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Hi, I've just found this site when I was reading some of the reviews for chique photography. I have just had an experience much like those listed. My daughter bought me a photograph session with Chique Photography Studio in Hull as a mother's day gift. I booked the appointment for 10am on Friday 28th May 2021 as it was my birthday a couple of days before and we had planned to celebrate on the Friday night, I'd thought I'd be feeling confident (something I have lacked a lot lately) and would be all 'done up' after the make over.
I arrived 5 mins early and was greeted by a guy called Craig, he offered me a drink with options of prosecco, bucks fizz, tea or coffee. The info I had received from them prior to my appointment stated that I would be offered a drink of bucks fizz on arrival, I opted for the prosecco and was given a full glass and shown to waiting area. Went in and had hair and make up done, including lashes, which I had previously been told would cost £6. Went in for first part of photo shoot, photographer was really reassuring, kept telling me how gorgeous I looked on the camera and when my glass was empty she refilled it with more prosecco while I got changed then continued with shoot. When finished (I'd been there just under 2 hours), I was directed to a waiting area.
As I took a seat Craig reappeared with another full glass of prosecco for me and some small fancy sweets on a display plate. He said he was just going in the other room while he checked the photos and a few minutes later called me into the room. The photos were on his computer screen and I have to admit that I really liked them. I explained to him several times that I couldn't afford any of the packages but gave him my bank card to pay the £6 for the eyelashes. I had been asked prior to my appointment to bring I. D in with me as the card details they had for the booking was my daughters, I gave Craig my bank statement and my post office account statement along with my provisional licence. He talked to me all the time about how great the photos were and how it would be a real shame to not have them and if I didn't buy them that day then they would all be deleted. I told him my only income is £21.15p per week for child allowance but he just kept repeating how gorgeous the photos were and kept offering different packages to me. I was feeling the affects of all the prosecco but told him again that I didn't have an income. We briefly talked about a job that I may soon be starting pending DBS application and certificate arrival. I told him that it was quite promising and its £50a day Monday through to Friday. He offered me more prosecco, all the time flicking back and forth through the photos on his screen saying I like that one, you look gorgeous. They're such good photos, would be such a shame to have to delete them. Then said my best offer is, to which I said no and reiterated I only receive child allowance, can't commit until I have an income.
It all gets a bit hazy at this point, I remember he made several different 'this is my best offer' talks, all of which I declined. Then he said he would make me his very best offer, which I declined. I said I needed to pay for the eyelashes. He repeated how wonderful the photos were, I ended up first texting my boyfriend and then ringing him (whilst he was at work, not something I would consider except in an emergency under normal circumstances). My boyfriend said No! Craig talked more about how the photos were going to be deleted that day. I couldn't decide which one to choose as the print that came with the package my daughter had already paid for and had narrowed it down to 3 from 94. Craig then leant forward and said his very best offer is that for all of them he would spread the cost over 12 months and give me 2 prints, again I said no. Then he said that the VERY best he could do is to spread the cost over 12 months, give me 3 prints and because the photos were so good he would pay the £6 for the eyelashes AND would pay the first installment himself so that I didn't have to pay anything until July 10th and that would give me chance to start my new job.
The next thing I recall is him putting a form in front of me telling me to sign on the dotted line, to which I complied. He said finance had been granted, gave me a plastic package with a dongle inside and a piece of paper which he put in an envelope with the 3 prints. I left the premises. I don't remember my walk into Hessle centre from their studio, and I don't remember most of the bus journey home. When I sobered up the horror of what happened hit me. I never told my boyfriend what happened, I Darenth as we are already struggling financially. I woke early the following morning and emailed the studio to let them know that I couldn't afford the repayments and wanted to cancel the financial agreement. I informed them that the item was still in my bag, untouched and unopened and that I wanted to return it to them. I also contacted the finance company and told them what had happened. I received reply from finance company stating that I had to contact the studio.
I emailed the studio again but received no reply. I contacted
C. A. B and followed the advice they gave me with regards to requesting to cancel the contract in the cool off period. I also contacted the finance company again and told them that I believed that there was incorrect information on the form that Craig filled in. I received an email from Craig, he states he didn't know my income and only offered me 20 per cent off, he also stated that the area manager had been trying to contact me.
He said that I had completed another form after I had signed the contract, a feedback from, and on that form I had written that I'd had a great time and start new job in 2 weeks. I do not remember filling in this form. I checked my emails, text messages And missed phone calls, there was no record of any communication from her. . I contacted the area manager and explained everything to her. She seemed to be very understanding and said she would speak with the directors to see what she could do and would contact me the following Monday. I rang her again on the following Tuesday but she didn't answer, when I finally did manage to speak to her on the following Friday she told me that she had spoken to her directors and the finance company and said that there's nothing she could do, she said because I signed the agreement I am obligated to pay it.
I would never have agreed to any financial agreement under normal circumstances, I don't have any credit anywhere, no hp, no catalogue, no loans etc. I don't even have a bank overdraft because I know I cannot afford it. I feel that the mixture of the alcohol they provided me with (yes, I willingly drank it, BIG mistake!) and the flow of compliments (they knew before the photo shoot that I was feeling frumpy and very low on confidence and self esteem because prior to the make over I was asked to complete a form asking me what I wanted to gain from the days experience and why)., I got caught up with it all and behaved totally out of character in signing the contract. I can't afford a solicitor, I'm not technology savvy and I really really don't know what to do. I'm frantically searching for a job but no success yet. I don't know what to do, please, is there any help or advice that you can give with regards to this?
