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

GinaSweet

I was caught out by this when I went to a blog that promised to show its contents providing 1 of 3 surveys was selected for completion. I selected a survey which then lead onto page after page after page of surveys. Feeling a bit bored, and a bit low, I went through a few of them thinking that they were all legit because they were being offered alongside big brands like Morrisons, IKEA and Tesco. I got into the flow of these things and once I started I really wanted to see what the blog content was, and the longer I went through the surveys, the more determined I was to try see it through. Needless to say it was all for nothing, I got to 99% of required surveys completed and the blog still refused to open.

Later that day I got a call from Sapphire Studios and it all sounded too good to be true, but feeling in the mood for seeing these things through I listened to the entire schpiel as the woman from the place tried to enthuse me. I guess its a very British thing but I didn't want to offend her and ruin her day and I let her go on for a bit while I took down the following notes:

She told me that I'd won a free makeover and photoshoot with a guest of my choice. No scrap that I could invite as many guests of my choice as I like (up to 2) or as many as 4 family members. She asked who I would be bringing and I wasn't sure. She said she could issue tickets up to 5 people - as long as they were family and I would just need to let them know before hand to confirm.

So off to a good start - we're not sure, there's a limit of people but actually thee's no limit!

Anyway she continues to say that this is a promotion for the studios and the studio works with all sorts of celebrities and I had won a prize to be treated like a VIP celebrity for 3-4 hours first with their senior make up artist who has done work for Cosmo and Glamour magazine and who has won awards. I would be given a lesson on how to make the best of my looks.

Then I would be taken to their top hairstylist who would do my hair. i was asked to describe my hair and then they suggested I bring in a picture of what I wanted and to make sure the hair was clean and dry.

Then I would be put before their 5 star photographer, Ian Black. I was asked if I knew who that was and I was told he's the biggest name in fashion. I was advised to ensure that I and my guests not be drunk on all the free alcohol that would be given throughout the day.

My guests and I would be required to bring several outfits and have shots taken together and individually - about 40 in total each. Then we would be sent across the road for a bite to eat.

When we come back we would be taken into a lounge where we would get a private viewing of he photos with no obligation to buy anything and I asked what the price would be if I wanted to buy, all she said was normally that would cost between £150-£200 but as special VIP guest, prize winner, special price today is £46 only.

Then we got onto scheduling and she gave me a telephone number. Then we scheduled a date and then the catch was revealed.

In order to secure all these professionals, a booking fee was required and she was sending me an email immediately to fill out on the phone to authorise a transfer to Lloyds TSB. The cost £49.99 and it would be refundable on the day.

I told her I had to go somewhere because anyone that gets that insistent about payment instantly makes me itchy. I've known people taken in by confidence tricksters and I wanted to find out more about what I was potentially getting into before giving away any more personal information. I found this site - listed 3 from the top in Google search rankings and I am so glad that I did.

I am screening my calls now and although they've called back twice I'm never answering and they're just not going to get my bank details. Stuff em. They're shady and I agree with the earlier poster that if it sounds too good to be true the it probably is too good to be true.

Its not a prize, its a marketing tactic - and not a very ethical one either reading about other experiences. They make themselves unavailable for 7 day cooling off period and they pad all the detail with fluff to make the actual cost obscure.

At NO POINT did the woman tell me that the booking fee would be required PER GUEST. At no point did the woman tell me that the cost of the photographs were £46 PER PHOTOGRAPH. Instead she reverted to sleight of hand maneuvers to distract with too much detail.

gemmadeen

oh and by the way, everything that 'GinaSweet' said is actually read word for word off a script. Everything!!!

jessii294

My mum won a makeover and photoshoot with Sapphire Studios through myoffers.com she was originally planning to take her best friend however when she cancelled she decided to take me instead. I was a bit skeptical at first as to what it was and decided to do some research. I read through these forums and also some others but mum was so excited i didn;t have the heart to tell her what i read. In the end i decided to try it and see what the deal was.

When we got there we met a lovely and bubbly receptionist and were offered water, orange juice, apple juice or wine. We then waited for a bit and filled out a form for hair and makeup on our preferences and were finally called to go have it done. We got to the 3rd floor to a small salon, we were offered another drink and sat down on some sofas waiting to be called by a stylist. It was first makeup and i have to day i got on brilliantly with my makeup artist she did exactly what i wanted . Mum looked beautiful too opting for a natural look. We then had our hair done and again i couldn't have asked for a better stylist. It wasn't just us in the salon though there were other customers so there was a chance to socialise.
We then waited a while longer till it was our turn to have our photographs taken. We were shown to another floor and a dressing room where we changed into out 1st outfits. The photography floor is made up of lots of different sets and props and looks very inviting. Our photographer was a very complimentary french man who made sure we were comfortable throughout. We had a bout 4 different outfit changes.

After this we went back downstairs and waited for our photo consultation, we were once again given the chance to socialise with other customers and have another drink. The photo consultations are done on the 1st floor in different rooms, you are shown a slide show of your photos and different packages to suit you and your budget. What most people don't know is that if you won the makeover you can use the deposit as a payment. Otherwise it is refunded. I admit we were shocked at pricing but managed to haggle a good deal with them and are very pleased with what we got.

I know it sounds like a scam because i even thought so to begin with but i'm glad i decided to give it a shot and i'm glad mum had a good day out. The thing about my mum is she is very self conscious and i think this gave her some of her confidence back.

