Free model shoot - scam??

Simone1408

Got a phone call the other night from a company saying I had won a free model photoshoot in London. Spent 20 minutes on the phone being told what a great prize this was and that I won on a banner ad I clicked on a few weeks before etc etc.

They had all my contact details, so didn't need to give this out. Made sure I asked them which studio/company it was(Studio 64 in Farringdon) - she was a little cagey telling me this - and told me I could check out the website and call her back on a 0900 number (!?!) - Then she said they needed my Credit card details to confirm booking in case I didn't turn up on the day?? Obviously I didn't do this.

Have anyone else come across this before?? Is it legit or a scam??

MrDan

A freind of mine got done by this, they also invited her to bring a friend. sounds very similar.

She went and had her "free" photo shoot, but was then pressured into buying the photographs, £670 i think the bill was, thats why they want your credit card details.

She described it as "they wouldnt let me leave"

This was im manchester but Sounds VERY similar

kremmen

My daughter had a similar experience ( a free voucher).

The pressure from the photo people is unbelievable.

In my case I took my daughter and friend to London and treated it as a day out.Whilst she was being sorted I took off for the day.
The studio would not hand the free photo to my daughter ( under 18 you know ..no credit card ) so after a very tiring day I was called back to studio and subjected to various pleadings from 2 teenage girls to buy a disc with the photos on for hundreds of pounds.

A bit of advice..TAKE NO MONEY OR CREDIT CARDS :mad: .

If you can get the free photos "you are a better person than me Gungadin"

Paul:rotfl:

Stompa

Judge for yourself:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=250695

http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=26649

http://www.londononline.co.uk/allreviews/155785/

akane_2

They go around all the university buildings in london with this offer every year and then try to get you to pay for a portfolio.
My niece from ghana fell for this without telling us , she got the money from her mum back home and went and posed for them, the first i new about it was when she showed me the photo's.
In some of the photo's her top was undone and you could see her breast but her top covered her nipples ,she was pleased as punch i can tell you.
What they do is inside the law but i would stay away if i was you.

hellypelly

I just had the same phone call but thought cos i was bored i would play along lol i let her give me the spiel for 20 minutes then told her how gratefull I was because i just lost my job and gave her the biggest sob story she ever heard in her life she kept trying to interrupt but i went on and on i even pretended to cry at one point lol then i let her spring the 45 pound deposit per person charge then I told her I just been declared bankrupt she got quite shirty with me lol I kept her on the phone for 58 minutes
02089816254 is the number I was rung from so avoid it if it rings you!!!

hellypelly

I just noticed my post is one year to the day of the last one lol it must be there winter scam.

ladybez

Having checked my call register, this no. has been ringing me for the last couple of weeks but when I answer, there has been no eply (multi-dialling??) will not answer it in future unless I feel like some fun

tinkerbell12333

I bought a deal for £15 from Groupon. The offer stated was that I would receive 1 photo or 2 high resolution digital images to take home. See Fine Print below:

Fine Print
Expires 29 November 2011.
Groupon valid for 1 person, may not buy multiple. Every photo shoot participant must have own Groupon. Booking required. Fully refundable deposit of £30 (£50 on Weekend) taken at time of booking. 5 day cancellation policy. Failure to attend or cancel within 5 days notice will result in a loss of deposit. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Session time 3 hours. 1 large 8"x12" print, or two high resolution digital images on CD to take home. Full Copyright owned by client for photos bought. Champagne may be substituted for wine or other equivalent beverages.

After my photo shoot they tried to sell me images in a very forceful manner. They tried to force me purchase £900 worth of photos and then went down to £280.

I requested my 2 free high resolution digital images. However, I was told that the Groupon deal was that I could chose either 1 printed photo or 2 low resolution images and that these images would be water marked and I would not have the copyright and could not use them. When I made an enquiry on the phone, at the time of purchasing the Groupon deal I was told by the owner of the Studio that I would own the copyright of the 2 images that was free with the Groupon deal. Furthermore, the Fine print clearly states that these would be high resolution images and does not mention water marks. When I pointed this out, the sales woman said that this was a mistake by Groupon and that Groupon should have emailed me to inform me of this inaccuracy in Fine print. However, I have never received such an email from Groupon.

When I still refused the sales lady brought her manager in, who tried to intimidate me into buying the photos. He sat close to me and said something along the lines of "so why aren't you buying any photos. You have come here and had a makeover from us and now you are refusing to buy photos. You don't get something for nothing you know, and the money you paid to Groupon goes straight to Groupon, we don't get that money so you should buy some photos"

When I still refused to buy photos they refused to give me the free photos that was part of the deal. I left with nothing. The manager / owner said I could not even have the 1 printed copy because they do not have printing facilities in house. This is a photographic studio that teaches photography classes and they do not have printing facilities! These people are liers and cheats. They also refused to refund my £50 deposit.

The whole experience was distressing. Right from the begining they were rude and hostile. I think this is because they have had others who bought the Groupon deal but refused to buy extra photos so they have lost all motivation in treating customers with courtesy.

Please beware of this place.