I am not sure if any of you have had an experience with Indy Models, but mine was a bad one.

I was asked to work the Coverings trade show for them this year, and, two weeks before the show, they randomly cancelled with me. I ended up working the show for another company, and saw that Indy had still hired girls for the client that I was supposed to work for. I thought that it was weird, but didn't worry too much, as I had heard about their poor track record.

Anyway, my other experience with Indy was much worse than the cancellation. As many of you may know, I recently was in the competition to be the 2009 Loop Rock Girl in Chicago. In order to get votes for myself, I e-mailed all of my friends, family, and co-workers/marketing companies that I have worked with asking for their support. When I sent a reminder e-mail a few days before my voting day, Monica Robertson(of Indy Models) sent an e-mail to every contact that I had e-mailed. Many of these people are independent contract employers of mine.

The e-mail stated: "It would be our suggestion that you work on your character a bit before sending such a request. We are not inclined to help you. Further, we would prefer that you remove our email from future mailings. We thank you in advance for doing so."

When I saw this, I was shocked, as the only interactions I had with Indy Models were through e-mail. I had one phone conversation with Monica to confirm that she had received my contract for Coverings. I could not believe that she sent such an e-mail to my contacts because I have never worked for her/Indy Models. I believe that questioning my character was totally out of line, and could cause me to lose jobs with former employers.

After this incident, I e-mailed her and asked for an apology. I have not heard back. I have tried to call the office to gain a better understanding of why she would send out such an e-mail; however, there has not been an answer all week.

I wanted to make my peers aware of this situation so that it does not happen to you! Please feel free to comment with any advice and/or experiences.

Thanks!!!

Colleen

I've always refrained from sending out mass e-mails, especially to any past, present, or potential employers. Many companies have a large amount of talent in their database and would be inundated with emails if each of those individuals sent out requests like yours.

Regardless, it's curious that the company sent out a response like that. They had nothing to gain by doing so. Why would a company worry enough about something so trivial to send out a response to all of your contacts? Except in extreme cases, I've always refrained from speaking negatively about other workers or agencies, even if it was warranted. Often times speaking negatively of someone else is more of a reflection of one's need to criticize others. Although you may be annoyed, it's not going to make or break you. If any other companies read the response from Indy Models, it would more likely cast a negative light on Indy Models instead of yourself. Many probably would ask why they were being so petty.

My professional advice would be to forget about it. Continue to share feedback on companies in a diplomatic way, but don't worry too much about the small things. Those companies usually end up shooting themselves in the foot. Good luck!

aapter,

Thanks for the response. You are correct about it shedding a bad light on Indy Models. After I e-mailed all of my contacts to apologize for the e-mail, many of the emailed me to say that the e-mail Monica sent was "highly inappropiate." It was nice to know that so many companies know that her e-mail was not a reflection of me, and they will continue to work with me.

Also, the mass e-mail that I sent was for a spokesmodel competition that I am involved in, and many of my current/past employers were more than happy to vote for me. I figured that they would be the best people to ask, as they know my abilities and work in the industry.

Anyway, my final competition for the spokesmodel position will take place on Friday. Hopefully I will win, and I will have many people to thank for my success. Good luck in your futue endeavors, and thanks for your opinion/advice.

Colleen

Colleen,

Since you've taken the initiative to post, at least you should post the entire story.

We listed an opening on Craigslist for the Coverings Expo. Postings on Craigslist are anonymous, so you don't know who posted it. Several people responded, including Colleen. We booked her and several others to work at the event. 2 days later, after Colleen had contractually committed to working at the event, we posted another Craigslist ad for another opening. It paid more money. You'll never guess who responded? Yes, Colleen engaged in what is known in our industry as "job shopping." They book themselves into multiple jobs that occur at the same time, waiting until the last minute (if at all) to let all but the highest paying know that they will have to cancel. Until reading this, Colleen had no clue that she was caught.

