PictureME Photography
reviews and complaints

To start off my experiance with Picture Me, I had made an appointment with the studio. At that time I was told that someone would be in touch to cofirm my appointment. One week later and the day of my appoinment, so one had been in touch so I called to confirm myself. Turns out they never had me scheduled on their end. Therefore, I had to re-schedule for the following night at 6:30. The next day, my husband and I got our 3 month old ready and out the door (which can be a chore sometimes) and arrived at our appointment time, 6:30. When we showed up that Saturday there was only 1 employee working and she was with another customer. No problem, we would just wait patientlly. Well by 7pm we we still hadn't even begun. We finally started at 7:15, (45 minutes late) and by that time my 3 month old was not very interested in taking pictures. We took a few and realized he was probably going to have to eat before we could take anymore. I said this to the employee and she said, "well, we close at 8 so you can feed him a little bit, but we have to be done by then." I immediatley thought "well lady, if we didn't have to wait almost an hour my kid wouldn't be hungry and we'd be done by now!" He ate a little bit and then the "photographer, " if you could call her that, wanted us to try again. We took a few shots and she would ask "is that good enough", as she pointed at the screen. I went a long with it for a minute and then the baby got fussy again. Meanwhile her cell phone in her pocket is going off with some inappropriate rap song as a ringtone and instead of waiting, she pulls it out and starts reading the text message outloud! And for those of you that are wondering what it said...it was something about needing an EBT card, which is NH's form of wellfare, as if I really needed to know about her personal life that much! Now, I try not to judge people, I really do the best I can, but I am human and this lady was one of the most inappropriate, unproffesional people I have ever met. She didn't know how to turn the equipment on, she was making comments that just weren't appropriate comments to make to a customer in any circumstance, She didn't know how to work the computers, she didn't really know how to run the camera, she flat out told me she really doesn't know how to have a baby pose and wanted me to figure it out, right down to the terribly inapproriate wardrobe, which consisted of a rather large women wearing black pants that were too long so she was walking on them, with a shirt that showed part of her stomach and skate boarding sneakers to top off the whole look. And the best part of the entire get up had to be her teeth that were rotting out of her mouth. I was rather floored when I realized this is the person taking "proffesinal" photos, to which I will be paying a great deal of money too! After the phone incident my child was crying and not in a good mood from having to wait so long and my husband was rather fed up with the quaility of service we were getting so he said we would pay her for her time that she had already put in, but we were not interested in continuing the session. My husband and I really strive to be kind to everyone and neither of us want to hurt anyones feelings so we were very cordial and polite and told her we would re-schedule at a different time when our child was in a better mood, but the fact is that we will most definitley not be re-scheduling with this studio. We have decided to take our business else where, as I feel that this kind of "service" is unexceptable. A word to the owners/managers of Picture Me Portrait Studio, work a little harder at finding quaility employees because in this circumstances you failed miserably at doing so and as a result lost a customer.

Wow I just moved here and use to work for Kiddie Kandids in Sandy Springs which is now joined with all the Picture Me Studios . I was considering applying for this location but after reading such bad reviews I think I will reconsider! Especially after reading how the manager had no care for the customers! As a former employee I do take these reviews to heart.

FIRST TIME IN PICTURE ME STUDIO! WOW WHAT A MISTAKE! IT WAS A JOKE! THE ONE PERSON THERE WAS ON THE PHONE FOR SEVEN MINUTES BEFORE SHE HELPED ME. I CAME IN TO SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR PICTURES & ASK A FEW QUESTIONS. THERE WERE NO CUSTOMERS, NO HOLIDAY, AT 5:00PM ON A WEDNESDAY. I WAS RUSHED WITH THE ANSWERS. I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR FRIDAY AT 5:00PM, THREE DAYS LATER.
I CAME IN ON FRIDAY, WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO ME. OK, THAT WAS FINE; AN HOUR LATER, WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO ME AND ASKED ME IF I WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK ANOTHER TIME OR DAY? THAT HOUR I WAS WAITING, A MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE, WERE ALL OVER THAT PLACE RUNNING AROUND & CRYING. THERE WAS ANOTHER MOTHER THERE WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN, ONE & ELEVEN YEARS OLD, NO PROBLEM THERE.
THERE WERE FOUR PEOPLE IN TRAINING THERE, THE PHOTOGRAPHER WAS GONE! NO ONE KNEW WHERE SHE WAS! SHE CAME BACK ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, NO EXCUSE ME FOR BEING GONE, SORRY FOR THE TIME WAIT, NOTHING. WE SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR SUNDAY ON MOTHER'S DAY AT 10 A.M. NOW WE'RE TO THE POINT WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO RETURN.
THE LOCATION WHERE I WENT WAS:
1133 East West Connector Austell, GA.

and.. I believe if you make an appointment they should not rush through your pictures or make you wait more than 20 minutes. thats ridiculous. its a business run it like a business .. not a zoo.. this study here is always packed full of people with one employee trying to take care of everything. ridiculous

I feel for you competely. I have also received horrible service. I received the service in Warrensburg, MO the studio in Maryville, MO is where we used to get them taken and they are very personable, friendly people. Warrensburg was not. I was not satisfied with my photos or my experience and when asked to speak to the manager and set up an appointment she did not come. I was asked to wait so I did half an hour and when I said I was leaving the employee told me she would not be coming in tonight after all.. and that wasn't the first appoitnment I had made and had been set up the first one I came in she saw me and she left. So I went above her and the district manager is no better and they refuse to give me in numbers for a suprvisor higher. I have asked for my money back so I can go get decent pictures taken in a pleasant environment but they have refused any type of assistance on any compromise or anything.. even though I have only spoken to employees that say that only the manager can't give refunds or anything and she seems to refuse to help me.

