tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post7532119754915890422..comments2023-05-10T05:24:22.552-04:00Comments on Sears Portrait Studio Sucks: What it means to be a "photographer" in a "fun work environment"SPShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680508373273418565noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-3731374459923390932012-09-13T11:58:43.017-04:002012-09-13T11:58:43.017-04:00This is amazing. It's so sad that it's so ...This is amazing. It's so sad that it's so true to reality. I couldn't stand the treatment Sears Portrait Studio put me though, so I didn't last very long. It made me feel sick to be pressured to lie and manipulate people to make a sale. I hated making those "courtesy calls", especially when one of our "Birthday reminders" went out to a mother whose child had passed away... I had to look the other way when another associate deleted a $150 package a customer had prepaid for just because she had forgotten it was there. I refused to charge a mentally disabled customer and his mother the full session fee when my manager only took 3 pictures, rather than the required 7, and dealt with the repercussions silently.. I wasn't allowed to defend myself when customers treated me like dirt and took advantage of me. Smile Savers were to be treated like royalty, and knew they could get away with anything. When I wasn't able to lie, cheat or manipulate someone into the sale, my DM made me feel like a failure. But that's what we were trained to do...Nikkie S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-23326209820264064862012-08-09T09:56:26.826-04:002012-08-09T09:56:26.826-04:00Wow.. this is well said and this goes for associat...Wow.. this is well said and this goes for associates as well, not just managers. This company is the worst company to work for, especially if you have a "not so nice" boss. I am soooo glad to say I work for this company no longer...I love photography, but this experience made me think twice. Maybe in the future I will re-consider it. To all those working their butts off with no sympathy for higher ups, try your best to get out because it will destroy your life!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-5109466115857600152012-01-20T18:41:08.284-05:002012-01-20T18:41:08.284-05:00Being with this company for almost 6yrs, this is t...Being with this company for almost 6yrs, this is the honest truth spoken and put together well for all of us who are stuck in something we love to do but hate going to work. The only reward we get is a good discount on sheets only and a certificate for xmas that some of us get screwed over for all because on maternity leave for the season. And the sad truth is, even if the president of CPI or owner whatever saw this, at the end of the day, we would still continue to be underappreciated and mistreated not only by everyone above a studio manager but also by the customers, who continue to use the excuse for being rude "the customer is always right. As i've told my associates and coworkers, yes with all you go through at this job, it well prepares you for anything out there, outside the CPI world. Thank you for putting this together on behalf of all of us. <br />-dwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-35452224662850806002011-09-09T15:15:09.711-04:002011-09-09T15:15:09.711-04:00All I can Say is WOW I was not even a manager @ SP...All I can Say is WOW I was not even a manager @ SPS & I did all the work of one and THAN some!! This is perfectly said! =( its sad too. I love photography & this killed it...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-41596238605021505142011-08-17T12:33:48.488-04:002011-08-17T12:33:48.488-04:00As a former SPS Manager....this is soooooo true......As a former SPS Manager....this is soooooo true....every ounce. It was, by far, the most horrible job ever...I am so glad to see someone put it in print! Long live those of us who were lucky enough to get out alive!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-90289071494164691052010-12-08T16:38:17.480-05:002010-12-08T16:38:17.480-05:00I work for the portrait studio at walmart and i kn...I work for the portrait studio at walmart and i know exactly how you feel. :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-68754877744411891682010-10-15T16:39:05.927-04:002010-10-15T16:39:05.927-04:00I have been with CPI for over 3 years now. I'm...I have been with CPI for over 3 years now. I'm coming up on my fourth Christmas season, and this is my absolute last one. I have been officially employed in three different studios, and actually worked in about 10 different studios. I will say, without doubt, that this post explains what I've encountered in EVERY SINGLE SPS STUDIO I've EVER had the displeasure of working in. <br /><br /><br />Just an added note- relatively recently CPI decided to send an employee survey out for the sake of making the workplace better. All of the questions were worded similarly to "As a CPI employee, you are fully aware of what your job expectations are?"... funny, they didn't mention how MANY responsibilities there are?