Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

JohnNAmanda Posted: Feb 19, 2007 10:27 AM

Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

Hi girls! I decided to go with Patken because they offered the High Res. Proof CD and I wanted to create my own digital album. Now the lady DH spoke to says that the proof CD won't be sent for a year and Doug is out of the office until Tuesday.

Talk about stress. I'm totally devastated. I was wondering what your experience has been... do you think she is wrong? It's not on any of my notes or paperwork with them that we'd have to wait one year.

MrsBrags7706 Posted: Feb 19, 2007 10:37 AM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

You have to wait FOREVER to get them, basically! Or until 6 months after your wedding album comes in. I didn't do my album rightaway because theyre charging me a real lot of $ because I have extra pix, so my wedding was July 2006, and I haven't even ordered my album yet. So god only knows when I'm getting my proofs on a cd.
What you can do is, scan your proofs at a high resolution between 400-600. They will still come out pretty good if you are making a 4x6, 5x7, or an 8x10. Wallats come out weird though....Thats basically what I did. I also have been waiting forever to get my big portrait because no one returns my messages there and they claim theyre having a problem doing my portrait. Its been a mess! Its ridiculous, theyre expensive for photography packages, and yet, they still try and get you on every little thing and charge you a fortune even AFTER the wedding!
But yeah, basically, I would just scan them, alittle at a time, with a high resolution, this way you can have as many as you want and you can even create an album through shutterfly or using Photoshop.

HTH!

JohnNAmanda Posted: Feb 19, 2007 10:41 AM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

How can they do that legally? We paid for the CD and it was never mentioned to us (verbally or in writing) that we'd have to wait.

I'll definitely be calling my lawyer if they don't send us (soon) what we paid for.

MrsBrags7706 Posted: Feb 19, 2007 10:46 AM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

You know, I'm not even sure if its in the packages, I don't even know. My mom holds all the past contracts, I'm really not sure. They're cute like that. Alot of other photographers you don't have to wait that long, but Patken likes our money! It annoys me because we spent alot there, and they just still try and get $ out of you after the wedding. I've heard if alot of brides even getting their cd proofs aftre 6 months, but there are a great amount of brides that wait a while, some even up to 3 years to get their album, and to wait that long for proofs on a cd is insane. The owner basically told me pver the phone that they want to make sure they print every pocture WE want with quality......meaning, yeah they want $120 for an 11x14! its insane...it really is....Like the package we got isn't pricey enough, and with that, I think they even chare you for the proofs on a cd.

If you happen to find anything different out, let me know. It's less than 5 months to my 1 year wedding anniversary and I want my cd too! I ALSO would LOVE to hear from someone their and I'd even LOVE to have my portrait soon! Its way too long!

And on top of that, they WONT even order my parents albums until my album is ordered and paid for. Isn't that ridiculous!?!?!?!

JohnNAmanda Posted: Feb 19, 2007 12:16 PM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

That is absolutely ridiculous. We specifically ordered the time of the photographer, the proofs, and the proof CD as our package so we could add on other things after the fact depending on our budget.

I'll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, DH faxed over the contract to them while I was at work and I'm trying to find the original to make sure it says what we agreed originally.

That seems really ridiculous that they would limit when you can order parents albums. Maybe consider reporting them to the BBB? Seems like they trying to squeeze money out of couples.

MrsBrags7706 Posted: Feb 19, 2007 01:11 PM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

Definitely let me know what happens! FM me though because I haven't been on LIW that much in the last cpuple of weeks.
I know my mom has the contract, so Im curious to see what it says!

Summer07Bride Posted: Feb 19, 2007 03:02 PM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

That's ridiculous. I would definitely file with the BBB. My photographer told me only 6 weeks until I get the CD.

alison1daland Posted: Feb 19, 2007 03:08 PM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

Do all places make you wait? I would want my pictures within 2-3 weeks... (albums and everything) so I can start showing them off to everyone who wasn't there... Maybe I should stick with some disposable cameras on the tables so I have something to show while I wait for my actual photos!

Summer07Bride Posted: Feb 19, 2007 03:14 PM

Re: Patken Proof CD - One year wait or immediate?

There is a waiting period for all photographers. Mine said he typically can get it to you before 5 weeks, but it depends on how many weddings he is doing in a given time period. He doesn't want to get them to you late and then you complain. in regards to the table cameras, just be sure you get ones that will come out nice. A lot of girls have said the 'wedding' ones never come out nice.