Anonymous
map-marker Aberdeen, Aberdeen City

Blackberry Models Test Shoot Review from Aberdeen, Aberdeen City

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
After applying via Facebook I went to the Manchester NYC studios for the test shoot, it was all very overwhelming and new. After the shoot a lady came and spoke to me with what I now feel was a great sales pitch, and I ended up paying ยฃ800 for the photos. I was well and truly scammed, I only figured this once I tried to get in touch with blackberry models. I tired to up loads my photos to the site I tried on many occasions to contact them all had no reply. I'm livid I want my money back this is all a huge scam do not under any circumstances deal with these people.!!!
View full review
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Anonymous
map-marker Wavendon, England

Blackberry Models Photographic Shoot Review from Wavendon, England

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I sent pictures of my daughter in to these online to be invited to a test shoot, it took us some time finding this place in Manchester as it's well hidden away for obvious reasons! We arrived at this pretend model photography studio, with my 3 year old daughter she was very excited about the shoot, we pressed a buzzer on the wall with the door being locked-STRANGE for such a well know photographic modelling studio! After waiting 5 minutes we got into the locked door to be stood around for ten minutes quite a few people sat around, some small woman approaches us and asks our names she gave me a sheet of paper to fill in with our personal details in which i competed & handed back she asks me for 2 forms of ID (Making sure we're who were saying we are and not undercover) after waiting around 3 hours we finally get Isabella's first set of photos taken the man taking the pics didn't seem like he knew what he was doing, after each dress change he went and had us waiting 15 minutes to take the next, after the pictures were taken we got told to sit and wait while they get a decision to see if my daughter had been accepted with blackberry Models, we waited around 35 minutes while these scammers were all in 1 room plotting! A small guy very camp came out & called our name into a room with my daughter a screen saver on he's pc saying wow she's been accepted with blackberry models well done he wouldn't shut up taking wouldn't let me ask questions I told him i was waiting for some pictures on a disc from my daughters nursery he said oh know they won't be no were near as good quality as ours ( which weren't good at all ) he gave us a sheet with prices on from ยฃ1000 to ยฃ300 I couldn't believe it to be we wouldn't pay no money here! But as parents you feel bad in not buying your beautiful daughters pictures, I paid the ยฃ400 set ยฃ100 upfront and the ยฃ300 in instalments we got 45 photos on disc! He couldn't get us out quick enough after going home and going onto links that blackberry sent to me I couldn't access anything it asked for a password which they wouldn't give it to my when I sent en email I just kept getting sent the same link! After reading up on these I decided to go to the bank and cancel my debit card and also refunded the ยฃ100 they had took I rang them and told them they are scammers and fraudsters and they have been reported to the police & watchdog! I've since been revived threatening emails along side numerous prank phone calls and text messages! Do not fall for these your basicly paying ยฃ100s for *** photos! Scam report them every one please
View full review
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Ewell Fol
map-marker Derby, England

Blackberry Models - Blackberry Female Models Review from Derby, England

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Blackberry Models - Blackberry Female Models Review from Derby, England
Blackberry Models - Blackberry Female Models Review from Derby, England - Image 2
Same here took my daughter to a shoot in birmingham brought photos on disc at an extortionate price although I only paid ยฃ175 on the day to return home and found I had a blank disk , contacted blackberry but no answer but some very rude and unhelpful emails contacted an 0161 no which I believe is limitless photography in Manchester? Advised them I had no photos and she told me she'd email them over and get a Copt in the post ... Still waiting ... Don't get scammed ....
View full review
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous
map-marker Cheslyn Hay, England

Blackberry Models Portfolio Review from Cheslyn Hay, England

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I took my daughter in October for a test shoot and she was accepted. I stupidly signed a contract and agreed to pay around ยฃ700 for a portfolio over 12 months. I have just cancelled my DD after the first payment. Does anyone know what repercussions this may lead to for me?
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
2 comments
Guest

Hi- we are in the same boat - went for shoot in October, daughter was accepted so set up direct debit for about ยฃ700 for the photos and not heard a peep since! Have stopped payments and will be contacting the finance company tommorow to state they either cancel the agreement or I will go to fsa and watchdog etc - let me know if you have had success getting rid of these *** artists!

Guest

In my opinion, you had better ask the bank for a new card. I was in the same situation as yours.

I did cancel the Direct Debit and thought that they couldn't take any money more. After a few months, nearly a hundred pounds were taken from my account and I couldn't do anything.

They had your card detail when you signed the contract. It's better if you contact the bank as soon as possible and ask them to send you a replaced card with new card number.

View more comments (1)
Anonymous
map-marker London, England

BlackBerry Models Scam - BEWARE STAY AWAY !!!!

