How many people are aware that pictures that are sold after an IM event are available as a download or disk and can be purchased on-line approx. 1 week after the race? Pics are Hi-Res photos and are only $30.00 more to own the digital version and not just a hard copy they sell after the race. They don’t tell U this the day after the race. They only tell U it’s a better deal to purchase that day. Personally I’d rather have the digital version and print as many as I want. Talked to ASI about this. Very cocky about what they do. I think they mis-lead excited IM finishers by not telling all that’s available. ANYONE have any thoughts. Unfortunately IM has become BIG business…
**Unfortunately IM has become BIG business… **
Yes BIG BIG HUGE business!!
I’m sure the multi-national comglomerate that is ASI Orders is making thoooooouuuuuuuusands of dollars with this tactic… (said with pinky touching corner of mouth)
I dont know anyone who didnt know. This has been a staple at IronMan (and other as you can see on asiorders.com) for years and years. They do one hell of a job and somehow sort and process all those photos in about 8 hours. At the end of the day they do a great job…if you dont like their product you dont have to buy it.
I am aware.
Sorry Dude… My first IM was LOU and it was very clear. Everything available after the race on-online but it could be cheaper to buy on site. Anything I was not clear on I asked about because I understand that IM is big business.
when i did my first, they told me it would all be available later on, but that you would have to buy them all seperate. they couldn’t tell you how many pics they take of you, but i think they guaranteed like, 5 or 6. anyway, to order them all ahead of time in a package that included everything was cheaper than buying them all seperately.
when i did my second, i also ordered and paid for them ahead of time. the day after i didn’t particularly like the photo’s, and they cancelled my order and refunded the money.
i’m pretty happy with the service they provided. i just took my photo’s and scanned them into my computer. now i have digital copies.
somehow sort and process all those photos in about 8 hours
I asked a person behind the desk about that and they said they had spent 10 hours straight that night sorting photos.
I’m surprised that they manage to have the printed photos the next day but it takes more than a week to get them on the website.
Just a quick note. I dont know what you get with the CD but I ran into something just a few weeks ago that I think applies here. I ordered an 8x10 of a digital photo I had through walmart. Set it up for 1 hour proccesing. When I went to pick it up they said they couldn’t print it. when I asked why they said it “appeared” to “possibly” be a copy written image and that unless I had a release from the original photographer they could not print it. Seems like something they are cracking down on. SO unless you have a great photo printer you may not be able to reproduce photos from the cd.
FYI I was so freaking mad I could have beat down the clerk who told me that. It was not a copywritten image and there was no way to get the release they wanted since it was not what they were implying it was. ARGGGG.
Hi Rudy, are you a competitor with ASI? I see this is your first post on ST.
I have to give ASI credit. They take some great shots, and bust ass sorting out all the photos in a short time. Admittedly, they do try the hard sell on the spot at the IM events though. Just trying to recoup their costs though.
I saw their best “deal” was the $75 for all your photos in 5x7 prints, but I knew I’d only want 2 or 3, so I asked how much they would be to buy individual shots and they told me $20 each, but they definitely didn’t advertise that, and I also confirmed that I could buy them online later, another thing they didn’t advertise there, so I could see how folks doing their first IM wouldn’t be aware of those options.
I think most mis-took my previous post. I think ASI does a terrific job and provides a great addition to the IM experience. That’s why I always purchase the photos. I just wish I was informed that I could purchase the .jpg image post race. This was never and option from any of my previous Ironman races (4). I always like to have back-ups of all my photos, and with only 1 hard copy (purchased Monday after the race) and I don’t have that. Just wish they would mention that option at the time of purchase. That’s all…
If you really want those backups, you can still go buy a CD of ALL your photos for like $100 from their website. Yes, more $, but if you are not satisfied with a scanner copy of your hard copy, it is the only way to go.
True, I could purchase… Would rather of only written 1 check for though for $100.00. Maybe I’m missing something with wanting the .jpg’s communicated at the time of purchase.
I have to give ASI credit. They take some great shots, and bust ass sorting out all the photos in a short time.
I think the quality of their photos is dropping. I used to see great photos, and usually buy a few from IM’s. However, the people shooting now do not seem to be taking into account the direction of the sunlight, the best composition or other factors. The shots I have seem fro IMKY were certainly not great. Most shots taken right before the finish line is in very poor lighting. Many of the run shots are back lit. The swim exit shots look to be under exposed and could have benefited from a flash. I think they should work with their shooters on better setups and basic techniques. That being said, these could certainly be cleaned up in post processing, so the pictures may look better in the end. I will certainly buy one of the basic plaques I usually get for IMs.
From a processing standpoint they certainly have set up a very efficient operation, a nice website and have a great business plan.
I never pre-purchase IM photos…I usually have a dorky look on my face or I get caught zinging a snot rocket or scratching myself someplace. I need to see them prior to ordering, so I’ve never experienced your problem. It’s like anything else IM, you gotta make a few mistakes before you get dialed-in…