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Elevated Photos - beware
Has anyone else had any experience of a firm called " Elevated Photos" ? Its a small UK based firm doing camera systems on the top of telescopic masts. I know lots of people they sold their system to, who are extremely unhappy at how things worked out. They promised ( in writing ) not to sell any more systems in to peoples areas and then a year later they come to a franchise show in the area and try to sell more systems to anybody and everybody for half price ! The earnings achieved by 10 different operators I surveyed all were only a very small percentage of expected earnings. All of the 10 invested a lot of money and none of the 10 were still in full time business 2 years later.
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Elevated Photos
I think having the ability to take elevated photos is a great business opportunity! It all depends on how much work you put into it. As always, the ones who know how to market their services and keep doing so will always be successful.
There are no dents/ dings/
There are no dents/ dings/ cracks in this frame. The pivots and bushings appear to have no play or slop....everything is tight. The Fox Float RC shock has no scratches on the stanchions and the seal shows no evidence of leaking. It is ready to ride. This bike is disc only. 2 owners ago, the guy must have not liken the v-brake posts aesthetically-speaking, as they were removed and brazed (filled) in. I do not think this would save much weight (but I could be wrong), so i am assumin he did it for a cleaner look. The owner before me had it for 2 years and built it up but did not ride it much, and never off-road. I am guessing this bike to be around an 04, but not for certain. testking 156-215 Please ask any and all Q's prior to bidding. If you would like additional photos, just ask, but please be specific in your requests for what you want captured in photo. Item is sold as-is, but check my feedback and bid with confidence. I will ship internationally, but please ask before you bid as some countries will not accept large packages and I can give you an estimate as i will shipt it via USPS. The stated shipping price of $30 is only for shipping via Fed Ex Ground to the lower 48. Expedited shipping can be had, but buyer will pay the extra charge(s). While shipping insurance is optional, I strongly suggest that you use purchase it. I will not be held liable for any damages occuring to the product after it has left my hands. testking 1z0-047 I have shipped well over 50 frames and bikes and this bike will be well-packaged and secured. I will ONLY ship to a confirmed PayPal address if using PayPal. I accept PayPal. Cashier's check and USPS MO are the only other forms of payment I will accept, unless you are picking the bike up personally, testking SY0-101 and then cash is always "king." Thank you and Good Luck !!A Sound Concept - A Good Product
I bought a portable system form this company and have found it invaluable in my business, perhaps because I already have much experience within the property market. I was not aware they were involved with franchising as they are not actually a franchise - It says this on their web site I believe - I certainly have not bought into a franchise! All my dealings with the company were above satifactory and I found their friendly approach refreshing in all honesty.
DF
They are not NOW a
They are not NOW a franchise, but many people bought systems from them ( Elevated Photos ) two years ago with the promise of exclusive areas etc, after visiting their stand at a Franchise exhibition. It was not a " franchise and business opportunities exhibition " because (a) it was advertised as a " franchise exhibition" and (b) all of the other firms there selling systems / business ideas were franchisors. They promised ( in writing ) not to sell any more systems in to peoples areas. They also claimed to have invented and patented the system. Mind you, alarm bells should have rung in customers heads when they visited Elevated Photos premises 2 years ago for the days training . They were brought to their premises all right but it was just a house with a domestic size garage at the side. The days training consisted of two hours ! Now they operate out of a commercial premises all right, but they now they say other firms have copied their product idea and so they - Elevated Photos - are willing to sell new systems to anyone anywhere ! The customers who have bought systems from them are very disappointed. As I said, the earnings achieved by 10 different operators I surveyed all were only a very small percentage of expected earnings. All of the 10 invested a lot of money and none of the 10 were still in full time business 2 years later.
Elevated Photos claim to have set up a new limited company to distribute the mast systems they sold two years ago, so the guarantee Elevated Photos Ltd gave not to sell any more of these systems in to customers exclusive areas is worthless. Its a great scam but not funny for those who lost money on the whole enterprise. The only people who have made real money out of the system is Elevated Photos themselves.
Successful Venture
I am writing to share my experience of Elevated Photos and their business opportunity. I purchased my system (15 metres) about 18 months ago now. Although the orders didn't coming flooding in overnight, I now have a business that I am proud of with a steady and growing base of clients and an income that I can comfortably live off.
Elevated Photos never stated to me that they were a franchise and to be honest, I am pleased that they are not. I wouldn't want somebody taking royalties out of my business especially given all the hard work that I have put in. I expect my business to grow year on year and its great to finally be my own boss.
Although I have had little contact with or from Elevated Photos since I bought my equipment, I found them to be helpful especially with marketing advice.
Charles
Hi Charles, Interesting to
Hi Charles,
Interesting to finally find somebody who claims that they can now " comfortably live off " their income from the Elevated Photos system. Well done, and I wonder why you have succeeded when 14 out of 14 ( at the last count ) other elevated photos business operators have not. Many of the 14 who failed to make it in to a sustainable full time business were successful in previous careers and businesses, and did invest a lot of full time , money, marketing and effort in to elevated photos.
