For decades Ol' Myrt here has recommended LightImpressionsDirect.com as a resource for archival storage materials. In fact, I mentioned the site in this week's post titled The REAL [2011 April Organization] Checklist. However, Sally Jacobs of the Practical Archivist blog has tweeted the following to Ol' Myrt directly:
"I've been warning people AWAY from Light Impressions...they've been charging credit cards & not delivering the goods.
Two alternatives gaylord.com and hollingermetaledge.com. They sell archival boxes in gazillions of sizes! Look for PAT-passed if it's for photos."
Thanks for the heads up, Sally. I've heard of both Gaylord's and Hollinger's but didn't include them in my checklist because I hadn't dealt with them directly. Thanks for the alternatives.
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt,
ReplyDeleteI'm curious if any of your readers have used either of these companies. I've used Light Impressions in the past and did have trouble with their customer service dept., but nothing as serious as what Sally indicated.
Wondering how these other companies do.
Thanks!
Chris
I quit using Light Impressions some time ago for the very reason Sally indicated.
ReplyDeleteSince then I've mostly used Gaylord with very good results. I do need to give Hollinger a try.
Hope this helps.
I have used Hollinger several times and they were great. At one point I even received someone elses order and called them. They sent a delivery driver to pick up the next day and were very kind to send me some extras of some boxes I wanted for my honesty.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer at our local museum and they have used Gaylord for their supplies for a long time. I also bought from them when I had my business and continue to use their products for my genealogy needs. Have never had any problems, get good service and have used them for several years.
ReplyDeleteCheri Hopkins
I've used Gaylord and have been very pleased with their service. They are geared more toward libraries but have a good selection. I have had no trouble with either service or products.
ReplyDeleteEllen
I, too, have recently had problems with LightImpressions and will not use them again. Hollinger has always been fast and reliable. I have heard of Gaylord but not used them yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting this problem out there.
Thanks for the info, I need to purchase several containers for grandparent's photo albums.
ReplyDeleteConsidering that at every library, museum, and archives I've worked, archival boxes are generically called "Hollinger Boxes," I can't fathom why anyone would go anywhere but the source!
ReplyDeleteI've ordered from Hollinger, and never had a problem. I like their boxes and they pack their items well for shipping.
ReplyDeleteI have ordered from Gaylord many times and am very happy with their service and their line of products. I also order from Bags Unlimited (http://www.bagsunlimited.com/) who sell a lot more archival products than just bags.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I've used Light Impressions for years and never had a problem until this year. I placed an order in Feb. and still have not received it. When I finally got thru to their customer service line (took 30 minutes), they said it was "back ordered." They gave no tracking info, etc. and had charged it to my card immediately.
ReplyDeleteHow do either of these compare to archivalmethods.com?
ReplyDeleteI have also used Hollinger and found the service excellent.
ReplyDeleteAfter waiting too many months for an order from Light Impressions (archival photo/negative boxes for 35mm strips and 4x6 proofs), I called to cancel, and was told -- today, on Sept. 4 -- that my refund will be mailed out on Nov. 15. Seriously? Nine weeks for a refund? What ever happened to Light Impressions? They really imploded. Too bad. Great company, once upon a time.
ReplyDelete