Wal-Mart Shoppers Beware

[jcsorensen]

I'm not sure whether to be mad or feel complemented. The other day I took some digital images into Wal-Mart for some quick prints. While there was a warning about Copyright protection, I did not pay it much mind since I was the Copyright holder for the images. When I went to pick up my prints I was shocked when I was asked for a release from the Copyright owner because the pictures appeared to be professionally done. I informed the clerk and her boss that I was the copyright owner. They asked for a business card or license that would verify that I was a professional--which I had neither since I am simply an amateur trying to take my art to the next level.

Apparently Wal-Mart policy is that they won't print pictures with "professional" looking backgrounds such as muslin or digital backgrounds. What I guess was really funny was that two of the shots were ones that I considered snapshots taken over 16 years ago of my daughters with and old Canon FtB with them standing in front of some wood paneling in our older Mobile Home. These photos had been scanned from the original prints so the quality was not all that great. I guess I ought to be complemented that they thought some of my work looked professional.

With that said, I guess my suggestion to you is; if your work is good, it is probably too good for Wal-Mart and should be taken somewhere else where you can avoid the hassle of the "professional" clerks and managers at Wal-Mart.

By the way, did I mention that Wal-Mart has received my last penny for some time to come, and their photo department will never again be darkened by my shadow. I think Sam Walton would roll over in his grave if he knew what his business has become.

[Brian Mackey]

jcsorensen wrote:
I'm not sure whether to be mad or feel complemented. The other day I took some digital images into Wal-Mart for some quick prints. While there was a warning about Copyright protection, I did not pay it much mind since I was the Copyright holder for the images. When I went to pick up my prints I was shocked when I was asked for a release from the Copyright owner because the pictures appeared to be professionally done. I informed the clerk and her boss that I was the copyright owner. They asked for a business card or license that would verify that I was a professional--which I had neither since I am simply an amateur trying to take my art to the next level.

Apparently Wal-Mart policy is that they won't print pictures with "professional" looking backgrounds such as muslin or digital backgrounds. What I guess was really funny was that two of the shots were ones that I considered snapshots taken over 16 years ago of my daughters with and old Canon FtB with them standing in front of some wood paneling in our older Mobile Home. These photos had been scanned from the original prints so the quality was not all that great. I guess I ought to be complemented that they thought some of my work looked professional.

With that said, I guess my suggestion to you is; if your work is good, it is probably too good for Wal-Mart and should be taken somewhere else where you can avoid the hassle of the "professional" clerks and managers at Wal-Mart.

By the way, did I mention that Wal-Mart has received my last penny for some time to come, and their photo department will never again be darkened by my shadow. I think Sam Walton would roll over in his grave if he knew what his business has become.

Actually this is great news for working professionals, Im sure you can understand why...

A quick work around for you would be to put your name/copyright on the image in Photoshop, and then all you'll ever have to do is show them your Drivers License :)

regards

[Spinners]

I run into this everytime my clients go there to get their prints printed. i just give them a copyright release form, and that solves the problem. As per the previous post, put your name on them, and show them identification.

It's a pain to deal with, but you don't want someone stealing your work, then it's a really nice service.

I usually give all my clients a copyright release form. I am a firm believer in not raping customers on print prices. They can print thru me if they want, otherwise they can print it themselves. My wal-mart does excellent printing. however, some of the online printing services turn out a little better.

[BobbyC]

I use my Walmart for personal snapshots mostly, but I once took in some files from a portrait session because they only wanted 5x7's. (This Walmart doesn't re-profile when they change to 8x10's and they all look green) I asked upfront if they needed my business paperwork since they were professional portraits and the reaction was, "Very nice work, but nah, we don't worry about that stuff"

I think it all depends on who is behind the counter when you take them in.

[Spinners]

I totally agree!! I make sure they send my pics thru with no auto settings.

[Belmondo]

It would seem to me that Wal-Mart could easily handle this problem by having the customer sign an affidavit to the effect that the customer owns the images being processed. If a question comes up later, I think they could argue pretty convincingly that they had made a reasonable and diligent inquiry of the customer as to the status of the photographs, and should not be held responsible for any copyright infringement. I’m sure they have LOTS of lawyers on their payroll capable of dealing with that one.

[Belmondo]

It would seem to me that Wal-Mart could easily handle this problem by having the customer sign an affidavit to the effect that the customer owns the images being processed. If a question comes up later, I think they could argue pretty convincingly that they had made a reasonable and diligent inquiry of the customer as to the status of the photographs, and should not be held responsible for any copyright infringement. I’m sure they have LOTS of lawyers on their payroll capable of dealing with that one.

[justme_dc]

I print some of my short run work at Wal mart from time to time. I use custom profiles for each walmart and never have color problems. I have built a relationship of sorts with the walmart photo staff and they know me on sight. I have never had any problem with them. I for one, as a working photographer, am glad that walmart takes an interest in preserving copyrights. I have seen too many of my fellow photographers ripped off by customers that just take prints to the local kodak kiosk and make all the copies they want for practially free. How would I survive in business if every person I photographed bought only the minimum package and then had all the prints done at some kiosk? Easy, I wouldn't, I'd be out of business.

You can take offense or not by their actions but I think that their intentions were good. Perhaps they went about it poorly, but these are afterall walmart employees. I sometimes wonder if the employees at my local walmart can walk and chew gum at the same time. They aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

[OviV]

Can someone explain how you setup a custom profile for them to do your prints?

Thank you,
Ovi

[lightandlife]

Quality of Walmart prints has a very high variance, although somewhat cheaper.

The risk of getting bad prints there far outweighs any cost advantage. How would I know that? Only through experience!

[Motorsports Photo]

Since I typically don't patronize WALMART and buy their mostly Chinese junk, I cant relate to their ways of business. I can have some elation that someone actually took the time to question someone with "professional looking" images, but hey isnt that why we tag our images and mark our prints? Just because they "look good" isnt the measure of the law. Because they are MARKED with ©. or (C) or Copyright is supposed to be what they need to see.

I do have some tales to tell on the same subject.

One day I received a package from an out of town photo store. The letter inside said "You left your pictures on our copy machine" Hee hee now my weasely customer only has wimpy color copies!! Even though I still see him almost monthly, he has never brought up the subject of those pics. I have told all his friends though. (-:

The other was the wife went to Dairy Queen to have a cool ice cream cake made with one of my pics. Despite having the same address, and last names they refused to put my pic on the cake because it had a copyright message on the back. It was still tasty without the picture.

-Pete

[Brian Mackey]

Motorsports Photo wrote:
The other was the wife went to Dairy Queen to have a cool ice cream cake made with one of my pics. Despite having the same address, and last names they refused to put my pic on the cake because it had a copyright message on the back. It was still tasty without the picture.

-Pete



Thats good info... I think I'll design a small release just for this purpose. Info should fit on a 3x5 card and could be given to the person as their required release. hmmm, but I wonder if they will believe the release? Whats to stop them from saying, that release doesn't look real? sigh............. I want my cake!