Shouted at and bag searched in the street for shoplifting! (I didn't). LONG

[TRexingInSportsDirect]

AIBU to think this is the worst 'prize' ever?

I won a FB competition for a 'boudoir' photoshoot. The shoot itself was fine; they gave me a price list but told me 'but there are always special offers on the day'. This referred to the 'reveal' day, where you book an appointment to see and order the photos. I got a free photo as part of my prize, and thought I might buy some if the special offer was good.

Today was 'reveal' day. There were no special offers, so we picked the free photo, the lady put it in a bag, and we asked if we could order other photos later. She said something like "not really, we told you you have to order today otherwise all the photos [prints] get destroyed. You can book an appointment to come back but it costs 50 pounds'. So we asked to go back to the reveal room, which was fine. We umm-ed and ahh-ed a bit but decided not to buy anything. We said thank you and bye to the lady at the desk, she said bye and we left.

Walking back to the car, past shoppers and people sat outside at cafes, we heard someone who sounded pretty angry shout from good 50 yards away "Excuse me" - it was the woman shouting at us!! She continued "Can you come back here please, I need to check your bag"! Obviously while dying of embarrassment we hurried over and showed her our bag only had the one free photo in. She was saying 'Oh this is soooo awkward' (erm, it's not exactly a picnic for me, thanks)!!!

Anyway, she said some photos were "missing". We explained we moved some and put them next to others to compare, but they were all still there. She said no I've counted them. My husband suggested we go back with her and sort it out, and she said no, I know who you are, I'll count again and I'll email you. So we did the walk of shame to the car in front of everyone who was probably wondering where we'd hidden the stolen photos! I was so upset, embarrassed and shocked, I just cried (i'm not a crier normally)!! We were supposed to go to the cinema tonight, to have a date - needless to say I didn't feel like it, date's cancelled and I feel like crap.

AIBU to be really pissed off and upset, and think being shouted at and accused of theft in the street is pretty much the shittest prize ever?

some do i went to a house loads of soft focus towel clutching pictures masses of makeup on all over the walls and on top of the tv

I have seen some up in a house for sale which I viewed! Even the estate agent cringed. Also had a large parrot which freaked me out more.

YANBU. I sympathise, OP. I had one of those shoots.

The photographer was a prick who was more interested in flirting with the make-up artist than taking photos of me. At one point, he shushed me when I asked a question because he wanted to talk to MUP!!

I was also badgered into buying pics. They wanted me to spend £900. I spent £100. I hate looking at the pics because it reminds me of that awful day. I should have complained.

I hate these scams. I "won" a competition when I was a teenager. The guy on the phone was fast talking, and very full on. He said that if I wanted to bring my partner along for the photo shoot, it would be £30. Stupidly, I paid that over the phone. When I spoke to my partner, he told me that it was a scam, and they swindle thousands out of people, I called the guy back to tell him that I wasn't interested, and I wanted a refund on my £30. He became very aggressive, and refused to refund me. He said that he'd told me it was non refundable, and the call had been recorded. I doubt this was true, but who knows? They scammed 30 quid out of me for nothing. It could have been a lot worse if I'd gone along. :(

Years later, I "won" a competition for a family photo session, and free photo. I explained to the woman on the phone that I had no money, and I would only be taking the free photo. She said that unless I spent at least £200, then me claiming the "prize" wouldn't be worth their time. She then thanked me, for being honest and up front with her.

Maybe they should have to be honest and up front with people, and these scams shouldn't be allowed. It's very high pressure, pushy, hard selling, and they must con thousands out of vulnerable people. :(