Complaint Review: Options Talent Emodel.com - Orlando Florida

I graduated college in 2001 and after 9/11 was in desperate need of a job. I found the add for eModel.com on Monster.com and figured I would give it a shot. I really needed the money. I went to the interview figuring it would be a normal one on one interview. It wasn't. There was a ton of other people there!!! (I should have known then that it was a scam) We were all brought into an office (Beachwood, Ohio) one by one for a 5 minute interview. We saw a video that brought us into the scam even more. When I saw the supermodels that we on the board of directors I figured it had to be true. eModel.com couldn't use their name like that if they weren't involved right? I do remember them moving our office to the west side of Cleveland. It was maybe the Lakewood/Rocky River area. I was only there once. I am an introvert, so doing the whole scouting thing was very hard for me. I didn't like going up strangers in the mall, at the bar, or store etc and telling them they were beautiful and could have a modeling career. It was a horrible feeling. I felt like a predator while these people were just enjoying their free time. I guess I wasn't very good at scouting since I never had anyone show up to the "open calls". I just figured since I didn't have anyone show up that was the reason I didn't get paid. After reading all these comments from other ex-employees, I am VERY glad none of the people I scouted showed up. I would have felt HORRIBLE about myself if those people would have paid the money and got no work out of it. After about a month, I realized the job wasn't paying off and it just wasn't for me. I didn't tell anyone I quit, I just didn't go back. I never heard from eModel again. If I were the supermodels that eModel is using to rope people in, I would sue. That is defamation of character. Here is a news report from the i-Team in Atlanta that investigated Options/eModel... http://fox5atlanta.com/iteam/options.html

Hello, My name is Norah Smith. About two years ago I signed with Tctalent expecting to recieve help with a modeling career. I paid 800 dollars up front, plus the additional 30.00 monthly fee. I was given a website with information regarding myself and certain slots for pictures. After a month they tried to access my account more then once, so I changed my account number and tried to contact the business for an explanation. I only got some kind recording each time and never spoke with any idividuel person. The only times I spoke with a employee was the first time. Which a "scout" walked up to me told me I was beautiful and said I was a perfect candidate to become a super model. The second time was when I attended their orintation at a building in Bellevue Washington where I watched a video and listening to their "expert" advise. Later I was hasted into a room where I was told I was perfect for magizine photos and signed a contract stating the I was to pay a monthly fee plus 800 dollars for the website. I was also Promised that I would recieve e-mails from companys who were interested in my work. I was never called. Now I sit here in central seattle hoping that this complaint reaches someone who can do something about this.

EDitor's Note: This website fully endorses the following comments. Previously, we have stated that TCT/Options was anti-Union and these comments highlight that position.

I found this website today because I was approached by a "scout" from TC today at the grocery store. Having worked as still photographer makeup artist many years ago and knowing many photographers, I have a good idea of what is looked for in a model - and I can tell you at 33 years old and with my shape - I am not it! I therefore became suspicious and looked these guys up.

I COMPLETELY agree with Miranda. In more recent years I have worked as a talent coordinator for commercials and previously worked for AFTRA and the Screen Actor's Guild San Diego branch. It is NEVER a good idea to go with a company that requires a fee to become one of their "talent" not to mention a monthly charge. Who ever heard of a legitimate agency requiring a monthly fee like a gym membership! Additionally, most agencies who have an "open call" are to be thoroughly checked out.

Follow Miranda's advice to getting started in modeling. Classes are never neccessary for modeling. As for actors, once again, to echo Miranda, take classes, find out if there is a film shooting in your town and try to get work on it as an extra if your willingly to put in long hours and get a taste of things (call your local film/video commission office for legitimate extras casting companies in your area).

And lastly, call your local Screen Actor's Guild representative to find out if an agent is legit or not and listed with them. The Screen Actor's Guild has a website with regional reps listed. These reps can also give you your local film commission's contact number if needed.

Please remember that very, very few people make it "big" in either modeling or acting. But there are opportunities. Just be sure to research everything and seriously question anyone who asks you for money unless it is for acting classes. There are a lot of people out there who would love to take your money and make you promises but it is up to you to keep yourself safe, real and make your dreams happen. Be smart and realistic.

I would just like to say a few words in how models and actors are TRULY scouted. First, actors and models are not scouted through agencies like TCTALENT/Options/Emodel, et cetera et cetera.

When the above companies are recruiting scouts and/or potential talent they tell you most of those earning the fame and fortune in this industry are scouted. WRONG! Casting directors, agents, studios, producers, directors, etc. do not "go online" to these sources searching for talent. These executives have their own scouts. Every single board member that TC Talent claims to have as advisories are not even working with them. This has and is under investigation.

As an industry professional, I caution all actor and model hopefuls from falling into this pipe dream scam. The best thing, is save that 500 bucks you would give TC Talent toward headshots for your portfolio.

They also claim to help you with headshots as well. That is silly. Any legit industry professional can tell you without charging what you need to be in the biz: TAKE ACTING CLASSES, FIND A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER (Even if its a friend or a referral, just price around) for your headshots, NETWORK AT INDUSTRY MIXERS, TALK WITH OTHER ACTORS, FIND OUT BEST PRICES FOR HEADSHOTS, CLASSES, LEARN HOW TO DO YOUR MODEL OR ACTING RESUME BY FOLLOWING A FELLOW ACTOR/MODEL's RESUME AS A GUIDE.