It's called christmas season ma'am. Expect to wait a little longer and be patient.

Hi, I am not sure which studio you went to but seeing the date this complaint was posted, that was a pretty busy time in the studio I work in. When we set appointments, we always try to let customers know that we cannot guarantee that they will not have a wait time once they arrive at the studio. Having an appointment is good but we have walk-ins as well and we have to serve them just as we do you. Around November and December, a customer at our studio should always expect the possibility of waiting a bit. We work on baby time, I personally try my best with each and every child even if it takes a bit longer because I know the customer waiting would want me to do the same for them. I understand your frustration but we have to go by the rules and the rule is to take every customer as they come in. I don't agree with this but this is how the company thinks things should be done. Hope this helps! :)

Save yourself the time and hassle. Consult with a REAL photographer in your area and not some stock run corporation you find while picking up toilet paper and condoms. We as REAL freelance photographers give better images along with original images. Hell, the cd with ALL images are given to my customers plus we take the time to actually sit down and edit each and every photo one by one. In a one hour session, typically I give my customers a collection of 50-70 images to choose from. I charge $150 for the first hour and drive to any location that works best with the best natural setting. Get that at Wal-mart or any other "STUDIO X" in the country. $150 may be steep but thats what you get for unlimited printing. Support your local community and hire a local freelance photographer and not some giant chain store "studio" We are more willing and understanding than stores are and can probably do 100 times better than they can as well. Our camera's are our life not our 9-5.

in the package for $139.99, can someone tell me how many poses you get? they just told me the prices and not how many poses.

the cd price goes down the more you spend 120 is a good price for a cd with a copywrite most studios cds start at 200

I have had mostly good experiences at Picture Me. I have had one bad experience but I guess it all depends on how many people they have working and who is taking the pictures. I have had many good pictures taken there and I think there prices are pretty reasonable. I have never bought the photo cd but if it is $120, that is outrageous. Most people probably have their pictures done at Wal-mart in the first place because like everything else, they are usually the cheapest. Portrait Innovations is a really good place to have pictures done and their prices are comparable to Picture Me's.

No the CDs do cost $120 for the full version. Sometimes they have specials on them if you buy them with a bigger package you can get them discounted. Or daily specials sometimes. But No they always cost around 100-120 depending if you get enhancements or not. And these CDs are FULL DIGITAL QUALITY. You can actually print and expect good quality. It's not like the ### CDs they had before when they were film. And these CDs have the copy write releases from the company allowing you to print them at 3rd party companies.

I took my grandkids to Walmart last week for a 3:30 apt. At 4:30 they finaly took us back. They were overbooked and had only one person working. About 4:20 another employee showed up. Also when I asked about the CD that I've always bought for around $10.00, I was told I could get it at $10.00 with a purchase of $50.00 and it would only have one picture on it. Without $50.00 in pictures it would cost me $49.00 for one picture and $99.00 for all pictures on the cd and enhancments. Well Walmart can keep the cd and goodbye to the photo studio. I'll use Target or Sears from now on.
Donna in Texas

I don't know if they have a special or not but the photo discs here are $39.99, and not $120. We also bought the bigger $200 package and it didn't change the price.

ok incase you havent heard, the "walmart portrait studio" was bought out by Picture Me! in may of 2007. Walmart portrait studio was on film and half the time the pictures turned out horrid. When picture me took over, they upgraded to digital photography and along with the upgrade in photography also means that the price goes up. The picture quality is better and well worth the price. I know i started to work at picture me right before they went digital and everyone complains about the price but with the number of complaints of messed up portraits from film its well worth it to upgrade both the photography and the price

You sound like your perfect. And I highly doubt that. Like the other dude said, be thankful they are taking methadone. They are obviously getting help. Maybe you should check yourself and stop being so judgmental. You must be one of those hipocrits that goes to church just to point out flaws in people. What if one of your children happens to end up with a drug problem, are you gonna critisize there integrity to better themselves. Go %$## yourself..

What a jerk. So what if someone is at a methadone clinic? How does that impact the ability to use a camera? I wish I could make a complaint about your ignorance. A person who does the right thing by seeking TREATMENT does not deserve your casting of aspersions. God, the more I think about it, the more idiotic you seem to me. Basically, you took the time to actively criticize someone who not only seeks help for their condition, but also hold full-time employment? Go vote republican and hang-out at tea parties so that you can associate with other ignorant and arrogant simpletons.

Hey everyone needs a job. Don't be a discriminative ###. :

You should be glad that the employee is on the methadone program. They are clean, and struggling
with their recovery at least. I'm sure you have plenty of secrets that would make others see you in a negative light. Don't judge this employee negatively. They don't deserve it. They beat their opiate addiction, and that's quite an achievement. The fact that the employee is on methadone is wonderful because he/she is not on opiates. anymore. How do you even know this employee is in the methadone program? It could even have been years since the employee has used. You don't know. And besides, what could the employee possibly do wrong working as a photographer at Walmart? Nothing.

