National Studios Inc. National Studios pulled the old bait-and-switch, took my money and my photos and left me with nothing Maryland Heights Missouri

I had my daughters' vintage photos taken in a Big Lots store in New Jersey. I had paid for the current promotion which was $19.99 plus tax (pay half at time of booking and the other half at the time of shoot) for a 12x16 and 16 wallets. On the day of the session, I had to wait for the photographer, who was on his cell phone on a personal call. I found him to be extremely rude and frightening to my kids. He was obviously in a terrible mood because he had been booked all weekend and was complaining to me and the other customers about it. He used repulsive language in front of my children while he was complaining and was bordering sexual harassment with me by the end of the shoot. I couldn't wait to be done with the session as it was extremely uncomfortable. He told me I would be receiving a post card in the mail after ten days and it would let me know when my pictures would be ready for viewing. I received the card within 5 days. I had plans that day so I called the 800 number and was told that I only had that day to view, otherwise, I would have to pay for shipping and they would mail me the photos without viewing. I cancelled my plans and went to view the photos. When I arrived to my dismay the 12x16 and 16 wallets was of only one of my daughters. I was shocked. The customer service rep assured me that it had been a lab mistake. Phoned lab and they told her there were no photos of my daughters together, so she proceeded to contact the photographer who assured her that he had the photos and would get them to me asap. She, in turn, promised for my inconvenience, that I would be receiving the complete package by mail of all the vintage photos plus a cd of what they had already taken and gave me a blue slip with a free reshoot, which would include, free photos in a future sitting (free photos included any pose of 12x16 and 16 wallets, 2-8x10's, 4-5x7's, 2-3x5's in the platinum session and it would cost me $159.99 for all this. So, I agreed to all of the above, scheduled my reshoot for the following week and paid a total of $185.08 (159.99 package + 3.99 Digital Storage Fee + 8.99 shipping + 7% tax). Several days later, I receive a phone call from the same customer rep telling me that she had been robbed and the person who robbed her had my credit card info. I immediately contacted my bank to cancel my card which cost another $7.50. At this time, she also told me the photographer must have inadvertently deleted the poses of my daughters together. As my husband and I thought about everything that had occurred, it left a sickening feeling in both our stomachs, so he called the company's main number to tell them what had happened. Right away, noone wanted to speak to him. He was immediately told by the person answering the telephone that he would not receive a refund as it is stated on the receipt, which I do not have a copy. The proceeded to transfer him to a woman Jeannette. He left several messages with Jeannette, who todate, has not contacted him. My husband talked me into going back for the reshoot so that I would atleast have something (my 12x16 of my girls together). Once again, the photographer was very abrupt with my daughters. I had to calm down my crying baby and my fearful 4 year old. Once the photo shoot was finished, the photographer showed me the photos on his camera to prove to me he had taken them this time. I don't want separate photos of my daughters. I'd like for them to view the photos when they're older and see themselves together and give our families a portrait of the two of them together as well. That was my point for having their picture done together in the first. On top of all of this, the photographer also tried to charge me the $10.69 for the other half of promo price. This company has definitely pulled a scam on me. They have walked away with $192.58 of my money. They've taken all my paperwork and I have no receipts, except for my credit card slip that shows payment. They will not refund my cash or give me any photos. All I wanted was my 12x16. I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and with their local Consumer Affairs Department.

Sandy jersey
Clifton, New Jersey
U.S.A.