I've won a makeover from Studio 64, yeah right!

cheeekyv

Skyhigh wrote: »

Studio 64 does exist and they are quite good to be honest.

Hiya

I'm new to this forum stuff but I thought I should share my experience with you. Yes Studio 64 does exist. My auntie won a free makeover blah blah blah. She had to pay a deposit which came to almost 100 quid just to make sure she trned up. This was only refundable if you turned up. Once you have made the appointment you cannot cancel it and get a refund you can just move it about.

We went along and had our make up and hair done. That was fun. We had our photos taken and that was fun also. The phoographer was very smooth and made us feel like models - HIS JOB!!!!!!

We had to wait 45 minutes til the photos were ready to look at and it ended up being over an hour because they were "running late"

We went up to see the photos and after having researched studio 64 online and seen your comments and others we felt well armed - HOW WRONG WE WERE!!

First of all they said that the cd was a great option but instead of about 70 quid for an a4 print it would cost around 80 quid - THATS FOR ONE PRINT/PHOTO/FILE not all of them.

Secondly they said that there were not studio 64 (after mentioning our research) but they were Sapphire Studios (despite studio 64 being everywhere even on the money off vouchers we were given for suggesting friends) and if that wasnt bad enough when we said we were not interested and wanted the deposit back the lady in question kept on and on about buy one get one free, a small print for 45 quid, and anything else she could mention to get us to buy a print or file on a disk.

In the end we managed to get the deposit back but I would urge you if you win one of these makeovers, do your research first and make sure you know what you are getting in to before you go. don't take any rubbish from these people, they will take your money soon as look at you. don't let them BULLY you into anything. Be strong. Be careful!!!!!

JanineB

I got called today and the over friendly woman was going on and on about how lucky i was to have "won" this and that i was only one of five winners.

She went into her whole prize breakdown until I butted in and asked so how much do I need to pay for the photos?

She didnt tell me (of course) but went into a speel about sadly theyre not free but we have different packages to suit your budget etc etc.

Im not interested. You have to pay lots. I've seen these deals before.

If you want a free make-over and images ask a photographer and MUA to work TFP (time for prints) with you. They get to use the images for their portfolios and you get free prints. I'm a model and can answer any questions on this.

barnabasnagy

mountainlioness wrote: »

Oh sheesh, I don't know what to do now! Am usually a tough nut but cracked when they caught me unawares... Have paid my deposit but now wondering whether to call back in the 7-day cooling off period to cancel (I HATE the thought ofhaving that conversation and being pressured to give in)

Any consensus from ppl on this outfit?

[ Actually on reflection am not a tough nut at all when caught on the phone or in person - find it hard to be hard! Would be hard as nails advising someone else, but really need to work on my own skills in that area!]

[TEXT DELETED]. I've also ran into them and the salesman was arrogant. I said no the first time. Then he called me again and because I had some people who were interested I said ok. Then the reservation fee interestingly turned out 199 because it is for 4 person. When I asked why the change they arrogantly said that because it is four but I get it back anyway. Stay away from them. I turned to ISP and will turn to Consumer Direct too.

Jackpot123

Sapphire studios and Studio 64 are the same companies with different phone numbers, checkout their websites.


sapphirestudios.co.uk
studio64ltd.com
They are exactly the same including address.
My wife got [TEXT DELETED] last week and they took £98 pounds from her debit card. (interestingly as over £100 on a credit card would give protection under the consumer credit act). Any way we managed to get a full refund without going to a photo shoot, [TEXT DELETED]. Funnily enough she didn’t win a competition, just randomly selected from a list for an amazing offer. The lady on the phone sad she had chosen my wife’s name as it was the same as her mother’s!?

In my opinion steer clear! If it seems to good to be true, it probably is!

barnabasnagy

Jackpot123 wrote: »

Sapphire studios and Studio 64 are the same companies with different phone numbers, checkout their websites.


sapphirestudios.co.uk
studio64ltd.com
They are exactly the same including address.
My wife got [TEXT DELETED] last week and they took £98 pounds from her debit card. (interestingly as over £100 on a credit card would give protection under the consumer credit act). Any way we managed to get a full refund without going to a photo shoot, [TEXT DELETED]. Funnily enough she didn’t win a competition, just randomly selected from a list for an amazing offer. The lady on the phone sad she had chosen my wife’s name as it was the same as her mother’s!?

In my opinion steer clear! If it seems to good to be true, it probably is!

I called the Consumer Direct which is now operating together with Trading Standards and this is what the guy said to me: He will raise and issue against Sapphire Studios about unfair marketing tactics and it will be directed to trading standards for a complaint. But from the civil point of view I agreed to go there and have paid for reservation fee for free makeup, hairstyling, and photo session, [TEXT DELETED]. He advised to go there so that i can get back my money back, and I don't have to buy any photos. If they push me to do so I can phone them. Just to let you know folks how is it going. I will also call the studio as you did and maybe cut it shorter. Thanks for all of you.

QPR10

I got a phone call a few months ago from Studio64.

I aswered the phone and a very chirpy young man did the speil congratulations you've won in a Studio 64 competition.

Oh good I thought Christmas Cards and stuff(mixing it up with Studio Cards) as he continued I knew it was a marketing call because I hate having my photo taken there is no way on earth I would ever enter a contest like that.

In the end he more or less admitted there had been no competition. I work on the principle if I want to use a service I'll enquire about it I don't need some little oik pretending I've won a competition or phoning me about a deal on kitchens on a Sunday morning.

barnabasnagy

Jackpot123 wrote: »

Sapphire studios and Studio 64 are the same companies with different phone numbers, checkout their websites.


sapphirestudios.co.uk
studio64ltd.com
They are exactly the same including address.
My wife got [TEXT DELETED] last week and they took £98 pounds from her debit card. (interestingly as over £100 on a credit card would give protection under the consumer credit act). Any way we managed to get a full refund without going to a photo shoot, [TEXT DELETED]. Funnily enough she didn’t win a competition, just randomly selected from a list for an amazing offer. The lady on the phone sad she had chosen my wife’s name as it was the same as her mother’s!?

In my opinion steer clear! If it seems to good to be true, it probably is!

Hey guys, and especially Jackpot123: I wanted to say thank you to you. I just called Sapphire Studios and my reservation was canceled after my complaint that they have not told me about the photo charges. The lady said that the sales person should have told me. Anyway, I got the confirmation email that it was canceled and my reservation fee will be refunded within 5 working days.

Thanks again

Missa_2

Studio64 / Sapphire are the same company. If you do a WHOIS search their domain name changed in Dec 2008. I booked with them in Sept 2008 for May 2009. I then rescheduled for this weekend. I go to check the details for my trip and find the website is gone. After some hunting I find out they are now Sapphire and Covent Garden studio has closed. I then spend ages tracking down emails and phone numbers and eventually get a response telling me the date has "expired" and I must attend or lose the deposit. So I have now rebooked a date and must get to Farringdon – a very long way from me. I will attend, get the shots, and leave with my deposit. I have done these shoots several times and none of the studios are brilliant – all conveyor belts and they double book cos people don’t turn up. DO NOT use Cover Girl in Oxford Circus, they are the worst. This is a rip off, though I have had 40-50 shots on CD, prints, and an album out of them for less than £500 – not the £45 per shot they demand. Fight for your rights!

barnabasnagy

Hey folks, I finally got my money back some weeks ago and since then the woman who seemed to be normal to handle my issue was [TEXT DELETED] saying I have to delete my comments on forums such as moneysavingexperts. She phoned me first and she was a bit arrogant, than she emailed me and today she threatened me that they will seek legal aid because the reputation of the company is very important.

Please read below the conversation I had with the customer service rep from Sapphire Studios.

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from Client Relations Dept <enquiries@sapphirestudios.co.uk>
to Barnabas Nagy <email@barnabasnagy.net>
date 17 November 2009 11:47
subject Booking

hide details 17 Nov (1 day ago)


Dear Barnabas,



I am writing regarding a booking that you had with Sapphire Studios. Your booking was cancelled and refunded. I

hope you were happy with the service you received at the time. I am writing to request that you remove comments

about Sapphire Studios that you have posted on the websites “canyoutrustthem.com.” and “moneysavingexpert.com”.

These comments have a harmful effect on our business. Furthermore we handle all customer queries/complaints in the

same swift manner in which yours was handled and find these comments posted before approaching us and giving us the

chance to act is unfair. I would like to request you remove any derogatory comments as soon as possible



Kind Regards,



XXX

Client Relations Manager

Sapphire Studios

0208-962-3504

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from Barnabas Nagy <email@barnabasnagy.net>
to Client Relations Dept <enquiries@sapphirestudios.co.uk>
date 17 November 2009 14:36
subject Re: Booking
mailed-by barnabasnagy.net

hide details 17 Nov (1 day ago)

Look, this is my personal view period.

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from Client Relations Dept <enquiries@sapphirestudios.co.uk>
to Barnabas Nagy <email@barnabasnagy.net>
date 18 November 2009 10:08
subject RE: Booking

hide details 10:08 (8 hours ago)


Dear Barnabas,



Whilst certain comments can be deemed to be your personal view, the “claim” you have entered onto the “can you

trustthem” website has been settled and should therefore be stated as such. It is untrue and we take any damage to

our reputation very seriously. We have notified the website in question and will seek legal advice concerning any

untrue postings. We are kindly requesting that you remove the claim which has been settled in full from the website

in question.



Kind Regards,



XXX

Client Relations Manager

Sapphire Studios

0208-962-3504

---

from Barnabas Nagy <email@barnabasnagy.net>
to Client Relations Dept <enquiries@sapphirestudios.co.uk>
date 18 November 2009 16:52
subject Re: Booking
mailed-by barnabasnagy.net

hide details 16:52 (2 hours ago)

Hi

Look I posted at several places about sapphire studio and it is not about how you resolved the problem. How you

resolved the problem was good and about that I did not say any bad. The rest is my experience and my personal view.

Sapphire studios has already cut down it's reputation, In thousands of forums they speak badly about you. So ask

them all as well to remove the comments. I don't even remember which sites I registered and with what username or

password. Please ask the forum owners if it is such a problem for you. But this "care taking of reputation" stinks

a bit. I am also in business and if someone writes about me something bad I let it be there.

Hope you stop this [TEXT DELETED] before I turn to the Consumer Direct again. They have already registered your issue

before I claimed a refund at you and they contacted the Trading Standards for further examination because of unfair

marketing tacticts.

Barnabas

purplevamp

It looks like Sapphire Studio are doing the rounds again. I've had 3 phone calls from them today (admittedly I missed the first 2) but they started off by saying "Hi Xxxxxx, are you still up for the free make up and photo shoot?" I told them I didn't know anything about it. She seemed surprised and told me I'd completed a survey and that it "would be fun". I then told her I didn't enter any survey with that as a prize at it's not my thing, she got very funny after that and said "well thanks, goodbye" and hung up!!