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Walmart portrait procedure

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Kay

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Nov 8, 2001, 8:32:44 AM11/8/01
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After swearing off Sears forever, I brought DS to Walmart yesterday for
Christmas photos. This was our first Walmart portrait experience, and it went
great. There was no line, the photographer was excellent with kids, and DS was
in a giggly and cooperative mood, and I *know* we got some awesome shots.

However, I was so preoccupied with keeping DS happy, entertained and moving
along that I left without really knowing what the deal is.

I paid about $14 for some "holiday value package".
Anyone know what's in it?

I was very surprised that I was unable to preview and select any shots.
I was told that "they" will select the best shot for my "value package" using
the special "value package background" that I selected at the beginning. So, I
get what I get, I guess. (prolly just as well, cuz I know it would have been a
tough choice)

They took a bunch of other shots using different backgrounds (I had no say in
background selection, but it seems to have been all they had, anyway). So what
happens with these? Will I get proofs when my Value Package is ready? ...and
then be able to order more from there? Can these be ordered by the sheet, or
would i need to get an entire "package" for each additional pose? Will "they"
select the best pose per background and do something with them in advance?
Anyone know how it works?

I tried, but can't seem to find a relevant website.
TIA, -Klueless Kay in MA

Kevin & Tricia

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Nov 8, 2001, 9:44:46 AM11/8/01
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Kay,
This sounds like how it used to be at a Wal Mart near me. Before they added
their permanent studio. The package comes with something like 1 10x13 2
8x10's 3 5x7's 4 3x5's and 20 something wallets!
Then the extra shots they took they will print up just a few for you (in an
assortment of sizes) to buy when you go in to pick up the package. If you
really love one or more of the shots you can call the photography company
and order additional sheets of the pose you like.
I did this once and ended up spending $80 on additional poses. : ) It's
easier to get what you want when doing the photo shoot. I was always nervous
waiting for the pictures to come back. I've always liked the poses they
choose. I haven't ever had one I hated. If there's another Wal Mart near you
that has the computerized viewing on the spot, I'd go there next time!
Can't wait to see Alex's new pic's!!!
--
Tricia
Mama to Dylan (3/8/98) and Jolena (8/14/00)

REMEMBER: "Stressed" spelled backwards is "Desserts"! :c)
"Kay" <edek4...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
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Anne D.

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Nov 8, 2001, 9:47:29 AM11/8/01
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I've done portraits at Wal-Mart a few times, and I've been able to preview
the pix on a computer screen - I guess it varies by location. The package
deals are incredible - you'll get a 10 x 13, 8 x 10, some 5 x 7's, 4 x 6's,
and about a zillion wallets. I think you can order more by the sheet after
your original order comes in, but you get so much in the initial package,
I've never felt the need for more. ;-)

On my order form, I got black-and-white laser printed proofs, if you could
call them that, they were only about 1.5 x 2". I think there's a time limit
on ordering reprints.

Thanks for reminding me that I need to get out and have pictures done now
for Christmas.

--
Anne in Southwest FL
IVF Mom to Elizabeth Ann "Lissa" 6/16/99
http://amazon.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=76700884203&n=1431206664


"Kay" <edek4...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
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Mommy2Alyssa527

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Nov 8, 2001, 11:28:52 AM11/8/01
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IIRC I went to Walmart once before the puter previews and they sent in extra
pose pictures but they have a offer where you get 2 3x5's of each pose with a
photo matte for 19.95 I have bought these in the past in exchange for buying
ALL those extra pictures. The package they are offering by me right now is
10x13 28x10's 4 5x7's 4 3x5's and 24 wallets for 12.95 plus tax. Cant wait to
see the new pictures
Bobbi
Mommy to Alyssa 5/27/2000 (the climbing machine)
& to her Big Sisters Brittney 9 and Deanna 7
http://hometown.aol.com/mommy2alyssa527/myhomepage/baby.html

Jraney1185

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Nov 8, 2001, 11:55:51 AM11/8/01
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kay,

I have went to walmart only 3 times( I DONT care for them), and i ALWAYS got
to view my pictures. I don't know why you didn't get to. to you have a place
called "FLASH' or 'THE PICTURE PEOPLE", by you?

I have had sammi's pictures taken 25 times in the last 15m. I sure can notice
the difference in quality from walmart and sears compared to the other places i
have mentioned. the 5x7's with 4 wallets is only 15 dollars. the 8x10 is also
15 dollars. you can get a pkg with an 8x10, 2 5x7's, and 8 wallets for 40
dollars. the sitting fee is 9.99. you get the pictures back in an hour. I am a
club member, so i dont have to pay the 9.99 sitting fee. you should look in
your phonebook and see if you got either one of those places near you----i am
++++ you wont be disappointed.

love,
jolinda

Kathy Claytor

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Nov 8, 2001, 6:26:38 PM11/8/01
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The only time I went to Walmart I did get to pick, but there was only
1 person there, so I had to pick really fast. It was totally stressful,
and the prints came out bad because they weren't centered well.

