Saturday, November 11, 2006

Canadian Baby Photographers

This week Kiernan had his photo taken by Canadian Baby Photographers (CBP) since they offer to come to your house and you automatically get a free 8x10. So they came and some were a bit to cheeseball for my liking and some looked like they would be really cute. But CBP has a reputation for being really expensive so I was wary and didn't really know if we would be able to swing getting anything.
So the guy came yesterday with the proofs to show us and they printed the worst one as an 8x10 and claimed it was chosen because it has the most personality. Eric has suggested they must think Kiernan has the personality of a drunk sailor because you can tell he's about to fall over, he has a weird face going, and it sort of looks like he's giving us the finger. Right off the bat I was put off that they picked the worst picture to give me as an 8x10. I know it's a gimmick to try to get me to buy more photos when they come, but don't piss me off right before you make your pitch!
Then he tells us the prices and it's really expensive. We knew we weren't going to get a package so I wanted to know how much it would cost to get the proofs (which were actually 5x7s). These were also really expensive but I have to admit, there were a few cute ones. Did I want to spend $99 on 3 cute 5x7s? I'm not sure but I was tempted. I asked if we could think about it and was told no - you have to make the decision immediately otherwise the photos will be shredded on Monday. This is because of privacy laws I'm told. Right - privacy laws say that you have to destroy photos that parents allowed you to take within a week? That would probably cause a lot of problems for photographers who aren't trying to pressure you into sales by shredding cute photos of your kids.
Anyhow, all that to say - I'm not impressed. I thought the photographer was pretty good and so were some of the shots, but not only did they not get my business, I don't recommend even letting them come to your house to take the photos in the first place, even if just for the free 8x10 since they'll give you the crappy one. And really, they want you to let them come to your house to take the photos so you get tempted by all the cute photos so pissing people off by giving them the ass photo and then having them tell everyone they know it's not worthwhile doesn't sound very smart.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip! I was just wondering about them, did a google search and your blog came up! That is terrible that they print the worst picture as your freebie!

Anonymous said...

That is standard praactice in the industry, Sears will only print the second pose taken as the free one. School photos have less choice.
The scam here is that hospitals sell your information to CBP, or their staff do as do Univeristies sell grad info to various marketing bodies.The time line is a bit of both, companies tend to forget to dispose of old photos, chips are erased daily , but images can still be recovered.

rain said...

Wish I had of seen this before Canadian Baby Photographers came to my home. I spent way too much money on particle board and glue aka "Montage" warn your girlfriend, pregnant women on the street, not worth the time or money. I sent them back my photos, still yet to get my money back, they have a no return policy and because their sales are verbal.. you have no recourse.

Anonymous said...

I had my baby photos taken by CBP and they came out adorable. I was told that the free pic was the first pose or something like that and they dont choose which one to give. They were a bit pricey but I also had a cheeper company come and the print quality really refletcs the price. CPB was printed much nicer. Yes, some of the pics were a bit cheesey as you said but still cute, sometimes these trendy places later in years you wish you just had the old fashioned pose of the baby.

Anonymous said...

I had the photographer come to my house today. CBP got my info from when I signed up for Welcome Wagon when I was 3 months pregnant. I was very impressed by his ability, and his professionalism. He let me view the pictures, and they all were adorable (possibly, I like cheesy??). Having 'googled' and looked at lots of people's responses to this company, I am a little bit curious to how the 'sales' portion will go. I more than likely will just get the freebie that was promised to me, so I can understand if the salesperson will be a little unhappy - I did door to door sales before, so I know what it's like. Of course their prices are high - a professional photographer comes to your HOME (btw's, they own all their own gear)....you have to factor in this fact, and the fact that they are freelanced through the company....and that all members of the company need to make a profit! It's too bad that so many people had problems with their experience. It is standard practice for them to print the 2nd pose as the free one (speaking to photographers, this is usually the best one - baby is more relaxed/smiling/etc, but not yet tired of the whole thing). I'm so sorry to hear that it was the worst one for you! Having delt with department store photography many many times, so far I am very impressed with CBP - we'll see if my opinion changes when I meet with the salesperson!

Anonymous said...

I have just had my forth child and have had all the others babies photos taken with CBP. They are the sleeziest company to deal with. My last experience with my 3rd child lead me to call and make a complaint with the company. I feel forced to call them for this baby as I want them all to have the same photos but will seriously lay down the law with them beforehand. The photographers are fine, it's the salespeople and their lowhanded sales tactics. I refuse the have the overweight sales guy come as I almost kicked him out of my house. He argued with me the whole time - thought I was buying a more expensive package for some reason and said that they would not have come back for retakes had they known I wasn't going to (my baby cried the whole first visit so we had to reschedule- and they wouldn;t have done that???) He also was talking about how they photographer has "children to feed" - like I don't??? The eye rolling about and the dramam about destroying precious pictures - gimme a break!! Theses photos aren't cheap - if you have to deal with them don;t take any crap!!!

Anonymous said...

We got a call from canadian baby photographers they offered to come to the house and take some pictures for this we would recieve a 5x7 calender with our daughter's picture on it we did recieve this gift but the picture is maybe the size of a quarter. When the salesman showed up he had 18 5x7's and showed us what they do and gave us a price list very expensive.
We bought a package for $770.00 this package included the 18 5x7 originals 1 16x20 montage 2 11x14 portraits. 1 8x10 and 32 wallet size. We thought this was crazy but chose to do it anyways. They told us they would be in in plenty of time for christmas I had to call twice and they showed up 8 days before christmas after my 2 complaints. When they arrived I was so happy they where beautiful. Then upon further inspection I realized my montage had a popped air pocket in it one of my 11x14's was peeling from the wood and the other 11x14 has something spilled on it I looks like someone set there glass on it there are also little grooves in the picture that are very noticeable when on the wall. They said they were sending these little seasons greetings folders for my wallets size and they did not show up I'm calling tomorrow to comlain but I doubt it will go anywhere.