Complaint Review: Carsten Photographic

I believe the satisfied customers must just be lucky, or she has made them up. She takes advantage of customers who cannot have their wedding photographed at a later day. Once the day is gone it is gone. I would discuss this with her if she had integritey to call me back, but she has never called me once. I spoke to her once after my wedding and then my husband spoke to her once and she said we would have our pictures in a week or two. Some excuse about over extending herself and had a wedding to complete in New York. She actually called from her Dad's phone.

Sarah,

In response to your posting here and on my wedding website, I could not be happier with the services provided, and it looks to me like the version you posted here differs from the version you posted on our site.

I actually contacted M'Lissa today and she replied right away, saying that she knows of this situation and she has tried to reschedule but you refused, and according to the contract that we signed (and I'm guessing you did to...) that constitutes breach of contract on your end.

She asked that I let you know that she is no longer making any attempt to contact you until after she has spoken to a lawyer.

I truly thank you for your concern, however your claims in my opinion are unsubstantiated.

Hello,

My wedding was this past weekend. Our photographer we chose to work with was none other that M'Lissa Carsten. I have to say that I had read the comments posted on this website as well as on a couple of other boards and I was more than a little concerned. I spoke about it directly with M'Lissa Carsten and she informed me that she had been the victim of a disgruntled customer and that the posts on the internet were relating all to one specific incident. She did everything possible to reassure me that she was legitimate and that she would follow through on the contracted service. In fact she went so far as to give me the option to pay the final payment on the day of the wedding instead of the 8 days prior that she normally requires.

A long story short it is now a few days after my wedding and all I can find myself thinking is how could such a wonderful photographer like M'Lissa Carsten be put through the trials and tribulations of scam reporting such as this. The quality of the work that she completed at the ceremony was wonderful. She herself was extremely professional and did everything in her power to make the photography be the very best that it can be. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to find a good quality photographer. And I wanted to write this letter to try and help her image because from speaking to her scam reports like this one are hurting her business and ruining her reputation. From what I can tell there is some amount of a misunderstanding and I hope for the sake of M'Lissa Carsten and her work that she can work out the differences and get her name cleared of this wrongful shame.

M'Lissa Carsten has still made no effort to call me after giving me no services and refusing to give me a refund. I continue to call her and leave messages. I believe if someone refuses to call you to talk to you in person then they know they have done something wrong. I have recently found out that I am not the only person she has done this too. I strongly advise anyone against doing business with her. This is a scam and from my understanding, sometimes she does actually fulfill and contract and sometimes she skips out and takes your deposit. I was an unfortunate person who she took a deposit from.

Finally I heard back from the owner of the company. And she refuses to give me a refund citing that in her contract it states that if I cancel her services I am not entitled to a refund.

Also in her contract it states that if the services outlined are not fulfilled that all monies will be returned in 10 days. An engagement Portrait was part of those services, which she did not show up for nor did she contact me or return my messages about rescheduling the portrait and her abilities to show up for my wedding. So we did not chose to cancel those services, we were forced to due to non responsiveness and lack of knowledge of her ability to uphold the contractual agreement.

I deeply regret that it has to come down to semantics in this situation. Had I been contacted by her in the past 3 months this could have been avoided. But she still refuses to call me to discuss the matter. All dealings have been done over email. I have left her many voice mails and included my number numerous times. Contract or not, I paid her money for services (including keeping me informed and staying contact with me to answer questions, concerns, etc) and I was not given those services for which she has my money.

Ms. VanNote,
If you would please refer to your contract, 8th paragraph down you will read "If balance is not received on schedule, Photographer has the right to cancel services and not be held liable for deposit. In the event of cancellation or postponement, there will be no refunds of deposits. Photographer does not guarantee services for rescheduled date."
As expressed in several emails that I received no response to, I am sorry you have chosen to go in another direction, I would have been pleased to reschedule your session or send a photographer in my place for your engagement session. As you chose to cancel my services, you are not entitled to a refund in any amount, however I wish you much luck with your wedding and marriage.
Best Wishes,
M'Lissa Carsten