Developing photos in Sydney can cost a bomb compared to Singapore if one isn’t aware of the cheap developing services available. My unknowing Taiwanese friend had to pay A$38 for a roll of 36 when she developed a roll a couple of months back. She was really ripped off for that ‘cos she was charged $1 for each 4R-size print and a $2 developing fee. Since then, she has resolved not to develop any photos in Sydney. It was only until yesterday when I told her about cheaper developing services available that she was aware of it.
Seriously, the number one and golden rule for me in a foreign land (or anywhere for that matter) is to suss out the resources available to me and the cheapest prices for services such as these ‘cos the quality can’t differ very much with price. This friend of mine was so unaware of many things, e.g. a housing service made available to international students by the uni, that I chided her for not finding out about all these and making use of them.
Anyway, there are many cheap photo developing services around and they’re very easy to spot. Usually, you deposit the roll of film at a convenience stall, pharmacy or newsagent and they send it to a photolab. In Sydney, it seems more popular to use films with 24 exposures compared to 36 in Singapore. The usual charge for a roll of 24 is A$6.50 or A$6.95. A roll of 36 costs about $9 or slightly more. Still, that’s much better than $38! My photos came out in the same size as my friend’s and the quality was similar.
In Singapore we’re spolit ‘cos we get a photo album with each roll developed. In Sydney, no such thing. Reprinting of negatives is a lot more expensive in Sydney. The cheap developing services charge 50cents per copy. Yesterday, I went to a photo developing shop and asked them how much they charged for a reprint. The Chinese Indonesian guy (could tell from his accent) told me $1 and I walked away ‘cos I knew I could get cheaper. As I turned away, he called out to me and asked me how much I want for it. I said, “Isn’t 50cents the usual?”. He turned to his Chinese boss (possibly from China/HK) questioningly, and his boss said ok! Typical Chinese! (Haha…Ok, a bit of a stereotype and generalisation there!)
Seriously, I was taken by surprise! I had just slashed the price by 50% mind you. Stupid me. Should have just said 30cents first then slowly inch it up. I’ve yet to master the skill of bargaining. Too honest for it. heh. Anyway, can you imagine what their profit margin is when they charge $1 per copy and he’s willing to let it go for 50cents????