It was exactly a month ago that I was phoned by Studio London and told that I had won a "magazine-style photoshoot". You can read all about it all below, in my post 'May their ears fall off'.
For a week or so after wrangling with them on the phone to extricate myself from this daft/sinister arrangement, Mr Q and I were fascinated by the wickedness of these people. Mr Q went right to their door at 120 Great Portland Street to establish that they really did exist and to talk loudly on his mobile (to put the frighteners on them).
For a week or so after wrangling with them on the phone to extricate myself from this daft/sinister arrangement, Mr Q and I were fascinated by the wickedness of these people. Mr Q went right to their door at 120 Great Portland Street to establish that they really did exist and to talk loudly on his mobile (to put the frighteners on them).
I, meanwhile, told many people about my folly. It amazed me how much everyone else knew about this kind of scam. "Haven't you ever heard of NLP?" asked my sister. 'Neuro-linguistic programming' - it frightens me more than any ouija board. And my friend Moonbeam rolled her eyes and told me fondly about rescuing her mother from an online scam for a holiday.
The marvellous news is that - after threatening Studio London with The Law - my deposit was returned! It was even returned within 10 days, true to their word. But there was still a bit of funny business: in reply to my email - with its attachment of a letter quoting the Distance Selling Regulations 2000 - I got this (by accident, I assume):
Hey ya,Does this
stand? I spoke to Craig earlier & he seems to think that we can still use
the ‘leisure’ thing! ?????? Sorry really cannot remember the technical term!
xxxRegards,
Bookings Team
Studio London
The 'leisure' thing, eh? ?????? indeed! I'll waste no more juice on them, dear reader.
hello,
ReplyDeletemy friend got exactly the same call! i have been looking up about this and havnt yet told her about it but i am deffo going to!!!
What did u say to them when u threatened them about the law, she has given her card details over and i really would like her to get them back!!
please reply
many thanks x
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeletehave you telephoned Consumer Direct yet? That's your best bet by far for sound legal advice (I'm not a lawyer, despite the allure of Legally Blond). Their number is 08454 04 05 06 and their website is http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ - everything I needed to get my deposit back was there.
The important thing is to put it in writing, as far as I understand, that seems vital for the Law to do its work. Download the template letter from the website, tweak it so it contains the right details, print it out and get it in the post first class (with proof of posting). Then, for good measure, email that letter to Studio London, just to let them know what you've done...
In my case, that was what did it. The phone call I made was, on its own, quite useless - they just lie and lie and lie (oh, and try to make you feel guilty) - but by all means call them if it helps get things off your chest.
good luck,
Q
Omg ive had this call recently and stupidly paid the deposit too – as soon as i got off the phone i wondered if it was a scam!! So did you try and go along or did you cancel before you tried to go to the session? Surely a company that actually exists wouldn’t get away with doing this sort of thing?! Im worried should i just try and cancel it now or go along and then try and get my deposit back if it is definitely a scam??
ReplyDeleteI thought about turning up for my booking to see how it turned out, but then I decided there was something dodgy about they way they'd talked me into it in the first place. There was something *very* dodgy about the way they wouldn't let me talk myself out of it again...
ReplyDeleteMy advice is to cancel (do it in the method describe in the comment above). A few people on the forums say that they got their free makeover - including nibbles and champagne - and got away with paying nothing, as they absolutely refused to buy the photos. Seems like a high-risk strategy to me, but fun in a brazen kind of way.
Is it a scam? Not entirely. There are a few legitimate away things about Studio London - they have a real address not just a telephone number, for instance. BUT as a company they are gaining a reputation for telling bare-faced lies to their 'clients' and fleecing them of their money. Beware!
hi, i also thought about turning up, and after reading the internet blogs also thought better of it. having cancelled my appointment and being very rudely told i would lose my deposit unless i re-booked or sent 2 people in my place which was confirmed by e-mail, i used the advice from this website regarding consumer direct. i used template 3 regarding returning goods bought by distance methods by e-mail and post as recommended and had a response within 24 hours saying my deposit will be returned. (i will of course check this happens. i also reported the scam to trading standards at my local council website. thankyou so much for the sound advice and i hope more people use it and report the business.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've followed the advice about Consumer Direct - the law is on your side and you should be getting your deposit back. Well done for reporting it, too.
Hello
ReplyDeleteI got a call from them today and stupidly i have fell for it :(
I have phoned and left an urgant message, hopefully they will get back to me, otherwise i will have to phone again. And i will get my deposit back! am a fiesty northerner, they are not gonna keep my money, thanks for posting up the message about Consumer Direct.
Hello feisty northener,
ReplyDeleteStudio London have a knack of using delaying tactics on the phone e.g. "the manager's very busy right now - can you call back?" Harangue and cajole, just make sure you put it all in writing! I can't stress that enough. The Law is very emphatic on that point. Once Studio London see you've written it all down, they don't have a leg to stand on, legally speaking. Follow the instructions above and let me know how you get on...
