West 1 Promotions www.west1promotions.co.uk Review

Overall Rating

None

Waste of money

The company currently trading as West 1 Promotions are currently travelling around the country, advertising in local newspapers and holding their 'Auditions' at well know hotels. The last one, so I am told was at the Swallow Hotel, Norwich on the weekend of 21st & 22nd January 2006.

When we went to our one in ****** we were railroaded in two a 2 minute photo shoot with our very, very excited teenage daughters (mostly teenagers and very young children all with doting parents), they then get you to sign here, here & here with strategically placed staples, so not to see all terms and conditions, then, please let us swipe your card (£179 per person) and if no luck or not accepted you will get a full refund. It is all done at such a 'showbiz' pace that you get swept in to the whole thing, with no time to ask questions at all.

The minute I returned home I searched the company on the website (which I would have done first, if I had known we were originally going), only to find out the first lie was 'we have been helping people do this for years', only to find they have only been in business since July 2005 (not yet verified with companies house yet) and their website was only created August 2006.

I am very upset to have lost my £179 effectively, however without being rude, their were families there like myself with very little money, and several children, paying out £179 per child for a 3-6 hour wait and a 2 minute interview.

My understanding of the operation is that they initially take your £179 then forward your details to another agency that 'will' accept you, making your claim for a refund invalid. Then the other agency will then charge you another upfront fee to join them! - There is no way you will ever get a refund, which is there main selling point!

I may be somewhat hasty with my suspicions, but after the information I found on the internet in 5 minuets, it does not look good.

Also, if you are thinking of just cancelling your credit card or cheque, think again, as the 'Terms & Conditions' are so strongly worded, i.e. if payment is stopped for any reason, they will take legal action to recover monies owed, making most, including me very reluctant to cancel the payment.

I hope that after reading this review, you will either feel somewhat better off knowing, 'Its not just you' that has been a little na ve, or that if you were thinking of attending one of this auditions, you are able to make an informed choice before you go.

Members' Comments onOnlytrying2help's Review

• Laurendowning on 4th Mar 2006

  As a matter of fact I signed up to this agency today and the women was very truthful about all the facts but a statement i found true in this review is that they did rush me into signing up and giving my dads £179 from his bank in the terms and conditions and receipt. It did say that if i had no luck in getting any work they will give me my money back. I have researched into and found this truthful. How could there website be launched in august 2006 when it isn't even that date yet? I have looked at their website and it is very organised and a lot of work has been put into it plus all the information given on the day of the search is stated in the website therefore i feel this review is not entirely true!

• thoml1 on 13th Mar 2006

  i am writing to agree with your compelling story as i have had the very same experience recently. It seems all so professional and very convincing when you're sitting at the interview table but once you step back and think, you soon question the reality of all of this moving so swiftly.

• kathycassie on 5th Jul 2006

  This company must be complained about by EVERYONE who has been conned, complain to VISA for allowing them to use their facilities, complain to trading standards.

• lady123 on 26th Jul 2006

  I must admit I was at first a little cautious about west1 , however after being completely re-assured I felt completely confident that the £179 i gave to them was well spent. Both my parents and my boyfriends parents were satisfied with the responses given to all of our questions and since both me and my boyfriend have been approached by legitamate agencies and fully feel that west1 are a very professional and trustworthy company. I think it is important to say that not everyone will agree with the review, myself being one. Likewise not all who pay the £179 will get any offers;(if this is the case you will get your money back). West1 do not and cannot guarantee that the applicant will receive any offers. On the other hand I do agree that west1 were very keen to take our money, adding to our initial doubts, although a year and a half later, my portfolio is looking great and I have had huge successes and have earned a fair bit of money from doing a few jobs. Whilst it is extremely reasonable to have doubts this promotions company has helped me achieve a dream that I have had from a very young age. Anyone who is looking into west1 must not listen to just the bad reviews but also the ones confirming west1's respectable reputation. I am sure it has worked for many aspiring models and actors just like it did for me and my boyfriend.

• bassibabes on 26th Jan 2008

  Yeah and I'm sure the first and last people (comments 1 and 4) are totally genuine and nothing to do with West1 at all! I will never believe anything positive I ever read about this company!

• zoologic on 5th Apr 2008

  After reading all the above reviews. I am beginning to doubt west1. I signed up both my daughters with Model Management part of west1 company that goes around the counties looking for new models as well as fast money £250. per person up front fee. Just received my children photos & a CD portfolio. I am very worried that another agency that they sent my childrens cd to willl charge me again! If I had known where to search for a genuine agency I won't be using west1. They sent the cds to Models Direct and keep passing it on until another agency accept them. When I google it, I found that it's another agency which I most probably will have to pay & pay & pay before I see any money coming in.