Garfield Heights model agency defends complaints it failed to return cash

CLEVELAND - A former Garfield Heights modeling agency says complaints about its business practices are unfair after consumers filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Ohio Attorney General's office.

June Brewer complained that she never received a refund of nearly $6,000 from Stone Model and Talent after cancelling a contract to attend a modeling convention.

Brewer's 17-year-old granddaughter dropped out of the program, but Brewer said she was assured by Stone Model and Talent that she would receive a refund.

The agency even sent her a letter promising to return the money.

"It's been a total nightmare," Brewer said.

The company has since gone out of business after receiving an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.

"A lot of that is due to having complaints that were initially not answered by the company," said Sue McConnell, of the Cleveland Better Business Bureau.

Susan Scott, who was the president of Stone Model and Talent, does not deny that the agency promised a refund, but said business was "doing bad" and "going down the drain.”

Scott's mother, Diane Runser, was the general manager and owner of the agency and said she "was sure she was going to be able to do that, but did not have the money.”

Runser said she eventually took care of answering all complaints "even if the person wasn't satisfied.”

In another case, Lekeisha Dennard said she turned over $438 she raised by selling candles in order to attend another modeling convention.

Dennard said despite having a letter from the agency confirming the "order has been placed and will be shipped,” she waited months and never received the candles.

Scott said the agency had the candles all along and could not reach Dennard.

After Stone Model and Talent closed, Scott opened Ohio Model and Talent—but, according to the Better Business Bureau, complaints about refunds and dissatisfaction with photo shoots continued.

One family even resorted to picketing out the agency--a complaint both Stone and Runser said is unfounded.
The agency insists it is responding to all complaints.

"We are doing everything we can to try to clear up some of the past debts," Scott said. "We are trying to get back on our feet."

Another consumer, who initially won his $900 verdict in small claims court, was told recently by a judge that since Stone Model and Talent went out of business it is not obligated to refund his money.

In a statement, Runser said they have served more than 10,000 clients with less than 4 percent complaints.

Runser and Scott said two of their recent clients have gone on to star in films and television shows. Scott said Sean Faris starred in the film "Never Back Down", while Zack Roerig appears in "The Vampire Diaries."

If you've had any experiences with local talent or modeling agencies, let us know by sending an email to ron.regan@newsnet5.com or contact the Cleveland Better Business at http://cleveland.bbb.org or the Ohio Attorney General at  http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/consumercomplaint