I might sound really silly but I don't get what's wrong with going, having a nice day of pampering and then refusing to buy the photos so that you get the deposit back and have suffered nothing in return apart from a fun day out??? please do not hesitate to point out my naievty and whatever it is that I'm missing... yes, you guessed it, I've booked and have every intention on going.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the lies are about the level of skill and experience they say they have and perhaps not allowing a refund without adhereing to their conditions but if they do indeed return the deposit after one attends and chooses not to buy the photos, what is the harm?
My appointment is tomorrow so would love to hear back from you:)
Signed:
I don't get it.
Dear I don't get it,
ReplyDeleteyou're not a plant are you?
You see, I wouldn't put it past those ne'er-do-wells. There's a funny bit of correspondence on the MoneySavingExpert website where someone has written in to say how harmless and indeed marvellous Studio London is, only to be rumbled by a chorus of outraged voices. You should look it up!
Anyway, assuming you're genuine I can only say thank you for getting in touch and I'm sorry that anything I suggest will be too late to make any difference. Besides which I am grateful to have a comment which can add some balance to this thread.
No, I don't think you're silly or naive. You seem to have your head very well screwed on, seeing as you're aware of the pitfalls and are determined already not to pay a penny for your appointment. I'd be really intrigued to know how you get along.
What started me off initially was my own surprise at being cold called and told I'd won a competition, and then the feeling of shock once I put the phone down and realised I'd given £40 over the phone (and my credit card details) to a total stranger. What followed next was a frantic internet search to find out more and a sinking feeling at the 95% negative feedback about Studio London. I take it you've read up and made up your own mind.
What really clinched it for me was the way they tried to deny my consumer rights - basically by fudging the issue - when I rang to ask for my deposit back. They lied to me, and in such a blatant way that I'd say they were quite practiced at the art. I'd rather have my face painted bright blue at a village fete than deal with their double-speak again.
Just remember not to take your cash cards with you and I'm sure you can survive the pampering and live to tell a jolly tale.
best wishes,
Q
Hello
ReplyDeleteI went to studio London A few days ago. I was aware of all the bad publicity but i am interetested in photography so thought I would see how they work. The day was ok very slow, they kept us hanging around for over an hour to see the photos at the end of the day. They asked us to fill in a firm with all our friends names and phone numbers and for every 15 given we would get £25 discount. Being aware of the scam we didn't give any. They showed us 100 photos a good half of which were the same image in black and White or sepia. Give them their due the photos were fantastic. They the asked us for £1950 for 48 digital photos but with various discounts they could make it £1220. They even tried to get us to pay 0% interest free. The lowest price they eventually came up with was £350 for 10 digital images. We got up and walked out, they told us our deposit will be refunded within 6 or 7 days.
My sister in law went to a similar studio in London and didn't buy much a month later she got a call offering her the disc of all images for £95 having been told on the day it would be £950.
It will be I interesting to see what happens!
Thanks for posting all of this. It's very informative and objective. The prices seem astronomical to me - whatever the market can sustain, I suppose - but congratulations for walking away, bank balance intact.
ReplyDeleteFor a fleeting day or two I agreed with 'I don't get it' and went along thinking 'where's the harm'; what a truly dreadful place - so much for a relaxing day out. The studio was dirty, crammed with people and luggage; a form was thrust in our hand and we were told to wait...and wait...and wait. Thanks for all your comments, am about to write that letter...
ReplyDeleteInteresting - it styles itself as London's "premiere makeover and photography suite". I think I'd rather believe your version...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the letter!
Thanks for all the comments.
ReplyDeleteSame thing has happened to me, sent them an email together with the letter from Consumer Direct straight away after reading this. Not to keen on calling and listen to they lies. Hope to get the deposit back, im just worried of them having my bank details and being charged in future....
I was worried about the same thing - I nearly cancelled my card - but I hope I can reassure you on that point. Once my deposit was returned no further money was taken from my account. Believe me, if it had been I'd have taken them to court!
ReplyDeleteTo give them credit where it's due, Studio London only take people's money with their permission. What's dodgy is how they get that permission in the first place.
Good luck with getting your money back - follow Consumer Direct's advice and you can't go wrong.
Ashamed to say I also just fell for the scam. Then googled Studio London and found all these comments. I found the option of cancelling my card an easier and quicker way to deal with it than writing a letter to them asking for my money back. Can't believe I fell for it and actually thought I had been lucky enough to win a prize!
ReplyDeleteI know, it seems to good to be true but you go along with it, incredulous about your good fortune... until you smell a rat.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too ashamed: it's those brain-washing telephonists who should be ashamed, don't you think?
Cancelling your card is a very effective but extreme way of dealing with those folks - but for the record, writing a letter is also effective and you do get your money back. Promise!
