Target Portrait Studio "experience"

Well, maybe disaster is a strong word but still it was pretty rough today. Bottom line - we came away with no pictures and not even a full sitting. Reason being? Customer service.

This is at the gainesville Super Target...

They had 3 teenaged girls (nothing against teenagers in general but I dont think they really know how to work with mothers and newborns, esp.) 'working' - two sat around and talked on their cell phones while the other one did all the work. We arrived for our 12:30 appointment about 5 minutes early and waited until 1:10 to get into the studio. I left an hour for the sitting and planned on nursing right after in the dressing rooms (his lunchtime was at 1:30 and he's really consistent) so by the time we even made it into the studio Liam was starting to get the Pre-Feeding Fussies - nothing horrible - just his normal stretching and squakings. This would have been avoided if they stuck to their schedule. Since the appt. before us ran over and only one person was helping check this customer out (picking photos, signing her up for the membership...everything! and we were sitting there watching the other 2 do nothing but tell us it would just be a few more mintues) Before we even got shown into the studio, the 1:30 appt. showed up. At 1:30 I asked if I could have a few minutes to feed him so that he might cooperate and stop crying (at this point he was crying) at least. They said we could reschedule - I wasnt having that since it wasnt US who caused the back up in the appts. but agreed with my husband that I would give Liam a snack and if that didnt do the trick than we were walking. 3 times in less than five minutes I was checked on and asked if we would like to reschedule. Finally we just walked. I went straight to the dressing room and finished feeding him his lunch.

Part of me is annoyed that I was checked on so many times in such a short amount of time - like BF'ing is done in under 5 minutes, but then part of me is really annoyed that 3 people couldnt do their jobs properly and were rushing the customers who were there on time making them feel like it was their fault nothing was working out properly.

Next week, we are going to JCPenny’s in Fair Oaks. I tried Target and they failed me - I just dont think they have the right people working in these positions AND that they didnt fully understand the nature of their jobs. They shouldnt be scheduling appts. so closely together, esp. if they know how old the child is (and they do ask when you make the appt) and why have 3 people working when clearly only one of them is doing the job?

*sigh* I'm just a little disheartened over this all. I was really looking forward to getting the pictures done today and the little man just looked so handsome and he was in such a sweet mood prior to all of this - and now he hasnt slept for more than 1/2 hour at a time the rest of the day :( Maybe I'm over reacting but this was my experience & they really didnt win me over, to say the least.

Here's to hoping Penny's comes through for us!

Trust me, I'll let you know if they dont ;)