Barbizon Modeling School & Agency

[redacted] is a model at Barbizon Chique who competed at our Annual Regional Competition, Saturday March 21st, She placed 1st runner up overall at the Regional Competition which is what allowed her to receive an offer to go to the International Model and Talent Association Convention in New York this JulyThe $scholarship was for [redacted] placing in the competitionThe day of her interview she received the [redacted] Packet of Information which is attached that outlines everything she would be receiving for the overall costAlso attached is her payment agreement that clearly states her deposit is non-refundableThe timing of her decision process was based on a NY Runway coach coming in to town Sunday for the first trainingI was available all day on Sunday when she was here and [redacted] never asked to speak to me.In regards to the composite card order [redacted] paid $for a full photo shoot package, not just composite cardsThis photo shoot package and composite cards were a rush order so she could attend two runway castings for two of our biggest clients the next week, and she was aware of the fact we were providing a rush order service for herThe $included the Photographer, Make Up Artist to apply her makeup, Stylist to select wardrobe, Composite Cards, and prints for her portfolioI did send her a proof of her composite card order to approve [redacted] responded hours after the order had to be approved for us to receive from the printing company in time and upon hearing she was not satisfied with the order we offered to print a half order of cards with the photos she would likeBarbizon has yet to receive from [redacted] how she would like the composite card to be laid out to create her new composite cardsIt is standard in the industry that models must attend castings with a portfolio and composite cards, thus the urgency for her to get the order so she could attend the castings that upcoming week.Regarding the assignment, [redacted] was booked by Barbizon to walk for a specific designer, [redacted] Barbizon did not authorize [redacted] to walk for any other designers at the eventThere were models from other agencies walking for different designersBarbizon's policy for payment is once we receive payment from the client we pay our modelsThe general turn around time for payment is week after we receive payment from the clientI explained that to [redacted] when she was waiting to speak to me regarding payment of this assignmentI also explained in order for a model to get paid they MUST submit a job voucher signed by the client that day for us to bill the client as stated in our Agency Policies and ProceduresI have left messages and tried to reach [redacted] on her cell phone to discuss these issues the moment they were brought to my attention, yet to date she has not responded [redacted] has my personal cell phone as all the models and they are instructed they may reach me anytime from 10am-10pm days a week, even outside business hours [redacted] has reached me on my cell phone a couple times, so I know she has the number [redacted] has reached me about two conflicts that occurred with her through my cell and I have worked around my schedule and resolved them for herThe first conflict was the scheduled commercial taping date that was in the competition handbookModels received the handbook starting in January and [redacted] advised me March 9th when the taping was March 15th that she would be away the week before competitionShe was unavailable to tape either of the days scheduled, so I worked out a special exception and allowed her to tape a different day that worked around her scheduleI also allowed [redacted] to text me photos after business hours to approve her outfit since she was not able to bring it in to get approvedThe final contact I had with [redacted] on my cell was after 9:30pm the weekend of competition when she was locked out of her dorm and could not get her Competition Outfit, photos, portfolio, or composite cards the night before she was expected at competitionShe was frantic and didn't know what to doI willing went back to the office that evening after I had left for the day to retrieve some of the composite cards at the agency and brought them to her the next morning at competitionAnytime [redacted] has reached out to me, or asked for a meeting I have made time for her regardless of my scheduleDue to the busy nature of competition I was in the office, as well as my director Susan, every day leading up to competitionIf I was out of the office for a meeting or event, again, [redacted] had my cell phone to contact me.I have been an employee with Barbizon for years and was a student myselfWe pride ourselves in excellent customer service and both directors make their personal cell phone numbers available to all of our clients, even including it on our business cardPlease let me know if you need anything further from Barbizon.Heidi U [redacted] Barbizon ChiqueEvents Manager###-###-####

Hello, I apologize for the late responseWe did not receive any phone calls and have tried several times to change this emailThis is an old email from years ago that is rarely ever checkedWe had asked to change the email to *** and ***
since those are checked dailyWe have also asked numerous times about how to join the Revdex.com and have not received a responseYes, please reopen this complaint and change the email addresses on file so we do not miss any other complaints that would affect our A+ rating with your companyIf you have any questions you may reach *** *** at ###-###-#### or *** *** at ###-###-####Thank you

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Hello,I just went on to resolve a complaint that just came in and noticed we had an unresolved complaint on our fileI apologize for not respondingWe were moving offices
after years during that time and it must have gone overlookedIn regards to that complaint our photo shoots are non refundableWe aware the clients of that before they sign upWe spoke with the client when she came in to cancel and offered her several other dates since she was not available that weekendUpon her leaving she was happy with the resolution to shoot another date and said she would let us know what date worked for herThe next correspondence we received was the complaint from your companyWe tried to reach out the the client and she never returned our call

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:Upon initial meeting it was never communicated that photo shots were non-refundable, had that been communicated I would have declined the offerFurthermore I communicated to the agency with military and work obligations I am unable to be a part of the agencyAlso there is nothing in any of the paperwork that I have that states that money wan non-refundableWhen I went it to the agency it was discussed that a litigation process had to be started in order for me to be refunded my moneyThe agency had not made any attempts to contact meI would still like a 100% refund as the agency has not provided any devices to me.
Regards,
*** ***

[redacted] is a model at Barbizon Chique who competed at our Annual Regional Competition, Saturday March 21st, 2015. She placed 1st runner up overall at the Regional Competition which is what allowed her to receive an offer to go to the International Model and Talent Association Convention in New...

