Helicopter Pics - RIPOFF
 

I'm not going to name any company, but awhile back while boating on Lake St. Clair we had a helicopter swoop in and take a pic. I inquired on their website and they sent me a poster size picture of my boat. The unbelievable thing is that they wanted $750.00 for it. WHAT A RIPOFF! I obviously sent it back. Beware of this scam on Lake St. Clair. Has anyone had a similar experience?

I just purchased a photo from boatpix.com for $250 (I think 18" x 22"?) One of a kind photo for that price imo.

I would have brought the poster to Kinko's and whip up a few copies, THEN send it back. :ernaehrung004:

I hope you sent it back return receipt. I got one and did the same as you, I returned it. Two years later I get notified from a collection agency that I needed to pay for it. Told them to pound sand sue me if you want to try and collect it. Never heard from them again. Not all of them operate that way though.

yeah, that's how we sent it back. We ended up laying the poster on the floor and taking a digital picture of the poster and it turned out just as good. I just want to know what kind of idiot would pay $750 for a picture?

I was always under the impression if you received a product unsolicited it was yours to keep. If they bill you, you do not have to pay or return the product.

Thats what I always thought also, back when the Columbia Music thing was big they would always send me the monthly items, I would return a letter telling them thank you for the gift, since I did not order it I considered it a free gift and any more I recieve I will consider the same. I usually wouldnt receive anymore and never got any collection calls either.

$750 for a poster size helo pic is not by anymeans a scam. Expensive yes, but a scam.............no. I've gone throught the boatpix thing. Its kind of like a scam in that they don't tell you how much they charge until after you complete the order. But looking back on it - I wish I would have paid the $250 they wanted. 5-10 years down the road and that picture would have been priceless.

What`s $750 to us RICH BOATING GUYS ??? :ernaehrung004:

So, just how much did you send them for the copy of the helocopter shot they took of you? I don't think they are the the ones doing the rip off here.

We were out a few weeks ago and I'm SURE they took pictures of us on running on the Intercoastal. I emailed them and asked for a price list. They sent me one right away, no problem. I would like to have previewed the shots first, but they don't offer that, I guess you just have to order and hope for the best. I didn't order, as much as I would like a one of a kind picture, but I don't consider my old Baja worthy of several hundred dollars worth of paper and ink............

I saw the helicopter taking pics so I put the hammer down and trim it up and throw a huge rooster tail. I get the pics and these idiots have a picture of the boat close up no rooster tail. I sent them back, at least they could have taken a few of each, what did they think that rooster tail was for?

I heard that!! :ernaehrung004:

+1
:ernaehrung004:

Exactly what I was thinking.

Bet he doesnt tip at restaurants either.:D

They should allow you to preview low res versions with watermarks on a website.

That seams pretty simple, and reasonalbe.

Ya. If they didn't send unsolicited poster-sized photos to everyone they shoot, maybe they could price them more reasonably. I wonder how much they waste in pics that don't get purchased.

What does a helicpoter cost to rent?? I had one done for 250.00. seemed reasonable. You could never get a shot like those by yourself.

I just went thru this with a company.They took photos at the NY poker run in the spring and I sent them an e-mail asking to see the pictures.They said that they couldnt let me preview them and that they would send the printed pictures to me.I told not to bother and then they agreed to send low resolution with water marks to me via e-mail.I picked three that I liked and asked for a price.I waited a few weeks to reply and when I did I asked if they would except a much lower offer for the ones I chose and they excepted.I look at it this way,who else would want the pictures of my boat,so they would rather make some money then none at all on those shots.

Thanks Nordic95

I was in a poker run a few years ago and purchased two different helicopter pictures from a well known guy. I was to get a 12x12 of each. When I received the pictures they were 5x7’s and both were of the same picture. I sent several e-mail’s and never heard back from him.

Wow this is going to save me allot of time & money.

a helicopter took a couple of shots of my boat this past Sunday. My boys were so exited, so yesterday I filled out all the info on their site - then it needed credit card info before i get to see anything,, f*ck that. Show me what i will get & for how much, then I will decide what I want.

If you have to hide your prices, its probably not worth it.

DR,

I filled out the stuff online too...and havent seen a thing...maybe they didn't get any shots of me? Was my boat in your pics? :)

Sean

The company that did it at lake cumberland poker run did a great job, and you can view all the pics they took without filling out anything. im not sure how there prices match up but at least you can see the pics before you purchase.
www.helipix.com

From a post I put up a year ago; "It's $1400 per hour for a turbine about $300 per for piston" :hitfan:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=136858

A tank of gas! :D

Maybe a "top off":D

Not all aerial photographers leave you guys "Up in the air"
 

Happened to catch this post & found it humerous to me. I felt the same way with pics my husband used to want. I'm Lori they call me Pic Chic. I have now started doing my own "privately hired" aerial photography of performance boating. Rather you use me or utilize the info to get it done like you want. What I do & what has worked well. Guys will contact me of an event they want photographed, usually in FL where I live. However, I've traveled other places. They'll get as many guys together as they can to hire the chopper & pay expenses. Choppers run about $650 an hr. I'll photograph the boats you need photographed as well as others. I'll edit all pics & send you a proof file by way of email with a price sheet attached. You pick the pics & sizes you want prior to any payment. Once agreement has been made, you send me a ck & I send you your prints. It's very simple. Obviously, the more boats you have in the pool so to speak the more economical it is on everyone. These are a few of many I've done. I'm always happy to share pics if you'd like to see more. If you're ever interested in contacting me or needing more info feel free to PM me. Lori aka Pic Chic

Sean,

No, your boat was not in the pics. But, you were practically right next to me when they were shooting (I think I was in FRONT of you:rolleyes:) Anyway, did you get an email confirmation from them when you originally applied?

DR

Well... you should have taken a picture of the helicopter from the boat, and sent it back, It cost alot to rent a boat you know...:D

I sell wide format scanners and printers and make use of demo equipment thank you very much. you should see my garage:p:p

Similiar to what PicChic suggested I had inquired, as posted above, about something exactly like what is being offered.

The only difference was; instead of picking from proofs and then having the pics made up, photographer offered us all the high rez. files. Whether they were good or bad, all the proofs would belong to us and we could get the pictures made up on our own.

It was too short notice to get it done but in the future we'll probably try it again! Although, maybe next time we'll rent the copter and put Dee up in it! ;)