What a tangled web we weave, Colleen. Now that everyone knows the truth, we suggest that they read the quote you provided in your original post. It might make a bit more sense now. Our suggestion to you hasn't changed.

I would just like to say that I would NEVER cancel a job for another that paid more. I always respond to ads on craigslist in order to get my name/credentials into the hands of a potential employer. That way when another job comes up in my area, the company will already have my credentials. I think that it is absurd to think that I was "job shopping." I have had many opportunities to make more money, but once I make a commitment, I keep it! I have been in this business for a long time, and not once has an employer questioned my character.

PS. If I were supposedly "job shopping," I would have booked myself for a second job at the same expo; however, that was not the case. Had someone called me about a higher paying job for the same days I was booked, I would have told them that I was aleady booked, but I would love to be considered for future events. Maybe you should consider that before ASSuming the worst.

Also, it would be great if you could explain why you sent an e-mail to every contact that I have. Highly unprofessional!

Colleen,

I'm really not trying to hang you but.....if you insist on supplying the rope.

Let's take a closer look at your statement. You contractually committed to working a job and then sent your info to another ad because you wanted to get your credentials "into their hands." Ummmm....what happens when they decide they want to hire you? "Oh, sorry, I can't work for you, I'm already committed contractually to work for someone else. I was just wasting your time by getting my info into your hands." How many people do you think are foolish enough, Colleen? How many?

You were job shopping and you were caught. It's that simple. It's probably best for you to let this one fade away and hope all of those "employers" don't happen upon this thread......

I really can't figure this one out. I really can't.

There's nothing more for me to say. I was not, have not, and never will "job shop," and, quite honestly, I can't believe that I'm being accused of it.

Can someone from the outside looking in please let me know what they think?

Take a look at who's questioning my character:

http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/283/RipOff0283068.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/282/RipOff0282426.htm

http://www.mymodeltalk.com/jobs/watch ... l-models-please-read.html

http://chicagotalents.hyperboards.com ... n=view_topic&topic_id=388

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/352/RipOff0352276.htm

http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycomp ... tement-models-a84629.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/420/ripoff0420286.htm

k

IndyModels,
It seems to me like you jumped the gun. Maybe you should have posed as another company and tried to hire her for a higher paying conflicting gig and seen what happened. Then at least you could say she was going to flake on us or she has flaked on us. You are accusing someone of attempting to do something that they have no previous track record of doing... It really is just your assumption. As for her submitting her information for another job? Who cares... Applying for open positions, getting your name in the door and networking is all part of the business. You over reacted when you cancelled her, you over reacted to her email, you are over reacting now and it makes you seem like an drama filled, emotionally driven agency who likes being the bully.

That's just the view from up here in the cheap seats.

B

Both parties are at fault for engaging in this exchange in a public forum. Both names are tarnished when this happens and I don't recommend it professionally.
All consistenly working agencies , producers, managers and models would agree.
This should have been a personal email exchange.

Michelle,

I completely agree; however, I tried to address the situation through e-mail and over the phone. My e-mail was not responded to, and my calls were not returned. So, I asked for the help of the my event speak peers, and what I got in return was an absurd accusation. AFter that, I needed to defend my reputation.

this was like the best thread ever, its so juicy i love it . Girl Fight!!!

I've only worked with Colleen a few times, I can attest to the fact that she is a hard worker, has a great personality, is very trustworthy and absolutely has NO issues with her character. That was completely and utterly unprofessional of Ms. Robertson to do - although sharing your experience with Indy Models has shown us that Ms. Robertson is the one with the REAL character flaws.

As for her questioning what would happen if an agency you had applied with just to get your credentials in their hands called to hire you only to discover you were already booked... that is ridiculous. That is the nature of this business - sometimes you apply for jobs and are booked by another agency before the other agency you applied with manages to respond to your application. As if any SANE potential employer/booking agent would really feel that the wool was pulled over their eyes in this scenario...

People at Indy Models-please get control of yourselves.

Those reports don't look too good.