Bad experience with the photo studio at Walmart

[frannn]

Our local Walmart (less than 1 year old) does not have its own permanent photo studio. I believe a company called PCA Studios travels to our Walmart with one rep and a camera, every few months. The wait time is long because there's only one photographer, but they have a cheap pkg- about 3.88 + tax for 27 pictures. They make their $ on the extra sheets you buy. Anyway, I get a postcard saying my pictures are ready to pick up today, starting at 10 am. Wanted to avoid a long wait, I arrive a few minutes after 10. The rep is not there, and time continues to pass. Finally, around 11, a Walmart manager comes by saying the rep is stuck in traffic and will be there asap. By 11:45 I call the company, who refuses to attemp to locate their rep, and suggests I come back on Sat to pick up pictures. I decide to wait, while the smoke pours out of my ears. The pictures are at the store, but only the photo rep is allowed to open them. The rep finally shows up at 12:15, and it takes another 15-20 minutes for her to get the pictures from the store. I was first, and the rep offered me an additional 20% off whatever I bought for my trouble. She then offered me a free 8X10 instead, if I wanted. I took the free 8X10 and my pkg and left.
This seems unacceptible to me, no matter what the price. I don't think I'll call the company and complain, because I'll probably end up getting more frustrated. I am glad I got the free picture, but I lost precious time from work. My time is worth more than the extra picture would have cost me. I have heard "you get what you pay for", but for the photo company who employs a worker that claims she is stuck in traffic for 2.25 hours in the am for a trip that normally takes 45 minutes is overpaying.
Thanks for allowing me to vent. Its a good thing my daughter is adorable-her pictures always make me smile!

 

[MICKEY88]

I understand your aggravation,

however I personally have been stuck in traffic several times for periods ranging from 1-2.5 hours due to traffic accidents..

so speaking from experience it is possible....

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

Sorry you went through this.

I have learned personally that Walmart is not the way for me to go unless I have a lot of time and patience. They are cheap but it's not worth the wait or the gamble of "will the pictures be good this time as opposed to last".

 

[maps]

i had similiar trouble with olan mills woking out of kmart.

i work, so my free time can be limited. instead of walking in, i made an appt.

the first time, the photographer never showed up. waited an hour.

the second time, the photographer was just finishing up with someone else. she said the camera ran out of film and she wasn't going to refill it. it didn't dawn on me what she meant so i just stood there.

then she said, "i quit" and starts going on and on about her commute and her hours....

i'm still just standing there. she finally pulls out a card and starts stamping it and says "the next time you come in your pictures will be free"

so the next time i went, i gave them the card, the manager looked at me funny and when i explained what happened, she gladly gave me all the pictures i wanted!

 

[MICKEY88]

hmmmmmm reading these posts, it might be easier than I thought to restart my photography business, I do location portraits, I go to my customers to do the shoot and I deliver the proofs and then the final photos...

 

[TEENEE]

I tried Wal mart a few times when my kids were small. Never again. The pictures are not centered, the wait to have them taken and to pick them up is always a nightmare. I've been really happy with JC Penney. They always have enough staff to keep the shoots on time and the pick up is done quickly. JCP always throws in a few extras when you pick up your pictures.