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Free2beme, I am just wondering, when you were leading up to the shut down of the U.S. did they have a major push for sits?? Get those sits in, get them in!! Cause we are being pushed to book book book!
I think they're waiting until Easter is over to see how you do financially. If you do well, maybe they'll stay in business. But if not, it seems Easter is their chosen "bench mark".
My best advice is to not wait for EI, because it isn't as much as you make now, it only lasts for a few weeks, which are weeks that you could already be making progress in your new job towards vacation time, benefits, pay raises, etc. Oh yeah, and the best thing ever, your sanity and your family.
Remember, we've been there, done that, got the T-shirt, and moved on.
Same thing 1yr later. I feel your pain!! They took all the money that was left and bought Canada. Screwed everyone here out of any compensation too. Don't bank on receiving anything they have lawyers on staff to keep the doors open til they are ready to close them. Wish the law would step in for you!!
There is no question that there is life outside of CPI. I am looking forward to a Saturday off (Vacations don't count). The agonizing question is when? We are told to sign these letters for Photos Unlimited but no news of whether or not that transaction went through. We were supposed to be told in the first few weeks of March. We're now through the first week of April and Easter is in two weekends from now.
The lack of communication from this company is appalling. They keeps making updates, and giving us new products (that we can't order yet) and telling us that new things are coming. But when we ask our DM about it, she's not allowed to say anything. That is fishy to me. I've never worked for a company that didn't share the good news. Even if it wasn't up and going yet. And if they weren't allowed to say anything to us, they never even hinted to something new. Everything just seems sketchy and a cover for what is really happening.
Either way the resume is ready to go and I'm looking for a new job, but I'm here until the end. I'd rather be laid off and collect EI then quit and get nothing. However, if they're not Photos Unlimited, and the close the doors, they better get ready to pay up! Hear that little spy? If that transaction didn't go through, and the doors close, those letters mean nothing. And we will compensated.
1 year ago today I filled out unemployment papers. I saw it coming like all of you. It was a horrible time, simple phone call from RM, and my life changed. Hid out at house for two months to avoid angry customers, being from a small town, they were every where. Then after. Licking wounds and looking at employment ads. I dusted my self off and realized I missed all of the milestone moments I was missing and decided to build my own studio. It has been the best experience, I am grateful I worked at sears. I learned how to handle, volume, all ages and personalities. Most photographers can run a camera but how to handle all the kids is the key to success. So embrace the time you have left and use it to fine tune yourself. Try your best! Educate yourself on the new and current photography style. Then think outside the box on how to create it in lightroom. Several YouTube videos to learn from. Who knows you might start having a little fun, do what you know works and screw the crazy goals. Hang in there guys there is life after CPI!!. Good customers will see your passion and follow you??. Good luck to all.
lol i hear ya. it's the same through out the week. No one comes in after 5pm. Or at least the don't here. Then again, most people are no shows to their appointments here anyway. Why come inside an old out dated studio, with outdated props and backgrounds when you can have someone go where you want them to. There are 13 professional studios here in my town, and all but us will travel to where the client wants to go. And that's not including all the "pros" on facebook that advertise around here. Here's hoping our little spy's on here see that and start to get with the program. We do all the hard work with sh!t to use. *sigh* doesn't matter anyway.
Same here, but we will be closing at 5:00 on Sundays now instead of 6! I don't understand why they can't just close at 6:00 on Saturdays! I work many Saturday closes, and I can count on 1 hand how many people show up after 6pm (and that is multiple Saturdays). But no...gotta stay open till 8...you may get that all important big buyer in!!! *insert rolling of eyes here*
Looks like I jumped the gun on the sites being down, looks like they're working today.
Seems like they cut hours from SPS to give to WM
Ours we not cut either. However we are now closing from 2-3 on saturdays and sundays when we never have before.
In the States, the hours were cut the week after Christmas, in Jan. another round of DMs were let go. We were pushed to go on and get through Easter, then 3 days after Easter they shut us down. So, Easter is the 20th.........
You should all, just start looking for something else, now. If you have PTO time, use it, because when/if they close you won't be paid for it, make sure if you have any medical issues you take care of them now, because here, the insurance was supposed to be good till a certain date and some found it wasn't. You won't be getting severance pay, because if they are cutting hours, you can bet it's because they are close to not being able to make payroll, so if they can barely make payroll, there is nothing left for severance.
Recycling information on outreach seems like a good idea, however, you're just fooling yourself. The point of outreach is to bring in new customers with money so they can stay open, recycle old non producing information and you're guaranteeing that you'll close. No sales=no job=no company.
CpiOntario, are you a sears studio or Walmart? I am Walmart, and our hours haven't been cut yet.
