Comments on: Olan Mills goes bankrupt http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/ The Photocritic DIY photography projects blog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:48:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: hilda http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-283923 hilda Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:17:14 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-283923 Hi - I'm not sure whether this will appear but a few months ago I entered a competition. I was charged £10.00 for a telephone call to claim my prize and GUESS WHAT - the prize was a voucher sent to me entitling me to a professional portrait sitting PLUS A FREE 40" X 30" PRINT!!! I have to say that the company forwarding me the voucher sis not enclose any letter or EVEN THE ADDRESS OF THE SENDER - so my conclusion is that there is a company out there knowingly offering a prize from a company which was not operational at the time the voucher was sent to me i.e. end of August/beginning of September 2008. Hi - I’m not sure whether this will appear but a few months ago I entered a competition. I was charged £10.00 for a telephone call to claim my prize and GUESS WHAT - the prize was a voucher sent to me entitling me to a professional portrait sitting PLUS A FREE 40″ X 30″ PRINT!!! I have to say that the company forwarding me the voucher sis not enclose any letter or EVEN THE ADDRESS OF THE SENDER - so my conclusion is that there is a company out there knowingly offering a prize from a company which was not operational at the time the voucher was sent to me i.e. end of August/beginning of September 2008.

]]> By: Manager Extroidinaire http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-274978 Manager Extroidinaire Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:54:11 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-274978 Along with so many of the great and good of olan Mills I had the unfortunate experience of working in a company that had Sanch in a position of authority, apart from the fact that the woman wouldnt know a good idea if it was covered in chocolate and served to her on a golden platter, she would not only stab you in the back she would also take the knife out wipe it clean on some animal print or velour outfit she had the misfortune to be dressed in that morning and then use it again on her next victim, all in order to save costs you understand so she could carry on with her numerous affairs with the cab driving masses of middlesboro and drink her self up a dress size on latte and bottles of wkd. the woman manipulates to the point of meglamania and can talk a glass eye not only to sleep but to suicide when she gets going about herself, her nails her hair and a bit more of herself, obviously i was saddened to hear that she had survived a car accident, seems that what goes around does actually come around, just a shame i never managed to get to one of the tsa awards, i hear she really brown tongued the top brass at those, Sharon Barr must be gutted that she ever met the woman never mind trusted her with such a responsible job, im sure her new venture into glamour will be just as successful as she made olan mills telesales, and wont be long before we have flawless makeover staff relaxing indulging and enjoying the surroundings of the local benefits office, still one good thing is the staff that work for the benefits agency are atleast human. a gastric bypass some clever photography and a decent hiar cut will not change the womans character traits just her appearance, wolf in sheeps clothing springs to mind. As for me, well im not bitter in the least, since leaving olan mills ive got married, inherited my fathers estate and live quite a good life, and in the hope that miss chipendale is reading this, i have a significant financial interest in property, and ive always thought it best to be nice to people on your way up, you never know who your going to need on the way down Along with so many of the great and good of olan Mills I had the unfortunate experience of working in a company that had Sanch in a position of authority, apart from the fact that the woman wouldnt know a good idea if it was covered in chocolate and served to her on a golden platter, she would not only stab you in the back she would also take the knife out wipe it clean on some animal print or velour outfit she had the misfortune to be dressed in that morning and then use it again on her next victim, all in order to save costs you understand so she could carry on with her numerous affairs with the cab driving masses of middlesboro and drink her self up a dress size on latte and bottles of wkd. the woman manipulates to the point of meglamania and can talk a glass eye not only to sleep but to suicide when she gets going about herself, her nails her hair and a bit more of herself, obviously i was saddened to hear that she had survived a car accident, seems that what goes around does actually come around, just a shame i never managed to get to one of the tsa awards, i hear she really brown tongued the top brass at those, Sharon Barr must be gutted that she ever met the woman never mind trusted her with such a responsible job, im sure her new venture into glamour will be just as successful as she made olan mills telesales, and wont be long before we have flawless makeover staff relaxing indulging and enjoying the surroundings of the local benefits office, still one good thing is the staff that work for the benefits agency are atleast human. a gastric bypass some clever photography and a decent hiar cut will not change the womans character traits just her appearance, wolf in sheeps clothing springs to mind. As for me, well im not bitter in the least, since leaving olan mills ive got married, inherited my fathers estate and live quite a good life, and in the hope that miss chipendale is reading this, i have a significant financial interest in property, and ive always thought it best to be nice to people on your way up, you never know who your going to need on the way down

