Bettina agent ringing - anyone else had this?

[bigglet]

I went to the Parenting Australia expo a few weeks ago in Melbourne and Bettina Model Agency had a stall there and they were taking free pictures of babies and children to enter a competition (win a free modelling contract).

Of course I was attracted to the words FREE and WIN COMPETITION :D (who isn't!!) so little Emily had her photo taken and her name written down.

I just had a phone call from Bettina saying that they were interested in "her look" and unfortunately she is a little too young at the moment but could I call them back in a few months for an interview and perhaps I would be interested in signing her up?

Do you think this is for real and that they are indeed interested or is this just another marketing thing where they have your name and number and try and get you in regardless? We are on a tight budget (as is everyone) and if Emily really could get work we may be interested but we are kinda sick of being conned into so much sales marketing (everytime you put your name down to "win a competiton" we always get called up afterwards not as a winner but to see whether we will sign up or buy their products anyway)...

Sorry for the rambling...:ecomcity: but basically anyone else that went to the Parenting Expo or the like been called by Bettina?

Thanks so much for your help....

[Ruby]

Hi,

i have just signed my little Ruby up with Bettina agency and she has a photo shoot on friday morning. Which we will see how she goes :smiliedance:

i think you should give them another call as when i went for the interview yesterday, they said they are looking for new borns. so see what they say! :ecomcity:

they seem like a legitiment company but i couldnt tell you much more about it until friday.

i went to the parenting expo also but i arrived a little late so there was not many stalls around.

see how you go!

Dee

[nuddle]

hard to tell, I know when my son was younger, I found a different agency, that did "free"photoshoots, and we went, and the then tried to sell me a cd of photos for over $200 and I never heard from them, so I think that was just a scam. But, I think Bettinas is a pretty good one, so maybe they are for real...

[razzle]

Bettina's (http://www.bettina.com.au/) is one of the biggest agencies in Australia. They are definitely for real and not scammers. They called me the other day too, interested in Eloise, but I haven't had a chance to get back to them yet.

[Funkychicken]

We had a call from them too. They took pics of all 3 of our children and they want to meet our DD, so we have made an appointment. I'm still really unsure though-not about them as an agency as such, just the whole 'kids modelling' thing. I have never been into showing them off at that kind of level (can't stand baby comps that kind of thing) but I wonder if it will help to make some money to put towards an education fund for DD. Does anyone know what sort of cost we will be up for to join? Is there ongoing costs etc...?

[gracewolds]

Look I have to say that this is a very expensive way to learn about modelling and kids - we did sign with them after going to a talent search day and after 3 hours waiting for my then 2 year olds to have her photo taken for 2 minutes after booking in a pre made time, and standing in line with 50 other mums to hand out $200.00 for the privalige we were ripped off.

In 2 years we only got 1 casting call = they use the term search/interview days and say for you to go to thier office and they will asses if your child is right for them!! so you go and then they say they will call you back ina few days. So in anticipationof your child "MAKING IT IN" you wait and they call and tell you your child has something.

The you go for the photos and shell out the $$

I emailed and contact them several times and never got a reply until I got hold of Bettina herself by email - their main office is in Melbourne!!

Looks, I know we all think our kids are cute - of course I do I'm a mum, but if you want my advice - DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY

Or better still - ask them how many jobs they have given to kids on a regular basis

[mixi_mama]

I dont know much about Bettina agency, but my daughter is signed to another agency up here in brisbane. I was a little reluctant to sign her up, as with my DH... but we did anyway. I took all her portfolio photos myself (as i am currently studying photography) and we only paid 150 for representation and a year on the national casting website. She was signed up at 8 weeks and were told that many companies find it hard to get jobs for the littlies (under 9mnths) so don't expect a miracle. We were also told that we might have a shoe in chance cause she has an exotic look due to her heritage. Well we must have had good karma cause she's 5 mnths now and had 5 auditions and 4 jobs. We also have 3 more auditions lined up for the next month. So all in all my baby modelling experience hasnt been bad at all. I guess its who you go with
But like i said, i dont know much about bettina - but ive heard they're good.

[2girlsofmine]

we also got contacted by Bettina after an expo. Took both my girls in and they raved over them. When I said that I hadn't been told about the fees etc on the phone her demeanour changed. Got a message a few days later telling me their books were full for those age groups. Why call me in the first place? A girlfriend's daughter has been on their books since 15 mths and at 3 1/2 hasn't had a single call....

[Leeny]

Can i ask who your with mixi-mama?

[mbrbbt]

Hi, we went to the Sydney expo as did friends of mine (about 8 that I know of) and basically everyone who had their photo taken for the competition got a phonecall saying unfortunately your child didn't win but we are very interested so please come in and see us as we'd love to put them on the books, and told us we would definitely be accepted. They did go into detail about fees etc on the phone when I asked them so they weren't trying to hide anything.