GOOD LUCK, and best wishes to all you acting and modeling hopefuls! Don't fall prey to this scam. IT IS NOT HOW THE INDUSTRY WORKS, NOT AT ALL!

VICTORIA,

PLEASE READ THE RIP-OFF REPORT I POSTED WHICH IS TITLED:
"TCT/TRANS CONTINENTAL TALENT/OPTIONS TALENT/E-MODEL = $ HUNGRY DECEPTIVE CON-ARTISTS! MOM TOOK THE BAIT & TCT SCOUT REALED US IN BUT TALENT EXECUTIVE SAYS GOODBYE & GOODLUCK"

I THINK YOU WILL FIND SOME VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS COMPANY, MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, AS WELL AS A REBUTTAL FROM A FORMER TALENT SCOUT WHO QUIT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT GET ANY ANSWERS WHEN ASKED!!

I AM NO FORMER EMPLOYEE. I AM JUST A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN APPROACHED ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, TWICE BY THE SAME TALENT SCOUT AN WAS ALMOST SWINDLED!!!

TAKE MY ADVICE AND GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN. TRY PUSHING MANAGEMENT AT THE OFFICE WHERE YOU WORK, FOR SOME QUESTIONS YOU HAVE AND TRY TO DO MORE INVESTIGATION BEFORE YOU GIVE TCT THE THUMBS UP. THINK WHAT YOU WOULD DO OR FEEL IF YOU WERE IN MY SHOES!!!! YOU SOUND INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO GET ANY OTHER JOB YOU WANT. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO RECRUIT PEOPLE AND GET THEIR HOPES UP, ONLY TO SET THEM UP FOR BEING SCAMMED OUT OF $$$$ AND BE PUT THROUGH HIGH PRESSURED SELLS TACTICTS!!!!

IS THAT WHAT YOU WOULD WANT FOR YOURSELF?????

Victoria,

My niece is a well-paid model and she never had to pay money to make money.

* She never attended modeling school.

* She does have to pay an agent up front. Her agent only makes money when she makes money--period--30% to 40% depending on the job.

* She did not pay her agent to create a portfolio or to post her photo online for every sleaze bag in the world to cut and paste into their own lonely hearts scam web page as an available girl.

* She is too smart to believe some beef-head with a modeling agency business card (who had to pay $500 plus bucks for their job) is anyone to be admired or trusted.


As for your comment about TC Talent must be legit because they advertise endorsements by celebrities, I don't want to embarrass you, however

Many celebrities receive payment in return for endorsements that are not on the up and up. This is due to laziness on the part of their own agents or just themselves wanting to make a fast easy buck. Also, many scam businesses use celebrity names without authorization. Want some proof? Go check out some of the MLM web pages and check out whom these questionable businesses claim to be affiliated with and 9 times out of 10 it's not true. Shaky businesses need celebrities to legitimize the gig.


Look, Victoria, if you won't get out of TC Talent for yourself at least think twice before bringing a potential talent or victim into the scheme. It's just not right to prey on someone's hopes and dreams.

Do the right thing,

Victoria,

My niece is a well-paid model and she never had to pay money to make money.

* She never attended modeling school.

* She does have to pay an agent up front. Her agent only makes money when she makes money--period--30% to 40% depending on the job.

* She did not pay her agent to create a portfolio or to post her photo online for every sleaze bag in the world to cut and paste into their own lonely hearts scam web page as an available girl.

* She is too smart to believe some beef-head with a modeling agency business card (who had to pay $500 plus bucks for their job) is anyone to be admired or trusted.


As for your comment about TC Talent must be legit because they advertise endorsements by celebrities, I don't want to embarrass you, however

Many celebrities receive payment in return for endorsements that are not on the up and up. This is due to laziness on the part of their own agents or just themselves wanting to make a fast easy buck. Also, many scam businesses use celebrity names without authorization. Want some proof? Go check out some of the MLM web pages and check out whom these questionable businesses claim to be affiliated with and 9 times out of 10 it's not true. Shaky businesses need celebrities to legitimize the gig.


Look, Victoria, if you won't get out of TC Talent for yourself at least think twice before bringing a potential talent or victim into the scheme. It's just not right to prey on someone's hopes and dreams.

Do the right thing,

Victoria,

My niece is a well-paid model and she never had to pay money to make money.

* She never attended modeling school.

* She does have to pay an agent up front. Her agent only makes money when she makes money--period--30% to 40% depending on the job.

* She did not pay her agent to create a portfolio or to post her photo online for every sleaze bag in the world to cut and paste into their own lonely hearts scam web page as an available girl.

* She is too smart to believe some beef-head with a modeling agency business card (who had to pay $500 plus bucks for their job) is anyone to be admired or trusted.


As for your comment about TC Talent must be legit because they advertise endorsements by celebrities, I don't want to embarrass you, however

Many celebrities receive payment in return for endorsements that are not on the up and up. This is due to laziness on the part of their own agents or just themselves wanting to make a fast easy buck. Also, many scam businesses use celebrity names without authorization. Want some proof? Go check out some of the MLM web pages and check out whom these questionable businesses claim to be affiliated with and 9 times out of 10 it's not true. Shaky businesses need celebrities to legitimize the gig.