]]> By: Dave Carnelly http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-265912 Dave Carnelly Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:38:19 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-265912 Hi All Well I've just skimmed through the posts! Some are absolute Crap and Others are spot on! Having worked for Olan Mills for 10 years and having my position made redundant thanks to the "New Regime" you'd think I might be bitter? But not at all!!! Olan Mills was miss-guided, dated, often run by suits that weren't in touch, relied on the good will of it's employees far to much and offered very little to those employees in return!!! HOWEVER - It was full of some of the best people you could ever wish to know! And as a team we were awesome! Anyone that had the pleasure of working with Paul Findlay, Jon Tremlett, Matt Webster, Mark De Gietlink, Michael Stevenson, Darren Rudge, Les Moore, Jordan Baines, Chris Heggarty would know how dedicated these people are! That's why more than half of them are still working very succesfully in photography with Venture or other professional outfits! So please have a go at the Old company if you wish but please Remember that amongst all that was wrong, we had some very, very talented people that were producing high class work on a regular basis and that this was produced in a bisic studio without the aid of Digital technology! Good Luck to Mike and all involved with the new Venture! From looking at the website and knowing the people involved I'm sure that given the correct pricing structure they will continue to grow. Ad for me I'm still working in Photography in the North East shooting Digital and 10 x 8 plate cameras!!! So if you want to get in touch : northerngunner@hotmail.com Regards Dave Carnelly Hi All

Well I’ve just skimmed through the posts! Some are absolute Crap and Others are spot on! Having worked for Olan Mills for 10 years and having my position made redundant thanks to the “New Regime” you’d think I might be bitter? But not at all!!!

Olan Mills was miss-guided, dated, often run by suits that weren’t in touch, relied on the good will of it’s employees far to much and offered very little to those employees in return!!! HOWEVER - It was full of some of the best people you could ever wish to know! And as a team we were awesome! Anyone that had the pleasure of working with Paul Findlay, Jon Tremlett, Matt Webster, Mark De Gietlink, Michael Stevenson, Darren Rudge, Les Moore, Jordan Baines, Chris Heggarty would know how dedicated these people are! That’s why more than half of them are still working very succesfully in photography with Venture or other professional outfits!

So please have a go at the Old company if you wish but please Remember that amongst all that was wrong, we had some very, very talented people that were producing high class work on a regular basis and that this was produced in a bisic studio without the aid of Digital technology!

Good Luck to Mike and all involved with the new Venture! From looking at the website and knowing the people involved I’m sure that given the correct pricing structure they will continue to grow.

Ad for me I’m still working in Photography in the North East shooting Digital and 10 x 8 plate cameras!!! So if you want to get in touch : northerngunner@hotmail.com

Regards

Dave Carnelly

]]> By: SARAH http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-231652 SARAH Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:29:11 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-231652 NONE OF THIS IS TRUE... I WORK FOR OLAN MILLS AND THEY ARE STRONGER THAN EVER. THIS WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE COMPANY NONE OF THIS IS TRUE… I WORK FOR OLAN MILLS AND THEY ARE STRONGER THAN EVER. THIS WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE COMPANY