We made an appointment for a 6pm photo session for my wife's pregnancy picutres - got there on time. The photographer saw us enter but never acknowledged. Apparently her previous client was in for a newborn photo session and were running late. She never came out and informed us that it will be a little longer as they were dealing with a baby. Finally after 45 mins she comes out and says that it will be about 15 mins more. We have by now already waited for an hour sitting in the uncomfortable chair (my wife was 8 months pregnant at that time).
The photographer was busy upselling to the clinents when I interupted her to ask how much longer. She again said 15 mins max.

Finally after 1.5 hours of waiting she comes out and did not even apologize for the delay.

That will be our last visit to any picture me studion. They have a zero sense of customer service.

my husband and i went to picture me studio at butler wal-mart to get our granddaughters pictures.well needless to say they were not there and we were told to pick them up at 4-14 between 11and 1.the lady that was there could not tell us when they were gonna be there and did not even tried to call anyone to see when or were they were.this is the second time this had happened to us.i even tried to call the custom sevice number and got know where.it wont surprise me ne bit if you all get shut down by the bbb cause if you do good for you all.this is the worst studio i had ever delt with.when i go back to get my pictures on 4-15 they better be there and i better get some kind of discout or i will be asking for a refund back and it will be done before i leave.

I used this studio in Wal-Mart recently to have pictures done of my grandchildren and one of my family members grandchildren. This has been the most horrendous ordeal ! Picture quality is poor - Emloyees do not communicate with their costumers. Therefore what you expect and what you receive is disgaceful. You cannot get the regional manager to return your call, after numerous messages were left. I am filing a complaint with Wal-Mart 's Corporate office about this company. I hope they will replace them with another company that is more competant and customer
oriented. WILL NOT EVER USE THEM AGAIN! rosa621@comcast.net

She could've kept you informed more but you saw that she was struggling with a baby. I would understand if you saw her sitting down doing nothing but she was with another customer so obviously she attend you as soon as she could. People now a days want the red carpet to every where they go. Have some compassion for people who work at trying to make children happy. It's not easy!

You just sound cheap and whiny. It's called Inflation. The economy would be in worse trouble if cheap folks like you had your way with everything. In fact it's probably people like you that are the reason for the financial crisis in America.

I understand. The cheap portrait package is designed to lure customers in, but a customer has the right to expect a quality product when the price is on par with industry average. If a customer pays 10 dollars a sheet after discounts at Wal-Mart, then they should expect the same quality from a similarly priced sheet at the other chains. Mind you I am talking about the packages that are not promotional, rather discounted. The CD is intentionally downsampled so that that you can share among email, not print at a photo lab and not enlarge at home. If you want to do that, then you have to downsize the image or increase the resolution appropriately.

well this is my own complaint i just recently purchased almost 200.00 in pictures and paid an extra 20.00 to get the cd so i could print off when i want.picture me told me i had all copyrights with the cd and could put disk in any photo maker well guess what not at walmart in centralia they denied me that right with my own daughters cd.i think it stinks and will never get them done there again.i will take my business elsewhere!

First of all this lady is just cheap and they dont need customers like her and her sister. Its people like this lady that put businesses out! She needs to realize that it is a business and if she wants something cheap she needs to take her pictures at home. Plus the prices havent doubled, pfftt thats a lie. And the whole proofs thing im glad they dont do that it because when you really like the pictures you purchase them when offered to you and i dont feel as bad when i have to say no to the extras cause sometimes the kid in the photo just didnt cooperate. So to this cheap lady i say shut your trap and take your 4.99 else where! and believe me when i say they wont miss you or your kid

I think perhaps your problem is that your family tree seems deeply rooted in your rectum. Perhaps it would do you some good to remove that and then try again.

Holy ###. caps lock much?

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.

Wow and I thought I had it bad working for CPI. I had been employed with them four years ago, and loved it. I had a wonderful manager and team, but the job was only seasonal. So when my old manager told me to re apply for my job back last year I jumped on the offer. I got the job no questions asked, but when my manger found another job I was left to run the studio without a manager. In this said period of no manager, the new DM was having other managers from PMS make my schedule and all sorts of stuff. She was trying to run the SPS like a PMS studio and every time I did a sale or did stuff the way I was taught by my manger, I was doing it wrong and threatened that I needed to kick it up a notch. Or when my old manager was on vacation and I had to get rushed to the ER because of back spasms and taken out of work they tried to fire me. Because I had called the DM and left a message stating the facts and she never returned my call so there for the studio was never opened the following day. Or how about when I woke up with a fever of 102 and throwing up, I called my DM at 6am trying to call in and was told that I had to go in and they would try to cover me. So I went into work, after being there for 2 hours without a call from said DM I called her, she told me I had to find my own coverage and wanted to know how I even made it to the bathroom with out throwing up on the way there. I said screw it and talked to the manager of the host store told her I was going to the ER and closed down. They tried to fire me for that as well. Screw CPI.. They really know how to treat their workers

I recently searched CPI Corp to see if they're actually going to go bankrupt or not. Although this article was written in 2008 - it is now 2012 - and I can say nothing has changed in their handling of business and their employees. I ran a PictureME for two years. Yes, inside of Wal-Mart (embarrassingly so). I took the job because it was a consistent pay check and a gig is a gig sometimes. The position taught me a lot. It taught me how to run a business, how to make 3000 dollars a week solely based on people's love of my photography, and finally made me realize I DO NOT NEED CPI. I have professional training in photography, and have been planning to start my own outdoor portraiture company soon.