Look, Victoria, if you won't get out of TC Talent for yourself at least think twice before bringing a potential talent or victim into the scheme. It's just not right to prey on someone's hopes and dreams.

Do the right thing,

Victoria,

My niece is a well-paid model and she never had to pay money to make money.

* She never attended modeling school.

* She does have to pay an agent up front. Her agent only makes money when she makes money--period--30% to 40% depending on the job.

* She did not pay her agent to create a portfolio or to post her photo online for every sleaze bag in the world to cut and paste into their own lonely hearts scam web page as an available girl.

* She is too smart to believe some beef-head with a modeling agency business card (who had to pay $500 plus bucks for their job) is anyone to be admired or trusted.


As for your comment about TC Talent must be legit because they advertise endorsements by celebrities, I don't want to embarrass you, however

Many celebrities receive payment in return for endorsements that are not on the up and up. This is due to laziness on the part of their own agents or just themselves wanting to make a fast easy buck. Also, many scam businesses use celebrity names without authorization. Want some proof? Go check out some of the MLM web pages and check out whom these questionable businesses claim to be affiliated with and 9 times out of 10 it's not true. Shaky businesses need celebrities to legitimize the gig.


Look, Victoria, if you won't get out of TC Talent for yourself at least think twice before bringing a potential talent or victim into the scheme. It's just not right to prey on someone's hopes and dreams.

Do the right thing,

Victoria,

You sound like a really smart girl so here is some very frank advice: Stop wearing blinders!! The companies that you see associated with this company change so often because there are marketing people within those companies that think it sounds like a great thing in the beginning just like many of the models/ scouts/ employees do but they do not stick around.

I have old publications from Options that have companies listed as using them that no longer do or never really did. Think of it like this if you tell someone a lie and then a chain of events is set in action is not everything that derives from that a lie also? Yes, it is because they all stem from the first lie.

Same principle with this company. The founders and executives are liers and have sent out so much misinformation since the beginning that it is not even your fault that you pedal the total BS lines and stories you do. There is a chain of people that had to fall for it too in order for it to get to you. Don't feel bad. Just get smart!!

More and more reports are coming in so I think that the companies (TCT, EDGE) are in some serious trouble.

I'm an new scout and need to convey some things that I've found to be true about the new company.
It is true that I am looking for some answers, however, I am finding that some talent should have this opportunity. Modeling school costs about $1500 & they do nothing once the model graduates to put that talent out there. The concept at TCT is great! The clients looking for their "flavor of the day" have easy access to the site & if the talent is that "flavor" then they could be chosen or not- this is the way the industry works.

For a talent to go on their own - not only do they have to keep updating their Comp card etc. - of course spending their almighty dollar - they also have to try to get themselves out there to be seen.

I look at it as "you have to spend $ to make $". I'm giving people who really want this career an opportunity to get exposure. I do not approach people that do not fit the profile of a Fashion model, print, etc. I do not want to jeopardize myself. I do not want to shatter someones dreams.

I am a licensed with the NASD and have 2 degrees.
I want to help make a dream come true.
I've been told by my Director to: only give my "invitation only" card to people that fit the profiles, that want to attempt their dream, that the parent is ok with too; to not give it to someone that doesn't appreciate the opportunity that I am giving them & to even take the card back. I have been told of several people that have been chosen & I do know who.

I plan on investing further & will update again. The Dell guy was a talent with TCT - so I'm told. I do not believe the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders - TCT is the official sponser - see their website & MTV, Sony, Karin Models, etc. etc. etc. would allow TCT to use their logos, etc. if this was not legit. Also, would TCT risk copyright infringment?

Also, would The famous Peabody Hotel risk their reputation? They're on the back cover of TCT's magazine - Industry - go to the newsstand & check it out!

I am an ex-employee that answered one of those dream ads on Monster.com. I worked out of the Oakbrook office here in Chicago and spent only a short time there after realized that this company was an all around scam. This company screws everyone from the employees to the so-called scouted talent.

As a "talent scout" for Options now TC Talent, an employee could wait up to 30 days before there are receive pay, this is called a 30 days training/trial period, even after your 30 days are up, if you haven't scammed atleast 30 people weekly you will get no pay and get dropped from the company.

The office I worked at had clueless wanna be models under age 25 in upper managment and office directors.

The company hypes you up by having a mentor give a speech, that has been fully copied word for word from the top 5 power speakers of today, to the unknowing ear, I can see how a person could so gung h*o about starting this "dream job" for 30 days no pay and possible 30 days and no job, but hours of foot work and scouting.

After that 30 day period out of the 40 scouts that signed up only one or two will stay on, because they have "attached", and I use that term loosely, themselves to upper management.

They have come up with so many ways to cheat the scouts that it is unbelievable, so the way they worked it out at Option/TC you could have scammed 400 people that month, but if you are not on their "buddy list", they will tell you that your customers did not show up or if the customers lose the business card you gave them with a id number on it, you lose the scammed victim or even though you have 400 people that you brought in and we scammed them you're not working out for the company, so they let you go without giving you your commission.