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Blackberry models are one massive scam, they are not an agency they are a dirty & grotty photo studio the agency does not exist, they tell you that the photoshoot is free....but they lie!! they charge you hundreds if not thousands for *** pictures that someone could take on their phone! I have done some research and it looks like these guys used to be called Adora Models but had to change their name due to the amount of complaints....they also message really young girls telling them they could be models! i have contacted the police about this matter as my daughter was sucked into this scam and it has ruined her dreams!
View full review
Cons:
  • Scam
  • Message little girls
Reason of review:
Bad quality
3 comments
Guest

What I've noticed at the time is that Adora Models and BB Models' websites were both still running but I only got a reply on BB. If you go on their facebook page you can see the ads and premises they offer are just baldy photoshopped stock images.

I also went through that, see my story: http://blackberry-models.pissedconsumer.com/blackberry-models-basement-208-is-a-scam-beware-my-story-201506****6616.html

- a pissed off person who can relate

Guest

Thank you for letting me know of your experience as my daughter was concerned and asked me to look into it for her and even tho your review saddens me that you were the victim I hope the police do get in touch with them as it is wrong how the build you up just to let you down like that I will not be endorsing them and will warm people of them

Thank you again

Guest

All modeling agencies are scams.

The entire fashion industry is a scam.

Have a little more self-respect and get a real job.

View more comments (2)
Taylor Rmk
map-marker London, England

Blackberry Models - way too expensive portfolio price

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I had the exact same experience this Sunday in Basement 208 with Blackberry Models. After my test shoot, a guy took me to the private room and complimented me of being so confident, having the right kind of attitude ("not everyone is like you") and said I looked great on the photographs etc...a lot of praise. In retrospect I understand that it was all just a sales pitch to have my portfolio created by them (compiled of the test photos that had already been taken that day) with the prices ranging from ยฃ399 to ยฃ1999 pounds. He said that I could go to another photographer but added that it would really cost just as much or more. I asked him why because I definitely know that to have some studio photographs taken you could pay well below ยฃ100 for it. Then he mumbled something confusing (at least for me) as "the photographer has to be a fashion photographer". BTW, the model photos on Blackberry Modelsยด website look quite ordinary to me. Iยดd definitely not pay ยฃ1999 to have similar photos taken of me. He then offered to divide the price between 12 months of payments, but I politely turned him down saying that Iยดm on a quite tight budget and itยดs best if I donยดt decide right there on that day. By now Iยดm even more certain that it was the right decision. I had hoped that when a model would like to start his/her career they donยดt have to contribute that immensely (money-wise) to it themselves. Frankly it sounds quite *** that a model would have to pay ยฃ399 to ยฃ1999 pounds to use the test shoot photos (which had already been taken anyway during the previous half an hour). Keep away from Blackberry Models and Basement 208, itยดs not worth it!
View full review
Cons:
  • Scam
  • Prices
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Anonymous
map-marker London, England

Review in Professional Services category from London, London

We attended this agency what is trading as blackberry models who are based in Manchester. The people who run the agency are complete time wasting scam artists.They have no interest in finding the individual any work in the modelling industry. In our case it was our young baby they became very aggressive when we made it clear we weren't going to hand over ยฃ400 for some basic photos. Each and every person who is involved with the running of this disgusting scam should feel utterly ashamed of themselves. I'm sure that one of the BlackBerry staff will come back to this comment with a witty comment which is fine but just remember what you are ***.
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Bristol, Bristol

DONT BUY PORTOLIO THE *** YOU

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
BLACKBERRY MODELS BRISTOL A FRIEND AGED 54 GOT A CONTRACT ABD BOUGHT PORTFOLIO. MY SON GOT OFFERED A CONTRACT AND SENT IT AFTER HIS TEST SHOT BUT AND WE REFUSED TO BUY ANY PHOTOS FOR A PORTFOLIO AS MY SONS A PHOTOGRAPHER AND CAN DO THEM FOR FREE AND GUESS WHAT BLACKBERRY MODELS HAVE IGNORE CALLS EMAILS AND EVEN MESSAGES ON FACEBOOK TO CONTINUE. THEY EVEN RANG ME TO ASK ABOUT A SHHOT AND I SAID GET LOST WHEN THEY IGNORED MY MESSAGES, TOTAL IDIOTS. ANYONE ELSE NOT BUY PHOTOS AND NO FOLLOW UP WITH CONTRACT!! MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL GO WASTE THERE TIME WITH FREE TEST SHOOTS AND DONT BUY PHOTOS LOL AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS... MAYBE PARENTS SHOULD PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS AS SOMEONES GOTTA PAY FOR TEST SHOOTS AND IF WE DONT BUY ANY PICS THERE STUFFED! FIGHT BACK, THEY *** YOU !
View full review

