Comments on: Sears Portrait Studio redeems themselves

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:31:06 +0000

Connniann,

Have you been reading any of these comments?? I also suggest you read through the blog http://spssucks.blogspot.com/ to get some idea of why you were rushed through your appointment.

By: connniann

connniann — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:51:29 +0000

I took my 10 month old for christmas pics at sears today. Definetly not satisfied. Im not looking for special treatment,but a photographer should know that with a small baby the child may not go along with the program. my baby was crying and they told me to come back another time. I said “hell no” it was hard enough for me to get here this time!. My babys pics came out with out a smile. because they rushed me out of there! and guess what months ago the same thing happened in jc penny. These places are an assembly line. If I could afford a real photography studio I would definetly do it.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:28:28 +0000

Rather than charge the customer more for time that should be allotted anyway, perhaps this idiotic company needs to pull their collective heads out of their asses and schedule time in a more realistic manner. Of course I should book a double session – that’s what they want me to do so they can get more money from me! I know where you’re going and it bothers me immensely – really, it does – that they treat everyone like crap. And it trickles down to the customer. I dread showing up with my three small kids to a place that will be crowded, hot, and miserable knowing that we will probably be rushed through no fault of the photographer because of this company’s policies. If only everyone going there for photographs realized what the *real* problem is.

When I booked a session online, they asked me how many people were in my party. They never ONCE asked me their ages. I have a 6 and 3 year old and an 8 month old infant. In this case, it definitely makes a difference. Shouldn’t they automatically give you more time if you have small kids? Less stress for everyone, I would think, and a more satisfied customer.

But I know that’s not up to you at all.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:21:38 +0000

As a former photographer at SPS, it was my second job. I have a professional position for a fortune 30 company making good money – however I have always had a creative side and enjoyed the prospect of thinking that I am creating something that will stay with people for years. I love when I have people come in with an open mind, fun spirit and kind hearts. These people are why I chose to work at SPS during the holiday season – the highest stress time of the year for photographers. Now I can understand that having made an appointment, you assume that you will be taken in at that time. However, between scheduling appointments via the Studio call in’s, Online and 1-800 Number, we are booked every 15 minutes. As I am sure you can guess, a family of four with two young children doing family portraits, pictures of the two kids together, and individual shots of the kids with background changes does NOT take 15 minutes. Now, if you were that family and I told you after 15 minutes (even if you were not even half way finished getting the poses in you wanted) that your time is up, please leave the room and if you require more pictures, book another session on another day because we are booked for the rest of the day – I’m sure you would be just as upset. So we try to avoid doing this. Knowing that especially during the Christmas Season – we have no wiggle room – I would advise you call the Studio directly to book your appointment and if want more than 15 minutes, indicate that you would like two back to back 15 minute appt slots and are willing to pay the sitting fee for both (essentially, paying 2 sitting fees). If you are Super Saver Member, be willing to pay one sitting fee. Now – if you are a Super Saver Member – I would advise you book your appt on a Monday – Thursday to really take advantage of your benefits. The Associates are not payed by commission, however how much a location averages indicates how many people get to keep their jobs. Now – if you want to go somewhere and pay $5 for a bunch of pictures, okay. But why would someone spend the exact same amount of energy and effort to creating beautiful portraits as they would for someone who is going to pay $100+? Catering to people who consitently undervalue the effort and pride that photographers put into their work, will in essence only encourage that activity and someone will end up losing their job simply because the studio does not have the income to support that position. Now in my studio we have a team, not everyone is a photographer – some only work the sales tables. Those who do the portrait session are all professionals. I know in the past there have been those who were trained on site and thrown into the mix, however in my studio we are all professionals. Trained, Schooled, and passionate about what we do. I loved this job. Unforunately it was not enough to support myself and my family and I was forced – for the sake of my health and budget – to take a position in the business world. As a SPS employee – we do not normally get any kind of break. Not food, Not water, not bathroom. Do you know why? It’s because the second we do someone complains that we were doing nothing and the studio was behind. I can understand your frustration with wait times. But do you truly wish ill health and sickness on someone who is simply trying to earn a living for their family? On bad days, I used to lose the streangth in my hands. My legs, My hands, my back would be shaking. I lost 20 lbs in 3 1/2 weeks. My skin was always a kind of ashen gray, I didn’t sleep because I was so anxious from the enviorment I worked in. It took me a long time to start believing that people were good at heart. When you encounter every kind of nastiness and cruelty in a PORTRAIT STUDIO – it’s a sad day. What does it say about you that your little power trip has to be in the studio? I am not saying everyone is like this. The majority of my customers have been wonderful, patient and grateful. It makes me love what I do. And I will say this, at the end of the session I had a customer say to me, “Thank you so much for your time and your effort. This is a beautiful portrait and we appreciate the time you took for us.” It makes all the difference. It nearly made me cry once. A simple “Thank You” when heartfelt costs so little but means so much. Those are customers I remember. Those are customers I will ensure I take personally – that I laugh with, work for, and ensure I take care of them personally each step. If you walk into the room with an attitude that says, “I own this place,” we TRY to forget you. Keep in mind, much of the time we do not stay and endure abuse because we can’t just up and walk away to our own studios or various occupations, we stay for eachother. It wouldn’t be polite to jump ship and leave someone else to deal with it all. We stay to help one another, or for those kind and generous customers. We all have our bad days. And even if you feel you never allow situations to affect how you handle a customer, it may be because you are saving your frustration to take out on someone who is serving YOU later. It is not appreciated. I NEVER take out my frustrations on someone in customer service. Most should know they have little to no influence or say as to what they can do for you. And there are those who complain simply to get free stuff all the time. Personally – I think that is a disgusting practice. Completely Reprehensible to take the food off someone elses table to put something in your own home. It makes me sad to think how self-centered people can be – especially during this season…

