The Great American Photo Contest review: Scam and cheating 52

I have just tried voting for my daughter's photo in the Great American Photo Competition and after15 minutes of filling in surveys, have still not been able to submit the vote. To think that I forwarded an e-mail requesting family and friends to vote. They don't know what they are in for!
What a scam! It is highly unethical to lead one into believing that they are voting for a photo and then subjecting them to endless surveys.

im so glad yo had posted this because i was going to give them the info and try to recieve this book ! i was so excited to have such a memorable item! thank you so much!

I myself posted a pic of my lil baby boy and had the same problem when i tried to vote. I feel like such a dusch for forwarding their e-mail to everyone I know asking them to vote. Has anyone every even won the so called money they advertise about? I am so glad i did some research about this hard back coffee table book of "The Most Beautiful Babies in America" before purchasing... Great american photo contest, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!

I totally disagree. I've entered my baby into the contest, and have found that it's fine. Sure, the emails are annoying, but just block the sender from your end. They won't be able to reach you. And yes, the voting process is annoying, but you don't ACTUALLY have to fill out all those ads after you vote; it's ###. Your vote counts if you simply click "vote" and close the page. If you notice, the ad pages aren't even part of Great American and so they're really unrelated. You guys can enjoy the contest if you don't get suckered into all the offers, and, since the contest funds its prize through the people who do fill out the offers, you'll be free riding off another person's labor. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

I DISAGREE, I WAS ALSO A NON BELIEVER BECAUSE I SENT OFF FOR MY BOOK ABOUT 5_6 MONTHS AGO AND I ACTUALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT. I SAID WELL THATS $80.00 GONE DOWN THE DRAIN UNTILL TODAY. I RECEIVED THE PINK SLIP ABOUT A WEEK AGO TO PICK A PACKAGE UP AT MY LOCAL POST OFFICE, SO I JUST WENT THIS MORNING AND IT WAS THE BOOK I COULD NOT BELEIVE IT MY BABY WAS ON PAGE 47. SO, TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR ISSUES YET, JUST BE PATIENT YOUR BOOK WILL COME WHEN U LEAST SUSPECT IT... [censored] LUCK!

I dont know what to believe.. they called me and told me my son was gonna be in the book for 2009.. but why should we have to pay anything if our babies won? they want me to buy the book for 80 idk what i should do

I don't know what to do either... It all looks legit, and YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEIR PICTURE IN THE BOOK... if you read the fine print at the very bottom of the page, there is a release form to put the photo in the book without purchasing the book. But the weird part about it all is that when I try to find previous year editions for this book, my searches come up empty. So that makes me believe it's a scam... but then again if I don't have to buy the book to have the picture in there. However, I guess if I don't buy the book them how would I ever know if the release I sign puts the photo in it... OH... I'm frustrated! And totally rambling. Is there anyone else out there who actually received this book?

I just got an e-mail today saying i could buy the book, i would really like to buy it, but i feel like it is a scam... i really want to know if the book is really published and sent out to book stores or im just paying to see my baby in a book...? i dont know?

I had the same problem. I just now got my email saying my son is going to be included in the 2009 version of the book. But listen, this is common sense...they are asking you to purchase the book for the "special" price of $69. How much does a picture cost to develop? Seriously people think about it. If this was a book they were going to produce no matter what, they would not need your $69. Plus, have you EVER seen a book at Barnes and Nobles that cost $69? I havent, unless it was a whole series of books. The obvious truth is that this is a book that is produced only for the people that want to pay the money to see their child in the book. It will not be put in any store and will never be available again afterwards. Not only that but I have high suspicions that they email everyone in the contest to say their baby is going to be included. Why would they leave anyone out? The more "cutest" babies they have, the more money they make from people buying their book. It is not a scam exactly, but it is definitely misleading, and if you buy the book, just realize that you could make your own book of baby photos and call it legit.

I recieved a phone call from theses guys and after several sales pitch atempts I asked them what stores it would be available in. I had to ask three times before I got an answer. It will not be in any stores and is only available through there email offers. Leads me to believe the dont nationaly publish and only make a book if one is ordered. Maybe not a scam but it is a ripoff.

Look if you win a competition or something that requires a photo or you publish a photo, they will send you a free copy of that publication. Why would you have to buy something that claims you have been picked for? What a bunch of crap.

