The American Mall Model Search reviews and complaints
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Scam?
Okay, let's get some facts straight. The AMMS is NOT a modeling agency. It's a competition to win a contract with a scouting and booking agency. Again, NOT a modeling agency. So those of you who say a legit company would not be asking you to pay for a portfolio, this isn't really the same situation. For a legitimate modeling agency, yes, do not give them the money if they ask for it. But that is not what AMMS is and should not be confused with it.
Is it bad business to ask for the money so early in the competition? Yes. Should they have licensed photographers taking the photos? Hell yes. Would it cost a whole giant lot more if they did? Well, need I repeat myself?
The cold hard fact is that a lot of the people that pass the preliminaries are not going to win. The contest is fun and they'll be given a fair chance, but realistically the company just wants their money from the photos. These people should take a good, long look at themselves before paying and ask, "Am I REALLY just that good? Or is there an ulterior motive here?"
If you ARE just that good though, then you're going to need a portfolio. It's an inescapable fact of the industry. They SHOULD allow you to submit a pre-existing portfolio if you have one, but as a company they still want your money, and I will admit the merits of having a first-hand account of how the contestant interacts with the photographer. Furthermore it bypasses the problem of fiscal inequalities by ensuring that everyone has the same basic setup, the only difference being the quantity of shots.
On a final note, it might be worth noting that the majority of complainants on this board did not follow through with the competition, but left when money was first requested. To those people, I can only say you are right to be wary. I applaud you for taking care with your money and your children. But you did not have the full experience, or really ANY experience with the company other than reading the complaints on this board and screaming scam. I'm not trying to offend you in any way, but please in the future leave the way for legitimate complaints.
awesome
this is so not a scam they are the best they are so sweet i just started workng for them and on my score sheet i got a 10 out of 10 bc i rock but what i was saying is that i already got an audition for a movie with olivia wild and trace ackison but i have to get my stuff in first but for all you ppl who thinks its a scam are so stupid bc they rock
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
The AMMS is featured on Oprah Winfrey as the #1 pick for scouting agencies ...so it's obviously not a scam.
They find you, groom you, prepare you for the stage. If you have true talent, sometimes they make you a Intern ... NOT A SCAM!
The first audition
Well I was surprised my brothers got called back. I was not there when they signed up but then my Mom explained that they just signed up on paper. So of course I wasn't thinking much of it since no one would rationally pick a random person to be a model when they don't even know what they look like. So they auditioned and they didn't make it. They were disappointed but told to look at their scores while they looked their scores over they were told that they could try it again along with all the others.
They did a much better job the second time and so did everyone one else but the thing I could not help but notice was that everyone single one of them made it through the audition. I don't want to be mean but one person out of all them really caught my attention. This girl which was kind of big, had acne, was not very pretty, and even had plain hair. That really made me consider the whole thing to be a scam. The girl was no where near model material if you ask me but what do I know.
I was thinking and what is the point of picking only 8 the first round if they are all going to make it anyways? Well probably to give the 8 picked the illusion that it is a legitimate audition in which only the best made it through of course. Anyways after my brothers made it through they practically twisted my Mom's arm to get money off of her and she ended up buying the shirts which are $20 each. I was reading some of the other complaints and it said less than 10% make it through which is nice I suppose but The American Mall Model Search really lacks ethics. They obviously are not judging the people in the auditions in a realistic manner which would put things into perspective instead they lead them on until they've paid all they can.
Lee .C College Student
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW IS RIGHT! Only the judges know what they are looking for. Modeling is a base to come-out-of-your-nutshell
Maybe the person has other talents and is going into that industry.
FACTS ABOUT THE AMMS:
The AMMS is featured on Oprah Winfrey as the #1 pick for scouting agencies ...so it's obviously not a scam.
They find you, groom you, prepare you for the stage. If you have true talent, sometimes they make you a Intern ... NOT A SCAM!
