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SPOT THE CONTRADICTION

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2003 6:06 pm
by gregsnap
5 months ago modelsafe were warning of virtual agencies - websites that list models but now they have become one? On the site they say models should not pay fees to agencies and agencies that ask for fees are dodgy and will become illegal - but right now modelsafe are asking models for ?10 per year for a listing on their site?

EXTRACT FROM MODELSAFE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2002:

Also be very aware of "virtual model agencies". These are model websites that act as an agent via the Internet. Most will claim that they are not agents, but by the definition of the law, they are, and therefore are bound by the terms and regulations of the Employment Agencies Act 1973. By the terms laid out by the DTI these "agencies" have a duty of care towards you the model, that is listed on their site. However because these "agencies" are not acting within the scope of the law, you the model are at great risk by using these. You will have no come back whatsoever should anything happen to you from a booking taken by these sites. If caught acting in this manner by the DTI these "agencies" are liable for large fines and possible closure.

EXTRACT FROM MODELSAFE NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2003:

The new Find A.... section is now up and running and many of the photographers have already signed up for their pages. Some models have already, so come on models get your pages sorted. The pages are really handy fro all to use and as all the email enquiries are filtered it means that you don't get all the crap and spam that you would elsewhere. Pages cost just ?10 per year, and if you keep in mind that we receive anything from 30,000 to 50,000 visitors every WEEK, that's alot of people that could be looking at you. The links to sign up for your pages are below, and we have worked it out that if every model and every photographer signed up for a page that would cover the cost of our telephone lines for 1 year and cover the cost of all our printing for a year. Just think how many others you could be helping by simply spending ?10.

EXTRACT FROM MODELSAFE WEBSITE USUAL CON'S PAGE

Some dodgy agencies will ask you for a fee to register with them. Don?t be fooled, and don?t pay. Recent proposed changes to the law will mean that it is illegal for a model agency to charge a fee for anyone to register with them and to find them work.