URGENT BRIDAL PHOTOGRAPHY SCAM!
I work for a major news network in NY and this just crossed our wires...
Please let anyone you know getting married on Staten Island or using this vendor!
And DEFINITELY check your vendors at the BBB before booking them!
Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York, Inc.Ò
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-533-7500 | Fax: 212-477-4912
Media Alert – For Immediate Release, 3/1/2007
Consumer Alert: Michael’s ******** Photography
(Note: The BBB has located at least one consumer willing to share his or her experiences with the above company)
The Better Business Bureau serving Metropolitan New York has learned of a possible wedding photography scam operating out of Staten Island. The BBB has recently received several complaints against ‘Michael’s ******** Photography’ from consumers who paid for various wedding photography services but are now unable to get in touch with the business regarding photographs and albums still owed to them.
Consumers have reported paying thousands of dollars in up-front fees to “Michael V.”, the business owner, but have recently discovered that the company’s phone line has been disconnected, and the studio, located at 1690 Richmond Road in Staten Island, is closed. In addition, the BBB has discovered that the company’s web site at www.michaelsfineart.net is no longer available, and the site’s registrar indicates that the company’s account, which expired on the 7th of February, is pending renewal or deletion.
While its most recent complaints are still pending the firm’s response, the BBB has already issued an unsatisfactory rating as the result of two previous complaints sent to the business which went unanswered. The BBB offers the following tips to help guide consumers when choosing a wedding photographer:
§ Pay With Credit Cards: Credit cards offer consumers added protection in the event of a problem, because you can generally have your card issuer 'pull back' the charge and investigate any problems within 60 days of receiving your statement, even if you have already paid the charge. In some cases, they may extend you a longer 'dispute' period. Unfortunately, checks or cash offer no such protection.
§ Get Contracts in Writing: Remember that all written contracts should include specific dates, products, prices, name brands, and be signed by all parties involved. Cancellation policies should also be included in the contracts. This includes any refund policies and returns on deposits. If these are not already included in the contract, insist that they are added before you sign. New York state law allows businesses to set whatever refund or cancellation policy they desire. Do not assume that if you cancel a contract, you will receive a 100% refund. Be sure that you are aware of refund or cancellation policies before you sign a contract and that the terms are completely spelled out in the written contract. Also, try to keep deposits as small as possible as they are often non-refundable. Smaller deposits may mean less money lost if there is a change in plans.
§ Don't Be Lured By the Lowest Price: Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want to do it right. Be careful not to hire unknown companies simply because they advertise the lowest prices. First, research the company’s quality and reliability record.
§ Research A Company Before Using It: There are three simple ways to find a good company:
o Ask friends for the names of companies that they have used with good results.
o Ask for references. Any legitimate company will be pleased to provide previously satisfied clients. However, do not stop there. Follow through and actually call the clients to find out it they were satisfied and if they may have some suggestions about doing business with that particular company.
o Check companies with your local Better Business Bureau before doing business with them. In the event you do have a problem, you can also contact the BBB to file a complaint.
For more information on this and other NY-area businesses, please visit the NY BBB’s website at www.newyork.bbb.org. At our website, you can search for a particular company’s record, file a complaint, or read our tips, subject reports and news releases.
Please let anyone you know getting married on Staten Island or using this vendor!
And DEFINITELY check your vendors at the BBB before booking them!
Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York, Inc.Ò
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-533-7500 | Fax: 212-477-4912
Media Alert – For Immediate Release, 3/1/2007
Consumer Alert: Michael’s ******** Photography
(Note: The BBB has located at least one consumer willing to share his or her experiences with the above company)
The Better Business Bureau serving Metropolitan New York has learned of a possible wedding photography scam operating out of Staten Island. The BBB has recently received several complaints against ‘Michael’s ******** Photography’ from consumers who paid for various wedding photography services but are now unable to get in touch with the business regarding photographs and albums still owed to them.
Consumers have reported paying thousands of dollars in up-front fees to “Michael V.”, the business owner, but have recently discovered that the company’s phone line has been disconnected, and the studio, located at 1690 Richmond Road in Staten Island, is closed. In addition, the BBB has discovered that the company’s web site at www.michaelsfineart.net is no longer available, and the site’s registrar indicates that the company’s account, which expired on the 7th of February, is pending renewal or deletion.
While its most recent complaints are still pending the firm’s response, the BBB has already issued an unsatisfactory rating as the result of two previous complaints sent to the business which went unanswered. The BBB offers the following tips to help guide consumers when choosing a wedding photographer:
§ Pay With Credit Cards: Credit cards offer consumers added protection in the event of a problem, because you can generally have your card issuer 'pull back' the charge and investigate any problems within 60 days of receiving your statement, even if you have already paid the charge. In some cases, they may extend you a longer 'dispute' period. Unfortunately, checks or cash offer no such protection.
§ Get Contracts in Writing: Remember that all written contracts should include specific dates, products, prices, name brands, and be signed by all parties involved. Cancellation policies should also be included in the contracts. This includes any refund policies and returns on deposits. If these are not already included in the contract, insist that they are added before you sign. New York state law allows businesses to set whatever refund or cancellation policy they desire. Do not assume that if you cancel a contract, you will receive a 100% refund. Be sure that you are aware of refund or cancellation policies before you sign a contract and that the terms are completely spelled out in the written contract. Also, try to keep deposits as small as possible as they are often non-refundable. Smaller deposits may mean less money lost if there is a change in plans.
§ Don't Be Lured By the Lowest Price: Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want to do it right. Be careful not to hire unknown companies simply because they advertise the lowest prices. First, research the company’s quality and reliability record.
§ Research A Company Before Using It: There are three simple ways to find a good company:
o Ask friends for the names of companies that they have used with good results.
o Ask for references. Any legitimate company will be pleased to provide previously satisfied clients. However, do not stop there. Follow through and actually call the clients to find out it they were satisfied and if they may have some suggestions about doing business with that particular company.
o Check companies with your local Better Business Bureau before doing business with them. In the event you do have a problem, you can also contact the BBB to file a complaint.
For more information on this and other NY-area businesses, please visit the NY BBB’s website at www.newyork.bbb.org. At our website, you can search for a particular company’s record, file a complaint, or read our tips, subject reports and news releases.
