WEST END CAMERAS - LONDON, GR

Good range of products for the darkroom, well priced films, good developing service. Staff always helpful with some good advices. The C41 developing there is satisfactory and for reasonable price.

Today, I had extremely unpleasant experience with one of the workers in this shop. I do not say that I was totally right, but one hopes for some understanding when in difficulty. Sorry for the long description, I cannot argue with people or wish them ill and I don't usually need to, however to leave this review would be only right.

I came to London just for one day to apply for the renewal of my passport (non-UK). It was about 11-11.30 and I needed to visit my embassy and finish all my enquires before 1pm, when the consulate closes. I have found that my photos are not correct size and I was looking for a shop where I could make new instant photos. Then by some bad luck I came across this shop, I have explained the situation to the guy there, who said that because the required size is slightly different from the standard UK-passport size, developing 6 copies will cost me £30 and it will take at least an hour. I asked if he could advise me any other shop around, he said he does not know any, then he assured me that Boots shops does not do document photos (which I believe is not true at all). I knew I don't have time to wait, but couldn’t see any better than agreeing. He took my picture, I paid £ 30 and then spoke to a friend on the phone right at the counter. A friend told me that just near the embassy there is "Snappy Snap" shop, where they do document photos of different sizes literally in 3-5 minutes. The guy in the shop did not start developing yet and I have asked him nicely if I could cancel my purchase and if he could be kind enough to return me at least some of my money. I would be happy with whatever sum he decided to return, I'd be grateful just to see some good will. I am only a student, this trip to London was already costly. I am sure he could see that I was pretty desperate to find the right place where they could help me to get my pics and be in time, but he couldn't offer any advice or allow to change a decision I made in a hurry. (Note that normal UK passport size photos, 8 copies in Kodak shop cost me only £8)