]]> By: Shealene Anderson http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-169312 Shealene Anderson Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:02:42 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-169312 OK...I worked for Olan Mills for 4 yrs on and off...they taught me ALL i know about Photography...never had to go to college or anything...i was a manager within' 6 months of working there...they don't pay their photographers well at all...we all know that one...I was one of the higher end paid photographers in our district...I would ask for a raise b/c i was workin' MY TAIL END OFF for that company...and i was carrying the rest of the district MANY times...I would work 9-11hrs without a lunch or any kind of a break...I dealt with too much Drama and i am sorry but not worth my Life or safety...so i FINALLY quit for good and started my own Buisness...I do it on my own now...which has been very successful...I am forever GRATEFUL for what they taught me and I am saddened that so many people have been screwed...but HEY...they don't care...in their eye's you can be replaced...and look where it's getting them...BAMKRUPTCY...hhhmmmm....wonder why? What goes around comes around baby...i pray for all the Employee's that have been affected...Hold that equipment ransom and do your thang....you can make good money at it and you ALL know that!!! OK…I worked for Olan Mills for 4 yrs on and off…they taught me ALL i know about Photography…never had to go to college or anything…i was a manager within’ 6 months of working there…they don’t pay their photographers well at all…we all know that one…I was one of the higher end paid photographers in our district…I would ask for a raise b/c i was workin’ MY TAIL END OFF for that company…and i was carrying the rest of the district MANY times…I would work 9-11hrs without a lunch or any kind of a break…I dealt with too much Drama and i am sorry but not worth my Life or safety…so i FINALLY quit for good and started my own Buisness…I do it on my own now…which has been very successful…I am forever GRATEFUL for what they taught me and I am saddened that so many people have been screwed…but HEY…they don’t care…in their eye’s you can be replaced…and look where it’s getting them…BAMKRUPTCY…hhhmmmm….wonder why? What goes around comes around baby…i pray for all the Employee’s that have been affected…Hold that equipment ransom and do your thang….you can make good money at it and you ALL know that!!!

]]> By: K.A. Fox http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-154944 K.A. Fox Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:28:35 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-154944 Olan Mills does do bad business! I will never ever return there again. We had our baby's first pictures made there and we were told to come today to pick them up. I have to drive thru 2 counties and 30 miles w/ gas more than $3 a gallon to get there to be told that they won't be ready until December. I asked what the problem was and she said the 'plant' had some sort of shut down. Olan Mills calls me the day before the appt. & the day of the appt. to remind me. Could they not call me to let me know there was a problem? No, because I've already paid for the pictures. They have the money and I have no pictures. This company clearly does not care about customer service. I'd rather go to WalMart! Olan Mills does do bad business! I will never ever return there again. We had our baby’s first pictures made there and we were told to come today to pick them up. I have to drive thru 2 counties and 30 miles w/ gas more than $3 a gallon to get there to be told that they won’t be ready until December. I asked what the problem was and she said the ‘plant’ had some sort of shut down. Olan Mills calls me the day before the appt. & the day of the appt. to remind me. Could they not call me to let me know there was a problem? No, because I’ve already paid for the pictures. They have the money and I have no pictures. This company clearly does not care about customer service. I’d rather go to WalMart!

]]> By: Kelly Sullivan http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-149536 Kelly Sullivan Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:11:53 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-149536 I used to work for Olan Mills until I read this article. I quit and left for another photography business. I felt that if that happened overseas, then it is going to happen here. I don't dispute the quality of portraits that Olan Mills produces, but I think people these days are in to the "fast food" type of photography and that gets lost when you are trying to do a good job with your customers and trying to give people the best quality photos, but playing the numbers game. People are annoyed when they have to wait an extra fifteen minutes when they could have went to another portrait studio that they feel will get them in sooner with less quality. I think that people also see Olan Mills in a K-Mart and relate that to a lower grade portrait studio. None of the employees were told in the states about thieir bankrupcy during this time, or at least in Cincinnati, and I felt they should have been honest and upfront about it. Certainly they did not care about the workers overseas. I think this was an act of bad business. I used to work for Olan Mills until I read this article. I quit and left for another photography business. I felt that if that happened overseas, then it is going to happen here. I don’t dispute the quality of portraits that Olan Mills produces, but I think people these days are in to the “fast food” type of photography and that gets lost when you are trying to do a good job with your customers and trying to give people the best quality photos, but playing the numbers game. People are annoyed when they have to wait an extra fifteen minutes when they could have went to another portrait studio that they feel will get them in sooner with less quality. I think that people also see Olan Mills in a K-Mart and relate that to a lower grade portrait studio. None of the employees were told in the states about thieir bankrupcy during this time, or at least in Cincinnati, and I felt they should have been honest and upfront about it. Certainly they did not care about the workers overseas. I think this was an act of bad business.

