If you want to pinpoint the turning point in our existence, I would say it was about 3 years ago. We were profitable all the way up until 2010, which is when PictureMe started Spin-to-Win. Sears would follow soon after.
Suddenly, in an attempt to build a new group of clientele, we had people coming in for their Free 10x13 or Free Collage who had no interest or need in our photography services. It diminished the value of what we provided, and made us "the free picture place". That's when it all went downhill.
Somehow, for the past 3 years, corporate hasn't got the hint. The $7.99 was a good "hook" because it at least meant that people were walking in the door with a $10 bill in their pocket. That was all we needed. Now, how many times have we heard a customer sitting at the sales desk telling us "I love all of them, but I didn't bring any money with me because I thought it was free." They should have stayed with the $7.99 as the deal, and our VIP efforts should have involved the $9.99 or $19.99 prepaid offers that we had, and not just pulling freebies in the door all day long.
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE! is what has killed us. Our promotional team obviously never got the hint, and continues to be unable to understand what's going on at our level. And, sadly, they showed us this week with the Free 10x10 deal that they STILL haven't learned their lesson.
If Clear Lake Capital really is buying us and wants us to succeed, they need to wipe out everyone, yes EVERYONE, in St. Louis, because they're the reason for the downfall of the company. Even the best of the best in the field can only polish a turd so much, and St. Louis keeps sending us one turd of an offer after another!!!!!!!
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