CD's as low as 9.99!
...if you have already spent $100
...and the 9.99 CD only has one pose.
...otherwise it's around $70-$119.99
...[but shh, we'll sell it during the reorder sale for 19.99]
Everyone wants their images on disc. But in order to get that, they need to spend about $120 (either to buy the CD by itself or to buy a collection that has a CD). It's one thing when they've seen the pictures and can say "I want all of these" but how in the world can you convince someone "Digital images important to you? Hey, come on down to have your photos taken by someone you've never met. I hope your kid doesn't act up, because the CD is $120 no matter how good the photos are."
People want their images on CD. It seems to me that these days, it's actually preferred that you get your images on disc. What would you do to change CD's if anything. The main problem I see is that if you make them cheaper, your people that normally do collections, might only do the $60 CD. But would more 9.99 people do the CD instead? I think the CD sets the max price that you will likely get from your customers. Sell it for $60 and no one will buy anything that costs $80 (they can print it themselves. This is likely why the CD is $120 and the target PRS is (or used to be) 120.
Your thoughts?
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Why you don't want to work for or invest in CPI Corp. Updated as it comes in.
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15 comments:
I love the ppl who have figured out "the system" they bring in multiple outfits and take up an hour of our time just so they can $9.99 us. All because they know when thye pick up their photos they can bundle the 5 (i love how they started adding 1 more spec to throw away) specs and a full CD for $55.
Well, weve also figured out the customers we have that do that to us......... so we NEVER offer them the CD anymore.
I got so sick of explaining how that $9.99 CD promo actually worked! CD's are to SPS what Protection Agreements are to Sears-PURE PROFIT.
Just like in every business, there are going to be those people looking for everything for nothing. As a studio manager, I get really irritated when people walk in like they own the place, treat you like garbage while their kids destroy your studio. They sit there and don't offer to help you or help control their kids. I'm getting off the subject now, but OMGOSH! I can't stand when customers think they are SOOO much better than you. Seriously, if you're that high and mighty, so spend your fortune somewhere else. I've actually told people where Wal Mart is and how to get there. Why are the cheap people always the annoying ones anyhow??? WHY????? As for the CD's, I think the pricing is fine. It encourages collection purchases. In my studio we have a pretty decent CD and collection average. Also, we don't offer them for 19.99 at pick up. They are only 19.99 if the customer spent the qualifying amount on their original visit. The only time the CD is 19.99 is during the REO sale. And honestly, if someone is only going to spend 9.99 or 4.99 or 7.99 at the time of their original sit on beautiful photography.....chances are, they're not going to spend anything else when they pick up. Yes there are customers who know the system, but there are also genuine, honest customers. For some strange reason, our PRS has been rockin the past few weeks (right around 140), but now it's starting to slip. I am fortunate to not have a DM like the ones described in the previous posts. My DM is awesome. SHe cares, she offers help, she is upbeat and positive. So, I wish you all luck....keep your heads up and the CD is truly priceless!!! You have to believe it to sell it! And I truly believe it!
today we were told on a conference call that the only way we will get time and a half for working on easter is if we beat a set sales ago that will be announced. what a load of crap. they just started being open on easter a few years ago and now we dont even get a little extra compensation for being forced to work on a holiday?
whats next christmas day? "sorry associate you will not get paid at all for working christmas day unless you show up to work naked and prick yourself with pins while whistling Barry Manilow (and have a PRS of $2000.00) Sorry it has nothing to do with Cds but really, the expectations are ridiculous. now the entire studio gets written up if under PRS? it doesnt matter if mine is at goal but if everyone else screws up im still out of a job? Why even go in anymore i know im looking for a new job. Wish me luck.
Im bout to me looking for a new job too seeing as how i just found out last monday there are NO raises this year at all because thats what Bonuses are for now..... WTF?! our bonuses suck a**
Plus, we got an e-mail today that we are #1 in our district and our District is #1 in the territory and our territory is #1 in the country........ so yea, we are #1 in the the whole US, but we cant get an effin raise! what BS.
There was a post on the yahoo financial site yesterday that made this point: Given the current economy, CPI has put a freeze on all raises. And yet, studio employees are expected to NOT use the economy for failure to squeeze the last dime out of people. Hhmm...
This company is beyond rediculous. Theres no sense in it. Everything they do is pointless and contradictory to what they expect from us employees.
This is what happens when you let out side people come in, whose own company went into bankruptacy, and let them add paper work on top of what has already been established! They are FN awsome! So I am sittin back and seeing how long it is going to take to fold the company! Ignorance is bliss when your a big dog! Hell Sears is already closed down how many stores nation wide. It really just a matter of time! But the company desided to close down a lot of the picture me's which wal-mart is thiving. Good envestment! Really now they are setting them selfs up for failure!
Our DM just put in his 2 week notice. Yea, its bad. I want to put my notice in SO bad!!!
So put in your notice. It's the employees at the studio level that are keeping the company afloat. You all are too sick to leave, and too well to stay. My former DM referred to you as "the million dollar talent with the ten cent brain". They dont't respect you or care how you're going to make your house payment. So why are you holding on? Let them fire you for not running the numbers...you'll likely get unemployment. A mass exodus of employees is what CPI deserves; it will put them out of their misery. There is life after CPI. I promise.
They only closed about 50 PictureMe! studios and it was because of a contractual thing with Walmart.
My Manager told me that reguardless if i quit or get fired.. CPI will fight tooth and nail to NOT pay unemployment. She has been with the company like 6yrs and said shes never seen a single person get un-employment from them. Then again, shes terrified im going to leave (with my $150 PRS) so she is more than likely lying to me. I told her if i didnt get a raise i couldnt work there..... she got livid instantly and tried to make me feel like crap.
Oh, BTW.......... i havent put in my 2 weeks notice because my husband has no job, hes been laid off since July and we have 3 kids. So the 5 of us are living off my $9.50 an hour and 25 hrs a week. And the option of another job isnt here..... even our un-employment agencies have waiting lists. I live in torture right now.
**I didnt mean un-employment agencies...... i meant Temp- agencies have waiting lists**
Yeah well, I was with the company a lot longer than your manager and my BFF was a DM for years. According to my friend, he lost numerous unemployment cases because no one showed up to represent CPI. No one even told him that a hearing was scheduled. And speaking from my own experience, I didn't even have a hearing. Apparently, my claim was UNCONTESTED.
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