JCPenney — Local services in Peoria

Text Edit My appt was booked for 6:15. A person that sounded like a kid calls me at 5:17 to tell me I have to be there by 5:45.

He said his manager called him an told him it's store policy because they close at 7! He said if I'm not there at 5:45 I will have to re-schedule. I said that's only 18 mins to get a 5mos ready an there. Why is my time changed?

I can't re-schedule their from Florida. Well I made it there and pulled out my recorder in front of the kid/photographer and had him repeat everything he said on phone. He then walks off an calls his manager. 15 mins late 6pm he comes back and says his mistake he misunderstood and he's sorry.

He then asked me to stop recording him which I said yes that's fine I got what I needed for the BBB. He then walks off again. At 6:15 (my actual time for pics) security comes an says he's the kid is uncomfortable and refusing to take the pictures. I said I won't even speak to him or stay in room that this is the 2nd time I've tried to get pics of my granddaughter while in-state.

Last time was a complete nightmare I had special schedule of 10 people and 2 were gonna be 5 mins late an the manager Beth said she can't get started until their all their I asked her to just do who was their then again kids from Florida and she refused. She said they all had to be there or no one could get their pics!!! What a joke... I went to Florida and has them done at that JC Penney and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

But anyway the photographer in Peoria IL named Chris is a immature lazy kid who wanted to leave early... He had security escort me an my 5mos old granddaughter out after her bottle obviously. The security guard gave me his name for corporate to talk to because their was no reason for any of this. I never raised my voice or said anything rude.

I don't think kids with that much anxiety should be anywhere near kids an people. I have done to JC Penney portraits for over 25 years. I have 6 kids and they get pics at 0 3mos 6mos 9 mos 12 mos then every year until 10 as well as every Christmas and Easter. I've started the same tradition with my 5 grandchildren...

Last 4 visits to this studio have been nightmares...it's really sad to be treated so badly especially paying so much, and now they charge you $25 if your late, reschedule or go over 15mins!!! I'm working on buying my own backgrounds and will do it myself..

and for now I pay a friend that does it in her basement. It's to easy to diy these days..

Edit:: I called that number I spent 15-20 minutes telling of my experience the last 2yrs an after all that she says she can't help me she doesn't see my acct or order.... (I didn't have an order they wouldn't take pics) She says wait and see if I will get a phone call!! I say from who she said portrait place🤣 Thanks JCPENNEY for wasting another half hour of my...

I rarely shop in-store because they no longer have competitive prices. And the overhead "music" becomes increasingly loud and low-class with each passing decade. JCPenney corporate seems intent to drive this venerable company out of business. Boomers (the generation with the money) who have shopped here all their lives continue to see their favorite brands discontinued, the tried-and-true marketing strategies (sales and discounts and special coupons for Platinum members) are monkied with. And... trying to sell appliances???? And cosmetics?? Just one bonehead move after another!!! The last straw: corporate just tacked on a $9 shipping fee on ship-to-store for purchases less than $75!!!! It's always been less-than-$25 and then, no minimum for decades. And since store inventory has declined in quantity and increased in price, and all but one register per floor is closed (forcing customers to wait in unnecessary lines... while unsupervised employees stand around giggling in corners)... JCPenney needs to rely on online sales!!! So, yeah, it's only a matter of time before Northwoods Mall loses another...

My family has a long standing relationship with JC Penney Photo Studio. We have been taking our family pictures here for over 30 years. Sunday, September 14, 2025 we again came to your studio for family pictures and then my daughter had pictures of her family taken separately. Grace was our photographer. Grace was profesisonal, courteous, knowledgeable and wonderful with the kids. Well let's face it ... she was wonderful with me too!

Grace did all the things you want during the photo's -- she kept her eye on all of our hair, our necklaces, our hands (which is so important when you get your pictures back). She laughed with us and worked her charm on my 10 year old grandson who was definitely NOT into it and made it an enjoyable experience for all of us.

She knew her products and sold us on several side items when making our selections. Many only reach out to management when unhappy but I believe in advising management when you have a solid engaging employee as well.

Thank you for this...