What led to my quitting two days ago: A long story made short. I trained a wonderful girl, an associate, exactly a year ago. I will use names. Her name is Tristin. Hey, it could be any Tristin out there. I taught her everything she knows. I showed her how to capture genuine candid moments, that aren't cookie cutter styled photography that so many people loathe. I was supportive constantly, a good friend, understanding, and helpful during times of break down where she thought she might quit. Tristin was quickly promoted to manager, not because of earning it with a high PRS (as the company normally INSISTS upon to attain a Manager's position) - but because the previous manager had been totally corrupt and didn't care about her job. She stole money from the company on a weekly basis, let her numbers plummet, and just became apathetic. Frankly, it was probably because she was tired of how the company was treating her. So, when the last manager quit, Tristin was thrown into the position out of desperation for SOME ONE to take over the studio. The DM at the time hadn't visited our district IN OVER A YEAR. You see, she had a life and kids back home, and didn't care to travel six hours to our neck of the woods to ever see how things were going. I repeat - our entire district had not seen a DM in OVER A YEAR. Because of this, the DM just gave Tristin the position. I was supportive. Recently, a newer DM was promoted, and she quit because she hated who she was becoming and the monster the company was forcing her to be. Guess what happens next? The RD announces, "we will be promoting within the district!". Oh Yay! Well, I think I more than qualified. For a solid year straight I was able to run over a 100 dollar Average, and I had a very loyal LOYAL clientele. Numbers have dropped everywhere in this country. The economy IS to blame. But as every one has said already on here: We are made to feel like it's our fault, and that we're failures and worthless when we DO EVERYTHING and yet still can't get the sale. On with the story... Guess what? That corrupt manager I told you about who quit? Well her numbers had been awful forever. Because of this, Tristin was the only one in the district to "make plan/goal", and put that particular studio's numbers in the green. Her photography is awful, she has not an ounce of class, she's obnoxious, and lies to her customers to get the 'sale'. The fact her studio was the only studio in the 'green', while the other 17 studios in our district were suffering, this landed her the DM position. Absolutely no qualifications. I was promised an interview, and never even had the chance to interview.

What comes next? I get bullied, harassed, yelled at, screamed at, demeaned in every way possible. The stress became to terrible that I had to go to the ER last week due to chest pains that would not stop. I developed Pleurisy. Guess what? I was told "Screw you, you will not receive any help, and you will travel around cover studios, work half hour appointments all day, have no lunch, no breaks, and sorry, I can't get you the extra coverage to help". This wasn't what was said to me word for word - this is just what happened. Last Saturday I was screamed at over the phone and told "it's always something with you", upon requesting extra coverage so I could actually handle the day while dealing with Pleurisy. I was crying on the phone to Tristin and she just laughed and treated me like my health meant nothing to her. Work a 10 hour shift with no lunch and shut up about it. Guess what? THERE WAS available help in the area, she just refused to call them in to help me. I had no choice but to quit. I am still traumatized from it now. I lost my job right before Christmas, and have no idea how I will survive. I have no family. I rely on myself, and I am strong. I had no choice but to quit a job that meant the world to me. My studio is my baby. And I lost it. Tristin saw to it that I'd quit. She turned on me like a rattlesnake.

This company doesn't care how many emails you write explaining what you're going through. It's all a joke to the RD's. Corruption is everywhere and in every corner of this company.

I started working at Picture Me Studios August 29, 2012. That was 3 days ago, and today being the 4th. The District Manager was not the gal who hired me, but my first day on the job for training was with the District Manager. This was a lady who was vile, she was overly inconsiderate, obnoxious, and extremely offensive to me. She even took it to volunteer placing her long ### finger nails and vice grip hand around my arm, in explaining a safety measure she has used, in preventing a baby from a un-attentive mother. The "Dress Code" rules says no long finger nails. She has got them, so maybe she has benefits beyond her salary & bonus, that separates her from those rules. Idk, too bring that as the goal intended here. She definitely suffers from "Pass the Buck", her district is failing for reasons, I cannot be in fact about. Though she will continue to have a failing district, because of her lack of respect for human beings, associates who run the store, that are needed to effectively allow guests to want to come in and share there support for a business. She is in your face and loud to all of the guests I've seen her with. She was that way to me, an associate. I assume she just was a alpha female, with a whole lot of issues, with folks that are at all kind, and don't correct her role in employment, managing a district at the Picture Me Studios in Wal-mart in Florida. I have never meet any other employment situation, that needs to be investigated. It was very embarrassing to be seen treated this way, and a blow to my nature, to have been allowing this treatment for 4 days (32 1/2 hous), while never saying something to her, so that I would have a job in this art of photographing. Thankfully ever day wasn't in her studio she was at, and or she had others come in and be so kind to assist in something she clearly isn't meant for. A disgrace in every, interaction while representing a company she does not own. Is exactly the reason why I took time to even write to this, other wise her success would be measured in time accordingly. I hope someone can benefit from this position, and she is relieved from her misery. If anyone know who I could speak to about the District Manager of Florida, and or... Any ?'s or comments please send me a email at DiidDiid22@yahoo.com Thank you, if any customers know who I am, and want too get in touch...feel free.

