Pressured into buying photos - What right to refund?

leamingtonspaceman

I hope somebody can give me some advice?

My niece recently booked an appointment for a photo shoot for her and her son. There was the offer of a 'free photo' on a voucher she had. She went along and had the photos taken and was readily prepared to buy some extra pictures. However, she wasn't aware of how much they would cost. She's telling me that after the shoot they gave her the real 'hard sell.' Apparently she was there for three hours and the guy really put alot of pressure on her to buy. It got to 6:30pm and her son was really poorly and quite upset. She kept saying she just wanted the free photo and wanted to think about the others. They used the tactic of "the free photo offer runs out today...you have to decide now."

In the end...she caved-in and paid £750 on her debit card for three, apparently quite small, photos in frames.

She tried to cancel but the company said to her "we have no cancellation policy." They've used tactics such as "the company that prints them are closed", "they've already been printed" etc and have not called her back when she's left messages. They told her that the main cost is "for the frames." She's very upset about the whole situation.

She hasn't received the photo's yet.

I know she was foolish but it does sound as though high pressure sales tactics were used. Surely there should be a cancellation window to allow her to change her mind?

What are her rights in this situation? I've heard that banks can make 'charge backs' in these situations?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you:)

ljonski

This is quite a common scam . Do a search for Sapphire Studios on this site.
Please name the company involved

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?263311-Sapphire-Studios-London-problem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2237045

maninthestreet

Common scam, as ljonski states. As the sale was made at the vendor's premises, there is no 'cooling off' period.
As payment was made by debit card, they may have trouble getting it reversed.

arcon5

It's not a scam, it's just a high pressured sales pitch.

But no, she has no rights since it doesn't sound like it was misrepresented or anything. She should have walked away without the free photo - not after paying them £750

bris

Free photo? Nothing is ever free. Hard selling is legal, you just need to be as hard to say no, unfortunately there is nothing that can be done now.

terra_ferma

arcon5 wrote: »

It's not a scam, it's just a high pressured sales pitch.

But no, she has no rights since it doesn't sound like it was misrepresented or anything. She should have walked away without the free photo - not after paying them £750

I too find it hard to be sympathetic in this case, I can understand paying a smaller sum, or cases like someone is elderly/disabled or not sound of mind, but why didn't she just walk off and post all over the place about this terrible company?

ValHaller

leamingtonspaceman wrote: »

She's telling me that after the shoot they gave her the real 'hard sell.' Apparently she was there for three hours and the guy really put alot of pressure on her to buy. It got to 6:30pm and her son was really poorly and quite upset. She kept saying she just wanted the free photo and wanted to think about the others. They used the tactic of "the free photo offer runs out today...you have to decide now."

I wouldn't pay £7.50 to get out of something I could get up and walk out of for free. So I find it hard to suggest any remedy.

leamingtonspaceman

Thanks for all your replies.

Yes...it's looking like a tough lesson learnt. I've told her no end of times to get a credit card and pay for everything with that. At least there is some recourse to dispute the transaction then.

The bullying tactics used are far from ethical and I'm gutted that she fell for it all. The more she tells me, the more I'm shocked that a grown man would 'bully' someone into this. It's a sad state of affairs.

I'm going with her tomorrow to have a polite chat with this guy and see what he has to say.

Here's a link to the offer:

http://www.venturephotography.com/book-your-venture-experience/

Basically it was purchase of the voucher for £35 and then the 'experience' etc. She paid the £750 on 21st Jan but still no photos. Is there any recourse to the fact that she paid before any photos were produced? Is paying upfront acceptable in these situations?

Thanks.

steampowered

I have sympathy, but I don't see why she would have legal rights, credit card or not.

We all have to take responsibility for our own actions. She entered her PIN or signed her name for a £750 transaction. If she didn't want the photos all she had to do was walk out of the shop. I don't see how high pressure sales tactics are "bullying", people should be capable of walking away if they don't like whats on offer.

InsideInsurance

Upfront payment is perfectly acceptable, you do it most times you buy online, book a holiday, book a course of treatments, buy furniture etc.

It is not an uncommon business model to give something away or at heavily discounted price to get you in the door and then try and up/ cross sell you other full price items. Personally I dont think it is particularly unethical either and you are perfectly entitled to walk out having just gotten your free gift (like the old timeshare presentations for a "free diamond watch")

ljonski

I believe some companies have been known to lock their victim in the building. It is always a good idea to ring 999 in these circumstances or feign a cardiac arrest !