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Circle of Photographs - International Library of Photography, Picture.com Complaints
International Library Of Photography - Circle of Photographers - Picture.com - Photography Warning
Many of you
have likely seen the following contest “Free photo Contest over 100,000 in
prices, Enter online Now!”, and you have most likely sent off your photo and
received a letter back stating that your photo will be published and that you
are a winner. You are just one of the many who have become the prey of
picture.com.
A Google
search for any of the following terms, picture.com, The International Library of
Photograph, will pull up several warnings about the company. They have now
gained a national reputation for preying upon unsuspecting photographers.
Everyone who sends a picture in will
be accepted into their photo contest and will be published in their Anthologies
(provided you actually buy the book.) If you do not purchase the book your photo
will not be included.
Does it sound similar to poetry.com,
the vanity poetry publisher that has gained a reputation for preying on
unsuspecting poets? It should, because according to one victim of picture.com ,
Steve Michaels owns both poetry.com and picture.com.
The phrasing of picture.com letter
is misleading as it makes the photographer believe they have won some money, so
they may lure them to the conference where they must pay as much as $600.00
dollars as registration fee not including traveling fees.
Today's Woman Writing Community
continues to receive, numerous complaints regarding International
Library of Photography a company that also operates under the alias Circle of
Photographs and picture.com.
Letters received in response to International Library Of Photography - Circle
of Photographers - Picture.com - Photography Warning
Submitted: January 6, 2006, 4:21 pm
Sender's Name: Teresa Walker
Comment/Request/Message:
thanks for this information - it was very helpful to determine the legitimacy of the contest I recently entered. The exact same message was received - and I questioned its credibility. You just saved me a pile of money. Thanks so much - continue to pass on to others.
Submitted: 02/15/2006
Submitted: February 15, 2006, 3:24 pm
Sender's Name: tonroge
Comment/Request/Message:
They are at it again. I wish that I would have found this before i sent in my
photo. but i did not order the mag. Surely there is something that can be done
about these people.. I to received a letter from them stating that my picture
was chosen out of 8523 photos.... can something be done about it.
Submitted: February 20, 2006, 12:02 am
Sender's Name: Krista Matheson
Sender's Email: Removed
Comment/Request/Message:
Funny how it seems to be the same 8523 entries every round - this is the first
(and hopefully LAST) time I will ever fall for something like that. Thank you
for voicing your stories, I actually had my credit card on the desk ... You've
lost your money, but be pleased with the fact that you've kept them from
getting MINE and probably many many others out there! By speaking out, you ARE
winning against scumbag fraudsters like this - I cannot thank you enough!
Submitted: April 1, 2006, 3:37 pm
Sender's Name: Amy Doggett
Sender's Email: Removed by Administrator
Comment/Request/Message:
I too fell prey to the Circle of Photographers scam almost identically to the
version StarKatz writes about in your forum. I however, never received my
manuscript after purchasing 2 of them for nearly $140.00. One for my Mother &
one for myself. I was so excited & proud to have been recognized. Little did I
know! After months of trying to reach the COP team with no response, I simply
gave up. This was approximately 2 years ago. I just happened to stumble across
Scam.com's review of Circle of Photographers & from there got your site. I feel
obligated to voice my complaints as this company should face some type of penalty
for their behavior as they do not abide by legitimate or ethical business
practices.
Date: 04/04/06 13:03:32
PICTURES.COM OR International Library of Photography Photo Contest IS NOTHING BUT A SCAM!!!!!!!!!!
I got a letter from ILP stating that a picture I submitted in for sports was
going to be in the Semi-Finals & I would know by October 15, 2003. The letter
also says you can order up to 2 books with your picture in it.
DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY.
I paid for 2 book because I was going to use them as presents. To this day, I
have not gotten any other letters, no books, & the check cleared the bank. You
cannot get a hold of this company & the company is not listed. In short, it is a
SCAM. They screwed other people who have listed the same problems, so don't get
burned.
Also, to protect other people from this SCAM & BEING BURNED this is being
reported to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) for help also.
Other people have been screwed over by this company too, including myself, DON'T
DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY AT ALL. HOPEFULLY, they will be out of business or worse.
Mark
Submitted: April 5, 2006, 11:29 am
Sender's Name: Nathalie Lopez
Sender's Email: Removed by Administrator
Comment/Request/Message:
I ordered a plaque and a manuscript from so called "Circle of photographers"
that totaled up to $124.00. I gave the company a reasonable amount of time (7
months) to manufacture and ship my order, but still have not received a thing
from them. All attempts to contact the company failed and is still failing!! I
WANT MY MONEY BACK!! People be aware!! It is just a scam!!
Submitted: April 10, 2006, 9:27 pm
Sender's Name: Suzy Bruce
Sender's Email: Removed to protect users privacy
Comment/Request/Message:
I too entered their contest and rec'd the same invitation to join the club and
also purchase and approve my photo being published. However, I became suspicious
because they were asking for money, both on the internet and by mail. Thank God
for the internet! I typed in the company name and came up with these sites where
people were complaining about this being a scam. Think of the millions of
dollars they have gotten out of unsuspecting people who just want their
photography recognized. The authorities should be notified about this company so
they can be shut down.