York this July. The $1000 scholarship was for [redacted] placing in the competition. The day of her interview she received the [redacted] Packet of Information which is attached that outlines everything she would be receiving for the overall cost. Also attached is her payment agreement that clearly states her deposit is non-refundable. The timing of her decision process was based on a NY Runway coach coming in to town Sunday for the first training. I was available all day on Sunday when she was here and [redacted] never asked to speak to me.In regards to the composite card order. [redacted] paid $775 for a full photo shoot package, not just composite cards. This photo shoot package and composite cards were a rush order so she could attend two runway castings for two of our biggest clients the next week, and she was aware of the fact we were providing a rush order service for her. The $775 included the Photographer, Make Up Artist to apply her makeup, Stylist to select wardrobe, 100 Composite Cards, and prints for her portfolio. I did send her a proof of her composite card order to approve.  [redacted] responded hours after the order had to be approved for us to receive from the printing company in time and upon hearing she was not satisfied with the order we offered to print a half order of cards with the photos she would like. Barbizon has yet to receive from [redacted] how she would like the composite card to be laid out to create her new composite cards. It is standard in the industry that models must attend castings with a portfolio and composite cards, thus the urgency for her to get the order so she could attend the castings that upcoming week.Regarding the assignment, [redacted] was booked by Barbizon to walk for a specific designer, [redacted]. Barbizon did not authorize [redacted] to walk for any other designers at the event. There were models from other agencies walking for different designers. Barbizon's policy for payment is once we receive payment from the client we pay our models. The general turn around time for payment is 1 week after we receive payment from the client. I explained that to [redacted] when she was waiting to speak to me regarding payment of this assignment. I also explained in order for a model to get paid they MUST submit a job voucher signed by the client that day for us to bill the client as stated in our Agency Policies and Procedures. I have left messages and tried to reach [redacted] on her cell phone to discuss these issues the moment they were brought to my attention, yet to date she has not responded. [redacted] has my personal cell phone as all the models and they are instructed they may reach me anytime from 10am-10pm 7 days a week, even outside business hours. [redacted] has reached me on my cell phone a couple times, so I know she has the number. [redacted] has reached me about two conflicts that occurred with her through my cell and I have worked around my schedule and resolved them for her. The first conflict was the scheduled commercial taping date that was in the competition handbook. Models received the handbook starting in January and [redacted] advised me March 9th when the taping was March 15th that she would be away the week before competition. She was unavailable to tape either of the days scheduled, so I worked out a special exception and allowed her to tape a different day that worked around her schedule. I also allowed [redacted] to text me photos after business hours to approve her outfit since she was not able to bring it in to get approved. The final contact I had with [redacted] on my cell was after 9:30pm the weekend of competition when she was locked out of her dorm and could not get her Competition Outfit, photos, portfolio, or composite cards the night before she was expected at competition. She was frantic and didn't know what to do. I willing went back to the office that evening after I had left for the day to retrieve some of the composite cards at the agency and brought them to her the next morning at competition. Anytime [redacted] has reached out to me, or asked for a meeting I have made time for her regardless of my schedule. Due to the busy nature of competition I was in the office, as well as my director Susan, every day leading up to competition. If I was out of the office for a meeting or event, again, [redacted] had my cell phone to contact me.I have been an employee with Barbizon for 15 years and was a student myself. We pride ourselves in excellent customer service and both directors make their personal cell phone numbers available to all of our clients, even including it on our business card. Please let me know if you need anything further from Barbizon.Heidi U[redacted]Barbizon ChiqueEvents Manager###-###-####

Review: I purchased a 4 look photo shoot and styling, comp cards, and a portfolio on May 31, 2014. The receipt showed that the 4 look photo shoot and styling was $675, the comp cards were $175, and the portfolio was $50, totaling $900. I was told that I would receive a date for the photo shoot via email. I never received a date. I contacted the agency via telephone and requested a refund of my money. The administrative assistant informed me that in order to receive a refund I would have to write a letter and hand deliver it. I live over an hour away from the agency and am only able to travel to the agency in person on weekends; the first weekend I was available was June 14, 2014 as the weekend of June 7, 2014 I completed military training. On June 14, 2014 I traveled to the agency to hand deliver the request for a refund. I was informed that the agency does not give refunds. I stated that this was not documented in any paperwork I received. The agent was extremely rude and informed me that the best that could be done was to forward my letter to their corporate office but there was no guarantee I would receive a refund.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive a full refund of $900.

Business

Response:

Hello, I apologize for the late response. We did not receive any phone calls and have tried several times to change this email. This is an old email from 15 years ago that is rarely ever checked. We had asked to change the email to [redacted] and [redacted] since those are checked daily. We have also asked numerous times about how to join the Revdex.com and have not received a response. Yes, please reopen this complaint and change the email addresses on file so we do not miss any other complaints that would affect our A+ rating with your company. If you have any questions you may reach [redacted] at ###-###-#### or [redacted] at ###-###-####. Thank you.