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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Is this a scam ???
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AuthorThread
 12/02/2008 02:54:31 PM · #1
***EDIT***
AS A FOLLOW-UP, I NOW HAVE THE MONEY, THIS IS NOT A SCAM. :-)
**********

I got an email/post on this photo of mine which I also have posted on Panoramio (Google Earth):



"
Dear John

Mercurius van Keulen is a calendar-publisher in Holland. We like to use this image on our Geographic calendar 2010. You can look at our 2009 version at: //kalender.mercurius.com/product/102/

We suggest to pay you 200 Euro for this one time reproductionright.

Please contact me at mercuriusvankeulen@Gmail.com Your email will be transfered to my real emailaddres. This to avoid spam.

Awaiting your reply Rene van der Meer Mercurius van Keulen, Wormer, Holland
"

Message edited by author 2008-12-19 06:52:07.
 12/02/2008 02:59:19 PM · #2
Well, it's addressed to Dear John! ROFL! I have no idea really, but if they want to pay you and not you them, why not take the chance and see?
 12/02/2008 03:01:33 PM · #3
Maybe it's real? Your image is certainly worthy. Why not follow up and see what happens, meanwhile of course not giving them any personal information like your SSN or other sensitive info?

Good luck!
 12/02/2008 03:02:44 PM · #4
Well, email them back and ask for some details about their calendar. In order to see if that is a fair price you definitely need to know how many calendars they produce and other such details. Full page, half page, things such as this. But emailing them back will probably let you know quite a bit about their legitimacy.
 12/02/2008 03:03:39 PM · #5
Its hard to say either way, I would be cautious none the less. Maybe fire up a gmail acct to reply to them "to avoid spam" lol. I wouldn't sign any usage agreements either until payment is received..

-dave
 12/02/2008 03:05:18 PM · #6
Looks legit to me.

But I would still call them up (via Skype?) to check on the authenticity, using the contact details on the website.

Still, ask for a check in your name and I wouldnt share the bank details either.

Congrats.
 12/02/2008 03:05:18 PM · #7
Originally posted by Mike_Adams:
Well, email them back and ask for some details about their calendar. In order to see if that is a fair price you definitely need to know how many calendars they produce and other such details. Full page, half page, things such as this. But emailing them back will probably let you know quite a bit about their legitimacy.


If legit, make sure they send you a few calendars into the deal as well.

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 15:19:26.
 12/02/2008 03:05:24 PM · #8
I wrote back...

"I think that is a good offer. I have the high-resolution, print-file available. How would you like to proceed?"

We'll see what happens. It's better than a kick in the head.

(Oh, humorous side note: The Hamilton Symphony is sending me four tickets to let them use this same shot in a Flash slide show on their new website.

And... I submitted this shot to Tourism Burlington, for free use. They didn't use it, but did use a few of my other shots. :-P)

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 15:08:09.
 12/02/2008 03:14:44 PM · #9
i think you are diss' ing
the "kick in the head" crowd
this shall not be allowed !!
 12/02/2008 03:20:30 PM · #10
BTW, nice shot.
 12/02/2008 03:32:51 PM · #11
He knows its legit... and the image is grand. BIG show off ;-)

J/K.
 12/02/2008 03:50:56 PM · #12
Lol. Nah, if he were sure, he'd simply start a huge bragging thread. Our dear Slippy isn't one for subtleties or false modesty ;)

They do a World Wildlife Fund one, so I'm pretty sure they're legit.

Ooooh, did you check out the supergirls calendar from the left menu? Definitely NOT SFW!!

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 15:54:41.
 12/02/2008 04:05:13 PM · #13
Originally posted by BeeCee:
Ooooh, did you check out the supergirls calendar from the left menu? Definitely NOT SFW!!


Kinda makes me wish there were more months in the year...
 12/02/2008 04:08:32 PM · #14
it could be legit just contact them and talk with them......even better if you could talk to them on the phone. A couple of years ago same exact thing happened to me here and it turned out to be legit.

Google them see if they exist and have an actual office location and if you talk to a person thats even better.
 12/02/2008 04:34:29 PM · #15
Wow! Did you see those bodies?? All shiny and curvy:))

I would love to run my hands over one of them:)

Dreamcars Calendar:))
 12/02/2008 04:35:13 PM · #16
Great image and for what it's worth: They're in the phone book here and it's a registered company.
 12/02/2008 04:45:18 PM · #17
D00d! You've got to share some of the processing for this shot. I was just comparing to your "right out of the camera" image from your notes. Wow.

Congratulations on the calender. Looks legit to me as well.
12/02/2008 04:46:23 PM · #18
It is likely a scam. How do I know? They offered me $200 for this pic for use in their beauty calendar.



;-)

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 17:00:14.
 12/02/2008 05:08:53 PM · #19
Its probably safe

Now if they had offered $200 for this one


I'd say it was a scam

(Raise your hand if you thought I was going to post the elephant shot)
 12/02/2008 05:33:23 PM · #20
I always suspect something when two Vans are being used in one name. :)

Write them back with a dummy email, who knows? 200 euros, that's like 12 billion CDN, go for it.

eta duh! You answered back. I didn't read the thread. slaps hand (with the same hand)

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 17:35:33.
 12/02/2008 05:54:17 PM · #21
I'd be cautious due the fact it's from a Gmail account. I could be totally wrong, but I would think a legit company would have something besides free email accounts. Good luck in whichever you choose. It's a great photo worthy of publication.
 12/02/2008 05:59:49 PM · #22
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
I'd be cautious due the fact it's from a Gmail account. I could be totally wrong, but I would think a legit company would have something besides free email accounts. Good luck in whichever you choose. It's a great photo worthy of publication.

Ya, that's something that struck me as pretty odd. I definitely know how to not lose money to a scam. For now I'm going to keep chanting "200 Euros" at my wife, and pounding my chest to display my manhood. ;-)
 12/02/2008 06:02:18 PM · #23
How many million Canadian dollars is 200 euro?
 12/02/2008 06:10:00 PM · #24
The company is certainly a legitimate one. Whether the mail is actually FROM the company is another issue altogether. I'm not sure what the scam IS yet (assuming it's a scam, in may not be) but you'll find out :-)

Have you considered calling them at tel: 075 - 647 67 47? That's what I'd do.

R.
 12/02/2008 07:47:00 PM · #25
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
The company is certainly a legitimate one. Whether the mail is actually FROM the company is another issue altogether. I'm not sure what the scam IS yet (assuming it's a scam, in may not be) but you'll find out :-)

Have you considered calling them at tel: 075 - 647 67 47? That's what I'd do.

R.

I haven't decided whether or not to call. I don't think it will be necessary, as I'll know when he starts talking about Western Union, or sending a cheque to me for 300 Euro and I can pay him back the balance, or bank account numbers, or whatever other scams there are. I'll know when the scam happens, and then it will be time to pull a taterbug on his ass!
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