New<id is this a con

MrsE_2

So anyone else like to contribute NEW ID prices/deals?

Jammy007

I've read alot of horror stories on a few different sites now about this company and I only rang yesterday to book an appointment for my girlfriend at the Manchester Brance) I have since contacted New ID Studios (booking department is in Birmingham) and asked for a full refund due to the reviews I have read on various websites.

I was told the deposit would be in my account within 7-10 days. I shall wait & see but I'm not expecting it.

I believe this company also used to go by the name of "Covergirl" and if you type it in the search bar on this website alone you will find out why I've asked for a refund.
Here are another couple of examples:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews160730.html
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/65982-New-ID-and-Burlingtons-London

As I paid on my debit card (silly me) and participated in the transaction then there is nothing I can do to claiming money back other than crossing my fingers the New ID actually refund the money as they said they would.

I am visiting Manchester in August and if my deposit has not been fully refunded then I will be popping into the New ID Studio's to get a cash deposit or at least a deposit done on a card machine there and then so I can have a deposit receipt from them.

I can't believe that buyagift.com are selling vouchers for places like this and surely buyagift have to take some of the blame (although they are just selling you the voucher & have fulfilled their end of the deal) as they are badly advising you to go to a company that "steals money".

I have also read about people having more than one payment taken from their accounts (if this happens then I can claim this back as I didn't participate in the transaction).

As I have already contacted my bank then I don't think I can even say that I've "lost my debit card - or had a payment taken out which I didnt authorise".

Does anyone have any views or pointers they could possibly pass on to me?

brazilianwax

I've had no problems with them whatsoever.

Be aware that people are far more likely to post a bad review than a good one, so these review sites are not reliable at all.

Jammy007

Here are two more posts to give you another look at peoples thoughts. I do agree with Brazilian that people are more likely to put bad reviews on here than positive ones.

Second Link mentions New ID on about page 5 and sounds as if the companies are very similar.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=853773&highlight=newid

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=436842

I'll let you know how I get on with my refund. If it shows up in 7-10 days as promised then all I can say is they've been fine with me. If it doesn't show then my opinion of them will change :mad:

starfysh

A balanced view of Covergirl/Coverlook studios

I recently received a call from Covergirl studios telling me I'd won a makeover and photoshoot at their studio in London. I was told I could take two people with me (I decided it would be my sisters) and was asked for a refundable deposit of £90 which I paid over the phone. I was told I would get a free image and if I wanted more then these could be purchased. At the time I was told the studio was in the process of changing its name hence the title of this post.

A week or so before the day I was looking for the website because I had a couple of questions and I couldn't find it but I found this thread and read with growing concern what everyone was saying.

As I had already paid my deposit we went along, with a few concerns, for our makeover on the 29th June 08.

When we arrived we were looked after with drinks, didn't have to wait to long for our make-up and hair to be done. Both of these were done how we wanted them and the stylist thought about what we would be wearing etc. The photographer then told loads of different photos with different props, backgrounds and poses. He was friendly, chatty and helpful in directing us with our poses (both me and my sister dislike having photos taken).

We were then invited to view our images and purchase any we liked. We were amazed by how well the photos turned out and if money were no object probably purchased four or five individual ones as well as four or five group shots. The was no hard sell and we had one of each of us as well as a group photo.

In my opinion, if you want a nice day out, to be madeover and get a nice photo at the end of it then its worth it. You get your deposit back at the end of the day so it costs you nothing unless you want it to.

kittykat500

I bought a session for a friend of mine and her little girl a couple of years ago as a birthday present when they were advertising through Ideal World on TV. They had a great time and the photos looked great. They did have to go through the hardsell of course but they expected that.

SJ_Jones

Hi - trying to get the issues with NewID studios known about in the big wide world. Have started a group on Facebook called "Experiences @ NewID Studios", please add your experiences!

chocolateorange44

I can honestly say that I dont think this deal is a con, I think there are some places out there that do con you but i have been to New ID twice and had no problem with them. I do think that the photos are very pricey but to be fair to New ID they don't exactly hide that fact, all of the price and information are on the website and the terms and conditions. The staff at the salon I used in Birmingham were really nice, OK of course they are going to try to get you to buy more pictures than you want or that you can probably afford but at the end of the day that is their job and they are not exactly covering their costs in the price of the makeover, I have had my own business so i can see what goes where and I think they give a low price to get you to go in and the do a good job of the makeover and hope that the quality, and the composition of the pictures is going to be enough to get you to buy them, with a little helpful encouragement from the staff to get you to buy them so they can make a profit. i don't think they are being underhand i think perhaps the customers have not really done their homework and that is a shame because as i say all of the info is on the website. I always make a big deal about looking into these kind of things very thoroughly before i go so I dont get nasty surprises, i enjoyed New ID and I have looked at their competitors and they are all charging around the same price for the pictures. in my opinion it is more than safe to go

jenniewb

chocolateorange44 wrote: »

I can honestly say that I dont think this deal is a con, I think there are some places out there that do con you but i have been to New ID twice and had no problem with them. I do think that the photos are very pricey but to be fair to New ID they don't exactly hide that fact, all of the price and information are on the website and the terms and conditions. The staff at the salon I used in Birmingham were really nice, OK of course they are going to try to get you to buy more pictures than you want or that you can probably afford but at the end of the day that is their job and they are not exactly covering their costs in the price of the makeover, I have had my own business so i can see what goes where and I think they give a low price to get you to go in and the do a good job of the makeover and hope that the quality, and the composition of the pictures is going to be enough to get you to buy them, with a little helpful encouragement from the staff to get you to buy them so they can make a profit. i don't think they are being underhand i think perhaps the customers have not really done their homework and that is a shame because as i say all of the info is on the website. I always make a big deal about looking into these kind of things very thoroughly before i go so I dont get nasty surprises, i enjoyed New ID and I have looked at their competitors and they are all charging around the same price for the pictures. in my opinion it is more than safe to go

I don't think people have an issue with whats being offered, its more an issue with the offer being presented as "would you like a free make over?" and the promises of "throwing in some free champaigne and a whole day experience" then finding it hard to avoid feeling manipulated into paying out more or not having the deposit returned.

You have mentioned you do your research first. Not everyone does and no one should have to. If your in the street being offered something like this or spot a deal on a website the small print should be made obvious and not something you should have to look into in fine detail.

Its unfair for companies to sell from assumptions but then never meet the very same assumptions they are claiming to offer.

Helloitsme

I have signed up to this blog esp to let the users know to avoid new Id studios. I had already brought a make up session for 2 as a birthday present through another website. I must say the experience itself was good -friendly make up artists lovely make up (although prices just stupid - £30 for the blusher brush I liked, which I wasn't going to pay). I did unfortunately have to pay a £50 deposit on top of the cost of the lesson which I believe new id has no intention of paying back - it has not appeared in my bank, they have ignored my emails, phoning up just results in 'oh I'm so sorry - it will be in your account in 4-5 day's. I will be contacting trading standards at the end of next week if it hasnt appeared in my account (which I believe is doubtful). Please please please do not give your hard earned money to this dishonest company. I have read lots of reviews & have no idea how they get away with treating customers the way they do.