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-40049863072845908082010-09-21T13:03:37.951-04:002010-09-21T13:03:37.951-04:00Wow...and I thought it was just me. I survived tw...Wow...and I thought it was just me. I survived two Christmas seasons and although I was just an underpaid associate I actually trained a manager at one point. I still could never do anything right and not once in almost two years got a raise. Everytime I refinished the requirements for a raise I ended up with a new studio manager and had to start all over. I feel for every one who has been through this and I am very happy my store closed down and I was not transferred. Now I can take my own pictures without feeling like I did something wrong because I didn't give a wedding to GoPortraits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-70668490445219202852010-06-23T16:59:30.088-04:002010-06-23T16:59:30.088-04:00I WORKED AT KIDDIE KANDIDS UNTIL IT CLOSES SO I WO...I WORKED AT KIDDIE KANDIDS UNTIL IT CLOSES SO I WORKED AT SEARS AND I HATED IT!!! EVERYTHING WAS DIFFICULT MY MANAGER WAS A B**** LIKE SHE NEVER GAVE ANY ASSOICIATES HRS SHE TOOK OUR SALES FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHY THAN COMPLAIN OUR PRS'S WERE LOW SO ONCE I CAUGHT MY MANAGER STEALING MY IDENTITY (BTW SHE DIDNT GET IN TROUBLE) CPI BOUGHT KIDDIE KANDIDS AND I GOT A TRANSFER! SEARS SUCKS AND EVERYTHING SHE SAID IS TRUE. PARENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE 7.99 COUPON BECAUSE SHEETS ARE ADDITIONAL 19.99 AFTER YOU HAVE THE 7.99 COUPON AND NOT 9.99 LIKE ALL THE SHEETS. ITS ALREADY A DISCOUNTED COUPON WHAT DO YOU EXPECT! BUT YEA RIGHT ON!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-67576692610516032702010-02-24T10:46:41.245-05:002010-02-24T10:46:41.245-05:00I cried when I read your post, because that used t...I cried when I read your post, because that used to be my life. I did everything you wrote about for almost 8 years, the only thing was I was only an assistant and kept being told that my 225 loyal customers that were requesting me, would not leave if I did, I beg to differ. I was told I was not good enough for managment many times as I was passed over for the promotion I deserved so they could bring in someone new. I gained weight from always working, never eating, and the stress. Now, that I am our of that dreaded company I feel as if I can handle anything. My marriage was saved by my quitting. It was the best thing I ever did. It is unfortant that I miss my customers who many of thems I watched their kids grow up and can still tell you their name, birthday, likes and dislikes. I keep in touch with a few of them to this date. I tell everyone I know not to go to sears now because they are money hungry and don't care about the customers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-45508436413212896072010-02-22T19:36:49.409-05:002010-02-22T19:36:49.409-05:00Thank god I'm not the only one. I love this. ...Thank god I'm not the only one. I love this. I dont work for Sears, I work for PictureMe! but it's all CPI and it's all the same. My favorite is printing all those reports you will never look at again but by god you better have then shoved in that binder when your DM comes. <br /><br />I love taking pictures of children. I hate working so hard and then stuffing all the money i make into a pink envelope every saturday and mailing it away to pay salaries for people who will NEVER appreciate the robots that kil themselves to pay for fat cats to sit around and think of ONE MORE THING for us to do on a daily basis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-80075939864513971952010-01-03T09:56:59.361-05:002010-01-03T09:56:59.361-05:00I applaud you. I went from being a manager workin...I applaud you. I went from being a manager working 60 plus hours a week, to working 49 at a SPS. I burnt out faster at SPS in 4 weeks than I did in the marathon job of 100 hours a week. I've been here a few months and made it through the holidays but I've learned a few things.<br /><br />1) I am underpaid as a manager.<br /><br />2) Even when the DM makes the schedule for me...I will still be in trouble for being over SCR.<br /><br />3) I have yet to pass a studio visit, and I'm positive we never will regardless of who is the manager.<br /><br />4) My DM tries to weasel my associates into saying I am a bad manager EVERY single time they visit.!!! My associates tell the DM I am doing a great job, and the DM doesn't believe them or me.<br /><br />5) A homeless person could walk off the street and say I was mean and the DM would believe them in 2 point 2 seconds with no hesitation.<br /><br />6) The Lab does screw up orders, and when I called the DM with problems from the lab, like ruined pictures and spec sheets, I was told the LAB NEVER screw up!<br /><br />7) The Sears Studio Manager is a tool, and thinks they can lord over me like I'm a part time worker....it really makes me upset.<br /><br />And finally, I am really sick of the stupid 7.99 coupon. Some time it is a win just to get them to spend 13 dollars instead of 8.55, and I'm yelled at for not selling them on a silver....The reason they didn't get a silver is because they did not want one! Because trust me I tried.<br /><br />I talked to a lady who used to be a manager for 9 years. She said, "you're never going to pass visits, you will always be yelled at for PRS, and you will never make SCR."<br /><br />It's a pretty messed up company. I've worked for better.