Austin Area Wedding Photographer Earns F Rating from BBB
Consumers Say They're Still Waiting for Memories from Their Special Day
Austin, TX – April 30, 2010 – BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas has issued an F rating to Pflugerville-based Red’s Photography based on the company's failure to respond to consumer disputes which has formed a pattern of complaints. Click here to view the company’s BBB Reliability Report™.
Consumers tell BBB that Red's Photography did not deliver their products in the expected timeframe, if at all. Several report paying hundreds of dollars in advance for wedding photography and related products such as albums or digital photos. Consumers generally requested immediate delivery of the photographs or refunds. In January 2010, BBB contacted Red's Photography regarding concerns that disputes were beginning to form a pattern, but has not yet received a response.
BBB recommends the following steps when selecting a photographer for your wedding or event:
Start with trust
Consumers should check out any company at bbb.org to view their BBB Reliability Report free of charge. Reports include information on the company's accreditation status, how the company responds to any consumer complaints received by BBB and the company’s overall letter-grade rating with BBB. Additionally, BBB's exclusive online directory, Member Pages, lists over 9,500 BBB Accredited Businesses in Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas.
Ask questions
Schedule appointments with two or three companies to get a feel for the types of services they offer, the quality of their work and price structure. Ask the photographer if he/she is the one who will be photographing your wedding. Ask for references and speak to previous clients.
Understand the fees
Price should not be the only determining factor, but it is important to verify what fees will be charged for what services. Does the photographer work with an assistant? If so, is that included in the fee? What is the payment schedule? Is a deposit required? If so, how much and by when?
Be specific about the desired product
Is the photo package fixed or customized? How many photos are included and what about reprints, enlargements and albums? What is the time frame for delivery of proofs and other products? Is there a Web site to view your images? Can you keep the proofs or negatives? What type and how many cameras will be used? Are both color and black and white photography included? What types of photographs can you expect? Formal, informal or spur-of-the-moment?
Get your answers in writing
Obtain a written contract that details every service to be provided and the name of the photographer who will shoot your event; the location, date, time and length of all events; the type of package; a list of guaranteed prices for enlargements and any additional charges, like taxes or travel fees. The contract should also specify what happens if your photographer doesn’t show up, as well as the cancellation/refund policy.
Consider purchasing wedding insurance
Wedding insurance can help consumers gain peace of mind with the knowledge they can recoup funds when something goes wrong.
About BBB:
BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB is the preeminent resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses and charities.
Contact BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas at (512) 445-4748.
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