I hope it goes better for you.
--
KC
Caitlin 12/29/99

Debbie

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Nov 8, 2001, 6:29:20 PM11/8/01
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>I did this once and ended up spending $80 on additional poses. : )

<grinning> I did the same and spent over $175 on her first pics!

BUT I learned my lesson, on her 5 month pics, I only spent $75! :-)

~*~ Debbie ~*~
Ashlee Brooke Born 5/2001
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/ashleebrooke
"There Is Happiness In Each New Day"

SKY0607

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Nov 8, 2001, 8:25:41 PM11/8/01
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I only use Target now. Its cheaper they take all the time you need. No
waiting appt is always on time. You help choose the pose, background and can
pick what ever sizes you need instead of what they give you after you buy the
package I have never had a bad picture.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Sharon
Married to Rich for 12+ years.
Blessed with Joey--11/94 and Daniel 9/00

Kay

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Dec 7, 2001, 9:19:51 PM12/7/01
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It's been awhile, but I did finally get DS's Walmart photos back. I know I
swore off Sears, but I will never use Walmart again. Walmart (PCA) was waaaay
worse. (it seems differnt Walmarts have much different procedures).

What made it so bad was the saleswoman. DS and I stood there in line for 65
minutes to pick up our photos. There were only TWO customers in front of us!
65 minutes!

That saleswoman truly gives all salespeople a bad name. See, she was trying to
get me to buy "the big package", and her sales pitch and people skills were
just awful and insulting to one's intelligence. I have no use for that crap.
And she was sooo damn slow.

In fact, I got sooo sick of waiting (cuz she was really shooting the manure
with people) that when Alex started to cry and whine from boredom, I pushed him
(in the cart) closer to her, so he'd be a real nuisance. I think it helped
light a badly needed fire under her butt.

One thing that was a riot was that she tried selling me a "composite", which
would be analagous to a Sears' "proof sheet". 6 poses compiled onto one sheet.
What was so funny was that there were only 3 poses to choose from! How dumb
was that?? She put one together for me, and tried convincing me how nice it
was! It had 2 shots of each pose! I think she got mad when I laughed, but
come ON...

The pictures were lousy, altho the "value package" one that we pre-paid for
wasn't too bad. You can see it at:
http://hometown.aol.com/edek439952/xmas01.html

I complained that he wasn't looking at the camera; Super Saleswoman (twice)
said to pretend that he was looking at a reindeer. I was not amused.

The photo paper was cheap and flimsy. The colors were off and faded-looking.
The optional shots were not that good, and luckily, that made it easy for me to
decline purchasing any FOR $20 PER SHEET!!! Cripe!!

I guess it's back to Sears from now on.

Oh, In the Value Package (~$14) I got a ton of photos. I got:
1 10x13 (what do you do with *that*??)
2 8x10's
4 5x7's
4 3x5's (or whatever size that is)
26 wallets
and....
4 mini's (nice for photo ornament thingys)
and...
10 christmas cards! (which are pretty nice; are 3x5's)

You get what you pay for, but I would have gotten much better quality photos at
Sears, and I would have some choice, for roughly the same price or less. Altho
I can't stand the photographers at Sears, I never had to wait any 65 minutes to
pick up my photos, and I never was forced to endure some stupid sales pitch.
Well, I had to give it a try.
-Kay

Cait's Mama

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Dec 7, 2001, 9:27:08 PM12/7/01
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Oh, Kay, what a bummer. What an idiot the salesperson seemed to be. I've
never had that kind of experience at Walmart. In fact, I've had just the
opposite: they have actually *given* me extra photos at times, and I never
got a sales pitch. And I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes there.
What a shame that your experience turned out so poorly!!

BTW, even tho Alex wasn't looking at the camera, he's still a cutie pie! :)

~*~* Vicki ~*~*~
mama to caitlin grace 9/9/00


Kay

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Dec 7, 2001, 9:34:51 PM12/7/01
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<< I never got a sales pitch. And I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes>>

Oh, I had to sit down at a table with this woman, who was planning on giving me
a 1/2 hr long presentation!! Over my dead body. I had already heard the damn
thing TWICE, waiting in line!! Boils my blood just thinking about it, can you
tell?