]]> By: Kevin McKenna http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-142546 Kevin McKenna Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:08:53 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-142546 ok-thanks! ok-thanks!

]]> By: a.b. http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-113130 a.b. Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:06:47 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-113130 I work for OM in the states in the Church Directory Division as a Portrait Consultant. As far as I know, there is nothing "shady" going on here apart from the norm. You might not know that OM "partnered" with a store calleed K-Mart and let this crap supermarket use the OM name on their in-store studios. OM then closed down the studios near the K-mart studios because it was a conflict of interest; then, K-Mart went bankrupt. Needless to say, there are not a whole lot of OM studios left in the states anyway. The Directory Division is the biggest and though it is hurting in its own ways, it seems to still be going strong. The thing that is hurting is is that Gen-X and Y don't seem to care about quality--they as a norm seem to not think ahead, instead, they live for here and now. This butts heads with Olan's mantra of not sacrificing quality for price. Who knows where it will go, all I know is that there is pretty good money in the Division I work in and with as little as they are reimbursing me for gas (19 cents a mile), they have to be doing well. I work for OM in the states in the Church Directory Division as a Portrait Consultant. As far as I know, there is nothing “shady” going on here apart from the norm. You might not know that OM “partnered” with a store calleed K-Mart and let this crap supermarket use the OM name on their in-store studios. OM then closed down the studios near the K-mart studios because it was a conflict of interest; then, K-Mart went bankrupt. Needless to say, there are not a whole lot of OM studios left in the states anyway. The Directory Division is the biggest and though it is hurting in its own ways, it seems to still be going strong.

The thing that is hurting is is that Gen-X and Y don’t seem to care about quality–they as a norm seem to not think ahead, instead, they live for here and now. This butts heads with Olan’s mantra of not sacrificing quality for price. Who knows where it will go, all I know is that there is pretty good money in the Division I work in and with as little as they are reimbursing me for gas (19 cents a mile), they have to be doing well.

]]> By: Fran http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-105587 Fran Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:29:42 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-105587 has anyone heard if this is going on the the USA? has anyone heard if this is going on the the USA?

]]> By: C Currie http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-102739 C Currie Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:29 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-102739 I live overseas and have only just found out that Olan Mills have gone bust as I was trying to organise photos for when we return with our children in the summer. We had pictures taken on several occasions at the Coventry branch and also in Cheltenham - each time the photographs were absolutely fantastic and so were the staff that organised everything and took the photographs. I have never been able to get such lovely pictures taken anywhere else. I don't know why the staff are getting a slating on this website as they were very helpful and pleasant whenever I used their service. Good luck to all the staff and I hope that they have found employment since. Sympathies to everyone who lost photographs but it's not exactly the same as losing your livelihood! I live overseas and have only just found out that Olan Mills have gone bust as I was trying to organise photos for when we return with our children in the summer. We had pictures taken on several occasions at the Coventry branch and also in Cheltenham - each time the photographs were absolutely fantastic and so were the staff that organised everything and took the photographs. I have never been able to get such lovely pictures taken anywhere else. I don’t know why the staff are getting a slating on this website as they were very helpful and pleasant whenever I used their service. Good luck to all the staff and I hope that they have found employment since. Sympathies to everyone who lost photographs but it’s not exactly the same as losing your livelihood!