They way it is set up, you are a independent consultant and have to file a 1099, so eventhough you worked, very hard for this company, it is quite difficult to try and get any back pay from them. Please stay away from options/tc talent, if everyone keeps complaining maybe something can be done to end this company and keep it from coming back under another name.

i would love to talk to anyone with experience or inside information about transcontinental talent. especially from people who have signed up to be models with them or who have worked for them. please contact me at [Place your comments below and be sure to include your FULL contact information so Rip-off Report can contact you.] the sooner the better! thanks

Well, I have read most of what is on this site about Trans Continental aka Options Talent Group aka Options Talent aka Emodel and the list goes on.

I am employee of the company in its corporate office in Florida. I have been in several positions which has given me the opportunity to see and hear many many things.

I must say that the site in theory is a wonderful thing. The industry as a whole could benefit from such a service if it was on the up and up.

Unfortunately Trans Con...Options is far from being on the straight and narrow. The deception and lies go straight to the top of the company.

Most of the people you would ever deal with if you called or contacted the company are good people who are simply doing their job with the answers and information we have been provided by management.

There are so many things wrong with the company that there is no good place to begin. You can start with the pay cut that employees have had to take recently. 25% of 3 pay periods so that the company could afford to merge with Perlman's Trans Continental company.

There is a major shortage of money in the company and so many reasons why. One reason is that they pay the sales people on graduated scale to the point that some "talent executives" or "directors of new talent" are paid as much as $90 per enrollment.

A tangent here for any potential talent out there...do not listen to what these people call themselves..."talent executive" "director of new talent" or anything else...it makes no difference. They are sales people and they are surrounded in a room by 30 to 40 other sales people.

They care nothing about whether you make it in the industry or not. They care about numbers because their job depends on them "closing" a certain percentage. And now back to reasons for a shortage of money.

Who knows what the upper management is paid but I assure you that they are overpaid. You have VP's that have no real skills or qualifications in the industry but because they have been with the company since its early days they are now Vice Presidents or in management somewhere. Then there is the issue of the enormous refunds the company has to issue.

The company just started in August to refund any money to people who have enrolled. Basically anyone who signed with the company prior was just ripped for the enrollment fee plus the monthly maintenance fee. Anyway so they start refunding enrollment fees to people in August and now in October they are just now getting to the people who are to be refunded from late August.

Basically people are having to wait months for their $595.00 which took all of 15 seconds to charge to their credit card. So there is not enough money to pay back the refunds which are due to people and that is why they are so behind on them. They have to balance the number so the place doesn't go under. In weeks that employees must be paid do not look for many refunds to be completed. Other losses of money come from the company's pathetic tracking systems. The credit card charged fees are pretty well accounted for but if someone has paid by Check by Phone for either enrollment or the monthly 19.95 the company has no real records of it. It is rather pathetic that a customer has to fax in proof the check cleared or their statements showing where they have paid the maintenance fee.

Recently there was a trip to Cancun which people paid anywhere from 1800 to well over 3000 dollars to attend. There were hundreds of people that were not provided there ticket information until the last minute and then a good lot of people who were never given their information in order to go. These were people who paid a ton of money to go and they were cast aside in the final days so that employees that were attending the same event good get their tickets booked.

The department that handles these events were so cowardly that management had to have another department handle the tremendous task of dealing with the calls and doing emergency bookings for tickets. Here is the real kicker...those people who did not get their tickets will not be offered a refund.

They will be denied and offered future events in exchange like the Orlando Fashion Rock event happening early next year. Nevermind the fact that people paid for a service and it was not rendered. Nevermind the fact that the prices are not even comparable. The Cancun trip was priced anywhere from 1800 dollars on up and they are selling the Orlando event for 895 dollars. That is a huge difference that those people will get sucker punched with when they attempt to get a refund. Of course no one will tell them the price difference.

Then there is the other trip that was to take talent to an event to London. It is not happening. It has been postponed indefinitely and there will be no offer of refund to these people either. The cost was similar to that of Cancun but it matters not to Trans Continental aka Options because they have the money and it was spent long ago.

Attention to anyone signing up. You will be told that you have a 3 business day right to cancel. That is true but what may not be explained to you in great deal to you is that is 72 business hours from the time you attended your open call. It is not 72 hours from enrollment.

There are people everyday who enroll and are not eligible for a refund even if they changed their mind 10 minutes after signing up. The "talent executive" or whatever they refer to themselves as will mislead you and as of recently the people in "account services" aka "confirmation" are not mentioning the actual date you have until to cancel. Look out.

If you want the service then good for you and there are some actual benefits to it and for some it works really well. If you are not sure or are changing your mind remember you have 3 business days from Open Call to cancel. Your letter must be postmarked by the 3rd day otherwise you will not be eligible for the refund that will take 2 months to get. A phone call or an email will not suffice. Send your letter certified mail to the Client Services Department aka Customer Service. Put your letter to the attention of Nina Mason aka Nina Gomez the wife of one of the vice presidents.

Other things to look out for with this company:
the magical unexplained early billing that occurs. There are tons of people that are on payment plans who get billed 10-15 days early without notice even though they were told at the time of enrollment they would be charged on such and such a day.

Early monthly maintenance fee billing. They tell you that they bill you at the end of the month. Forget it. They bill whenever they want.
Billing of the maintenance fee in the first month. No such thing as the first month being included in the enrollment fee.

