A & I Color (Reported Closed)

Doesn't Recommend

RyT73

Joined 4 years ago

Poorly Managed Film Lab. The first time I stopped going to A&I was in 2001 because they had lost multiple rolls of my negatives two times in a row and treated me like a liar when I explained it was missing. The second order comprised my two best rolls from a long trip. I guess they thought it was just a coincidence I was charged for more rolls than what they delivered back to me.

When SMC labs shut down this year, I was left with the option of driving out to Hollywood or giving A&I another shot. Well, 8 years on they still can't get it right. Last month they gave me back a roll with chemical deposits all over it. This week they overcharged me on an oder by $30 and didn't deliver one of the proof sheets for that order. The most I hear in response from them is "we'll get that to you tomorrow."

Last week they handed me a strip of film from my processing order and said "here you go"; there was no envelope or box for it. I asked if I could have a box for it and they grabbed one and chucked it on the table for me to take care of it myself. The employee never looked me in the eye once the whole time.

I've never been rude to the staff there, it's simply a matter of being a horribly managed business with lackadaisical staff. You'd think in this economy people would care about holding onto their jobs or companies, especially as film labs are losing business in general these days.

Don't ever think this is a pro lab because they aren't.

A&I - if you think I'm confused here; take a look at the rest of these reviews from other people. Maybe you can take an objective look at yourself some day or join the rest of the shutdowns out there.

Recommends

smoothmc40

Joined 6 years ago

There are better labs out there. Don't expect to be treated with respect.. I think the people at the front desk care more about the way they look then the way your film or prints will look. Ask any professional photohrapher that has a conscience and you'll be advised to go elsewhere.

Very rude. Front desk clerks: This is the Westside. Leave the attitudes East of Sepulveda please.

Doesn't Recommend

cyngrayh

Joined 7 years ago

very UN-professional lab. The colors in my prints from A&I were beyond unacceptable. White skies were a greyish pink and fleshtones were way off. Granted, they were willing to redo the job, only missed the deadline by a week, and when I went to pick up the finished prints they had lost half of the negs. They found them somehwere in the back, handed them to me, and only after I left did I realize that they had forgotten to reprint the rest of the job. Overall I found A&I sloppy, disorganized and the work was of poor quality. Interestingly, I got far better prints from the same negs at ofoto even after A&I redid them.

Doesn't Recommend

taylorspeed

Joined 7 years ago

Poor customer service. I had a bunch of B&W film developed spending a total of $239.23. The prints had a color cast and were blurry. This was a completely different product then they provided previously so I was very disappointed with this result. Considering I was paying $25 a roll it seemed reasonable that I should expect better results than what I could get a Rite Aid. I asked the manager if I could return the prints for a parital refund and that I was happy to pay for processing. To my suprise he replied, "What I am supposed to do the with the prints?". I found his attitude to be unpleasant and not very customer friendly. I don't mind paying more, but I do expect a higher level of customer service from "pro" labs. If you are interested in making true B&W prints, I'd recommend ImagExperts in Hollywood (good work and service).