Sears Portrait Studio

Sears Portrait Studio's website is misleading

customers concerning their prices. Online

advertisements indicate a portrait package as

advertised $9.99 in one pose. Fine print indicates

that the offer cannot be combined. When trying to

order this package, I was told additional sheets were

$19.99. On other advertised prices, Sears Portrait

Studio indicated a regular price of $7.99 sheet as

noted: (Reg. $7.99). The price of the sheets are only

increased after purchasing that package or on reorders

without a coupon. In addition, the "regular" price of

portraits will also ary based on possible purchase of

a "Collection" package. After researching prices on

the web, I was very upset to find out (only after a

one hour photo session with two infants and three

teenagers) that these prices were misrepresented. I

purchased a "Collection" package just to get the

portraits I needed to send immediately with my

Christmas cards.

When I went to pick up the portraits, I was told that

"extras" were included that could be purchased for an

additional 15.98. This would get the four extras.

One of the portraits was a pose that I thought I had

ordered. The sales girl (I don't know the name -

Transaction #6642 on January 8, 2005) told me that I

had not purchased that pose. I bought the additional

set and went home to check my receipt. My receipt

clearly stated I had purchased that portrait. I

called in and talked with Jessica who stated she was

an assistant manager. She told me that she had

checked in the photos and they had sent me 16

portraits instead of the 15 I purchased so she pulled

one out (that I had purchased) to be included in the

extras. I counted my purchased portrait sheets and I

was only sent the 15 I purchased including the pose I

re-bought. She argued with me and told me there was

no problem with their decision to have me purchase a

photo I had already paid for. I talked with Raphael

in customer service (18662924949) who stated the exact

same thing. I am returning the THREE extras - keeping

the portrait I paid for - and getting my money back.

I was very bothered by their lack of concern when I

was charged twice.

I have PDF files of the advertisements which are

misleading on their website. There were more during

their advertised Holiday packages, but I did not go

back on to get copies of those in time. In several

places there were packages with the print (reg.

$7.99). No where else was a "regular" price stated

and I'm not even sure what the regular price is - it

changes with what you are purchasing (Single sheets

vs. Smile Savers vs. additional to a package vs.

additional to a collection vs. reorders, etc.). A

customer would have no idea of what they will pay

until they have taken their photo's and are now

trapped between paying what the studio demands or

walking out the door and wasting the time and energy

of the photo shoot (which is a difficult prospect when

dealing with young children).

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