry experience

» emodel recruiters are not trained by modeling industry experts

» emodel's recruiter training program is too short

Guarantee

» emodel doesn't offer a money-back guarantee

» emodel has a lame service guarantee

Security

» emodel claimed its website was secure but there was a back-door allowing complete access and incredible exposure of personal information

Pricing

» emodel is not up front about their prices

» emodel prices are too high

» emodel charges high fees up front without making a money-back guarantee

» emodel charges high fees up front and requires $20/month extra even if its post sign up service is not used

» emodel charged a credit card without authorization

» emodel doesn't use the industry standard commission-based payment system

Sales

» emodel engages in high-pressure sales

» emodel demanded instant payment (tomorrow is too late)

» emodel used emotional manipulation to close sales

Photos

» emodel does not post high quality modeling photos in its album (database)

» emodel still had not posted photos on its website long after fees were paid

General

» emodel is the only modeling company that puts model comp cards online

» emodel set up a cosmetics business called models only to pump emodel and recruit members

» emodel created a modeling contest requiring membership to recruit members

» emodel is evasive when asked direct, basic, and explicit performance questions, changing the subject, or failing to answer

» emodel was founded by a man who had been to jail and had more than one criminal record for fraud

» emodel now lies about its founder and his relationship with emodel