Coverlook Studios

returners5

Hi

I had every intention of going at first, then needed to change the appointment but have been unable to get in touch with anyone there for the last two weeks to change it.

Now i've found this forum and read the comments I really don't want to go, but I'm well outside the 7 days limit.

However I am going to do my damndest to get my money back (I paid £90 for three of us) on the basis that firstly they make a false statement in their letter by saying 'no cancellation is acceptable' and secondly they are making it impossible for me to fulfil my part of the contract (giving 72 hours notice) as I cannot contact them.

Thanks so much to everyon for sharing your research, I'll be trying the numbers which aren't on their letter on Monday and writing a formal letter and email to them tonight.

mumikoj

I am glad to see that this web helps many people out there.

News from me ... I was there on Saturday, yeah, I went
with my boyfried to London anyway, so we wanted to see that "perfect makeover photographic studio". As Mohan has been made by John Quinn to refund my deposit on Tuesday and then called us again on Thursday evening to inform us that there has been any problem with transaction (believe it???), we went to the 34 Mortimer Street to collect a receipt from that refund to have a proof because that transaction has not shown on my online statement yet.
Receptionist said she does not have any receipts and that nobody is around who could help me. After 5 minutes of repeating what we would like to get, she went for help. We were taken inside a tiny glass office in that studio and repeated our request about refund receipt. The manager (afro-american youngish woman) said: "We do not keep any receipts from refunds for legal reasons. We throw them away." (!!!!!) She should not have said that. She just certified me about their lack of knowledge. Any other girl from the studio then interfered between us and the manager, after another woman and they all were very unfriendly.
We have not been afraid of them, human stupidity cannot frighten us away, but it is difficult to deal with a thickhead. So we ended up to call John Quinn again and left with assurance to inform as many people as possible about their scam business.
The same afternoon John called us back and assured us that he spoke to Mohan and that the refund of 60 pounds has been really made on Thursday and that he has no need to lie.
I should be able to see that transaction on my statement on Tuesday next week. I have already report this to my bank, I got new credit card and bank is now dealing with that transaction from Coverlook.
As I can see in here, many banks are aware of name COVERLOOK. :T
I must say that all the "winners" in there on Saturday did not look like happy winners at all, especially after they heard the bit about Coverlook owing me money.

Good luck anyone and be aware of them!

returners5

I've been doing some research into the question of their no cancellation policy and have found that this is completely against the law.

This is covered by the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 Which states that they must give you a cooling off period of seven working days, and they must tell you that you have this right.

Extract from the Distant Selling Regulations, September 2006

You must give your consumers certain information before they agree
to buy from you. We refer to this as pre-contractual information which
includes the following.

Para 8 - Information about your consumers’ right to cancel.

However

If the required written information is provided after the contract is
concluded but within three months (beginning the day after the
contract was concluded), cancellation rights will last for seven
working days after the information is received.

This means that the seven days only starts when they inform you of your right to a 7 days cooling off period.

So I read this that so long as I havn't been I can cancel my appointment and that by law they must refund my deposit, since they have not informed me of my right to a cooling off period.

Canellation should be in writing, a letter will do, and is effective as soon as it is posted, so make sure you get a certificate of postage.

Enforcement of these regulations are the responsibility of Trading Standards.

We're working on this basis, and will post again when we have some news.

mumikoj

Hi All,

just to finish off my story. The deposit of ł60 which has been taken from my credit card on 24th September by Coverlook as a "fully refundable deposit for free makeover and photoshoot" has been finally refunded, but it took me and my partner 19 days of everyday calls, one visit to Coverlook in Mortimer Street and dealing with owner himself. Very stresfull, very exhausting.

Please remember, NOBODY has WON anything it's just the way how they are making money for a living, if you wish to have a pretty pictures of yourself, ask your local photographer, it'll cost you less and you won't have to pay any deposit at all and you don't need to spend half day in some studio in London.
Be careful, be strong, know your rights!!!
Best wishes to everyone!

jensimba

Hi i also fell for this got really excited and told people!! now i found this site only wish id found it muc earlia! ive paid 60quid deposit tried ringing gettin no answer a friend of mine lives in london so checked out wer it is n ses its an abandoned shop luks empty!! they took the money out of my account 5th october an im suposed 2 b goin down 2 london on sat!! i could do with some advice on how i can get my money back from them!! Lyk so many people have said i was pressured in2 puttin dwn the deposit an now i dont want to go but i dont want them to get away with my money!!

any help would be very appreciated

mumikoj

Hi,
sorry you fell for that as well. Read my story, I think it starts somwhere on pg 4 or 5 and read the others' as well. Everything u need to know has been said already. I hope, it will help!

M.

bellelainey

I like many others have been caught out with this so called competition win, and for the last 3 weeks I have been trying to get my deposit (£60) back. I must admit I have found this forum most helpful and appreciate all the advice given especially from returners5 with the Consumer Protection (distance selling) Regulations. My only advice is be persistent ring everyday if necessary I haven't given up yet remember the law is on your side. Get in touch with your Credit card company also, if you have sent letters or emails keep copies. They should send you information on disputing the payments. Good luck to everyone I'll let you know if I have any success.

bellelainey

I like many others have been caught out with this so called competition win, and for the last 3 weeks I have been trying to get my deposit (£60) back. I must admit I have found this forum most helpful and appreciate all the advice given especially from returners5 with the Consumer Protection (distance selling) Regulations. My only advice is be persistent ring everyday if necessary I haven't given up yet remember the law is on your side. Get in touch with your Credit card company also, if you have sent letters or emails keep copies. They should send you information on disputing the payments. Good luck to everyone I'll let you know if I have any success.

Line

I too have been duped. I have written to Watchdog and sent them this link, so that they can see how many people are being duped. I can go get my money(£60) back apparently, but I have to basically go back on the day that I was booked in for and struggle over it there. All well and good but I still haven't recieved the invite but am minus £60...What's the bet I never will? They don't do refunds apparently - its company policy. Have you ever heard of PAYING TO WIN A COMPETITION????
I get soooo angry! When I told the girl(Louise) about the fact that there are a million threads written about them being scam artists, she said it was the other studios trying to trash them - yeah whatever! Whoever is affiliated with them should back away too - coz now I am opting out of Offerex and any other such site. I hope they all burst into flames!!!!!:mad::mad::mad:

Will let you know how I progress......

Alian_nurai

Now i know your all complaining about it but i just booked mine and i'm wondering weather it will be good or not also I'm confused when you say your refund do you mean from cannelation or from not reciving it when you went. I'm 21 and shall be taking my mum with me so i can recieve some pictures for christmas as i owe no nice photos of my self.i just want to know if the photo quaity is any good also wheather it will be an entertaining day! Please don't rant about how horrenduly hard it was to get a refund i'm just looking for infomation to help me out as i intend to go!