]]> By: Lee Wheatley http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-99256 Lee Wheatley Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:54:13 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-99256 I would also like to add that should anyone (old staff inparticular) wish to comment in a negative way against olanmills staff then please email me with you name and number and i will quite happily talk to you about the real Olanmills Thanks I would also like to add that should anyone (old staff inparticular) wish to comment in a negative way against olanmills staff then please email me with you name and number and i will quite happily talk to you about the real Olanmills

Thanks

]]> By: Lee Wheatley http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-99246 Lee Wheatley Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:46:48 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-99246 Hi Sarah, as along time server to OlanMills in Swansea i first of all Thank you for you thanks and sadness to all the staff who loat thier jobs, to many people have slated the staff, but we all lost out just like our customers. I understand where you are coming from with regards to you portaits but, i do not think you will be able to get your photos as all of the computers would of been deleted. I would also like to add that OlanMills may of opened back up, but NONE of the people who are now running it WHERE OR ARE responcible for what happened in Dec of 07. They have bought the rights to the name. I know in my heart of hearts that ALL in head office fought really really hard to stop what happened happening. I had just been promoted to a senior level of the company and i know that this is NOT the way that the orriginal OlanMills directors wanted it to happen. They had all worked far harder than i hard to make the original Olanmills work. Thier sweet and blood went into it and they all lost far more money than any of us did. I personally thank Sharon Barr, who gave me more than ob=ne chance, so thank you. In conclution, if you see an Olanmills open by you, please support them as they are trying to help the country by giving them great photo’s at a fantastic price again. If you want to chat or just have an insite to what went on at Olanmills, email me at lwheatley83@hotmail.co.uk. Hi Sarah, as along time server to OlanMills in Swansea i first of all Thank you for you thanks and sadness to all the staff who loat thier jobs, to many people have slated the staff, but we all lost out just like our customers. I understand where you are coming from with regards to you portaits but, i do not think you will be able to get your photos as all of the computers would of been deleted. I would also like to add that OlanMills may of opened back up, but NONE of the people who are now running it WHERE OR ARE responcible for what happened in Dec of 07. They have bought the rights to the name. I know in my heart of hearts that ALL in head office fought really really hard to stop what happened happening. I had just been promoted to a senior level of the company and i know that this is NOT the way that the orriginal OlanMills directors wanted it to happen. They had all worked far harder than i hard to make the original Olanmills work. Thier sweet and blood went into it and they all lost far more money than any of us did. I personally thank Sharon Barr, who gave me more than ob=ne chance, so thank you. In conclution, if you see an Olanmills open by you, please support them as they are trying to help the country by giving them great photo’s at a fantastic price again. If you want to chat or just have an insite to what went on at Olanmills, email me at lwheatley83@hotmail.co.uk.

]]> By: anon http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-93335 anon Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:22:48 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-93335 no olan mill went bust because they were millions of pounds in debt no olan mill went bust because they were millions of pounds in debt

]]> By: Jamie Thompson http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-90907 Jamie Thompson Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:41:10 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-90907 Do you think OL went bankrupt because of venture portraits? and not keeping up with modern style. Do you think OL went bankrupt because of venture portraits? and not keeping up with modern style.

]]> By: SARAH http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-85376 SARAH Sat, 26 May 2007 19:24:22 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-85376 can anyone help me and know who I can contact about my photos thanks can anyone help me and know who I can contact about my photos thanks

