problem getting Walmart to print PhotoPass photographs!!!

[disney dumbo]

I've been through an act of Congress to get Walmart to print from my PhotoPass CD...
and thought you need to know...
as well as anyone else having problems... please post here.

I took them a copy of the CD sales agreement... spelling out the rights and restrictions of use. Keep in mind... this was written by a high priced lawyer... and I'm taking it to a local Walmart employee. (Disney could help by putting things in extremely SIMPLE english)

I ordered the pictures online... and choose the 1 hour store pick up. (maybe if they were mailed to me... I wouldn't have gotten the grief!)

They had to call their legal department... as well as Disney's legal department (I think they just heard a recorded message here).

They now tell me... I have to fill out a separate form for each picture that I order and include a copy of the CD sales agreement.

I don't think that was Disney's intent... not the way I read it either.

I like to use someone local... but I don't like aggrevation either! I just don't like printing photos myself either.

Anyone else have success or problems getting theirs printed?

[rrkman]

I had similar problems with Wal-Mart but it wasn't with the Disney Photos. A little over a year ago, I used the 1 hour online deal for a picture with my son on santa's lap...when I got there (after driving in a blizzard), the only way I could get the picture from them is if I took THEIR form and went back to where I had the picture taken and have the photographer sign it. So, I stopped at Giant Eagle, put the disk in, and the pictures came out. All you need is a charge card and the price wasn't that far off. Needless to say, I try to avoid Wal-Mart unless total necessary. I understand their stance on this but certainly not customer friendly.

[disneynewbee]

I had a problem with photos at walmart too but not with a disney cd. I had my wedding cd along with a copyright form saying that I owned them and had a right to print them. They still gave me a hard time. I'm not sure why they are not properly trained to deal with these type of things but it is frustrating. I've had other problems with them at the photo department too but I won't go into the long story, I don't get my pictures done there any more even if they are cheaper than some other places it's not worth the stress.

[loopner67]

I haven't tried to get print made yet, but after reading this, I'll be prepared for them to give me a hard time. What a pain in the rump. Maybe this is all because it's so new? I'll try to post back and let you know if my WalMart gives me a hard time. I really hope not!

[Molly K]

Just a thought but have any one of you thought about uploading them to an online printing site and doing it that way. I had a photo of my son on santas lap taken at the mall one year. It came out so good (and so expensive) that I brougth home the 5x7 I bought from them, scanned it in, uploaded it and bought wallets for the family. I did not have any problem at all. I used to use winkflash.com, i have also used shutterfly.com. Right now I have been very happy with yorkphoto.com. Maybe doing this will help with all the pain in the rump stuff.

[stacy6552]

Hated Walmart already. Just one more reason. I got mine printed at Target without issue.

[we3disneygo]

we had trouble at wal-mart printing a picture of dd12 at a figure skating competition, the picture was on a disk taken from our camera and the clerk keep looking at the pictures really closely and them the 20 questions started :confused3

[bveater]

has anyone ever tried costco for printing pictures from photopass? up in ak, they're much cheaper. has anyone ever had a problem w/ costco printing them though?

[rparmfamily]

I've had issues printing my OWN pictures. I have a nice camera and took some B&W pics of my kids at the beach.

I don't shop there anymore.

[Fies4]

I haven't used PhotoPass yet (we are headed to WDW in about three weeks) but we will be using it when we get there.
I assumed that I could put the Disney PhotoPass CD into my own Personal Computer and print the photos out from home?? Am I wrong? :confused3

[linda0706]

I had no problem doing this at my Walmart.

I just picked up some Photopass CD pictures today that I ordered online & had shipped to my local store (they don't charge shipping if you p/u at the store.) After reading this thread last week I was concerned they'd give me a hard time, but they did not say one word about copywrite. No problem whatsoever! Whew.

[abbie13_15]

I have been to some Walmarts that don't even look at your pictures and could care less what you are coping. But then I have been to others that look at every single picture. I just think they are being really nosy and want to think that they are special!

