What do you look for in a highstreet lab?

[nimcod]

Hello to you all,

What do you look for in a high street lab? print quality, speed,service etc?

Also what would you want in a print lab that is not offered? more personalised service, paper choices, photo edging, date printing,coffee?

I have been working in a high street lab for the last couple of years and am looking to see if i can influence the boss to push some new things out,
I would love to hear any opinions on what the general rff populace wants in a lab.

Regards

 

[Gumby]

Unfortunately my response to your question is "all of the above".

When any one of these issues, except maybe the free coffee, falters I start looking for an alternative.

If print quality falters I just never go back.

What I want are the basics: good quality develoipment and printing, at least a choice of "glossy or matte", dev/printing of the film formats I use, and pleassant clerks who know what they are talking about.

Additional points are given for clean scanning, selling film I like to use, and a smile.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Processing and print quality, above all.

Cheers,

R.

 

[nimcod]

Thank you both, this is essentially what i assumed, luckily more frequent control strips,colour control runs and more frequent filter orders have been taken on board already.

Regards

 

[hexiplex]

The ability to offer a clear deadline for jobs. One of the two "highstreet labs" here in Stockholm quotes 2-4 days for many of their film related jobs (like scanning, contact sheets and developing), whilst the timeframe in itself is good for the price they charge, 2-4 days just isn't clear enough. The other lab has a very firm deadline of two days, and the ability to "rush it up" to one day turnaround at no extra cost. So I guess the most vital thing for me is communication and overall service.

 

[lxmike]

print quality, dust and blemish free prints, that look like the lab has put a bit of thought into things and not just pressed a button and banged them out, (are you listeing Boots et al)

 

[nikon_sam]

I'm looking for a shop that cares for my film as much or more than I do...
I had a shop like that a few years ago but unfortunately they closed...they knew who I was and what I expected from them and they delivered a good product...
If I had anything printed they never had to redo or get it better...after I saw it...
Generally they cared what went out the door...something not too many people do these days...if you can do that they'll be happy to pay for the coffee...
I don't want gimmicks just plain old fashion good service and good product...

 

[nimcod]

Thanks again for the replies as always helpful stuff!

I must say the coffee thing was a tad tongue in cheek, just throwing out every option i could think of.

seems like KISS(keep it simple, stupid) applies in every situation:

clear time-scale,good print and scan quality, friendly knowledgeable staff, good quality control.

Regards

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another point: the same, reliable contact person (or at most, two people). Dealing with a different school-leaver each time, or (in a supermarket) with a girl on secondment from the charcuterie or make-up counter, is a turn-off.

Perhaps needless to say, the operator(s) should himself/herself/themselves be photographic enthusiast(s). Ideally they would have a reasonably generous (but non-cumulable) free processing allowance: at least a roll a day, with 10x15cm/4x6 inch prints included.

As a matter of interest, (roughly) where in 'South England' are you? I say 'roughly' because I understand that you may not want to gve away your exact location.

Another afterthought: although the correlation between price and quality in most labs is very low, most people are prepared to pay a premium (and to travel a bit further) for a good lab, especially for priority service.

Cheers,

R.

 

[nimcod]

So its having a more personal approach shall we say, so knowing what you normally bring in, what your "usual" is as it where and knowing your going to get that consistent quality from the operator.

At the current time i am based in a large town in surrey.

I should add the other reason i pose this thread however is the beginning of a plan to maybe move on to run a lab completely rather than just operating/managing one, but at a later date.

Thanks again Roger.

Regards