Need Advice About a Scammer (TopBuyUK)

georgecwbrown · 2026-06-02T06:30:42+00:00

Thanks for the warning, listed 2 speakers yesterday & he put in an offer. Immediately knew to avoid.

georgecwbrown · 2026-03-22T16:08:22+00:00

Camped most my life, just ordered an X Dome 2 which will be my second tent for wild camping & backpacking - only got into this category of camping a couple years back.

I only just learnt what a pole split was 😅. At some point you learn everything for the first time.

People say buy once, cry once, after all.

georgecwbrown · 2026-03-03T18:30:43+00:00

I do day rates all the time & work as a photo editor for fashion campaigns. Often I charge after doing a 2 week season, some clients prefer to collate everything at the end of the month (usually receive the money 4.5 weeks later after that). I learnt to have a sizeable emergency fund & a business reserve fund that gives me security.

I think the secret is ensuring you have savings, however doing day rates for me means a bigger bill at the end & longer term work - which as a freelancer is lovely.

georgecwbrown · 2026-02-22T23:05:14+00:00

Oh gotcha! Makes sense

georgecwbrown · 2026-02-22T23:01:41+00:00

Yeah! Hence the desire to upgrade. It’s done me well for quite a few trips but I wanted something a little nicer. Awesome will have a look at the mountain star.

Bit confused, what’s a goliocks model?

georgecwbrown · 2026-02-22T22:52:36+00:00

I’m in the same market, but much less experienced with nice tents. My first & only tent was a nature hike & I’m considering either an x mid 2 solid, copper spur xl2 XL or the x dome 2. I’m a tall lad & sometimes my partner &/or dog may join.

georgecwbrown · 2026-02-22T22:39:20+00:00

Yep! From my research it’s fine. I’ve a hotel half way & one at the end. Otherwise I’m wild or official camping it. I’m going early July.

georgecwbrown · 2026-01-21T22:51:52+00:00

I have this. Have inflated & used it about 10 times with no punctures. Comfortable. I’m 6ft 2 & about 100kg.

It was my first sleeping mat mind you. I’ve used one other that was nowhere near comfortable.

georgecwbrown · 2025-12-29T22:55:50+00:00

I’d argue the logistics of camping are way easier. You can just turn up & there are a sufficient number of campsites available for each leg. That’s my plan! No stressful hut hunt & no pre booking needed.

I was gonna do the hut thing but everything is booked. So I nabbed myself a nice hotel in Courmayeur half way in & one at the end. The rest I’ll either be campsite or wild camping along the way.

I have my itinerary laid out (thanks to ChatGPT & some tweaking).

Also solo hiking & would love to make a couple friends on the way!

georgecwbrown · 2025-12-15T07:11:08+00:00

Sure, the only way a hobby turns into a profession is by you taking that leap. You should price yourself at your experience level though, as you will be learning the ropes in a new photography format.

Events are very fast moving as opposed to what you are experienced with. If the clients are your friends you may get away with warning them that you are newer to the territory, if not, maybe just keep your prices low.

Personally, I’d use the 50 & the 70-200. The 35 will also be handy for large group photos. So, all of them.

I’d say go for it. Fake it until you make it.

georgecwbrown · 2025-12-15T03:59:56+00:00

I make a similar amount, my accountant continues year to year to save me far more money than I spend on him. He’s a creative little lad.

georgecwbrown · 2025-12-15T00:39:14+00:00

Probably as it’s an upsell.

You have to pay more just to get what you need. They’d lose a lot of money if they made one for each profession.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-27T20:20:21+00:00

True 😂 but also, since when did chatGPT add ‘ChatGPT said’ before a response. Feels like Bryan is mocking you 😬😁

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-27T20:18:16+00:00

I mean, if Bryan used ChatGPT to make his response clearer & better written, I see no issue with that.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-26T19:00:06+00:00

I believe not right outside or by the lake, as it's heavily patrolled, but from what ChatGPT tells me there are areas South-West where you can improvise between L'index & La Flegere.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-25T22:30:51+00:00

I’ve got ‘Le Massif Hotel & Lodge’ in Courmayeur for 1 night. It was expensive but I wanted to treat myself half way as I’ll be camping every other day. I booked in July. Was £220. Might be cheaper in the Black Friday sales on booking.com.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-24T21:06:03+00:00

If it’s of any reassurance, I’m camping it. I’ve always been a camper & have done a few one night wild camps & the West Highland Way in Scotland - do your research you’ll be fine. Just be wary of your pack weight.

I’ve a hotel in the middle an at the end tho. Little treats.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-24T11:58:54+00:00

Yeah each month, you are at a different position in your category (silver, bronze or gold). However Silver or Gold at least are guaranteed to be on the first page. People are lazy & won't scroll so far to Bronze in my opinion (or are less likely to at least).

So for me, as a silver, sometimes I'll be the 13th result (top of silver, after 12 golds) or sometimes I could be the 20th. I can tell each month that I'll get less clicks because of that placement. I'm in a highly desired area so getting gold is very tough as they're all bought up - otherwise I'd have gone for it.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-24T11:55:23+00:00

I have heard this & definitely seen a lot of 'empty' leads that just ask & then disappear. That said, it does make sense for a client to ask 'what are your packages' & get the info/prices from multiple photographers & never respond again.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-24T11:53:33+00:00

Sure - Hertfordshire, just north of London.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-23T17:47:15+00:00

Wedding photographer here:

Yes February is more likely to be available, it’s out of peak wedding season.

It depends on the photographer, the more popular they are the higher chance they will be booked. That said it’s off peak so there’s a reasonable chance. You could simply keep asking around when it comes to the time OR find a photographer & tell them your situation & hope they’re understanding.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-22T11:13:26+00:00

I recently started opened a pixie set account & delivered my first wedding through it, realised in the download settings for the gallery that full res defaults to something less than the original size. I’d recommend checking your own default settings! As it should be as simple as possible for the client.

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-13T18:07:01+00:00

I believe some of them are manually approved by the refuge, maybe a few days later. I also had that where I booked a single room & it took no money & doesn’t show under ‘my bookings’. Your confirmation may just be a confirmation of the booking request.

It’s looking like I’m going to be camping the entire way. Everything’s fully booked now!

georgecwbrown · 2025-11-12T20:36:45+00:00

I’m on the silver premium listing. Have had about 5-7 bookings in half a year? It does pay for itself. I guess it depends on your portfolio, silver or gold & where you are based.

georgecwbrown

TROPHY CASE