[lilprincessnbuzz]

I was trying to make a gift for mom for Christmas which included a small black white picture of her mom when she was a little girl. This photo had to be taken at least 74 years ago. I was using the scanner because I wanted the photo to be a 5x7. They would NOT print it for me. Nowhere on the photo was there a name of a photographer or studio, they assumed by the look of the photo that it was professional. Now granted it probably was because I don't think everyone had cameras then and it was usually a special occasion to get a picture taken, but how am I supposed to get permission from the photographer....there wasn't one listed AND they probably aren't even around anymore. I was very frusterated!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I'm mad all over again thinking about it :rolleyes: I don't use Walmart anymore!

[sulleyfan]

I haven't used PhotoPass yet (we are headed to WDW in about three weeks) but we will be using it when we get there.
I assumed that I could put the Disney PhotoPass CD into my own Personal Computer and print the photos out from home?? Am I wrong? :confused3

You can do it this way if you want, but its also just as easy and sometimes cheaper to get prints done. Most places you can get 4x6 prints for 15-25 cents a piece. And they are just like standard film photograph prints, which personally I think looks better than printed from my printer.

[cfrith]

Another reason not to go to Walmart!!!! :rotfl2:

[Boston5602]

I prefer WALGREENS for the simple reasons of easy upload from computer , CD , or camera memory . You upload them to the walgreens photo center let them know which walgreens you could get copys at local store for your own use and have them done at a store cross country near mom and dad ( or someone else) an hour later you go get them EASY and sometimes if they have a sale its cheaper than printing them on your own printer

[rhiannonwales]

Ok i have to chime in here.Up until very recently i worked in the photo industry and i can tell you a few things.

As frustrating as it is i understand why everyone is have a hard time.Even though the photopass says you can print from it most companies are very loathe to do so because of lawsuits.Photo techs are trained to not print anything that is even possibly professional, beacause the penalties are extreme.Yes there are "secret shoppers" that go around and try it to see if youll do it and if you do its up 10,000.00 to the TECH, not the store.For the 7.00/hr they are probably making its just not worth taking the chance.Yes its inconvienient to you but try to look at it from their standpoint.

As to the poster who had a problem with a B&W photo thats 75 years old, i'm sorry but there is no guarantee that its still not protected.Photographic copyrights can last up to 150 years even if the original photographer/studio is deceased or out of buisness.People can pass the copyright to their heirs, and about 5 years ago, Kmart Corp. was sued when it was discovered that they had printed copyrighted photos that were 60 years old.The heirs caught them and won a large settlement.

FYI, next time you go to a portrait studio, if the pictures are that important that you want to be able to reproduce them most places will sell you the copyrights for about 60 70 dollars.
HTH,
Sherrie

[disneynewbee]

I still think that is not only bad customer service but not doing your job if a person is standing there with a copyright and you still will not print the pictures. It is there job to do so as long as that person is within there rights. To not print pictures which are legally theres because they are scared is inexcusable. If the person does not have the copyright fine don't take the chance but if they do they need to print there pictures. That is there job.

[disney dumbo]

Exactly my frustration, Disneynewbee!

Especially when you pay $100 for that right... and hear the Disney person say... go to Walmart and get your prints made!

I'm sorry the world has gotten so "law suit" crazy... I can understand their fears as well... but someone from Walmart needs to educate their photo centers about this program. We own the rights for personal use!

[rhiannonwales]

I agree they need to review the criteria with Disney's new program.When i was a manager, we were told summarily that NO Disney photo was reproducable because Disney never sells copyrights.This was NOT Walmart, so its not just a Walmart problem.They may have thought that the paper was a fake.

Disneynewbee, i hate to correct you but youre wrong about one thing:
Photo technicians are not required to print anything that they are not 100% comfortable meets guidelines.So if they thought the release was a fake (since until now Disney never sold copyrights) they are not required to print it.You can ask for a higher up who can override them, (the higher up then assumes culpability)but you can't make them do it.Incidentally the cute photos most of us parents take of our kids in the bath or without diapers can technically be refused too.

[disneynewbee]

The fact is if they are uncomfortable or feel it is a fake then they should ask someone in higher authority and not give the customer a hard time. What happened to good customer service. If I was in there position I would simply say "I'm sorry I'm not sure about this let me ask my manager" now really how hard is that. Giving the customer a hard time is not excusable. When I said it was there job I was not saying they HAD to do it no matter what I was saying they were being LAZY by not asking someone higher up if they were unsure. There job is to service the customer if they couldn't they need to find someone who could. It's that simple.

