Henrys seems to want to make stuff unafordable. (HC-110)

[Doc W]

Just look for a service that accepts deliveries for you in the US border town. The one I use charges me only for the deliveries it receives ($4.00 USD for most parcels) and sends me an email whenever something arrives. I go across the line, pick up the parcel, buy gas for my car and anything else that makes sense due to US/Canada price differences and return to Canada, being sure to declare everything to the Canadian Customs officials. I rarely have to pay any duties or taxes.
The big advantage flows from the fact that I get to participate in the great shipping deals that US retailers offer their US customers.
Some of the online retailers give you problems with Canadian credit cards, but if their web checkout isn't properly set up for them, check with their telephone customer service, because they often are able to process the orders.

Over the years I've used my US address enough that it is a "Confirmed" address as far as PayPal are concerned. That makes eBay much easier as well.

Matt, the problem is that B&H won't ship HC-110, period. Otherwise I would do what you suggest, and I have done this in the past. I take a leisurely drive just across the border, which is only about an hour, and I bring a camera. Grab lunch, check out some stores, etc. Nice way to spend the day. If you are ever out this way, let's take a drive across the border for lunch and photography!

 

[dancluff]

That sucks I was just thinking that I needed to order some. I will have to reassess my choice of developer. Has anyone tried the Legacy Pro L110? What sort of shelf life does it have compared to HC110?

 

[MattKing]

Matt, the problem is that B&H won't ship HC-110, period. Otherwise I would do what you suggest, and I have done this in the past. I take a leisurely drive just across the border, which is only about an hour, and I bring a camera. Grab lunch, check out some stores, etc. Nice way to spend the day. If you are ever out this way, let's take a drive across the border for lunch and photography!

That's why you buy it for $28.50 from Freestyle
I note that Adorama no longer sells HC-110 on their website.
I am just guessing but it may be that there are complexities around shipping liquids that vary from place to place, with New York being near the top with respect to complexity.

 

[Doc W]

I have just received the latest edition of the Darkroom Cookbook. I hope to start making up my own developers in the near future.

Bain, me too! Hexavelent (whom you met at our APUG outing) is very good at this stuff. Let's pick a pub with a patio and discuss!

 

[MattKing]

That sucks I was just thinking that I needed to order some. I will have to reassess my choice of developer. Has anyone tried the Legacy Pro L110? What sort of shelf life does it have compared to HC110?

From all reports, its performance as a developer is similar to HC-110, but its shelf life doesn't approach HC-110's.

 

[Doc W]

That sucks I was just thinking that I needed to order some. I will have to reassess my choice of developer. Has anyone tried the Legacy Pro L110? What sort of shelf life does it have compared to HC110?

I have been thinking about this too. I know nothing about the Legacy product but I do know that Kodak won't tell what is in HC-110.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

TFC, it might not be as easy as you think. I live only about an hour from the American border, but so far I have not been able to find any photo retail stores in the area less than about a 3-4 hour drive one way. If any Americans out there know of a good photo store in the Watertown area, let me know.

I realize NYC is a several hour drive from the Ottowa or Toronto areas. I'm just saying that if the problem is big enough, a workable solution already exists. You just have to do some planning and budgeting for the trip to make it worth doing. Obviously you're not going to pop down to NYC for a 1L bottle of HC-110 syrup alone. But if enough supplies that you use have that big a price differential and/or cannot be shipped, put together a bulk buy of your supplies and drive down to The City and get them in person. Besides, who really needs an excuse to go visit New York City? It exists, therefore I must visit it.

 

[MattKing]

It would be a 5000+ km drive for me, but I'd love the trip.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

It would be a 5000+ km drive for me, but I'd love the trip.

In your case, it's Glazer's in Seattle and they're just within thermonuclear blast radius of you

 

[MattKing]

In your case, it's Glazer's in Seattle and they're just within thermonuclear blast radius of you

Sadly, no HC-110 in stock at Glazer's according to their website.
I don't know how much film and darkroom they have in their new store.

