I usually process my own b&W film but was quite busy so I thought I would try and find a decent lab. After looking around on various forums I sent two test rolls to AG, followed a couple of days later by a couple more.
When the 1st batch of film came back I was absolutely appalled. Both films were scratched with long horizontal scratches (one worse than the other) and both were covered with dust.
I was certain it was not my camera, a Leica M6, which I had bought from Stephens Premier very recently and was in pristine condition (as all the equipment is from them). Also rolls I had shot and processed before and after were absolutely fine (including the ones I sent a couple of days later).
I have enough experience to know that the likely cause was unclean rollers in the drums.
I sent the negatives to AG with a letter. As I say these were test rolls of my daughter, thankfully I had not sent anything critical. I did not receive the courtesy of a response.
Certainly I will not be using AG again. Anyone can make an error and I would understand that but to not respond to a reasonable complaint is wholly unacceptable.
I would be grateful for any recommendations for an alternate, reliable lab in the UK.
Thank you