So I downloaded like 100 custom sims to populate my new neighbourhood, but I can't find any in the CAS

I've followed the instructions in the sims 3 help article put them in the SavedSims folder,
and yes they are .sim files
I've tried creating my own custom sims, which appears in the folder as well as in game, yet the downloaded ones don't
I've tried 'nuking' it by renaming my entire sims 3 folder also

nothing works and I'm really out of ideas

also all my packages/ expansions/ .sims3pack work, its just the .sim custom sims

bump for assistance :-)