READ BEFORE AUDITIONING! :-)
You're obviously a ###. It's also clear that you have never been involved in a competitive sport growing up. Cheerleaders buy skirts, pom poms and other items. Football players get physicals, buy cleets, jerseys, etc. Tennis players buy raquets and balls. Why? Because without those things, they wouldnt be able to play the game honey! How the hell do you expect a model to book shoots with no headshots?! Before you answer that, allow me to explain to you what a "headshot" is. Are you listening?! Pay close attention because it's obvious that you process things slower than normal-- A picture of you wearing the sweater that Grandma Joe gave you three years ago for Christmas, standing beside the Christmas tree with a ###ed grin on your face is NOT a headshot. Ford, IMG, Next, Trump, Women's, New York models, etc all require SPECIFIC angles, poses and looks. No, the photographers at the AMMS stage are not as good as those shooting for Vogue magazine. There is no need for them to be. The only thing that they really need to even do for you, is to take your pictures and send you on your merry little way. Ok, let's imagine for a moment here. Take the "paying for pictures" concept out of your mind for a moment. Think about the Master Card or AmEx commercials...whichever credit card company it is. Gas in your car: $40. Airline tickets to Uncle Bobby's funeral in Rio:$200. The opportunity of a lifetime and the chance to let your child, or yourself have a blast doing a photoshoot, talent show and fashion show: PRICELESS! For goodness sake girl, you would probably pay more than $150 for Justin Beiber concert tickets. Here is the bottom line and this is all that I am going to say about this inital comment/complaint, as well as all the others. Wal-Mart doesnt always make you happy. McDonalds doesnt always make you happy. This is nothing more than a crisis of culture. When something doesnt make us happy, instead of calmly trying to fix the situation to achieve a blissful ending, everyone loses their minds and goes ape ###. Most of these complaints are..."they didnt say they liked my hair in pig tails, and I spent 2 hours putting it up." or "they didnt kiss my ### quite like I wanted them to when I auditioned." All of those who are complaining about the petty ### now, you will NOT, I repeat...will NOT survive in the cut-throat and brutal realm of fashion/glitter/glam/tv/film/music...and entertainment, period. Trust me. This is what I do. Every, single day. For several years now. I personally appreciate the ignorance that is displayed on this site about this agency. It tells me personally who I can expect to NEVER see walk through my door as a high fashion/fully evolved model. I suppose its nothing more than evolution...the weak kill themselves off and only the leather skinned survived. Its not called a dog-eat-dog world for kicks and giggles, afterall. The industry is not hurting for talent. The few kids and adults that fell throught the cracks with the AMMS and who ultimately are the ones responsible for all of these complaints, are acceptable in my eyes. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the AMMS/Model Productions will be successful for as long as THEY shoose to stay in business. A company that is 27 years old need not to worry about faltering and folding based on a few bad seeds, whether that be disgruntled employees, or contestants. They have had 100% growth every year since 1982, the year of their founding. I work with the AMMS/Model Productions every single day. They have sent me extraordinary talent over the years. I thank God for the work that they do. I just hope that before another complaint get posted about this company, the author thinks about the grand scheme of things. Is is really even that big of a deal? Am I even model material? Why would the mall let them in if they were really a "scam" and risk hurting their multi-billion dollar mall management company? Am IIIIIIIIIIII probably doing something wrong here that would give the illusion that the AMMS is to blame?! The answer to that particular question is, yes. I wont tell you what I do, or who I am...none of that is important. What I want you all to know is rest easy signing with the AMMS/Model Productions. They are not a perfect company, and neither is any other entity in this nation. You are all in good hand!
Thank you,
B. Adams ;-)
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Any legit agency or professional talent/modeling company should not be charging for portfolios or the pictures. Elite, Ford, and many other agencies don't charge you anything for your portfolio that they make for you.
AMMS is a scam. Think about it. They don't ask ANY descriptive details about yourself when you sign up, they don't tell you to have money or a card when you go to audition, then they bring you to a corner where no one else can hear and tell you it will cost $4 a headshot with their company. After you audition, they have you pay $99 to book the photoshoot, another $99 for the photo competition, and another payment for your portfolio and CD. No legit agency would charge for those things. They wouldn't bring you to a corner and tell you that ### either. So, $300 for what? A CD, portfolio, and a shirt? Two of which they shouldn't be charging for. Any company can pay an actor for a fake testimonial. Oh, I failed to mention they show a video with clearly people are acting in, and they supposedly interviewed agents from Ford Models and Elite Models, but they didn't put their names? Sounds fishy. I did audition, but thankfully, I walked out when they said I had
to pay money to be with their company. No legit company like makes you invest, they invest in you. Anyone who believes this company isn't knowledgeable about scams in the world. That is not a comment about their intelligence though. And BBB actually has given an F.