Ashamed to say I also fell for it today. Have had to cancel my bank card and have just written the Consumer Direct letter... let's hope I get my money back. The other warning I have is that they did ask me several friendly questions about my job and what I did for a living, which I stupidly answered - so I have also had to set up an ID theft insurance/ monitoring service on my account. Unbelievable. How did I fall for it? Feel so stupid. They should be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteI should stress again that while I think they're thoroughly dodgy people, I maintain that Studio London won't take your money without your consent. So contrary to the above, I don't think you have to cancel your cards etc. All good precautions for this kind of thing, mind you.
ReplyDeleteThe friendly questions, if you ask me, are purely there to relax you - Neuro-Linguistic Programming as I understand it. Once you feel at ease, you're likely to consent to all kinds of daft/costly suggestions they make.
Further to my previous post, I was given my refund with no questions asked! Good day that didn't cost a penny as we held off from buying!
ReplyDeleteHa! It's true after all, Studio London can give you a good day out. Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch?
ReplyDeleteMuch to my disgust, because I've usually got my head screwed on, I've fallen for this too. What I'd like to know is if you were told your deposit was non-refundable? And if so, how did you get round that? This may turn out to be a very expensive learning point...
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI got a call today from a very charming man saying my friend had given my name and I had been selected at random to recieve a prize worth £125! it turns out that said friend had put my name on a random list along with 14 others. When she was there, the deal was 'give us 15 names and you get £25 off your make over.'
I did not give any card details (although I have to say I was very close to) and asked them to call me back when I had done a bit of research. There is quite alot of bad press for Studio London all over the web. When they phoned me back I alerted them to the negative reactions I had found and I can tell you now, it went from charming to out right rude. I told them they were a scam and they hung up. Didn't even try to defend themselves! Anyway, thanks for this site. May have forked over the deposit if I had not found it!!
Two comments on one day: Q's cup runneth over...
ReplyDeleteTo address the first message. Yes, I was told - both in the initial phone call and subsequently when I rang to cancel - that the deposit was non-refundable. This is simply not the case and Studio London ought to know they're lying (in fact I'm pretty sure they do!). Before I get too worked up I'd like to refer you to Consumer Direct's free phone line because they are cool, calm and know all about the law. My advice is just a boiled down version of what they told me.
But here, for what it's worth is what they told me. Studio London is breaking the law when it says you cannot get your deposit returned. As they know full well, contracts made over the phone are subject to a cooling-off period, just the same as with other kinds of contract. Distance Selling Regulations are there to protect you from the kind of pressure a company like Studio London might put you under on the phone.
So you can be confident of getting your deposit back if you follow the law - more than you can hope for Studio London to do, it seems. You do not need to give them a penny as 'punishment' for your mistake!
And secondly...
ReplyDeleteMessenger #2, your tale fills me with amusement (as well as the usual anger) at the way Studio London behaves - your poor friend must be feeling pretty uncomfortable at what she (or he?) has put you and other friends through, phone calls and lies from London's premiere makeover suite. From charm to rudeness - yes, that is exactly how I experienced it too.
Hello again,
ReplyDeleteI posted the first comment yesterday and would like to thank you very much for your reply. I did phone Consumer Direct but unfortunately they weren't as helpful, however lovely, as they were with you. I phoned Studio London twice yesterday, once before the Consumer Direct phone call which got me nowhere, quite like your calls to them. There wasn't quite so much argueing during the second phone call when I mentioned the Distance Selling Regulations (despite them trying to say they weren't selling me anything - hah!) and was told to email them which I did straighaway. No answer as of yet. Today, I have also just posted a longer letter to them first class with proof of postage and emailed them that letter too. Now it's a waiting game, keeping fingers crossed!
Once again, thank you for your helpful words - I really hope this gets sorted. It's also reassuring to know that this is an easy thing to get sucked into - and it really can happen to anyone when their guard is down!
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteThis just happened to me but I asked at the time if i could cancel and get my deposit back and he said yes. Then when i called back he goes 'oh I wasn't meant to say that' and I pretty much said 'Yeah well you did and I want my money back' - they said it will be in my account next week! Stupid me getting sucked in.
Just got off the phone call with Studio London where in the background it sounded like a sweat shop of telemarketers. Scam - I wouldn't quite say that as I believe they would give deposit back if you went, however Con - yes con you into buying those expensive photos which lets face it the not so wise of the public would. I am always wary of telemarketers and told them that I can't speak at work so was going to investigate the company as I don't give my card details to just anyone over the phone and that they could phone me back tonight. This next phone call should be quite interesting...
ReplyDeleteBloody hell!! I just paid my deposit!! How stupid was I!!! What am I going to do?! Help!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have got the phone call today too and the guy did get all my information correct when I questioned him (e.g. my name/ address...etc), thou I didn't know why he got it in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThen, he was very hard-selling so I ended up paying the deposit....but after the phone call I just felt very doggy about the whole thing - why would I be so lucky to be chosen for the price?!
