Wow! Photography SCAM! Beware of Thumbtack Scammers! I can't believe I almost fell for it...

I didn't suspect anything honestly, but my FH thought it was weird that there were sooo many different weddings on there, but no reviews or anything out there on him. Also, the fact that he only JUST created the site for us that day (there was a time stamp).

So, when I saw the names, date & instagram tag of a wedding I became an internet sleuth extraodinaire and looked it up. Yeah, it was a wedding in BELFAST, Ireland... pretty far from Gainesville, FL...

I left a bad review for him on Thumbtack.com... but he'll probably just make a new account... :-/

Wow that's crazy. Good detective work!

UPDATE--- So... I actually found the photography studio that did the wedding in Northern Ireland and let them know via FB that their work was being stolen. I was soooo annoyed at the scumbag that tried to take advantage of a couple trying to find a good deal that I gave the studio ALL the info... I don't know if English isn't their first language or what, seriously, because I can't understand their reaction. At first they were thankful I let them know, but then like 10 minutes later they got really hostile towards ME and threatened to report me to facebook (????) because they had done a google search and "it seemed really dodgy." I was SOOO confused to just read that fb msg like 5 minutes ago... I just wrote back asking if people were getting reported nowadays for going out of their way to let someone know their work had been plagiarized. And then I said "goodnight" and logged out. ... What I wanted to say was more along the lines of "ARE YOU F***** KIDDING ME?!?!?!

Wow.... this has really taken me off track... am going back to searching for photographers... Hopefully real ones, that are not going to threaten me randomly... ay yai yai...

Thumbtack attracts mostly bottom feeder and newbie vendor who HAVE to pay to bids for jobs. Something to keep in mind.

If you're in FL, I can make some suggestions based on your budget! We're getting married just outside of Tallahassee

Holy Crap! I would ask folks you know for referrals. I found mine on the paperwork from our ceremony venue. She is great and reasonably priced, and 20 years experience. Her pictures are some of them on the website for the venue.

Thanks so much for offering to share your referrals! I don't know if they would travel all the way to Orlando, it's a bit far. I have contacted a couple of legitimate photographers that have tons of reviews on here, great websites, etc. and will probably go with one of them. I just went on Thumbtack last night as a last ditch effort to save money, but I've resigned myself to paying for quality, lol. I've found quite a few that look great and offer full coverage for 1.8K. That seems to be the magic number for Orlando.

I use thumbtack for all my vendors. I met with them in person. They showed me there work on the computer. All the reviews were great as well. Every time I have called them they always call me back, and answer any questions I have. I'm sorry that happen to you almost. Check the website all the time, and its always new pics, and videos that are amazing. I hope you find a great one for a good price

Erika, just make sure their work is their work.

Yeah, I got 2 offers on there from other thumbtack vendors that were legit. There work was really quality, but they were also around the same price as most other vendors I've been finding. I guess just be suspicious of people that don't seem like they have their own business, and do your homework. Glad I did with this one guy.

My photographer is traveling from Boynton Beach to Tallahassee. Her name is Chelsea Erwin. Her prices are great, her photos are beautiful, and she didn't charge me and arm and a leg for travel (actually, nothing at all! She has family in the area to stay with).

My second fave in Orlando is Wings of Glory. By far the most beautiful pics in Orlando.

I looked at venues all over FL, so I know of a lot of vendors in each area. Hope you find someone great!

Celia I did my research, when I did my consultation with my video vendor he was making a highlight reel video. He was actually showing me different videos. My photographer someone I know use him, and I didn't even know until I hire them, and they had some pics on his website. I think I hired the right people I hope so. Thanks Celia as well, I give future brides that same advice if they use thumbtack.

Good for you Erika!

We had positive experiences with all of our Thumbtack vendors. They had a ton of positive reviews online and great professional references. Our caterer had recently relocated from Portland where they were a chef at a very popular restaurant. In addition to reading online reviews, I was able to get a glowing review from the restaurant's manager. I also found several articles in various Pacific NW magazines featuring their cooking. All of that was before meeting them. Our musicians were from Bend, Oregon (2.5 hours from our wedding location). Of course they are well known in their local area. They sometimes use Thumbtack to fill-in dates when they will be touring around the rest of the state, which was the case for us. There were countless reviews and YouTube videos from various venues to back up their talents (which we called for references). Since the wedding we have spent a weekend on their ranch. Just last week they sent a care package to celebrate my pregnancy. I think it is unfair to make a blanket statement saying most Thumbtack vendors are bottom feeders. It's not fair to the many legitimate vendors who may choose to use the site. We only received legitimate offers. A Google or Craigslist search is just as likely to reveal scammers. It is the way of the internet. Couples need to do their research, no matter how they find their vendors.

Very true.

And, yes, I will look at Wings of Glory again. After you look for a while your eyes start to cross and things blend together

I used thumbtack and all 5 photographers I received quotes from were legitimate. I'm sure there are scammers and amateurs on the site for sure, but I agree with Sarah that there are some real people out there just looking for business. Photographers are a dime a dozen where I'm from (NJ), so I imagine business is extremely competitive and they just want to grab business where they can without paying high fees for bridal shows etc.

We just started using Thumbtack because we are starting our business and advertising is so expensive. Bridal shows are over $1000 for a booth, so paying for a referral is a good way to go for us. We have a legit business with a website, reviews, Facebook... I think it is as good as any other site like Craigslist, you should just follow your instinct.

I think the message here is not that Thumbtack or Craigslist are bad per se; it's just that you WILL find novices and bottom feeders there. Thererfore you must be more careful and vet your vendors through their own websites, online presence, and legit reviews.

As Celia said, I don't know of any established vendors paying for leads, but I do imagine some vendors that are newcomers may find success there.

Go on Facebook and check out Joyanne Panton and Wendell Daltrius they are the BEST great prices too