Update: Prospective passport picture perfect

For those who have been following my saga (see three previous posts), this post is a long time coming. Today, I went BACK to the Service Canada office to have my passport application screened and paid for. I sat there waiting for over half an hour, but in time I got called to go to the next available desk. There were a few nervous moments, as I had a different person screening my application this time, and she seemed a bit unsure about things after I explained everything to her. (She didn't exactly seem like a prime candidate to join the local chapter of MENSA, if that tells you anything.) Anyway, eventually we get things sorted out and they take the application, I make payment, and leave with receipt in tow. Now, the fact that I had to send in my Certificate of Canadian Citizenship in with my application means that for the next 5 or 6 weeks I can't even drive over the US border. Granted, I didn't exactly have any immediate plans to drive to the States, but it's always comforting to know the option is there.

Oh, and I went to the Rogers store. They had 2 8GB iPhones in stock, but I'm holding out for the 16GB. Unless of course the Blackberry Bold comes out soon. GAH!!! I can't decide!!! (Yes I can, I'm going iPhone! For now...)

Update: Passport Photo Woes

Ok, so after I couldn't get my pictures retaken yesterday after work (see yesterday's post), I decided to try today. After work, I drove over to Sears. I walk in and once again the Portrait Studio was dark. This time, however, there was no sign, nobody there, nothing! I walked around to find anyone that might be able to help me. I found someone in the Electronics department who tried to call around, and eventually took me over to the Catalogue desk. Turns out that the Portrait Studio is contracted out, so they make their own hours, and just leave whenever they feel like it if they have no appointments. This is appalling!! The helpful electronics guy is going to make sure they stick around tomorrow, and I will also call in. When I go in there, I'm going to raise one hell of a fuss!! I wouldn't want to be the poor person working there tomorrow. They are going to refund my money AND retake the pictures, and I won't settle for anything less! I can't believe I have to go back three times because they just feel like closing up shop with no warning!
I've never heard of anything like that before!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER go to Sears Portrait Studio in Lethbridge!!! (If they don't both retake my pictures AND refund my payment, I'm going to report them to the BBB!)

Adventures in passport-getting

I'm trying to apply for my passport so I can go to England in the fall (see post below). Part of this process, of course, involves submitting pictures that meet strict requirements. I think they possibly go a little overboard with these requirements, but nonetheless they are set in place and standard nationwide. These standards are well known to all photography studios in Canada, and I would think that any photographer that offers passport photos as a standard service would be capable of taking photos that fit the requirements. Unfortunately, I would be incorrect in that assumption.

I went in to Sears last Thursday to get these photos taken. Due to my aversion toward Wal-Mart and the evening hours in which I sought them, Sears seemed the logical choice. I walked in to the Portrait Studio, and was immediately taken to the actual studio to have the photo taken. I was quite pleased with the swiftness of the service. The girl adjusted the lights, snapped the photo, and said, "let's try another." She then repeated the process, and again wanted another. All told, she kept going back and adjusting the lights and taking more shots until she had taken about a dozen shots. Finally, she was satisfied. She printed them off, stamped the backs, folded each in a scrap of paper (to keep from smudging), charged my the $19 fee, and I was on my way with photos in hand.

After getting one signed by my guarantor, and finalizing the rest of my paperwork, I decided today to take them to the office in town on my lunch break. They don't process the application here, but they will pre-screen everything and take the payment. As I sat down with the lady today, she took one look at the pictures and said that she would have to reject them. Really?! After sitting for about 12 snapshots, the best one still wasn't good enough?! Anyway, she looked over the rest of the application, and said it was only the photos that needed to be redone, and that Sears should retake them for free.

After work, I decide to go straight to Sears and get them redone. I walk into the Portrait Sudio and there's a sign on the desk stating "Due to unforseen circumstances, the Portrait Studio is closed for the remainder of the day. We will re-open at 9:30am tomorrow. Sorry for any inconvenience." Inconvenience?!?! How about the fact that I have to come back and get these pictures retaken in the first place? Now that's inconvenient!

Moral of the story: don't get your passport photos done at the Sears in Lethbridge!!! (The lady at the government office said they've actually had a few issues with the Sears here.)