CPI Corp. (fka CPICQ)

[CPI2013]

Is the company still going to based out of Saint Louis?

[MargaretCPI]

I asked my DM if there was a website to view and she said, "the new company name is a new company. There is no website."

[MargaretCPI]

Got my letter today telling me they are keeping me on for photos unlimited,LLC. Anyone else get their letter? Thoughts?

[MargaretCPI]

You're probably right. Didn't they do something similar to the studios in the states? Slowly get rid of the less profitable and the less than stellar staff until only the managers were left? What I don't understand, is if that's the case, why put us on job bank? That doesn't make any sense to me.

[CdnPxlChk]

I was told the same thing. "Aces in their Places!!"

[muchwow]

This sound about right. Slowly close the studios starting with the least profitable and cut the field team as they go. Pretty standard in the business world I think.
And of course they will keep mum to us, try to keep us focused on sits and sales, avoid the mental check-out for as long as possible.... Busy work...

[JustDucky]

Not likely. This looks like a one person operation and the comments on the site seem like personal contacts and new-business customers. CPI was 'sold' to Canada for $1.6 million and I'm pretty sure this company doesn't have that capital. Sorry MargaretCPI, I think we are being Snowed again. Also, the receivership is still under a year old. I am personally giving it until the middle of April before I lose it completely. I could now be a legal aide with all the forms I've read over the last 2 years, and that is about all I can predict.

[muchwow]

There's not much cash in my MOP bucket (pun intended) but I like the surprise of it! I'll admit I take it as a compliment on my photography when I get reorders. ;)

However, I've heard there's problems with the website, codes not working, shipping charges when they qualify for free shipping....

[muchwow]

Marketing needs a rehaul big time. Free stuff and the $12.99 are more work than they're worth most of the time. My closest competitor has tons of packs in the 30-80 dollar range.
They do better than us for that reason, their photographer even has a sour reputation... They have a few cool props but charge to use them.

My district has studio managers working all but one weekend a month as per requirements, if you're in the green you get one extra saturday or sunday off.

[MargaretCPI]

I hate every minute of it. I am a mother of 2 young kids and we don't do anything on the weekends. I have Sundays off every week but I am so tired out from hanging out with other people's kids, or dealing with passport a.holes that I'm too tired to plan anything with them. I get maybe one...two weekends a year with the family and that's during my vacation. I have missed so much with my kids it's unreal. I don't know any other managers, in any other retail type business, that work every Saturday. I can see it at Christmas time, but during the slow times to? no way.
oh well.. keep moving forward right? pretty unfair to know that apparently managers are allowed to take Saturdays off here and there but I'm made to believe that it's company policy for the managers to work like that.

[MargaretCPI]

ya... we don't have any luck with them. all very nice people but people here are always looking for the cheapest thing they can find.

[cpiontario]

Wow props to you for working every Saturday. I don't know how you do that.

[cpiontario]

Would love to know the MOP customers who are buying. I haven't seen a real increase though.

[cpiontario]

Ill be surprised to see these letters. Id say my studio is probably average we do about 10 to 20 sits a week if lucky. Lot of them are regulars who just get there free stuff. Been in the Red for a while as well.
We have 2 walmarts and One sears as well. Sears gets the sessions and Walmart gets most if the passports. Definitely need to see some changes and marketing if this "new" company wants to stay a float.
Fingers crossed for all of you.

[muchwow]

edit to the below: I don't want my VIP and PPC customers sound like cheap jerks, most just happen to have the spare time but not the spare cash.
Most of em are all very nice and some even come back, and boy do I smooze the ones that buy.
MOP is a awesome solution for the customers who love the photos but can't buy that day. I wish I could see who my MOP customers are, I bet some are my $0 sits.

[MargaretCPI]

i hear ya on the FREE word. if this company is legit and we were bought out, i really hope that we see some marketing changes that really does compete with other studios. i really hope free items and the one pose package get thrown out and someone with half a brain in marketing knows that free and 12.99 doesn't make money.

hopefully you and your associates have nothing to worry about. i will keep my fingers crossed. i am pretty sure the average ticket they will be looking at is for the whole year and not a 4 week running. fingers crossed because i could be gone to. we've been in the red for some time now and only had a few green weeks during christmas. we'll see what happens i guess.

