Outrageous Prices, outrageous and misleading claims

[Gobbledok]

Studio 2000 have turned out to be just like any other photography company...a bunch of rip-off merchants only out to make a quick buck off poor unsuspecting people.

My parents in law entered a competition voting on photos by Studio 2000, where the winner would get a free photo shoot. They won, and organised the time and location for the free photo shoot. At no time were the costs of the photos mentioned, all that was mentioned was that there was no obligation to purchase the photos. They did have to give their bank account details though, as they were threatened with a substantial fee if they did not turn up.

They went for the photoshoot, and before, and during the shoot, no mention of cost, only being told there was no obligation to purchase. After the photoshoot, they were asked to put down a deposit for the photos (again not being told of the cost, and also not being told whether the deposit was refundable). They were still told that it was no obligation. They also were told that they had to put down a deposit before even being able to see the photos to begin with, which they had to return a week later to see.

A week later, they return to see the photos. The quality of the photos were quite good, so they were asked to sit down to discuss the purchase of the photos. They were told finally that the cost of the photos was going to be $3,000, and that because they put down a deposit that they were now required to purchase the photos (something they were not previously told). They were forced into signing the documents to purchase the photos, without having the chance to read and understand the documents properly.

A few weeks later, they informed Studio2000 that they were having financial difficulties (they are both on Centrelink payments), and that they were having trouble making the next payment, and may have trouble making future payments as well. Instead of being offered a reduced payment plan, or a reduced portfolio (as some photo places will do), they were told that if they missed even one payment, they would be referred to every bank and debt collector in the country, and they would never be able to get another bank loan or credit card again. So instead of paying essential bills and purchasing the basics such as food, they had to make the payment.

[lea77y]

I cant believe they put down a deposit and then went back and signed paperwork to purchase $3000 worth of photos when they are both on a pension. What where they thinking.

They should go get some legal advice. Not sure what state you are in but they could try Legal Aid as it would be free to get advice. There must be a way out of the contract.

[Cas98]

For a start, being told they had to pay a deposit for a "free" photoshoot should have given them soem indication of what was to come.

However, what is done is done.

As for "they were told that if they missed even one payment, they would be referred to every bank and debt collector in the country, and they would never be able to get another bank loan or credit card again" I do not believe they can do this as they are NOT a financial institution. This is blackmail and a punishable offence.

I would suggest they seek legal advice as well.

[manfredh]

I agree with your opening line.

From what you described though, it doesn't sound like they won anything... aside from probably what every other entrant did.

[absoluteDann]

This is not an uncommon story. Photographic studios have been doing it for years, though being asked for bank details up front seems new, and I would have said 'no, thank you,' at that point.

I do, however, doubt that your parents in law were 'forced' to make a purchase or leave a deposit.

[wilrc1]

Come on, who wins a prize then is expected to give their bank details, who in their right mind would give their bank details!!! you cannot be serious... then they agreed to purchase the photos.. their absolute stupidity beggers belief.

[brucetiki]

This is a typical Studio 2000 scam. My parents got duped into buying photos from a 'free' photo shoot about 20 years ago.

What Studio 2000 do is go around shopping Centres with a few portraits for people to vote for in a free competition (and they get quite aggressive if you say no). They then use these entries to call people saying they've 'won' a free photo shoot. Then they get trapped into purchasing thousands of dollars of photos.