<< even tho Alex wasn't looking at the camera, he's still a cutie pie!>>

Thanks! Yeah, I'll keep him! -Kay

Cait's Mama

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Dec 7, 2001, 9:58:18 PM12/7/01
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Oh, man. That's insane. I'd never have tolerated that, either. That's just
unacceptable.

~*~* Vicki ~*~*~
mama to caitlin grace 9/9/00

"Kay" <edek4...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message

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VINNIEBABY

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Dec 7, 2001, 10:02:57 PM12/7/01
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Kay...Alex looks wonderfully handsome..what a cute guy he is!!!!! I have had
complaints with Walmart twice....for the looooonnnng wait,one in which they
told me to come there(45 min away),and THEN had me wait an hour(told me to
shop,and then they would take us)...and THEN told me they had no time
left!!!!!****AAARRRGGHHH******* Anthony was 6 months old at the time...I called
and complained to headquarters..they gave me free sheets on my next visit.
Another time,the photographer never showed up..store employees told me this
happened all the time..I called again..more free sheets..but,alas,I never used
those,as for his 1 year,I went to a woman who has her own studio..appointment
only,no wait,no sales pitch. I will be getting this photo soon,will post.Got
several great shots.....more $$,yes...but Lord help me,I just can't take that
other c**p anymore!!!
LINDA(Who is still trying to devise an easy way to use her "free
sheets" someday!!LOL!!!)
Grateful Mommy to Anthony 10/10/00

Anne D.

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Dec 7, 2001, 10:39:19 PM12/7/01
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Jeepers, Kay, I've had just the opposite experience with Wal-Mart studios;
in fact, I just had Lissa's Christmas photo taken there this morning.
Called for an appointment at 10:00, got scheduled for 12:30, she was on the
table at 12:35 (only because I had to change her into her little dress and
quickie-brush her hair). Miracle of miracles, she actually smiled on the
first shot, so we decided we were done and were outta there at 12:40.
Pictures will be ready on 12/18, just in time to skate out my Christmas
cards. The longest I've ever had to wait to pick up pix was a few minutes,
if a customer was being photographed at that very moment. They've offered
me additional sheets but never pushed when I turned them down.

--
Anne in Southwest FL
IVF Mom to Elizabeth Ann "Lissa" 6/16/99
http://amazon.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=76700884203&n=1431206664

"Kay" <edek4...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message

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Kathy Claytor

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Dec 7, 2001, 11:36:17 PM12/7/01
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Yeah, I think different walmarts have different photo people.
I didn't like ours for different reasons either.

Alex is just a doll though!

--
KC
Caitlin 12/29/99
To reply remove the NoSpam


Shelley C. Kluz

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Dec 7, 2001, 11:46:42 PM12/7/01
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Kay,
Sorry you had such a bad time! Sounds frustrating! I myself swore off the
Picture people place because the pics always turned out bad and were so
expensive.(and the salespeople were just plain rude)
I have had wonderful experiences at Sears so I started going back there again.

BTW Alex look so darn cute!! (even though he is looking at a reindeer?? ;-)

Shelley
Mom to Emma 11-09-00

Donna F

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Dec 8, 2001, 12:28:29 AM12/8/01
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Kay-
In spite of your bad experience, it surely doesn't take away from the fact
that Alex is JUST ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!

By the way, is there Kiddie Kandids by you? We just went tonite. They
don't take appointments, so I went this afternoon, put my name on the list,
and when we went back at 7pm we were next up. We grabbed a bite to eat,
went back, took pictures, worked with the salesperson at the computer, and
DONE. If we wanted to wait half an hour, we'd have our pictures. Instead,
I'm picking them up tomorrow. I guess they are more expensive than Wal-Mart
or Sears, but I've always been happy with the pictures.

-Donna

"Kay" <edek4...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
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Mary McK

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Dec 8, 2001, 2:37:40 AM12/8/01
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OH I have had the Kay Experience...LOL!

I had a 1:30 appt...showed up at 1:25 and was told that she THOUGHT we were
going to no show, so she took a walk-in...45 min later (walk-in's 2-3 yr old
son was terrified of the camera and STUPID FATHER just held him down and told
her to shoot the camera, then b!tched that his baby looked upset in the pix!
DUH!) She took the pix of the twins...she couldn't get the to hold still
andthen ripped Bunny out of Bashi's hands...when DD screamed...I LOUDLY
DEMANDED that she return my daughter's property to her! We finally got the pix
but the pose was...not very good...the pose I liked she wouldn't do the PKG of
and they wanted $20 for a 5x7 and 3 wallets! I pay $13 at Sears and get TWO
5x7's...but I just paid for the pix and left...then when we went back to pick
them up...DH went into the store and I waited in the van with the Twins...45
minutes later he came out STEAMED...the ground on him for 45 minutes to buy pix
that they already printed and the woman had the audacity to wonder aloud if he
was a good parent since he didn't want these pictures...he told her that
obviously her parents did a sub-standard job since she never learned any
manners! And since the photos were already paid for...either give them to him
or refund his money NOW!! Because as far as he was concerned the discussion
was now closed!