One note to pay real attention to is that the "talent executive" or "director of new talent" has no real training in the industry. Sure there are the exceptions: former models or hopeful models but for the most part these people who walked in off the street to the infamous "Dream Job" posted on Monster.com Of course with the Trans Con.. name change the job is now being title on monster as "the best and the brightest"

Notable names:
Joe Gomez, Vice President
Armand Kulpa, Vice President
Tom Weinard, Senior Vice President
Alec Dewfauy, who is the mystery man
Lou Perlman, Chairman

Note: contacting the BBB does nothing people. You have to take it a step further than that. Find other ways of letting your situation be known if you have been wronged.

Well, I have read most of what is on this site about Trans Continental aka Options Talent Group aka Options Talent aka Emodel and the list goes on.

I am employee of the company in its corporate office in Florida. I have been in several positions which has given me the opportunity to see and hear many many things.

I must say that the site in theory is a wonderful thing. The industry as a whole could benefit from such a service if it was on the up and up.

Unfortunately Trans Con...Options is far from being on the straight and narrow. The deception and lies go straight to the top of the company.

Most of the people you would ever deal with if you called or contacted the company are good people who are simply doing their job with the answers and information we have been provided by management.

There are so many things wrong with the company that there is no good place to begin. You can start with the pay cut that employees have had to take recently. 25% of 3 pay periods so that the company could afford to merge with Perlman's Trans Continental company.

There is a major shortage of money in the company and so many reasons why. One reason is that they pay the sales people on graduated scale to the point that some "talent executives" or "directors of new talent" are paid as much as $90 per enrollment.

A tangent here for any potential talent out there...do not listen to what these people call themselves..."talent executive" "director of new talent" or anything else...it makes no difference. They are sales people and they are surrounded in a room by 30 to 40 other sales people.

They care nothing about whether you make it in the industry or not. They care about numbers because their job depends on them "closing" a certain percentage. And now back to reasons for a shortage of money.

Who knows what the upper management is paid but I assure you that they are overpaid. You have VP's that have no real skills or qualifications in the industry but because they have been with the company since its early days they are now Vice Presidents or in management somewhere. Then there is the issue of the enormous refunds the company has to issue.

The company just started in August to refund any money to people who have enrolled. Basically anyone who signed with the company prior was just ripped for the enrollment fee plus the monthly maintenance fee. Anyway so they start refunding enrollment fees to people in August and now in October they are just now getting to the people who are to be refunded from late August.

Basically people are having to wait months for their $595.00 which took all of 15 seconds to charge to their credit card. So there is not enough money to pay back the refunds which are due to people and that is why they are so behind on them. They have to balance the number so the place doesn't go under. In weeks that employees must be paid do not look for many refunds to be completed. Other losses of money come from the company's pathetic tracking systems. The credit card charged fees are pretty well accounted for but if someone has paid by Check by Phone for either enrollment or the monthly 19.95 the company has no real records of it. It is rather pathetic that a customer has to fax in proof the check cleared or their statements showing where they have paid the maintenance fee.

Recently there was a trip to Cancun which people paid anywhere from 1800 to well over 3000 dollars to attend. There were hundreds of people that were not provided there ticket information until the last minute and then a good lot of people who were never given their information in order to go. These were people who paid a ton of money to go and they were cast aside in the final days so that employees that were attending the same event good get their tickets booked.

The department that handles these events were so cowardly that management had to have another department handle the tremendous task of dealing with the calls and doing emergency bookings for tickets. Here is the real kicker...those people who did not get their tickets will not be offered a refund.

They will be denied and offered future events in exchange like the Orlando Fashion Rock event happening early next year. Nevermind the fact that people paid for a service and it was not rendered. Nevermind the fact that the prices are not even comparable. The Cancun trip was priced anywhere from 1800 dollars on up and they are selling the Orlando event for 895 dollars. That is a huge difference that those people will get sucker punched with when they attempt to get a refund. Of course no one will tell them the price difference.

Then there is the other trip that was to take talent to an event to London. It is not happening. It has been postponed indefinitely and there will be no offer of refund to these people either. The cost was similar to that of Cancun but it matters not to Trans Continental aka Options because they have the money and it was spent long ago.

Attention to anyone signing up. You will be told that you have a 3 business day right to cancel. That is true but what may not be explained to you in great deal to you is that is 72 business hours from the time you attended your open call. It is not 72 hours from enrollment.

There are people everyday who enroll and are not eligible for a refund even if they changed their mind 10 minutes after signing up. The "talent executive" or whatever they refer to themselves as will mislead you and as of recently the people in "account services" aka "confirmation" are not mentioning the actual date you have until to cancel. Look out.

If you want the service then good for you and there are some actual benefits to it and for some it works really well. If you are not sure or are changing your mind remember you have 3 business days from Open Call to cancel. Your letter must be postmarked by the 3rd day otherwise you will not be eligible for the refund that will take 2 months to get. A phone call or an email will not suffice. Send your letter certified mail to the Client Services Department aka Customer Service. Put your letter to the attention of Nina Mason aka Nina Gomez the wife of one of the vice presidents.

Other things to look out for with this company:
the magical unexplained early billing that occurs. There are tons of people that are on payment plans who get billed 10-15 days early without notice even though they were told at the time of enrollment they would be charged on such and such a day.