After a quick look around on the internet, I found loads of negative comments in regards to this phone call. So, I decided to cancel the booking and rang them within an hour after the booking was made.
However, they told me I would lost my deposit if I cancelled it!!
What should I do? HELP!!!!!!
Wow I just got the phone call, luckily I was in the loo and just gave them my email address so I couldn't do anything there and then! haha. Me being uber cautious about these sorts of scams checked the internet, lo and behold to find this forum. I shall not go.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Regards.
Banksy.
My advice to anyone considering this is to back out asap... I am not sure about the deposits but I'm sure there is a way to have that returned.
ReplyDeleteI made the grave mistake of signing up and going on this "pamper day" with my sister. The day itself felt rushed and very unprofessional, they get you to fill in a form at the start of the day then proceed to totally ignore everything you put on it. NONE of the "professionals" they have working there are pros, the vast majority are students being paid a pitance. So don't listen to any of the "we have to cover our costs" nonsense.
The photos were simple, I'm an amateur photographer and with the same studio set up could easily take better more imaginative photos... the man who shot our photos wasn't invested in anything, he just pointed the camera and took a single shot of each pose, barely stopping to check the picture, he did nothing to correct any flaws in shots (this showed in the viewing)
We waited 2 1/2 hours to veiw the photos, they claim that some were shot in HD... no, they simply upped the contrast (I am more of an expert in the art of picture editing) They claim at the start that photos go through an "editing" stage... they simply plug the memory card in and run it through a pre-programmed set of tasks that change some pictures to B&W some sepia and up the contrast on others. There was no editing or softening of flaws in the photos, no simple editing out of visable bra straps for example (it takes less than 5 minutes to edit a strap out)
The sales person we had gave the whole pressure selling bit, my sister said she needed to use her phone to check with her husband at which point his tone turned agressive telling her she couldn't use it and that there was CCTV recording etc. This left us both a little frightened tbh and in the end we signed a contract for a photo CD to the tune of £1260.
I'm now going to fight through the courts as we were bullied into buying these pictures... Studio London themselves claim the sales rep was calm and a perfect gentleman throughout the viewing, this is after they watched the CCTV, however when I requested a copy they have refused to send one unless they remove the audio for Mr Rep... something to hide perhaps?!?!
Thank you so much for this website! I got the call today but said I wanted to think about it, so they're supposed to be ringing again tomorrow. I now definitely know that I'll be saying no!
ReplyDeleteTo the 16th August posts, I'm guessing you phone consumer direct and trading standards and email around a lot!
Wow! So many comments, I hardly know where to start. Thanks, therefore, to the last comment-maker - yes, that's exactly the advice I would give, and you only have to read back the comments to find out how precisely to go about it. Maybe this is becoming a bit arduous, what with the sheer length of this comment thread.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the anonymous comments - I do hope you read up on all the advice and make very sure you get your money back when you weren't happy parting with it. And to those of you who thank *me*, well shucks, you shouldn't but it's kind of you.
Now then, Tony
Sorry, Toni I should say. Toni Toni Toni. Thank you for you lengthy comment. I hope it acts as a red flag to warn people off the rocks. Your story is the kind of tale that makes me see this quiet campaign as something more than a trivial battle. What Studio London have done to you is crooked and (I must stress I'm no expert, this is just my opinion) bordering on the criminal.
ReplyDeleteI very much hope you are going to take them to court. If there is any way this blog can help in providing back-up evidence, I'm very willing to try. Really they should be investigated by a programme like Face the Facts on Radio 4...
It will interest you (and probably make your heart sink) to hear that the claim by Studio London that they have CCTV is rather dubious. A thread that has now been deleted on MoneySavingExpert.com had information about this. Someone claiming to work for Studio London had written in to say that they had installed CCTV to monitor their workforce and ensure they weren't using pressured selling techniques. Another person then wrote in to the forum to say they had asked a Studio London employee about this CCTV, only to be told "it hasn't been installed yet". So you have to ask, is it really there, or is it only a virtual threat - to be used on frightened customers?
The whole thing stinks, to me, and continues to fascinate. Your observations about their lack of professionalism add yet more credence to previous comments.
Toni, thank you for writing in and all power to your law suit. Come back here when you can tell us more!
One other thing - I've put up a new page dedicated to ol' Studio London. Been meaning to do that for a while.
ReplyDeleteHi i need your help asap!! I got a phone call from them on Wednesday that a friend of mine recommended me to them. I paid the deposit (£25) over the phone using my card. I have something like 7-10 day to have a full refund if i changed my mind. - What do you think i should do? I'm really confused, i'm a uni student and i can't afford to lose the money and i heard how they really put pressure on you in buying the photos. At first i thought it be cool but now i'm regreting it - i'm not exactly model material!