[Poohs Pal]

If you are making copies yourself at walmart use the kodak machine. If you use the walmart machine they see what you are printing, this doesn't happen when I use the kodak machine. This does take a little longer than if you just drop off the photo's for them to do but at least you won't be hassled. I also hate walmart and can't wait for Target to be completed in my area. Susan

[Fire14]

If you are making copies yourself at walmart use the kodak machine. If you use the walmart machine they see what you are printing, this doesn't happen when I use the kodak machine. This does take a little longer than if you just drop off the photo's for them to do but at least you won't be hassled. I also hate walmart and can't wait for Target to be completed in my area. Susan

The problem I'd have with this is cost. Kodak machine is .36/print vs .19/print big differance in price.

[haley's mom]

I just had the same problem with Wal-Mart last week. I went to the mall to get DD3 pic taken with the Easter bunny. Bought 1 5x7 and 4 wallets and it cost me over $20. AS long as I bought a package from the Easter Bunny at the mall, they permitted me to use my personal camera. I took the pictures. Wanted to print pictures for the grandparents so they would have it in time for Easter. Used the Kodak picture maker due to time constraints. Once printed, the photo tech very nasty asked to see my original. I produced my camera card. She put the camera card in their machine, then told the other photo clerk, that I must have taken a picture of the original due to the good quality. I was furious. Took the compliment on my picture taking and camera quality. I asked for them to either let me pay for my pictures, or I needed to speak to a manager immediately. They let me buy my 3 pictures.

[fakereadhed]

I've had issues printing my OWN pictures. I have a nice camera and took some B&W pics of my kids at the beach.

I don't shop there anymore.

I've had similar experiences. They've also refused to reprint my old childhood photos that my dad took- no copyright on the back, taken at home, he's just a great photographer.

I have an Epson PictureMate now. No more standing in line, all I have to do is upload my pictures to a card. They even make other brands that take CDs.

[sanapunk]

I used to work the Kodak picture maker at a K-mart, and the only time I wouldn't let people print pictures was if on the back of the paper, it said "copyrighter, do not reprint!!". I have let people print Disney photos, because they didn't say anything on the backs. I've let people print professional looking pictures, because I understand that some people DO own very good cameras.

This one lady once came in with a picture and tried scanning it with my manager, and kept talking and talking as if she took the picture herself, it was of her grandson in a cooking pot with a chef's hat. She checked the back of the picture, and sure enough, it said DO NOT REPRINT!! So my manager told her we couldn't do it. 2 weeks later she comes back when I'm on duty and pulls the same stunt! I tell her the same thing, she begs me, and I just tell her to go back to the photographer she used for them, because K-mart isn't gonna pay fines due to her lying.

Bottom line is, if you have permission that's fine by me, but if not, and they say do not reprint, well, I'm gonna listen to your photos.

[Stitchfans]

I had taken our picture from WDW of all of us in front of the castle. There isn't any copy right notice on the back so I figured it was alright. There was a guy hogging the machine for a hour and a half. I stood there waiting for my turn. The ignorant "pig" behind the counter saw my picture but didn't say a word until I finally got my turn and went up to pay. Without saying a word the blankety blank took my reprints and shredded them right before my eyes before I could say anything or react.

Needless to say the next words out of my mouth where quite dirty. I spoke to a manager which of course was a waste of my time. He looked at my picture and said he wasn't sure if it was alright to copy it so I can't have a copy. All I was trying to do was make some wallet size pictures to put in our Christmas cards. :furious: Never again will I go to WalMart for pictures. I now go to Target.

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

wal mart just has some not so great people at those counters! i reprinted a bunch of photos from my MEMORY CARD! and this chick came up and watched me do it (i was there for 30 minutes) i mean she watched my EVERY move! and then i printed and i had that little receipt that says i printed 30pics at the Kodak Machine and she still took out the pictures and proceeded to count each picture TWICE (there was a line of people waiting to pick up pictures!!) and all the while examining each picture!! my daughter was fully dressed in each on except in a bathing suit at the POP century pool. They just like to give people a hard time i think...

