Uni Graduate Wants To Save Every GCU Student £60.
‘It’s not very often you come across an opportunity like this’ Nic tells me, ‘where there is so clearly a way to save thousands of people millions of pounds.’ So, when he realised universities were ripping students off to the tune of £22m a year he started his company ‘Grad Snaps’ to save the average graduating student £60. This year Grad Snaps is coming to Glasgow.
Grad Snaps offers incredibly good value formal graduation photos (£25 compared to £40+ form official photographers) the sort your parents will force you to get so they can stick you on the mantle piece as a symbol of their pride. ‘I was shocked at how expensive my own photos cost at my graduation a few years ago and I discovered they were so expensive because the university is taking a commission, sometimes up to 50%, this meant that of the £80 I spent £40 went to the university, who I’d already paid over £30,000 to attend.’ said Nic. ‘It didn’t sit right with me, It felt really unfair, that on this day of celebration my university was trying to get more money out of me.’
This is where the idea of Grad Snaps came from a company that offers reasonably priced graduation photos. By not being associated with the university Grad Snaps can be at least 50% less expensive whilst offering great quality photos. ‘We did away with those ridiculous packages, as no one liked them and they tricked you into spending more money by getting more pictures than you need, that’s the great thing about us- the student is our customer not the university- so we act in the students best interest not the universities or our own.’
I never thought graduation photography could be so controversial but after talking with Nic for a few hours, he does have a point. For years and years universities and a few private companies have had a cushy relationship whereby they both profit from a lack of competition and a lack of choice for students. They’d better watch their back as Grad Snaps is a welcome breath of fresh air in a market that hasn’t seen innovation or disruption in 100 or so years.
‘Students love us’ says Nic ‘and I can see why, graduation is an expensive time but students want that memento, that symbol of their hard work and a keep sake to mark the end of an era, they want the quality that you can’t get from a smartphone, they just don’t want to be charged through the nose for it.’ Grad Snaps has been running successfully for 3 years and has saved over 3000 customers money on their photos. ‘This year we are expanding to Glasgow and we can’t wait to save GCU students loads of money.’
At the time of writing Nic informs me that there are only 9 Super Early Bird Tickets left (which are £2 cheaper than the early bird and £9 cheaper than a standard ticket) so if you want a great deal, be quick before they are all snapped up!
Tickets are available from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-caledonian-graduation-photos-25-tickets-60409547583
Or Join Their Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2750305628528545/
Find out more at their website: www.gradsnaps.com