Sorry my message is so long, I wanted to provide you with as much detail as possible. Thank you
I arrived 5 mins early and was greeted by a guy called Craig, he offered me a drink with options of prosecco, bucks fizz, tea or coffee. The info I had received from them prior to my appointment stated that I would be offered a drink of bucks fizz on arrival, I opted for the prosecco and was given a full glass and shown to waiting area. Went in and had hair and make up done, including lashes, which I had previously been told would cost £6. Went in for first part of photo shoot, photographer was really reassuring, kept telling me how gorgeous I looked on the camera and when my glass was empty she refilled it with more prosecco while I got changed then continued with shoot. When finished (I'd been there just under 2 hours), I was directed to a waiting area.
As I took a seat Craig reappeared with another full glass of prosecco for me and some small fancy sweets on a display plate. He said he was just going in the other room while he checked the photos and a few minutes later called me into the room. The photos were on his computer screen and I have to admit that I really liked them. I explained to him several times that I couldn't afford any of the packages but gave him my bank card to pay the £6 for the eyelashes. I had been asked prior to my appointment to bring I. D in with me as the card details they had for the booking was my daughters, I gave Craig my bank statement and my post office account statement along with my provisional licence. He talked to me all the time about how great the photos were and how it would be a real shame to not have them and if I didn't buy them that day then they would all be deleted. I told him my only income is £21.15p per week for child allowance but he just kept repeating how gorgeous the photos were and kept offering different packages to me. I was feeling the affects of all the prosecco but told him again that I didn't have an income. We briefly talked about a job that I may soon be starting pending DBS application and certificate arrival. I told him that it was quite promising and its £50a day Monday through to Friday. He offered me more prosecco, all the time flicking back and forth through the photos on his screen saying I like that one, you look gorgeous. They're such good photos, would be such a shame to have to delete them. Then said my best offer is, to which I said no and reiterated I only receive child allowance, can't commit until I have an income.
It all gets a bit hazy at this point, I remember he made several different 'this is my best offer' talks, all of which I declined. Then he said he would make me his very best offer, which I declined. I said I needed to pay for the eyelashes. He repeated how wonderful the photos were, I ended up first texting my boyfriend and then ringing him (whilst he was at work, not something I would consider except in an emergency under normal circumstances). My boyfriend said No! Craig talked more about how the photos were going to be deleted that day. I couldn't decide which one to choose as the print that came with the package my daughter had already paid for and had narrowed it down to 3 from 94. Craig then leant forward and said his very best offer is that for all of them he would spread the cost over 12 months and give me 2 prints, again I said no. Then he said that the VERY best he could do is to spread the cost over 12 months, give me 3 prints and because the photos were so good he would pay the £6 for the eyelashes AND would pay the first installment himself so that I didn't have to pay anything until July 10th and that would give me chance to start my new job.
The next thing I recall is him putting a form in front of me telling me to sign on the dotted line, to which I complied. He said finance had been granted, gave me a plastic package with a dongle inside and a piece of paper which he put in an envelope with the 3 prints. I left the premises. I don't remember my walk into Hessle centre from their studio, and I don't remember most of the bus journey home. When I sobered up the horror of what happened hit me. I never told my boyfriend what happened, I Darenth as we are already struggling financially. I woke early the following morning and emailed the studio to let them know that I couldn't afford the repayments and wanted to cancel the financial agreement. I informed them that the item was still in my bag, untouched and unopened and that I wanted to return it to them. I also contacted the finance company and told them what had happened. I received reply from finance company stating that I had to contact the studio.
I emailed the studio again but received no reply. I contacted
C. A. B and followed the advice they gave me with regards to requesting to cancel the contract in the cool off period. I also contacted the finance company again and told them that I believed that there was incorrect information on the form that Craig filled in. I received an email from Craig, he states he didn't know my income and only offered me 20 per cent off, he also stated that the area manager had been trying to contact me.
He said that I had completed another form after I had signed the contract, a feedback from, and on that form I had written that I'd had a great time and start new job in 2 weeks. I do not remember filling in this form. I checked my emails, text messages And missed phone calls, there was no record of any communication from her. . I contacted the area manager and explained everything to her. She seemed to be very understanding and said she would speak with the directors to see what she could do and would contact me the following Monday. I rang her again on the following Tuesday but she didn't answer, when I finally did manage to speak to her on the following Friday she told me that she had spoken to her directors and the finance company and said that there's nothing she could do, she said because I signed the agreement I am obligated to pay it.
I would never have agreed to any financial agreement under normal circumstances, I don't have any credit anywhere, no hp, no catalogue, no loans etc. I don't even have a bank overdraft because I know I cannot afford it. I feel that the mixture of the alcohol they provided me with (yes, I willingly drank it, BIG mistake!) and the flow of compliments (they knew before the photo shoot that I was feeling frumpy and very low on confidence and self esteem because prior to the make over I was asked to complete a form asking me what I wanted to gain from the days experience and why)., I got caught up with it all and behaved totally out of character in signing the contract. I can't afford a solicitor, I'm not technology savvy and I really really don't know what to do. I'm frantically searching for a job but no success yet. I don't know what to do, please, is there any help or advice that you can give with regards to this?
Sorry my message is so long, I wanted to provide you with as much detail as possible. Thank you
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