Lousy Service: Konica@parkway Parade

[minvey]

Just to share about my bad experience with the photo lab at Parkway basement. I wanted to develop some dvd covers and found that 8R was too small. So the old lady (boss?) there mentioned I should use Super8R. I asked for sample she said "Don't have." and I said my files were set in A4 size. She said "No problem". All this were very cordial and pleasant till.....I paid.

Then, her tone changed. I noticed when her technician pulled up my file from the system, the image seemed enlarged because there was no white border. I asked them, "Would the image be scaled up?" They said, "I don't know what you mean". I repeated, "Will the image be enlarged or will it be 1:1 scale". They said "We will print to the exact size of your file". I instructed them again, "Please do not scale the photo as I need it to be exact and it's for DVD inlay size". They said, "Ok". With that assuarance I took my leave. Then, she said curtly, "Come back at 9pm. We close at 9.15pm"

I went back exactly 9.05pm. They were closed! Fortunately, the technician was locking the final shutter. I got her to retrieve my photos.

When I reached home, I found that the photos were enlarged at least 10% as it filled the entire paper and the idiots cut the paper in a hurry; the cut skewed the images. Now I have 3 unusable inlays because the alignment is out.

Do I have a case here? I do not wish to cause a scene but I feel so unjustified especially paying so much for S8R. Please advice?

[ipin]

Maybe you could give them another chance and explain to the same lady. Maybe they'll get it right for you this time round?

[megaweb]

How much did you pay for S8R size photo ? You should go back to the shop to feedback your issue to their boss.

[di0nysus]

go back and screw them, ask for the boss...

[ipin]

Originally Posted by di0nysus go back and screw them, ask for the boss...

Bang table also?

[catchlights]

if you are first time create a cover like that, you should do a mock up for yourself to see what exact paper size you need,
and if you want to have it perfect fit, you need to run a few test prints,

when I try to do a photo print for CD jewel case, I tested at lest 5~6 prints to get it perfectly done.

so you can go back and bang table if you want to, but will not get what you want in the end.

btw, A4 is close to S8R, but not exactly S8R, and also, the default setting for most labs in fill in, instead of fit in, so even you give a perfect prints size to them, you still will lost 2% of the image areas.

[vinlee]

Originally Posted by catchlights if you are first time create a cover like that, you should do a mock up for yourself to see what exact paper size you need, and if you want to have it perfect fit, you need to run a few test prints, when I try to do a photo print for CD jewel case, I tested at lest 5~6 prints to get it perfectly done. so you can go back and bang table if you want to, but will not get what you want in the end. btw, A4 is close to S8R, but not exactly S8R, and also, the default setting for most labs in fill in, instead of fit in, so even you give a perfect prints size to them, you still will lost 2% of the image areas.

That's right. Bcos you say your file is in A4 size. Therefore, they fit in the whole image in S8R size (203mm x 305mm) which is not the same scale as you thought.

In order to suit your file size print, you should go to those shop that offer A4 size print (210mm x 297mm) which they usually use 10R (254mm x 305mm) to print it and cut to A4 size. Then, you should be able to get what you want.

Some shop assistants are not well trained to handle this kind of requirement. Especially, those shop like Konica@Parkway which they offer cheap and fast prints.

[deckard]

Originally Posted by di0nysus go back and screw them, ask for the boss...

go complain to case.

[minvey]

Originally Posted by catchlights if you are first time create a cover like that, you should do a mock up for yourself to see what exact paper size you need, and if you want to have it perfect fit, you need to run a few test prints, when I try to do a photo print for CD jewel case, I tested at lest 5~6 prints to get it perfectly done. so you can go back and bang table if you want to, but will not get what you want in the end. btw, A4 is close to S8R, but not exactly S8R, and also, the default setting for most labs in fill in, instead of fit in, so even you give a perfect prints size to them, you still will lost 2% of the image areas.

I did a mock up and it can fit A4 with some border. The S8R is 8x12" and A4 is 8.3x11.8". The image is smaller than the S8R. Thus, if they followed my instructions not to fill in or enlarge the image, it should do nicely. All I had to do was to trim away the borders. But they did not listen.

After some consideration, for me to travel all the way there and sort it out will be more than my transport fees. So I hope this thread can create some awareness of the lousy service by this shop.

[minvey]

Originally Posted by megaweb How much did you pay for S8R size photo ? You should go back to the shop to feedback your issue to their boss.

Cost me $5 each.

[nottipiglet]

I recommend that you go to www.fotohub.com. Upload your picture, and submit after 1am. Then you will get 30% discount.

People at Fotohub are great. When they make mistakes, they will reprint for me until I am satisfied.

[Splutter]

$5 is pretty ex you know, somemore it's Konica prints only...

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by minvey I did a mock up and it can fit A4 with some border. The S8R is 8x12" and A4 is 8.3x11.8". The image is smaller than the S8R. Thus, if they followed my instructions not to fill in or enlarge the image, it should do nicely. All I had to do was to trim away the borders. But they did not listen. After some consideration, for me to travel all the way there and sort it out will be more than my transport fees. So I hope this thread can create some awareness of the lousy service by this shop.

Since you think your A4 file are able to print on S8R nicely without resizing, and if you still have the envelop with your instruction clearly written, knowing that they are not fellowing it, you can go back and tell them that you are rejecting the prints cos it is not fellowing your instructions, you are able to ask them to reprint without any charge.

anyway this type of shops, mainly serve normal consumers, won't be able to handle this type of requirement.

[Yatlapball]

catchlights: you still goto the lab at the post centre paya lebar? Or you changed labs already.

[catchlights]

Hi Yatlapball,

yes, I still using them, they know what I like my prints to be, and the rest of the labs are really out of the way to me.

[amir743]

Greetings,
For your next job, if you prefer to deal in the Marine Parade area, let me recommend Foto Station.
Try them out. They are very good.
The address:
Foto Station
Blk. 58, 01-57
Marine Terrace
Singapore 440058
Tel. 6443 1391 (Mr. Wong)
Closed on Fridays and PHs
Timings: Mon-Sat: 10.00-8.00pm
Sun: 10.00-6.00pm
Regards, Amir.

p.s. Konica@Parkway Parade caters to mainly mass printing jobs and the like.

[roDz]

Ermmmm...thats where i usually got my fotos printed!! But i always get good service...unless theres a cheaper place to print...??? I feel 20c for >100 is reasonable coz i always print in large qty....any place to recommend?

[xray]

20c for 100+ is reasonable if you're looking for the budget range. If you want quality-controlled paper and human colour corrected photos, 25c for 200 is a more likely price. Large quantity is usually 200+.

The budget shops like No.1 Colour Centre (the Konica lab at PP) prefer 4R prints because they don't need to change settings. They might not be familiar with specific requests because their clientele is the lower-end consumers.

[kanecher]

Tried going delphi.

[minvey]

Originally Posted by xray 20c for 100+ is reasonable if you're looking for the budget range. If you want quality-controlled paper and human colour corrected photos, 25c for 200 is a more likely price. Large quantity is usually 200+. The budget shops like No.1 Colour Centre (the Konica lab at PP) prefer 4R prints because they don't need to change settings. They might not be familiar with specific requests because their clientele is the lower-end consumers.

I think I'll give this place a miss from now on. Even my 4R photos were scaled up! The captions were cut off. My goodness, they cannot understand simple instructions. Totally disappointed with them. I rather pay 5¢ more to get a better print.

Maybe I should write to Konica about such slipshod work? It tarnishes their branding.