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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.
My studio is supposed to be open 31 hours according to online booking, DM "gave" me my hours saying we're open 28 hours. Then told me on Friday not only are we on hours cut back we're on hours freeze. Kinda funny when they say managers must work 34 hours a week and we aren't even open that many!
Take a look at the numbers in your district, I'm not "in the know" but I can't help but see numbers declining, staffing short cuts over our peak time and hours cut as things "running smoothly"! While I love my job, I'm still smart enough to know there's more red than green and have secured a second job should the plug be pulled. We not only sent out free offers but then extended it and then did a last minute email blast for the CD at 79.99! Employees hired after September who stuck it out working long hours for days at a time, can't get the Christmas employee free CD offer? C'mon that's just cruel!!
This has been the worst Xmas in all the years I've worked. I was constantly moving appts because they were booking online all over the place and we only had single coverage. The buyers pulled out! my hours were cut again starting this week, only open 35 hours.
We've got answers!
Visit:
OSH Answers
Call:
1-800-668-4284
905-570-8094
As all studios are now located only in Canada here's the Canadian info
Not sure a letter will help, may cause you more aggravation in the end. However the fact that we are working 10 hour days, no breaks/lunches might get attention from the labour board?
Perhaps those sitting higher up would have a better understanding if they worked the ground floor along side us! We must be desperate for sittings as I got another email for free 10x13 & 5x7/wallet combo which was to expire dec 9 now extended till the 18th!! Guess it doesn't help when my location is open 66 hours and I can't use more than 68 this week; pretty simple math...single coverage does not equal same amount of sittings as last year with quadruple the staff!!
I've been told there's no buyer they backed out and walked away!
Yup I love that customers who were in last month got them, hate to say it but was better when same deal was $10 last year. My location can only have 1 staff on at a time as per my DM, this is crazy I have never seen a Christmas season like this!!
The survey asks whether customers have used a private photographer and what products they've purchased and how much they've spent. Also asks whether they've used our studio recently/plan to. I wonder if they're thinking of offering on location shoots. Definitely a different Christmas this year as they are only staffing studios with one employee!!
Here's the newest email sent to customers:
$25 Portrait Voucher for Survey Participation
Your opinion matters to us! As a valued customer, we would love to get your feedback. Please take a moment to participate in a short 2-minute survey. As a thank you for your assistance, you will receive a $25 Portrait Voucher good at any Sears Portrait Studio location.
Survey is only available for 48 hours so Click Here to participate now.
Thank you,
Sears Portrait Studio
Not sure who they were trying to sell to but buyer is not interested and walked away. Just launched online ordering, see how that goes. Customers have an 800 number they can call to book, don't see why there's the need when they can book online. Tech support reduced hours mon to fri 8:30-4:30; writing is on the wall.....will be interested to see how many close at the end of fiscal next year!!
Yes who closed in Ontario? Should I hang in or give notice? Already found another job!
Did you have vacay paid our or you took the holidays and were paid for it? Thought we couldn't get it paid out unless time was taken, just curious!
In Canada it is submitted electronically
Thanks, seems a little fishy?
Can you post the whole letter. I'm off and am interested in the goings on, I may not have a job to go back to!
Thank you for your kind words'
Pretty presumptuous on CPIs part that employees could just move to Canada and start working right away. Work visas take some time, so your idea is probably more in line with what's happening! As for prints, most customers just want CDs, so why CPI doesn't just go that route and offer on site printing and get rid of everything else or partner with shutterfly and have pics uploaded there and profit from products ordered?! After seeing what has been done in the USA, we trust no one.
Canadians are quiet because we know nothing!! We found out about US closure from this board. DM didn't know because she doesn't follow board and wasn't told until emergency call at noon next day. We are all skeptical and trust no one! I don't know why CPI is not fulfilling rest of your orders! Our lab was shut down 4 years ago, and corporate sold the building and rents a small space in it. I figure we will either be sold or will soon follow suit of closures!
So how exactly is it that CPI still remains "active" in Canada?
I see private photographers are posting on their FB about the CPI studio closings. I'm in Canada...not sure how much longer our jobs are secure!!
I was able to use PTO already just my vacation pay is left remaining.
Thanks! I'm a Canadian SPS manager, I just wonder where this leaves the Canadian employees and our PTO
English please??
Wow, then I must be doing something wrong. As a SM rarely a shift goes by where I don't get calls from staff or a text. My DM told us that part time staff are not to call, in fact we are to be available at all times to man our studio. After reading some past posts I realize I should be "billing" CPI for those hours that I answer calls off the clock!
Got a letter in the mail today
So I see our cost of benefits is increasing and the perks we pay for having it are decreasing!
Does anyone know if we still have EAP (employee assistance program) and the phone number? The phone #s listed in corporate directory don't seem to work????
I will say one thing we all have in common is we love our customers. That is why despite having hours cut, and being left out of the loop we go in and capture those precious memories. I have built personal relationships with my families, and they have also impacted my life!!! I wish all well whatever your personal endeavors
I believe copyright letter is only for items we don't produce ie. in Canada the photo blankets?