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Rocky Mountain Film Lab - WARNING


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<p>Joseph;<br>

In the 1980's in the disc drive industry there were many dozens of companies.</p>

<p>Joe Slick would have Slick Drive Company; then money would run out.</p>

<p>The same chap would then go bust; form another company hire folks; then go bust again as Joes Drive Co failed.</p>

<p>They would try to hire us engineers with funny money stock options on a company that *might* go public; but with no wages. ie the next Apple or next Microsoft.<br>

This one slick chap did this many many times with disc and DAT companies. The stuff that is crap gets auctioned off when assets are seized; the good stuff goes out the back door to the new company.</p>

<p>Since it is a new company; it removes the old debts and stock options.</p>

<p>One would be at a clean bench that was from 2 to 4 companies back; working for zero cash hoping the stock option would be the lottery!</p>

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<p>I guess you can add me to list of disappointed people that sent my film to Rocky Mountain Film Lab in Jan. 2009. Like so many of you, I have called many times and was giving the same excuses- still working on it, machine is being repaired, we moved ...and so on.<br>

The really hard part of the year and a half of waiting and wondering, is the lost of the film that my family members (that are no longer with me) may be lost forever. It really makes me sick to think I trusted this company to take care of a very important piece of family history. <br>

It looks like the waiting game will keep going on until we ALL get some kind of answer. I really hope this company will do the right thing and give back our film!<br>

Robin Spurlin<br>

Peachtree City, Georgia</p>

 

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<p>Kelly: As an attorney and one who works for one of the largest international corporations in the world, I understand how someone can bankrupt a business then turn around, purchase the assets, and start it up again. The funny thing to me is that Dock thinks he has a "secret plan" to do this, but it is pretty obvious to just about everyone. Perhaps my sarcasm didn't translate. </p>

 

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<p>I emailed a judge in the case and this is what she said:<br>

It is my understanding that they are still working to deliver the<br />finished photos or undeveloped film back to customers. Other than that,<br />I do not have any information. <br /><br /><br />Mary Beth Justice-Hillard<br />Property Appraisal & Liquidation Specialist<br />4041 N. Central Avenue<br />Ste. 112, Stop: 4210PHX<br />Phoenix, AZ 85012<br />(512) 415-3856</p>

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<p>I called the Camera Shop who recommended this company to my husband to advise them in case they made any additional referrals.<br>

They defended them in spite of what I said and told me that the reponses on this site should not be taken so seriously...Well...<br>

I just sent a registerd mail requesting they return my film.<br>

How is it that we all paid to lose? Why won't any consumer organization advocate for all of us that simply want our film back, even if they keep the $48.00!<br>

Like J. Raabe, we are all saying, "Oh, Well." It's such a hopeless feeling.<br>

I have given them benefit of the doubt. They give us no response!</p>

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<p>The auction of the RMFL equipment has been delayed due to legal action taken by RMFL. A disappointment to this interested party.<br /> I'm uncertain how this will effect their end of July announcement on their new time lines for getting through their backlog of work. It is safe now to assume that they have some kind of intention of actually at some point doing this work. The question comes to mind, how long does a legal wrangling between the IRS and a company take before the company possibly negotiates the return of their seized assets? If that happens and it might be a fairly big if, how long does it then take for them to actually get the equipment up and running in a new location? Where does the money come for that reorganization? I can understand why they are still taking in new work because without it how does any of this get financed?<br /> Even if they do manage all of this, what can they expect for the future of their company. On-line their reputation is shot with some of their major supporters now turning against them. For example (scroll down to see RMFL blurb)...<br /> http://www.acecam.com/lsb2ndex.html<br /> not to mention their web traffic having fallen by 40% in the past 3 months. The BBB is no long taking complaints about this company as you can go no lower than an F rating. In the photo stores the staff are finding new and better options for their customer referrals for this type of work. How many angry customers at this point have gone into the stores that referred them and told the staff about the situation they are left in with RMFL.<br /> I understand them wanting to hang on to their company but it really seems like they are rolling the dice with other peoples property in the balance and this property could be extremely valuable...after all what is the thing you run into your burning house for....the family pictures.<br /> It's time for RMFL to call it a day and stop taking in new work and find a way to return the work they currently have backlogged. There is no reasonable excuse for this beyond blatant self preservation at the expense of others. Holding on till the bitter end may be heroic in sports and war but in business it's just selfish. The ship is sinking and it's time for them to do the right thing.</p>
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<p>It appears he filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which re-structures debt. Under this chapter, debtors enter into a repayment plan to make installments to creditors over three to five years. So, it would allow him to operate his business "as usual", earn an income, and use his earnings to repay his creditors. </p>

