Customers are holding their breath after a popular wedding studio appeared to have abruptly ceased operations.
In a Reddit post on Tuesday (Aug 18), a notice purportedly put up at Artiz Studio’s Singapore outlet can be seen addressing the alleged closure.
“Due to internal operational issues within the company, all employees have currently not received their outstanding salaries. At the same time, we have been unable to obtain any clear or formal response, update, or further arrangements from the company’s management,” it wrote.
As a result, the studio is unable to confirm or guarantee that scheduled photography sessions, photo selection appointments or other scheduled services could proceed as planned, the notice added.
Customers were advised not to visit the studio for any scheduled appointments until further notice to avoid a wasted trip.
“We understand that many customers have already made arrangements, planned their schedules, and looked forward to completing their wedding photography. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience, difficulties, and uncertainty that this situation may cause you.”
The notice added that as the company’s management had yet to provide “any formal or clear response”, the studio would not be able to provide customers with “unverified information, answers or commitments” until further confirmation was received.
A separate notice also appeared to have been put up at the outlet — allegedly from the studio’s photo and photo album production partner.
Shared by another Reddit user in the thread, it read: “We currently have more than 50 sets of your photographs in our possession. If you would like to collect or arrange for the return of your photographs, please feel free to contact me.”
The post has since drawn the attention of affected customers, with some taking to the comments section to voice their concerns.
“We had our photoshoot but haven’t selected our photos. Did anyone manage to get soft copies of your photos?” one asked, while another lamented: “They haven’t even taken our photos…Hope can at least get some money back[sic].”
A check by AsiaOne reveals that Artiz Studio is listed as temporarily closed on Google.
However, a check on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)’s Bizfile portal showed that Korea Artiz Studio Pte. Ltd. operating at the same address maintains a “Live Company” status.
In response to AsiaOne’s queries on Wednesday, Melvin Yong, president of Consumers Association of Singapore (Case), said that 66 complaints have been received against Artiz Studio Singapore from Aug 14 to Aug 18 which involved more than $271,000 in prepayment losses.
According to Melvin, the complainants reported that they had reached out to the business for fulfilment of contracted services or refund of their prepayments, but the business was not responsive.
The organisation has since reached out to the company to understand whether scheduled photography sessions and services will proceed as planned and sought clarifications on the remedies that will be offered to affected consumers if the services cannot be fulfilled, he added.
“Consumers are advised to carefully review bridal and wedding photography packages before committing to a purchase,” the Case president advised, adding that one should obtain written confirmation of key terms and deliverables, and retain all relevant documentation, including contracts and proof of payment.
“Where appropriate, consumers should negotiate to split the contractual amount into smaller progressive payments to be paid at various stages of service delivery.”
Affected customers can approach Case for assistance at its website or hotline at 6277 5100.
Meanwhile, local wedding photography studio Hey Stranger Photography has taken the chance to offer those affected by the situation a special discount on its pre-wedding shoot packages.
“If you’re one of the affected couples and is now looking for an alternative, please feel free to reach out to us,” it wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Regional outposts also closed
Artiz Studio outlets in other countries also appeared to have ceased operations.
According to local media reports, its Taiwan studio had reportedly gone bankrupt and shuttered on Aug 10.
Netizens who appear to be customers of Artiz Studio Jakarta also took to the studio’s Instagram page to demand for compensation.
“Please give the money back, I’m so sad, I’ve already paid,” read one comment, while another said: “Thank god we didn’t end up doing our pre-wedding shoot here. I feel so sorry for the victims. Seriously, give them their money back!”
Found in Busan in 2008, Korea Artiz Studio is a luxury Korean-style wedding photo studio. It landed in Singapore in 2017 and has collaborated with various local TV personalities and content creators including Maxi Lim, Nicole Chang Min and James Seah.
AsiaOne has reached out to Artiz Studio Singapore for more information.
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carol.ong@asiaone.com
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