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:48:32 +0000

Julie,
Thanks so much for your reply!

I did call another studio in our area and asked and the girl who answered the phone was very nice – she was very helpful! I feel so badly for you guys and understand that you are basically between a rock and a hard place – I wish there was some way to change this situation, which looks like widespread abuse on their part. Can anyone file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau? Will that even do anything?

Good luck to you.

By: julie

julie — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:49:33 +0000

Carrie,
Your portraits will be back from the lab in plenty of time for Christmas. We can take photos up until Dec 20 and have them back by Christmas Eve. Good Luck with your seesion.

Sasha,
What studio did you work in???? Your regional manager is the worst in the company!

By: Mildun Studios

Mildun Studios — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:59:55 +0000

Carrie, “Sears Portrait Studio” is a leased name. It is leased by CPI Images based in St. Louis. This company owns “Sears Portrait Studio” and also “Picture ME” located in Wal-Marts nationwide. I used to be a district trainer for CPI Images. Sears Portrait is just the name when you go to get portraits done there the real company is CPI Images. Just like the Sears Vison center is owned by Luxotica. They are both licensed business’s renting the Sears’ name and the space in Sears nationwide.
And yes I agree, these people are overworked and underpaid at these places. Christmas time is a nightmare for them. I got out of there quick when I saw these practices. I currently have my own successful studio in WV.

Check out: http://www.mildunstudios.com

Thanks

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:13:53 +0000

I am trying to make an appointment with our local studio. I’ve done so on line, but need to know how long it takes to order. I know they can print them while you wait, but I prefer the ordered ones because they look nicer. But I need them by Christmas and I’m not sure this is going to happen. Especially because I’ve called the studio three or four times (and left a message) and no one has called me back.

Why can’t Sears independently contract to professional photographers? It’d be like McDonald’s – the portrait studio would be separate from the store and you’d have your own franchise with employees. Then you would just rent the space from the actual store. It sounds like their management is completely out of touch with how things work – especially when photographing crabby children who don’t care that some stranger wants them to cooperate. What the heck?!

By: Jeni

Jeni — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:07:07 +0000

@ Jo -

Hey Jo! Thanks for the feedback! I am also pregnant and on restriction. I have a high-risk complication that causes me to cramp and bleed. This pregnancy has been very difficult. But I continue to work at my professional job without burdening my employer. And…. I rarely crutch on these difficulties. I am the last person to excuse rude behavior because of pregnancy.

I am calling the manager today to cancel this order. And I have also contacted corporate.

By: Jo

Jo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:59:27 +0000

Jeni
If your talking about the pregnant lady in dubuque sears, she was having labor pains and tried her hardest on helping you! She was probably just under pressure and with being pregnant with no help in the studio probably didn’t help. You said she took good pictures then why return them?