 

 

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<p>"...it's time for them to do the right thing."<br>

What makes you think that thought would ever cross their mind's? They're nothing but scammers. In the end, the justice system will somehow protect and restore RMFL without ever doing anything to help their victims.</p>

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<p>Got my bankruptcy notice as well today. Didn't read the whole thing yet...What do we do next?<br>

I paid them $48.00 plus $2.50 for a registered mail...and then there's my film - priceless!! Will I ever get it back? Can't someone send it back for me if I send someone in Aurora to go over there and pick it up? I have an order number!</p>

 

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<p>Will everyone still waiting on their film get a notice of the bankruptcy? What does this mean? I have recently sent e-mails (not to mention months of phone calls to RMFL) to Mr. Dock requesting my property (9 rolls of 40 year old film) and a refund of my money (nearly $350) which his company has now had for 28 months. I got no response, nor did I expect one. Is there now any "official list" to sign on or any government agency now involved in tracking whose items Mr. Dock has and how to request them? Will registered letters carry any more effect? Does anyone have any idea if we will ever get the films back? (much less the money?)<br>

Jo Howell</p>

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<p>Joanne,<br>

I sent a registered letter last week requesting my film and a copy of the original receipt with a note to myself written in pen, about Lea's promise of projected date(s). The receipt included my order number.<br>

I sent it in a nice business envelope and highlighted in the corner "Attn: Payment for Services", thinking they may open it IF THEY THINK MONEY IS INSIDE. And I wrote on the back: "Bless you!" Maybe the compelled them or their lawyer to respond. Dunno!<br>

That is the only reason I think I received a NOTICE. Maybe their lawyer was there at the establishment when my letter arrived!Otherwise, I'd be like you wondering "IF and "when" I was going to get my stuff back...EVER!!! And I still don't know!<br>

Do you think this guy just dumped everything in a garbage pail and took our money? He really needs to go to JAIL for the emotional abuse he has inflicted on everyone here.<br>

Could a legal SOMEBODY could go in there, locate the names and order numbers on the tapes and just send our tapes back?.... even if it's to reverse the charges on shipping?...I am so disgusted...Is there an advocate out there? Where is DATELINE!?</p>

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<p>Dock listed approximately 1530 creditors in his bankruptcy filing. Most are individuals, and I assume, customers.<br>

If you received a Proof of Claim form, fill it out and attach some evidence of the amount you paid to RMFL - cancelled check, credit card statement, etc. If you are in doubt about what to do, I would contact the bankruptcy trustee<br>

If you did not receive a Proof of Claim form but you think you should have, you must still must fill out a Proof of Claim form and substantiate your claim. The bankruptcy court website should have a form you can download. <br>

If you have a question regarding the bankruptcy petition of Steven Dock, including questions about your film, I suggest you contact the bankruptcy trustee. The trustee is responsible for overseeing the bankruptcy process. The name of the trustee is in the bankruptcy papers you all should have received. If you did not receive paperwork, then the trustee's contact info is on the bankruptcy petition I attached to a prior comment in this forum.</p>

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<p>I got a claim form and have filled it out but I sent him a check a year and a half ago from an account I no longer have and I have moved to another state since. I even called and spoke to Leah giving her my new address. Not to mention all the messages I left with all the crucial information on me. I guess since I got the claim is proof I am listed. So, I have filled it out but I don't know if I am to fax this to the clerk of court in CO., mail to the attorney, mail to the trustee..I even read all the papers (should have hired an attorney to help me understand) and I am not clear as to where I send the papers. I guess I will call tomorrow. Really, I can write off the money..it would be nice to get it back too but I kinda kissed it goodbye long ago. I can't however, write off the film. I have to say if the film is gone then I will need to pursue a civil action. The film, just like everyone else is irreplaceable and I am still kicking myself to have sent it so far away without even knowing what kind of company I sent it to! So, to all who are viewing this..including you Mr. Dock..I want you to know that you can keep my money..but I want my film back!!</p>
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<p>I received my bankruptcy claim form. Like a lot of you I left messages for the lawyer and Dock but have had no response. In addition I also don't care about the money. I just want my film back. I have been waiting 2 years. I got so many lame excuses. </p>
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<p>Got mine...But here's the question: Did the guy just take the money and dump all the films in the trash or did he have every intention but just got overwhelmed and behind schedule?<br>