[muchwow]

Well then. If they're playing by average ticket I'm done for.
I'm at a low volume studio, we're lucky to get 4 or 5 appointments a week. The rest of my "2 sits a day" come from VIPs and PPCs... I can sell and I do sell however some customers hear FREE and they will do nothing more.

[MargaretCPI]

http://www.photosunlimited.biz/

not sure though if this is the company that bought us. it's very unclear. I got word today from my DM that the new company will be sending out letters this week either saying "welcome to the company" or "we aren't keeping you with us". apparently this is based on average ticket. So if you don't have staff that make the grade get ready to hire new staff.

not really sure on what all that is going to mean. we have two walmart studios in my town and my DM and the manager of the other studio are 99.9% convinced that she is going to lose all her staff. I was told that my staff and myself may have to help cover her so she gets a day off. my staff is me, and two others. both of which have second jobs. not so sure how that is going to work. she's been put on job bank this week to.

Things seem very hush hush right now. Being told not worry and it's "all good". I to am getting tired of all this.

[MargaretCPI]

I have been told that managers MUST work every Saturday and that's what I've done in the 4 years I've worked with this company.

[muchwow]

I'm not sure if any of the google results are the company who bought us. One is in New York and the other is in the UK,... they both look like small businesses to me.
There isn't a company that trades under the name "photos unlimited", CPI and all of our competitors have an exchange symbol, although some of them are private. Maybe it's a new company, I guess.

I also agree that the lack of communication is strange. No conference call? No announcement?
I understand these things take time, but this feels more like a distraction rather than a new chapter.

This is making me tired.

[cpiontario]

Haven't heard anything new, Got A New DM today.

My sears store is one of the few staying open, There is only 2 sears, and rest walmart's in my new District.

I asked my DM today if she heard anything. She responded with No this is all still new to us, we are out of receiver ship and as soon as she hears anything will let us know. You would think that they would have an idea of what is going on. Hoping for some new marketing and some changes.

Question, Do you managers work every weekend. My DM said she would check the sales and see what weekends she wanted us manager there. I am not too happy about this, as i had an agreement with my old DM that I would work Every other weekend.

[MargaretCPI]

When I googled photos unlimited they seem as though they are very similar to us, in regards to studio photography. Crappy backgrounds and all. They also do wedding and outdoor photography. whether or not that will translate over to us is yet to be seen. Normally we have a conference call on mondays and we don't today. With all of this happening and district shuffling, you would think it would make sense to have one asap.

[secret santa]

Haven't heard anything more, not much success when you google "photos unlimited" either. Packing up my studio starting today, so very sad.

[MargaretCPI]

Anybody hear anything else about that's going on, or what Photo's Unlimited is about?

[CSPM]

How many studios are left including Walmart studios?
53 studios across Canada?
You know which head trainer has gone ?

[MargaretCPI]

Ok... just got off the phone with my DM and bluntly asked her what's going on. Here's the coles note version.

1. we are out of receivership
2. we were bought out my Photos Unlimited so that's who we are now
3. 25 Sears locations are closing at the end of this week
4. For the atlantic region there are now only 2 DMs. So that's 17 studios for one and 18 for the other. We had three DMs. The third one apparently left on her own terms.

SO that's the information that I got today. If anyone knows anything else...please share.

[secret santa]

Need any equipment?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-business-industrial-SEARS-PORTRAIT-STUDIO-PHOTO-EQUIPMENT-PHOTOGRAPHY-W0QQAdIdZ568009630

[secret santa]

Which head trainer? I hadn't heard anything about that, or about DMs!! I am one of the 25, it is very hard to be smiling and still shooting until Saturday when I will have to pack up my studio the next week.

[CdnPxlChk]

As far as my understanding goes...we are supposed to be getting updates on our editing systems, EAC and labour forecasting. With the DM's, I have bluntly asked if this is a matter of higher ups leaving for greener pastures and have been assured it is not. BUT with 25 studios closing... our head trainer gone... who knows. They have not been very quick to update delivery times, even waiting until the last minute so I don't think that has much bearing. I don't know if we have been bought or just some of the big wigs have pooled their resources and are trying to make a go of it. Until we are given facts, it is all speculation.