EDIT - I note that they have at least some film and darkroom stuff pictured on the blog post celebrating their Photofest and the opening of the new store. Looks like there still is at least one film fridge.

 

[BainDarret]

Bain, me too! Hexavelent (whom you met at our APUG outing) is very good at this stuff. Let's pick a pub with a patio and discuss!

Any time after Labour Day.

 

[Doc W]

That's why you buy it for $28.50 from Freestyle
I note that Adorama no longer sells HC-110 on their website.
I am just guessing but it may be that there are complexities around shipping liquids that vary from place to place, with New York being near the top with respect to complexity.

Matt, I just called Freestyle. Their price is indeed $28.50 USD but the cheapest shipping is 30 USD. The total of 58.50 USD is about 77 CD, even more expensive than Henry's! However, if I bought six bottles, the shipping would only be 14.50 USD per bottle which is getting more interesting. Even cheaper for an even dozen. Now I just need to find five more guys in Ottawa who are HC-110 users.

The Bat Signal is up for HC-110 users in Ottawa.

 

[MattKing]

Matt, I just called Freestyle. Their price is indeed $28.50 USD but the cheapest shipping is 30 USD. The total of 58.50 USD is about 77 CD, even more expensive than Henry's! However, if I bought six bottles, the shipping would only be 14.50 USD per bottle which is getting more interesting. Even cheaper for an even dozen. Now I just need to find five more guys in Ottawa who are HC-110 users.

The Bat Signal is up for HC-110 users in Ottawa.

I'm talking about having it shipped to a US address. That is $6.99.

 

[Doc W]

Any time after Labour Day.

Excellent.

American cousins: please note the spelling of "Labour."

 

[Ai Print]

Context? Sure, let's use it.
Canada is different market size, different inflations rates and different prices. It is not less than $5 per here but after $10 for Kodak stuff per roll.
And with hands growing not from the rear it is easier, smarter and cheaper to use **bulk rolls**.

The person I replied to lives in the U.S.

 

[Doc W]

I'm talking about having it shipped to a US address. That is $6.99.

Matt, BINGO! You are indeed correct. I can get one bottle shipped to the UPS store in Ogdensburg NY for 6.99 USD which works out to a total 48 bucks Canadian, way cheaper than Henry's. For half a dozen bottles, shipping is only 15 bucks. I will confirm that Freestyle DOES ship HC-110 and I will look into the cost of the UPS store receiving it (I have done this at that store before. Not expensive). This could be a genuine alternative for anyone in this part of Ontario.

 

[cmacd123]

But B&H can be kind of quirky about what they will and won't ship, even to US destinations.

indeed, that is my normal source for most things, and I used to get HC-110 from them when it was in the 16 US Fl Oz size, when it went to 1l they now only have it for in store sales. I will probably restock my fixer from them. I generally get a box of stuff sent from them about once a month.

I would drive down, but that would mean I would have to go through the hassle and expense of getting a passport, as one now needs that sort of ID to visit the States. (last few time I visited back in the good old days, they never even asked me to Prove I was Canadian, let alone who I was, I miss that innocent time.) I have no other plans for international travel so that would add 100 dollars or more to the cost.

 

[darkroommike]

But this is for **bulk rolls** which are a pain in the rear to use and have never been very popular compared to ready to go rolls that are less than $5 per. Same thing for 24exp rolls, super low demand = no real price discount. I think Kodak stuff is fairly inexpensive in terms of inflation overall.

Context people, please use it.

My point is that Kodak's pricing is "upside down" all other brands the bulk rolls price out less per roll than the packaged rolls.

 

[Doc W]

If anyone in the Ottawa/Gatineau area is interested in a few bottles of HC-110, let me know. If we get enough people, I will drive across the border in late August. I will figure out a price as well.

 

[MattKing]

My point is that Kodak's pricing is "upside down" all other brands the bulk rolls price out less per roll than the packaged rolls.

Most of the cost relates not to the actual film stock, but rather everything else necessary to get it into the form purchased by the customer.

