Google Trusted Photographer Misleading Cold Call

Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 11:42

I just received a cold call from someone claiming to be from Google wanting to come to my business and take a panoramic for a fee.

I asked him straight out 3 times "Are you from Google?" which he replied "Yes" each time.

I then asked for a website. Turns out he is a Google Trusted Photographer.

That's pretty misleading unless I'm totally wrong here and this is Google's way of outsourcing jobs.

I told him he was being misleading but he said he was "Hired by Google".

Was he being misleading or is he really from Google.

Poll Options

  • 118
    That's misleading
  • 10
    He is actually from Google
General Discussion

Comments

  • rambao9 on 23/11/2016 - 11:51
    +1

    I don't know, but he is working "on behalf of google".

    He was paid by google to do the cold calls, so yes he is working for google as a contractor, albeit not direct.

    Even if you asked him for a website, they might not even be involved with the Google photography company at all but just provided you the one that they have been briefed on.

    I believe they work on campaigns for short periods and then assigned different ones if they are from a call center…

    • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 11:53

      I see my bad then.

      Didn't know google had that kind of business model.

      He never said he was calling "on behalf of Google"

      Feel a bit bad now haha.

      • zealmax on 25/11/2016 - 09:17

        There is probably 50 levels of sub contracts in between. So not directly working for Google.

  • k-rokfm on 23/11/2016 - 11:53
    +9

    No he was being misleading - he would have been a seperate photographer/company that has an approval badge from google from doing it before.

    https://www.google.com/intl/en/streetview/earn/

    • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 11:54

      That's what I thought after doing a Google search.

      • k-rokfm on 23/11/2016 - 11:55
        +6

        see here: https://www.google.com/intl/en/streetview/sales/

        Photographers/Agencies

        Google is not a party to agreements between photographers and business owners or any other third parties.

        Please note, this information is provided only as guidance. Google does not audit the terms of third-party agreements.
        Google is unable to resolve any disputes that arise between you and your client, including any questions related to product quality or total cost of the shoot. If issues arise during the course of your relationship, you and your client will need to resolve them on your own.

        • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 11:57

          Seems poor form from the photographer. He would end up confusing other unsuspecting customers.

        • k-rokfm on 23/11/2016 - 11:59

          @Hogg:

          Wouldnt suprise me if he was doing it, would probably get a few unsuspecting business owners saying yep and then he can charge them higher than whats the market rate for it.

        • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 12:00

          @k-rokfm:

          Any idea what the market rate is?

          He was asking for $260.

        • k-rokfm on 23/11/2016 - 12:24

          @Hogg:

          no clue to be honest

        • Savas on 23/11/2016 - 12:31

          @Hogg: huh, I thought you said he would do it for free? also what is your business? must be pretty awesome if google want a pic

        • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 12:34
          +3

          @Savas:

          He wanted to do it for a super duper one time only fee.

        • Savas on 23/11/2016 - 12:35

          @Hogg: Oh opps, my brain read "free"

        • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 12:36
          +4

          @Savas:

          We see what we want to see haha. We've been on Ozbargain too long.

        • McFly on 24/11/2016 - 18:12

          @Hogg: I'm not too long! Oh…

  • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 11:54

    I accidentally voted on the poll. How do I revoke my vote?

    • Savas on 23/11/2016 - 14:41

      You need to enable "allow to change vote" in the poll settings

  • [Deactivated] on 23/11/2016 - 12:13
    +2

    I think it's like a seller on ebay doesn't 'work' for ebay. (The fees I pay confirm that)

  • [Deactivated] on 23/11/2016 - 12:22

    sounds like an 'instagram approved photographer'

    i've got a goolge gmail account and a camera.

    does that make me a google approved photographer?

    • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 12:27

      I believe he has some sort Google badge.

      However he never said he was just a Google Trusted Photographer badger holder. He literally said he was from Google.

      Your point still stands though.

      • McFly on 24/11/2016 - 18:17
        +4

        he never said he was just a Google Trusted Photographer badger holder

        He would probably need some kind of importation/animal handling licence for that!

        • Hogg on 24/11/2016 - 21:42

          Lol That's google's new venture.

  • Savas on 23/11/2016 - 12:28

    if your trusted by google, you must be a pretty trustworthy guy!

    • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 12:29
      +2

      Damn, I should've given him all my money.

    • hashtagbargain on 23/11/2016 - 12:56
      -1

      you are*

      • Savas on 23/11/2016 - 13:03

        Ok

  • Abcxyztpg on 23/11/2016 - 13:16
    -1

    In short he shouldn't charge you anything to take photo.

    • k-rokfm on 23/11/2016 - 13:25
      +1

      Nah theyll charge you a fee to get the photo taken, but he was stating (well answering) that he was from google when that was false

      • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 13:26
        +1

        He introduced himself as being from Google to start with as well.

