An Email to Walmarts "Photo Center" Customer Service :)

[robert meier]

<p>I've been having Wamart process my 120 C41 film for a couple of years. I use their mailer envelopes and put it in the slot in the photo dept. for them. They send the film to Fujilabs, who do first class work. A roll of 120 Ektar costs $1.56 for developing and making 3x3 prints of 12 pictures. It takes about two weeks. I love it.</p>

[mark_stevens9]

<p>"We are writing to let you know that the item about which you inquired is <br />permanently out of stock. We hope to have the item in stock again soon."<br>

That was funny! I had a good laugh out of that.<br>

Anyway, Walmart is what it is. I don't work with film anymore but if I did, my first call would be to a*real* camera shop, and I'd get their recommendation on processing. The right person might tell you more than you'd ever need to know. Those guys are a wealth of knowledge. You will never get that kind of expertise at Walmart...ever. Thank goodness for the pro shops.</p>

 

[larrydressler]

<p>Today is pitching Tomorrow is catching. That Oxymoron there had me on the floor. Though to be fair Wal-Mart tried recently to downsize the amount of protects they carry and it backfired on them so they after "Permanently" getting rid of them returned them to the inventory.</p>

[al_derickson]

<p>For me convenience and avoiding traffic are huge prorities. I use Costco for 35mm C-41, Fuji mailers for 35mm E-6, and Walmart for 120 & 220 E-6. No complaints and the prices are reasonable. The 120 and 220 come back uncut in plastic sleeves which is how I want them anyway because I'll scan them and mount only selected slides.</p>

[mark_farrell]

 

<p ><a name="00WlRf"></a><em>"<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=49749">Robert Meier</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"></a>, Jun 28, 2010; 08:20 p.m.</em></p>

 

<p><em>I've been having Wamart process my 120 C41 film for a couple of years. I use their mailer envelopes and put it in the slot in the photo dept. for them. They send the film to Fujilabs, who do first class work. <strong>A roll of 120 Ektar costs $1.56 for developing and making 3x3 prints of 12 pictures</strong>. It takes about two weeks. I love it."</em></p>

 

How or where did you find out they had 3x3 prints available or is this the default size for that format?

 

[robert meier]

<p>Mark -- It seems to be the only size they do. There isn't anyway to select a size and they all come back 3x3.</p>

[User_4136860]

<p>The phrase that occurs to me is "If you pay peanuts you get monkeys", why do people agonize if they should buy this or that leading manufacturers camera or lens and pay thousands for their equipment then buy cheap or often outdated film to shoot in it, then have it processed at one hour mini labs, there's an old saying in photography "The print is the play-off"</p>

 

[randall_pukalo]

<p>Dude, why dont you just call the 800 number listed on the top of the sendout envelope?</p>

[joe_taylor5]

<p>When I spoke about crappy work is was for 35mm color, I stand by what I said.<br>

I have an open mind I will give them a shot at 120 I have a roll of 120 taken with a pinhole camera.<br>

Joe</p>

[jpo3136b]

<blockquote>

<p>I'm looking for <br />an alternative to developing 35mm and 120 roll B&W film (D-76, microdol, etc. - <br />not C-41 processed B&W) at home. I asked the associate at the local Walmart</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Mark, I think it's best to just do it yourself. These days, if you know what D-76, Microdol and C-41 really <strong>are</strong>, then you might be the person most qualified to do the processing at a reasonable cost.</p>

[jeff_drew4]

<p>"It appears I may have approached the wrong end of the horse....."<br>

Unfortunately, your perception or eyesight is faulty! :-)<br>

Walmart is a huge retail corporation and a horse is a hairy, four-legged beast! Of course the list of comparisons can extend this thread for days! Consider that Walmart mostly cares about profits and horses do not. Walmart cares about Walmart and horses don't!<br>

Help me out here and have fun!<br>

Mark,<br>

The level of intelligent customer service is set sooo low at Walmart, and your expectations were much higher. What were you thinking? :-)</p>

<p> </p>

[mark_farrell]

 

<p ><a name="00WnGp"></a><em>"<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=189620">Jeff Drew</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Hero" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/hero.gif" alt="" /><img title="Subscriber" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jul 03, 2010; 11:22 a.m.</em></p>

 

<p><em>Help me out here and have fun!</em><br /><em>Mark,</em><br /><em>The level of intelligent <a href="../black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00Wl1s?start=30" target="_blank">customer service<img src="http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif" alt="" width="10" height="10" /></a> is set sooo low at Walmart, and your expectations were much higher. What were you thinking? :-)"</em></p>

<p>Well, I didn't really have high expectations when I emailed them, but the postage was cheap for the email, so I gave it a try. Walmart sent me a survey to let them know what I think of their customer service. By golly I'll have to be honest :)</p>

<p>What was more disappointing was a recent failure of my PC harddrive. I had Adobe Photoshop on it and I had to call Adobe to deactivate it since it couldn't be done from the PC. The customer service rep I got had a difficult time understanding I needed to have Adobe deactivate the PS software. I had a hard time understanding her and maybe she had a hard time understanding me. I'm not sure even as of today if they did what I asked, but the weather in India that day was very hot when I inquired. A year ago I had to call Adobe customer service which I believe was located in California and their assistance was excellent.</p>

<p> </p>

 

 

[larrydressler]

<p>Well if this makes you feel any better My brother who works for a company I will not name worked 3 years setting up their service center in India. After 1 year he spent the next 2 years moving it back to the U.S.</p>