Early monthly maintenance fee billing. They tell you that they bill you at the end of the month. Forget it. They bill whenever they want.
Billing of the maintenance fee in the first month. No such thing as the first month being included in the enrollment fee.

One note to pay real attention to is that the "talent executive" or "director of new talent" has no real training in the industry. Sure there are the exceptions: former models or hopeful models but for the most part these people who walked in off the street to the infamous "Dream Job" posted on Monster.com Of course with the Trans Con.. name change the job is now being title on monster as "the best and the brightest"

Notable names:
Joe Gomez, Vice President
Armand Kulpa, Vice President
Tom Weinard, Senior Vice President
Alec Dewfauy, who is the mystery man
Lou Perlman, Chairman

Note: contacting the BBB does nothing people. You have to take it a step further than that. Find other ways of letting your situation be known if you have been wronged.

Well, I have read most of what is on this site about Trans Continental aka Options Talent Group aka Options Talent aka Emodel and the list goes on.

I am employee of the company in its corporate office in Florida. I have been in several positions which has given me the opportunity to see and hear many many things.

I must say that the site in theory is a wonderful thing. The industry as a whole could benefit from such a service if it was on the up and up.

Unfortunately Trans Con...Options is far from being on the straight and narrow. The deception and lies go straight to the top of the company.

Most of the people you would ever deal with if you called or contacted the company are good people who are simply doing their job with the answers and information we have been provided by management.

There are so many things wrong with the company that there is no good place to begin. You can start with the pay cut that employees have had to take recently. 25% of 3 pay periods so that the company could afford to merge with Perlman's Trans Continental company.

There is a major shortage of money in the company and so many reasons why. One reason is that they pay the sales people on graduated scale to the point that some "talent executives" or "directors of new talent" are paid as much as $90 per enrollment.

A tangent here for any potential talent out there...do not listen to what these people call themselves..."talent executive" "director of new talent" or anything else...it makes no difference. They are sales people and they are surrounded in a room by 30 to 40 other sales people.

They care nothing about whether you make it in the industry or not. They care about numbers because their job depends on them "closing" a certain percentage. And now back to reasons for a shortage of money.

Who knows what the upper management is paid but I assure you that they are overpaid. You have VP's that have no real skills or qualifications in the industry but because they have been with the company since its early days they are now Vice Presidents or in management somewhere. Then there is the issue of the enormous refunds the company has to issue.

The company just started in August to refund any money to people who have enrolled. Basically anyone who signed with the company prior was just ripped for the enrollment fee plus the monthly maintenance fee. Anyway so they start refunding enrollment fees to people in August and now in October they are just now getting to the people who are to be refunded from late August.

Basically people are having to wait months for their $595.00 which took all of 15 seconds to charge to their credit card. So there is not enough money to pay back the refunds which are due to people and that is why they are so behind on them. They have to balance the number so the place doesn't go under. In weeks that employees must be paid do not look for many refunds to be completed. Other losses of money come from the company's pathetic tracking systems. The credit card charged fees are pretty well accounted for but if someone has paid by Check by Phone for either enrollment or the monthly 19.95 the company has no real records of it. It is rather pathetic that a customer has to fax in proof the check cleared or their statements showing where they have paid the maintenance fee.

Recently there was a trip to Cancun which people paid anywhere from 1800 to well over 3000 dollars to attend. There were hundreds of people that were not provided there ticket information until the last minute and then a good lot of people who were never given their information in order to go. These were people who paid a ton of money to go and they were cast aside in the final days so that employees that were attending the same event good get their tickets booked.

The department that handles these events were so cowardly that management had to have another department handle the tremendous task of dealing with the calls and doing emergency bookings for tickets. Here is the real kicker...those people who did not get their tickets will not be offered a refund.

They will be denied and offered future events in exchange like the Orlando Fashion Rock event happening early next year. Nevermind the fact that people paid for a service and it was not rendered. Nevermind the fact that the prices are not even comparable. The Cancun trip was priced anywhere from 1800 dollars on up and they are selling the Orlando event for 895 dollars. That is a huge difference that those people will get sucker punched with when they attempt to get a refund. Of course no one will tell them the price difference.

Then there is the other trip that was to take talent to an event to London. It is not happening. It has been postponed indefinitely and there will be no offer of refund to these people either. The cost was similar to that of Cancun but it matters not to Trans Continental aka Options because they have the money and it was spent long ago.

Attention to anyone signing up. You will be told that you have a 3 business day right to cancel. That is true but what may not be explained to you in great deal to you is that is 72 business hours from the time you attended your open call. It is not 72 hours from enrollment.

There are people everyday who enroll and are not eligible for a refund even if they changed their mind 10 minutes after signing up. The "talent executive" or whatever they refer to themselves as will mislead you and as of recently the people in "account services" aka "confirmation" are not mentioning the actual date you have until to cancel. Look out.

If you want the service then good for you and there are some actual benefits to it and for some it works really well. If you are not sure or are changing your mind remember you have 3 business days from Open Call to cancel. Your letter must be postmarked by the 3rd day otherwise you will not be eligible for the refund that will take 2 months to get. A phone call or an email will not suffice. Send your letter certified mail to the Client Services Department aka Customer Service. Put your letter to the attention of Nina Mason aka Nina Gomez the wife of one of the vice presidents.

