Sapphire Studios - deposit.

AliceBrownie

A friend of mine (I'll call her A) went on a photoshoot day with her sister recently, had some photos, all very nice. A couple of weeks later I got a call from another friend (I'll call her saying she'd had a phonecall from some woman saying her name had been put down by a friend (which would be A) and that she'd won a free makeover for her and a friend. B called A to check it was all legit etc which A said it was so B paid the deposit for her and myself and booked for a few days from now. It was only at this point that she called me and told me what had happened! At first I thought it was brilliant but then I found out from A that it had cost her and her sister about £1400 so alarm bells started ringing at the thought we'd been offered it for free. Sure enough, as soon as I googled it I came up with a bunch of forums crying SCAM, as the photos cost a lot (B misunderstood - or was lied to - on the phone as she told me that we would get free photos as well). If we turn up, how easy is it to get back the deposit? Or would it be better to try and cancel?

wary

AliceBrownie wrote: »

... she'd won a free makeover for her and a friend. B called A to check it was all legit etc which A said it was so B paid the deposit for her and myself ...

Why was a deposit paid when it was supposedly free?!?

Abbafan1972

Yes, I was never any good at maths at school, but "free" is supposed to mean "£0".

ljonski

listen, what ever you do don't take any form of payment with you. Take a mobile fully charged and when they lock you in the studio ring 999 immmediately- I am not joking.

AliceBrownie

wary wrote: »

Why was a deposit paid when it was supposedly free?!?

Supposedly to "secure our place" to ensure we would turn up. Like I said, by the time she told me about it and I googled it, she'd already paid the deposit.

AliceBrownie

ljonski wrote: »

listen, what ever you do don't take any form of payment with you. Take a mobile fully charged and when they lock you in the studio ring 999 immmediately- I am not joking.

I wasn't planning on taking any cards or anything, but calling 999? Really? They seem like an actual company, just a bit aggressive when it comes to selling at the end...

vax2002

So you have not lost any money ?
well in that case the answer is simple.
Your friend is a fool who has just learnt something the hard way, like all fools do.
However she will only progress to the next stage which is an idiot, if she does it again and does not learn from the first experience.
this does not detract that she may be a very good friend, just something to be aware of...especially if she ever asks for money

katerinasol

You could just go to the shoot, pose or whatever and then refuse to purchase anything when they push it on you? That way you'll get your deposit back.

ljonski

the only other difficulty is they might demand teh original card in which supposedly they will refund and maybe then charge you instead. They are not allowed to keep you locked in because of fire.Read carefully all the horror stories on this forum.and be careful about signing. Come to think of it if Sapphire studios did burn down, then the world maybe would bea better place.

littlemoth

I've literally just joined this forum to get advice on Sapphire Studios. I got sucked in by them only a few hours ago when they phoned to tell me I'd won a makeover, and stupidly agreed to pay the deposit (£149.97 for three people).

After reading all the horror stories, I'm feeling pretty stupid, and sick at the prospect of losing that money.

I've written up two letters demanding a refund and cancellation, to send to Sapphire Studios and RF Trading tomorrow, guaranteed delivery. I've emailed them a copy of the letter and told them they'll be getting it in writing. I've also told them I'll be contacting Consumer Direct to get information about getting a refund.

Is there anything else I should be doing? Given that I'm doing all of this literally within 24 hours of them taking my money, what's the likelihood of me getting a refund?

Can't believe I was stupid enough to be taken in! You always think it'll never happen to you...

Taiko

Over the phone, you'll be ok under Distance Selling Regs.