Exposure Photographics / Studio 64 Deposit Problems

supermonkey

Hi All,

Just wondered if I could have some advice...

A while back we were contacted by the above London photo studio and told we had won a prize - a free photo shoot. I stupidly agreed to pay a deposit which would be refunded after the sitting.

After seeing the prices for photos etc, I cannot see us buying any photos and so it seems like a waste of ours and the studios time and money too as we will have to use the tube to get there.

They have stated they cannot refund us the deposit even though it would be in there best interests to fill the slot with someone who will be more likely to purchase!

Any advice as to how to proceed?

Thanks

maninthestreet

You didn't win a prize - you were sold a photo shoot, for which you paid a deposit. Do you have any written terms and conditions that relate to this photo shoot?

supermonkey

thanks for your reply.

It does say non-refundable deposit... i was relunctant at the time but stupidly allowed them to talk me into it!

i really hoped they would make a exception due to our circumstances and the fact the photographers wages for taking our shoot are probably more than the deposit!

Clive_Woody

supermonkey wrote: »

thanks for your reply.

It does say non-refundable deposit... i was relunctant at the time but stupidly allowed them to talk me into it!

i really hoped they would make a exception due to our circumstances and the fact the photographers wages for taking our shoot are probably more than the deposit!

I think a call to trading standards might be worth your while. This company offered you a 'FREE' photo shoot and have then asked for a deposit that is non-refundable.

You said in your original post that they agreed the deposit would be refunded after the shoot, if that is what they told you then make sure you tell tradng standards they are lying over the phone and their T&Cs are different from what they tell you to agree to the deal.

Did you pay the deposit by credit card? If so try contacting your card issuer and see if they will do a charge back.

Try this link below and type in your post-code and contact your local trading standards to see what they have to say:

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/consumers/consumers.cfm

or try Consumer Direct

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

You could even report this as a scam

https://secure.consumerdirect.gov.uk/reportascam.aspx

supermonkey

Thanks, consumer direct really helped. Took there advise and the company still didn't respond... then I reiterated my points, and mentioned that I had the support of consumer direct... they soon agreed to a refund!

Short_e

Hi All,

I was contacted by the studio above and later read all these comments and reviews which made me change my mind. I called them back to be reassured that my deposit would be refunded on the day. I later went to the session that I had booked and found it was worth well over £99.98. Although not to mention I still got my refund. I just can't believe that some people can be so narrow minded and not think that a small deposit is taken for the sake of keeping your booking and then later on refunded back to you anyway. It goes to show that some people can spoil something before it has even began. I wouldn't believe anything on websites like this until you have tried it out, and this post is to tell those people who are sceptical, that not to worry. IT WAS FANTASTIC..

briona

Short_e wrote: »

Hi All,

I was contacted by the studio above and later read all these comments and reviews which made me change my mind. I called them back to be reassured that my deposit would be refunded on the day. I later went to the session that I had booked and found it was worth well over £99.98. Although not to mention I still got my refund. I just can't believe that some people can be so narrow minded and not think that a small deposit is taken for the sake of keeping your booking and then later on refunded back to you anyway. It goes to show that some people can spoil something before it has even began. I wouldn't believe anything on websites like this until you have tried it out, and this post is to tell those people who are sceptical, that not to worry. IT WAS FANTASTIC..

Ooh a new user signs up talking about how wonderful this dodgy sounding studio is. A more suspicious mind than mine *might* suggest that they were in some way trying to promote their own studio in an "of course we don't rip people off way" but not me, I'd never think like that. I bet it's just great! :rolleyes:

Go promote your crappy studio elsewhere.

Clive_Woody

Short_e wrote: »

Hi All,

I was contacted by the studio above and later read all these comments and reviews which made me change my mind. I called them back to be reassured that my deposit would be refunded on the day. I later went to the session that I had booked and found it was worth well over £99.98. Although not to mention I still got my refund. I just can't believe that some people can be so narrow minded and not think that a small deposit is taken for the sake of keeping your booking and then later on refunded back to you anyway. It goes to show that some people can spoil something before it has even began. I wouldn't believe anything on websites like this until you have tried it out, and this post is to tell those people who are sceptical, that not to worry. IT WAS FANTASTIC..

Welcome, we were currently experiencing a shortage of TROLLS so your addition to these boards is most welcome.


You might not believe anything on websites like this, but thankfully those of us who aren't running scams find the advice on here very useful.


This company sound like a right dodgy bunch, offering 'free' photo sessions, but taking a deposit then telling people this is non-refundable. I know Consumer Direct track all complaints and will hopefull be keeping an eye on this bunch.

supermonkey

wow, thought this thread was dead...

Short_e -
I'm going to assume that you are genuine. I never said that the shoot wouldn't have been good. I'm sure its a good studio. But why make ask such a large deposit for a free photoshoot? £25 is more sensible as it would ensure you turn up, but is not as likely to make you go overdrawn etc.

I'm sure they're photos would have been great and thats the problem - i wouldve walked away with nothing since the price was so high! That would've been heartbreaking. Did you buy any pics?

If you aren't genuine I hope i'm not wasting my time here. It does seem strange that you would come on here to tell everyone how I've spoilt it!

briona

supermonkey wrote: »

wow, thought this thread was dead...

Having read that, I checked the date on the thread and realised just how old it is! :eek:

Hmmmm... so a new user signs up and dredges up a 6 month old thread to accuse people of trying to ruin a random studio's business? Not at all suspicious and not at all transparent! :rolleyes:

kall

hi, i also 'won' this free prize and as i was pregnant at the time i thought...y not treat myself after having my baby...9 months later to try and slim down....i was tld there was a free bar....we got a glass of water and a glass of wine, that our hair and make up would be done by professionals....just some girls who didnt talk to us, spoke to each other and made us feel uncomfortable.

the photo shoot was fun bt the prices were not....first quote for a basic package....£7000 and something!!! im a student and a mum so no way...plus i can think of better things to spend my money on. i paid a £98 deposit which i was told i could claim back after the shoot and when we had decided what to buy (as we didnt want to go away empty handed...didnt spend as much as they'd liked!) i mentioned this and she said the money comes off what we have spent bt then i realised the figure she had told us hadnt gone down bt on this piece of paper she had given us she put the figure up by £98 then took it off...obviously to get more money out of us and no i dont know if i can claim it back...ok yeah ppl might say its only £98 bt thats a lot of money to some ppl and it's the principle.

it was not as good as it wa smade out to be, didnt seem professional and a waste of money...i would not recommend. they asked before we started to put some friends names down and they would send them a TEXT to see if they are interested and we got free make up...we thought it was only a text so it would be fine but no they phoned them up and harrassed them to try to get them to join!

im now so short of money and am stupid for doing it, its a con