I got received this email and was so happy that Aiden was chosen! My problem with it is will his photo be in every copy? My brother recently had a poem published in a collection book of poems. He then discovered that it was a generic collection. Every time someone submitted a poem to be included, they removed the last entrant and published the new one. Will my baby's photo really be in every book published in 2009? I think the money they are asking for is outlandish. But if it was really legit and his photo WAS actually chosen and published in EVERY book published for the year, I would pay it just for the incredible memory and being a proud mama. But I don't want to be taken like my bro. What should I do?

if u ask me we shud be the ones getting paid 2 hav our babies pics in the book. its completely messed up. i thought that at least the plaque would be free. we shud be pid 4 making such cute babies :(

I entered my son into this contest, and 3 hours later I received and e-mail saying that he had won, no one had voted yet other than my inital vote when I entered him. Then I also got an e-mail wanting me to buy a book and some plaque. When I realized what this was I called their "customer service" and had to get really nasty and threaten a law suit in order for them to take my son picture off the site. I was told that once I put his picture up they could use it on any of the advertisement. NOT TRUE they did state that condition in the sign up terms!
I in no way want my sons picture floating in cyberspace and reget ever doing this and will never put my children's picture on the internet again! I know most parents would feel the same way if they thought someone was using their child's photo for god know what and you had no idea. It is every parent worst nightmare!
Please send this on, parents need to know!

I don't know what to do, yes I received the email wanting me to purchase the plaque. Now they are calling me several times a day wanting me to buy the book! I keep asking them " I am really going to get a book or is it a scam?", so far all they do is hang up on me!
LN76

I bought the plaque because I thought it was nice. But I'm not authorizing them to put my daughter's picture in a book. Hopefuly I will get my plaque in 7-10 business days.. Will keep you posted.

Great American Photo Contest is a SCAM!

I submitted a picture of my son and then got very suspicious after they kept asking me to participate in so many things. I have received so much spam email since I signed. I have read a lot more about this online and decided to remove my account. There is a place for you to delete the photo but once you try to submit that request it tells you "OOOPS ... we couldn't find the requested page !" and there is no place to remove or deactivate your account.

I know someone else that submitted a photo of their child and I tried to tell her that is was a scam and she came back and said it wasn't. All I can say is when she gets burnt (per say) I did my part and tried to warn her.

They emailed me the same thing. then this weired Indian guy called my phone from an unknown num and said i had 2 pay a fee of 19.99 if i wanted my baby win. I told them no thanks and i changed my mind. Every contest i ever entered was free and no fee. I made my own scrapbook for my baby free of charge! Scamers!

I TOTALLY AGREE.. I TOO ENTERED THE CONTEST AND RECEIVED THE SAME E-MAILS! HOW LOW CAN SOME PEOPLE GO? ITS HORRIBLE AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!

I ALSO ENTERED MY DAUGHTER IN THE GREAT AMERICAN PHOTO CONTEST. THEY SENT ME E-MAILS SAYING THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE PUBLISHED IN A BOOK.. BUT WHY WOULD YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK IF YOUR CHILD WON? OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SCAM AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! HOW LOW CAN SOMEONE GO YO MAKE A QUICK DOLLAR?

SCAMMER!

i entered my daughter to the contest now they are calling me from a

number([protected] and his name is phillip. offering a book where

where her picture is going to be for the 2010 edition i have already been

scamed by universal reading services. and learned my lesson. but if the

book is not going to be in book stores libraries its probably a scam or those

anybody know if you can find the book editions in the book stores or library?

YES! PLEASE let me know as well. I received the e-mail yesterday to have my daughter included in the 2010 edition of the book but it kept saying that their was an error and to contact costumer service after going back and forth twice i got to the enter your credit card to purchase part and notice NO WHERE on their site are their any contact phone numbers and none of my costumer service e-mails were signed by a person only "costumer service department". I wrote back stating I would prefer to speak with a live person that to be directed to a link to enter my credit card information. I requested them to give me a direct contact number. Waiting to hear back...Has anyone ever actually talked to a live human being or received this book...honestly?

