Re: I need to vent

[Tom Deering <tmd@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 10/25/99, Greg wrote:

>I finally found a camera store in Mesa

Hey, that's where NSA is next year!

>where they not only heard of slide film, but had 120 format as
>well. I bought one roll of Velvia and one roll of Provia 100.

At least they had 120 film.  When I travel, I usually assume there 
will be nothing. I've grown accustomed to the blank stare.

>At noon today I went to National Camera to pick up the processed film and
>buy two rolls of the new Provia 100F film. The girl behind the counter found
>the box containing my processed film, and told me there will be no charge
>for the processing and for me to see a note inside the box. To my horror the
>note said "Dear Customer: We are sorry to report that due to a machine
>failure, your film was damaged during processing....blah blah blah..."

People seem to like National Camera, but I never trusted them once 
they expanded beyond their handsome downtown store.

>gross incompetence or carelessness on part of the processing technician.

No question.

>All I got in return was a roll of film to replace the one they ruined, and
>my next processing free of charge, for "...either 4x6 or 3.5x5 size prints."
>I took the roll of film and left, letting them keep their free processing
>coupon, since I knew I'd never go there again.

It stinks, but mistakes happen.  I'd give them a second chance. 
Besides, what's your alternative in Minneapolis?  (I didn't shoot 120 
when I lived there.)  I'd rather trust a big lab with automated 
equipment than Chester's Photo doing his E-6 in the bathtub.

>It could have been worse (more that just one roll of film ruined), but I
>just can't believe they didn't at least pay attention to what process they
>should use. Morons!

Yeah!  It's not like you were shooting Czech Fomapan or something. 
So that brings us to the best part:  chewing out the manager!  :^) 
Tell us how it went.  Did it come to blows?  Police?  Seriously, I'd 
see if I could get some more free film or processing. Not like that 
would cost them much.  This is a pretty dumb mistake.

>So tonight I am going to go home and look at the film through the loupe, to
>at least check focus and see if the composition was good. I guess none of
>these will go into the folio! :(

No way! Mount a couple.  Make up a story about a sophisticated 
chemical process.  Or maybe a special artistic lighting scheme.  Or 
just say it's near-infrared pseudo color.  Could be a prize winner. 
:^) I'd like to see one.

Cheers,

Tom