<br /><br />So now I head into day 2 of the week, really behind in PRS, SCR, and sales, and guess what I have a studio visit really really soon...which means I will be yelled at and told that I don't know how to do my job. Just like I hear 2 times a week on conference calls, and usually 3 times a week on a personal , you suck, call from the DM. Lucky Me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-20370419828826459432009-12-31T13:19:21.690-05:002009-12-31T13:19:21.690-05:00it must be lovely that you have the freedom to pas...it must be lovely that you have the freedom to pass the fun. can i come work for you because all i got passed was an impossible goal that even when i met the goal it was not enough. economy my backside this place was treating us like crap 4 years ago too. NO EXCUSE! i watched 4 mgrs bail at critical xmas season time because they wanted to slap cpi in the face and slap they did. if cpi spent more time making employees feel secure and appreciated then when crunch time came theyd have more loyal associates rather than desperate people who are afraid to leave because there arent other jobs in this economy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-80581380010720776282009-12-30T21:07:25.739-05:002009-12-30T21:07:25.739-05:00You have just described my life for the past 13 ye...You have just described my life for the past 13 years as a studio manager to a 'T'. However, some of these comments are naive at best. Take a good look into ANY other corporation over the past few years. They are all running scared and making crazy demands on their employes. Cutting labor, increasing responsibilities, freezing wages. That is the atmosphere in workplaces all over the country right now. If you think you will find something different somewhere else, good luck.<br /> I am happy to have my job and choose to enjoy my customers, have fun with the kids and take pride in the fact that I am a part in their family's history. <br /> I pass the fun to my associates, therefore I have a great staff. We focus on the fun, the customers feel it and I'm proud to say that my sales and sitts are up over LY.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-17708303906114839392009-09-10T15:12:46.843-04:002009-09-10T15:12:46.843-04:00Hey Everyone....Yes, it is a stressfull job! I'...Hey Everyone....Yes, it is a stressfull job! I'm going through the same feelings as posted, but I have to remember why I came to this field. I started as a part timer going on 15yrs ago, then moved to key associate, to assistant manager, to studio manager which I am now. I enjoy photography, love how a child's eyes light up when I act goofy to get that smile. Love the pride I feel when the customer says I did great with there children and they request me again,and again. I'm proud that my work is being displayed in thier home. Knowing that they will tell thier family and friends to go to my studio!<br />You have to know that alot of companies are in the same boat...money is the bottom line! <br />Except the things you cant change, and focus on how you can impact in a positive. If all you can truly see is the negative, then I'm sorry, you should not be where your at. And yes,theres always something else, maybe not what your looking for as far as pay ect. But hey, your not happy where your at, and you should be!<br />It effects everyone your in contact with, including your own family....so truly you have to make a choice. Do I want to try and make it work...because you can control whats in your own 4 walls and have a fun environment in the studio. This is just the way it is, and negative engery, can really just bog you down!<br />I work 6 days a week....CRAZY. I don't feel that I have a life out side of the studio, but I chose this path, and I intend to make the best of it for me and my staff.Veronicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07760408101139407449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-86911285505573165532009-07-19T01:15:24.915-04:002009-07-19T01:15:24.915-04:00So I work for CPI but in the Wal-mart end of thing...So I work for CPI but in the Wal-mart end of things. And man can I tell you how completely amazing and delighted I am to see this blog... you have NO idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-87419554068423930492009-07-09T21:40:25.502-04:002009-07-09T21:40:25.502-04:00I've been written up for not getting the "...I've been written up for not getting the "required" outreach appts, as well as quite a few of the other managers in the district. My question is: what are they going to do, fire us all!? There are studios in my area that only have the manager working, some lucky ones that have one additional employee. So, who does that leave to run these studios if they fire all of us? Not me.. I am a photographer, I do the best I can do, treat my customers the way I would want to be treated, and love the kids I work with. It's CPI that I HATE! So, if they fire me over something as trivial as outreach (which doesn't get done because I am foused on the customers who are actually IN my studio), then more power to them!! I'll always be a photographer, now I have the confidence to do it on my own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-62791056097523643032009-07-08T18:56:06.839-04:002009-07-08T18:56:06.839-04:00*two dying businesses*two dying businessesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-30637468706408740652009-07-08T18:55:09.625-04:002009-07-08T18:55:09.625-04:00no ive seen plenty from picture me and im sorry yo...no ive seen plenty from picture me and im sorry you got dragged into our sad boat when we had no business buying it to begin with. we should have pumped the money back into our own studios. getting better quality photographers advertisements better props training and formally certifying employees, keeping double coverage to accomodate customers as well as have a more relaxed staff who will perform better (plus smile searching is SO much easier when you dont have angry customers waiting when you return) advertisements.....instead of to sying businesses we could have had a big success. nothing against picture me i just think it was a stupid move for CPI. so worried about sears foot traffic and now we drive people away with our desperate attmempt to get them in the door. lose/loseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-3196569861550993432009-07-08T05:52:12.296-04:002009-07-08T05:52:12.296-04:00You go girl. LOL. There are a bunch of us from Pi...You go girl. LOL. There are a bunch of us from Picture Me that