Recently, I took my family to our local mall to get some holiday pictures made. For quite some time, my mother has been pressuring me to do this, and I finally caved. So here I sat at the well-designed, bright, and cheery entrance area of Stop’n'Shoot Photos. Our appointment was at 7:00, but we arrived at 6:30, so we had to wait.
While we waited for a photo shoot room to open up, I flipped through their price book with their “packages.” I was shocked. For just a few photo prints, it could cost upwards of $150! If you want to add a “brag book,” just tack on another $150. Oh, and a 6×10 will be another $200, thank you. So that’s all together about $500. But wait… if you are a Shop’n'Shoot club member, you save $100!
The benefits of being a member of their little club were clear. All over their price boards, they proudly displayed the fact that being a member would save money. But nowhere did they say how much it cost per month to be a member. My guess is that it costs enough per month to make all of the money you save at the store obsolete.
I can’t believe how overpriced the pictures at the store are. I understand mall rent is very expensive, and the paper is probably very nice, but they get so much traffic year round, what with weddings, birthdays, family photos, and it all gets multiplied when the holidays are coming up. Surely they can make a profit without breaking people’s banks?
I have another interesting event to tell you about that happened at this mall. As I was waiting until our appointment, I walked about fifty yards down the central hall of the mall. I walked by one of those kiosks in the middle with people on commission who endlessly bother you. I always thought nobody paid attention to them. But I saw the guy approach a family and engage them in a discussion. I thought to myself. “Yeah, right. If I get back from the water fountain and they’re still here, I’ll cut off my right hand…” Naturally, when I returned, I saw them all sitting at the booth, excitedly examining makeup and hairstyles. I shook my head and laughed all the way down the mall.
I used to work for a photo company years ago that was much like the one you describe here – extremely overpriced. Oh, yes, and I’m certain they make their money back through the membership anyway – because, really, how many photos are you planning to have taken every year? I imagine you can find better deals for this outside the mall.
Personally, I just went to take the photo because my mother wanted a family portrait. We haven’t done one of these overpriced shoots in years. Joining a club would be pointless for us.
What I find interesting is that they can charge those rates because a lot of people are willing to pay them. That’s the only reason they’re so high. Price has nothing to do with cost or rent. It’s all about what people are willing to pay.
Yes, I know people are willing to pay that much for them. But should they? How many different sizes and versions of the same photo does somebody need? We just asked for one print in a 4×8 size. The woman at the counter looked very disappointed…
Hi all,
I’ve never understood the overpricing of photos, I was shocked to discover this year the boys photos from school started at $25 and went up to as much as $150
Crazy prices but like said above, while people are willing to pay the extortionate price it will never come down.
You’d think doing a whole school photo shoot they could bring the price down a lot more than that, especially seeing as they rarely take a second shot, it’s just kids in uniforms, and no overheads.
Tony:)
Yep. The mall culture does tempt us to overspend..it happens to me all the time..