Sears Portrait Studio - - Derry, NH Review

Derry, NH

Overall 1.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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andicro
Derry, NH

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Disappointing Day

a reader, not rich, happy to play with my kids, mom to boys, a person who likes a bargain, expecting good, fair service, willing to pay for quality, I believe in honesty

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Pros

inexpensive portraits

Cons

inexperienced photographer, poor customer service, failed to keep appointment time

NOV

2007

I took my 3 boys (ages 10, 6 & 1) for pictures at Sears Portrait Studio for pictures and I left empty handed and unhappy!!! We got there about 20 minutes prior to our appointment time-I know we were early but I wasn't sure how parking would be & didn't want to be late. I stood at the desk and was totally ignored by the employee who was behind the counter, she was doing something but she also turned to look at me, a "someone will be with you soon" would have been nice. When someone finally helped me, probably 3-5 minutes of standing there, I was told it would be about 10 minutes & I could have a seat. We went and sat down, after approximatly 25 minutes we were called; it ended up being almost 10 minutes after our appointiment time before we went into a room. The girl who did our photos was obviously inexperienced!!! I requested that she get a least a good shot of my 3 boys together & then one of my youngest (1) alone, because I knew my older two would be fine, but my little guy might not. She chose a background-plain white, my older two were dressed in blue jeans with blue Red Sox t-shirts & the baby was in a red & blue Red Sox jogging Suit. We struggled to get my 1yr old in a picture but were finally able to, we then did him alone. I didn't love the pictures but there were good enough because he was being difficult. She then took some photos of my other two children alone. I wanted to try to get more pictures of them together & requested she change the background (we were still on plain white). She got a different background & took a shot or two. She repeatedly missed what I saw as chances to get pictures and then would say "he moves fast" after he had been sitting in the same position for 10-20 seconds-a long time for a 1-year-old!! I thought we were done, but as we were leaving the room she said "oh you won't be able to get them online, but you can still order what you like" That stopped me, I wanted to be able to view them online because I share them with people who I don't give an actual picture to. We had to turn back & get more done. We decided to get a few of my older two because it would be quick & easy. We were then told to "go wait while I upload them." I had to ask where we should sit, typically I've been directed to a place not just sent to figure it out myself. After about 10 minutes a different person comes to show us the pictures!! There was no explination of what happened to our photographer (normally that's who shows you the pictures), but I did notice the tag of this person said "assistant manager." I'm looking at the pictures thinking "gosh I don't like these much." First I chose a picture of my youngest, I had a choice of two, I liked it enough and knew I wouldn't get better. I then saw the picutres of my middle son, I had a choice of 2-one where he wasn't looking at the camera and the other with a big smile, both the same "pose" and background. Then I saw the pictures of all 3 boys & found 1 that was OK-again with the 1yr old I knew I didn't have many options. I was then shown pictures of my older two alone, but I didn't want those, although one was wonderful!!! I was then shown the picutres of my oldest child (10) and almost lost it. I had 5 pictures of him alone, all the same "pose" sitting on a block with his hands and feet not positioned!! All the same white background & all the same distance-full body. I couldn't believe that she didn't manage to get anything even decent of my oldest who is the easiest to photograph. I walked out the door without purchasing any photographs. I was offered "another session with a different photographer" as I was walking out the door but chose not to take it. Instea, I walked down to The Picture People and made an appointment with them.