ReplyDeleteI have just received a call from them and thank God I told them to call me back as I didn't have mny card on me. it gave me time to find this helpful forum :D
ReplyDeleteHey guys. I'm so grateful I found this webpage. Like many of you here, I fell for the complimentary makeover and photoshoot and only until after I paid the deposit, I read the awful reviews of the makeover sessions.
ReplyDeleteI immediately called back to cancel, but they informed me that I had to turn up to the session or reschedule it. I didn't argue at the time and just left things alone...........that was until on the same day I came across this blog page and found some very useful information regarding the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations.
I phoned up Studio London this morning and informed them about these regulations and they claimed that they didn't actually sell me anything. Ha! If you didn't sell me anything......then you should have no qualms about giving me back my deposit! Well anyway, it seems that no-one here has had any success on the telephone so I told the chap on the phone, you will get my complaint in writing.....to which he replied "whatever".
I then followed the advice above and used template 3 from the Consumer Direct Website. I sent it this afternoon first class with proof of postage. I also e-mailed them as well as some people advised and am just waiting for a reply and hopefully my deposit.
I guess I've learned a lot out of this so its not all meaningless and a waste of time.
Thanks everyone and I hope you've all got your deposits back. Theres no fooling the law!
Hear hear, JK.
ReplyDeleteBlimey, yet more bad press for Studio London. It's very hard to see why they're not a scam when they carry on like this... but they're running from the law if not hiding. Somehow, technically speaking, these out-and-out shysters are legit.
Anna, read the advice above and follow it to the letter. It's not too late!
Aha, here I am. Have just put the phone down from studio L - googled them straight away and am pleased to say that this thread came straight up. I am now 31 but received a similar cold call when aged 16. At that time (I have no idea if it was the same company) I went along, had the deposit refunded and bought a nice photo for £30 which my parents still have in pride of place. When I was called a minute ago I thought it was probably something similar and wondered whether a day of pampering with a friend would be fun. I asked the lady on the phone who called me about photo prices should I be interested in buying at the end of the day and what set the alarm bells ringing was that she claimed to have no idea as she was in a separate 'team'. I figured that the prices must be astronomical as there was no way that someone calling to sell a product wouldn't know the cost of that product. She didn't give me the hard sell and was quite pleasant but having read this thread I shall ignore her when she calls me back as we have agreed next week. Thanks for the warning and I figure the old maxim stands - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to all,
Rachel.
Q - found this on Google. Just wondering, have you ever been to Studio London or are you just annoyed with them because they didn't give you your money back straight away? And just to clear this up, they did give you your money back, didn't they? I've been reading through, trying to work out why you're so angry with them, this seems to be a really personal issue for you.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing what a letter can do?
ReplyDeleteA few days after I sent the letter and e-mail, they phoned me today and told me that they had refunded my deposit and it will be in my account within 7 - 10 days. There was no resistance from them at all this time.
Thanks again Q and everyone else for the advice. It is much appreciated.
I'm really sorry everyone but I really don't understand. How can you 1) take a call from and listen to some person you don't know, who you haven't asked to call, who is talking about something you haven't entered/you're not interested about and 2) even get persuased to hand over credit card details *and* money over said phone, as well??
ReplyDeleteHow come you can't just say "I don't know what are you talking about, but I'm not interested in these kind of calls, bye and have a nice life"??
What kind of amazingly persuasive and talented sellers these people are?
I'm not trying to brag, but it seems quite obvious and common sense to me to not give any personal information to anyone who asks just out of the blue. You wouldn't do it in the street (hopefully) so how come you do it over the phone? How do they manage to do that?
Had the same phone call yesterday about winning a competition and stupidly paid a deposit. I can't believe how depserate I must have been to except such a KIND gesture!! Needless to say I am about to pick up the phone and cancel my booking, my concern is that I was told about the deposit being non refundable but you assure me in comments above that this is irrelevent. Trouble is I dont have much fight in me so I'm not sure how far this will go. Please let me have any further advise you may have. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMy mum told me today that she got a phone call earlier, asking for me, saying i've won a competition for a free makeover at london studio, but need to pay £65 deposit to cover costs of make up artists etc.
ReplyDeleteI enter a lot of competitions and im pretty fortunate to win quite often, so this wasn't such a strange thing to happen to me. I said i don't remember entering a competition for a makeover, but checked the website i usually enter competitions in and there was nothing about studio london. I checked my email, nothing. Hmmm surely if i won, they would have emailed me too. Then i said to my mum, its strange though, i usually also put my mobile down in my details not my home phone.
So glad i typed in Studio London into google now, and found the word "scam" right after it. I won't be following up the call, and i'm so glad my mum didnt give away any card details.
I actually went on one of these makeover sessions before at ID Studios that we paid for. It was a nice day, but there was A LOT of waiting around, and you were made to feel like cattle, shuved into rooms with other people made to wait, with half done hair. And yes the HARD SELL IS HARD. Now i think of it, it was very intimidating. They gave us a figure of over £2000 first?! AS IF. And they just slowly work there way down until they make you cave. Think we went for £150 worth of photos in the end, and I do remember the guy being very aggressive and rude at the end. Like as soon as we had agreed, he didn't care anymore, the nice talk stopped and he was pissed off that we didnt buy more. They make you feel like your dirt.