They've got a big name in the industry, this is just one way they advertise I suppose.

My older children are with another agency and I therefore declined but tried it for the years free modelling contract you could win.

[Kirst]

Funny, my DH and I were discussing this very thing this afternoon.

My DD is signed with Bettina (we are in Sydney), and have been for about 6 or 7 months. We went to them, we weren't canvassed after an expo.

Bettina is a good reputable company, but I think that problem is that as it is traditionally a Melbourne-based business, they're client base is primarily in Melbourne. I honestly think that they don't get much work out of the Sydney market.

We have not had one call for anything. As a matter of fact, I am calling them on Monday...........

[msiccita]

Nearly two years ago the same thing happened to me.

I went to the Expo and saw the same thing you did. So of course, i had his photo taken and thought nothing of it. I then received a call, saying that they were interested in my son and if we wouldn't mind coming in for an interview.

Well, how excited was I, my son the model. Went for the interview and later got a call saying they wanted him to join them. It cost around $400 for the years membership, and with this you had a photo shoot and they would be put in the casting book for that year.

Went for the photo shoot, great photos but cost a fortune for us to buy them. No problem, i was still excited about the idea of my son being a model.

In that whole year, we never got a job. Sure some would say maybe he wasn't what the people were looking for. I can accept that, but when you hear from other people that the same thing happened to them.

You could be one of the lucky ones and your daughter goes somewhere, but after what happened with Bettina, i won't be doing anything like that again.

Hope it helps
:thumbsup:

[Funkychicken]

We decided to cancel our appointment. When asked when we wanted to reschedule for I replied "To be honest, I just don't think I can be bothered with the whole thing." They were OK with this but I did detect a note of annoyance in her voice when I said it.

[razzle]

I had quite a positive experience. We went for an interview last Friday. they rang yesterday and said yes, they want Miss E on the books. They said it was $395 for a years membership which includes the photo shoot plus numerous website listings etc etc. They also said that if she's not called up for a job in one year, then they sign her up for an additional 6 months at their own expense, new photos etc.

I told them I had to discuss it with my partner and I'd get back to them. I'm still in two minds....

[Kirst]

I spoke to them this week, and they reassured me that DD was being put forward for jobs. They also stressed the whole extra 6 month thing if she doesn't get an audtion....remember, that's if you get no AUDITION, not job Razzle.

Well, I guess we've paid for the year, and there's still 6 months to go. A lot can happen in 6 months.

[abeckaj]

I also entered their "Competition" at a shopping mall in Malbourne. They rang me and said Bettina had seen my daughter's photo and wanted her to come in.

That's when they told me about the $400 fee and that only 80% of their kids were actually working.

I then decided that it wasn't worth the risk of losing $400. They said that if she didn't get work in 12 months they would put her on the books for anther 6 months free, but i thought whats the point if she doesn't get work in 12 months whats another 6 months going to do.

Also their faces and looks change so much when they are young that i just thought it isn't worth the hassle.

[bigglet]

Ah thanks to all your replies :p

I don't think I'll bother ringing Bettina back - while it's all exciting to think of our child the model I don't think I can do the jobs anyway (assuming she would be one of the lucky ones to get a job) seeing as I'm supposed to go back to work end of this year... boo hooo :crying:

And anyway looking at everyone's avatars - you all have such gorgeous babies/children that the competition is just too much at the moment :laughing:

Just a curious question... for those of you who are with modelling agencies - how many of you have got roles/jobs out of it? As in was the membership fee worth it in the end?

[mbrbbt]

Hi, my older children are with agencies and had been since babies - we were approached by the agency after shopping centre photographs. They have had lots of work and yes it is well worth it if you can get them to the jobs at a moment's notice.

In 1 year alone my daughter Brooke had Toys R Us, Sunday Telegraph ad, Studio Bambini, Big W catalogue and ad, Woolworths catalogue, That's Life magazine shoot, Fresh Food Magazine, Miki House and if she had a passport could have done a job in New Zealand.

While she enjoys it I will let her do it. The people we have worked for have been fantastic - no pressure, no pushiness. We have always been paid for travel if it's been a bit of distance, always been supplied lunch, snacks and drinks for all of us and she has generally had a great time.

Good luck with all you do

[handydandy]

my daughter is 14 and going in for her portpholio shoot tomorrow and bettina's is accually very good they had lotsto offer at a fee of around $347 and they gave me aplan to pay it off over a number of weeks. they are very kind and supportive and so far have not seemed like a scam.. i really do love this agency for my daughter and its what is best for her. mothers know whats best.:yes::fingerscrossed:

[MunchiesMummy]

:wave:

Bettina contacted me when munch was approx 6 months old (after I sent them a photo of her) and requested an interview with us.

