Am I a cheapie?

Question

I took my daughters for portraits today, but our portrait session was interrupted because a lady that showed up 20 minutes late for her kid's appointment was throwing a fit wanting to get her pictures done so I volunteered to take a break and let them snap her pictures for her- being polite- which I know is unheard of these days. After we resumed our portrait session the photographer wanted to charge me for TWO setting fees because her computer counted it as two because we paused then resumed and I refused to pay for the second one. The photographer made some comment about how I shouldn't have had the kids' pictures taken if I wasn't willing to pay for them. I called her supervisor and complained and they gave me a certificate for a free setting fee next time around, although considering I paid for two today when I shouldn't have had to, I don't really feel that is enough compensation for the photographers rudeness considering I did THEM a favor by allowing them to interrupt my session

Answer 1

No you're not a cheapie...they did you wrong. I'd write a letter asking for a refund (which i doubt you'll ever get, but at least you put pen to paper showing you're serious)

Answer 2

You DEFINITELY should not have paid for two sessions and you're not being cheap. If it was a private portrait studio, offer them the choice of refunding your money or being contacted by the local TV station's consumer protection reporter. If it's part of a big chain or a larger department store, work your way up the chain of management (try the store manager, then the head office of the chain).

In the future, just refuse to sign the second credit card slip. They can't charge you for something you didn't sign for.

Answer 3

The company you went to was uncompletely unfair. You only had one setting really, just split into two different times (which you didn't really have control over). Then the woman who missed her apointment shouldn't have been allowed to cut in front of you.

If it weren't for you letting the other woman use your time, that photographer wouldn't have made money from that. In fact, I think the photographer should have given you a discount the day of the setting. I wouldn't use that company again (though maybe after the free certificate is used).

Answer 4

Cheapie? Hell no. I would NOT have paid for two sessions. That's the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. I would have raised a bigger ruckus then you did. I have been "screwed" so many times I have just had enough. Not any more. You were nice enough to pause and let the screaming lady cut in after being late and then to be treated like that!!! They owe you more then a free setting if you ask me.

Answer 5

No, you are not a cheapie. It was very kind of you to volunteer to take a break so that this BIG MOUTH could get her pictures taken. The photograph was WRONG for charging you for two settings. You did him/her a favor.
If I had been the photographer, I would have told the 20 minute late person, that they could either wait or make another appointment.

Answer 6

I think it is time for you to move on to another photo studio. Look for one that doesn't have idiots as their contact point with customers. They should have thanked you from the bottom of their hearts for letting them accommodate that other woman. Instead they try to screw you out of a sitting fee and blame it on the computer.

Try The Picture People, a chain that is in a lot of places. It always has coupons in the paper and in email for a free sitting fee (because of course they know that when you see the resulting pictures they will get a bucket of money from you anyway).

Answer 7

Unfortunately the nice people always seem to get the dodgy service. I would insist on a refund for at least one sitting, or your photos for free if they're extra. A certificate for a free sitting is useless, because I doubt you'll be going back again when you were treated so badly the first time!

Answer 8

They were so wrong in having you pay for 2 settings. I mean, you were the one that helped them resolve their situation out of the goodness of your being. Where has customer appreciation and customer service gone to. I agree that you need to write immediately to the corporate and explain your particular case. The next free setting is fine but what if you were someone that needed that money for food or whatever for your family. If they dont refund you, I would take your business somewhere else in the future.

Answer 9

I would have been furious. There is no way I would have paid for two sitting fees, and I would've thrown a fit right then and there. If it's a large company, I'd write a letter to let them know the situation.

Answer 10

I wouldn't pay them anything for the 2nd fee. You let someone else take pics between yours and that should not count against you. I would go even higher than the supervisor you spoke to.