Sears Portrait Studio

My portraits were taken a month ago and when I attempted to log in and see them online, it says the "Session is being processed. Please allow 72 hours." It's been way more than 72 hours and I have already made multiple complaints via email through the Sears portrait studio home website. I am very mad considering I have received no answer nor solution and you all do not provide a customer service phone number anywhere. I was planning on getting her picture done within the next month; however, if this issue is not resolved, we will no longer be customers to any Sears store.

I am a salesperson. I can make the sale count 99% of the time. Even if you bring in the $9.99 coupon, I can get you to add on something extra. I start at the $379.99 collection and if you don't ask, that is the only collection I will speak about. I will cheat you out of your money. I know you don't need 25 sheets of your 3 month old, but I make you feel guilty for not getting them. I feel sick after every big sale and depressed after every small sale. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a telemarketer. I call you everyday, leave you messages and harass you until you give me an answer. I might have even purchased your phone number from one of your family or friends. I call you in the morning, afternoon, evening, on holidays, on the weekends. But I'm not a telemarketer. I'm giving you a courtesy call. I hate feeling that I'm driving you away from my studio, instead of drawing you in. I hate making you feel obligated to come in. But I need to make 3 appointments a day. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a multitasker. I can take, deliver photos, make appointments, answer questions, clean the studio, check the studio mail, read the browser, grade photography, check order accuracy, call other studios for my DM (because she is too busy to do so), make sales, ring sales up and calibrate the camera, all while trying to get a wiggly, screaming 2-year old to stand next to the #2 and smile. I feel drained by the end of the day, my feet hurt, my eyes hurt, my head hurts. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a venting board. I listen to everyone's problems, yours, my associates, my DM. I listen and try to make you feel better. I can't help that your 10x13 is the same pose as your $9.99 package. Some of you treat me like crap. Curse at me, belittle me, complain about our prices and worst of all, criticize my photography. I have no self-esteem at work, I will stand there while you take your frustrations out on me, I can't tell you off, I can't stand up for myself. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a secretary. I have more paperwork to do than the President's Aid. Summary of Conversations, Site Sales, Sales by Product, Open Orders, Daily Media, Daily Closing, Time card, Schedules. That's just the beginning. I print out 3 different reports, which give the same information every Monday for conference call. I don't ever look at these again, but when my DM comes on a studio visit, I better have these printed out. I hate the waste of time and paper. But I do it anyway, day after day. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a teacher. I teach photography, sales, time management and customer service. I grade my associates with a happy face or sad face on their site sales. I try to motivate them, I try to encourage. But my DM is telling me to be harder, to watch closer. Instead of taking my associate's aside and talk to them as a human, explaining what I need them to fix, I have to do a summary of conversation. If my associate had a bad week, instead of saying "Let's put this behind us" I have to document it, make my employee feel like a failure. It makes me feel like a monster. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a janitor. I vacuum, wash windows, wash backgrounds, dust and organize. I don't have the proper supplies, so I purchase it myself. I put hand sanitizer on the counter where you pay for your pictures. My DM forced me to remove it because we don't sell hand sanitizer. I put fresh tissues on the sales table, but we don't sell those either. I put your child on a dirty background and lie and tell you we dry clean them. I feel dirty, but there's nothing I can do. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a technician. I have taken apart a server and restored it on my own. I have installed motorized backgrounds, printers, computers and cameras. I can calibrate the camera in 60 seconds flat. My hands get cut and dirty. I can easily be electrocuted, but I can't complain because this is what needs to be done. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am an artist. I make a so-so photograph beautiful with our enhancements. Now it would have fine in the raw, but I don't have control over the lighting and my camera is on a tripod. I can't take beautiful pictures. I have to take company approved pictures. I get the poses I need before I consider your wants. I know you got a tummy pose last month, but I did it in sepia this time. I feel shunted. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a mother. I have no children, but I am cleaning up your child's drool, pee, poop and vomit. After you leave the studio, I clean up the mess your child made. I tie your husband's tie, fix your daughter's hair, make sure your necklace is straight and tell you how beautiful you look. I sing to your child, play games and entertain them. I've been thrown up on, but I couldn't complain. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a machine. I do what I'm told. I hate my job and dream of quitting, but don't have the courage to do it. I have no confidence in my skills. I don't have a passion for what I do anymore. Everything I do for you, I've done for the last customer and for the next. I do everything like a robot. I hate the way I feel when I'm at work. I'll never let you know though. I'll smile and make conversation, and make you feel like you are one of the most amazing person I've met. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am a workaholic. I work 40 hours a week, but I am in on call 24/7. I have 2 scheduled days off, but I usually work 6 days a week. I answer my phone every time I get a call from one of my associates. I come in and work off the clock because I have to watch our labor, but we are double booked at 12pm. I make sure that everyone in my studio gets their requested days off. I work on my birthday, Halloween, Valentine's Day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, the list can go on. I clock out for lunch, but work through it. If I get a walk-in at 2pm and refuse them to take my lunch, I can be terminated for refusing a customer. If I don't take a lunch and take them in, I can be terminated for not following company policy. I know this is against the law and that it makes me crabby to my loved ones, but I have to do it. This is what I'm trained to do.