]]> By: SARAH http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-85373 SARAH Sat, 26 May 2007 19:23:26 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-85373 hello!sorry to all the staff and customers who lost their money along with me. I lost £75 on the nicest photos I had of the children on sat December 9th 5 days before it went into liquidisation. I finally got hold of customer services on January 15th and wrote to the claim address 3 times. I gave my order number to the man on the phone in January and he said my photos had managed to be developed and I’ll recieve them within the next few weeks and guess what I still haven’t recieved them. The helpline is no longer available. My photos were taken in Neath store in South Wales and were meant to be going back to the store for me to collect. I’ve been past the store every week to see if I can see anyone in there to see if my photos are there and there has been no sign of anyone been there as there is still mail on the floor. I still feel sick to this day as you can’t replace memories and I feel for all those who lost their jobs and had their christmas ruined just like I did. I’ve noticed that some stores have now been reopened does anyone know if I can contact them with my order number to see where my photos are as they were uploaded onto the computer. Thanks and all the best for the future to those affected!!!! hello!sorry to all the staff and customers who lost their money along with me. I lost £75 on the nicest photos I had of the children on sat December 9th 5 days before it went into liquidisation. I finally got hold of customer services on January 15th and wrote to the claim address 3 times. I gave my order number to the man on the phone in January and he said my photos had managed to be developed and I’ll recieve them within the next few weeks and guess what I still haven’t recieved them. The helpline is no longer available. My photos were taken in Neath store in South Wales and were meant to be going back to the store for me to collect. I’ve been past the store every week to see if I can see anyone in there to see if my photos are there and there has been no sign of anyone been there as there is still mail on the floor. I still feel sick to this day as you can’t replace memories and I feel for all those who lost their jobs and had their christmas ruined just like I did. I’ve noticed that some stores have now been reopened does anyone know if I can contact them with my order number to see where my photos are as they were uploaded onto the computer. Thanks and all the best for the future to those affected!!!!

]]> By: HILEE http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-80678 HILEE Fri, 11 May 2007 21:51:40 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-80678 HI sorry to hear about all the OLAN mILLS STAFF. iVE HAD WATCH ME GROW FOR 7 YEARS AND TOOK IT FOR GRANTED to do one yearly . Photos always good at Romford Branch, Essex. Been sitting here reading all these messages and its shameful whts happened to all of you effected. Last few messages mention that some have reopened . Any one know if Romford or there abouts has? Thanks if you reply. HI sorry to hear about all the OLAN mILLS STAFF. iVE HAD WATCH ME GROW FOR 7 YEARS AND TOOK IT FOR GRANTED to do one yearly . Photos always good at Romford Branch, Essex. Been sitting here reading all these messages and its shameful whts happened to all of you effected.
Last few messages mention that some have reopened . Any one know if Romford or there abouts has? Thanks if you reply.

]]> By: Craig-Southampton Store http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-80166 Craig-Southampton Store Wed, 09 May 2007 21:50:53 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-80166 Well, as im sure you know Olan Mills is re-open. New company, new attitude to both customers and staff. They really are improved! So, come down and see us at the southampton store, we're in the back of mother care. We are honoring any vouchers you may have had with the previous company and also have loads of special offers for the first month! Hope to see you there soon! Craig M Well, as im sure you know Olan Mills is re-open. New company, new attitude to both customers and staff. They really are improved! So, come down and see us at the southampton store, we’re in the back of mother care. We are honoring any vouchers you may have had with the previous company and also have loads of special offers for the first month! Hope to see you there soon! Craig M

]]> By: James http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-69293 James Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:40:40 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-69293 All sounds good. I know how customers felt also, I was also an employee but also had pictures done myself. I hope the new company takes off bigger and better than before. I think the in house management will be a lot better for the staff. And everyone knows happier staff means better quality. That works ten fold for anything. Hoping to see some ex staff/new staff at the reunion in June. All sounds good. I know how customers felt also, I was also an employee but also had pictures done myself.

I hope the new company takes off bigger and better than before. I think the in house management will be a lot better for the staff. And everyone knows happier staff means better quality. That works ten fold for anything.

Hoping to see some ex staff/new staff at the reunion in June.

]]> By: highlander http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-69229 highlander Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:35:38 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-69229 olan mills has been open for over a month or so peterborough, milton keynes, nottingham are just a few and there going into most of the mother cares again quite alot of old staff with jobs back. mike wildman has bought it owen mathews is regional manager. neil clarke is back and so is paddy,adele and vicky parker are doing the mother cares again. apparantly theres no customer service everythying is deat with in studio the pay is increased with every skill you have and commision is better, so ive heard olan mills has been open for over a month or so peterborough, milton keynes, nottingham are just a few and there going into most of the mother cares again quite alot of old staff with jobs back. mike wildman has bought it owen mathews is regional manager. neil clarke is back and so is paddy,adele and vicky parker are doing the mother cares again. apparantly theres no customer service everythying is deat with in studio the pay is increased with every skill you have and commision is better, so ive heard