      • Abcxyztpg on 23/11/2016 - 13:29

        Couldn't find it anywhere. Why can't I upload my business photo on my own. Why do I need to pay google photographer?

  • rompastompa on 23/11/2016 - 13:33
    +2

    Things You Can’t Do

    • Don’t misrepresent or hide that you’re part of the trusted program when you’re interacting with businesses online.
    • Don’t use the badge in a misleading or abusive way. For example, using the badge in a way that suggests a Google endorsement for any product or service.

    endorse verb
    1. declare one's public approval or support of.

    By misleading that he's working for Google, he's saying that Google is endorsing this product/service.

    Source: https://www.google.com.au/streetview/sales/

    Edit: Oops, didn't see that k-rokfm already mentioned it :)

    • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 13:35

      Where does on report this?

      • rompastompa on 23/11/2016 - 13:38
        +1

        Not sure, though I found more specific information:

        General Content Policies

        Misrepresentation

        We don’t allow individuals to use Google Maps to mislead others. This applies to deceptive content as well as false representations.

        Do not attribute your content to another individual, company or organization if you are not authorized to represent them.
        Google reserves the right to remove imagery, suspend accounts, or pursue other legal action against photographers who falsely claim that they represent or are employed by Google.

        Source: https://www.google.com.au/streetview/privacy/#general-conten…

        Edit: I'd probably do it through their standard feedback page, even though the specifically outline what kind of feedback they're after through that link.

        Edit: OK, I think I'd send through legal request > Click See more products > Google Trusted Stores > I have a legal issue not listed here. Direct Link

      • rompastompa on 23/11/2016 - 14:02

        Looks like someone had the same thing happen to them.

        If it's a business listed on Google's hire page, you might want to call/e-mail them and let them know. Might be a rogue salesman/photographer.

        • Hogg on 23/11/2016 - 14:24

          I tried to find a google reporting form but couldn't. They probably don't want to police the situation.

          I will contact the business out of good faith. Hope it's not their business model.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/11/2016 - 16:41

    Pretty funny on cold calling. I got into a deep discussion with a cold caller about why I wouldn't change electricity to a cold caller who couldn't even describe the Australian electrical outlet plug. After ten minutes or more I asked if the conversation was being recorded without consent. He said I hadn't given him the chance. My fault they hadn't legally disclosed that.

    • Kevan2 on 23/11/2016 - 19:40

      I wonder if they would send you a copy of the recording if requested.

    • Hogg on 24/11/2016 - 21:44

      I never knew how much cold calling small businesses are subjected to till recently. Really annoying.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2016 - 07:59

    'social engineering'

    • Hogg on 24/11/2016 - 21:43
      +1

      Your username is what he was doing to me.

  • Donaldhump on 24/11/2016 - 22:14

    should have a poll option "hang up the bloody phone"

  • MrBillions on 25/11/2016 - 05:07

    Did they seem to be from a Philippine call center?

  • viperxz on 25/11/2016 - 07:07

    How much was he asking? I've used google before!

    I'll do it for $5 and 51% of the shares in your business.

  • iSamurai on 25/11/2016 - 08:50
    +1

    If you want to put your business up (e.g. Coffee shop, bike shop etc.) on google maps's interior street view, you can do it yourself using the google photosphere app for free.

  • JimmyF on 25/11/2016 - 09:31

    He works the same as the guy that comes to fix your telstra phone fault. He isn't employed directly by telstra either, but rocks up saying his from telstra.

    Nor is the person who drops your auspost parcels off.

    They all have their own 'companies' and work "on behalf of" that company.

    As far as you're concerned, his as good as it gets for a google photographer.

    https://www.google.com/streetview/hire/

    • Vhaluus on 25/11/2016 - 12:27
      +1

      Actually most telstra technicians are directly employed. One of the few things they havent outsourced

  • valau on 25/11/2016 - 10:28
    +4

    I'm actually a Google Trusted photographer myself. We need to take 50 approved 360 panoramas to get 'trusted'. We don't work for Google. It's kinda like a franchise but we don't need to pay anything to Google. Market rate starts at around $250-300. I wouldn't say he's 'hired' by/from Google because there's no payment from Google - it's more of an 'approved/certified' role.

    • Hogg on 25/11/2016 - 12:16

      Good on you.

      I'm assuming you'd be ethical enough to explain the exact relationship with a client rather than claiming to be from Google.

      I have no qualms with this business model. In fact I would support your business venture. Nothing like trying earn a living.

      It's being mislead by the cold caller that got me a bit annoyed.

    • SeVeN11 on 25/11/2016 - 12:18

      Now that its been cleared up.
      You should offer the op and the ozbargain community a better deal!

      :)

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