When you bought the system about 18 months ago, did they promise you an exclusive territory and that they would not sell any more systems in that territory ? If so, have new Elevated Photo operators appeared in your area ? Elevated Photos are now selling their 15 metre system for less than half of what they were selling their 15 meter package for 18 months to 2 years ago - did you buy it at the high price or the low price ? Have you audited accounts ( if you are registed for tax you probably have ) to show your turnover ? Would you be willing to go on a short T.V. programme about Elevated Photos - it would be great publicity for your business and you can claim full expenses and time etc.
If you business is successful, it will help balance the investigation. Please post contact details, or at least what area you are in.
Possible TV Appearance - FAO Rabbit
I may be willing to appear on this TV program that has been mentioned - if only to promote my own business. What program is it and what's it about?
DF
Hi David,Good to hear from
Hi David,
Good to hear from you. From your other post it implies you already were in the property business ....do you just use the elevated photos system for your own use or not ? In other words, are you full time in the elevated photo business ? Considering Elevated Photos have only sold a limited number of systems, and considering Elevated Photos themselves can not point to a successful customer ( or have a testimonial from a satisfied elevated photos operator ) , and considering so many Elevated Photos systems customers already contacted have been so disappointed , and considering there are billions of people in the world, it is indeed an incredible coincidence to find a satisfied Elevated Photos customer on this forum.
When you bought the system about 18 months ago, did they promise you an exclusive territory and that they would not sell any more systems in that territory ? If so, have new Elevated Photo operators appeared in your area ? What area are you in ? Elevated Photos are now selling their 15 metre system for less than half of what they were selling their 15 meter package for 18 months to 2 years ago - did you buy it at the high price or the low price ? Have you audited accounts ( if you are registed for tax you probably have ) to show your turnover ?
Britain's Elevated Photos
Huh? Franchising camera systems for the top of telescopic masts?? That sounds like a real losing proposition. I can't quite gather what it's used for. Submarine captains who want to photo the scenery when they come topside?
I've not heard of such a franchiser here in the U.S.
By the way, does Great Britain have a body that watches bad franchising conduct? Is there an equivolent of a UFOC (disclosure statement about the franchiser)?
Frankman
The idea is that the
The idea is that the operator can take low-altitude aerial photos for applications such as estate agents, land developers, auctioneers, architects etc. The digital camera on the top of the mast is controlled by a laptop at ground level. The people who sell the system claim to have a photographer who is making a fortune taking photographs ; everyone who has bought a system from them has found the business experience otherwise ! Of course elevated photos do not tell you that, and try to claim black is white.Elevated??
This company, Elevated, and this photo on its website, would be making all of the late night comedy shows. They'd be famous here.
No one would be thinking of them for elevated photos though, rather what to do if it lasts longer than 4 hours.
85' Mast System
We have one of the systems avalable for sale that is a repo, The unit is mounted on a 2007 ford E250.
This is a 85' boom and hardware to operate the boom, but dose not include the software. Contact Garybackstrom@rtrservices.com or call 800-238-3294
Elevated photos
I came accross your comments about Elevated photos ltd (uk) I purchased a 17mtr system from them a little over 3 months ago and am already operating a profitable business. To date for a total of 36 hours work have earned just over €5,400 Euro approx £4,000 sterling this is work that i have completed and invoiced, i also have a long term contract with a large developer which will pay me €225 Euro approx £175 per week, this is for one site visit per week total time including travel and to complete the job is 30-45 minutes each week, this contract is for 10-12 months, so not a bad little earner. I launched my business with a profesional web site and good quality brochures and business cards, compiled a database of potential clients and sent out a marketing pack 3 weeks prior to starting my business.I feel that anyone who markets this service correctly should have a good profitable business. I am available to speak on the phone and have no problem advising or helping anyone with this business. my number is 00353 860406575 Tony P.S. I personally found the staff and management at elevated photos very helpful.Elevated Not a Franchise
Good point, David. Elevated Photos from Britain certainly is not a franchise. I think we were confused because of the original post that said Elevated had attended a franchise show. But business opportunity concepts are mingled in with franchisors at franchise shows all the time.
Here's what Elevated Photo's website says:
It's not a franchise.
Frankman
Franchise v Business Opportunity
Bob;
I don't understand how you can make this determination without citing British law.
All the franchise disclosure laws that I am familiar with in North America treat a business opportunity as a special case of a franchise.
Michael Webster PhD LLB
Psychology of Compliance and Due Diligence Law
Biz Ops
I took them at their word, which can be a bad mistake. Your point is well taken. I do not know British law. And just because Elevate Photo's webpage says they are NOT a franchisor does NOT make it so.
Elevate Photos seems to exercise little control over the brand and business unit. They probably have low start-up fees (but again I'm not certain). So in America, doesn't that make them technically a business opportunity - even if business opportunities can be clumped and treated as a subset of franchise disclosure laws?
I guess your point is that if it is treated as a franchise, then it's a franchise. Is that true?
Frankman
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