Very Troubling TV New Series

Greatwhite · Oct 3, 2007

http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_270210929.html

This is where I watched it.....the video is just to the left of the article...

AprilRamone · Oct 3, 2007

Thanks for posting that Garrett.

Honestly, you can never really trust what's presented in a local news story because there's always going to be some angle that they are trying to get. But, as I watched it, I felt that these couples obviously had some sort of expectations that weren't met. I got the feeling that their issues mostly stemmed from bad business practices and then they added on to their complaints from that. Like they were pissed about not having albums given in a decent timeframe and then added in the stuff about electrical cords showing or glares.
But we don't know to what extent he promised he would deliver. So it's hard to automatically jump in to his defense. If it were only glares and cords showing and no complaints about his customer service it would be easier to swallow for me.

But, I'm an optimist and I don't think he has to let this ruin the business. It should give him a chance to reconcile the complaints he has received and hopefully in the future he can figure out a way to keep his customers happy.

And, on the subject of the BBB, if your business receives a complaint, do they notify you?

BEvaristo · Oct 3, 2007

AprilRamone said:
And, on the subject of the BBB, if your business receives a complaint, do they notify you?

Yes, I work for a large company and handle some of the BBB complaints we get from time to time. Once it is received, they get your primary business location address (Headquarters or Owner listed on Business License) and send you notification. You have a certain amount of time, usually about 30 days, to respond to the complaint. Your response is then sent to the person that originally filed the complaint and they have a chance to respond. There are times that we can't satisfy the person completely and let the BBB know what attempts we have made but were unsuccessful in an amicable resolution, and they put that in the file and close out the complaint. There are no penalties for not responding, other than putting blemishes on your company's history, which in the long run can be more harmful than a simple penalty. Participation in the BBB is not mandatory, but again, having a clean record, or at least resolving past complaints, can only help you in the long run.

Big Mike · Oct 3, 2007

I just watched it...and I can see both sides. On one hand, the business owners don't seem to be doing a good job, if they are not responding to customer's calls. Sending another photographer isn't a crime but it would be good form to let the couple know that. They also seem to be taking a long time to deliver the products...but that is something that should be figured out before hand...and the news story left that out.

On the other hand, several of the complaints were about the quality of the shots. From what I could tell...there were some problems...but they were not terrible. Part of the problem, I'm sure, is that the brides were expecting shots like they see in magazines, but they think that $1000 (or whatever) is a really high fee to pay. If they had hired a photographer based on more on reputation and portfolio, than on price...they probably wouldn't have this problem. It seems a little harsh for this situation but; you get what you pay for.

And of course, there is the news reporting. These small time news people want to think that they are Geraldo or that they are on 20-20....so they hype it up and sensationalize it.

jols · Oct 3, 2007

sabbath999 said:
$699? I charged $1000 20 years ago when I was shooting weddings simply for my time and a book of proofs.

quote]

wow yoour expensive cant wait to look at your pics.

how much do you charge now. just for a basic package and how long does it take you to deliver the pics

AprilRamone · Oct 3, 2007

BEvaristo said:
Participation in the BBB is not mandatory, but again, having a clean record, or at least resolving past complaints, can only help you in the long run.

It sounds like you don't really get a choice to participate in the BBB if a customer takes it to them. If you just mean that you don't have to participate by responding then I get what you are saying. But, in my opinion, having your business listed on there and having unresolved complaints is still sort of like being forced to participate. I doubt you can just ask them to take you off of there completely when you have a complaint :lol:

BEvaristo · Oct 3, 2007

AprilRamone said:
It sounds like you don't really get a choice to participate in the BBB if a customer takes it to them. If you just mean that you don't have to participate by responding then I get what you are saying. But, in my opinion, having your business listed on there and having unresolved complaints is still sort of like being forced to participate. I doubt you can just ask them to take you off of there completely when you have a complaint

That's correct. You can choose not to respond but if you value your business at all, you are forced to participate in their dispute resolution.

Chris of Arabia · Oct 3, 2007

Presumably you get a choice as to whether your business is listed on the BBB?

sabbath999 · Oct 3, 2007

I don't do weddings any more, nor any commercial work at all at this present time. Wedding photography prices have not changed much over the years, compared to other things... which makes them a pretty darned good bargain for the consumer these days.

spmonkey2 · Oct 16, 2007

Hello I found this board when I was doing some research on the company. I can speak first hand that the quality was not bad. Yes you get what you paid for. Now the problem to me isnt the quality it is the fact the product has not been delivered as promised. They keep giving me and my wife excuses for why our photos are not ready. I just want my pictures right now quality is not the issue. Im pretty sure each of yall actually provide what was promised and paid for. As for the Criners they have not. It upsets me also to look at their page and see people are still using them.

el_shorty · Oct 16, 2007

It seems that there are more complaints about undelivered photos, http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_288225159.html

nossie · Oct 17, 2007

The question I wanted answered is did he promise photos? My sister’s budget wedding in Vegas resulted in her being handed 2 rolls of film, apparently she claimed that she paid for prints and so she got 7 x 5s an hour later. Her fault for not caring over the specific details of what she’s paying for.
So did these people make assumptions that they would receive an Album and prints or did they explicitly order Albums and prints etc?
Having seen this second report it’s getting more and more dubious that the guy has an attitude. http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_288225159.html

Finally I think that if he’s in the clear then the law will vindicate him and the news channel won’t be let away with their claims and nor the brides.

Anyway having read this whole thread and seen the Bridezilla TV show. I think I’ll be writing a thorough contract before I ever do any wedding and force majeure will be a big part of it but that’s for another thread.

SPMonkey – tell us more of your experience, what did you order versus what do you think you ordered? Do you have a contract that states you will get X,Y&Z in 30 days? The product that you say was not delivered was it explicit that it would be? I want to be sure that there were no assumptions made on the client’s side, even if ambiguity was the fault of the photographer.

Ray.

raider · Oct 19, 2007

GOOD! get rid of all the guys with cameras (gwacs). These people just get in the way of real professionals. It's hard to convey to bridal consumers that the lowest price may hurt you. I've seen this at a wedding I was hired to videotape a while back - the photographer's business cards were cut out with scissors and had a clip art rose on it. The pics were awful - I asked the bride if these were the pics from the disposables put out on the tables, but no, they were the photographer's. The news piece did him a favor - time that people start telling others the truth - find another job that you may actually be good at. I see it here all the time. "I'm just starting - should I buy a second camera or a home computer to edit pictures" -- great, then they get slammed in a 5 minute news piece spotlighting your "business". Sometimes people are way too nice.

and yes I'm bitter, I'm in Iraq - leave me alone.

THORHAMMER · Oct 19, 2007

Have a contract , spell everything out well.
Indicate that weather / timeframe etc will have some bearing on the
photos , but then strive to do your best.

Indicate the timeline to process the pictures and exactly what
package they are getting in the contract.

Also having them sign a clause that as long as your pictures are
indicative of whats in your portfolio, and you deliver on time they cannot sue you for any damages whatsoever relating to the pictures.

If they do not want to sign that clause then you have to
wonder if this is a sue-happy bridezilla. If you charging
5K and up its prob a good idea to go for it, if its only 1-2K and they dont want to sign, then just let them go.