The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-30
WARN CITY OF
PHOTO FIRMS
COUPON DEALS
Better Business Bureau Hits
CanvaSSing Methods by
City Statesmen.
BY JAMES a. GAVIN

]
Times of a large number Of COM
plants from purchasers Of the cou-
poms. Misrepresentation by the
statesmen is charged by the COM
plainants, who have found the cou-
pons are not redeemable in the
manner explained by the sellers.
Bearing the name of the New
Stewart Studios, Inc, 80 Monu-
ment Circle, the coupons call for one
8 by 10 plain or tinted photograph,
said to be $3.50 value. The price
on the coupon is given at so cents.
A number Of purchasers interviewed
by The Times told of purchasing
the coupons for Is cents, three for
so cents, and other cut-rate prices,
During the solicitation, the sales
man is reported to show an imita-
ton leather mounting for the photo
graph, but at the studio the pur-
chasers learn the folder is supplied
only at extra charge.
Sold Only by Salesman
A Times representative called at
the studio and asked to purchase
one of the coupons, but was in
formed they were sold only by sales
man. 1t was explained that the pur-
chaser Of the coupon was not per-
mitted to see proofs of the two
poses called for, but must accept the
studios selection.
Stating that mo one would want
to have a photograph they didn't
like" young woman in the studio
offered a single photograph with
proofs for 81, only SO cents more
and you get to see the proofs"
The next day The Times repre-
sentative returned, armed with a
coupon. The waiting room was
crowded with women and children
For an hour and half, no member
of the studio staff so much as spoke
to The Times man. Finally, his
name was entered on a card with
the remark We'll take care of you
in just a minute"
Minutes GO-And Go
Another fifteen minutes and the
card was picked from the file by the
manager. I'll be with you in just
minute"
Five minutes later The Times rep
resentative was ushered into one of
two small offices separated from the
main waiting room. The other Of
flee was occupied by a member of
the studio staff and another Gus
toner.
Now you understand that our
coupon offer is only for advertis-
ing purposes" the manager began.
I'VE can not afford to continue this
plan unless we can sell additional
orders. We can give you the one
photograph named on the coupon
and six additional for S."
But 1 want only one photograph,
the one on the coupon" The Times
man objected
We'll be glad to take it for you,
but at that price we can't show you
proofs. We have so many orders
ahead that we could not promise
delivery before Aug. l."
Five Weeks For Photo?
give weeks for one Photographic"
"Oh, yes. But if you want some
additional pictures, I can give you
much better service. 1 could show
you the proofs Thursday and we
could have the finished photos in
a week or ten days"
How many photographers do
you have?"
Right now we just have one, but
if you want some extra pictures we
could rush your order through"
The Times man remembered the
mothers and fretting children wait
ing in the crowded reception room.
Some had been there as long as
he had.
When could I have the sitting?"
Right now. There is no one
ahead of you. Now, how many
photos do you want?"
mo Connection With Us"
The Times representative coun-
tered with a question regarding the
coupon salesman.
"Oh, they have no connection
with us. They buy the coupons
fifteen for dollar and they make
what they can from them"
Experience of compliments was
practically the same as that of The
Times man. One woman told The
Times she had called the studio be-
fore buying the coupon and had
been told that the man was a BONA
f1de representative and that the
coupon would be honored.
A woman accompanied by two
small children and her mother Culo
of purchasing three coupons for 50
cents. She was told at the studio
that only one coupon would be hon.
ored.
Another woman who was in the
studio when The Times representa-
: tive arrived and was still there wher
he left, told of calling four times
: to get her pictures after buying g
coupon and then ordering additional
| RA(NQANO
Photographs Are lost"
II paid so cents for the coupon
so cents more to see the proofs. 81
when I returned my selected proof
$3.50 for additional photos and Sc
cents for mounting" she said. 81
started in to get one 50-cent pic
ture and it cost me ST." she ex-
planned vuefully.
Her pictures had been promised
that day and she had waited more
than two hours while the studio
located them.
Files of the Better Business Blu
reu yielded other similar stories OF
purchasing coupons, selling tactics
lost pictures, and delay.
Several complaints are listed from
persons who had sold the studios
coupons, and had reported to the
bureau when the studio refused tc
! honor the coupon for personal ust
of the salesman.
A Good" Photoerauh