More problems with Light Impressions

I would get some samples of ArtCare Archival Products.

http://www.nielsen-bainbridge.com/bainbridge/NB-ACCaseNaum.html

Cheers,

patrickjames said:

Does anyone know a good replacement for the Westminster natural white?

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In the Alpharag line I think Pearl White is the closest, but the Westminster Natural White is just a little darker. The next darker mat in the Alpharag line is their natural white but their is darker and a different hue than the Westminster.

Cheers,
Mark

George Collier said:

I don't know if it's worth it to you, but it might be worth the trip. They are just off the beltway on the Fairfax side. You need to call ahead. Also, they will mail you a nice color sample box if you want. They have a number of whites.

http://www.conservationresources.com/

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Are you aware that Hollinger has a Fredericksburg location? They sell Alpharag.

I'll send out some samples to those who offered. Thanks! I've gotten samples from some places (I can't remember who at this moment) and there were either odd textures or the white wasn't the same. Amazing the details we notice that most others never would.

Jim - thanks for the tip on Hollingers.
A quick look at their site and I didn't see manufacturers' names, so I called them, and said I wanted to talk to someone about mat board. She said she needed an item number. I said I couldn't find it on their site, I'm trying to find a specific make, etc. She said they make there to sell. I said "you make it yourselves?"... We went back and forth till she said I needed a catalog and she needed an item number, so I gave up.
I might try again later and see if I can get someone else.

We have finally added colors to our Bainbridge 8-Ply Alpharag mat board line, we added the 4-Ply Alpharag in 24 colors, and we added 2-Ply Alpharag mounting board in 2 colors. We also just lowered our prices on blanks and full-sheet matboard.

Cheers,
Mark

I used to order everything for our studio from LI but stopped about 2 years ago because of incorrect shipping, bad packaging and backorders. I find that between several other suppliers I can find everything I used to order from LI and have it shipped properly and promptly. I recently decided to try LI again by ordering online but emptied my cart at the last minute. Within a day LI had contacted me asking why I reversed my decision and didn't follow through and complete my order. So they are aware when orders aren't fulfilled online.

These are the companies I now happily order from.

www.archivalmethods.com
www.talasonline.com
www.universityproducts.com
www.archival.com

I'm also very unhappy with Light Impressions. On November 2nd I place an order with LI for a 16x20 box, 25 sheets each of two weights of 16x20 mat board and a roll of tape. Not exactly exotic items. When I call them today for status, I was told everything was on back order and I could not expect anything until at least January.

The issue is that LI took my order knowing that nothing I ordered was going to be available for months, immediately charged my credit card and elected not to inform me that I wasn't going to see anything for a very long time. I didn't order a handmade Italian sofa, I ordered what should be off-the-shelf items.

I've been doing business with LI for 20 years. I've had a few issues with LI in the past, but I've been happy enough to continue to do business with them. I do not find LI's current business practices acceptable. Why would you do business with somebody who takes your money and doesn't deliver?

It,s sad to see a company decline as much as LI! I ordered a couple of boxes of their clear hold photo corners. it took them several months to fill the order. This is an item that should always be in stock. It appears that they may be holding orders until they have enough to order from their suppliers. In the meantime they have our money. That was my last order; I would be afraid that they may go under before they could fill the order and then I would be out the money.

Didn't realize LI was a bad place to buy from. I've been getting my stuff from FDI (who is a sponsor/advertiser I thought) and Archival Methods.

I guess the Cathedral bells are sounding for LI. We are fortunate to have other sources for the same, or very similar, items.
Although there are indeed multiple sources for many of the items we can purchase at LI and elsewhere, I admit to REALLY trying to support the firms that help keep APUG "in business". Thus, I look to purchase from our Sponsors when prices and service are comparable. Of course, there is no doubt other companies do a great job as well. JMHO.

immediately charged my credit card...

mffredrich - contact your credit card company and request that they retrieve your money. I have done this in the past and they will do it. Just be sure to cancel the order. You can get this stuff from other sources, listed in this thread.

fdi said:

We have finally added colors to our Bainbridge 8-Ply Alpharag mat board line, we added the 4-Ply Alpharag in 24 colors, and we added 2-Ply Alpharag mounting board in 2 colors. We also just lowered our prices on blanks and full-sheet matboard.

Cheers,
Mark

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What about white (8660) in 4 ply? I don't use 8 ply.

Just curious, has anyone forwarded them this thread? If anyone in marketing or management had a lick of business sense they'd right their wrongs and take a clue from their bread and butter consumers.

winger said:

What about white (8660) in 4 ply? I don't use 8 ply.

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Yes we now carry Bainbridge "White" rag mat board in all three mat thicknesses, 2-Ply , 4-Ply and 8-Ply. If you are using the 4-Ply as the window mat board and you float mount you can use the 2-Ply as the mounting board so the mounting board color matches the window mat.