THESE STUDIOS MAKE YOU FEEL GLAMOROUS AND BEAUTIFUL ALL MORNING, ONLY TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A POOR BEGGAR AT THE END.
Hello everybody peeps (as one Harry Enfield character used to say, I'm sure)...
ReplyDeleteThank you for all these comments. There's one I couldn't publish because the spelling was atrocious and it contained a swear word (get thee behind me, Satan!) - Modis, if you want to try again, I'll see what I can do but I get the gist anyway: they're lying liars. Yes.
I've been on holiday, hence the gap. In the meantime the blog stats have risen to a whopping 2000 visits. In answer to the question above - why do I keep up this personal vendetta with Studio London? - well, vanity is the big reason. I love the way it improves my blog stats!
However, I also pursue my not-so-lonely vengeance against Studio London because it seems shocking to me that such terrible shysters exist, fleecing the trusting and unsuspecting public.
Margherita, you're quite right, 'Just Say NO'. I'd run a mile if I met someone asking me outright for my bank details in the street. But there was something so soothing in the honeyed tones of the telesales girl. Gullible and vain... and baffled by techonology perhaps? That's the only explanation I can offer for being sucked in.
Anyhow, the campaign continues! J, as for advice, it's not a huge fight you need, honestly. Just follow the advice about sending a letter quoting the law. It's all laid out in the thread above, and it really works.
Hi I have just received the same phone call, luckily I am pretty suspicious of calls like this and I, like someone else on this forum, thought, "what makes me so special to be selected"! The girl on the phone told me I had recently completed an online survey and that the company had forwarded my details onto them and I had been selected to win a days makeover for me and a friend. I told her I didn't remember completing an online survey and she said I wouldn't have remembered directly as there would have been no mention of their company! Alarm bells rang and I asked her to email me details as I was unhappy paying for anything over the phone as I had no confirmation as to who she was. She emailed me immediately and I set to work on good old google and found "scam scam scam" connected to Studio London! No real surprise there! The only question remains is do I ignore the call when they phone me back tomorrow or do I enlighten them as to the success of my research into their scam?! I can see how easy people can get sucked into this sort of thing, I am just overly cautious at times which has helped me out on this occasion.
ReplyDeleteThe whole offer isn't a scam.... you do get the "Makeover" and the photoshoot as promised. All be it on what feels like a dirty conveyor belt with very unwilling stylists doing the makeover. They were so up against time with the amount of people being packed in that they really weren't that great!
ReplyDeleteAll that said... the photos were pretty stunning. And there lies the catch. The sales pitch is full on. They don't give you an option for a buy your favourite, or give you any individual prices. They just keep throwing monthly payments prices at you so you have no idea what you are paying and keep changing the deal to get you so confused as they go. They also tell you they delete all the photos the next day, so if you want them you need to get them there and then!
Have a fun day out and enjoy it at their expense..... but leave any card you have at home!! That's the only way their sales pitch will fail unless you are really strong and determined and can walk away! Gutted I was Gullible to the pitch and parted with my hard earned cash! Photos are truely stunning tho!
Just an additional thought to my post.... I've just written to Watchdog about them... might be good to get a flood of complaints to them about Studio London and it might be picked up! Go to the website and you can add an online complaint!
ReplyDeleteThe trick they just used on me was that my friend had put my details down, no doubt to get this 'discount'... though they phrased it as 'selecting me to get a free offer' which made it sound oh so special. They knew her name, and my name, and it all sounded very proper (though the telemarketing in the background put me off.)
ReplyDeleteFortunately I am far too stingy to consider parting with £60, even as a deposit, and though the guy on the phone tried to continue for a good ten minutes, I got out eventually. I recognise some of the tactics mentioned here. Boy was I relieved when I found this thread - it's exactly what I feared. I would advise anyone who does go on this not to give out their friends numbers - it will not make you a popular bunny!
As for writing to Watchdog, since I didn't go in for it I suppose I can't, but I second the suggestion!
