Tesco Photo Centre Developing Review

Overall Rating

I'm a photographer putting on my first exhibition, and decided to use Tesco Photo for my prints, as I've used them before, and was happy with their quality.

The exhibition was to be on the 28th of October, and so about a month before the exhibition I placed my first order for prints, and waited for delivery. A week later I was told one of the files uploaded was corrupted, and so they cancelled the entire order. Fortunately I'd given myself a month to get the prints done for exactly this eventuality. I re-uploaded the corrupt image, and placed another order.

On the next order, a different image was corrupt, even though I'd already submitted exactly the same set of files. After two or so hours of calls to Tesco Customer support, who were occasionally rude and often unhelpful I finally managed to find someone who said they'd look into it. His advice was to reupload all the images, which I did. I then placed another order, split in two this time, figuring I could at least get some of the images.

A week later, on the 21st of October, half the photos arrived. I called to ask about the whereabouts of the others, and was told 'they'd been dispatched'. Later that day I received an email saying there was a problem with the order. Calling back, I discovered that the order had never been printed, nevermind dispatched. I was told at first that the image file had a virus (which was near impossible), or that a virus had entered the file as it was uploaded (also impossible).

Worst of all, I was informed that Tesco knew of the error a week ago, on the 13th of October. There was no indication of this anywhere on the website, nor was I informed when I called to enquire about the prints.

To add insult to injury, many of the photos never arrived, 'lost in the post,' although I wouldn't be surprised if they were lost somewhere in Tesco's incompetence.

I've now had to pay a very expensive, local print service a lot of money to get my prints done as a rush job. Don't trust Tescos if you want something on time and without hassle. I'm just glad these weren't for some special occasion, like some poor guy's wedding or something similar.