Cheers,
Mark

Lodima Archival Materials in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, also carries 2, 4, and 8-ply white ArtCare AlphaRag board. We also carry 2, 4, and 8-ply in Pure White and 2, 4, and 8 ply in Pearl--a warm white. The 2-ply Pearl is no longer made, but we are fortunate enough to have a supply on hand. No minimums. All orders custom cut.

www.lodimaarchivalmaterials.com

Michael A. Smith

Updating my previous post related to Light Impressions, I called LI today to cancel my order. They canceled the order without complaint. They said it could take as long as ten day for me to see my refund. I'm hoping for the best.

More interestingly, all this starting me thinking about my last order from LI in March of 2010. Comparing invoices and packing slips, I found $60 worth of negative sleeves I ordered and paid for in March were still on backorder these seven-plus months later. I brought this up to LI and they agreed to cancel that order and refund my money.

With all of the great suppliers on here with some wonderful feedback I just don't understand how anyone can continue to deal with these people. I'm in a customer service/ sales position and if I did half of what has been reported here I'd be without a job. Come on people wake up and smell the roses!!

Jim

mffredrich said:

...
More interestingly, all this starting me thinking about my last order from LI in March of 2010. Comparing invoices and packing slips, I found $60 worth of negative sleeves I ordered and paid for in March were still on backorder these seven-plus months later. I brought this up to LI and they agreed to cancel that order and refund my money.

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I looked back and realized that I placed an order about 6 weeks ago for several items on sale. I have not received a single item and I verified that they charged me immediately. I will call on Monday to cancel the order and get a refund.

Time Freeze said:

It appears that they may be holding orders until they have enough to order from their suppliers. In the meantime they have our money.

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This possibly rings true. Perhaps LI has been placed on a cash-only, or at least a prepayment-in-full, ordering status by their suppliers. If so, it wouldn't be very difficult to imagine why...

Haven't ordered anything from them in years.

Ken

WHY - more problems at Light Impressions

I phoned Light Impressions recently as well. I had ordered some things I could have picked up at any local art store. I was trying to get a recent catalog! I had phoned and asked for a recent catalog two MONTHS previous. Had received none. Soooo, as they ALWAYS stuff one or two inside any order I figured I'd order something - anything - and would receive a Light Impressions catalog.

A month went by and no order. I phoned Light Impressions and was informed the same thing. "Sorry, items are on backordered for another month." These were just Exhibition "L" Pins and a few Swiss Corner Clips! TWO MONTHS (total) backordered for items like that?! That should be a warning right there!

But if you click under Custom Cut Frames they state that basically until further notice they will be "backordered" due to problems with the manufacturer of those custom cut frames. * Those frames were my main reason to use Light Impressions in the first place.

Turns out that manufacturer, down in Mexico, isn't operating anymore. So they need to find a new manufacturer for Light Impressions custom cut frames. Any other business would have FOUND a new supplier of those frames by now. They have had that warning listed on their internet site for at least a couple months now. So my guess - and I could be wrong - is Light Impressions is trying to just sell off what they DO still have in stock, of any product they carried, like nothing is wrong - to get some CASH. Whether this is to build a new plant to make those frames. Or to just get rid of all inventory and close their doors. But do that quietly.

So people purchasing even small ticket items like my Exhibition "L" Pins and Swiss Corner Clips have had their credit cards charged, but received no product. Only after the CUSTOMER eventually contacts Light Impressions to ask where their order is are they informed it has been "Backordered." Like you stated, their site has never offered anything that indicates if an item is IN STOCK or not.

*** I know I have been checking my online credit card statements to see if any credit has been applied BACK by Light Impressions yet. (Not to date) I won't be waiting too much longer before taking action through the credit card company (AMEX).

I'd sorely miss those custom cut frames Light Impressions sold for years, they were great looking. But I don’t like the idea Light Impressions trying to get money from customers – early – before shipping out an ordered product and not informing us they don’t have said items IN STOCK. Leaves one with the feeling they are going to take the money and run!

I've been waiting since September for some boxes, standard sizes. I was told it would be four to six weeks, emailed after eight weeks and got no reply, called in mid December and was told it would be late January. It's looking like I should just cancel and go elsewhere. They certainly did go downhill after moving west. Sad end to what was once a great supplier.

For archival boxes (of a higher quality than Light Impressions offered:

www.lodimaarchivalmaterials.com. We are also a sponsor of APUG (Lodima.org)

Michael A. Smith

Chip - Wecome to APUG. For custom frames and other framing products, check out http://www.framedestination.com/ - they are a sponsor of APUG, as is Michael Smith's Lodima in the above post. I use Frame Destination for all my frames now, they are prompt, priced fairly, and great to work with. They also have good framing and matting tips on the site.

jeroldharter said:

I looked back and realized that I placed an order about 6 weeks ago for several items on sale. I have not received a single item and I verified that they charged me immediately. I will call on Monday to cancel the order and get a refund.

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sepiareverb said:

I've been waiting since September for some boxes, standard sizes. I was told it would be four to six weeks, emailed after eight weeks and got no reply, called in mid December and was told it would be late January. It's looking like I should just cancel and go elsewhere. They certainly did go downhill after moving west. Sad end to what was once a great supplier.

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There is a great advantage to waiting more than 60 days before canceling your order with Light Impressions! Your credit card company will not help you! You will have just screwed yourself. How is that working for you? Did you get kissed first?

Steve