Hi! I was a studio manager for almost a year and I have to say it really was the worst job experiance I have ever had. I was hired in as a SM and was told I would be training for two weeks at another studio. Thats fine. So the person training me and I made out a plan on how we were going to be training those two weeks. My DM calls the studio 4 days into it saying I hope you're ready your going to be on your own now i need a qucik fix for the store. I started to freak out. The person training me tried telling the DM i wasnt nearly ready being that I HAVE NEVER DONE A SESSION with someone.

At this point i had taken my online tests that took up the whole day and part of the other and started learning the package priceing and pencil talk. Also getting customers in. Well She tried to train me the best she could by letting me take her pictures and luckly the next appointment was happy to let me use them for a crash course.

The next day by myself was awful. Thinking about it now i want to cry. The studio i was at I had never been to before it was set up different and i have 5 appointments. The Dm would not answer any of my calls or emails until almost close to see how my numbers were. Thank god for the other studios i called that talked me through that day.

That year was hell. My DM would call me names, said they ran the studio better when they were there, and even told my employees not to listen to me. They all stole and if i reported it i wasnt allowed to do anything about it but if i didnt do anythign about it i would get the blame.

After an employee kept harrassing on my ONE day off week after week to come in and fix things and telling me she was reviewing my photography and her pointers I had it. I made my sales goals, i spent money out of pocket, i made them a great customer base and i couldnt do it anymore.

I worked for CPI 3 yrs and I currently had an incident where I got a mystery call and its against company policy to ever refuse a customer. During the middle of a session and one in waiting (with 2 screaming kids) we are required to answer the phone even while busy. Well this "customer" wants to come in a get pictures taken. I tell her it may be a wait but we can try and get her in at adecent time. She ask what time I say 3:30 available and shes get ruder! "well that doesnt work what about 7?" I say we close at 7 so if your not here by then we will be closed but if its more convient our other location is town may not be booked would like me to call and find out ... she says "are you saying no me and refusing to schedule me" I said no ! I was suggesting more convience to you so you wouldnt have to wait while I take my other appts. ... so after about 15 minutes of this she spends another 10 minutes tryin to convince me to say no I cant get you in then she finally tells me she is a DM she then proceeds to raise her voice at me and tell me Im the reason the company is in a 30% deficit...(even though my studio is number one in the district) I said no its in a deficit because I have people playing games on the phone while I have two other real paying customers here! She tell me that because it wasnt a direct yes then I was basically saying no... even though I NEVER said noand that by not saying yes I refused the customer! HOW IS THAT LEGIT! This company is a joke and Im OVER IT so go ahead fire me ... make my day!

I too have been employed with CPI & I have given all of myself, even while going through chemotherapy. I never missed 1 day that I was scheduled to work & I on my days off...we get the picture! I found out that as of January of this year (2011), there is a class action suite against CPI.
Go to [redacted]s.com & enter in CPI. I think it is time that we all take a stand & put CPI in their place!

Fedup

I was SPS but from what I read here all the CPI Corp. stores/studios are Awful to the employees ~ Horrible company to work for and just as bad for the customers. I was hired on as a PART TIME associate last spring. I had just had a baby and was breast feeding when I started my job there. (This is relevant b/c of what happened next) I was "trained" maybe 2 days after starting with the company before being left alone in the studio. My manager Jamie was one of the ones that doesn't answer the phone when you call with a question. I hadn't been trained properly on the SAS (register) and had a lot of questions which went un-answered. She was also rude with customers, on occasion yelling at them and just putting out a very angry rude persona. Now, two weeks after I started working my manager started having me stay late. This wouldn't have been a problem if she hadn't MADE ME CLOCK OUT FIRST! The first time it happened I was there 15 minutes after I clocked out. Then it became an hour and once even 2 hours OFF THE CLOCK! When I called corp. they said I had to be able to prove that I was in the store working or there was nothing they could do. After working there for roughly 3 weeks my manager was called to another store. (At this time it was just the 2 of us working, one other girl who was available only one day a week) I was thrown into the role of "acting-store manager" with the same MINIMUM wage pay. And had to work open to close 4-5 days a week. I asked for help with equipment, training and begged for her to hire some help but it never happened. I worked 45-55 hour weeks, worked through lunch and well after closing time b/c even though I was alone in the store we still had to schedule closing appts.( I had to stop breast feeding b/c there just wasnt enough time to pump or feed. ) It was work, sleep, work. My husband became frustrated with my absence so I continued to ask for hire help but this went unacknowledged. I asked the regional and district managers for help but all I got from them was the District manager (LeDawn) saying that if I ever went over her head to Regional again that she would fire me herself. I finally left the company when my manager called me on a weds night after closing to tell me she had changed the schedule and that I was to work on Thursday morning (open to close)... less than 12 hours away. I told her I couldn't do it b/c I had an appt in the morning and she said ok. When I got there the next afternoon for my originally scheduled shift she was typing a "Write-Up" into the system for me. She said I hadn't shown up for my scheduled shift. Even though she knew that I wasn't coming in for it she called it a "no-call no-show". I quit the next day. Since then I have tried to schedule appointments with the company for my children's picture and our family portrait but my calls have went unanswered and my messages are never returned. ~Harrisonburg Va.

