Pure space photography studio scam

[Dujoj]

Hi everyone,
I have been scammed. I contacted this studio online and shortly after they called me saying that my daughter has been shortlisted. Suprise Suprise!!!! I've been asked to pay £50 upfront which then can be refunded if I decide not to purchase any pics. Also they claimed they can put me in touch with local modelling agencies.
We went there Fri a week ago. Photo session was ok although they said that it's going to be up to 4 hrs, it wasn't. The whole thing lasted about 90 min.
After session we were invited to the office where we could see the photos. Then the guy started saying you understand what's going on here! I was compelling taken by surprise. I thought I can picked up few pics and that's it but he didn't even mention this. Instead he showed me this packages, very pricey and started pushing for sales. He didn't give me chance to think about it. It was aggressive. I signed the agreement!!!
The wake up call came on the train when I started reviewing all what's happened and then checking comments online about that company. I felt very idiotic and I couldn't believe I have been that stupid!!!
Anyway if you come across Pure space photography studio from London try to avoid them!!!
Second thing what can I do to cancel this? I have read that I am not allow cooling period because that wasn't done at the door step or via Internet. Docs clearly states no cancellations but I wonder is there anything which can be done to undo that? Please Could you help fellow mums? Thanks a lot!!

What was it you agreed to?

I paid £300 deposit, I agreed to purchase 80 pics for £800 in total. £50 monthly instalments. I can use the photos after all payment is completed. stupid I know!!!

Did you pay by credit or debit card?

Jesus, £800

They are all like this I did it with a friend about 20 years ago

Was quite surprised by being plied with booze and given a mega hard sell.

I'm sorry they are expert at extracting money.

£800!!!

You poor thing.

That’s a lot of money

Photo session was ok although they said that it's going to be up to 4 hrs, it wasn't. The whole thing lasted about 90 min.

90 minutes is up to four hours so they were honest with you. £800 for 80 professional photos is a lot of money but it's not unreasonable for what you get, it's only £10 a photo.

Arghh I HATE photographers like this, they give the rest of us a bad name :(

Might the 14 day cooling off period apply because they initially contacted you and took a deposit over the phone? Look up the distance selling regulations and see, as if they apply I'd imagine the law would override anything in the contract/agreement you signed.

Surely you get a 14 day refund ??

If you can find any way in which the service/goods you have purchased are 'not as described' then you could try a charge back (debit card) or section 75 claim (credit card) but it won't succeed if the company can evidence that you got what you paid for, even if it is a complete rip-off.

Cut your losses and pay the £350 for nothing?
Do you like the photos? It's a lot of money but also something that you will have for ever and not going to get sick of if you see what I mean.

I paid deposit by credit card.

Surely you don't have to pay the monthly installments? They can potentially take you to small claims I suppose but might not win.

Sorry you've been scammed OP. There are a lot of child "modelling agencies" out there scamming the crap out of parents who (rightly) think their DC is the most beautiful creature ever created.

Thanks for spreading the word!

Most of the photos are looking good in my none professional opinion.
And from would i read they are good to use as portfolio.
My principal is that none info has been given about the possibility of packages and prices. All what I have been told was that if I am not interested I can get my deposit back or get a photo or more if I choose to.
The way they doing this was horrible.
Anyway lesson learnt!!!

Most of the photo shoot deals online are a scam. It's always "packages" stretching to hundreds. If they offer you x free prints it'll be the same image X 3 and probably literally printed out etc not electronic. Just avoid them all!

I got bitten last year and am still fuming. Not as much money as you but it's gamblers fallacy isn't it, you're all made up and have spent time getting there and the pictures seem nice enough and if you're essentially leaving with naff all otherwise it's easy to get suckered in. I understand! And I'm really not usually a gullible person. Much sympathy op.

I think there's some hope then as you paid by credit card. Start by making contact with the CC company as credit gives you additional rights.
Have a look on the MSE forum to see if there's any advice there.

The coolong off periodonly applies if the contract is concluded at a distance. As you physically signed in theor office you have no cancellation right.

You can't use them in a portfolio. The reason is that if your child is subsequently taken on by a professional and reputable modelling or performing arts agency, they will do their own photo shoot and prepare their own portfolio. They will not use photos that you provide.

From what I read you can provide your own portfolio but that doesn't necessarily have to be accepted.
Could you please give me some examples of reputable agencies? Thanks

This has been a very well known scam for at least 20 years if not longer

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Very few children make it in the modelling industry, let this be an expensive lesson.

I signed the agreement!!!

Head/desk.

Lunacy!

I was under the impression that agencies would do portfolios for people they were interested in/ had something as a model.

I mean I've never done it etc but seem to remember this was advice from teen girl mags back in the 80s!