Why is Samy's being so annoying

BetterSense · Jul 12, 2011

Does anyone use Samy's camera for mail-order processing?

I have always got my 35mm E-6 film developed at Samy's camera for $5/roll. I have PDF order forms which I fill out and mail in with the film, and I get my slides back in about a week. I have been doing this for years, but the last time I sent any film in was about 4 months ago.

I recently went to their website to get their latest pricing on C-41 (I have C41 order forms as well, but the pricing info isn't very complete on the order form). I spent like 10 minutes on their website trying to find film processing, found nothing whatsoever, gave up, called them, they gave me the number to their film lab, so I hung up and called that, and the guy at the film lab says that they don't, and have never, done mail order processing of any sort. He insisted that he's worked there for years and if you mail your film in, that you have to come pick it up in person, and it's always been that way.

Has Samy's stopped processing film? I can't find the PDF order forms on their website, so it's possible that they stopped processing film. But what's weird is the guy on the phone insists that he has worked there for years and they have never done film processing by mail.

jeffreyg · Jul 12, 2011

Check out BWC Photo Imaging, 400 Maple Ave., Dallas. I have been getting very good results and excellent service from them. They may be near you.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

MattKing · Jul 12, 2011

Any chance they have more than one film processing location, and you were given the number for a "satellite" location?

domaz · Jul 12, 2011

Samy's Santa Barabara (Store 805?) is the one that processes film or used to. Did you call that one?

DanielStone · Jul 12, 2011

I worked for Samy's(Pasadena store) for close to 1 1/2 years up until early 2009. I NEVER head about the Santa Barbara store having in-house E-6 AND C-41 dip-n-dunk processing. I sent over $2k worth of processing to A+I while I worked at the store, and the film came out fine, but Samy's did it for 1/2 the price. Let me just say, when I found out about it AFTER I left, I was PISSED! My manager knew about the in-house lab all along, but she never told me about it. BUUUUUUUUMMMMERRRR!!!!

Unfortunately, word doesn't get out to all the stores equally, and the in-house communications can really SUCK. Heck, even when the computer says that a store has 15 of one item, and you call that store to transfer over 2-3 for your stock, they sometimes came back and said it wasn't there. Then I stop in a week later(none was on order btw) on my day off while in that part of town(LA "main" store), and low-and-behold?: 15 of that item sitting on the shelf. Laziness at its finest. And just FYI, just cause someone works behind the film counter doesn't mean they shoot film(at least primarily). Its kinda sad, Samy's is pretty much the last big game store here in LA ,but the customer service can sometimes stink. Almost a "we don't give a sh!+ about you, just buy something"...

However, there ARE some really cool people who bust their asses to help people out. I haven't talked much with the SB people since they're over 100mi from me(I mail my stuff to them), but the few times I have, its always been very cordial, and very professional.

I just print out an e-6 or c-41 order form before I send it in(I emailed them to get the forms, they're separate pdf's), and I include a note w/ and special processing instructions(like only using the bottom section of the 8x10/4x5 racks, so 1 sheet/rack). No problems from their end so far. And I've been very happy with my results.

-Dan

2F/2F · Jul 12, 2011

Definitely make sure it is the Santa Barbara location. Those sound like responses from somebody at one of the other locations (in which case, they may be true). S.B. is the only location with an in-house professional-quality processing lab (the same Refrema processors as A and I, in fact).

jeffreyg · Jul 12, 2011

Matt,
If you were referring to BWC, that is the address I send my color transparency film to. Check their web-site for more details. I don't have their phone number handy.

Jeff

willrea · Jul 12, 2011

I was wanting to send in a roll of Provia 400x I shot, but the Dead Link Removed site has been offline.

Sirius Glass · Jul 12, 2011

Samys on Fairfax has film processing on the first floor. You cannot miss it.

Samys on Sepulveda has film processing just twenty feet inside the door. You cannot miss it.

I do not know about the others stores. Samys on Sepulveda has always worked with me on processing.

Steve

2F/2F · Jul 12, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
Samys on Fairfax has film processing on the first floor. You cannot miss it.

Samys on Sepulveda has film processing just twenty feet inside the door. You cannot miss it.

I do not know about the others stores. Samys on Sepulveda has always worked with me on processing.

Steve

What I said is:

2F/2F said:
S.B. is the only location with an in-house professional-quality processing lab (the same Refrema processors as A and I, in fact).

I did not say S.B. is the only location that processes film on site.

Just to be clear.

Sirius Glass · Jul 12, 2011

2F/2F said:
I did not say S.B. is the only location that processes film on site.

Just to be clear.

I understood that when I read your post the first time. Others did not seem to understand your point. I was reinforcing what you said.

2F/2F · Jul 12, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
I understood that when I read your post the first time. Others did not seem to understand your point. I was reinforcing what you said.

OK, thanks. Just making sure you got what I said.

BetterSense · Jul 13, 2011

I specifically, and repeatedly, confirmed that I was talking to the Samy's in Santa Barbara.

I still have the two PDF order forms...one for C41 and one for E-6. Given my phone conversation, and the fact that I can't find these forms anywhere on any Samy's website, I'm not confident sending my film out anymore.

I just print out an e-6 or c-41 order form before I send it in

Where did you find the forms? Is there any chance you could upload your form so we could see it?

2F/2F · Jul 13, 2011

Interesting. I might PM the Samy's 805 APUG member and see what is up.

jmck · Jul 13, 2011

Samy's Santa Barbara,Ca phone # is 805 963 7269 I have not had good luck with there E Mail But they Did my last E6 120 in June 2011 did a good job and Got it back to me in Northern Calif In 6 days which is faster and 1/2 the price of my local lab
and they do a Much better job.
Give them a call and they will e mail the forms for C41 & E6 and price list to you.

BetterSense · Jul 13, 2011

I called the number above--805 963 7269--and got ahold of someone in film processing that assured me that they process film by mail, and they offered to email me the latest order forms and price lists. They admitted that they don't even know where to find the (very basic, normal) information I was looking for on their website because they keep reorganizing it. I have no idea how anyone is supposed to find that magic phone number on Samy's website to even discover that they process film, but hey I guess that's what APUG is good for.

Sirius Glass · Jul 13, 2011

BetterSense said:
I called the number above--805 963 7269--and got ahold of someone in film processing that assured me that they process film by mail, and they offered to email me the latest order forms and price lists. They admitted that they don't even know where to find the (very basic, normal) information I was looking for on their website because they keep reorganizing it. I have no idea how anyone is supposed to find that magic phone number on Samy's website to even discover that they process film, but hey I guess that's what APUG is good for.

Look under store locations, unless they took that off the website too.

DanielStone · Jul 13, 2011

here's the pdf's for the e-6 and c-41 order forms I got via email back in May

p.s. I just sent them a $100 job, so I'm hoping they haven't quit

-Dan

ricardo12458 · Jul 14, 2011

jeffreyg said:
Matt,
If you were referring to BWC, that is the address I send my color transparency film to. Check their web-site for more details. I don't have their phone number handy.

Jeff

Their phone number is 528-4200.

sfadam · Jul 17, 2011

the samys 805 website has been gone for so long i figured they had closed the store and were done

Sirius Glass · Jul 17, 2011

Try:

http://www.samys.com/

Why is Samy's being so annoying

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domaz

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2F/2F

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BetterSense

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BetterSense

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Why is Samy's being so annoying

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