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Help needed re Venture photography.
stef240377
Posts: 2,798 Forumite
A few weeks ago we purchased a family portrait voucher at a local agricultural show. The voucher price was £10. The sales woman said for this price we would get a studio sitting session, a 7x5 picture or to use that allowance of £95 towards a larger piece and a free usb wristband for each child in the sitting (3) which would have a permenant picture on it of the one we chose from the sitting.
We asked over and over again in different formats what was included to make sure there was no mistakes on what we would get.
The following week the receptionist rang to make an appointment with us and to ensure we knew to wear bright/bold colours against the white background. Whist on the phone i made the receptionist reitterate what the voucher included and she said we would not get the 7x5 pic as it was an old offer but we would definitely be able to get a piece of wall art for our voucher fee of £95 or use it towards something else. I also asked for a current price list to be sent out in the confirmation but did not receive it.
The following Monday night we went to the sitting, had a great time and enjoyed the work of the photographer. A further appointment was made for that saturday for viewing and selection of pieces we wanted. I asked again what we would get included in the offer and the photographer admitted he werent too sure as he didnt deal with the sales side of things but was aware that the new offer did include the usb wristbands on which he would place a facial shot of each child per stick, not the family portrait we were told on the sales stand.
At the viewing we were impressed by the art work done on each of the pictures but also had a very negative view of the company because of the different things we were being told in respect to what we would receive for our money.
We sat down and discussed this with the manager of the store who said they had not offered the 7x5 pics for over two years and what more did we want as we were getting the usb sticks free anyway. We queried the £95 voucher and the price of the pitures to find that the £95 would only reduce the smallest pic (7x5) to £165! or again take it off the larger pictures/packages. We purchased the voucher so the portrait would be given as a wedding gift when we marry in less than 3 weeks time.I also requested to view the oics they intended to place on the usb sticks and was told they didnt keep them there and i would get a thumbnail pic of each emailed to me for appraisal.
As we could not afford to purchase out right and making it clear we had been missold the pack in the first place were offered to have our initial £10 back if we didnt want any of the photos or to have a credit facility set up and leave a deposit of £100 this would secure the credit agreement.
We went with the credit facility which was declined the following week - the company will not say why this is. As we were away on holiday there was nothing we could do till we came back. This was Tuesday of this week. I rang up Venture to speak to the manager who had handled the viewing to be told she was on a course and would be back in on thursday and would ring me at first instance. Up until today we had received no phone call so rang them back, The manager got quite snotty on the fone saying deposit was non refundable and was pointed out at the viewing - no it was not! We are not offered anything as an alternative other than to get a member of family to have the credit agreement in their name - i dont think so we are both 30 somethings and do not rely on family to help out. Happened to mention we would speak to trading standards once they reopened on Monday for her to say she will speak to the managing director on monday to see how they can help us out.
So my question is do we have a leg to stand on? have we been stupidly niave or is this a complete mis selling to fill up appointment bookings so they dont look like the recession is hitting them? I am really angry now as the one gift we wanted to give out at our wedding we will not be able to now.
We asked over and over again in different formats what was included to make sure there was no mistakes on what we would get.
The following week the receptionist rang to make an appointment with us and to ensure we knew to wear bright/bold colours against the white background. Whist on the phone i made the receptionist reitterate what the voucher included and she said we would not get the 7x5 pic as it was an old offer but we would definitely be able to get a piece of wall art for our voucher fee of £95 or use it towards something else. I also asked for a current price list to be sent out in the confirmation but did not receive it.
The following Monday night we went to the sitting, had a great time and enjoyed the work of the photographer. A further appointment was made for that saturday for viewing and selection of pieces we wanted. I asked again what we would get included in the offer and the photographer admitted he werent too sure as he didnt deal with the sales side of things but was aware that the new offer did include the usb wristbands on which he would place a facial shot of each child per stick, not the family portrait we were told on the sales stand.
At the viewing we were impressed by the art work done on each of the pictures but also had a very negative view of the company because of the different things we were being told in respect to what we would receive for our money.