The Pix are off centered and not on very good paper either!

Mary McK

This mail is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling &
grammar enhance it's individual character & beauty and should not be considered
flaws or defects

Come meet us: http://ourworld.cs.com/Donaldmckercher/

Drop the Eggs to e-mail me.

Mary

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Dec 8, 2001, 8:30:39 AM12/8/01
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I'm glad you posted this Kay, I was going to go to Walmart, because
Sears is a ripoff - my sister ended up paying $50 and they lure you in
with "Only 14.95"! I think when we finally do a formal picture I'm
going to a private studio.

Mary
Viktor 1/20/00 Russian adoption 11/9/00

edek4...@aol.comnospam (Kay) wrote in message news:<20011207211951...@mb-mg.aol.com>...

Kay

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Dec 8, 2001, 9:18:32 AM12/8/01
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<<Sears is a ripoff - my sister ended up paying $50 and they lure you in
with "Only 14.95"! >>

That's weird. Sears is *not* a ripoff at all, IMO, but you have to use a
coupon. (www.searsportraits.com).

You have to be clear at the beginning tho...do you want their Package Deal
(which are sometimes as low as $8 for 53 pics, one pose), or buy by the
sheet...choice of 6 poses at $5 - $13/sheet, depending on the coupon.

My gripe with Sears is not their photo quality or price, but their high school
dropout, teenage photographers who have NO concept of customer service
(horrible attitudes).

Walmart lured me in with the $14 Value Package (which is what I ended up with),
and then tried selling me additional photos for $150!!!....then tried pushing a
$130 package, then a $99 package, then a $60 package, then $20/sheet.....NONE
worth it, and I told 'em so. I just took my Value Package and went home.

It seems that Walmarts vary IMMENSELY in their practices and set-ups. It seems
that some are great. However, since you live somewhat close to me, the
procedure might be similar to what I encountered ....avoid it (unless they
have an in-house studio....I think that's what makes the difference)!

I plan to use a professional studio sometime, too. At least once, I'm gonna
get some artsy, natural light, black-and-whites done. Gosh, I better act
soon....DS is growing up waaay too fast! -Kay

L and C T

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Dec 8, 2001, 9:42:17 AM12/8/01
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I have had similar BAD experiences at Walmart and swore off them when Rachel
was little. Our KMart takes fabulous pics and we have been really pleased
with service and price. Olan Mills took over our Kmary photo studios so they
are good quality and though I always end up with more than I need because I
love them all, this Kmary has never ever pushed me. But gotta admit. Your
Alex is a doll!


--
~~**~~**Cindi **~~**~~
Proud Mommy of Rachel (6) Matthew (6) Ian (21 mo)
Wife to Lee (32)

"My children are angels.....when they're asleep"


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Dave and Sue

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Dec 8, 2001, 4:21:48 PM12/8/01
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OMG Kay

He is just adorable :)

--
Sue from NZ
Tyler 27 April 2001


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AkaBunnie

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Dec 8, 2001, 9:08:55 PM12/8/01
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>By the way, is there Kiddie Kandids by you?

I went to Kiddie Kandids on Wed and had a horrible experience. I arrived a
10:15 AM, was told there was a 30-45 minute wait and ended up waiting 1 and a
half hours. This only to have a photographer who was eating pizza between
shots, did not offer any scenic backrounds or props and lied about having them
when asked. The woman who typed up my order could not navigate the program and
had to be told 4 times that I wanted the card to read "Seasons Greetings From
The Burns Family!" Then she mistyped the word from 5 times. My SIL was with
me, and when she asked for her credit card back, the man told her to wait a
minute and proceeded to give his lunch order to another person.

The good news is I wrote a long complaint via e-mail and got a call from the
manager this morning. She has invited us to return before the store opens, to
retake the pictures free of charge.

I usually never complain about these things, but now that I have the twins, I
can not stand to have my precious time wasted. I went through hell to have
those babies out an about at 10 in the morning.

Michelle
Mommy to Riley and James 6/19/01

Donna F

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Dec 8, 2001, 10:13:42 PM12/8/01
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Wow! Just goes to show you how every location of a business can be
different!! I haven't had those kinds of problems. I have only had nice
photographers and very nice, professional people. We've used them 4 times.

Sorry to hear it went badly for you. Hope the re-do goes better.

-Donna

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