Sears Portrait Studio

RDKirk wrote in post #11463890
I said "detailed price lists."

I just remembered when I was looking to rent a moon bounce for my son's b-day, I found 10 or so places in the metro area that provided what I needed. About half of them didnt have prices listed. Why would I bother calling them and wasting my time if there are others who are respectful of my time and took a minute to post prices on their website ?...

A commodity is a very different purchase from a custom service. Do you find detailed price lists on the websites of custom dress designers, landscapers, decorators, et cetera? Of course not.

To be sure, there are many photographers who operate as commodity suppliers, so it's appropriate for them to specify all their prices and allow interest customers to choose between them like one can of beans from other strictly by price.

But that can't be done appropriately with a custom service.

My local SPS prints out a full list of prices.

I've walked by my local JCPenny, Sears, and Target studios and wondered what kind of equipment they use...I haven't actually stuck my head in there, but I'm going to guess Nikon?

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #11464752
I've walked by my local JCPenny, Sears, and Target studios and wondered what kind of equipment they use...I haven't actually stuck my head in there, but I'm going to guess Nikon?

Last time I looked in a couple, they were using commercial systems not available to consumers.

RDKirk wrote in post #11464850
Last time I looked in a couple, they were using commercial systems not available to consumers.

Ahh, there is always that too.

Sears uses Olympus.

Funny...in the Banner above this thread on MY screen appears this ad:

Get 26 Photos For Just $7.99. Plus No Session Fee. Make Your Appt Now. SearsPortrait.com

One other comment...with revenues of $422 million last fiscal year you can be sure that CPI Corp's (the corporate operator of Sears Portrait Studios) business model is not left to chance. They have studied and researched then reresearched and studied time and again, the most effective way to get the consumer to buy and the most effective way to increase that spend.

Pros who frequent this forum may take much better pictures than SPS; but trust me from a research and business model perspective, they can eat your lunch knowing what works for their market segment.

That's why we have to stay out of their market space and be where they aren't.

RDKirk wrote in post #11464850
Last time I looked in a couple, they were using commercial systems not available to consumers.

Last time I applied for a job there to help out a friend who was managing it they were using Olympus dSLRs with the kit lens. Nothing special at all. I remember it well because they're such ugly looking cameras.

sniper_md wrote in post #11462529
I was at Sears the other day and saw the portrait studio, so I decided to see what they're all about. Apparently they do not have price-lists printed, I quote: "We do not have printed price lists, but packages start at $169".
Do they really think it's smart to have customers standing there and engaging in an extended dialogue only to find out what's in which package?

Yes--It's a smart business model as it promotes one on one face time.

The photography business is as much about PR and promotion as talent

sniper_md wrote in post #11462529
I was at Sears the other day and saw the portrait studio, so I decided to see what they're all about. Apparently they do not have price-lists printed, I quote: "We do not have printed price lists, but packages start at $169".
Do they really think it's smart to have customers standing there and engaging in an extended dialogue only to find out what's in which package?

It's actually genius. Once you're already there it's hard not to buy because coming back is inconvenient.

I recently bought a TV at Best Buy just because I was already there, when my initial purpose was to simply compare 1080p with 720p at various sizes and prices.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #11464752
I've walked by my local JCPenny, Sears, and Target studios and wondered what kind of equipment they use...I haven't actually stuck my head in there, but I'm going to guess Nikon?

Our local "Picture People" had an XXD body with the 28-135 last time I peeked in (probably over a year ago, I try to avoid the mall )

They also had Alien Bee strobes with pocket wizards....

RDKirk wrote in post #11465378
That's why we have to stay out of their market space and be where they aren't.

I would much rather meet a family at the park and get unique shots than stick them in front of white seamless with some props.