We sat down and discussed this with the manager of the store who said they had not offered the 7x5 pics for over two years and what more did we want as we were getting the usb sticks free anyway. We queried the £95 voucher and the price of the pitures to find that the £95 would only reduce the smallest pic (7x5) to £165! or again take it off the larger pictures/packages. We purchased the voucher so the portrait would be given as a wedding gift when we marry in less than 3 weeks time.I also requested to view the oics they intended to place on the usb sticks and was told they didnt keep them there and i would get a thumbnail pic of each emailed to me for appraisal.
As we could not afford to purchase out right and making it clear we had been missold the pack in the first place were offered to have our initial £10 back if we didnt want any of the photos or to have a credit facility set up and leave a deposit of £100 this would secure the credit agreement.
We went with the credit facility which was declined the following week - the company will not say why this is. As we were away on holiday there was nothing we could do till we came back. This was Tuesday of this week. I rang up Venture to speak to the manager who had handled the viewing to be told she was on a course and would be back in on thursday and would ring me at first instance. Up until today we had received no phone call so rang them back, The manager got quite snotty on the fone saying deposit was non refundable and was pointed out at the viewing - no it was not! We are not offered anything as an alternative other than to get a member of family to have the credit agreement in their name - i dont think so we are both 30 somethings and do not rely on family to help out. Happened to mention we would speak to trading standards once they reopened on Monday for her to say she will speak to the managing director on monday to see how they can help us out.
So my question is do we have a leg to stand on? have we been stupidly niave or is this a complete mis selling to fill up appointment bookings so they dont look like the recession is hitting them? I am really angry now as the one gift we wanted to give out at our wedding we will not be able to now.
:j Was married 2nd october 2009 to the most wonderful man possible:j
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!
0
Comments
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Does anyone have any help?:j Was married 2nd october 2009 to the most wonderful man possible:j
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!0 -
On the website it does say you can get a 7x5 image worth £95 with the voucher have a look www.thisisiventure.co.uk0
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It does say on the t&cs for that site the voucher gift expired on 28th February 2009.:j Was married 2nd october 2009 to the most wonderful man possible:j
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!0 -
Get a professional photographer google SWPP0
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Thanks for your reply freddie however its not really constructive to the thread and i will be having further photos taken by a photographer on my wedding we wanted this done as a suprise gift to give to my future in laws on the wedding day.:j Was married 2nd october 2009 to the most wonderful man possible:j
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!0 -
at the baby show in april this year we were offered this deal. i declined. the photo is a blatant rip off for the moneyOn the website it does say you can get a 7x5 image worth £95 with the voucher have a look www.thisisiventure.co.uklet he without sin cast the first stone0 -
Did you google?stef240377 wrote: »Thanks for your reply freddie however its not really constructive to the thread and i will be having further photos taken by a photographer on my wedding we wanted this done as a suprise gift to give to my future in laws on the wedding day.
Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers!
(I am not allowed to link to this site)0 -
Update on this - I contacted consumer direct today and it is a blatant mis sold product and the fact that credit was declined means i can get the deposit back. Formal written letter ready now to be posted recorded delivery tomorrow.:j Was married 2nd october 2009 to the most wonderful man possible:j
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!0 -
The problem with Venture is that they are mostly franchises. My daughter worked for them in Exeter, had photos done at discount, they went bust and she never got anything. The thing that stinks is that the people that she worked for in Exeter still have a Venture in Plymouth.
you should definitely get your deposit back if credit was declined.The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.0 -
Having written a letter of formal complaint with some of consumer directs wording and sending via recorded delivery, had a phone call this morning saying that they are now refunding my deposit with immediate transfer to our account.
She was expectedly snotty on the fone but they have lost another customer and we have booked with a local studio who have assured us in writting and verbally what we will get for our money and there price packages are available to all budgets.:j Was married 2nd october 2009 to the most wonderful man possible:j
DD 1994, DS 1996 AND DS 1997
Lost 3st 5lb with Slimming world so far!!0
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