Preferred solution: stop conning people disgusting

Anonymous
map-marker Birmingham, England

Adora/Blackberry Models do NOT hand over money

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Blackberry models scam Iโ€™m sure there are many if you on here, who aspire to be in the modelling industry. My passion has never been modelling, but writing I sent an application in order to gain publicity. I was accpetd and sent to a tiny studio in Birmingham disgusting carpets and the toliet bin was over flowing. I had to wait for hours then had my hair and make up done. One women my dad spoken to said that she was self taught in photography for three weeks. I was pressured into purchases some photos for over ยฃ500 pounds and a ยฃ70 deposit, montly installments of ยฃ33 pounds and no cooling off period stupdily I agreed. On June 1st I discovered I had beeen conned. Abigail Ducksbury never uploaded my photos on hr website as promised and neither did anyone contact me by phone in 48 hours as promised as well. I got snide emails back, I googled it and came up with adora models pissed off customers. Saying that ut use to be Adora models and the website had the same lay out, I could only find negetive reviews about Blackberry models reading It I felt sick. I then contacted watchdog and I am writng this blog post to warn others. Abigail had no reason for not uploading my photos or getting someone to phone, she just basically avoided the subject. I have blocked her company for taking anymore money out, she can send as many threats as she wishes I shall be seeing her in court if this is the case. Itโ€™s a SCAM and a lot of evidence and stories are stacking up against her online. Please do NOT fall fr this callous trick, she have might over 16k likes on her page, but she is a minapultive and deceitful *** women.
View full review
Cons:
  • Prices
  • Scam
  • Manager attiude
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
16 comments
Guest

The evidence seems to be stacking up against blackberry models and the studios who supply them with models. Has anyone got anywhere by cancelling their direct debit?

And does anyone know anything about a "class action law suit"? It's when a bunch of people get together as a group and sue a company.

The weight of many testimonies are taken as a massive file against a company rather than just one person complaining on their own, so you have a better chance of winning when a judge sees a lot of people with a grievance at the same time. It might be worth getting together to shut these people down!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1097145

Hi

I have been conned too and it took me a while to realise. The contact info etc they have on the blackberry model website isn't even reachable.

I am planning to go to the actual studio and meet the woman in person. If anyone is interested let me know

Peggye Avk
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1099861

I am well up for assembling as many 'customers' as possible and go directly to the studio.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1099861

Please I would love to go with you !!! Email me at nicoliap96@***.com or add me on Facebook Nikkita poleon .i contacted her and she blocked me We need to do something about it guys I lost 400 pounds to that *** her name is Bella Bordianu on Facebook it's raluca Bordianu .

I went up to their studio at Canada waters the emails said all the costs would be covered but when I got there I was pressured to pay money .. she did mt makeup horribly and the photos didn't even look edited

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1097145

I think this needs to happen! I am getting chased with letters and calls and I can't even provide any further evidence as like everyone has said, their contact information is fake..!

Guest

My daughter went for a photo shoot in the middle of last year and they accepted her as a model and I was forced into purchasing a portfolio at a cost of ยฃ500 and my daughter has never had a job off them since I try to call but no one ever answers it's not the jobs that's bothering me it's the fact that an elderly woman aka my mum who paid the ยฃ500 for the photos so she could make her granddaughter happy

Guest

Hi I also was conned into this can you tell me what company try to take the money out is it blackberry models or is it the photo studio? If so I went the Manchester studio but cannot remember the name of it?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1057165

We got stung in September, went to the warehouse studio beehive mill ancoats. Just found out that this is a scam when I heard it on BBC radio 4 you and yours programming. Told my wife to cancel the direct debit today.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1097144

Hiya i was conned aswel ..Did anything happen when she cancelled. Iv stupidly paid few weeks and was wondering to cancel or just pay it and learn from it lol

Jobeth Nwb

I have literally just signed my son yesterday and realised after I got home it was a scam. I stupidly set up a direct debit which I now want to cancel. Have they threatened you with court action?

View more comments (15)
Anonymous
map-marker Bristol, Bristol

It's a scam!

5 days ago I submitted an application to Blackberry models to become a model. On the following morning I've received an email that they are interested in me and details about how to book a test shoot. So then they were calling me to book the test shoot for the next day. I felt very goog, I was happy. I went to the test shoot in Bristol, I was there for about 2 hours and they told me that my shoot was successful and then they told me these ridiculous prices for a portfolio what I need to pay for; ยฃ399 for 5 pictures , ยฃ599 for 10, ยฃ799 for 20 and ยฃ999 for 32.They told me if I will pay for the portfolio they will put my pictures on their webpage, and that I can earn up to ยฃ400/shoot. I said to them that I need to talk with my parents about it because it's not that expensive but if I would pay for it I want to make sure that I will get jobs.They send me an email with a link where I can check what jobs can I get and so on but when I wanted to open that link it asked a password which I obviously don't know because they 'forgot' to tell me. I asked them to send me the password and I asked them to give me a week to think about it, but I haven't received any email from them so far, they just disappeared. To be honest I'm very happy that I didn't pay anything to them because as they get the money they just don't give a *** about you anymore. Disgusting
View full review
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Anonymous
map-marker Portishead, England