Ok, the recievership was started about the 15th of April, so the year mark is coming up. Stateside ran no longer than a week or two after their one year was up, so its poop-or-get-off-the-pot time soon. Soon. We are only profitable because of cutbacks and less staff, methinks. Its another smokescreen. The props for prizes are recycled from the closed stores, not new aquisitions. And bonuses? Love to know if that was truth or baloney, let me tell you! Havent heard of cuts or issues, but I wasnt in today. My DM is quite sincere about the forward-looking stuff like weddings and pets, and I really am not buying it- perhaps she DOES think it 2ill happen, but I stilll dont think it is as easy as they say. Cannot find anything, anywhere dated after September 2013. Erg, this was so much easier when it was outside of Canada!
Muchwow, back at ya babe. This board and the posters are kinda my support group. I have no wish to be moderator, but am honored to know each and every one of you that isnt from head office. Or a stocktrader. Lol! Such a temper..,,
Internet was down all afternoon, I got mine to come back for a second than went to email and it come up with an error.
Happened to me when I was in a sears, hard when 36hrs is pretty much full time. Left no hours for part timers really. Ask your DM about the lunch closure some had their studios stay open thru lunch; also pretty sure it's not legal to have us leave and come back. Other DMs had managers close for lunch and then work till 4.
Our internet is out at the studio and when my associate called the number didn't work. Had to call our DM to get a number. When he got through with the right number, no one answered. He was on hold for two hours.
This is absolutely bonkers. Interesting comments from upper management here, it's unreal. Hope our grievances and struggles are entertaining you. So what if the suits are watching, I don't think they'll find any surprises here.
Anyway, I stopped by to point out our corporate websites are down, SPS and WM portraits.ca and MOP, all down. Didn't pay the web hosting bills this month?
Oh, and JustDucky, you are my CPI spirit animal. Rock on.
Learn to save your outreach after 3 months if you are running short just pull an old one and put it in they are suppose to delete after 3 months I did this it help me out a lot also share with other studio names and email this Also works
Our hours got cut too, we were open 47 hours and now only 33 and we have 5 staff members to give shifts out too.... Our DM said that on Wednesday and Thursday if you don't have an appt booked at 3 you can leave at 2 so I am not sure it is the same for you guys
Well Studio hours are being cut starting next week. We are going from 47 down to 36 hours open. Closed every Tuesday and Wednesday/ Thursdays 10 to 3. I don't know how I feel about closing from 2 to 3 for lunch than coming back to see if someone is there. Would rather work right through than just close at 3. I'm glad I only have 1 staff member. Feel bad for the people who have 3 or 4 people with the hour cuts. Guarantee the goals will stay the same, and still expected to get everything done on time. Shipments, call lists etc
Is this happening to anyone else and how do you feel about it.
I just had to deal with them last week about a lighting issue. they said they couldn't help and told me to call my DM. Like my DM can fix a lighting issue.
When I started about six years a go I was about $1.50 (big deal) above the other staff due to experience. Minimum wage finally caught up to me. So, no raises or bonuses here, in reality, a reduction in pay. Has anyone dealt with tech support lately? I got a lot of swearing in reply to a recent inquiry about equipment malfunctions.
Raise? I have only received two. One when I became manager 4 years ago and another one when they moved me from sears to Wal-Mart. I haven't seen a raise since then. We bust our asses and get nothing in return. We get "incentives" that don't work and then we "win" we don't get the pay out. Anybody in here ever win from the period photo contests? Did you ever get the new props promised? Doubt it. Who uses p
rops as an incentive anyway? If there are new props EVERYONE should get them. Not just a select few.
Bonuses are always paid to the top first. That does not mean it trickles down to the blue collar workers. So believe they got theirs.
The only 'raise' is a notice youve been raised to exactly the same rate of pay as you were already earning in my case. Still sent me the notice, just no actual raise. Awesome. And I hope that was a sarcastic twist to the 'home office where the real work is done". If it isnt, wow. Just, wow.
I believe the bonuses were at the home office where the real work is done. Raises for everyone supporting the field.
Like you just hand out the bonus for everyone to take? How many years already have you not increased a penny to the wages? We have worked our asses off for years to bring in $$$ to feed you and your family. This is a 21st century, the slavery has been done with. Insolent attitude. Go ahead and reveal yourself !
Bonus? What is this thing you call 'bonus'? As a lowly minion in your company, my little spy, I do not receive any mythical grail such as this 'bonus' you speak of. I just get the customers, take the photos, create the art, make the sales that pay your bonus, and keep the studio up to date, running and profitable. People who do that are not 'bonus' quality, oh spy from above. Only the fat cats and whip bearers are entitled to extras. Hell, I even buy my own pens cause you order garbage for the studios. Step up and say your position, bonusbaby. I'd love to know who profits off my sweat. Oh, my PRS last week? $129, so yeah, I can talk to you like this.
funny how u all sit here and whine about this and that but when first period bonus is paid out you all shut up...how about u all just stop complaining and do your job. Be thankful you have one!
Interesting. The need to get their sh!t together and give everyone the same info. This is so confusing.
