My friend was given a ‘voucher’ for a free photo shoot at a glamour photography studio. She attended, had her photos taken and went on to purchase.
Her partner was waiting outside but wasn’t allowed to come in the ‘viewing room’ to view photos and help decide on the purchase - as he wasn’t apart of the photo shoot. Now my friend has issues with saying no, and felt pressured into making a large order (over $9000, each photo costing $500 or more). She walked out and burst into tears over the purchase and feeling pressured. They kept saying ‘you need to decide right now as we don’t keep the photos’, ‘don’t forget this one as well because you look amazing’, ‘just add a few more they look so great’, ‘if you don’t get this one you’ll never be able to get it again’. Once she added all the photos, they then rung up the price. She signed up to a lay-by purchasing company and only paid half of the deposit.
She Immediately tried calling once home about 20mins later but no answer due to being closed and she emailed saying she would like to change the order, by deleting half the photos (over 18 printed photos). They have since contacted back saying in the contract is a clause for no cancelling/changes are allowed after order. The contract was given with the photos, in a way that looks like your just signing to agree to them photos; with the photo proofs place in between the contract and the cancellation clause.
Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a way to change order? Should there be a cooling off period? Or is this just a very expensive lesson to learn on how to say no?
Glamour photography contract
Glamour photography contract
Posted in:
Life Lessons, Self Care, Win Stuff, Money, FAQ
15 Replies
Sounds like your poor friend has been completely fleeced! 9k equals $500 per photo! That's completely outrageous.
I can't stand the levels that pushy sales people stoop to!
I think her best bet would be to contact consumer affairs to see what her rights are in regards to cancellation and/or decreasing the order. Then if it looks like she might have a case, she could take legal action but that may end up being more costly.
What state? Contact local consumer affairs body.
In Queensland
Is this a company that’s in the Gabba?
They are well known for doing this, most companies that give away "free" packages are. You win the photoshoot cost and then have to buy the photos. It is easy to do quick research before attending and finding all of this out as so many people have been in this position and get stung.
She will need to ask CA what rights she has. Expensive lesson learnt :(
She calls/emails the business. Tell them she wad unduly pressured, it's called 'unconscionable conduct', it's illegal so they cancel, return deposit or you complain to consumer affairs by the end of day.
Then Contact consumer affairs.
Do not meekly accept it. That's how they get away with it & keep doing it.
Check the fine print for a cooling off period. Some places are required by law.
She should also contact the lay by company to try & cancel it, telling them she was unduly pressured into signing the contact.
This comment was perfect thank you. She re emailed them saying just what you said and they cancelled the order. Thank you so much
Wow. Lucky!
To this commenter, well done, what a great community ❤️
I'm so glad I could help! I'd report them anyway & leave reviews online. Stop it happening to someone else.
These people really are the scum of the earth!!
Thank you for all the comments, she was able to follow the advice on here and cancel the photos to the select few she actually wanted.
That’s awesome. She must feel so relieved.
Is there not a cooling off period? They are using bullying tactics. She has a legal right to a cooling off period. She should take them to court
Don’t pay it and contact ACC they can’t make you pay it. Explain the circumstances and get her to put bad reviews on their pages until they drop it. Make sure reviews are left everywhere warning people. This company will soon back down.
$9000!! Firstly how did she agree to that? I mean where would you even put that many photos of yourself?
Just don’t pay 💰 it’s over $250 so they can sue if they feel they would win. However they would probably offer a discount or cancel the debt to avoid the hassle. Doesn’t sound like they can win.