]]> By: Jossie http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-68693 Jossie Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:50:12 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-68693 IT REALLY A SHAME THAT OM WITH ITS LEGACY HAS GONE TO SHREADS. I WOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL OF PATRONISING THE NEW OM DESPITE ITS NEW MANAGEMENT IT REALLY A SHAME THAT OM WITH ITS LEGACY HAS GONE TO SHREADS. I WOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL OF PATRONISING THE NEW OM DESPITE ITS NEW MANAGEMENT

]]> By: Jossie http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-68692 Jossie Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:47:58 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-68692 Hi James, UNFORTUNATELY FOR ALL OF US IN bIRMINGHAM, THERE IS NO NEW STORE OPENING ANY TIME SOON. I ALSO PURCHASED A WATCH ME GROW PHOTO SESSION AND SOMETIME LAST DECEMBER A MEMBER OF STAFF FROM HARBORNE CALLED TO REMIND ME OF MY NEXT SITTING AND I DECLINED THE DATE GIVEN TO ME AS IT WASNT CONVINIENT...AS I LOOK BACK NOW, I JUST CANT THANK GOD ENOUGH THAT I DIDNT GO FOR SITTING BEFORE THE COMPANY CLOSED UP BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST MY MONEY LIKE THE OTHER CHAPS AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN GUTTED FOR THAT. TO THE CHAPS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS, SORRY AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOB HUNT. Hi James, UNFORTUNATELY FOR ALL OF US IN bIRMINGHAM, THERE IS NO NEW STORE OPENING ANY TIME SOON. I ALSO PURCHASED A WATCH ME GROW PHOTO SESSION AND SOMETIME LAST DECEMBER A MEMBER OF STAFF FROM HARBORNE CALLED TO REMIND ME OF MY NEXT SITTING AND I DECLINED THE DATE GIVEN TO ME AS IT WASNT CONVINIENT…AS I LOOK BACK NOW, I JUST CANT THANK GOD ENOUGH THAT I DIDNT GO FOR SITTING BEFORE THE COMPANY CLOSED UP BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST MY MONEY LIKE THE OTHER CHAPS AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN GUTTED FOR THAT.

TO THE CHAPS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS, SORRY AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOB HUNT.

]]> By: James http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-68441 James Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:37:04 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-68441 ***BREAKING NEWS*** There is about 25 previous Olan Mills stores that have opened up again. a list of these can be found at the previous site. www.olanmills.co.uk As far as I am aware the new owners will still honour previous customers sitting vouchers... This im sure most will agree is great news. Lets hope the new owners do a good job the background work of the company ***BREAKING NEWS***
There is about 25 previous Olan Mills stores that have opened up again. a list of these can be found at the previous site. http://www.olanmills.co.uk As far as I am aware the new owners will still honour previous customers sitting vouchers… This im sure most will agree is great news. Lets hope the new owners do a good job the background work of the company

]]> By: Talamos http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-66158 Talamos Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:58:39 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-66158 - It was Matt Hart who got married and set up on his own, not Matt Webster- - It was Matt Hart who got married and set up on his own, not Matt Webster-

]]> By: Talamos http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-66157 Talamos Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:55:55 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-66157 "Olan Mills has had some of the BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS this nation has ever seen….JON TREMLETT…MATT WEBSTER….STEVE PICKERING….DAVE CARNELLY…… MARC DE GIETLINK these guys had TRUE talent…but where are they now?"- Legend. You missed a couple, STEVE ALLSOP from Stourbridge, SIMON from Aldridge, Damien from Harborne Oh and DARREN RUDGE had his moments when he became supervisor (although he was the first to admit he nicked his best ideas from rebelious photographers unafraid to break the OM mold in order to maximize sales potential). Matt married Donna from Hall Green, and set up his own business. Darren went to Venture. “Olan Mills has had some of the BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS this nation has ever seen….JON TREMLETT…MATT WEBSTER….STEVE PICKERING….DAVE CARNELLY…… MARC DE GIETLINK these guys had TRUE talent…but where are they now?”- Legend.