Submitted: Feb 6th, 2007, 5:49 pm
Sender's Name: Jessica
Subject: Today's Woman Writing Community - Feedback: International Library of Photography
Message: Hello All, I entered my photo in November of 2006 by January 2007 I
had been selected to be published (a HUGE honor, so I thought) then I was
selected as "Amateur Photographer of the Year" to receive this prize I MUST
attend the annual convention held in Las Vegas Nevada, although very excited I
waited to respond since it was $600.00 for just the tickets to get in the door,
not a room or meals or transportation. With in a day I received another email
asking for more photos, one of my child for another "contest" again I was happy
but now a little leery. Its February 6th now and so far this month I have
received an offer to join there "Photographers Work Shop" with a $50.00 annual
fee they can critique my photos.
(FEB 1, 2007). Today I received an email stating I was the winner of the
"2006 Editor's Choice Award." WOW what an honor, but in order for me to get my
prize (choice of 2) 1st a Bronze Ribbon Award Pin for $19.99 +S&H, or 2nd a
Bronze Medallion for $49.95 +S&H. OK at this point I sent a reply to this email
asking them to contact me, I was sent an automated email with a phone number
410-363-4800, so I called but without an extension you can not reach anyone (not
even an operator) so I picked a few, the first one that answered was Jan Haycock
x196 I asked her if this was picture.com she was hesitant but agreed "uuummm
yes, but you have reached the wrong department let me transfer you" (I didn't
ask anything except was it picture.com)
I waited on hold from 2:30 to 2:51 then Stephon answered x161 I asked
him if I won why do I have to pay for my prize he said and I quote "The only
ones who don't pay are the ones who win the money prize" And the only way I can
collect the "monetary prize" is if I attend the convention?
"Yes" and to attend the convention I have to pay $600.00 dollars what does it
include?
"Just the entry in to the convention"
Really!?! So on the letter I was sent it said the prize is $200.00, so
I am paying for my prize again?
"Yes, like I said the only prize you do not pay for is the money prize."
Is this a legitimate contest?
"Do you have any other questions?"
Yes I do Sir I'm sorry if I'm bothering you but is there a Manager I could
speak with who might be able to answer my questions better?
"Yes I'll transfer you"
Wait what is his name?
"I can't tell you that."
Really, why not?
"Its not my job to give out that information."
I'm sorry if I am putting you in a bad position, I'm just wondering
about your company.
"I can transfer you."
(on hold) 2:54- 2:56 Charleen is the customer service rep I spoke with. I
asked her 1 question Who is the owner of your company?
"WHAT kind of question is THAT?"
You don't know who your boss is?
My call was then terminated.
But since my questions were still unanswered I called right back I put
in x 102 and got Beth I asked Beth if there was a manager I could speak to?
"Yes, his name is Jim Reed please hold."
Fernando X106
Hello Fernando how are you today?
"Fine, what can I do for you?"
Are you a manager Fernando?
"No I'm not I'm the receptionist"
Oh' I asked to be connected with a manager, could you please connect me with
Jim Reed?
"Is there something I can help you with?
"What is the name of the owner of the company?
"Please hold, I will transfer you"
"Water Mark Media how can I help you?"
Yes Sir could you tell me the owners name of Picture.com?
"That would be Steve Michaels"
How is Water mark media affiliated with Steve Michaels?
"He owns Poetry and picture.com, we print there material, could you hold
please."
(a woman came in and he did not put me on hold, she said "hang up if she asks
you any more questions")
"Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Yes Sir may I have Mr. Michaels extension?
"No, we cannot give out his extension."
Why can't I speak with the owner? (at this time my call was disconnected.)
I tried calling back SEVERAL times, I tried each extension (and a few others)
but there wasn't any answer on any line.
This has led me to do a search online in which I found this site PLUS MANY
others. I just found out another address they use and plan on calling the
insurance company in the suite next to them tomorrow. The addresses are: 3600
Crondall Ln Suite 100, Pikesville, MD 21208 (I called a business at 3706
Crondall Ln. and the woman said she didn't know of the complex even existing let
alone being anywhere near that location) the second address is 3600 Crondall Ln,
Suite 101-3111, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
Like I stated earlier I have the number to the business next to this address
at suite 200 and I will be calling them tomorrow when they open. I have also
noticed that I receive 500 spam emails a day, I think they might have sold my
information, since I wasn't getting spammed before. Thanks to everyone who has
posted about this scam, I hope we can put a stop to it. Feel free to email me
with any questions.
Tue 1/29/2008 10:39 AM
I am so glad that you guys are doing this . I was contacted by picture.com
and like everyone else my picture won but unlike some I did not send any money.
I just wanted to know how we file a formal complaint against these people. I
don't think is fair that they get away with things like this and in some cases
peoples money.
Darelys
Sat 5/31/2008 10:58 AM
I also received a letter from them with the same info. my mother sent them a
check for the book they cashed it and I still have not received it. I wish I
would of checked on line first. is there anyplace to contact to get money back
or am I screwed. they shouldn't't be able to continue to publish anything on the
net. something should be done. thanks
Colleen
Further Complaints about Circle of Photographs - International Library of Photography can be read at the following page.
International Library Of Photography - Circle of Photographers - Photography Warning
Photographers with complaints about Circle of photographs (picture.com) are urged to contact Today's Woman Writing Community staff through our feedback form.
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johnsgirl
Sydney N
