Fallout from My Reunion

I went to my high school reunion this past spring.  I have to say I actually enjoyed myself, and it turned out much better than expected.  Maybe it’s because our class was small.  But that’s not the topic I want to discuss.

The first thing I want to write about my disappointment at our class photograph.  When you purchase a photograph at an event knowing that it will be sent to you, what do you expect?  I expected a nice glossy of our class.  What did I get?  I got a darkish, orangey print out using an ink jet on matte finish paper.  Some of my classmates were actually orange in the photo.

What was that photographer thinking when she sent these out to all of us?  Did she think we actually expected our photographs to come that way?  And I know I am not the only one that felt that way.  I spoke to a couple of other classmates including one of the main organizers, and they too felt ripped off.

Morale of the story?  If you provide a product or service to customers, take time to make sure you understand what people expect and deliver it.  This photographer has deeply hurt her reputation because she had some 30 people buying photographs from her at $20 a pop.  She made well over $600, and she could take the time to color correct and even go to Target or WalMart and have the photographs professionally printed on glossy?  Even with that additional cost, she was have made a tidy profit.  And better yet, she would have people willing to recommend her instead of all these people who will steer clear of her in the future and even tell people not to use her.

The second thing I am still thinking about.  I met up with one woman that I always liked, and we even talked about our jobs.  She thought that maybe we could do business together in the future.  Nice. 

One day months later, she did call, but what she was offering wasn’t just a chat or potential business but a possibility of selling products under her.  It wasn’t bad that she offered that, but I guess my expectation at a reunion wasn’t to be sold too. 

I guess what colors my view is that I steer clear of products where you have to join in order to purchase, and while there are testimonials, there are no prices mentioned until you join and there are minimum monthly commitments for purchase.  She was selling those type of products.  I was disappointed and now I wonder was she really happy to see me or did she just see me as a potential customer rather than a former classmate.

Am I glad I went to the reunion?  You bet.  If this is all I have to complain about then I guess it was a very nice event.