I'm not 'working' with them or anything either i'm just a 17 (nearly 18) year old kid, but i think the point of this is that sometimes things are worth a try because you never know.

leeuwtje78

Ohoooh! I was called by them today and over the moon that I had won a competition. I was a bit suspicious about the deposit of £99.98 (just under the £100 that would give protection under the consumer credit act as someone else has said) but the site looked legit.

After reading all these posts I called back to cancel but the number went straight to voicemail. I also emailed them straight off and attached a copy of the T&Cs as they are visible on their website. On it there is no mention of the deposition only being refundable on attending the shoot. It simple states the deposit is refundable and that the shoot can be rescheduled. However when the confirmation comes through there is a link to a page with a completely different set of T&Cs. One that states that appointment cannot be canceled only rescheduled.

I have put in a complaint online with consumer direct and will phone them tomorrow. I will also post on canyoutrustthem if I do not get my money back.

If they force me to go I will put a block on my credit card for this company and not take any other money or cards with me. Let them try to get money off me then!

I never thought I would fall for a scam like this, please be careful...

jessicar

emmafifema wrote: »

Hi all,

HOW CAN I STOP THESE IDIOTS HARRASSING ME???????????

They call me around 2 or 3 times a day with the same rubbish about winning a photo shoot! When the indian soudning guy called "GAVIN" called today I kept telling him im not interested but he wouldnt give in, eventually I asked to speak to his manager and he said there was no manager there but I could speak to his superviser.....needless to say about 10 seconds later the phone line went dead!

I am so sick of these calls - I cant even remember the amount of times I have asked this company to stop calling me..aaaaaaarrrrrghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't even try and engage with them or be reasonable. That's what they're expecting.

Turn into a screamer or start rambling complete nonsense. Whenever people like this bother me with phone calls I start screaming loudly down the phone, then my dogs start barking their heads off too.

Or apologize and say you just need to answer the front door and put the phone down next to your speakers playing very bad music - if they want to pay to listen to that - their choice.

Or ask if you can put them on hold for a minute whilst you say bye to your Mum on your other phone, and then put the phone down on the side and watch some TV.

Basically if people are going to irritate the hell out of me then the least I can do is reciprocate.

In my experience they soon cross you off their lists if you waste enough of their time in the same way they're happy to waste yours.

leeuwtje78

OK it looks like I have managed to cancel the booking. I have been emailing them non stop today and finally received a call from the MD. He told me that the person who called me should not have told me that I had 'won' anything. And that all appointments can be cancelled within 7 days by writing to Sapphire Studios, Unit 201 Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London, W10 5BN although I simply emailed to all email addresses on their site and an enquiries@ email address. At least then you have proof that you requested the appointment to be canceled within 7 days. He has told me that my refund has been requested so fingers crossed :think:

I'm not going to the appointment so cannot comment on what their service would be in terms of the day. Guess you will have to decide for yourselves if you want to chance it.

kellyroxannesmith

leeuwtje78 wrote: »

OK it looks like I have managed to cancel the booking. I have been emailing them non stop today and finally received a call from the MD. He told me that the person who called me should not have told me that I had 'won' anything. And that all appointments can be cancelled within 7 days by writing to Sapphire Studios, Unit 201 Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London, W10 5BN although I simply emailed to all email addresses on their site and an enquiries@ email address. At least then you have proof that you requested the appointment to be canceled within 7 days. He has told me that my refund has been requested so fingers crossed :think:

I'm not going to the appointment so cannot comment on what their service would be in terms of the day. Guess you will have to decide for yourselves if you want to chance it.

hope ur money comes back to you hun. i contacted consumer direct about a month ago due to peoples problems with them. one person on here got their money back after getting the police involved etc. its a shame there are companies out there that con people in this way, good luck x

biancajade88

barnabasnagy wrote: »

[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.

HELP HELP HELP i have just done the exact same thing, only when he told me it was 98.99 i said i couldnt pay that much and he reduced my fee to 49.99, which i stupidly paid and called the bank who told me they could cancel the payment but "sappire studios" could take it out in a month or two months!! and if i didnt have the funds i would just go overdrawn!! i havent a clue what to do now as i cannot get hold of anyone at "sapphire studios" and have just read all this negative feedback on here!! i cant face telling my partner what ive done and am hoping to find away to get a refund. Any ideas???????

biancajade88

leeuwtje78 wrote: »

OK it looks like I have managed to cancel the booking. I have been emailing them non stop today and finally received a call from the MD. He told me that the person who called me should not have told me that I had 'won' anything. And that all appointments can be cancelled within 7 days by writing to Sapphire Studios, Unit 201 Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London, W10 5BN although I simply emailed to all email addresses on their site and an enquiries@ email address. At least then you have proof that you requested the appointment to be canceled within 7 days. He has told me that my refund has been requested so fingers crossed :think:

I'm not going to the appointment so cannot comment on what their service would be in terms of the day. Guess you will have to decide for yourselves if you want to chance it.

Thanks for the info ive just bombarded them with emails hopefully it will work!! let me know how you get on!!

Cezzy

My daughter always lets my grandson answer the phone. If its someone he knows he will say but if she hears him merrily chatting away she knows its someone asking him (desperately) to get his mummy :rotfl::rotfl: