PSA TERRIBLE jcp photo experience (long)

lrichmond86 · November 2013

I know there was a thread here about the jcp groupon for Christmas cards about a week or two ago, but we went for our pictures today so I thought I would share.

It was awful. Our "appointment" was at two. We showed up ten minutes early. The place was mobbed. At least ten other families waiting. There were four people working behind the counter (and by working I mean eating and drinking their Dunkin donuts, chatting about their weekend escapades, and occasionally putting out small fires of angry parents who had been waiting for too long) and two studio rooms. When we got there we were told they would take us in ten minutes. I knew it would not be that quick but I never guessed how bad it would be. We were told 10 minutes two more times. AN HOUR later the photographer came out to get us, to find that dd was asleep and the pictures could not be done. We left with a sleeping baby, two angry parents and no pictures at all. I had words with the photographer before we left. I asked her why we even bothered to make an appointment it there was no schedule kept. She replied that an "appointment" only guaranteed that they would take our pictures if we showed up, that they couldn't turn us away. So basically the time didn't matter at all. She told me they could take pictures of her sleeping, to which I replied, "I could take pictures of her sleeping myself at home. I wouldn't pay someone else to do it!" She then told me that we should have called ahead to "find out how backed up they were. " I'm sorry. ... I assumed when I made an appointment that that wouldn't be necessary! I had rearranged dds schedule to make this happen and she was miserable for the rest of the day. I will NEVER go back to have pictures done at jcp and I will likely never shop there again. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They were rude and unprofessional. I saw them give out more free merchandise in an hour than I saw in an entire year working retail. All in all, I give our experience an F--. Honestly, I can't accurately describe in words just how bad it was. I'm sure it's not all jcps but if you're considering it, think twice.

Tara*N*Chris · November 2013

Sorry you had a bad experience

. Hopefully you can find somewhere else to get them done

blairwitch · November 2013

We had a similar situation at a Sears studio once. We had an appt set for 6 to have DD1 and her little BFFs pix taken when they were 2. After waiting for almost an hour with 2 now hungry crabby 2yr olds...we left. We drove 45min to get nothing done.

[Deleted User] · November 2013

Citrusfamily said:

I'm sorry that would drive me crazy. I have a special anger for people who waste my time and a whole other level for my time and money being wasted. #-o

Foshizzle! What a silly word.

chiboo9 · November 2013

Yup, went to JCP yesterday and had a crappy experience, although not as bad as yours. Our appointment was at 12:10. Got there right at noon. It was madness! We waited and waited. They were finally ready for us at 12:45. Normally I wouldn't care so much, especially since they were busy. But everything changes when you're dealing with a baby's schedule. I was about to lose it, but DH kept reminding me that we only paid $25 for it (Groupon). We had a few good shots but LO quickly had a meltdown after a few minutes. I wouldn't go back again.

ilovemyducks21 · November 2013

That really sucks. We had a good experience, but our appointment was also on a weekday now that I think about it. And it was still pretty busy, although we didn't have to wait. I know now not to make appointments for weekends if we go back!

missyjg · November 2013

I hate JCP too! I won't ever get our pictures done there again. The backgrounds were wrinkled, photographer kept asking us why was DD so wiggly? She was 7 months old. Then they messed our prints up and we ordered christmas cards from them, which we didnt get until February. Pictures were done in November. Yeah they suck!

getaclue44 · November 2013

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up. One of my friends is a building her portfolio and my daughter is one of her favorite subjects. I am very lucky. Definitely email or call their corporate office!

KikiCohen · November 2013

We have our next Monday so we'll see how it goes. Sorry you had such a terrible experience

arlingirl · November 2013

I hate to bad mouth these types of studios, but these people are hired off the street, given minimal training and honestly, you're getting what you pay for. Some of them might be doing it as side work and know photography, but most do not. Steer clear of cheap, mass-producing in & out places like this.

Sorry you had a crappy experience.

P.s. Yes, I'm a snob...

ceechie · November 2013

We do JCP for all our pics but only go to one specific studio. We've tried other studios that are closer but the one we like has a better team and manager. I hated how my Christmas cards turned out his year after looking at them online and they let me come back and reshoot everything (not just choose a new card, but take new pictures). And added on two free sheets for the hassle.
That said, the studio closest to our house always has a long wait and bad photographers. Luck of the draw.
Eta- that does super suck that they wasted your day like that. They should have let you know with a call prior or when you arrived they were running so late. I get pissed when I'm lied to about a schedule. Sorry!

maryoosa · November 2013

We are new to the world of baby pictures etc... we typically use indie professional photographers- but usually we know them and get deep discounts--- all out connections are at places where they are taking breaks from their work--- We tried the picture people and loved them- we've done two shoots there and I have a 3rd scheduled. Then, on that 25$ groupon we tried JCP. Horrible. Overcrowded, not good with kids, etc... Sorry for your experience! If you have a picture people near you give them a shot!

[Deleted User] · November 2013

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arlingirl · November 2013

@mrserinh ...I did, too. I worked at Sears for 5 years, and my BFF worked right next to my dept...in the portrait studio. Customer service issues notwithstanding, you're paying $25 for a groupon a gazillion other people buy? Expect it to be insane and you're going to get what you pay for. Standing by my opinion.

Lelo2006 · November 2013

@arlingirl, I agree that you can't really expect much from a groupon for jcp.

I'm still sad that op had such a bad experience though!

lrichmond86 · November 2013

arlingirl said:
@mrserinh ...I did, too. I worked at Sears for 5 years, and my BFF worked right next to my dept...in the portrait studio. Customer service issues notwithstanding, you're paying $25 for a groupon a gazillion other people buy? Expect it to be insane and you're going to get what you pay for. Standing by my opinion.

By your theory, it would be ok for a server to provide bad service at any chain restaurant just because their prices are reasonable? I disagree. I actually didn't purchase the groupon. It was a coupon they sent my sister in the mail because she has a membership card for my niece, that she pays for. It was the same savings as the groupon. She had always had good luck with jcp. We have a photographer that we usually use, but she was booked up for the season, so I figured if give this a shot. If they're going to send out coupons to "thank" repeat customers, it should be worth your time. I might have stayed if they hadn't treated us like sh*t. Like pp said, my issue wasn't with how busy they were... it's the holidays, I get it... it was with how unprofessionally everyone behaved. If you give me an appointment time and you aren't able to stick to it, don't lie to me to keep me there, and then blame me for why we had to wait. Whether the spring fee was $10 or $100, everyone deserves to be treated respectfully, and that didn't happen.

[Deleted User] · November 2013

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arlingirl · November 2013

Should you have been treated like crap? No, but those studios are in & out and they take walk-ins. The weekends are zoos...and again, they sold a billion of those groupons and apparently sent coupons, too! Sadly, it probably even said in the fine print that an appointment doesn't mean anything. I still hope you get it fixed to your satisfaction and hope you get pictures somewhere else with a better outcome. Good luck!

arlingirl · November 2013

Oh and @lrichmond86 ....servers are getting tips. Now if you want to compare JCP to Mcdonalds? That's a good comparison...I don't expect good service from McDonald's. When I get it, it's awesome. It's nice when people take pride in their job, no matter how much per hour they make. The sad thing is, most people don't. Anyway...

valstulas · November 2013

You must be so disappointed! I know I would be

I know places like that can get mobbed, especially around the holiday season and with big promotions. Regardless, there's a way to handle a long wait and a crabby baby. I'm sure that, had they handled it more apologetically/professionally, you would have at least been more inclined to give them another chance.

I hope you can find an affordable studio or photographer to do your LO's photos!

jackson290721 · November 2013

Awe I'm sorry you had a bad experience! I loved our pictures when we went to JCP. Our photographer was awesome. She even let me BF in the little studio before we got started so DD was super happy. We always go in the morning on a week day though. So sorry you had an awful experience. Hope you can find somewhere else to get them done!

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PSA TERRIBLE jcp photo experience (long)

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