[Gcandy-34]

I just want the truth, I was told our new name is photo unlimited. A few DM lost there jobs and some are being put to work in studio. I have been with the company for 13 years haven had a a pay increase in 6 years. The bull sh!t keep coming who want to pay $23.99 for passport photos lol no one Care about a cheap ass wallet and luggage tags. Don't have us holding on for nothing.

[muchwow]

I'm wondering who the buyer is, haven't heard a name and google searches turn up nothing.

[secret santa]

I have been told we've been bought, although 25 sears studios are closing. Last shoot day is Saturday and then we have to pack it up and last day is feb 28th.

[muchwow]

we've been running "fill in the associate" since mid December.
My DM is no longer with the company abruptly. We're being merged with another DM. I also heard we were "bought out"
I also see the delivery schedule drops off soon, next week will be the last days to take photos for delivery mid march.
I don't plan on jumping ship, I just don't like being told everything is hunky-dory when it's not.

[MargaretCPI]

are you talking in respect to the "new scheduling" system that is supposed to be so awesome? Aka, here's the shifts you have, fill in the associate working it. They are changing EAC to. Apparently now we'll be able to see how many vacation hours we have.
what changes are you talking about specifically?

[muchwow]

The beginning of the end? Movement today, seems similar to the way things went down in the states. Thoughts?

[Imgpdq]

HiTi Passport System
Since some of you have had these systems for a while, what are your thoughts?
Big improvement over the Sony Printers?
Anyone having a lot of rejections?

[MargaretCPI]

New backgrounds? Sh!t we haven't had new backgrounds in years! There are backgrounds there that were there when the place probably opened. lol. Never had a new prop in the 4 years I've been there. I keep waiting to hear about DMs being on furlough. When that happens, I'll know 100% without a doubt that we're going under. I'm currently at 95% sure we're a sinking ship still lol.

[free2bme]

If it's like the US side. Another round of "realignment". More stores closed more days, more pressure from your DM to bring in the money. Then it will be give your customers a vague due date. "We will call you when they come in." You may even get, "Get someone hired and trained" even though you aren't open enough to have help. The big push will be Easter with new free stuff, and no new props or backgrounds, you might already have some Easter and Valentine's Day graphics, and that's about it. With us Easter was Sunday and we were out of business Wednesday night.

[MargaretCPI]

fiscal year is coming to a close this weekend. thoughts on what's going to happen?

[TechieDPH]

Totally agree. Well said. Rules were made up to make people above look good. No respect at all.

[lifeistooshort2]

That was the problem the last few years. So much negative so very little positive. A lot of the people there have a similar relationship with the company as you might see in a abusive relationship. Most of it is horrible and makes you feel like no matter what you do you can't win but then a few good things happen and you think well.... maybe this job is not that bad. Only place I know of where the person who made top sales for the year out of all sears stores 2000+ gets a meets and not an exceeds on yearly evaluation. Go figure. Remember If they have to write up 95% of a group for something then it is their failure and something is wrong with the process. There were times when I had to rush a session because I knew that I still had to get a outreach in for that day Or get in trouble. If I had maybe spent more time with my real session they may has spent a lot more but instead I hurried and got done with them so I could geta pointless $0 sale outreach in. Ridiculous!

[MargaretCPI]

Thanks for that. You sound so optimistic and happy now that you're out of cpi. Definatly needed on a day like today. Currently at work with out a sit until 1pm and its really quiet. already got yelled at by customers several times for smile searching. I hate this job sometimes.

[lifeistooshort2]

You could too!!! I know it's hard to see when you are in it but you could do three sessions a week if you are good @ $250 CD (I found people that spent $150 before gladly spend more for the one on one attention) and a few prints cost you about $25 plus time each, even with 30%ish going to taxes you could do it! Leap of faith? Hell yeah!!! Do not attempt to chase the people that spent $9.99. Its just not going to be worth it. Learn the stuff you don't know now! Use you tube tutorials or check out creativelive.com they have free live tutorials by top photographers! If you are a long time photographer with cpi you are probably beter than most private photographers now. If you love photography and are newer with cpi I vote ride it out. There is no future here but you can sure learn a hell of a lot. You can do as many sessions in a week as some private places do all year and you can't buy that kind of experience. If your not in it for the photography. You should probably leave now. There is nothing for you here and you know that the crap they force you to deal with is not worth it especially if you don't enjoy photography. Good luck everyone!