Is there anyone who can give us an idea where our films are? If they are there (somewhere), with the order number still attached then he should be able to locate the film and return our property.<br>

I just get this bad image of Dock and Lea answering phones all day until for whatever reason they said, "Screw these people! We have bills to pay! They can wait! And what can they do ANYWAY but believe that we will return them in 'another' three months! After all WE ARE THE ONLY ONES IN THE USA WHO CAN DO THIS JOB!!! So, you hold out on a hope that they were actually getting to you by tomorrow. I even told the guy that the film had historical significance and he said he was "ON IT!" <br>

The Campus Camera shop here in my hometown who recommended them, got an ear full from me, STRONGLY ADVISING them about Dock's bankruptcy. The first time, they were defending them saying NOT to listen to these posts and be patient, and that no one ever reported that they had a bad experience. Well, that's because they are still waiting for their films like we were, and probably FORGOT who recommended this moron! Of course, now, that store is back peddling on their support of this guy. After this, I won't do business with them either!<br>

Dock cannot be the ONLY person in the WORLD who can transfer these films...I just don't believe it!</p>

 

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<p>Hi all -<br>

Like many of you, I am trying to re-obtain the film I sent to Rocky Mountain Film Lab to be developed. The latest information that I have been able to gather is that the court date for Mr. Dock is August 17, 2010. At that hearing, more will become clear about whether or not we can get the film back. Supposedly, the bankruptcy trustee, Sally Zeman, wants us to get our film back. However, there is a possibility the case may go from its current Chapter 13 status (where Dock would work out a re-payment plan) to Chapter 7 (no repayment plan is made, everything is liquidated and proceeds go to creditors in priority order). In the case, it would be up to someone else in the Chapter 7 court whether we would get our film back or not. More info on the different types of bankrupcy here: <a href="http://consumerdebtgroup.net/bankruptcy_chapter7.php">http://consumerdebtgroup.net/bankruptcy_chapter7.php</a><br>

So, basically, we should wait until around August 24th. Then, someone should call Sally Zeman's office and find out what happened at the hearing. Those of you that received claim forms should have her phone number. I will call around that time and post here what I learn if no one else does.<br>

There is still hope. I don't think the film is gone. But it may be re-possessed and lost by a court if we are not vigilant.<br>

Anyone local in Denver that could attend the hearing on August 17th?</p>

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<p><em>If</em> it is discovered that Dock threw out even a single roll of film without informing the sender, there can be criminal charges filed against him, including mail fraud and (if the prosecutor wants to) theft. If he threw out all of the rolls, he could be looking at a looooong time in prison. </p>
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<p >I found a couple of rolls of older films which hadn't been processed yet; a roll of slide film and a roll of Super 8 movie film. After searching the internet for different services, I settled on Rocky Mountain because their prices weren't as exhorbitant as other companies and their website seemed very straightforward. I went in knowing that it may not be possible to save my film from the ravages of time, and knowing it would be a long wait as they only do batches once a year. But being an experienced photographer, I also knew there was a very good chance that the images were at least somewhat salvageable. I boxed up my rolls and included a check and mailed them off.<br /><br />First, there was no communication, no indication that my films had been received. Except of course that they very quickly cashed my check. I waited; a year passed and I moved. I emailed them to update the address on the rolls, and after no response, I called to make certain it had been taken care of. They seemed very bothered to have to talk to me. I was put on hold for an exhorbitant amount of time, only to have a disgruntled-sounding employee tell me "yeah it's taken care of." My confidence level had waned considerably with just this one call.<br /><br />Shortly after, I received my slides. I do not recall what process they were, but I was immediately disappointed. Of course the colors were off, but that was to be expected. However, every slide had patchy areas where chemical had not been distributed evenly. There was even chemical residue on several of them. But at least I could import them into my computer and fix them up.<br /><br />Shortly after that, I received the Super 8 film. Again, I wasn't expecting a miracle, but I was not expecting what I got. The film had not been processed. It had merely been transferred to a reel. Any photographer who has worked for any length of time with different types of film will immediately know the difference between unprocessed and processed film, even if the film is unsalvageable. No attempt had been made to process this film. I called to express my disappointment in their 'service,' and I was only answered with disinterest.<br /><br />Obviously, I will never again use nor recommend Rocky Mountain Photo Lab. They are not the only business offering these services, though they would have you think so. Paying a little more will make all the difference in the world. I'd also recommend calling and speaking with a representative of a company to see how interested they are in your questions. Rocky Mountain has been consistently disinterested in me and their product.</p>
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