I am not a photographer. I am a Sears Portrait Studio Manager.

I had a portrait session yesterday (5/9/10) at 3:30 pm. After the session we saw the photos and spoke with the sales rep - Amanda. She informed us that we have 48 hours to purchase the photos or it will be trashed. I told her that previously Sears would keep the pictures for at least 3 months. She said that information was not correct. We paid something around $300 to purchase our photo that we had thought to purchase couple of weeks later. When we came home, I checked my previous orders and called Sears Portrait Studio again to ask how long they keep the photos. I was told at least 90 days. I brought my concern to their attention that I was presented with wrong information and want to make a refund. I was told I cannot return my CD which costs approximately $250 but can cancel everything else. I am not sure why I cannot can my purchase if the mistake was not mine. I need my money back because I had to go overboard with my credit cards to make this purchase since I was told it will be trashed in 48 hours. Please help.

I have pictures of my 1 year old grandson taken in March, 2007. Two months later, the pics had been copied at the store by the manager, Dana,witnessed by Courtney. Dana then distributed the pics to an estranged relative of mine, along with my personal information, in which was then used to harass me for weeks, before Dana told my daughters about the copying.

It took weeks of calling Sears, until the district manager called me back. She was very upset with me, acting as if I did something wrong. I was told it was none of my business what she would do about the situation, that she was not allowed to discuss that with me. I went to a lawyer who still has all my phone diaries of the harassment and dates of physical harassment. I was lead to believe the lawyer is a friend of the family of the estranged relative.

Betty **, the person whom the pictures were given to, drove by my house many times with the picture in hand. Many phone calls were made, one stating thanks for the pictures. She has all my debit card numbers, and my private phone number. I have a business, so my card would be too difficult to change. I have my bank, keeping a close watch. The stress that this has caused for my daughters and myself is immeasurable. Betty ** has been arrested for harassment and for another reason. This Dana ** knows the situation, and is trying to get the harassment to continue. Dana ** and Betty ** are relatives.

For Mother's Day I purchased two 10X30 prints with frames for ~$130 each and paid an additional $30 for shipping of one to my mother's house on April 25. I was told the order would be in May 11. By May 15 the other prints were in, but the 10X30s were not in yet. I was told they did not know what happened to the 10X30 prints and they would get back to me.

May 18: I was told there had been a problem with the prints and another set was coming. May 22: I was called and told that they were in the store and waiting for my pick-up. I reminded them that one was suppose to be shipped to my Mother's house. They assured me that would be taken care of Tuesday, May 26 (but the store is closed on Tuesdays). May 29: I left work early to pick up the 10X30 and I was informed that BOTH 10X30s were JUST sent off in the mail.

ANOTHER 10X30 is now being ordered to come to the store, and I am told that it should be available for pick-up somewhere between June 12-19.

I called and made an appointment for my son to have his picture taken on 10-31-08. I called the 1-888-767-8724 number to make an appointment. I had received an e mail with an "In-Studio Special" Trick or Treat Collage only $4.99 plus, no session fee. When talking to the customer service person, I asked if I had to get the trick or treat collage, because I did not care for it. She said no, I could get any collage I would like. She then asked if I had checked out all the different collage's they had, I said yes, and I had already chosen the one I wanted. I told the customer service person I was only interested in the $4.99 collage because it was my son's first Halloween. I explained we would be having family pictures done around Christmas time, so I really did not want additional pictures. She talked me into taking another outfit, other than his costume and having his pictures taken in that as well.

When we got to the studio, they took us in took some pictures of my son in his costume and without. There where only a couple of pictures I liked.

After my son's pictures where taken, the lady "Jenna", said it would take 10 minutes for the pictures to come up on the computer. We waited almost 1 hour for the pictures to come up. I was a little upset, because I had a 7 month old child who can get a little restless when you have to hold him for almost an hour. My sister had taken us to Sears to get the pictures taken, and because it took so long, she had to leave my son and I at Sears, so she could take her two children to their doctor's appointment.

Once we got to look at the pictures, we were there almost another hour because Jenna did not know how to change the picture frames and do the collage's.