Not true you can still call Lorna at anytime.
There is quite a few who have been let go with no severance or not the proper notice. The executives are pretty confident that they have no grounds for getting money no matter what the labour boards tell us. The labour board tells you that you can put in a claim and they will try to go after the company but maximum is 10,000.00 or you can join the large group who have a lawyer. Of course this site is been read often by Jay Moore, Bob Cyr and Michael Colvin so only post what you are sure you want everyone knowing and why any info on this will be limited. Pay attention to what the US told everyone as the very same people who ran that into the ground are the ones doing the same to Canada. If you are hanging on for a severance.. good luck on that lol...
Don't hold your breath!
Think I'll wait to see a communicate on that.
I was told yesterday by my DM not to contact Lorna as she has been put into a new position. If we have any HR related questions we are to call our DM and she will pass it along to the right people.
I have heard none of this don't contact HR nonsense, perhaps she's too busy because they keep "re-structuring". Lorna can be reached by phone or email, while I would ask my DM first, if there's a question only Lorna can answer or you feel you're being given incorrect information then it's your right to ask HR.
Well, maybe they are scared that we could ask some questions about the legal issues and they just want to muffle everyone now by hiding the HR manager from us.
I was also told not to contact HR because she is too busy and we should speak with our DM first.
That's not how HR works guys!
Wow.the company without Human Resource manager ? What the heck is going on? How come your DM is now acting like HR ?
My DM didn't say, she said if we have any HR questions to contact her and she will answer them
Wtf?? Wonder if she was let go or finally had enough of the bullshit. Sorry but she's the best thing this company has going for it!
Why can't we contact Lorna?
so before i left work today I had an email from my DM saying we can no longer contact Lorna from HR ....
I see the company has changed the one pose package. Its gone from 12.99 to 13.99. I have a huge hate on for this 365 day a year coupon. Talk about cheapening our buisness. This coupon needs to vanish...like it never flippin existed. Or at the very least make the extra subject fee $5.00 PER person and not just a flat $5.00 for as many people as they like. Hate this coupon Soooooooo much.
According to my DM, this week they, the executives are making visit to studios. So it is uncertain of what they are up to. Also we got new marketing kit for passport ( just the new lease line signs with different color but the sign is worded the same as before) Way to spend money on marketing but no effectiveness from it or whatsoever !
What else is next ?? No idea. The company still is Canadian Images, no name change made. Well, they made us sign the letter but it is for the new company called LLC Photo Unlimited and if there is non existence of the company then the letter is invalid??
Has anyone read the new communicate? It was mentioning about pet and outdoor photography. Thoughts? I know I am a bit weary. We are nine days out from the year "anniversary" of the abrupt closure of the state studios. I wonder if this is just a cover.
No volume lets see if I can pick that up some.
Something more to think about. We know that there is a debt that has to equal accounts receivables due to the liability of not being paid the receivables.
Now this risk goes down considerably if it is owned within the organization that takes us to a different kind of debt that has no liability risk as well as no receivables associated with the debt.
In other words you can move an asset or service to an entity within the organization from another and there will be a debt owed to the entity that loaned the service or goods at a discount to the market value of the service or asset moved.
That discount is debt owed back and can be calculated using the retained earnings taking in the capital surplus ect. ect. that the booklet you received when you purchased your TI financial calculator will explain much better then I.
Now don't get me wrong there is other debt mixed in the works there and it means some work going back to look for the different debts but it is that kind of DD that can help you to discover undervalued stocks and isn't that want you want to do if the wait can be a very,very long time in the coming.
Very true Muchwow! We have a lady in our studio who does it as a job, but is not a professional photographer by any means! So you are right. But I like to think that I am a "real photographer", I love what I do (Hate the company I work for) and like to think I am good at my job...took me a LONG time to say that!! But it still makes me angry when all of us are grouped together and it is said that we are not professional photographers! :( Many of us are amazing photographers, and just because we work in a sears or walmart portrait studio does not mean we are not professionals! What we do it NOT easy some days! And if you take someone who has gone to school to be a photographer and put them into our studio the result is often not good! In our studio we have had a few seasonal girls who are "professional photographers" and have school training, and they were really have a difficult time taking what they know and putting it in the studio!
Every day it gets more difficult to put up with their (the company)crap, and do my job! They really know how to take the love of a job, and destroy it!
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CPI Corp., through its subsidiaries, develops and markets consumer services and related products. The Company operates professional portrait studios throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. CPI also operates posters, prints, and framing outlets throughout the United States.
As of November 10th, 2012, it operated 2,701 professional portrait studios in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, 176 of which are temporary in nature, throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, principally under lease and license agreements with Walmart and license agreements with Sears and Toys "R" Us. The Company also operates websites that support and complement its Walmart, Sears and Toys "R" Us studio operations. These websites serve as vehicles to archive, share portraits via email (after a portrait session) and order additional portraits and products. CPI Corp. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
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