*opportunities
My 16 yr old daughter just finished the whole process as an intern and contestant in CT. I don't think it is a scam. It was a very positive experience for her. The people who worked there were both professional and very friendly and helpful. If someone wants to model you have to pay for pictures. If your child wanted to be a professional anything you would have to pay for lessons or schooling. For $150 and about 15 hours interning, she got a $30 book about modedling, 2 modling shoots, and a DVD of the show. If absolutely nothing else comes of it, she gained some valuable work experience, some confidence performing, some knowledge about the industry and had fun and made friends while doing it. And I have some great pictures to submit to agents. Not bad for $150 bucks! Sometimes you make your own oportunities...
FACTS ABOUT THE AMMS:
The AMMS is featured on Oprah Winfrey as the #1 pick for scouting agencies ...so it's obviously not a scam.
They find you, groom you, prepare you for the stage. If you have true talent, sometimes they make you a Intern ... NOT A SCAM!
Shorten your comments, no one wants to read that much opinionated non-sense! Except User:BelaMafia you sound like you know what your talking about.
You need to realize people are cheap with money; if they told you upfront "Everything costs something" then you would develop a quick case of ADD and become deaf before you even audition ...how would anyone discover you?...think about it.
FACTS ABOUT THE AMMS:
The AMMS is featured on Oprah Winfrey as the #1 pick for scouting agencies ...so it's obviously not a scam.
They find you, groom you, prepare you for the stage. If you have true talent, sometimes they make you a Intern ... NOT A SCAM!
Oh, I forgot, the crew @ the Wiregrass Commons Mall, Alabama...YOU ROCK! Keep up the good work
How many times do you read or hear about someone being scammed by companies? I don't fault the company, I fault the consumer. Before I give anybody my damn money, I become FBI...I ask questions, I come on sites like this to read the complaints and comments. Now, think about this...the same amount of money you spend for family photos is the same amount you will spend for this company to have them take photos to create a portfolio...All they ask is for you to walk, say a couple of lines, design your t-shirt, and give you FREE counsel about your look and how far they think you/your child can go in this industry. When they call you that is your opportunity to ask questions; what will I/ my child have to do, what do I need to bring, etc, etc...(### is it just me)...When you put your/child's name in that box for a call back did you not think to go online or call the number they have posted to research this company and look at the youtube post to see what goes on? ( Really, is it just me)...Yes, there is a wait, but you wait when you order your fast food as well as in a doctor's office...Why do you think they are located in the middle of the mall by the BATHROOMS and FOOD COURT!? ..LOL...This company doesn't promise you anything, but they do provide services that you pay for...I entered my 1y/o in this competition and we had fun! He is a finalist and we have to go back for the photo shoot, but I take each step as what it is...I'm not expecting someone to call me back b/c I made sure I had every piece of information I needed before I left...I have business cards, the director's phone number ( and no not the number on the card) and the Mall Management number...Do you get it yet...this company sells portfolios! They also do a lot more than that, but really their just trying to get you/your child some experience and give FREE advice...for those who have their portfolios, take them to an agent...daaaaaaaa...
i'm in total agreement with keb9. love the points you made!
Actually the AMMS has a decent BBB rating with a B-
oh yes and i guesss its B. Adams not adam.. and starting out calling customers ###s is just really bad businesss sense
NOT A SCAM... COME ON!
Come on get real! How is The AMMS a scam? How can JOhn Robert Powers and Casablanca charge millions of people $1, 000s of dollars for a portfolio and "acting classes" and then have those people go nowhere? I've been through JRP. I paid $8, 000 for a portfolio and didn't get one photo. I took their classes and have not BOOKED one job. I wasted $8, 000 and...
Read full review of The American Mall Model Search and 6 commentsSCAM
WOW... OK I PASSED THE AUDITION AND I HAD TO GO BACK FRIDAY TO A PHOTO SHOOT UNTIL I JUST FOUND OUT THAT ITS A FREAKING SCAM I KNEW IT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE .
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Come on get real! How is The AMMS a scam? How can JOhn Robert Powers and Casablanca charge millions of people $1, 000s of dollars for a portfolio and "acting classes" and then have those people go nowhere? I've been through JRP. I paid $8, 000 for a portfolio and didn't get one photo. I took their classes and have not BOOKED one job. I wasted $8, 000 and got nothing in return. The AMMS doesn't promise you that your dreams will come true. It a way to get experience. $300 for a portfolio is nothing. Not only do you get your photos you get the copy release. And you get to be apart of a talent show and fashion show. THe industry doesn't guarantee anything. A scam is paying more than $1, 000 dollars and getting nothing in return.
The AMMS is featured on Oprah Winfrey's #1 pick for scouting agencies; so it's obviously not a scam. They find you, groom you, prepare you for the stage. Sometimes If you can't pay for a photo shoot, and have true talent, they make you a Intern...NOT A SCAM.
I'm on the fence about the AMMS. I am in the third stage of the competition and I'm very skeptical. I had never heard of the process before and they always tell you if anyone asks you for money to be with an agengy, then it's a scam. But, the photographer was very professional and he even showed me the pictures before I left after my photoshoot. I would really hate if it was truly all a scam because I would be out $300 and the self confidence the competition has given me. If you want to be in the fashion industry, I would suggest getting the headshots even if it is by the AMMS photographer and go to other agengies if you don't win the contract. That's what I'm going to do. And even if I don't win, I got some professional shots of me for my family. Be cautious but this is a great deal for headshots. And it's very fun!
I've been very impressed with the professionalism of the young woman that ran the contest here in Roanoke, VA. Lauryn...known as LA. $150 is cheaper than what you pay at Sears for your babies portraits...not a bad deal if you ask me.
My daughter won an exclusive contract with the company and they have now asked her to come and work for the company. They have been in business since 1982. Last year they had 16 complaints to the BBB. They had over 4000 contestants in Roanoke alone. DO the math.
The complaints usually come from people who are mad they didn't get picked for a contract. I will admit it is not the usual way one would think you get a modeling job, but it is sure working for my daughter!
Good luck to everyone!
Paying for services not rendered
Emails sent and not answered, cell phone number given that seems bogus, making to pay for services before you receive them.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Have anyone went through the Amms and got a contract with The Casting board, paid for 10 modeling resume cards, 10 casting cards and 10 id modeling cards and sent them off with the contract? What happened after you sent the modeling cards off with the resume? Any success or do you know anyone who have?
Wow! what dis-information here on the comments! ...USER: dmcinaz. You didn't even name this so called "reputable" Modeling agency; what do you think a competing agency would say?.."Oh yah, forget us take your business to the AMMS instead of us"...doesn't make sense and if you all ready knew a good agency why did you divert from them? ...cause you lied ...and that makes your whole story a lie!"
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMMS.
The AMMS is featured on Oprah Winfrey as the #1 pick for scouting agencies ...so it's obviously not a scam.
They find you, groom you, prepare you for the stage. If you have true talent, sometimes they make you a Intern ... NOT A SCAM!
I appreciate all the feedback on this company! My daughter auditioned yesterday and was SO nervous! She's never done this before! I went there not knowing what to expect. She was just auditioning for catalog modeling so imagine my surprise when I found out that she had to walk the runway and recite a short script within just a few minutes of getting it. She ended up doing a really great job though and got through. But...once getting through there was a cost involved just like everyone is saying. We put down the $70 for the first payment...even though we didn't really have it. and then went home to practice. I was a bit uneasy about it and started researching. I found this site with all these comments and then decided to call a VERY reputable Modeling Agency back in my home town in CA to ask their opinion. I got a call back and was told that this is indeed a scam and to not pursue it. I also checked BBB and they have an F...not good. My husband called to ask for our money back and they said they would mail us a check. I hope they do. But, if not, the $70 wsa well worth the boost in confidence that my daughter recieved. For those that are upset...I understand, I really do. But maybe this is where we all should have done better research before signing up our kids on that little piece of paper! Lesson learned on my part!
