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Decided to put this in sightings, but it's a company I'm dealing with right now.
A few months ago, both my kids (aged 12 and 15) went to different choir events for their schools. A company called Tri-Star Event Photography went to take pictures I guess. They both brought home permission slips to order pictures. I took a look at the cost, gasped and said that we would not be ordering pictures. They went to the event, the photographer convinced them to sign up for pictures by flat out lying to them (telling them that the paper was for the company to send them a link to order pictures if they wanted to at a later date). shortly after that, we received the pictures in the mail with a bill for almost 90 dollars (for 3 8x10's). I sent the forms and the pictures back in the same envelope. Now my daughter is receiving collection notices in the mail but my son is not. They obviously got his picture, and hers should be in the same envelope. I tried to call them, but got a message that this was their "Busy season" and I should contact them through their website. So I sent them this email:
Any thoughts? I try to be polite and professional, but I'm actually pretty annoyed by this. Both kids saw the photographer at different sites/events so I'm sure they are being honest with what they were told. According to the mail, I had a certain time frame to send the pictures back, and I did at that time.
A few months ago, both my kids (aged 12 and 15) went to different choir events for their schools. A company called Tri-Star Event Photography went to take pictures I guess. They both brought home permission slips to order pictures. I took a look at the cost, gasped and said that we would not be ordering pictures. They went to the event, the photographer convinced them to sign up for pictures by flat out lying to them (telling them that the paper was for the company to send them a link to order pictures if they wanted to at a later date). shortly after that, we received the pictures in the mail with a bill for almost 90 dollars (for 3 8x10's). I sent the forms and the pictures back in the same envelope. Now my daughter is receiving collection notices in the mail but my son is not. They obviously got his picture, and hers should be in the same envelope. I tried to call them, but got a message that this was their "Busy season" and I should contact them through their website. So I sent them this email:
My 15 year old daughter is receiving collection notices from you. I have several issues with this.
The first is, my daughter and son brought home a slip before the event at which you took pictures. I decided the cost of a photo was prohibitive, and explained to them that we would not be purchasing pictures. At the event itself, your employee informed my children that they were not signing up to order pictures, but that you would send, in the mail, a link and password to a website where they could order pictures at a later date, if they so wanted to. Then he pressured them to write down their address. A short time later, the pictures arrived in the mail. Your company practiced deceptive business practices, in first of all, lying to kids so they would fill out the forms for you, and then entering minors in a contract to pay. Both of which are illegal, I believe.
The second issue is, ALL sets of pictures were sent back to you. My 12 year old son is no longer receiving collection notices, but my daughter still is. All paperwork and pictures were sent in the same envelope. You found his, hers are in the same place. The account number is XXXX
I’ve done some looking on the web today, and noticed that you have MANY complaints, over several years with your business practices. I’ve even seen where people have paid so that you would not damage their minor children’s credit, or just to make the trouble stop. I will not do so. I expect something in writing, stating that you are removing the debt owed by my daughter, there will be no damage to her credit or my credit. I find your business practice of having children sign a contract abhorrent. I’ve read your responses online and find it no less troubling after your responses. You can send home links and passwords where parents, the adults, can purchase pictures. There is NO reason to pressure minors into ordering pictures and then billing CHILDREN for the amount. In this day of social media you have many options.
You have the photographs, I have fulfilled my end by returning the pictures before your deadline.
Please take care of this issue as soon as possible. I will also be speaking to both schools about the issues I’ve experienced and to also find out if other parents in the area are having the same problems.
You can email me either at this email address or XXXX
Thank you
April XXXX
The first is, my daughter and son brought home a slip before the event at which you took pictures. I decided the cost of a photo was prohibitive, and explained to them that we would not be purchasing pictures. At the event itself, your employee informed my children that they were not signing up to order pictures, but that you would send, in the mail, a link and password to a website where they could order pictures at a later date, if they so wanted to. Then he pressured them to write down their address. A short time later, the pictures arrived in the mail. Your company practiced deceptive business practices, in first of all, lying to kids so they would fill out the forms for you, and then entering minors in a contract to pay. Both of which are illegal, I believe.
The second issue is, ALL sets of pictures were sent back to you. My 12 year old son is no longer receiving collection notices, but my daughter still is. All paperwork and pictures were sent in the same envelope. You found his, hers are in the same place. The account number is XXXX
I’ve done some looking on the web today, and noticed that you have MANY complaints, over several years with your business practices. I’ve even seen where people have paid so that you would not damage their minor children’s credit, or just to make the trouble stop. I will not do so. I expect something in writing, stating that you are removing the debt owed by my daughter, there will be no damage to her credit or my credit. I find your business practice of having children sign a contract abhorrent. I’ve read your responses online and find it no less troubling after your responses. You can send home links and passwords where parents, the adults, can purchase pictures. There is NO reason to pressure minors into ordering pictures and then billing CHILDREN for the amount. In this day of social media you have many options.
You have the photographs, I have fulfilled my end by returning the pictures before your deadline.
Please take care of this issue as soon as possible. I will also be speaking to both schools about the issues I’ve experienced and to also find out if other parents in the area are having the same problems.
You can email me either at this email address or XXXX
Thank you
April XXXX
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