Freestyle To Distribute Tetenal Photo Chemicals

[freestyle]

Freestyle has signed an agreement with Tetenal of Germany naming Freestyle the exclusive North American distributor of the Tetenal specialty line of black-and-white and color chemicals.

"Freestyle is and will always be fully dedicated to supporting traditional companies that fully support black and white photography and Tetenal is one of the most respected brands in the photographic industry known for producing some of the highest quality chemicals in the world," states Gerald H. Karmele, Freestyle's President and COO.

Starting in June, 2012, the full range of Tetenal products including the popular C-41, RA-4 and E-6 color chemical kits along with the legendary black and white film developers such as Neofin Blue, Emofin and Ultrafin Plus will be in-stock. In addition, the products will be featured in the upcoming Summer/Fall edition of the 88 page Freestyle catalog.

Established in 1946, Freestyle Photographic Supplies is a leading international retail, mail order and internet provider of traditional photographic cameras, equipment and supplies nationwide, as well as the exclusive United States distributor of Adox black and white photographic papers and films, Cachet archival storage boxes, Efke black and white films, Foma black and white photographic papers and films, Fotospeed specialty chemicals, Holga cameras and accessories, LegacyPro film, chemicals and accessories, Meopta Enlarging Lenses, Rollei black and white films, Slavich black and white specialty papers and Varycon/EMAKS black and white papers.

 

[Klainmeister]

That's awesome news!

 

[Rick A]

Maybe, j u s t maybe, I'll start shooting E-6 film again.

 

[wildbill]

awesome. I knew you guys would come up with an e-6 kit that replaced the kodak kit.

 

[zsas]

Woooooohooooo! Thanks Freestyle!

 

[Mahler_one]

Thanks to the folks at Freestyle.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thank you Freetyle!

 

[wotalegend]

What are the rules regarding packaging and shipping of these chemicals internationally?

 

[LJH]

What are the rules regarding packaging and shipping of these chemicals internationally?

One rule is that you get hit with a $28 bullshit charge for "handling", then the International rates get added...

 

[Sal Santamaura]

One rule is that you get hit with a $28 bullshit charge for "handling", then the International rates get added...

What charges do Tetenal dealers in Oz add? How does the total cost of Tetenal chemicals purchased locally compare to buying them from Freestyle?

Rather than hurling epithets at Freestyle for its business decisions, why not vote with your Oz dollars? The world's a competitive place. If you and enough others there patronize local retailers instead, then notify Freestyle of the reason for your approach, it could encourage them to lower or eliminate the handling charge. On the other hand, if there are no Tetenal distributors/dealers on Oz, it might be better to say "thank you, Freestyle" rather than griping about the cost of your only means to obtain a non-essential product.

 

[Rick A]

Freestyle is merely passing along the added fees they must pay to ship harmful chems overseas. You want to bitch at somebody for fees, look to your government for imposing them in the first place, not to mention the shipping companies adding fees for handling hazardous materials.

 

[mrred]

Simply not true. I work for a canadian manufacture and program our software for cross border (both directions) and know the true cost of "shipping" international. I now buy from B&H who have addressed the issue. I only go back to freestyle when I have no other choice. Too bad, really.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Fantastic news! Having been a little disappointed with the Rollei C41 kits, I look forward to trying these Tetenal products. And Neofin Blau - Woo-Hoo! I have waited to try that again.

Thanks!

 

[LJH]

Freestyle is merely passing along the added fees they must pay to ship harmful chems overseas. You want to bitch at somebody for fees, look to your government for imposing them in the first place, not to mention the shipping companies adding fees for handling hazardous materials.

Absolute rubbish.

I was actually referring to the $28 "handling fee", reported to me in an email from Freestyle's Customer Service Manager, for boxes of Ilford ULF film. In fact, the email confirmed that it is charged on ALL transactions.

It has nothing to do with either chemical transportation costs, nor my government imposing charges. If you had half a clue about this latter claim, you would realise that it is a cost imposed at our boarder, not at point of sale, and would be included in the International component of the postage costs (i.e. not the $28 initial charge).

