06/06/09
BEWARE SPADA PHOTOGRAPHY
by carlamarguerite
My husband and I were married in Chicago in 2005, and we hired Spada Photography. I had absolutely no trepidations about using him, as he came with great recommendations from both my wedding planner and wonderful florist. Like others have said, he did ask for an upfront deposit and full payment on wedding day. Since we got married on Memorial Day weekend Sunday, his videographer didn't have a job scheduled and offered to throw in a video for literally half price. All totalled, we paid close to $5000. About two months after the wedding, I received my "proofs" on a CD, and they looked fine. We did take our time getting back to him with our photo choices since it was a busy time in our lives and we were moving out of state. Because of the delay, he said we owed him an extra $1000. We paid this, because it was listed in the contract, and it was our fault. However, since that time (2006!!!), I have heard nothing from him. Attempts to email him have mostly failed. One time, he wrote me back and told me that he had just gotten out the hospital with "heart problems" and that he would try to take care of things ASAP. I have become increasingly frustrated over the past few years, since I have a great marriage and had an awesome wedding at the Nature Museum. Reading all of these other complaints infuriates me, especially since other reputable vendors have his photographs on their websites. Did this guy start out as a legitimate business owner and just spiral down? I really don't understand..... but I am mad enough now that I am hiring a lawyer. Alleged bankruptcy or not, this guy needs to understand there are repercussions for such deliquent behavior... Carla M. Carvalho, MD
- Cons: SCAM ARTIST
01/20/09
Con Artist - Takes your money doesn't finish the work or provide a refund
by RayMuBu
My wife and I used Spada Photography & Video out of 1532 W. Richmond Road in Arlington Heights, IL for our wedding videographer on September 27th 2008. We paid him $1200 in full prior our wedding day. He did send someone to tape our wedding but after four long months and no video my distraught wife was very upset. He finally sent her the original tapes unedited in DVD format with letter saying sorry i'm filing bankruptcy and no refund! We have to now pay someone else to do the work that we had paid with a contract for more than a year ago. He is a total con artist that came into our home promised to make the day a beautiful memory for us and took our money and had no intention we feel of ever finishing the work he says he will. Do not trust James Spada! Read his reports on Rip Off Report and check out the 36 files on the consumer reports first! You will see he is not to be a trusted vendor! Do make the same mistake we did and others did too.
- Pros: NO PROS
- Cons: Doesn't finish his work under contract and doesn't provide a refund
01/20/09
Rip Off Vendor Takes Money for Job then Claims Bankruptcy
by VWMarine
My husband and I hired James Spada of Spada Photography and Video Inc. out of Arlington Heights, IL to tape our wedding day and create and edited DVD with all the special effects, music, credits and a photo montage. We gave him $1200 paid in full before the day of the wedding. After 4 months and no video. With emails sent back and forth he finally he emailed me and asked me for my address. He returned the pictures I submitted and the tapes from my wedding day. With no money refunded back to me. He claims he had to file bankruptcy.....Spada Photography also markets as a modeling agency...At the address of 4507 North Ravenswood Avenue Suite 106 Chicago, IL 60640 Phone number: 773-728-7460 with the same website at www.spadaphotography
- Pros: There were no pros
- Cons: Took money and didn't provide a refund or finish the work
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