We went to the one in Brissy and TBH I didnt get a good feel from them, they were quite disorganised - 3 separate people rang us to see if we were indeed coming to the interview and I informed all 3 that we had already confirmed.

On the day of the interview the woman who saw us pulled us in with 3 other kids and it was a really brief overview of basically this is what you pay etc etc.

I ummmed and ahhhhed about it as I really think dd has a 'look' but then so do all parents haha. In the end I pulled the plug as I couldnt justify that amount of money and the vibe just didnt sit right with me.

Then when dd was just over 1 we got an email from Brats Modelling agency from the 'owner' who said he had been at the baby show (lukemia money raising one in shopping centre) and had seen munch and would like to have an interview and potentially sign her up.

I emailed back saying I would be very intrested and if they where that sure she could get work then perhaps they could waive the fee and take it out of her first job/s. Needless to say no follow up email ever followed :laughing::laughing:

BUT I have heard of mothers who have their kids with BOTH agencies and get work.

[bada]

I emailed back saying I would be very intrested and if they where that sure she could get work then perhaps they could waive the fee and take it out of her first job/s. Needless to say no follow up email ever followed :laughing::laughing: Yep, this ^^^. If they think your kid is that great they know they'll get their money back. It's all a scam, sure they might be a legit company but the means by which they get ppl to hand over their $ is a SCAM.


ETA BUT MM I have seen your DD and OMG they're fools for not taking you up, she is absolutely stunning, definitely one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Their loss.

[bubbies4me]

We had an interview for dd just over a year ago and they accepted her (Bettina) it cost us about $400 including photos and $16 per month to be on their website. W
She got a job for a target v
Catalogue about a month after and nothing since.

We were told if they didnt get a job the next year was free. I think she only got 1 job which paid $68 so they didn't have to do a year for free.

Will not be rejoining this year or even looking for the new bubs.

Waste of money in our eyes, from what I heard they accept 99.9% of kids that apply.

[MunchiesMummy]

Yep, this ^^^. If they think your kid is that great they know they'll get their money back. It's all a scam, sure they might be a legit company but the means by which they get ppl to hand over their $ is a SCAM.


ETA BUT MM I have seen your DD and OMG they're fools for not taking you up, she is absolutely stunning, definitely one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Their loss.

Wow thanks caritas, thats probably the loveliest thing you could ever say to me! :goodvibes: We always (me and dh) look at each other and shake our heads and say 'HOW did WE make THAT!' hee hee.

TBH IF we had loads of spare cash I probably would have signed her up and just seen what happened but the fees are LOTS of money if you dont have much spare.

[allabella]

Our experience : ...
We had photos taken at the Royal Melbourne show for a chance to win a competition and then later got the call "sorry you did not win but your daughter has the look".

As she has a dream of performing, we went along, and took my other daughters. Two were "perfect" but one was not because she had braces.
They told us about the fees etc but that the girls would get more than enough work to cover the costs; they assured - and especially my girls - very few of their clients do not get enough work. I had thought it was a "sell" but they were so convincing that the girls would be chosen.

But of course, it happened to be both my girls who were the unlucky "very few" who did not get not only one job, but NO JOBS.

The biggest issue I had with them was that they told my children how wonderful they were, how gorgeous they were and it would be very unusual that they would not be chosen. So after our twelve months subscription, and only two phone calls for one daughter, and none for the other daughter (who when I asked did not even know that she was on their books - go figure), my daughters were devastated, thinking that they must not be very attractive.:(

[saz11]

If you are on FB, check out BumpModels. They post their jobs as they get. A family agency starting from pregnancy. They usually run a few competitions too. gotta love it if you can win something :cheerleader1:

[CluckyMummy]

Dont get sucked in Ive heard lots of bad reviews about bettina (and the whole industry TBH). They do this Free Competition thingo to get names and numbers and see how many people will sign up then you wont get work or they say "their books are full". I think many agencies in general do this, they go on and on about how adorable your child is and then when you've handed over the $$ you never hear from them.

[Addisonsmum]

:(:no::no::no::no::no::no:DONT DO IT!!!! They are the BIGGEST SCAMMERS EVER!!!

They rip you off $500 - for a photoshoot with an apparant photographer to the stars... NOT Well actually the actual studio where the pics are taken does belong to a reputable photographer - HOWEVER -- he doesn't take your kids photo !

You are directed out the back to his backroom area where Bettina have got people lined up waiting for the "1 hour" photoshoot that only takes 7 minutes and the photographer is what looks like a fresh out of high school teenager .....

NOT HAPPY - but like everyone else I was lured by the thought my daughter was going to make it into some catalogues.... My daughter is beautiful and the pics they took make her look distorted - and to top it off they wanted me to pay another $400 to purchase a collection of the pics taken.... WHAT A JOKE:banghead::banghead2::banghead2::no: