Bought Film, Cant Return...Cord Camera

[bawang]

Yesterday I bought a loose (single) roll of 120 film from Cord Camera here in town, Midwest USA since I can't find mine in my bag. When I went back this morning to return it (I found mine hidden deep in the fridge), the shopkeeper said they can't accept return and it's store policy that they cannot accept return on light sensitive items since they cannot verify if it has been exposed or not. He insist on the policy despite saying 'obviously you have not exposed it', while looking at the plastic packaging that is still intact. He went on saying that there is just no way to test it. I have been advised by friends to be careful when dealing with them, butsince they are the only Brick Mortar shop left in town, I have no other choice yesterday. Most likely though, in the future, I will plan better with my supplies and avoid going to Cord camera again.

Is this a common policy with the shops in your neighborhood?

 

[bmasonoh]

I can't completely blame them but who still shops locally? All you get are inflated prices and poor customer service. Go with B&H or Freestyle which will save you both time and money (and in this case inconvenience).

 

[DC1030]

whats wrong with putting the new film into the fridge...?
you can't have enough film.

Most shops allow to return their films - for development 🙂

 

[Disaster_Area]

Yeah... I've given up buying film at a brick and mortar store unless it's a DIRE emergency. Anything besides store brand C41 is going for between 6.99-12.99 a roll... I can get 3-4 rolls for that price from freestyle even after shipping/duty so it's become a non-issue...

 

[photogdave]

who still shops locally? All you get are inflated prices and poor customer service.

Obviously that's not always going to be the case. I buy all my film locally because I get great customer service at my shops and labs. It's an enjoyable experience and I tend to learn things by interacting with real people rather than a computer monitor. Well worth the few extra pennies and the convenience of not waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
To the original question, yes it is almost always a hard and fast policy for stores not to accept returns on sensitive materials such as film, paper and chemistry, for exactly the reasons you were given.
Save your film for later. It won't go bad.

 

[bmasonoh]

Obviously that's not always going to be the case. I buy all my film locally because I get great customer service at my shops and labs. It's an enjoyable experience and I tend to learn things by interacting with real people rather than a computer monitor. Well worth the few extra pennies and the convenience of not waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
To the original question, yes it is almost always a hard and fast policy for stores not to accept returns on sensitive materials such as film, paper and chemistry, for exactly the reasons you were given.
Save your film for later. It won't go bad.

That's a fair point photogdave. I guess to some extent it depends on where you live but my blanket statement was unfair.

 

[Rayt]

I like buying film that is fresh and my local supplier keeps them in the fridge and when I pay for them they are nice and cold and the packaging has little dew droplets due to the change in temperature. I prefer not to buy film that was returned by someone else. Maybe I took a few rolls on a weekend trip cross country, had them in the check in luggage, zapped a few times, and then kept in the trunk parked in the desert and then returning unused rolls Monday afternoon. Obviously this wasn't your case but I can appreciate the customer service from neighborhood shops where I pay a premium for film they can guarantee the origin.

 

[jmcd]

Not being able to return light sensitive goods has long been the norm, in my experience. That way, the film buyer doesn't have to wonder if the film they are buying has been baked in a car trunk in Irving, Texas, or scanned at the airport.

 

[Paul T.]

Hmm.

Another RFF thread moaning about people who've done nothing terrible as far as I can tell.

AS a previous poster has mentioned, would you want to buy film that someone else has taken and then returned??

Do you do the same thing with underwear??

 

[John Rountree]

I don't think this policy is that unusual, or out of place. I have a feeling this rule was instituted based on some unpleasant experiences for the store. After all, how would you react if you bought a roll of film that was damaged by someone else's carelessness? The box may still be sealed, but it is not just exposure to light that can ruin film. Damp storage, or film subjected to high temperatures can just as easily ruin good film; and just as quickly. Like DC1030 said, put it in the refrigerator and use it later. BTW, it is pretty obvious from some of the comments that brick and mortar stores are dead. I sure hope these individuals have the integrity of their convictions and do not go to the local brick and mortar to ask questions, or get advice and then order online.

 

[dogberryjr]

So you don't anticipate using a second roll in the foreseeable future?

 

[pagpow]

I've never known a camera store to accept returns on light sensitive materials -- doesn't mean there aren't some. As others have said, the issue is more storage conditions than whether it has been exposed. I would not want to buy film from a store that accepts returns.

Paul T., love the comparison to underwear. Very graphic.

 

[mwooten]

Would you want to buy a returned gallon of milk?

 

[nikon_sam]

That policy is the norm for just about all the camera stores I've been into...just as another post said...someone could buy a roll, leave it in their car for a week and then return it...would you want to be the next person buying that roll...even though it's in the original box and unopened...

 

[Philly]

I wouldn't cry over a 12 exposure film.

Just SHOOT IT!

 

[Steve M.]

It's a good policy. They have no idea what has happened to the film after they sold it (did someone leave it in the car in the summer, on top of the heater at home, etc.). If they sell it to someone else and the previous buyer ruined it, inadvertently or not, they're liable, and some photographer has had their shots needlessly ruined. Auto parts stores are like this w/ electrical parts. Who knows if the buyer fried it by hooking it up wrong or something? Their policy is you bought it, you own it. I think it's an appropriate policy for film too, and other stores follow it.

 

[bawang]

I'm the OP. I merely ask if this is the same policy elsewhere. I am definitely going to use it. I do understand and respect their reason for doing it as well as other reasons mentioned here. I walk out of the store without arguing as the reason given was reasonable.

However, If I buy a similar product from, for example a grocey/pharmacy like walgreen, Target, Kroger or what have you in your town, they are more that willing to take it back. I haven't read freestyle, BH policy yet, but I wonder if their policy is also the same whether transaction is online or at their B&M outlet?

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Do you frequently return film? The idea never occurred to me.

 

[coelacanth]

However, If I buy a similar product from, for example a grocey/pharmacy like walgreen, Target, Kroger or what have you in your town, they are more that willing to take it back.

Another reason NOT to buy from those non-photo specific resellers. As many said, you have no idea what those films have gone through.

From B&H Return Policy page:

No Return/Exchange On:
TVs, combos and monitors 37" and larger once opened
All consumable items (e.g., film, tapes, paper, bulbs, CD, DVDs, etc.) once unwrapped

 

[bawang]

Do you frequently return film? The idea never occurred to me.

I have never done this, hence the question.