Warning to anybody who is contacted by Sapphire Studios!

Huomenna

I'm a photographer (I do modelling shoots) and I really don't agree with the way companies like this work.
When they're offering a free sitting then yes of course they need to charge for prints to cover costs which are actually very high eg. cost of studio rent, paying employees, hair and makeup etc. However I don't agree with the way they go about it - I'm not bothered by how much they charge as long as they're upfront about it before the shoot and it sounds like this company keep it secret until the photos are done. Presumably they are hoping that you'll love the photos so much you won't be able to say no to the cost.
The problem is that for us photographers who are honest and upfront about our pricing, potential customers balk at the cost because they can get a shoot for free or practically nothing elsewhere. What they don't realise is that they'll end up paying hundreds of pounds more in the end.

nanaw

Hi guys,
I was thinking very long if I should or should not post my comments about Sapphire Studios. I hope my experience (and many other people) will help other to keep away from them.

I "won" a makeover in Sapphire Studios in November 2009. Of course I payed £99 deposit which I should get back on the day of arrives.
Unfortunately I had an accident I had very serious knee operation. I called Sapphire Studios to cancel my visit and get refund but they refused. They moved my appointment for January. They didn’t care that I had knee operation and I cannot walk on a snow!! They said that if I will not come I will loose my deposit.
I make up and my hair was horrible. Before the photo shoot starts my make up was all over my face and my hair looked like a mess.
I hate my photos. I was very uncomfortable during the photo shoot. I asked if I can seat in different position but I have been told that everyone must do those poses so if I don’t like it I can go home. I was very upset.
In a viewing room wasn’t better. They quickly showed me photos and demand money. I said I would like to watch the photos more closely but they said it’s not necessary because the photos will be brush up so all of them will look nice.
I was in a pain after a photo shoot so I just wanted to go home. I was stupid enough to pay £600 for photos I didn’t like. Call me an idiot but I can bet that everyone who will go there is so overwhelmed by the sales technique that will pay any money just to get out from there.
I contacted Customer Services, send few letters to Sapphire Studios but they still refused refund. I am not going to go to court. Does anyone take Sapphire Studios to the court? Maybe they gave someone refund?

I know that Sapphire Studios customer support likes to read this comment. So if you’re reading it I just wanted to ask you why are you doing it? If you would be genuine, nice photo company I would recommend you to my friend so you would earn more money. I don’t understand it?!?!

bosseyed

peachpixie wrote: »

I hope somebody can help. I feel awful because I convinced my mum to have it done because she doesn't get to feel special very often and now I've landed her with all this debt. :(

Hardly! Not wanting to be harsh, but its your mum who landed herself with £4,000 worth of debt.

I always fail to see how people get pressured into spending money they don't have on services/products they don't want by people they don't like. Is it really that hard to say no? If that had been me and I'd been picking photos 'I wanted to see again' and then the guy had said that'll be £4k I'd have laughed my bum off and then left.

I understand why you might feel some of the blame but your mum didn't have to sign anything, especially not something that says she'll be paying for 4 grands worth of photos.

nanaw

Bosseyed I thought the same when I went there. You really would have to be there then you would understand why we didnt say "no".
I think they use some hypnotize techniques or something so you will pay.

trumpton

Easy to say you wouldn't fall for it, but these people are trained to pressure-sell and even normally sensible people find themselves signing up for something they don't want. Look at the number of complaints on here about companies who pressure sell to the elderly, double-glazing co's etc.

The business model is not to offer a good product at a fair and clear price - it is to get you into a situation where they can pile the pressure on and sell you something at a vastly inflated price, and then make it very, very hard for a customer to cancel or get their money back.

I would like to see an end to all this 'You've won a competition' bs - it's just another scam and should be banned.

Fuzzy_Duck

They're quite clever about it, spouting lots of numbers at you and saying things like "only £20 a month for x years" hoping you won't do the math and work out how much you'd be paying. Failing that they will try to bully and intimidate. Of course they still can't make you sign, and they can't keep you there against your will either. You need to be a strong person and keep a sensible head if you visit these studios- failing that leave your cards at home and take a minimum amount of money so you can't be tempted. As GemJar says they may try getting you a bit drunk too so that's another thing to be wary of.

Must be said I didn't have this problem at Double Studios- because their photos were rubbish. My photographer wasn't particularly friendly, difficult to understand and rushed me through each pose so I looked awkward and uncomfortable in every one. I had no desire to buy any of them.

OP, keep chasing them. They might agree to refund if you hassle them enough about it. Also get in touch with Consumer Direct, they are aware of this scam and have received many complaints. They may be able to offer you some good advice.

Lirin

I don't like the way studios operate like this- a studio I worked for wanted to do it, but we convinced them in the end to just advertise cheaper rates. It is a big approach, and I've seen so many try it- in the end it usually works against the studio as they gain very unsatisfied customers.
There are plenty of people who fall for it though- and that's not because of stupidity, it's due to an extremely pressured sale. As Fuzzy said, you do need to be strong-willed, though with a lot of people, they'll pay anything- just to get out of the studio.

nanaw

Hi, I was in contact with Customer Direct for couple of months. They have referred me to Trade Services&Goods. They said that if I want to get my refund I would have to make a civil claim against Sapphire Studios, which means going to court.
Unfortunately I work full time and study part-time so I dont have time for that. Hope your happy Sapphire Studios, if I would have more time I would still chase you!!!

trumpton

You can do a claim through the Small Claims Court online - it costs around £50. May be worth looking into. These companies count on you not persevering.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/index.htm

nanaw

Hi, yes I know they want be to give up. I got this website address from consumer direct as well. I am worry that I will have to spend even more money and still I don’t know if I will get any refund.
They told me that because I have seen the photos before I have pay probably I will not win it. When I bought photos I thought I am buying them on CD and framed photos as well. Sapphire Studios is clever because now they want to give me couple framed photos. On the other hand I have an independent opinion from other studios that the photos are poor quality and on the Sapphire Studios website they look much better. I don’t know what to do?!?! Don’t want to spend more money and don’t have time to go to court.
If any lawyer is reading this can you give me an advice please?!?