Picture Me Portrait Studio (CPI)

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Category: Services

Contact Information
1706 Washington ave, St. Louis, United States

Phone number: 1-888-742-6386
pictureme.com

Picture Me Portrait Studio (CPI) Reviews

September 9, 2008

Horrible Service

I went to store #1796 in Amherst NH Sunday evening and had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting Stacy, the new manager. She was busy, which I understand. I have no problem waiting my turn, especially when I can clearly see this girl is doing her “best.” But when I have to wait 45 minutes to be acknowledged, and there is only ONE customer she is currently working with at the computers, then yes I am going to get annoyed.

She knew I was there. She looked up several times, and not once did she say a word to me. Not once. I grabbed a magazine from Wal-Mart, and sat in the studio’s waiting area and read it. When I finished with that one, I got another.

Finally I got sick of waiting, and said, "Excuse me" and Stacy came over and asked how she could help me. Customer service at it’s best right there.

I explained how I was missing photos from my order, and I'd like them re-ordered. I had the envelope with me with the photos that did arrive, the paperwork showing the original order, and the receipt.

Stacy looked everything over, looked back at her customer at the computer, then asked if I could go shopping, and come back in about 30 minutes or so? That she had to finish up with her sale, and then she could re-order my pictures.

I told her politely that no, I can't do that. I've all ready waited an hour at this point, for something that should've been a 5 min fix. It's their mistake, and I'd like it fixed please. I'm trying to remain calm, and be civil, and Stacy actually ROLLED HER EYES AT ME! She told me that I could either wait for her to finish with her current customer, or come back at another time.

I asked if I could have customer service’s phone number that maybe they could help me, and she said she didn’t know it. So I asked if I could speak to a manager, and she said she WAS the manager! This floored me. What manager doesn’t know how to contact customer service? A new one apparently. And a poorly trained one at that, but I digress.

Stacy told me there was nothing more she could do for me, she gave me my options, wait, or come back, and she went back to her customer at the computer. Apologizing TO HER, for the wait! Can you believe that?

I have been going to this studio for 5 years, and I don’t know what happened to the previous manager, but had she of been there, THIS wouldn’t have occurred.

THEY made a mistake, and pictures are missing from my order. Stacy made me wait an hour was juvenile, then thought I’d wait longer, or come back to fix what shouldn’t have happened to begin with? No. That is not customer service.

Once I have what is owed to me, I will never use their services again, and would strongly recommend everyone else do the same.

August 4, 2008

Unprofessional, shady practices

I have worked for this company for 5 years as an hourly studio manager. Let me enlighten you as to how this company works.

They advertise a $4.99 package for 30 portraits of one pose. Then we're suppose to sell you at least $80 more, or we're written up & fired for low numbers. It doesn't matter how loyal we are to the company, or how good we are. Money talks.

We're harassed via email, and voice mail on a daily basis. Our jobs are constantly threatened because YOU, the customer, can't afford to purchase more. When an employee argues that the economy is bad right now, people can't afford luxury items, we're told this is just an EXCUSE. Do whatever it takes to sell more, or lose your job.

I've spent thousands of dollars on props for my studio, to give the customer what they want. I've gone out of my way to keep things new and fresh, and quite frankly my customers are spoiled.

Corporate doesn't provide ANYTHING other then equipment, cheesy numbers, and a god-awful bear.

I spend a small fortune on lollypops for "My kids" as well as balloons for those who can't have them. I do this because I love my job, and I love what I do. As a result I have a solid clientele base in 3 states. I have people who travel up to 3 hrs or more just so that *I *can photograph their children. What an amazing compliment!!

I will miss you all.

You see, I won't pressure sell. I don't like it when it's done to me, so why would I do that to my customer? In fact I'll go out of my way to show them how to get what they want at a better value. It's why they always come back.

I've trained some of the best photographers in this region, without being paid to do so. I'm the one my Market Manager, and Market Director ask to cover their vacations. I've been offered both jobs at the laughable wage of $28, 000 -$35, 000 a year for either job is NOT incentive for advancement. Since turning down said positions, I've refused to do either training, or cover for them due to no raise in years. I've gone above and beyond, and have had no raise due to "Low Numbers" and yet I'm offered a promotion?

I've won their portrait competitions; I've worked when my doctor wanted me hospitalized, under the threat of losing my job if my studio is "Dark." (Closed) I've been vomiting in the studio and told point blank "You can't leave."

I've also been written up for insubordination when I walked out of the studio the day my 7 yr old daughter broke her arm at school, and my boss said I should be thankful I wasn't fired for leaving.

This is how this company treats US.

Recently we were all told we had to be on call 24/7. We have to work on our days off, even if it is "Just a phone call" - mind you I am an HOURLY manager. I do not get paid to do these things, so I refused.

I recently found my job posted as available online and they (my boss') won't respond to me. So I don't know if I'm fired, or what's going on. Very professional behavior, don't you think??

I emptied my studio yesterday, and it was a sad moment to realize all I've done, all I've accomplished, and what I've lost because THE CUSTOMER can't afford to buy what I shoot.

So for those of you complaining about horrible studio experiences, and how the photographer didn’t know what the hell they were doing, etc. This is why none of the good ones ever stay.