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06/21/2004 12:17:41 PM · #1 |
I wanted a 4x6 of a photomontage of mine that I could use to show people so I brought the file to wal-mart for them to print it. I show up an hour later to pick it up and they told me they would not print it since they were copyrighted images. Huh? I explained that I took all the pictures and designed the layout myself but they flat out would not believe me. At this point, I don't know if I should be upset that they won't print my image or flattered that they think my work is professional. (Given their credentials, I am leaning towards upset).
FYI:
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06/21/2004 12:22:03 PM · #2 |
Flattered and upset sounds fine to me ... I'm pretty sure the paperwork you fill out includes a legal disclaimer, so they should have no need to screen your photos for copyright -- you've already indemnified them.
That's the time to calmly ask for the STORE manager to discuss the issue in the office ... the lackeys at the counter probably have no grasp of the "rules" and are always going to err on the side of keeping their job.
Message edited by author 2004-06-21 12:22:24. |
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06/21/2004 12:23:37 PM · #3 |
| Nice montage, too. That long zoom looks like it works well! |
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06/21/2004 12:27:14 PM · #4 |
I would have given them the dpchallenge address and had them look at the print and see you have it for sale.
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06/21/2004 12:29:43 PM · #5 |
Yeah, the quick solution to this is very politely ask for the corportate number. That usually resolves the issue right there. Since a variety of professionals use WalMart services for some of their imaging needs, I would imagine that Wallyworld has something in place to deal with the issue.
Clara
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06/21/2004 12:31:18 PM · #6 |
Your suggestions are good, but I just went next door to Target and printed it on their instant print machine. No sense arguing something when an alternative is just a couple hundred yards away.
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06/21/2004 12:37:15 PM · #7 |
There is indeed a good reason to argue. 70% of the time you are going to get something out of the deal. Free prints, credits, coupons. Especially with a highly competative service.
It's a rough economy in retail right now. Corporate does not want to come across as evil, particularly large companies like Wal-Mart. Just for fun, write a letter to corporate. I'd be surprised if you didn't get several fawning phonecalls. :)
Clara- former retail manager
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06/21/2004 12:54:34 PM · #8 |
It helps to be friendly with the staff that works in the "mini lab"; I always make it a point to say hello to them by name (they wear name tags, which makes it easy), etc. Eventually they start to recognize you as a "regular". But I did run into the exact same problem when trying to print some of my "processed" work at Sam's Club. So I gave them my double-sided full-color business card (which I had printed at OvernightPrints; was "proof" that I was a photographer), signed a "Copyright Release" form (which they had available; it indicated I was the photographer of the image) and then they printed my image. With the copyright release on file, they said I won't have any more issues in the future...
I typically use Sam's Club for "proofs" and my own personal stuff (since I don't have a decent printer right now). Anything that I sell to a client I send off to a lab, where they look at each image, do color correction, etc. (and partly because I don't want to give a customer a print that has "SAM'S CLUB" printed on the back... =] at least the Kodak paper the lab uses says "Professional Images Are Copyright Protected" and "Do Not Copy".)
Message edited by author 2004-06-21 13:04:11. |
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06/21/2004 12:58:10 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by blemt:
There is indeed a good reason to argue. 70% of the time you are going to get something out of the deal. Free prints, credits, coupons. Especially with a highly competative service.
It's a rough economy in retail right now. Corporate does not want to come across as evil, particularly large companies like Wal-Mart. Just for fun, write a letter to corporate. I'd be surprised if you didn't get several fawning phonecalls. :) |
I still have some (no-expiration) Coca-Cola coupons ... may be worth more on eBay than the beverage products :)
If you don't complain (especially to corporate) why would they ever change their behavior? Que tacitit consentis.
They won't know you're "voting with your wallet" unless you tell them or are getting a refund. |
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06/21/2004 01:00:44 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by EddyG:
It helps to be friendly with the staff that works in the "mini lab"; I always make it a point to say hello to them by name (they wear name tags, which makes it easy), etc. Eventually they start to recognize you as a "regular". |
Just so ... I had a problem with the edges being cropped on some photos at Costco. I brought them a copy of the handout from Dry Creek Photo, which includes a table of compensatory canvas sizes, and they re-ran the four prints (with the file at the new size) no charge ... |
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06/22/2004 10:19:38 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Trinch:
I wanted a 4x6 of a photomontage of mine that I could use to show people so I brought the file to wal-mart for them to print it. I show up an hour later to pick it up and they told me they would not print it since they were copyrighted images. Huh? I explained that I took all the pictures and designed the layout myself but they flat out would not believe me. At this point, I don't know if I should be upset that they won't print my image or flattered that they think my work is professional. (Given their credentials, I am leaning towards upset).
FYI:
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You should be happy, that they are working to protect the copyright of photographers - yours included. Many people quite happily get copies made of for example high school portraits, because they don't want to pay the 'too high' prices that the photographer charges for their work. It's good that places are starting to enforce the laws in this regard. They should be willing to let you fill out the required forms to demonstrate that it is your work then print it for you on request. Did you ask for the manager to get this done ?
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06/23/2004 12:37:34 AM · #12 |
Come on people! Wal-Mart is the devil!
But seriously, why not support your local photo shop? They _usually_ have competitive prices, and have a lot more to gain by your business than corporations.
Try to think of how many businesses have had to close shop because a Wal-Mart has moved into town. |
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