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CB Photo Services Review of MGA Photography and Video
MGA Photography and Video

MGA Photography and Video review: Wedding picture scam 7

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4:35 pm EST
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Joseph Montalvo is a glib scam artist! He is gifted with a tricky tounge and that's it! He ripped us off for $4300.00 ! All we received was a disc with the unedited pictures that he took the night of the wedding. He has not given us the photo albums, numerous pictures or videos that we paid for. He is unprofessional and lacks talent at taking pictures. In addition, he brought a teenager to the wedding posing as the videographer. He was teaching him the entire day. I've called and emailed him numerous times and he keeps saying that I'll receive everything in 2 weeks. The last time that I spoke to him he said that he had to send away for new albums in China! I recently discovered that he's been sued for doing this to a couple a few years ago and they had to do a Sherriff's sale on his belongings last month. So, if you are considering hiring Joseph Montalvo, run! He's a scam artist! If you are contracted with him, beware, redo the contract and don't pay him until you receive your items.

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

7 comments
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Jeanne Ridgway
Salem, US
Jan 12, 2011 7:18 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

A friend of mine also paid 4, 000.00 for pictures and the only thing they got was an unedited CD, no album, no video. If anyone else is interested in a class action suite let us know.

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MollynChrisHoward
Lafayette Hill, US
Jun 09, 2010 11:25 am EDT

I just found Tracy Davidson’s March 17 video on MGA. My husband and I were married May 24, 2009. Joe had done 2 engagement photo sessions and a bridal session with my sick grandmother. Before the wedding he gave us everything we could have asked for and produced stunning pictures and products. As soon as the wedding was over and we returned from the honeymoon, we could no longer get in contact with him. All we had were the CD’s with the pictures, and there weren’t even pictures that we had asked for. No table shots or candids or dancing shots. We never received our video. He also brought a young man to our wedding to do the video, but we have never received it.

We tried everything to contact him including sending certified letters. Our wedding insurance company won’t cover the loss because they need to hear from the photographer that the photos were lost or damaged. Since they cannot get in touch with him, we aren’t covered. We had to pay someone else to make us an album, but we will never get our video. It makes us sad that someone can take advantage like this. When I hired him I spoke to people who he gave me as references and everything. It is just sad someone can ruin your day this way.

Cheryl/Mark, Jeff/Pam, do you have any contact info for him? I would love to talk to him and give him a piece of my mind and maybe get a video

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Paige24
, US
Mar 16, 2010 9:52 am EDT

Dayna, Brandon, and other couples that are still waiting:

NBC10 - Philadelphia just did a story on Mr. Montalvo and his old company MGA Photography. If you haven't done so already, get in touch with Tracy Davidson (reporter) at NBC10 as you are not alone in your loss. Many couples had similar complaints (lots of excuses, only received unedited CD, told that the albums were coming in from China, had cell problems, etc.). They also said that the he doesn't occupy the address that he had listed on the contracts, but has moved and reinvented his company under another name (Charles Josephs). It's nice that Jeff/Pam & Cheryl/Mark didn't have problems, but if you heard what happened to all these couples who haven't received their photos after waiting week after week, some pushing on 3 years, you wouldn't be so quick to judge. I've had good photography experiences and poor ones, so it's nice that he was on his "A" game for you two couples, but he left many others ~$5, 000 in the hole and other photos from friends to mark their special day.

Story Below
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/Wedding_Photo_Nightmare_For_Newlyweds_Philadelphia.html

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Jeff and Pam Z.
West Chester, US
Mar 16, 2010 9:00 am EDT

Agree with Cheryl and Mark. He did our wedding also and our experience was fine. I can't believe this could be the same company.

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laurnrich
Springfield Township, US
Nov 29, 2009 1:40 am EST

hahahah thats because he is probably back on his feet rying to make a name for himself again. He is a loser who takes peoples money. He scammed 4 brides that I know of including myself! We will get justice!

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cherylmarksept09
Philadelphia, US
Oct 06, 2009 10:51 am EDT

There is no possible way you could be talking about MGA Photography and Joe. No way! My fiancee and I are ECSTATIC about our service, album and followups with this wonderful company! He did bring a young man with him to our wedding as an assistant, but training is a normal function of any company. Joe was prompt, courteous, and delivered the product just as promised. I think the people who complained may be looking for a frivolous lawsuit and found poor Joe to be a hapless victim. Shame on you! HIGHLY recommend MGA.

Cheryl and Mark

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Brandon11111
Quakertown, US
Jul 21, 2009 3:36 pm EDT

anyone that this has happened to, please contact me at cuffs_04@hotmail.com Same thing happened to my wife and I, as well as a couple other people, we are in the process of bringing him to justice

Brandon