Have You Heard of This?

Sorry to tell you that it is a scam... well kinda. Everyone that applies gets picked. However, you should be getting a book. My mom did the same thing for me but it was somehow a scholar thing. We actually got a book (but there were about a 1,000 other kids in it too).

J.,

This is something that has been going on for years!! When I was in high school, I got this letter saying I had been selected as on of the Great American High School Scholars...needless to say, I didn't listen to my Mom and Dad and sent them my hard earned cash...didnt' get a book for over a year when my Dad sent them a threatening letter for taking money from a minor.

Needless to say, the book was like an encyclopedia of high schools students from around the nation...I had to hunt for my name and there was no picture.

Just a warning for future reference.

Hi J.,

I entered my grandson into this same contest. They sent me an email telling me how hansome he was, and that they were entering him into yet another contest. They said if I wanted him in that contest, I would need to send 19.95 and would receive a free spa trip somewhere. I refused to do that, did not believe them. I DO believe that it is a scam. I emailed them and asked for previous winner, never heard a thing! GOOD LUCK TO YA

Yes I have! I did the same thing, except I didn't want to buy the book because it seemed a little strange to me. I understand your frustration!! Try to contact them, by email or phone. Let them know that you're still waiting and if they aren't going to send you the book you want your money back. Be consistent with it.

this is 100% scam right here. its okay, at least its not a really expensive one. just make sure that they don't make anymore charges on your credit or debit card, if you payed with one. and don't worry about, everyone makes mistakes! goodness knows I've made my share.

if anything does happen like they don't send the book after 10 weeks or they take more money from you without explaining first, then call them up and be firm with them. chances are if they stayed in business for as long as it sounds like (from the first mama) they must have somewhat of a good customer services department!

Yup, I entered my little guy too and he was "picked" too. I didn't buy the book either (I'm a little self centered - didn't really care who ELSE was picked and I already had MY little guy's picture!) ;-D Don't know if they would send the book but they WILL keep bombarding you with emails about entering more pics and trips you can "win" (if you pay to go...) and more books to buy. I finally blocked the address. Best of luck!
:-)

Mine were picked too, but I did not buy the book . I think it's a scam. Sorry.

Sounds like a scam. Dispute the charges with your credit card company. Don't "oh well" this, otherwise these people keep taking advantage of other unsuspecting mothers. If enough people disput the charges, their merchant services account can get shut down and make it difficult for them to get another one.

Your CC company can take it off based on the fact that you never received your merchandise.

S.

Here is a link for a response on Yahoo. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008063017310...

I would contact the company and get a firm date on when you should receive the book. If after that you still haven't received it, I would contact my local news station, most have a consumer’s affair department and make a complaint. I would also contact the company and let them know that you will be going to the Better Business Bureau and your local attorney generals office.

Just make sure you follow up, even if it's a scam, don't stop contacting the company until you get the results that you want, whether it's the money back or the book.

Good luck.

bummer! In the future, if you hear about things that seem fishy to you, you can always google them to see what's been reported about them before you send money. For example, in this case, you could would have typed 'great american baby photo contest scam' and see what turns up. Sorry this happend to you.

Hey J.,
You can contest the fee on your credit card. Sorry. I'm sure your baby is beautiful,
V.

Hi J.,

Contact them and nicely ask about the status of where your order is and when you can expect it, remember to get the name of the person you are taking with. take notes and you may need to follow up again.

If it turns out to be a scam post them on http://www.ripoffreport.com/.

I had this happen with magazines that I bought from a door to door person. It took a few calls but I was able to get it resolved and get my order and they threw in an extra year on my first order and comped me on two more orders.
All of them are coming each month as promised.

L.

I wrote a poem once and sent it in and when they told me it was published I wanted to buy the book too. The price was high and I did not buy it, sounds a lot like that.

Live and learn. We all want to believe that our own babies are the most beautiful (actually, they really are!) but you can take your own pictures to remember them.

Well, since it hasn't reach the time yet, you will have to wait and see if the book shows up. If it doesn't show up, you can threaten them with the attorney general, that should wake them up.

We put my daughter in dance to keep her busy and found a nice studio with some nice little girls and they started out nice and slow as requested, but soon started demanding that she sign up for another class because if she wanted to make the next competition she would just need one more class because she was almost there, but had to catch up with the rest, bla bla bla.

She competed and never got first. There were certain parents who straight out said it was rigged, but they still had their daughters there. Finally when she started driving and had her own car, I got an extra $500 bill for the month. The bill was for private classes. Well, I paid for what I agreed on...and then the private instructor gave me a call. She was irrate! She had set up private classes and never called me to tell me or ask if I would pay for the $100 a pop classes. She claimed my daughter was there and I told her my daughter was there everyday for the classes I agreed to pay for. If she set something else up with the kid...then thank you that was very kind. I never did pay her and reminded her she made a deal with a minor when an adult was just a phone call away. Of course, she was going to make her the best dancer there was out there.

Yes, you do have to use caution. What I would want to know about a competition is where is being held, when will they judge it, can you attend the judging. Usually something like that would be displayed and not judged back at the office. Further and most important, ask right here and certainly there is someone to provide you some feedback about that or something close.