Ok. As an employee myself, I know how hard it can be working for the company. For those who read these rants and argued them, I respect your side of the story and commend your bravery. However, I don NOT feel the same way you do. I have worked for other companies that WERE going under, but they never let the employees or the customers take the heat from it.
But doesn't it seem a bit ridiculous to be ranting online. Why not get up and have a rally in front of the stores, or even better, in front of the home headquarters? Wouldn't that be more beneficial? I don't like how I was treated when I asked for a transfer since I am moving to a different state and for other things that have taken place, but I don't think that just venting on the internet is really going to get the point across. There are numerous complaints from workers of all levels, as well as customers, all over the internet; I've shared some of my own. I think the real way to solve this problem is to "Get Up or Shut Up." Don't you all agree?
I went to school to be a manager, and we were taught that a problem can't be fixed without knowing it exists. If the problem has been brought to light, and nothing has been done to fix it, make the light brighter.

Oh good luck with HR. I called and called left messages for Dan Duggan and Tammy Christian for weeks while my DM harassed me about not working 36 plus hours a week. (It wouldn't have been a problem if we were actually open 8 hour days.) But of course never got a call back. Finally, I got sick of it and just quit. Which I hated to do because I really loved my job. I was a studio manager for SPS for the last 4 years and my customers loved me... which the majority of them will not be back to that hell hole because I will be doing their pictures myself for myself. Word to the wise no matter how big yor paycheck is there you will never be happy.

me too...

Last time we had photos we h to wait 3 extra days b/4 getting our photos. I drove 1 hour there andanother hou back. Just to get my pics. in all the gas i drove i could of got them done at sears and recieved them the same day ill be cautios next time

My sons had their pictures made for my Mother's day gift. Pictures were to be ready on 5/28. I called on 5/27 to find out that the pictures/film were lost/damaged and could not be developed.

As my sons are all adults and live in different parts of the city and work different schedules it will be impossible to have these retaken. Also, the day the photographs were made they had to wait 2 hours before their pictures were actually taken.

I will not get my Mother's Day gift.

Sub: Transaction # [protected]

We took picture on 09/09/2008, till today 09/27/08, we have not received any information about our pictures, so we went your store and enquired about it, then the staff has no idea about the same. I wonder do they still have our picture or not, if yes when they are going to give us the copies. They already took such a long time and i believe they are going to take more time, i am sure i can find some other studio has better timing and service in this area. i admit a mistake of coming to your studio and wasting our one month time.

Pls let me know, if they have our pictures pls give us as early as possible or just refund our money...say GOOD BYE TO PICTUREME STUDIO'S.

jisha thomas.

What a joke this place is! Go to take my son for his birthday picture, place is completely dark. Photgrapher shows up 10 minutes late. On top of that, once she is done taking pictures the computer doesn't work, so we can't see the pics or choose the portraits or anything. So I call the general manager, she offers to give us the $79.99 package for free, nice, right? However, my wife goes back today, the girl who was there yesterday was not there today, the guy at the store had no idea, so my wife and 2 year old son wasted their time going to the store again, still couldn't order the portrait package. Now she has to call back tomorrow and talk to someone again, maybe the third try will actually allow us to order pictures! Would not recommend this place, I know I won't be using them again.

I took pictures on March 24, 2013...and i didnt receive my 16x20 photo...and also i was suppose to have 10 Enchanced photos, I only have two.

I went to the one in Norman. Oh my goodness DID NOT like the Lady her name was Connie. I told her I didn't like one picture she shrugged her shoulders raised her voice a little and said we're going to take like 6 more. It's going to take us all night if we keep stopping. It was only our third shot. Then she said in a upsetting voice that she didn't like my daughters smile Connie said "Don't smile like that, it's ugly". WOW, my daughter is 6 yrs old. Everyone who came and picked up their pictures, she would always say, " If you go on line and give us a good report, then will give you this free picture for helping us out. So you help us, will give you this free picture. Really didn't like her, don't want to go back anytime soon either! Maybe I should have stuck with Sears?

Thank you for that comment. It is very good to hear the good experiences, too. It is nice to know that what there are photographers who can accomplish their tasks and do it very well.

May all your experiences be as memorable.

Wait until you see to our digital capabilities.

Warm est Regards,

I was a little upset because there was no film available for passport photos. But i have additional pictures taken. The
photographer was very nice, kind and very professional. He even tried to contact another store or someone else who might have had some passport film. I intend to have some more pictures taken there in the near future.

I had awful experience with PictureMe studio! Beware people! Do not go there!

To Wal-Mart Canal Winchester Store Manger, Picture Me Studio Corporate Manager & Picture Me Experience Customer Service:

Due to the my recent experience, I am highly upset and agitated in regards to the treatment I received from your representative at the Picture Me Studio located in the Wal-Mart Super center store in Canal Winchester, Ohio. I have worked in customer service for some years now, so I expect the up most service when I am on the receiving end. The behavior of the Picture Me representative, Samantha, was rude, unhelpful, uninformative, and absolutely unacceptable. I am very upset and after some time I am still unable to forget this experience.

I attempted to call the customer service number though I was on hold waiting for a representative for over a half and hour. Due to my work schedule this solution seemed better suited for me. Although, I am still very dissatisfied and I expect a resolution to follow.

