bad experience from Photo friend

xfathom69 · 21st January 2003

Went to Photo friend for slide to print service,l each 4R costs $2 for 120. I know if cropping is required additonal cost included.I ask for normal service, but guess what they can even do a normal job. My figure apppears at a corner, not even in the center of the pic.The frame even include the edge.( although my figure is wearing black and the blackground,very difficult to see edges, doesn't mean that the figure has to be in a corner.

This is my first and last experience with photo friend, they have become my photo 'foe'.

Damn bad service as well.I think clubsnap should also have a list of bad services shops.

Adam Goi · 21st January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by xfathom69
Went to Photo friend for slide to print service,l each 4R costs $2 for 120. I know if cropping is required additonal cost included.I ask for normal service, but guess what they can even do a normal job. My figure apppears at a corner, not even in the center of the pic.The frame even include the edge.( although my figure is wearing black and the blackground,very difficult to see edges, doesn't mean that the figure has to be in a corner.

This is my first and last experience with photo friend, they have become my photo 'foe'.

Damn bad service as well.I think clubsnap should also have a list of bad services shops.

I'm sorry to hear of your uneventful experience xfathom69 but wouldn't it be too hasty to conclude, base on one experience (Believe me, I know how it felt; I had negatives/positives screwed before).

Let's hear what the regulars have to say...

sebastiansong · 21st January 2003

it might be useful to retrack and see if you leave explicit instructions or leave everything to the shop. If you left instructions and they went against it, reason with the shop nicely. I'm sure every shop wans long term business and is not out to screw the customer.

mpenza · 21st January 2003

go and ask them about it? or just give them a call? I found them pretty friendly.

benny · 21st January 2003

I've used photo friend since the time they were a Konica shop and never had any problems with them. Even recently, when they are super busy, service still quite good. But then again, I was developing standard 4R prints.

Cheers,

ransoma22 · 21st January 2003

xfathom69: You are not alone, I have 2 unpleasant encounters with the lady at the mentioned shop.

1) Printed 50 pix and was told that digital print does not include ablum. duh! She told me I have to buy an album. But an hour later, my friend went to ask her. And she told him they had run out of album, tat why ablum not included. Well this is quite minor, so i forget abt it.

2) This is the most

encounter. Printed 109 pix for friends. Given specific instructions written on their envelope that I want GLOSSY, NO CORRECTION, NOTHING. Well in the end, 109 MATT, BADLY CORRECT, head gone(due to cropping). Pay 50 over bucks for it.
Never reallie ask for a reprint becuz my frds are leaving singapore that night. So i tell her off that the kind of "services" i got for paying 50 bucks and show her my instructions that they have written.

Radix Lecti · 21st January 2003

I have had only one experience with them and that has been very good! So much so that I have decided to use them exclusively for my digital prints now... Of course the fact that they dont charge the handling is important in that decision too,

but more importantly, the quality of printing as well as the service too have definitely played a part. Probably the exprience you have had is one off and can just be attributed to plain bad luck!

hyun · 21st January 2003

would be nice if some1 could advise on where would be a good place to print slide (135) to film ...

RGB comes to mind ...

ransoma22 · 21st January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Radix Lecti
I have had only one experience with them and that has been very good! So much so that I have decided to use them exclusively for my digital prints now... Of course the fact that they dont charge the handling is important in that decision too, but more importantly, the quality of printing as well as the service too have definitely played a part. Probably the exprience you have had is one off and can just be attributed to plain bad luck!

Guess my experience is extremely bad luck.

ckiang · 22nd January 2003

Like they say, "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys". Why stinge so much on printing costs and end up with frustration? I really, really don't understand.

The better labs can understand your needs better, and do what you tell them to.

All labs have their "bad days", but of coz, if a lab keeps being inconsistent, or keep having this "bad days", time to go to another.

Regards
CK

xfathom69 · 22nd January 2003

with that type of standard, I don't think they even deserved to be 'monkey'

mpenza · 22nd January 2003

hmm... maybe I was the lucky one?

printed a batch of 200 pics without problem.... would be going to try out their $2 6R prints. hope they turn out as well as my first batch.

maddog · 22nd January 2003

I suppose the fact that they don't charge for handling means they don't handle your shots well. Anyway my experience with digital shots to 4R has been good. Of course I cropped everything nicely.

Sin · 22nd January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Radix Lecti
I have had only one experience with them and that has been very good!... Probably the exprience you have had is one off and can just be attributed to plain bad luck!

? Maybe your one off experience with them can be considered extreme good luck and the bad experience is the norm

Radix Lecti · 22nd January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Sin

? Maybe your one off experience with them can be considered extreme good luck and the bad experience is the norm

Hope not... have given then 100 4Rs for printing!

reflecx · 22nd January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by ckiang
Like they say, "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys". Why stinge so much on printing costs and end up with frustration? I really, really don't understand.

FYI, PhotoFriend is NOT a cheap neighbourhood lab. They might not be a pro lab, but their output for standard services is very good. I don't believe your comment is warranted in this case.

ckiang · 22nd January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by reflecx

FYI, PhotoFriend is NOT a cheap neighbourhood lab. They might not be a pro lab, but their output for standard services is very good. I don't believe your comment is warranted in this case.

The statement does not only apply to Photo Friend. I do have good experience with them.

But if one go to a lab which charges lower "to save money", one cannot complain if results are not good.

Regards
CK

nuts · 22nd January 2003

Whatever labs u go, they're still operated by humans and humans do make mistakes. For Photofriend, Konata & Colourlab, I've heard/read a fair share of good/bad stories about them, but given the no. of pple using the services, I think they would still be termed "consistent". Actually, for digital prints, 40cents/4R w/o handling charge is probably one of the better deals around already, just that I always only see 2 persons in the shop, so with increased volume, there may be higher chance of human errors. Its those shops that only a few pple go, yet delivers terrible results, that we should avoid...