Sorry you guys all have to go through this! now i go to TARGET and pay more, but i'm happier and the photo techs are so nice :)

[Leah and Emily's mom]

Sams Club. They are awesome quality. I saw a lady who had senoir pics taken by a professonal and she scanned them and had them printed at Sams.

I too have a nice digital camera and have often had Wal Mart refuse to print my photos because they look professional.

[pooksma]

Our local Superstore (grocery etc) will let you print any pics~no hassle. Last year we printed family Christmas cards with a pic from our trip that was taken with our camera. Yes, it takes more time to do yourself but well worth leaving in a pleasant mood.

[monica31671]

I've used snapfish.com and shutterfly.com with no problem at all. I like the quality and service of shutterfly the best.

[Forevryoung]

I had pictures taken of me that look like professional photographs (the person who took them is a photographer). I'm going to want to make enlargements of them (they will be on a disk). Am I going to have a problem getting them printed?

[calypso*a*go-go]

You will have to sign a statement that Walmart keeps on file saying the photographer gave you permission to reproduce the photo. I had to do this regarding some high school photos taken of my parents over fifty years ago!

[scoolover]

"Keep in mind... this was written by a high priced lawyer... and I'm taking it to a local Walmart employee. (Disney could help by putting things in extremely SIMPLE english)"

DisneyDumbo sounds about right

[memymomonica]

I NEVER go to Walmart. I avoid that place like the plague. All I hear are complaints. I used to shop there, my father even worked for them. He was a meat cutter. They had to "relocate" him because they didn't need meatcutters anymore. They had all their meat delivered cut and packaged. Yuck. How old is it before it even reaches the store. My dad just couldn't work for them after that. Not to mention lots of other issues (healthcare etc). I am a devoted Target shopper. I will even pay the higher price to avoid the hassle.

[ameraumi]

I was also going to mention having the pictures printed by an online company (snapfish, winkflash, Club Photo). I know they have a box you have to check saying you are either the original owner of the photos or have received permission to print. You can get these for as little as 12 cents!

[T. Lynn]

This thread makes me glad that I just purchased a great HP 4-in-1 printer.

Yeah, it may be cheaper to do it at Walmart, Target, etc...but then again, they're all 30-40 minutes away for me (thus saving gas), wasting travel time, don't have to wait in line for a machine, and don't have to argue with employees if they don't let you print them (waste of time, drive, etc.)

I would like to buy the Photopass CD for our next trip since I don't remember this being done on our last trip in 2003. It would be nice to have some pictures of all 3 of us together, scanning them at home and printing out whatever I want.

Anyway, how much does the CD cost and is there a limit to the amount of pictures on it? I just want to add this cost to my budget.

[tinkerbellmom31]

I still think that is not only bad customer service but not doing your job if a person is standing there with a copyright and you still will not print the pictures. It is there job to do so as long as that person is within there rights. To not print pictures which are legally theres because they are scared is inexcusable. If the person does not have the copyright fine don't take the chance but if they do they need to print there pictures. That is there job.
I have to disagree. It is their job to make sure the laws are followed. I worked for Walmart's photo lab and we were well trained in the copyright laws and how to handle these situations. We had certain rules we must abide by. Why should the employee risk losing their job and a hefty fine because someone thinks they are entitled to it. It has to clearly state ownership and it is still at the discretion of the employee. We were trained that if it even looked professional we were not to print it.
I will say I would have let you print them. The people who were told no were usually the ones that were very rude to employees and started name calling etc.

[tinkerbellmom31]

The fact is if they are uncomfortable or feel it is a fake then they should ask someone in higher authority and not give the customer a hard time. What happened to good customer service. If I was in there position I would simply say "I'm sorry I'm not sure about this let me ask my manager" now really how hard is that. Giving the customer a hard time is not excusable. When I said it was there job I was not saying they HAD to do it no matter what I was saying they were being LAZY by not asking someone higher up if they were unsure. There job is to service the customer if they couldn't they need to find someone who could. It's that simple.
The major problem with Walmart is the photo lab is not owned by Walmart. Its separate, if there is no photo manager available a customer could complain to the store manager but they have no clue how it works. Usually a manger would override the photo tech and the tech had the manager handle the transaction to avoid trouble. Later the managers would duke out the legalities because the store manager broke the law lol. Thats where the system is flawed.