You get what you pay for with Sears Portrait Studio, perfection!
Written: Aug 19 '06
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We have had 2 successful visits to a Sears Portrait Studio for our baby's pictures, and while the photographer and the studio obviously play a big part in our satisfaction, Sears Portrait Studio's website is the main reason that we'll continue to go back. The product offerings and customer service from Sears Portrait Studio on-line simply cannot be beat!
Sears Portrait Studio website organization
Sears Portrait Studio's website is unbelievably well-organized and easy to navigate. The website includes all of the following helpful information and more:
(1)Information on how to prepare for picture-taking sessions and what to expect from a Sears studio when you arrive for your appointment.
(2)Sections displaying pictures of all the backgrounds and props that will be available for your use upon arriving in the studio. If you find a background or prop that you especially like on the website, you may request it from your photographer and they will include some shots using your request. This is a very nice way that Sears makes your portrait-taking experience personal.
(3)A section that includes all of the products that you'll be able to purchase using your Sears portraits after your session is completed (more on this later)
(4)Links to special offers being run by the portrait studios at the time of your visit and sometimes even links to printable coupons for discounts on photo packages or on certain size prints. Make sure you check the site for possible coupons before going to your portrait session!
(5)Finally, Sears makes it easy to make a portrait appointment or find a nearby location by including a link to a studio locator and their 800 number to call for appointments. Each time I've called with about a week's notice, I've been easily able to get the date and time that I requested.
Sears Portrait Studio website products
Obviously, the primary product available on the website is portrait prints. Immediately after your session in a studio, where you can actually have your prints ready in 20 minutes, you will receive a slip showing you how to view your portrait session on-line. In addition, I usually have an e-mail with a link right away when I get home, which is very convenient (and good marketing!).
All of the portraits that were taken during your studio session are made available on-line, even if you didn't express an interest in them. This is important, because you might decide that you do actually like one that you thought you didn't at the studio. Also, you can e-mail the session information to family & friends so that they can view all of the pictures and even purchase some on their own. The studio asks you to allow 48 hours to view the photos on-line, but mine have always been available in less than 6 hours!
Ordering your pictures is very easy, and there are several options: 20x24, 16x20, 10x13, 8x10, 5x7, 3.5x5, wallets, and petites. You can choose to have them framed as well. The best feature is that the website allows you to customize your photos by selecting things such as color, b&w, sepia, and borders & vignettes (shading). They also offer canvas and crystal portraits.
Also available on-line are a variety of products, such as mugs, mousepads, coasters, tote bags, greeting cards, magnets, key chains, and tee-shirts. These can all be customized using one of your portraits.
Sears Portrait Studio website pricing
The cost of ordering your pictures on-line is a little higher than getting them directly from the studio. On average, each 8x10 sheet (8x10, 2 5x7s, 4 3.5x5, etc) costs about $3 more than it does in the studio. The framing and special portraits are also a little pricey: a 16x20 framed portrait would cost $130 and an 8x10 canvas portrait would cost $100. Shipping prices are very reasonable, and I only paid $4.95 for standard USPS delivery.
Sears Portrait Studio website customer service
The service on the website is excellent. First, they ask you to allow 7-14 business days for portrait delivery, but both times that I've used the service, it's only taken 4-5 days and I did not choose to expedite. It's easy to locate their customer care contact information, and they are prompt to reply when you use it. I had to contact them with my first order, because one relative whom I sent the link to was unable to view the photos on-line. They replied within 24 hours with instructions on how to fix the problem.
Final Thoughts
I'm extremely pleased with the service we've received both from the in-store studio and Sears Portrait Studio on-line. I'm thrilled with the quality of the pictures I received from the website orders, the speediness of the order, and the ease of using the site.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Portraits
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About the Author
Member: Mel
Reviews written: 291
Trusted by: 86 members
About Me: On leave...
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