Blackberry Models Test Shoot Review from Portishead, England

Awful company!!!! They promised me and my Son work and when I asked why we weren't on the website " because you didn't pay for photos!!" LOL! I then applied with ten other people who , no offense, are not model material, guess what they all got excepted! When they called I said " no thanks I was just proving you're a scam company" I was quite rude and said I would be reporting them. To which I got " uhuh okay well I put down that you decline at the moment, thanks bye" I then get an email saying they can't accept me at this time! Most disgusting *** ever! Tried to charge 1000 for *** poor photos! They should be totally shown up by watch dog!
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Birmingham, England

Blackberry Models - Test Shoot Review from Birmingham, Birmingham

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
If it's not a scam then they are an extremely unorganised, unreliable company! As everyone else has said, we applied online to Blackberry Models and were asked to come to a test shoot. We were successful in being chosen by the agency and told we needed a portfolio. The man said they could provide the pictures at a charge from today's shoot. ยฃ100 for one photo, ยฃ399 for 6, and I didn't bother looking at the rest of the prices. He quickly dropped the price to ยฃ50 for one. I said that I had a friend who is a photographer so we would get a portfolio done by him. We received an email saying congratulations on our successful shoot and " In our professional opinion our advice is to consider using the images taken at the test studio but that is entirely your choice." I replied to this email saying that we would provide our own portfolio and asked how many pictures were needed and how was best to send it to them. No reply. I sent another a few days later. Still no reply. It seems like because I didn't pay extortionate amounts of money for some photos they don't want anything to do with us. This yells scam at me. The only other explanations are that they didn't actually see potential in my son or they are bad at communication. If they are bad at communication and treat customers like this, you will not be likely to get much work. I wouldn't waste your time or money.
View full review
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
4 comments
Guest

I waited 4 hours in the waiting room, read a review on my phone then got out while I could without a photo shoot! Plus the make up artist was disgustingly rude and unprofessional. Vile place

Guest

Wow this is very very similar to M0del - a new agency I signed my signed on to. We have the photoshoot, got pressure into buying but luckily we ended by leaving as they want to charge ยฃ600 at least then got it down to ยฃ250 for 10 images.

I rang afterwards planning to purchase the images and was told to come down to the office but when I insisted on doing everything on the phone, no one was available to speak to me. Receptionist at the studio photographers told me agency will call me to discuss payments. I think she let that one slip as I told her it clearly states on M0del's brochure that they don't have any access to the images so wahh??? Conflicting information there.

I don't expect a call back from them. Just very lucky we got away and didn't get conned.

Guest

Snap!!! But in bristol, they must make a furtune!!

All the complants are from all over the place!! Nice day out tho, even tho it was a quite a dirty place!!

They did take nice photos but its definately far to expensive and more important, my baby isaint going to be my retirement fund!!!! God ***!!

Guest

Guys guys,gues please do not waist your money they are just robing people...This happend exactley to me last months and they got my money exactley the same way first she said ยฃ500 and than she droped it to ยฃ380 and sinse i have not heard from them and i tey to contact them they justputs the phone down on me.

View more comments (3)
Anonymous
map-marker Dudley, Dudley

Blackberry Models Photographic Shoot Review

These people are dispicable they offered my grandson to join them after asking for ยฃ700 for a portfolio WHICH IS ONLY A CD WITH 20 PHOTO'S ON keep well away from them fortunately his mom did' nt pay till she researched they need investigating by police and wathdog to shame them
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Dallie Aaj
map-marker Birmingham, England

Sounds legit at first but...

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
My daughter applied and was accepted for a test shoot. It all sounded legit, the website looks good so off we went to Media1 Studios on Charles Henry Street in Birmingham. The shoot went great. She had hair and make up done, filled in some forms and had a one hour photogrpahy session. We were told to wait while they chatted to the agency and low and behold they loved her and wanted to offer her a one year contract. However, then came the well you will have to pay for a portfolio and that costs a minimum of ยฃ395 up to ยฃ1000 depending on what package you go for. I immediately realised it was a scam as a legit agency will sign you up and then build your portfolio for you. Don't fall for it unless you want to pay over the odds for some portrait photos.
View full review
Cons:
  • Scam
  • Photographer attitude
  • Prices
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
1 comment
Guest

can I cancel my subscription to them?

Anonymous
map-marker Blackpool, England

Blackberry Models Portfolio Review

Scammers they are. Unfortunately I have been paying for the portfolio since June and no contact from them They keep saying they haven't fpund a job for my son.
View full review
Reason of review:
Pricing issue