Other things to look out for with this company:
the magical unexplained early billing that occurs. There are tons of people that are on payment plans who get billed 10-15 days early without notice even though they were told at the time of enrollment they would be charged on such and such a day.

Early monthly maintenance fee billing. They tell you that they bill you at the end of the month. Forget it. They bill whenever they want.
Billing of the maintenance fee in the first month. No such thing as the first month being included in the enrollment fee.

One note to pay real attention to is that the "talent executive" or "director of new talent" has no real training in the industry. Sure there are the exceptions: former models or hopeful models but for the most part these people who walked in off the street to the infamous "Dream Job" posted on Monster.com Of course with the Trans Con.. name change the job is now being title on monster as "the best and the brightest"

Notable names:
Joe Gomez, Vice President
Armand Kulpa, Vice President
Tom Weinard, Senior Vice President
Alec Dewfauy, who is the mystery man
Lou Perlman, Chairman

Note: contacting the BBB does nothing people. You have to take it a step further than that. Find other ways of letting your situation be known if you have been wronged.

Well, I have read most of what is on this site about Trans Continental aka Options Talent Group aka Options Talent aka Emodel and the list goes on.

I am employee of the company in its corporate office in Florida. I have been in several positions which has given me the opportunity to see and hear many many things.

I must say that the site in theory is a wonderful thing. The industry as a whole could benefit from such a service if it was on the up and up.

Unfortunately Trans Con...Options is far from being on the straight and narrow. The deception and lies go straight to the top of the company.

Most of the people you would ever deal with if you called or contacted the company are good people who are simply doing their job with the answers and information we have been provided by management.

There are so many things wrong with the company that there is no good place to begin. You can start with the pay cut that employees have had to take recently. 25% of 3 pay periods so that the company could afford to merge with Perlman's Trans Continental company.

There is a major shortage of money in the company and so many reasons why. One reason is that they pay the sales people on graduated scale to the point that some "talent executives" or "directors of new talent" are paid as much as $90 per enrollment.

A tangent here for any potential talent out there...do not listen to what these people call themselves..."talent executive" "director of new talent" or anything else...it makes no difference. They are sales people and they are surrounded in a room by 30 to 40 other sales people.

They care nothing about whether you make it in the industry or not. They care about numbers because their job depends on them "closing" a certain percentage. And now back to reasons for a shortage of money.

Who knows what the upper management is paid but I assure you that they are overpaid. You have VP's that have no real skills or qualifications in the industry but because they have been with the company since its early days they are now Vice Presidents or in management somewhere. Then there is the issue of the enormous refunds the company has to issue.

The company just started in August to refund any money to people who have enrolled. Basically anyone who signed with the company prior was just ripped for the enrollment fee plus the monthly maintenance fee. Anyway so they start refunding enrollment fees to people in August and now in October they are just now getting to the people who are to be refunded from late August.

Basically people are having to wait months for their $595.00 which took all of 15 seconds to charge to their credit card. So there is not enough money to pay back the refunds which are due to people and that is why they are so behind on them. They have to balance the number so the place doesn't go under. In weeks that employees must be paid do not look for many refunds to be completed. Other losses of money come from the company's pathetic tracking systems. The credit card charged fees are pretty well accounted for but if someone has paid by Check by Phone for either enrollment or the monthly 19.95 the company has no real records of it. It is rather pathetic that a customer has to fax in proof the check cleared or their statements showing where they have paid the maintenance fee.

Recently there was a trip to Cancun which people paid anywhere from 1800 to well over 3000 dollars to attend. There were hundreds of people that were not provided there ticket information until the last minute and then a good lot of people who were never given their information in order to go. These were people who paid a ton of money to go and they were cast aside in the final days so that employees that were attending the same event good get their tickets booked.

The department that handles these events were so cowardly that management had to have another department handle the tremendous task of dealing with the calls and doing emergency bookings for tickets. Here is the real kicker...those people who did not get their tickets will not be offered a refund.

They will be denied and offered future events in exchange like the Orlando Fashion Rock event happening early next year. Nevermind the fact that people paid for a service and it was not rendered. Nevermind the fact that the prices are not even comparable. The Cancun trip was priced anywhere from 1800 dollars on up and they are selling the Orlando event for 895 dollars. That is a huge difference that those people will get sucker punched with when they attempt to get a refund. Of course no one will tell them the price difference.

Then there is the other trip that was to take talent to an event to London. It is not happening. It has been postponed indefinitely and there will be no offer of refund to these people either. The cost was similar to that of Cancun but it matters not to Trans Continental aka Options because they have the money and it was spent long ago.

Attention to anyone signing up. You will be told that you have a 3 business day right to cancel. That is true but what may not be explained to you in great deal to you is that is 72 business hours from the time you attended your open call. It is not 72 hours from enrollment.

There are people everyday who enroll and are not eligible for a refund even if they changed their mind 10 minutes after signing up. The "talent executive" or whatever they refer to themselves as will mislead you and as of recently the people in "account services" aka "confirmation" are not mentioning the actual date you have until to cancel. Look out.

If you want the service then good for you and there are some actual benefits to it and for some it works really well. If you are not sure or are changing your mind remember you have 3 business days from Open Call to cancel. Your letter must be postmarked by the 3rd day otherwise you will not be eligible for the refund that will take 2 months to get. A phone call or an email will not suffice. Send your letter certified mail to the Client Services Department aka Customer Service. Put your letter to the attention of Nina Mason aka Nina Gomez the wife of one of the vice presidents.