I just purchased book for $81.95. Never have really got scammed on the phone. well, If I get the book with my sons picture in it, I guess I will have at least received something. Main thing I realized is none of them speak english, per say, and I talked with 4 different people and demanded to talk to a caucasion person, and they have no one. Then they offer money back gurantee, plus it takes 3-6 months to receive book. I wish I didn't do this. but maybe the book (if I receive) will bring good memories. man.

I havent put any money into this yet...and i dont think that i will...i love my son and i know hes cute and i dont have to pay 80$ for some website to tell me hes cute...its driving me crazy because ive seen mixed emotions online some say great american baby is legit and some say its a scam, but id rather not take that chance...

LOL they sent me one that my dog's picture is in the 2010 most adorable pets book. I guess I didn't read the fine print because I'm annoyed that MY picture of MY dog is being published in their book for their profit. It's a rip.

Anyway, glad that it's just my dog and not my kid. Make your own book with tons of pics of your own kid and it'll probably cost you a lot less. Who wants a book with a bunch of other people's kids' pictures anyway?

I say buyer beware. I'm glad I didn't bite.

Through facebook I submitted my dog in a cute pets contest. Hes an adorable corgi who passed on now. After I sent it my mom and family tried to vote for him. Couldnt do anything they said. Then I recently got a letter from the editor of the Great American Photo Contest saying the editor of the book wanted to use my photo in the Most Adorable Pets in America book. When I tried to click on the picture they say Sorry we cant reconize you. Then it askes for my email and password. And there is no photo. They say I cant log in or reserve a copy at this time. Im beginning to think thats a good thing after reading these complaints. Its so disheartning! I thought I was gonna have a great treasure to rember my little guy by. I thought I could always think of his as being beautiful to people even after hes gone...:( Thats ok I guess, AKC has sent use a commeoritive plaque for all the hard work and funding he did. :)

I submitted my 2 dogs for the cute pet photos contest. Then I found out you had to solicit votes yourself, so I thought, "Forget it" and never asked anyone to vote; therefore, the dogs had no votes at all. Nevertheless, the photo somehow "won" and they "want to" include it in their expensive book, so they've told me with dozens of emails. They can even be entered into a $10, 000 contest..IF I send money up front. They probably really do put your pet's picture in the book, but it's nothing more than a vanity press. This is a mean money-making scheme and a dirty trick for those who love their pets and/or kids, AND make an honest living.

I got the same thing also, DogMom.
I figured if they want to publish my picture in a book, then I should get the book for free.
I'm not sending them anything!

I entered the same Great American Photo Contest with a photo of my dog (saw the ad on Facebook). I only sent one email asking for votes, I think he received 4 votes. I ALSO received an email congratulating me that he was selected. The email stated for the sum of $69.95 plus shipping I can buy the book with his photo and for an additional $10 I can say a few words. I definately got bitten by the scam. It is a shame to use people's pets as bait. They will not get a cent from me.

Same with I ALMOST sent money to see my pet's picture in the book but...I decided to look and see what ppl were saying on the internet! My gratitude to all of you who help us become aware of the scams!

I too entered this contest from face book and I too got an email the this morning wanting to put my Puppies phone in a book for 69. then 10 extra to say something about him. I too almost fell for it, but because we are on a set income a scam would wipe my hole family out. I did send an email to them and asked what state and city this company is in so I could call the enforcement in that city and ask if they know of such a company or is it a scam. I told them once I talked to the law enforcement ( I will find that number my self so I know there real) and they know of such place and it is real then I would buy the book, but not until. So funny have not heard back from them as of yet.

I suspect that the greatamericanphotocontest people are self publishers. They get a bunch of people to submit pictures and some people fill out surveys, etc so the company gets kickbacks from that, and then they send out announcements to everyone, not that they one the money prize, but that they have been chosen to be in the book.

If you want a copy of the book, you pay the amount and when they get enough orders, they print up a run of books with the latest good photos in it. If you want a profile added, you pay $10.00 more.
Then they send the books out to everyone that ordered it. Not bad if you want a keepsake of your child, or in my case, my dog.

I am a little nervous about the person who paid and continues to see withdrawals coming from her account, otherwise, if you find value in the product, it is probably a good thing. Self publishing at it's finest. Not a bad business strategy, though it feels a little slimey. Kinda like Who's Who's for kids and pets.

