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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School Photo payment.

44 replies

muggglewump · 03/10/2008 21:53

Before I start, can I just say that I have the money for these pictures, I will be buying them, I will also eat that week!
Sorry, but I felt it important to add that in light of recent things.

Anyway, moving on to the AIBU, to think that the school photo payment date is too soon.
This is the letter we had home today with the pics.

"Fotek require payment by Wednesday 15th October and as this is October holidays, all monies and orders will need to be in by Wednesday 8th October at the latest".

Less than a week? Really?
I'm not on benefits anymore, I will buy a photo, I have money to buy one but last year I couldn't have with that notice. ( I don't have a P1 photo for exectly this reason)
A week at least, preferably two so those on low budgets can manage it.
I'm so cross.

OP posts:
Portofino · 03/10/2008 22:00

I hate it when they do this. Normally I get my dd's lunch/afterschool form (about 100 euros) and it needs to be paid the next day, or day after. I kind of plan for it it but a bit of notice would be nice - never have that amount of money etc

FAQ · 03/10/2008 22:00

hmm I don't know about this one - as unless parents have children in school for the first time surely they'll know that the photos are being taken (we certainly did) - and that the payments are due quite soon after they arrive at the school (which is usually a week or two).

I'm on benefits and as soon as we were told the dates for the school photos started putting money aside to pay for them..

But then again 8th October is pretty short notice.

FreakyLadyFrightALot · 03/10/2008 22:03

erm the 8th is only one day short of a week...so, not sure what difference it makes, tbh...
also, surely if you would explain your circumstances, than I am sure those would be considered...

btw is this a class school pic or a individual pic...?

TinkerBellesMum · 03/10/2008 22:03

How much are the pictures? Trying to put it into my own context.

nametaken · 03/10/2008 22:09

you don't need to buy one every year - every other year is fine otherwise the kids don't really look any different.

Original poster
muggglewump · 03/10/2008 22:09

Oh and you can only order a pack.
The only pack that has two large photos is £22, the cheapest pack is £10 but doesn't have a large photo.
I want two large photos and that's it.
Of course you can order extras at a cost, but only if you buy a pack first!

OP posts:
EyeballsintheSky · 03/10/2008 22:11

I assume you got the job that you were talking about? Congrats Hope it's all working out well.

FAQ · 03/10/2008 22:11

nametaken - my kids do.......and I'm still bitter that we didn't get DS1's invidual photo of his last year at infant school - exH decided that we only needed the group one (of him and DS2 and 3)

Bridie3 · 03/10/2008 22:11

I never buy them--I think they're over-priced and the children never look as nice as they do when my FIL takes pictures of them.

StewieGriffinsMom · 03/10/2008 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

FreakyLadyFrightALot · 03/10/2008 22:13

if I am really honest, in general schoolphotos go on my tits, so to say, as much as school uniform, and those long schooldays and the early starting age....
I suppose I don't really like it at all, just going with it because that is how ot is, sigh

but, well, in germany we only ever had 1 schoolpic....it never really took off....but it was rubbish and embareesing...for me at the time...
surely if your parents really want a prof pic they do pixie photo or something...otherwise family pics on normal camera are far nicer...

pointydog · 03/10/2008 22:17

The photo is taken with at least one week's notice. You then wait about two weeks for the proof. Then you order.

You;ve had plenty of notice. YABU

MrsMertle · 03/10/2008 22:17

when did your DC have photo taken?

Original poster
muggglewump · 03/10/2008 22:18

FAQ, the pics were taken two weeks ago.
I can buy them, but that's not the point. I couldn't one year, partly down to the lack of time to pay, and partly down to the packs thing.

Of course I don't need a school photo every year, but I'd like one, I'd at least like the chance to buy one but it makes it hard when they do it this way.

This year I'll have loads of them, most that I don't want just so I can get two large ones. I may be better off now I'm working but I hardly have money (or photos) to waste!

OP posts:
TinkerBellesMum · 03/10/2008 22:18

Well to put it into context for me, I'm going to the GP next week to hopefully get a prescription for an abdominal tubigrip as I can't afford the £20 for a maternity belt and the physio said it might help in the meantime.

pointydog · 03/10/2008 22:18

The phots aren't even that great. Don't buy them

MrsMertle · 03/10/2008 22:19

so you knew two weeks ago and you have nearly another week to pay.

YABU, you've had 3 weeks notice.

FAQ · 03/10/2008 22:21

so they were taken 2 weeks ago, you get nearly a week to pay for them - and I'm presuming you knew before the photos were taken when they would be done.....time to save (not to mention I know in my DS's schools they're always taken around this time of year - so infact a year to save up) - and if you couldn't afford them then you don't buy them anyhow.

jasmeeen · 03/10/2008 22:22

YABU. You don't have to buy the photo. Take your own photos. I think the school photos are overpriced and not great quality. You aren't obliged to buy them. And unless it's a great photo, why would you?

Original poster
muggglewump · 03/10/2008 22:24

Eyeballs,
Yes, I did.
I've been there 5 weeks now. I'm loving working.
There's a few issues but it seems they will be sorted next week. (short staffed, gets too busy, complaining customers etc, nothing that is my fault!)
I feel very lucky to have got the job

OP posts:
FreakyLadyFrightALot · 03/10/2008 22:26

btw....the nursery I used had some fantastic photographers , and whilst pics were wuite expensive they were fantastic quality....and worth the moeny....

saying that, the group school photo of ys is seriously cute, with ys grinning totally inane but cutely, lol

ConnorTraceptive · 03/10/2008 22:28

Some companies can give you the proof straight away these days.

I think the way you have to buy packs is shite though.

AbbeyA · 03/10/2008 22:29

YABU. Notice of the photos is usually given ages before they are taken, at the school I was at today the parents have already had notice of a date in November. Lots of people don't have them, simply don't buy them.

TinkerBellesMum · 03/10/2008 22:32

I think what you're trying to say is that OK you've had however long since you were told the pictures were going to be taken but if you were on benefits and you didn't have a time scale as to how long till they wanted the money it creeps up on you.

I don't think it's fair for people to say it happens as soon as you go back. I changed schools after a term and missed out on pictures at both schools because the first school had them late in the year and the second school had them in the first term.

Original poster
muggglewump · 03/10/2008 22:33

I only knew two days before they were getting done but fair enough IABU.
I guess when I was on benefits, I found it really hard to find the money, especially as you can't just buy what you want, you have to buy packs, and in this case, they take a week off your saving up time due to holidays and give you a few days notice!
I do want DD's school picture, perhaps daft but I do and as I've said, I can afford it this year but I do think the way they have done it is unthinking of people on a low budget.

Moving on, AIBU to take DD's official school jumper costing £12 into school and show the Headmaster that it has not worn as well as the 3rd hand £4 Asda cardi that DD has?

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