My boyfriend and I wanted to get a Christmas picture taken. His aunt also wanted to get a group picture including my boyfriend with her children. So we decided it would be better suited for us to do it all the same time. We called and made the appointment. When we placed the appointment we made not only one, but we scheduled two appointments. Nothing was said to us at the time, when clearly we all knew each other.

On December 2, 2007 we arrived for our scheduled appointments, your representative, Samantha, told my boyfriends aunt, Kathy to pick their background. Then a few moments later she asked me to the same. I couldn't choose so I just walked back to the portrait room with them. Samantha posed my boyfriend and her children. After a few pictures she said 'Is this going to be the promo picture'. We said 'Yes!' we liked it, at the time we knew nothing was to come from this decision. A few more pictures were taken of them and Samantha asks out of nowhere as if she were shocked I hadn't been in the room the whole time and she didn't see us all walk in together. 'Are you and him taking pictures next?' I replied 'Yes!' Not understanding the purpose of her question. She said 'Hold on a minute' and walks out of the room. She quickly returns 'I can't take your pictures next.' I again, confused replied 'Why?' she responds with 'Corporate only allows us one promo picture per group'. From this point on everything that she said she added 'Corporate says so' which I thought was highly unprofessional. It was also highly un-informative that she was not upfront with this information. I still do not understand why she waited until she locked in our promo picture to let us know it was one picture per group. She then convinced us it would be cheaper to take pictures in his aunt package. Unsatisfied, but with no other options we do so. I was very angry by this time and I feel that we were very misled. Your representative should have let us know all the catches to the fine print. We were all unaware of this in the beginning.

After some time past, Samantha called us to the back to look at the prints. We started looking at them and I then realized how expensive it was going to be to get my prints I need, the prints I would have received in my promo package. I looked at his aunt waiting for her to decide. She noted I only need one ten by eight. We tried every option we could think of because, I obliviously needed more pictures. Of course we couldn't change the promo picture to my boyfriend and mines picture because 'Corporate say so'. Infact, Samantha kept replying corporate will not allow me to, as if she were the victim. His aunt ended up cutting the promo picture because she did not need those pictures. We ended up getting a combine package spending of 79.99 plus tax. This could have been avoided, and was extremely unnecessary.

What I am still confused about today is, your representative Samantha, took our appointments together, saw us walk in together, saw my boyfriend in there pictures, knew we were next, and asked me to pick out a background for our pictures next. Yet never spoke one word about any regulations until after the promo picture was locked in.

I find this kind of uninformative service very distasteful and I hope you don't encourage this behavior. I understand the regulations, what I don't understand is not having Samantha trained enough to explain to your customers the regulations before taking pictures. If she had it wouldn't have been a problem at all. I would be happy because my boyfriend and I would have taken the promo picture had a package we needed and his aunt could have bought one eight by ten she needed. Though we were uninformed!

This brings me to another point I work in commission, I sure hope Samantha did not receive commission off of selling us this package because how many other customers has she been tricking. This can not go on she needs the proper training; your representatives represent your company. She did a very poor job and I will never use this portrait studio again nor will I indorse other people to do so. I work in customer service and I would have never treated a customer as if she had that day. She never offered any assistance to us and she only replied a hundred times 'Corporate says so'. I don't know if you Condon this level of service but it was totally unprofessional.

As a photographer at PictureME, just want to say to rate every PictureMe the same is Wrong! You will find friendly smiley faces at our studio. It is a long process to get you in and out so be patient! Especially if we have a newborn who has to stop and feed or go and get changed. I always ask when booking appts for people do you have little ones? I try to set you up behind a couple and visa versa so the wait wont be long...maybe thats something CPI(PictureMe) needs to discuss at meetings is how to better manage appts...
Our studio trys very hard to get you in and give you the best experience in pictures then you have ever had before. It takes approx 15 min to get pictures taken and 1/2 hour to sell them and get you all set up, rung up and out. So look at 45 min to get pictures done. I recently had a family that came in for pictures who had 3 little ones and they got several calls on their cell phone, and I over heard them say about 10 minutes into the session Well were STILL here at the picture place getting our pictures done and guess we wont be able to meet you after all...or they try to rush us...then have the gall to complain so they can get something free. Remember its going to take some time to get some beautiful pictures that your going to want to cherish for the rest of your lifetime.
When you come to TX area come check out our studio!

Yeah they had some pretty ### policies when they were Film. She was just covering her ### as not to get fired, but she did it poorly in a way that upset the customer.

Dear Picture me studios,

Me and my fiance got our pictures done at the Studio in Allegany New York at the Wall Mart.Our appoitment was at 5:00 and we got there at five o'clock, it took about two hours for us to get in there and take pictures.Then finally we got our pictures done it took another half an hour to pay for it because she rang us up wrong.She said our total came to $68.00, for one sheet of eight wallets, and 20 christmas cards.The worker was very slow at her work and i would suggest no one else goes there.

Sinceraly,
Sara cummings

I manage the PictureMe in Scottsbluff, NE. And really, if you have a bad experience once, or at a particular studio, you cannot say ALL PictureMe studios have terrible service. It really depends on the photographer. I have pride in my studios great customer service and quality photography that happens in my studio every day! I urge you to try another PictureMe, if not a different photographer- a different store. We can do great things now, such as photo enhancements (colored eyes on a black and white print, faded edges, text...) New camera angles, floor poses... THE LIST GOES ON! Not to mention our prices are the lowest in the industry. When it comes to paying for what you get were an A+++++++! If you are anywhere near NE, come into Scottsbluff and see me!