I filled out the form for the cutest pets with my cat's picture. When I got to the voting page and realized that you had to enter your cell phone number to vote I said "Forget it." and closed my browser. I got an email today saying that Josie was chosen to be in the book. How can she have been chosen when I didn't even vote for her? Based on what everyone else is saying here, I'm glad I never gave them my phone number.

I Don't know but they sent me an email saying my dog Blackly Preza won and will be in a book! After clicking on this site I don't know what's real of fake but what if they will actually put my dog in a book then what? Do you know what this might mean for me and my family? $65.00 is a lot of money but this could be my chance to make my puppy a star! She's a year old black and white and grey Chiwawa one of the cutes dogs i've ever seen loves people especially little kids! Blackly was a rescue I found her when she was only a couple of months old with a leg that was broken in 3 places, Super Skinny, Dropped on her head, Her little chin had a scrape under neath it from where she fell and hit it and she has an under bite but i think that makes her look cute Ive spent hundreds of dollars on her. When I took her to the Doctors they referred me to a specialist who told us that if her leg didn't heal that they would be forced to cut it off. Do I think this book is worth it? Who wouldn't I know and belive my little doggie is Priceless and has been through so much it's a miracle her leg is healing and that they didn't have to cut the leg off. I'm going to take a chance I'm not going to give up and I know that Blackly Deserves to Be in that Book so I'll pay the money and when I recieve my Book I'll right back letting everyone one know on this site and everyone's thats willing to listen that this is NOT a scam and is REAL!

I just recieved 2 emails saying my dog's picture was chosen to be in this book.. like people have said.. why do we have to pay for this book? they should be paying us something and then selling their book... also if you read to "fine print" at the bottom of the page.. it's pretty clear that you have to buy this so called book to have your picture printed in it.. also.. how come we can't buy books from years past?

FOUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE WHERE YOU GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD INFO.. "This book has not yet been published so please allow several months for printing. Ordering a copy now will ensure that your pet's photo will be included in the current edition. """Photos of pets whose guardians ""do not order books"" for the current printing run "may be included in a future edition" at the editor's discretion.""" Did you read it? those who DO NOT order the book.. they photo "MAY" be included in a future adition" hahahaha RIGHT!

So, does or has anyone ever won the $1000 grand prize that they promise? I also received this email but did not send money.

I'm really glad that I found all of these posts...I entered my son into the Great American Photo Contest (thinking that it was a legitimate website). Within the next day or so I got 9 emails telling me that he had been chosen to appear in some nationally published book. And in each email, there were tons of links leading to God only knows where! I didn't click a damn thing, once I read down to the bottom of the page, directly underneath all the offers for some 25, 000 dollar winning prize, there was a teeny tiny little mention of an entry fee, and it was stated so subtly ("oh, by the way...") that it made it even more glaring. This is an awful scam. It takes a sick twisted mind to sit there and conceive of ways to sucker proud parents into spending hard earned money, all the while using children like bait. And now these damn emails won't stop! It's a lose-lose situation. I wouldn't even advise anyone to enter their child's picture on that hell hole of a website, greatamericanphotocontest.com. Load of crap. Unbelievable! %&^*^&%^

My husband submitted our dog's picture months ago and tonight we received an email confirmation that her picture was selected to be in their 2010 Edition, The Most Adorable Pets in America. We never solicited any votes and we ourselves did not vote. They ask for $59.95 (a "wholesale" price) to reserve the book with her picture in it. They do sell these books online at Amazon but in limited supply. Wonder if you would order from Amazon if your picture is in there or if they print the books and the one they send to you they add your picture?!? I know she's cute and I don't need her picture in a book to tell me ... I'm just glad my husband thought it would be something nice. If would have been if it didn't pan out to be this scam.

Well, they've gone to "The Best Photo of Pets" now. Before I checked with Snopes, I entered and emailed all my friends, then linked on the page for voting. I couldn't get over all the information they required and with every requirement, I got more suspicious. At last I backed out and they have not phoned me YET. Fortunately, I was able to email all my friends and say STOP and forget about voting. In the meantime, the organizers have emailed me that my photo was judged by a panel of professional photographers. What a crock! I'm a retired graphic design teacher, and I can say it was not the greatest picture. They also want me to buy a similar book that the other "contests" profess. I'm going to try to stop these emails as soon as I finish writing.