My friend invited me with him to a 'relaxing day of pampering' which was supposed to be free and we were under no obligation to buy any photos. Or so they said. We arrived and it was really cramped and busy, it looked like a cheap hairdressing salon. The make up staff double up as hair professionals. The woman who did my hair claimed my hair would not curl because it 'didn't have much layering':S how should that make any difference?! The hair staff all complained about how hard they work and that they should all be paid more... she really didn't put much effort into my hair, instead just put loads of hairspray in it and managed to make it look ok but nothing special. We then had a girl in her early twenties as our 'professional photographer' as my brother has worked in photography, I noticed she was far from a professional photographer. Anyway she took some photos we then were told to come back at 7:15pm (after an hour and a half break). When we returned at 7:15pm they told us we might have to wait for 30 minutes, in fact we ended up waiting another hour and a half. When we finally got into the viewing room it was really hot and the member of staff was dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and trainers. It was all very far from professional, apart from the prices that is. Somehow they managed to suck us in and I've agreed to pay nearly £1000 on a few measly photos. I felt the whole experience was very pressurising and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. I've also noticed on the contract it states that if I'm not in full time employment I should have a minimum income of £10,000 per annum. However as a first year Uni student, I will most certainly not be on that income, especially as I am moving out and do not have a part time job. Could I get out of it this way? Or do I not stand a chance? They didn't ask me about the £10,000 minimum income, they simply ticked yes and I only noticed it when I got home. Also, to make matters worse, I paid for 13 photos and they've given me 12. I would appreciate any advice somebody could give me. I attended yesterday, the 14th September.
ReplyDeletePoor Jennifer! Any advice, anyone? My specialism is for helping people get out of the initial phone call 'deposit' trap. I really don't know where to begin with this second (painfully expensive) stage of Studio London's machinations.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you need someone who can help work out what your rights are in this situation. You signed the papers, true, but there seems to have been - to put it mildly - some pressurised selling by Studio London.
You can phone Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06) for sound advice. Also, I found that it really helped to write down everything that happened, as clearly as possible, in as much detail as possible - this way you can look at what both you and they did, objectively, and you have it down in black and white. This really helps in phone calls - to Consumer Direct, Studio London or whoever - when you are challenged to recall exactly what happened.
I hope this helps. By the way, have you reported it to anyone? Consumer Direct or Watchdog? Don't let Studio London go unreported for this unfairness.
I must say that we had a good experience... although the day was long we walked away with a CD of 6 beautiful photos for only 95 GBP.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteWell, I had 'the call'. What I wanted to do was ring back from the computer website, but wasn't allowed. I decided to take the chance and parted with £30 for myself and a friend, and was given 3 days to make the booking. It all seemed very harsh and rushed. I very nearly declined. I did check the company had a legit website. I was then taken to another site that showed they were still in business. After the call, I rang back Studio London and was relieved it all checked out. Perhaps I can advise anyone doing this to use another phone if available and check. At the time it didn't occur to me.
I went along yesterday. I am saddened to hear of so many negative reports. I really enjoyed myself. I didn't have huge expectations, just enjoyed the pampering at face value. I was slightly late on arrival, but everyone was very friendly, and I had a fantastic time.
After the makeup and hair, I decided to have my make up brushed up a little and I was really happy with the results.
I agree that the toilet facilities are cramped and the changing areas are a joke - so squashy. Had I paid their £400 second time asking price I would have been really upset. But considering it was all free, I was happy enough, and took it as part of a fun day.
The photography stuido corridor did look cramped and run down. Having said that, the studios themselves had enough in to keep me busy. I brought five outfits to try, and used most of the rooms. The male photographer was soft and gentle, very clear and encouraging and I was pleased.
I had the 1 1/2 hour wait after, but I didn't mind this as it gave me a chance to move about a bit, especially around the busy shopping area of London. On return, I waited 30 minutes, which I agree with other writers that this could have been avoided; this in a room with very little else to do.
I originally came to the studio with a price in my head of about £30-40 if a photo was really special. There were a good few I liked in the selection, but after their initial asking price for a giant canvas was turned down I was told the entire album on CD would be £250, which was also outside my price range.
Eventually, this whittled down to £70 for one. (She wouldn't talk about prices incidently, until I had chosen all of the photos which I thought were any good). Even though I really wanted them, I decided that even £70 for one photo was too much, although I realised that is 'normal' for a professional photo and was quite prepared to be quoted this price. I was about to leave, when she said I could choose one for my original deposit of £30. Considering this was actually slightly below what I thought I might be paying, I selected this as well as another I was very fond of, and walked away with two photos I shall treasure for a very long time.
As I said to them at the time, the day for me was a magical one, especially since this is something I might only do once every 10-20 years! I loved the fuss and the pampering. Part of me did want larger photos, especially the beautiful portfolio book, but I cannot afford £500 for it, and I knew as soon as I saw their sample, it would be outside my price range.
They were extremely polite the entire way through. Although I was persuaded to buy one on CD for £30, it was entirely my choice to double to two. The lady said at the end, after I agreed that these would have been the two she would have chosen and I had selected well. There was no pressure for me to buy any more.
Overall, there were a few areas I thought could have been done better, especially the changing facilities. But I loved the day and I am desperately sorry to see such bad press and others feeling they have had to part with money they did not want to spend.
Sophie
total scam. i went for a 'free makeover etc' and they kept me and my friend prisoner in their underground studio claiming we'd taken photos on our phones of the shoot...had to empty my images and messages on my phone before they'd release us...even then my boyfriend had to muscle his way in and escort us out.