Once I chose the pictures I wanted, Jenna needed help ordering them. Stefanie came over to help, and that is when I had more problems. Stefanie said that she was charging me a $15. sitting fee because I did not have a coupon. I explain I had gotten a notice on line and there was no coupon, the special said "no sitting fee" she said unless I was in the smile saver club, I had to pay the $15. I was very upset by this, but by this time, I was very irrated because we had been there almost two hours!

Stefanie then said that I could not have the collage that I was ordering (Jenna is the one who picked out the collage and said I could get it), it was only the trick or treat collage that was the $4.99. I explained that was not what the web site said, nor the customer service person I had spoken with said. She told me that the customer service people are not supose to be answering any questions, they are strickly there to make appointments. I just placed the order, and left, I was very upset!

When I got home, I looked at the web page I had printed out, and sure enough, it say's no sitting fee and no additional fee for design subsitution. I called the 1-866-292-4949 Customer Care number, but they were closed, so I called the very next day and talked to Roseitta. I explained the entire situation, she said she could not bring the pictures up because it take 24 hours for them to get them on their computer (it had been 24 hours) but being that it was Saturday, I did not know if there was anything she could do.

She said she would take down all my information and give it to someone and they would be contacting me on Monday.

I waited and waited and finally on Friday, I called again since I had not heard from any one. This time I talked to Jenaye. I explained the situation again, she said that I could only get the trick or treat collage. I said even though I have a print out that says I can choose any other design without additional charge, she said yes and that she was sorry.

She said the no sitting fee was probably only for the smile saver's club. I told her it did not say that. She wanted me to fax a copy of the add to her, I did and she said that she would pass it on to upper management and someone would contact me.

It is now Wednesday, and yet I have heard from no one in regards to this matter. I talked to my friend, with whom I work and asked her if she needed a coupon, or was she charged the sitting fee. I told my co-worker about the special since it was her son's first halloween, and she set up an appointment for him because of me.

She said she did not have to pay any additional fee, nor did she have a coupon. She said there was a big sign hanging up that said no sitting fee, when she walked in the door.

She said they had a bad experience as well, she said they were there an extremely long time because every time they tried to look at their son's pictures, someone would walk into the studio and the sales associate would leave them to go wait on the person that walked in.

She said they were going to leave and not purchase anything because of this.

I am so upset by this, that I don't think I want to bring my family back for our Christmas pictures, or our yearly grandchildren pictures. I can not believe that someone would be treated so poorly. If this had not been my son's first Halloween, I would not have gotten the pictures.

I have had my girls picture's taken there, my side of the family's family pictures taken there. My entire family get there pictures taken there, and we have never had a problem, I love the pictures I get from the studio, this time was just a bad experience, but it is going to make me rethink my choice of studio's.

Bad customer service. Our appt. was 5:30p, and at 7:00p we weren't even close to being seen yet. There was only 1 person in the store, and he was rude, and disrespectful. We ended up leaving and didn't get any pictures taken, because it was another hour or so before we would be seen, and my kids were getting cranky.

I had some picture taken here in June. And one of the picture has had to be sent back to the lab 3 times. I have had to travel to this store 30 minutes coming and going 4 many times since June to get this picture. I requested a refund and they are refusing to refund me. They will only agree to refund me 24.99. I am requesting a full refund 129.99 plus tax.

I am a former employee at Sears Portrait Studio.After working a night at the studio i saw the employees were malking fun of the customers photos and their children.The customers eventually walked out purchasing nothing.I left in good standing the next day. But i had realized i was missing some those hours i that i had worked in my paycheck and did not get paid for.So i called up the manager and she said she would take care of that.I never recieved a phone call and so i called her.She insisted on a childlike conversation when i encouraged a polite conversation.

She ended up hanging up the phone and told me to handle it myself.I guess the fact that i told her i thought she was a manger made her act in such a way she could not finish our talk in a professional manner.I have never dealt with such rude, irresponsible, immature employees and managers as i have at the Sears Portrait Studio in Poughkeepsie NY!

This is not the first time something has gone wrong with Sears and I plan on never returning. We had our photos taken and ordered on November 18th. I arrived today to pick up my Christmas cards and Christmas pictures and was told that someone "forgot" to place the order. Now, I have to wait 2 weeks and my Christmas cards will be late. I have a baby and can't hop in the car every day to go get pictures. Besides, it is now costing more money in gas than the actual cost of the pictures. (I guess I get what I pay for).

During my very first visit ever, someone messed up the font on one of our photos and we couldn't get a replacement because our pictures were "accidentally deleted". I'm sorry, but Sears is very unreliable. I can't even be confident about my pictures arriving on time for a special event such as Christmas. Additionally, the photographers ALWAYS rush us and there is no room in the waiting room to get our baby dressed and we always have to wait over 30-60 minutes to get our picture taken. The whole Sears Portrait experience has been an absolute disaster. I really regret wasting my time and money there.

