Catalyst Complaint Cover Page

302302

Complaint
Number 302302 Date 9/20/2007 Status Assignee Actual Savings Amount Disputed Estimated Savings Closed Wu, Andrew F $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Location Seattle - Consumer Protection Division NAICS 541920-Photographic Services

Complainant
Name Jay Wheatley 1100 Denny Way Seattle, WA 98109 Phone Day (206) 547-7155 Phone Evening Email (206) 527-7353 jay@forrest-pruzan.com

Respondent(s)
Name Getty Images 2101 4th Ave Ste 500 Seattle, WA 98121 Contact Phone (206) 695-3400 Toll Free Email licensecompliance@ gettyimages.com

Referral(s)
Name Contact Phone Contact Phone Email

Practice(s)
Code 018 Practice Service Representation

Activities
Date Added 10/1/2007 10/1/2007 1/21/2008 2/13/2008 Activity Type Email to Complainant Form Letter to Business Form Letter to Business Other Activity C500_Information (used with R500 & most other Respondent letters) To: jay@forrest-pruzan.com R500_First letter to respondent; May we please have your reply To: R601E_Alternate second letter with enclosure To: R601E was returned as undeliverable via USPS. ---AWu

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RK-00808 PRR-2012-00283

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Complaint Description
Description I just completed an online transaction on the website www.istockphoto.com. This company is owned by Getty Images of Seattle, Washington. On the website I used a credit card to purchase "credits" that allow me to download and use stock photos. After completing the transaction, the website told me the following: "Credits from this purchase will expire in 1 year on September 19, 2008". My complaint is that I was under the impression that a law had been passed in Washington that made such expirations illegal. I called istockphoto and they said that they are a Canadian company and the law wouldn't apply. Does that give them the right to conduct business like that with consumers in Washington State via the Internet? Doesn't the fact that they are owned by a Seattle, Washington company matter?

RK-00810 PRR-2012-00283

AndrewW2

2/13/2008

C371_No response from firm To: jay@forrest-pruzan.com 2/13/2008 Jay Wheatley 1100 Denny Way Seattle, WA 98109

RE: Getty Images File #: 302302 Dear Jay Wheatley:

Getty Images has not responded to our letters and telephone calls concerning your complaint. Since our office cannot force firms to answer correspondence or make adjustments, there is no further assistance this office can provide. The terms of the Consumer Protection Act do not permit this office to act as your private attorney when the firm refuses to answer or make an adjustment. We do bring lawsuits against firms systematically violating the Consumer Protection Act. However, these suits must be brought in the name of the people of the State of Washington, and we cannot sue on behalf of any individual. The fact that we are not able to be of direct assistance to you does not necessarily reflect on the validity of your claim, and you may wish to contact a private attorney who will advise you further. We regret that we are not able to help you at this time. However, your complaint will become a part of our permanent record and may aid us in establishing at some future date that a pattern of illegal business conduct does exist, requiring action by this office as outlined above. Thank you for taking the time to contact our office. I am sorry that we could not resolve the matter in dispute. ANDREW F. WU Customer Service Specialist 3 Consumer Protection Division (206) 389-2102

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RK-00820 PRR-2012-00283