Being well-known doesn’t give one the right to treat people like crap
Earlier this year, we won a lucky draw prize at one of the weddings fairs we attended, entitling us to a free pre-wedding photography service from one of the supposedly well-known photography studios in town.
I guess we should’ve seen the signs at the beginning. Which genuine free voucher have you seen that doesn’t contain a list of T&Cs and at the very least, the contact details of the vendor providing the voucher? The only thing it stated on the voucher was that we were entitled to a free pre-wedding photography session, under the artistic direction of the photographer and we would get 20 softcopies of the photos.
So anyway, fast forward to last month. First, Babe had to go around looking for the studio’s contact no. Then, he tried to contact the photog studio but no answer. Tried a few times, still no answer. Then he managed to get the mobile no. of the photog. Then followed up with an email. And then, that’s when this hotshot photog started stating the T&Cs, adding one each time we sent a reply.
First, when we gave him the dates when we were free. Naturally, they were all weekend dates since we both have day jobs. Mr. Hotshot Photog came back to say that the voucher is only valid for weekday shoots.
Fine. We were gonna check out the venue on a Monday so why not have them come and shoot at the same time? We’ll just do a casual shoot in our casual clothes. But no. Mr. Hotshot Photog replied that it was too short notice (it was about 1.5 weeks before) and that it has to be a proper shoot with wedding gown and the works.
At this point, I was like “WTF?!” If you have all these terms and conditions, then state it in black and white on the voucher, up-front, so people will know and decide if it’s worth the trouble to get your free service! Just stating “under the photographer’s artistic direction” is like saying “oh, I have a solution” to a problem. What solution to which problem, we don’t know.
This is why I prefer not to go with these so-called well-known service providers. Their product might turn out good but their service sucks big time. I don’t understand how they work. Just because they make it big, they think it gives them the right to act like morons?
Even my boss, who used Mr. Hotshot Photog’s services for his wedding doesn’t recommend him because he is too well-known, although his photos turned out fine. Boss had a friend who also booked Mr. Hotshot Photog’s services for his wedding and Mr. Hotshot Photog himself was supposed to shoot Boss’ friend’s wedding. But 2 weeks before the wedding, Mr. Hotshot Photog informed that he has another engagement and will be sending another photog instead.
OMG! Where are their principles?! Do keeping your word and integrity mean nothing these days?!
So my policy from now on is, I don’t care if you’re the grandmaster of your field. If you can’t be a decent person and treat people with respect and HONOR your promises, then you are NOT having my business. Pay me also I don’t want to use you because then I’d have to put up with your shitty attitude.
I shall let my family and friends tell you about me. These comments may be rather old but I think the gist of them still hold 