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVE MY PICS FROM THEM.THE PRICE IS ALWAYS GREAT ALSO.I HAVE USED PICTUREME SINCE 2004.

The studio in cabot arkansas was amazing. They were really energetic and i just really had an amazing time and came out with some of the most amazing pictures i have ever seen.

Sirs: I needed a few pictures of me without having a friend, or member of the family take them. Noticed your add at Wal-Mart, and stopped in. Studio 05030 Photographer MISTY. I was in, and out in no time. Misty was very good, and did the best she could. Taking into consideration the subject she had to work with. I have no complaints. It was a pleasant experience. If at all possible please let Misty know that she's doing a good job. Bill W

I have had nothing but GOOD experiences with the portrait studio in Wal-Mart in Mason City. The photographers are very friendly, they try hard to please you and the pictures are top notch quality. This is not a complaint, but a testimony of the good service I have had. Thank you Marcie and the rest of them there!

The photos that were given to me were so off centered, I could"n give them away.
The store clerk was so angry that I did"n spend more money on an expensive package, that they just sent me a bad pictures.
Carol Meade

I do not have a complaint. At the bottom of my receipt it says to take a survey. I love having my children's pictures taken here. I have only had one complaint in 6 years of using them and they resolved it before I even really knew about it.

And for clarification, "Did'n" is an improper contractions.

[censored]tard.

No, I believe they may have just gotten angry at you and given you bad pictures. Hell, I would just to see the look on your face. If it's a short and horribly composed as your complain, then perhaps I'd laugh and take a picture of it, showing my friends later what a sea otter looks like with a corn cob up it's ###.

Oh my ###ing god. Get over yourself. Like she purposely sent bad pictures JUST to piss you off? Your not that special.

I went in to get family pictures done and the lady taking the pictures was nice and helpful at first then after we got the pictures done and I was going through on what I wanted she kept helping other people and ignoring me. I was about to spend ALOT of money on pictures cause not only was it family pictures it was my sons 9 month pictures as well. She would stop and just do other things for other people and kept leaving me at the counter. I understand having other customers there but she should of told them i will be with you in a few minutes instead of getting up and talking to them. I was so frustrated and just wanted to get out of there I did not order all that I wanted, all I wanted to do was pay for what I had already gotten and get out of there. And aslo about 3 months ago I paid for a 16x20 that was on sale for 19.99. I was told that I was going to be able to use it when my husband got home from Iraq, well guess what I could not. I was told that it had expired after 30 days. Before I even paid for it 3 months ago I asked over and over again to make sure I was still going to be able to use it later and the lady who sold it to me knew I was not going to be able to use it for 3 or 4 months. So now as well as being frustrated, I was out $20.00 as well.

Thank you and Congradulations. It is remarkable that in 6 years youcontinue to get great service from your studio.

We aim to provide customer service in a possitive manner and with resolve to the issue ASAP.

Thank you for your continued support.

Warm est regards,
Sherry

Your photographer (Kaitlin)at studio:01931 Rhinelander Wi. was very rude from the time I made my phone call to the time pictures were taken. She would'nt change the back grounds for my grandson and said they would be here for fathers day .(It was my son 1st fathers day and he was here from florida. They were not in they came in the day after her left nice 1st father days present ha?
I had my granddaughters taken the same day and she took 3 pictures and the 3rd picture my granddaughter was falling off the table and she was half way off and she snaped the picture. did she or did she not get hurt? She say I cant take no more of her "WOULD YOU WANT SOME ONE LIKE THAT TO TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR ONE YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER AFTER THAT?" please send me a email and letter in the mail withe aresponse to this letter.
meemawandpeepaw@yahoo.com
Joni J Shelton
P.O.Box324
Elcho, Wi. 54428

I manage the PictureMe in Scottsbluff, NE. And really, if you have a bad experience once, or at a particular studio, you cannot say ALL PictureMe studios have terrible service. It really depends on the photographer. I have pride in my studios great customer service and quality photography that happens in my studio every day! I urge you to try another PictureMe, if not a different photographer- a different store. We can do great things now, such as photo enhancements (colored eyes on a black and white print, faded edges, text...) New camera angles, floor poses... THE LIST GOES ON! Not to mention our prices are the lowest in the industry. When it comes to paying for what you get were an A+++++++! If you are anywhere near NE, come into Scottsbluff and see me!

The average session is 30 minutes. Sometimes longer depending on the baby, children or number in your group. It is never our intention to rush you through your portrait session.

There are exceptions that make us hurry a little more. When we recognize a tired, hungry or wet baby, children with ear infections, chicken pox, measles, colds and flu and head lice, we tend to hurry. When we are in a studio alone and there are people, waiting to pick up portraits, trying to make an appointment, need a passport or waiting to have portraits made we try to please everyone. It doesn't always work, but we do try to make everyone happy, all the time, everyday.

As your neighborhood studio turns digital, your film issues will be gone. With this comes additional training for your photographer. He will know have to be certified after training in a 40 hour/5 day course.

I do hope that you will consider PictureMe Portrait Studios in the near future.

Warm est Regards