Sears Portrait Studio's website is misleading customers concerning their prices. Online advertisements indicate a portrait package as advertised $9.99 in one pose. Fine print indicates that the offer cannot be combined. When trying to order this package, I was told additional sheets were $19.99. On other advertised prices, Sears Portrait Studio indicated a regular price of $7.99 sheet as noted: (Reg. $7.99). The price of the sheets are only increased after purchasing that package or on reorders without a coupon.

In addition, the "regular" price of portraits will also ary based on possible purchase of a "Collection" package. After researching prices on the web, I was very upset to find out (only after a one hour photo session with two infants and three teenagers) that these prices were misrepresented. I purchased a "Collection" package just to get the portraits I needed to send immediately with my Christmas cards.

When I went to pick up the portraits, I was told that "extras" were included that could be purchased for an additional 15.98. This would get the four extras. One of the portraits was a pose that I thought I had ordered. The sales girl (I don't know the name - Transaction #6642 on January 8, 2005) told me that I had not purchased that pose. I bought the additional set and went home to check my receipt. My receipt clearly stated I had purchased that portrait. I called in and talked with Jessica who stated she was an assistant manager. She told me that she had checked in the photos and they had sent me 16 portraits instead of the 15 I purchased so she pulled one out (that I had purchased) to be included in the extras.

I counted my purchased portrait sheets and I was only sent the 15 I purchased including the pose I re-bought. She argued with me and told me there was no problem with their decision to have me purchase a photo I had already paid for. I talked with Raphael in customer service (18662924949) who stated the exact same thing. I am returning the THREE extras - keeping the portrait I paid for - and getting my money back. I was very bothered by their lack of concern when I was charged twice.

I have PDF files of the advertisements which are misleading on their website. There were more during their advertised Holiday packages, but I did not go back on to get copies of those in time. In several places there were packages with the print (reg. $7.99). No where else was a "regular" price stated and I'm not even sure what the regular price is - it changes with what you are purchasing (Single sheets vs. Smile Savers vs. additional to a package vs. additional to a collection vs. reorders, etc.).

A customer would have no idea of what they will pay until they have taken their photo's and are now trapped between paying what the studio demands or walking out the door and wasting the time and energy of the photo shoot (which is a difficult prospect when dealing with parents of young children).

my daughters had my grandchildren's portraits done for my christmas present. my granddaughter, aged 14 months, got down off the chair in the waiting area, and my two grandsons ages 4 and 3, got off their chairs to chase her.THE MANAGER GRABBED MY TWO GRANDSONS, PUT THEM BACK ON THE CHAIRS, AND SCOLDED THEM!!!! no one touches my grandchildren, and my daughters asked for the manager to report this and it was the MANAGER who did this. she offered bonus pictures, and apologized (they did not receive the bonus).

i am reporting this and i feel that the police should have been contacted for touching my grandchildren. i have told my daughters that i am reporting this to sears customer service.

I would like to state that i think the people who work at the desk for sears portraits should be retrained! I have gotten pictures at the the Smith haven mall for my sons 3month pictures and i had no problem. then i went on October 7th for his 6month pictures and the women said they would be back in 10days and i said are u sure she stated yes 10days on october 17th i call up sears portraits to make sure before i drove out there they were in the girl ask my name and my sitting # i gave it to her and she said that they were in anytime i would like to pick it up they are ready! that day i went and when i got there i gave them my sitting # and my name and they said they werent in i stated that i had called and asked the girl apologized and said she was sorry she didnt have them!

she said that they will be in 2 to 3 more days i said okay and i left 3 days goes past and i called yet again to make sure that they were in when i called the girl who answered the phone said there not in and they wont be in until the 26th(yet again they have noclue) i stated that this is the second time they have stated that the pictures would be in and the girl apologized and i was okay with it until today when i called on the 26th to make sure that they would definitley be there the girl asked me the same questions and i said to her can u tell me where the sitting # is on the reciept beause there had been a mix up and i just wanted to make sure i was giving the right # the girl stated she had no clue and she can look it up by my name she said that they were there and readu for pick up i explained the whole story for the girl and asked to her please ask another employee to let me know where the sitting # is so i know that they are definitley there the girl said hold on and slamed the phone on the desk! Another associate picked up the phone and asked what i needed help with i stated the whole story and said i would just like to make sure the sittin #matches i f she could tell me where it was she said there is no need i dont see what the problem is! I have never in my life gotten spoken to like a two year old child and i think they need to learn some manners! i would just like the store to know how the associates treat there customers i spent ove $250.00 the first time and this time $136.24 i also paid for a $30.00 card for a 2yr plan. I was goin to set an appt for christmas pictures but i will be goin else where! I will not return there or tell anyone else to use them!