You missed a couple, STEVE ALLSOP from Stourbridge, SIMON from Aldridge, Damien from Harborne Oh and DARREN RUDGE had his moments when he became supervisor (although he was the first to admit he nicked his best ideas from rebelious photographers unafraid to break the OM mold in order to maximize sales potential). Matt married Donna from Hall Green, and set up his own business. Darren went to Venture.

]]> By: craig morris http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-65503 craig morris Sun, 08 Apr 2007 08:35:13 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-65503 well, i don't know if you have heard, olan mill is officially re-open here in the uk. infact i was just employed there the other day... but after reading this im not so sure i should go for it... i hope new owners means new attitude to staff. well, i don’t know if you have heard, olan mill is officially re-open here in the uk. infact i was just employed there the other day… but after reading this im not so sure i should go for it… i hope new owners means new attitude to staff.

]]> By: natalie http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-63507 natalie Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:52:52 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-63507 i too was an olan mills customer who had just purchased another watch me grow plan for my second daughter i must admit i was gutted when i heard the news ad i had nt used any of my sittings but i was more gudded and shocked at how the staff who had NO CLUE about what was going to happen i mean right ontop of christmas all the staff had familys to provide for morgages to pay christmas to deal with i mean its the top dogs that are the ones to blame they must have known for months this was potentioly going to happen its not something that happens overnight now is it and why if they knew what was happening did they get staff to push sales so much it makes me SICK so a HUGE THANK YOU to every one of you kind hearted staff that took it into your own hands even though you had bigger problems to deal with thanks for phoneing people and doing your upmost to get peoples pics to them ect again like i said earlier most off us our moaning about what a £30 protrait plan mabey some of you have lost more but just think about the staff some of whom have probably lost everything HOUSE,FAMILY,SECURITY the lot there lifes ruined and right on top of christmas i hope that this has not been the case but im sure it has for many staff THANK YOU AGAIN on a brighter note all those including me who had a plan if you have not thrown it away like i nearley did check out http://www.olanmillsphotography.co.uk/ i too was an olan mills customer who had just purchased another watch me grow plan for my second daughter i must admit i was gutted when i heard the news ad i had nt used any of my sittings

but i was more gudded and shocked at how the staff who had NO CLUE about what was going to happen i mean right ontop of christmas all the staff had familys to provide for morgages to pay christmas to deal with i mean its the top dogs that are the ones to blame they must have known for months this was potentioly going to happen its not something that happens overnight now is it and why if they knew what was happening did they get staff to push sales so much it makes me SICK

so a HUGE THANK YOU to every one of you kind hearted staff that took it into your own hands even though you had bigger problems to deal with thanks for phoneing people and doing your upmost to get peoples pics to them ect

again like i said earlier most off us our moaning about what a £30 protrait plan mabey some of you have lost more but just think about the staff some of whom have probably lost everything HOUSE,FAMILY,SECURITY the lot there lifes ruined and right on top of christmas i hope that this has not been the case but im sure it has for many staff

THANK YOU AGAIN

on a brighter note all those including me who had a plan if you have not thrown it away like i nearley did check out

http://www.olanmillsphotography.co.uk/

]]> By: April http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-63199 April Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:51:01 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-63199 If Olan Mills did this to all of their employees and their customers then why is this website: http://www.duniya.net/om/default.asp?m=about&b=history&p=history still up and running and bragging about their company in the u.k., canada and the u.s.? If Olan Mills did this to all of their employees and their customers then why is this website: http://www.duniya.net/om/default.asp?m=about&b=history&p=history
still up and running and bragging about their company in the u.k., canada and the u.s.?

]]> By: Marie http://photocritic.org/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-61057 Marie Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:48:43 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/2006/olan-mills-into-liquidation/#comment-61057 To anon, who mailed on March 22nd, I cant personally receommend any other company but venture take good pictures if you are interested. To anon, who mailed on March 22nd, I cant personally receommend any other company but venture take good pictures if you are interested.

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