It is about Freestyle posting headline rates, then gouging bullshit fees based on alleged handling fees.

So, perhaps check your facts next time before chirping this sort of misinformed junk.

 

[zsas]

LJH - Check this out....I think Freestyle has new options called FIMS (FedEx Intl Mail Service) shipping option, if true I think your comments are incorrect:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[LJH]

LJH - Check this out....I think Freestyle has new options called FIMS (FedEx Intl Mail Service) shipping option, if true I think your comments are incorrect:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

FIMS is only for orders under $150, and still would appear to be subject to the additional $28 gouge.

Here's the excerpt from the email:

On the CHECKOUT SCREEN you first see our regular shipping which is also*the handling charge for the order. This fee is charged on all orders. When you click the USPS option (which is mandatory for international orders because it does cost more to ship internationally) that fee is*added to the handling charge for the total amount of the shipping charged.

 

[mrred]

FIMS is only for orders under $150, and still would appear to be subject to the additional $28 gouge.

Here's the excerpt from the email:

On the CHECKOUT SCREEN you first see our regular shipping which is also*the handling charge for the order. This fee is charged on all orders. When you click the USPS option (which is mandatory for international orders because it does cost more to ship internationally) that fee is*added to the handling charge for the total amount of the shipping charged.

Don't forget the $30 UPS broker surcharge.... They do not do themselves any favors dealing with UPS internationally.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

One rule is that you get hit with a $28 bullshit charge for "handling", then the International rates get added...

...I was actually referring to the $28 "handling fee", reported to me in an email from Freestyle's Customer Service Manager, for boxes of Ilford ULF film. In fact, the email confirmed that it is charged on ALL transactions...

...be subject to the additional $28 gouge...

You continue condemning the decision of an independent business to charge a fee it considers appropriate remuneration for whatever its employees do when shipping packages to your country. But you won't describe any less expensive locally available alternatives as previously requested:

What charges do Tetenal dealers in Oz add? How does the total cost of Tetenal chemicals purchased locally compare to buying them from Freestyle?

Rather than hurling epithets at Freestyle for its business decisions, why not vote with your Oz dollars? The world's a competitive place. If you and enough others there patronize local retailers instead, then notify Freestyle of the reason for your approach, it could encourage them to lower or eliminate the handling charge. On the other hand, if there are no Tetenal distributors/dealers on Oz, it might be better to say "thank you, Freestyle" rather than griping about the cost of your only means to obtain a non-essential product.

OK, prove your point to Freestyle. Make no purchases there. That'll show 'em.

 

[LJH]

To (yet again) reiterate, I am referring to Ilford's film, and not Tetenal. I'm quite happy buying Tetenal from my local supplier, and have been for years.

Unfortunately, Ilford does not have a local supplier participating in the ULF run, so I am forced to use an offshore supplier.

However, that's not the point here, either. It is the gouging of a randomly decreed "handling" fee based on being an international buyer that I find objectionable. No other company I deal with does it, and, as such, I will now look elsewhere for my purchases wherever possible.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

You continue condemning the decision of an independent business to charge a fee it considers appropriate remuneration for whatever its employees do when shipping packages to your country. But you won't describe any less expensive locally available alternatives...OK, prove your point to Freestyle. Make no purchases there. That'll show 'em.

...Unfortunately, Ilford does not have a local supplier participating in the ULF run, so I am forced to use an offshore supplier...

No, ULF film is not a requirement for life, so you're not actually forced to use any supplier. However, if you desire the film, there are quite a few alternatives. See pages 2 through 5 on the attachment for 17 others worldwide you can choose from. Compare their charges for orders shipped to Oz with Freestyle's. A better approach in venues such as this might be to praise retailers you view as superior rather than knocking one you don't like.

...It is the gouging of a randomly decreed "handling" fee based on being an international buyer that I find objectionable. No other company I deal with does it, and, as such, I will now look elsewhere for my purchases wherever possible.

Again, if no other company has concluded it must charge such a fee, why not patronize those preferred alternative suppliers? Isn't that what I suggested in the first place?