The bulk rolls have to have different edge printing, different length cuts, different cores, different cans, different packaging. The high volume automated machines for individual roll film preparation cannot be used for the bulk films.

The smaller film manucturers have smaller, more flexible machinery and systems to accomplish this. Eastman Kodak has large, less flexible machinery and systems to do this.

When volumes were high, Kodak's per (bulk) roll costs were probably quite a bit lower than Ilford's and others.

Now that volumes are so much lower, Kodak's per (bulk) roll costs are probably much higher than Ilford's and others.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Eastman Kodak's price to Kodak Alaris to just switch over from individual rolls to bulk rolls (and switch back afterwards) is something like $20,000 to $50,000. That plus the per roll cost of the rest of the materials and labour explains why in this lower volume era a bulk roll costs about $100.00 more than it used to.

 

[MattKing]

I've exchanged emails with Nicole at Beau Photo in Vancouver regarding this subject. Here (with Nicole's consent) is our conversation:

First - my email to her:

Hi Nicole, its Matt King here.

There currently is a bunch of discussion on APUG about how difficult and expensive it is to get HC-110 in Canada.

Are you still selling it, and if so, at what price and what are approximate shipping costs for shipment to, for example, Ottawa?

Thanks

Matt

PS if you don't mind, I'll share your response on APUG.

Next, her response:

Hello Matt,

Of course you can share my response. We stocked HC-110 up until this last Kodak price increase. We have to order it in case quantities of 12 at a time and then we'd have to sell it at the new higher price of $54.70. I would like to stock it again but had trouble deciding if people would be willing to pay that amount for it, so I have not ordered it yet. I was going to wait and see if anyone specifically requested it. I would love to know what you think or any feedback you get from your post on APUG. Thanks!

Shipping to Ottawa is approx $25-30 depending on quantity ordered.

cheers
Nicole

For clarity, Nicole is speaking in terms of Canadian Dollars, and she (and everyone else) at Beau Photo are great to deal with.

Here is her contact info: http://www.beauphoto.com/frames/filmfrm.html

 

[Uncle Bill]

I wrote a post on my blog recently when I got sticker shock on a $20 CDn for a one gallon envelope of Dektol at Downtown Camera in Toronto, yes kids $15 USD for a gallon envelope of Dektol. Asking $70 CDn ($53 USD) for a one 1L bottle of HC110 at Henry's is beyond the pale and I won't touch the $185 USD/ $252 CDN 100' roll of Tri-X. I feel sorry for the retailers because they are bearing the brunt of customer anger for a pricing decision within Kodak Alaris. I appreciate the fact the Canadian dollar took a hit in currency markets over the past year but this is insane when can get a 100' of HP5 for less than $60 USD at B&H.

Here's the deal, this the link to my blogpost/rant on Kodak Pricing http://funwithcameras.blogspot.ca/2016/07/an-open-letter-to-us-director-of.html , if you're that annoyed at Kodak's recent price increase, feel free to share the link far and wide via the social media channels of your choosing, please be sure to hash tag so it can be found by Kodak Alaris' social media team.

In the meantime, I'm going to check out L110 from Argentix after my full bottle of HC110 is depleted in two or so years and switch to Ilford developers everything else.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I am sure that Henry's prices are based on their prices, including shipping. They are probably not happy with the situation.

 

[MattKing]

It would be nice if Henry's could buy from Kodak Alaris, but they can't. They can only buy from the Canadian distributors.

B&H and the other US stores buy from the US distributors.

I doubt that Kodak Alaris has different prices for the US and Canadian distributors.

EDIT to rephrase the last statement: I doubt that Kodak Alaris' FOB Rochester charge to the US distributor for any order is in any way different than Kodak Alaris' FOB Rochester charge to the Canadian distributor for that same order.

 

[mrred]

All this I saw coming a few years ago and that's when I started to learn the chemistry side. Jacques at Argentix is very accomidating and at one point I sent him my typical inventory and what I used each one for. He stocked pretty much all of it.

Aside from the cost savings with making your own, it's much nicer to be able to try things you just can't buy.