Glamour Shots ripoff, misleading sales practice, hidden costs, false advertising on website Lake Grove New York

I visited glamour shots online and thought what a great gift for my husband for our anniversary. Sepia, colorization, any picture enhancements included in package purchases.

My daughter and I visited the glamour shots in the lake grove mall on 7/19/2005. I was being helped by Ali. I was explained packages started at $100. She gave me a tour, showed me all the different ways they could modify pictures by using the "glam touch", B/W, add color, etc in these $100 packages. Also, they help "build different packages" to accommodate customers and budgets.

If I booked an appointment right there I could pay a $20 club fee which entitled my daughter and I to a "free" makeover and photo session. Plus, I would get a "free" 8x10 of any picture. Appts. should take 2-3 hours and pictures were available immediately afterwards. I made an appt. for 7/22/05. I left a $20 nonrefundable deposit to hold my appt.

On 7/22/05 my daughter and I showed up for our 9:45am appt. Jennifer G. was the makeup artist and Victoria S was the photographer. I asked if they were both licensed and they stated yes. There is nothing posted anywhere to verify.

Everything went well, I again confirmed packages started at $100 and they agreed. Victoria showed me a book they had with regular pictures and glamour shot pictures all differently enhanced. Again, no extra prices/costs, signs anywhere in the store to state otherwise.

I had to leave at 2PM- 4 and a half hours later--and go back that night at 7pm. to view pictures because it was taking a while to download.

I went back at 7pm and met with Deborah E. Nobody who I have been dealing with was there. We went over my pictures I wanted to keep. I was going to order a 7 picture collage for $299 and thought the other pictures would be "built" into packages.

After we went thru the colors, B/W, sepia w/ color, etc. Deborah was now going to let me know how much everything was- $5,575.00 No this is not a misprint!!!

Needless to say I was flabbergasted. I explained to Deborah I was shocked and was told packages started at $100 with any picture enhancements I wanted. She stated "I'm sorry but it is an additional $75 per person per photo to "glam touch" and any other enhancements are charged per photo per person accordingly. Also, the pearlized paper we use is $30 per sheet. I'm sorry. I wasn't the one who pitched the sale."

After 1 and a half hours I picked 3 packages; which were suppose to be $90 a piece plus the extra charge and my "free" 8x10 wasn't free. I HAD to pay for some sort of enhancement to get it "free".

Total damage--$716.93 - $20 deposit = $696.63 (If I left then I would have lost my deposit)

I filed a complaint with the better business bureau and I filed with the Suffolk County Consumer Affairs. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the NYS Attorney General.

They need to be stopped in their tracks! I cannot imagine how many people fall into their trap; but it is unethical and intolerable!

Brenda
farmingville, New York
U.S.A.