Other things to look out for with this company:
the magical unexplained early billing that occurs. There are tons of people that are on payment plans who get billed 10-15 days early without notice even though they were told at the time of enrollment they would be charged on such and such a day.

Early monthly maintenance fee billing. They tell you that they bill you at the end of the month. Forget it. They bill whenever they want.
Billing of the maintenance fee in the first month. No such thing as the first month being included in the enrollment fee.

One note to pay real attention to is that the "talent executive" or "director of new talent" has no real training in the industry. Sure there are the exceptions: former models or hopeful models but for the most part these people who walked in off the street to the infamous "Dream Job" posted on Monster.com Of course with the Trans Con.. name change the job is now being title on monster as "the best and the brightest"

Notable names:
Joe Gomez, Vice President
Armand Kulpa, Vice President
Tom Weinard, Senior Vice President
Alec Dewfauy, who is the mystery man
Lou Perlman, Chairman

Note: contacting the BBB does nothing people. You have to take it a step further than that. Find other ways of letting your situation be known if you have been wronged.

Options is no longer operating under that name they are now called TCTalent. The Options website and TCTalent are the same exact website. Go on Options.com or TCTalent.com and you will think you need glasses, the fact of the matter is, a crooked company will change their name or hope to be bought out(in options case being bought out) to change it's reputation or to fool potential talent and new associates into thinking that they are a new company. This new company now called TCTalent has carried the Options way of operating when it was discovered by numerous sources as being crooked, and has not changed a single thing about the operations the public has been warned about. So fair warning to models, actors, and people that apply on monster.com for a "dream job"
This is not a new company, only one in disguise.

I was sent an e-mail today from the Tampa office stating I would be an Assett to their company. The web page looked so legit I'm glad I checked up on them before wasting my day. They said the interview would take all day but hopefully will not be to strenuos. I wish I could go in and set them up somehow, and end their madness. My appointment is for Thurs. @ 10:00 A.M., but this message probably won't post by then.

Justin I believe you they can't even pay their employees in Orlando and everyday they are changing the commision from one thing to another and that is bull. No one give the correct information, everyone is left out of the loop unless you are f**in' someone in the upper management. And every pay period they manage to mess up the checks, only for the ones who are not managers though. And they even have the nerve to borrow 20% from each employee for the next 3 pay periods to cover or meet company needs. Tell me why can't they go to the bank and if you don't approve for them to take the money from your check you are terminated. They don't realize that people need to eat and feed their families and they treat the employees the way they treat the consumer with no care at all..

I worked for the company as eModel a year ago in the Corp. Office. Believe me, from the franchise owners to the VP's to the employees, to the scouts to the talent,--- All Screwed!. I was wrongfully fired by Evan Jenkins for not being a scammer(like hundreds of others)! I tried to help keep the company from being a big dissappointment to all involved.

Honestly, Terri Bears probably wanted this to not be a scam along with other long time employees (4 years since studio 58). The idea could have been great and the intentions were not to scam. They grew too fast!

I apologize to the scouts I deceived.

Frank T. will help you, he is an ivestigator..... if you want to help me and Tey, go through Frank with this company. :) (Rip off Report)! Thanks for your help, sorry for being vague, but I'm sure you understand I have to be, and he is the person to go through.

I have read your posts. I am not sure what is being done to stop Options, but I am willing to help in an way. Just let me know. I really want to stop them. Have you read the report from the model who was told by Terri Bears that she needs to sleep with Alec?? Disgusting! They need to be stopped!!

I have read your posts. I am not sure what is being done to stop Options, but I am willing to help in an way. Just let me know. I really want to stop them. Have you read the report from the model who was told by Terri Bears that she needs to sleep with Alec?? Disgusting! They need to be stopped!!

I have read your posts. I am not sure what is being done to stop Options, but I am willing to help in an way. Just let me know. I really want to stop them. Have you read the report from the model who was told by Terri Bears that she needs to sleep with Alec?? Disgusting! They need to be stopped!!

I have read your posts. I am not sure what is being done to stop Options, but I am willing to help in an way. Just let me know. I really want to stop them. Have you read the report from the model who was told by Terri Bears that she needs to sleep with Alec?? Disgusting! They need to be stopped!!

respond to Tey from St. Petersburg, FL....you will see her comments made, we are working together! Or send me your comments to this report.

Please contact me: I need to talk to you!

Basically what everyone else is saying is true! I worked for Options for almost a year and I was a scout and worked right up....it's so sad how they screw people over. No, it's not you're "only opportinituy" and yes, if you're butt ugly you are star! Ofcourse you have to have $595 and pay the monthly fee and then you are a model/actor.

If a scout from Options approaches you--run away! Trust me! Well, I could go on and on, but other people have said it already. I'm just echoing what they have said. And no, I'm not a "pissed off" ex-employee, I simply speak the truth! I worked there so long and know a lot of the inside info, and got so "high up" I was on the "inside" so I know what I'm talking about!

Options has a great idea with digital comp cards, it's too bad the company is so unethical and can't back up what the say. It's pure bull sh*t! Alec is not really Alec and everybody is screwing everyone (literally)... it's such a mess!