ReplyDeleteSTAY AWAY!!!
I won't say it was a scam but yes they ask for a deposit and when you buy an image your deposit gets taken off the total cost.... The whole experience for me was great then the selling came...... The sit you down in front of a screen and go through all 50 or so images with you so you fall in love before you know the cost. The lady then said if I took all the images that would be £2500 and if i wanted only one well i couldn't because you could have minimum 4 on a disk per person so the fact i could only afford one at £75 and my friend only could afford two we couldn't take any home. So I did not get my deposit back.
ReplyDeleteMy two nieces are in pieces with what you might call shoppers remorse - they got the call went to London for there make over. They were filled with champagne and then made to fill guilty about buying the 12 pictures and signed a contract for 24 monthly payments at 29.61 = £700
ReplyDeleteOne is a student and the other a single parent. They were very silly to have signed it and the pictures are not that professional. They got caught on an emotional moment. I am trying to find away out for them - the company do have a consumer credit licence - there are a few of these small companies running from the same address - paparazzi studio's is the one they went to.
Please pass one the warning!
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for this.. I've stupidly paid a deposit but will steer well clear! How disappointing :( m x
ReplyDeletePAPARAZZI = STUDIO LONDON
ReplyDeleteFull on liars. I was promised a free photo on the phone, then when it came to the viewing session, the saleswoman got pretty aggressive with me claiming that this would never have been said!!
I know for sure it was, otherwise I wouldn't have even made a booking (poor student and all!)
Overall though the day was enjoyable, only to be ruined at the end by some saleswoman DESPERATE for us to buy massive canvas pictures of ourselves for god knows how much!
After much argueing I got my free picture, although I doubt I would have had my friend not bought several pictures. £35 each though! They can be bartered down!
It's not so bad if you stand up for yourself, but you could probably get better photos for a lot less from a gcse art student!
Hello there,
ReplyDeleteI got this very call 2 days ago, and sadly fell for it. I have checked out the Consumer Direct website that you have suggested. But which template should I be using, and how do I phrase it? I have gone through the hassle of cancelling my card to make sure they don't "dip into" my money.
I have to say I am shocked that so many people experience this, thank you for posting this up. It has been a great help, and a relief to know I am not alone.
n december 2010 me n my sisters paid deposit of £840, total amount for the photos is £2100 inc. deposit
ReplyDeletewe dont know what to do we're in the 2nd month of pay monthly contract (have to pay £70 every month) this is gonna go on for 18 months.
we want to get out of it but HOW???
PLEASE HELP!!!! its a waste of money n we were so out of it, totally exhausted and to top everything off we ended up missing our train!!! bloody greedy time wasting buggers!!
What in want to know is i have manged to cancel my d/d so they wont be able to get a penny out of me< is there any way they can still get into my account as they did scan my bank card and provisional license>
we were pushed hardcore to sign up for it and were reli exhausted so jus to get rid of them ended up doing so.
This website has been really helpful.
thankyou
I would like to know what would happen if I were to cancel my direct debit with them. Studio London have gone into administration so shouldn't be taking money from us or have the money to take us to court, however, the company who deal with payments are a completely separate company called Paladin Commercial. I tried to speak to them about being misold a contract at Studio London, who claimed I earn more than £10,000 a year without ever asking me and filling in the contract themselves. Paladin Commercial said that because I had signed the agreement, I had to pay it, if not, they (Paladin) would take me to court, they also added that they had never lost a case. Don't know if it was just scare tactics but it did scare me but I can no longer afford to keep up the payments as I am unemployed. I am scared I will end up in more debt and in trouble with the law if I stop my payments. Anyone's advice would be very appreciated. Would it be better for me to try and take them to court first? I am really confused and depressed by this situation. Thank you for your help in advance.
ReplyDeleteWell done on getting your money back, but these things aren't scams! A scam would be if you made the booking and the company didn't exist. I've been to a few of these 'makeover and photo days', and while sure they're a bit of a giggle and a waste of a day, they aren't a scam.
ReplyDeleteI go along, let them play with my hair and put make up on me. I eat their food, they take their pictures and ask me to buy them, and I say no. They ask me again, I say no again. This can repeat for a while. But if someone keeps asking you a question until you say yes to keep them quiet, and you end up paying £80 for a passport sized picture, that isn't a scam, that's just persistence paying off. All you have to do is be more persistant than them and you get a silly day out for free, 'cos you DO actually get the desposit back at the end of the day.
Scams are people putting potatoes in laptop boxes and selling them for hundreds on street corners, not whining at you that they don't paid unless you buy their crappy pictures, until you feel guilty and crack. Grow a pair!
"Studio London" went into administration then became "I Love Paparazzi", now that too has gone into administration. Their other brand Imagethirst survives.... for now.
ReplyDeleteAs the previous person said, Paparazzi Studio/Studio London is now in administration DESPITE what their twitter feed says. Do NOT part with any money!
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