Kodachrome Rite Aid adventure

[bob338]

I've read a few posts about people taking Kodachrome to Rite Aid and Wal-Mart for processing, so I thought I'd give it a try...

I dropped off a roll of K64 24 exposure at Rite Aid on December 17th. I was told that lab work usually takes 5 days unless it has to go to Kodak, then it would take about 10 business days. Then i waited and waited. I started calling around the middle of January and the first time, they told me that they had no record of my film. The second time they asked for the envelope number again and said they'd call to check on it. They never called back and when i called to follow up the next day, they had no idea what i was talking about. The third time I called, the person said "koda-what?"

So, today i call again and got someone to call the lab again. The lab said it was shipped last week but they do not know where it was shipped. The person on the phone suggested i start calling all of the Rite Aids in the area. I asked if that was actually her job and was told that if I want my film, that I should probably just do it myself.

After calling 8 stores in the Bay Area, i finally found my film. It cost me $2.60(!) because it was process only(unmounted stereo slides,) but I had to drive about 15 miles to pick it up.

I really thought it would be worth it to try and save a few bucks, but I seriously doubt I'd do it again...


​

 

[bcostin]

That's interesting; I didn't know Rite Aid handled Kodachrome. I plan to use Wal-Mart for some K64 sometime soon. This is my first Kodachrome, but I've used them for other mail-away processing (via Fuji's lab) with good results.

 

[thawkins]

Customer service no longer exists. I had a similiar mis-adverture with a local Wal-Mart. They totally ruined a whole set of prints, scratched the negatives and then were bold enough to tell me that either my camera malfunctioned or I didn't know what I was doing. The manager pretty much displayed the same attitude so I no longer do business of any kind a with Wal-Mart. I have had good luck with the local Walgreen pharmacy. A roll of Kodak BW400CN came back with a reddish tint. It was reprinted with the same result. Then they discovered there was somthing wrong with the machine. After it was repaired, the prints came back perfect. The manager didn't charge me for the processing or numerous reprints and then threw in a free roll of film. Tnat was customer service. Tomorrow I am going to pick up a roll of T-Max 100 they sent off for me. We will see how that turns out. Good LunL!!!

Tom

 

[venchka]

Just send your Kodachrome directly to Dwayne's Photo. Cut out the Lamoid Middlemen Goofballs. Order a CD of your slides and some fresh Kodachrome at the same time. Really Simple. GOOGLE can find them on the internet.

 

[shadowfox]

Then drop-off envelope at Wally's has the store #, address, and phone written on it. So maybe less chance to get it delivered to other store.

I have 5 rolls processed without a hitch so far, so here's hoping...

Wayne, sending it to Dwayne won't let me get away with $4.88 per roll (mounted).

 

[venchka]

I've done it both ways. Counting the gas and aggravation and no scans on CD and no new film at Wally World, I'll send my film straight to Dwayne's. It's cheaper in the long run.

 

[Holmz]

I asked if that was actually her job and was told that if I want my film, that I should probably just do it myself.
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Makes you wonder about the origin of the name "Rite-Aid".

Patient - Health they self

 

[Trius]

Did anyone here on RFF ever mentioned taking Kodachrome to Rite-Aid? I won't say "never", but I've never seen that here, and I try to read every Kodachrome post/topic here. Wal-Mart (as much as I dislike them) has an established logistics chain/process for Kodachrome. Rite-Aid can only do C41 in store or send out E6.

So, Bob, I am not surprised at the mis-sadventure. I don't excuse rudeness and lack of customer service at Rite Aid, but I understand it. These people are paid pitiful wages in a working environment where they likely are beaten down, disheartened, in a socio-political environment ravaged by 7+ years of rule by a regime intent on breaking the back of the working class once and for all.

We can all hope for good customer service, but if I want high quality, efficient service on my Honda I don't take it to a Ford dealer.

End of rant.

 

[TheHub]

Have people who've sent Kodachrome to Dwayne's had good experiences?

I've got 8 rolls of KR64 in my freezer. Development in Japan stopped last December and it would cost me $30 to get one roll done. I plan on using it in the US next summer and saving myself the shipping costs.

 

[sooner]

I used Dwayne's once, and frankly it took kind of a long time to come back, and it wasn't that cheap. Now I've got two rolls of Kodachrome at Wal-Mart, so I'm looking forward to seeing how fast it comes back and how much they charge. I'll let you know once it does, for comparison purposes. I can easily see Wal Mart negotiating with Dwayne's to put their stuff ahead of others in the queue. Sometimes I'd rather drive to Wal Mart than put stuff in mailers and mess with labels.

 

[Trius]

Dwayne's is more expensive than Wal-Mart, but not exorbitant. For me it consistently takes about 7-8 days round trip from NY, which is fine. For Wal-Mart it takes longer, about two weeks. I think Wal-Mart batches there Kodachrome going to Dwaynes; that is likely one way they get a better price.

So far Dwayne's quality has been fine.

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

yeah uh if you haven't heard kodak kinda stopped making it last year and no longer offers processing either. Dwayne's is the only place on the continent that will process kodachrome. you should just go velvia instead.

 

[Trius]

Where does it say Kodak stopped making it?

 

[mw_uio]

Here is Kodak's list of color reversal films.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/databanks/filmDatabankColorRev.jhtml


MArk
Quito, EC

 

[TheHub]

Kodachrome 64 is still being made, isn't it? I know 200 was discontinued.

 

[furcafe]

I've had nothing but good experiences w/Dwayne's. Takes about 1 week roundtrip from DC. I have no convenient access to a Walmart & Dwayne's is only a bit more expensive than having regular E6 developed by a pro lab. Because of the added shipping costs, though, I tend to wait to send batches of @ least 4 rolls @ a time.

Have people who've sent Kodachrome to Dwayne's had good experiences?

I've got 8 rolls of KR64 in my freezer. Development in Japan stopped last December and it would cost me $30 to get one roll done. I plan on using it in the US next summer and saving myself the shipping costs.

 

[venchka]

A batch works best. Return shipping is a flat $5 for the first roll. $0.25/roll after that. If you buy fresh Kodachrome with your order, shipping for it is only $0.25/roll.

Dwayne's will NOT make a CD at time of processing if you use Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart charges about $0.25 PER slide to scan when the slides return from Dwayne's AND they scan at a lower resolution AND they have been known to scan slides backwards. Dwayne's charges $4/36 exp. roll at time of processing. I don't have a scanner at the moment. Do the math.

 

[kuzano]

The whole sign was too expensive to put up.

The whole sign was too expensive to put up.

Makes you wonder about the origin of the name "Rite-Aid".

Patient - Health they self

The corporate name and sign name should actually be "Serves You Rite-Aid For Buying Here"

 

[shadowfox]

A batch works best. Return shipping is a flat $5 for the first roll. $0.25/roll after that. If you buy fresh Kodachrome with your order, shipping for it is only $0.25/roll.

Dwayne's will NOT make a CD at time of processing if you use Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart charges about $0.25 PER slide to scan when the slides return from Dwayne's AND they scan at a lower resolution AND they have been known to scan slides backwards. Dwayne's charges $4/36 exp. roll at time of processing. I don't have a scanner at the moment. Do the math.

Wayne, IMHO, if we are going to continue to scan films (slide or otherwise), maybe investing in a film scanner would be the best (math-wise) in the long run.

I have a film scanner that has paid for itself in less than a year with my average 2 rolls per week usage. Plustek make a decent one that cost $150.

 

[furcafe]

I agree, though I have been thinking seriously of using ScanCafe (http://www.scancafe.com/), which outsources pro-quality scanning to India, for no-rush jobs (e.g., scanning old family negs & slides).

Wayne, IMHO, if we are going to continue to scan films (slide or otherwise), maybe investing in a film scanner would be the best (math-wise) in the long run.

I have a film scanner that has paid for itself in less than a year with my average 2 rolls per week usage. Plustek make a decent one that cost $150.