My $0.02.

..NuTs..

Knighthunter · 22nd January 2003

I think if you send digital print for tight framing potrait to Photo Friend must be really careful. Sin this lab like to "chop off head" , the thumbnail prints is okay but actual 4R print is cropped at the top portion.

But I still do business with them, one of the most reliable lab for digital print and very accesible.

FYI:
TCW is going to install new Fuji computer for digital printing at their new shop. But he never told me how much he going to charge to 4R print.

cyrilng · 22nd January 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by reflecx

FYI, PhotoFriend is NOT a cheap neighbourhood lab. They might not be a pro lab, but their output for standard services is very good. I don't believe your comment is warranted in this case.

Fully agree. I've been using them for the past two years & get nothing but great service & quality prints.

I've not done any slide to prints so can't comment on that but I have a feeling that they don't do that in the shop but maybe send it out. Also with 120 format printed to 4R there will be some amount of cropping or white border depending on whether it is 6x4.5 or 6x6 format. You should have just asked them to re-do it to your instructions. Perhaps you could ask to talk to Mr.Kwek there & see if he can help.

Alos from what I know they don't give album for digital prints.

For slide to prints, apart from RGB, you can try Ruby Photo which will send them to Spectra Color or Fuji Singapore for printing.

21st January 2003	#1
xfathom69 Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 324	bad experience from Photo friend Went to Photo friend for slide to print service,l each 4R costs $2 for 120. I know if cropping is required additonal cost included.I ask for normal service, but guess what they can even do a normal job. My figure apppears at a corner, not even in the center of the pic.The frame even include the edge.( although my figure is wearing black and the blackground,very difficult to see edges, doesn't mean that the figure has to be in a corner. This is my first and last experience with photo friend, they have become my photo 'foe'. Damn bad service as well.I think clubsnap should also have a list of bad services shops.

22nd January 2003	#19
Knighthunter Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pigeon Hole in Mandalay Posts: 1,003	I think if you send digital print for tight framing potrait to Photo Friend must be really careful. Sin this lab like to "chop off head" , the thumbnail prints is okay but actual 4R print is cropped at the top portion. But I still do business with them, one of the most reliable lab for digital print and very accesible. FYI: TCW is going to install new Fuji computer for digital printing at their new shop. But he never told me how much he going to charge to 4R print. __________________ S&S RDX-500D Set, S&S DX-1G, S&S YS-110 Alpha

21st January 2003	#3
sebastiansong Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 979	it might be useful to retrack and see if you leave explicit instructions or leave everything to the shop. If you left instructions and they went against it, reason with the shop nicely. I'm sure every shop wans long term business and is not out to screw the customer.

21st January 2003	#4
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	go and ask them about it? or just give them a call? I found them pretty friendly.

21st January 2003	#5
benny Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Clementi Posts: 1,709	I've used photo friend since the time they were a Konica shop and never had any problems with them. Even recently, when they are super busy, service still quite good. But then again, I was developing standard 4R prints. Cheers,

21st January 2003	#6
ransoma22 Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: KTV Lounge Hall Posts: 1,205	xfathom69: You are not alone, I have 2 unpleasant encounters with the lady at the mentioned shop. 1) Printed 50 pix and was told that digital print does not include ablum. duh! She told me I have to buy an album. But an hour later, my friend went to ask her. And she told him they had run out of album, tat why ablum not included. Well this is quite minor, so i forget abt it. 2) This is the most encounter. Printed 109 pix for friends. Given specific instructions written on their envelope that I want GLOSSY, NO CORRECTION, NOTHING. Well in the end, 109 MATT, BADLY CORRECT, head gone(due to cropping). Pay 50 over bucks for it. Never reallie ask for a reprint becuz my frds are leaving singapore that night. So i tell her off that the kind of "services" i got for paying 50 bucks and show her my instructions that they have written.

21st January 2003	#7
Radix Lecti Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 203	I have had only one experience with them and that has been very good! So much so that I have decided to use them exclusively for my digital prints now... Of course the fact that they dont charge the handling is important in that decision too, but more importantly, the quality of printing as well as the service too have definitely played a part. Probably the exprience you have had is one off and can just be attributed to plain bad luck!

21st January 2003	#8
hyun Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Farrer Road Posts: 394	would be nice if some1 could advise on where would be a good place to print slide (135) to film ... RGB comes to mind ...

22nd January 2003	#10
ckiang Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 6,597	Like they say, "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys". Why stinge so much on printing costs and end up with frustration? I really, really don't understand. The better labs can understand your needs better, and do what you tell them to. All labs have their "bad days", but of coz, if a lab keeps being inconsistent, or keep having this "bad days", time to go to another. Regards CK

22nd January 2003	#12
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	hmm... maybe I was the lucky one? printed a batch of 200 pics without problem.... would be going to try out their $2 6R prints. hope they turn out as well as my first batch.

22nd January 2003	#13
maddog Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Alexandra Posts: 1,287	I suppose the fact that they don't charge for handling means they don't handle your shots well. Anyway my experience with digital shots to 4R has been good. Of course I cropped everything nicely.

22nd January 2003	#18
nuts Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,753	Whatever labs u go, they're still operated by humans and humans do make mistakes. For Photofriend, Konata & Colourlab, I've heard/read a fair share of good/bad stories about them, but given the no. of pple using the services, I think they would still be termed "consistent". Actually, for digital prints, 40cents/4R w/o handling charge is probably one of the better deals around already, just that I always only see 2 persons in the shop, so with increased volume, there may be higher chance of human errors. Its those shops that only a few pple go, yet delivers terrible results, that we should avoid... My $0.02. ..NuTs..