We entered the 2010 sept show no winner has been picked yet so this not aout jealousy. itw about finding out after i paid 150 and having my daughter intern for them at there show that they gave her a CD with the wrong photos and won't return calls or texts that the interns were running the video camera and the sound system and they didnt know how. squelching through peoples songs shaking and distant video. All these that are sent to the company that is the leader and its not amms I was told amms is one of its "little projects' from the self titled director of the show. (after the director quit. She was unproffesional and rude after she got her money. my daughter internend and after a month Mayte the shows "director was calling her Talyor and wrot it on the CD we paid for that was of another girls pictures with a couple of my daughters pictures on it. It was not just me. the audience i was in was complaining that the sound system was squelching and wrong songs were played for people sets so they kept having to do do overs. the director was putting to much on the interns most who were under 18. except the one she started dating and invited to have him do the sound production in her PA show that is running in October/November . All though he was a nice person its about proffesionalism not her bringing a free date to travel with her. People deserved proffesionals they put there hearts into that show instead they got poor quality and alot of unaswered question. i know because my daughter was trying to get them answered for customers and the director would tell her to give a vague standard answer. hOW DO YOU GET A HOLD OF THESE PEOPLE WHO RUN IT? THEY ARE WRITTEN UP BY THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AS THE MOST NEG. RATING YOU CAN GET. I AM AT FAULT FOR NOT CHECKING THEM OUT
Look I am glad for your daughter but be honest people are not all getting the same people running the show at the malls and mayte who ran the show in southern park mall ohio 9/2010 had interns running the cameras unprofessional photograpohers without portfolios taking the pictures. Its fine But let people Know the truth so they can make a informed decision. They do not tell it like it is. and that money is alot to some and pennies to others but you say your daughter got a excusive contract. What you dont say is that amms did not give you that contract you had to go work for and search for it maybe you used thier pictures idk but tell it all
I've been very impressed with the professionalism of the young woman that ran the contest here in Roanoke, VA. Lauryn...known as LA. $150 is cheaper than what you pay at Sears for your babies portraits...not a bad deal if you ask me.
My daughter won an exclusive contract with the company and they have now asked her to come and work for the company. They have been in business since 1982. Last year they had 16 complaints to the BBB. They had over 4000 contestants in Roanoke alone. DO the math.
The complaints usually come from people who are mad they didn't get picked for a contract. I will admit it is not the usual way one would think you get a modeling job, but it is sure working for my daughter!
Good luck to everyone!
SCAM!
I tried out for the AMMS. I paid $150.00 like a dummie. I forced my mom and made her feel guilty for "not" believing in me. So she paid the money (mind you shes a single mother) I got my pics and got a 1 yr contract with Model Productions. They said something about being able to land a part in Miley Cyrus new movie "Wings." Then it said I had to pay $75.00 more for business cards. Way to crush my dream. Thank you.
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I have been contacting AMMA so I can receive my daughter's pictures and have gotten no replies. I just want what I paid for.
I definitely agree with everything you are saying. I have always thought my daughter was a natural for Print Modeling. Now that she is 9, she has the physique of a model so, I also entered my daughter into the AMMS (American Mall Model Search-Cary, NC) and completed it with fees paid. When it was explained to me i understood what i was getting myself into. i did my research and weighed my options: "With the pictures i already have of her, should i make my own portfolio? or should i pay a professional to do it?". I was indeed extremely skeptical then about AMMS being a scam. However, after meeting the scouting agents, photographers, and teen volunteers i felt a little comfort in my decision.
For many years i thought this would be a scam so i never entered. Well December 2011 was her final show. I found it to be a great opportunity to get my daughter exposed to was performing is like from a realistic point of view. Also for her see first hand what a real photo shoot is like. Since she was young she has always told me how much she wanted to be "in the television". So i took a chance to make that happen. AMMS requires payment for a portfolio, but professional portfolio's can be expensive. Granted, i do think the photographs were a little am-mature, but i did receive what i paid for. AMMS talent scouts are only there to determine your child's level of talent and to provide your child with the bare essentials for starting a Modeling/Acting career. They refer you to The Casting Board, which is a job booking agency. There is no ties to a contract, you can opt out at any time. The Casting Board is who your child will work for. They also ask for payment on Resume Cards, Id Cards, and Casting Cards (These are needed when jobs are booked and required for work.) You control whether TCB get paid or not and they control whether you get a job or not. You have to spend money to make money i always say. You also have to know for yourself if you child's a star or anyone will be able to con you. I have 60 days to decline or accept that contract. but even if i don't my little lady will still have her Professional Portfolio that i will use myself to book her jobs. Also she will always have that memory and what she learned from her Performances with AMMS. Reminder: A chance taken is not a chance lost. I say it's not a scam.