The Diary Room

[Yinster]

Ok, bit of a weird situation to explain, but im hoping for advice/similar or possibly same experiences or opinions.

Ive just got a call from Doubletake Studios, claiming that my friend had a free pampering day with them, and shed brought a friend, and if they recommended firther friends they got a free gift bag, I was one fo the recommended friends (taking in mind that Hazel is my University room mate who I dont really took to). So Ive just been invited along for the exact same treatment(make up, hair stylist and photography studio session for free, but I had to p*y a booking fee which would be refunded upon my visit(i quickly asked if I could cancel thiss so I could get confirmation off my friend, and they stated I have 5 days to cancel, and I wont be charged)
But basically, is this legit? :/ I know it sounds like a massive rip off or scam :/

Did you actually book or did your friend Hazel book you in since she recommended you? If it is the latter then I would encourage her to p*y your £20. If it was you who booked it then I guess it is better to lose £20 than £200 and take this as an expensive lesson to learn. You didn't need to say yes.

[weliveandbreathewords]

It was my 'friend' who booked me in :/ I dont exactly get on with her, apparently her and her friend went and didnt b*y any photos(but what ive read online, theyll charge you for not b*ying photos about a month down the line) so im thinking cancel it :/ my nan has said thatll she p*y the latter, since Hazel took my cancellation as an insult....(part of me thinks that someones hacked her account and thats who im talking to, cause shes talking to me like were best buddies and were not)

Thanks anyway, ive read up alot of different things, some reviews saying its legit others sayingthey were charged the extortionate price even though they attended but didnt b*y anything so hmm :/

[Yinster]

So your friend booked you in. Which means the contract is between your friend and the company as they agree the price. Not you. As far as you are concern all the company has is your name, and number but no payment details. Please tell me you didn't give that. I would ring the company up and say as you did not agree to this then if they wish for the payment then they should try chasing your friend.

[weliveandbreathewords]

Unfortunately through sme elbarated long story mes which happened around xmas, hazel DID have my details along with 2 other flatmates, but I never saw Hazeld ispose of the details which makess me think she might have done it to my other 2 flatmates as well(who im contacting already), Im callingmy bank to try and get the payment reversed and explaint he situation, all of my flatmates didnt really get on with her, but if shes done this to them as well, I can pretty much guarantee theyll want to kill her before we get kicked out of or accomodation :/

[Yinster]

So what you are saying is she is committing fraud or at least it is stealing. If she has done it to two other people I would be seriously consider calling the police.

[weliveandbreathewords]

i havent had a reply of friends yet but thats exactly what im goign to do if its happened to them too.

[Sydney_Bristow]

Total rip off in my opinion. A couple of years ago we went to the vitality show. Filled in one of the many comp forms at one of the many stalls. Got a call a few days later telling me I had 'won' a pampering day with them. I only had to p*y a booking fee of 60 quid each for a friend and myself to have a luxuriously indulgent day of "pampering, preening and subsequent professional photos". I'd get one photo free & p*y for any others I wanted. I was over the moon. I'd "won".

Anyway, needless to say, its a waste of money in my opinion and you shouldn't have to 'p*y' for something you supposedly 'win'. Besides, the one glass of cheap champagne, soggy mini cucumber sandwich (probably full of e-coli now), the tacky makeup by random supposed 'professional makeup artist & hairstylist' and photo aren't worth £60 each. I certainly wouldn't p*y £200!!!!!! Then again, I can't remember the name of the company but believe me, so this one might be quite different. Since that rubbish experience, I've "won" about 4 of these and always say no, please pass it on to someone else and make their day

In your case specifically, you had nothing to do with it, you didn't even know you were 'booked' in by your so-called friend. I hope you're able to get out of it, perhaps by stopping the payment or something. Good luck xx

[tilly]

I think companies are now saying that you have won in order to lure you in . Sadly I got wise to that tactic as I know that if you have won you don't p*y anything.

[raj101]

it will be an odd world our children grow up in, where companies constantly and casually offer them prizes for a small fee.

[hdaniel82]

I think companies are now saying that you have won in order to lure you in . Sadly I got wise to that tactic as I know that if you have won you don't p*y anything.

I've had a similar scam from Club La Costa, ringing me to tell me I'd "won" a holiday to Spain, but I'd have to p*y a £30 admin fee and attend a 2 hour seminar on timeshares. No thanks!