read this as well. They are just afraid to post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-20401877215124474372009-07-07T23:50:59.776-04:002009-07-07T23:50:59.776-04:00ill tell you what ill do my job when they return m...ill tell you what ill do my job when they return my job to its original status. PHOTOGRAPHER. i began years ago and i was NOT a telemarketer. i didnt sign on for it and it was NOT part of the job description. since the job description changed but the pay rate did not im not going to do anything other than what i was paid to do to begin with. ive reached my PRS goals and try to further my business with events and word of mouth. (as i have since the beginning) if CPI cant afford to advertise than they shouldnt be in business. (and shouldnt have bothered with acquring picture me if they were so hard up) most people can now do what we do at home. we need to have more supplies better backgrounds and more formal training. maybe hire some people who can take a picture because the starting pay is laughable to those with experience. the only people who take the jobs are moms who can work till one pm or silly high school girls. neither want to learn or follow policies. out of the last 15 people my manager hired over the last couple of years only ONE took decent pictures. magic eraser and baby wipes DO NOT keep our camera rooms in order. sales and business start at the heart. PHOTOGRAPHY. if we cant to that than we cannot call ourselves a portrait studio. so those who post we shouldnt be whining should check themselves and their studios first. the teddy bears are over 10 years old. the last new flower bouquets we saw were at least 4 years ago. the white motorized background needs changing every so often. not EVERY portrait needs to be enahanced it overwhelms the customer. my prs was well over $150 before 12 poses all enhanced plus specialties and the removal of props without replacements. if i had a penny for every customer that shook their head in disbelief at our policies (and decided to go with jc penneys) id be rich.<br /> suck it up my (expletive here) oh and instead of being on this site we could be outreaching? do you work unpaid from home? cause last time i checked we dont have internet access at work. you must be dedicated. bravo you lifeless pile of CPI zombie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-40210729071026806072009-07-07T17:31:58.259-04:002009-07-07T17:31:58.259-04:00There are plenty of people looking for a job the l...There are plenty of people looking for a job the last time I heard. You people should feel lucky you even have a job. <br /><br />The company is barely above water and your throwing the company's chance to make it down the drain when they are trying to give you the tools to do the job.<br /><br />Just suck it up and do what your DM is telling you to do. Their job and yours is on the line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-91358050271983244472009-07-07T09:48:56.495-04:002009-07-07T09:48:56.495-04:00I am reading some of these comments and some of yo...I am reading some of these comments and some of you are complaining that ur customers only want to buy the cheap stuff or try getting money from a poor mom using wic checks... sears is higher class than walmart.....COME ON You know instead of being on this site you could be OUTREACHING!!!! Its not a matter of who is better or who has money and who dont its how you look at what you were hired to do! Make and capture memories! I know of a studio who is on the top but barely outreaches or gets refferrels ect... Its proof that they r only putting certian studios on the line and if you aren't making money then they are trying to find something to hold against you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-44905510564023958722009-07-03T12:33:57.134-04:002009-07-03T12:33:57.134-04:00well rebecca if the hardships are what you signed ...well rebecca if the hardships are what you signed up to do then by all means your welcome to it. but the rest of us signed up to be photographers.they never told me double bookings on single coverage or telemarketing more than photography or force people to make big sales or your fired or ridiculous list of things to do before you get your bonus and barely any raises or looked over for promotion every year in the interview. it was explained to me that it was a fun work environment with advancement opportunities and a terrific bonus program and yearly raises of $.50 because each year we complete WGTP and get a raise. as soon as i have another job in place yes i will leave but sadly that leaves on person working in my studio and one person working in the nearest studio that i help cover. they cant hire and train people fast enough to kep up with the people leaving. it must be nice to work in such a wonderful studio i wish i did so i could actually enjoy my work again unfortunately id rather work in convenience store hell than continue on with CPI. and since they pay more than CPI for a LOT less work i suppose its the smart thing to do. what a shameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487903560605549635.post-50704004155672723412009-07-01T22:41:05.932-04:002009-07-01T22:41:05.932-04:00If your studio is making a good profit they should...If your studio is making a good profit they should not ride you every dang day about outreach and the such. I should not be threatened to be fired because the rest of the district can't carry the water and they want my store to carry for them. Sorry my Regioinal and DM at Picture Me are not making their bonuses because of the rest of the district.Burntoutmgrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08257479617769881424noreply@blogger.com