[lifeistooshort2]

Oh wow!!!!!! Just clicked on this link on a whim (its still saved on my fav on my computer). Suddenly I'm transported a year back in time. Who knew this link was still going strong? I so feel for you guys! Everything sounds like the same b.s. as the US ... cut hours, threats by dms, everything is fine" "we have a buyer" lol...lol, completely cold hearted about the way us or how the customers even are treated, super low CD deals. I used to come on here and talk/ vent because out was the only place I could. The company definitely does Not encourage openness. Everyone has always been so afraid to open up because if you did you were treated badly. If it helps anyone let me share some info gained from a friend who was a dm.You Can Not be fired because you are down in sales or if you are a few hours over for a good reason ( umm like customers)!!!!!! All the phone calls and write ups are Only scare tactics! You can only be fired if you maliciously hurt your business. I had a love/ hate relationship with my job like many of you and I hate to say it but you ARE going under. I had conversation with my dm the day before we went under in April and she was adimate that the rd assured her we were fine and we all just needed to work hard and buckle down (so the dms are in the dark too). So all you need to do now is decide if you want to ride this last few weeks or moths until the wheels blow off or jump the hell off now. If you decide to stay please don't let them steal your soul one more minute! Have fun at work and ignore the threats. If your dm calls you with a write up grin sign it and get on with your day. I recently found a roll of rolaids in an old purse and I had to giggle because I used to go through them like crazy but have not needed in almost a year now:) If your hope is to do photography on your own later please keep a list of your regulars you will wish you had it and learn all you can now. I know working at cpi leaves us in kind of the stupid category when it comes to lighting but it's not as hard to learn as you think (all kinds of fun stuff on YouTube) and many of you longtimers will find that your posing and interaction skills will kick other private photographers asses. Also do not let cpi steal your good name. Many of our customers that got screwed assumed we knew. Ouch.. Make sure they know to keep their receipts (in us sears refunded cpi customers even though not their customers to save face). Push cds before anything else and always send it home that day. Cpi was so much a part of my identity working there for sooo long but there is life after cpi!!! I don't know any of you up there but with such similar experiences I feel like you are family and I'm sorry you all are still being mistreated. Hugs!

[2stew]

We should be getting them . They don't have to be post marked till the 31. Keep checking adp it's usually posted there first.

[auntygina]

Ok so I was a manager in one of the US stores and they are doing the same thing to you guys as they did to us. Ridiculous hour cutting, different DM every other week, the "there's a buyer interested, these things take time", everything is ok...all of it. Everything that I read. Slowly, studios closed down. Sometimes with only a day or two notice. And they expected you to pack up the store for them. I was one of the many stores that was in the green ALOT but no one told me about not coming in. I found out from the website at home the night before. Keep your options open....

I honestly came here to find out how to get my W2. Anyone know about that?

[CSPM]

7 Sears studios were closed few months ago, had nothing to do with Sears host store.
This time the Sears host stores are closing down and so Sears studios are going away with it as well.

[MargaretCPI]

And yet some how Jane Smith who does this on as a hobby on the side gets paid more than we do. How does that make sense I wonder.

[MargaretCPI]

Is that promotion for just sears? Walmart is currently the One pose package for $12.99 and a free 10x10 in the same pose as the package. and greeting cards for 50 cents each with a minimum 40 card purchase. Who the hell needs that many cards this time of year?

Word on the street is that walmart will be getting luggage tags to upsell with passports soon to. They are being tested in some studios here in the Atlantic Provances. Anyone else testing these out?

Any news on which studios were closed? Was it CPI that closed them or the Sears host store because they went out of business?

[secret santa]

Well at least it's not the free quartet like last January. But tired of free session fee on coupons too, there's a lot of seasoned veterans out there that are more experienced than Jane smith who bought a camera and decided she's a photographer.