with the launch of a new service which takes developing outside the Island.

Local company International Bonded Couriers (IBC) have formed a new entity, Zip-Pix Ltd. which boasts cheaper rates for film developing.

Zip-Pix have teamed up with UPS and District Photo Inc. in Maryland US to offer the new service. District Photo Inc is the largest mail order photo finisher in the world.

President of Zip-Pix, Glen Smith, said he was aiming for a turn around time of three days.

At a Press conference to announce the launch yesterday, Mr. Smith noted that there would be no hiccups with freight as IBC had an aircraft that left the Island empty every night.

Rolls of film deposited in kiosks around the Island would be taken on that flight each night and customers e-mailed when their prints were back on the Island and ready for collection.

But local photo processors warned that the new service lacked the expertise found in their shops, and said that customers could find themselves with no recourse when their photographs get lost or ruined.

"I would warn members of the public that they need to be very wary of this type of service and point out that they have no recourse when film is damaged or lost,'' said David Sousa head of Bermuda largest photo developers, Kodak Express.

"We stand here and take the abuse and then we work at putting the situation right,'' he continued.

"An unqualified person with no training in the field will not be able to address technical concerns,'' he added.

His view was echoed by all the photo developers The Royal Gazette spoke with yesterday.

"Customers will not be able to get the customised service they get here,'' said David Burgess, owner and manager of Jiffy photo.

"A business like this was started once before but failed because there was no one to help people fill out the order bags,'' he continued. "You need people specially trained to do it.'' But Mr. Smith said that he, the sales manager and the Zip-Pix manager would be training managers at outlets that had kiosks.

"After that it is up to them to train their other personnel to help customers,'' he said. "I will be at Gorhams this Saturday, Rick (the sales and marketing manager) will be at All Wrapped Up, and Steven (Zip-Pix manager) will be at Miles.

"The bags are very easy to fill out and we have numbered each area to make it clear.'' But Mr. Burgess of Jiffy stressed that photo developing is a specialised area.

"I don't expect to lose significant business unless they market this very aggressively,'' he said.

"This is a very specialised business we often have to load film for people, check their batteries, the camera points and advise them on what prints are suitable for enlargements.

"It's a little different than simply buying a roll of film or batteries. It's not just dollars involved,'' he said, "there is also knowledgeable and friendly service.'' Llew Carter the owner/manager of Llewries photo held that his prices in several areas were actually less than those being offered by Zip-Pix.

"Naturally people will try it, but there's really not that much of a difference, at least not with my prices,'' he said.

"They are offering a 5X7 for $5.00 and my price is $4.00, reprints for $1 each and my price is 80 cents.

"A roll of 36 35mm will cost you $24.10 at Llewries and $20.88 with them,'' he added, "but when you think about it why would you risk quality service for a difference of just $3.00.'' Mr. Sousa of Kodak Express noted that the new service could hurt his company.

"Any rolls sent away will impact business. We employ 20 locals and its not a good thing at all to see this service,'' he said.

But Mr. Sousa said that prices would have to be very low to attract local customers.

"Bermudians don't want to wait two hours to get their pictures back, let alone three days,'' he said, "They might attract people who have several rolls to develop all at once. People who have come back from a holiday,'' he added.

Zip-Pix kiosks are in four locations to date but will expand to 12 by the end of the month. Outlets that house the stands are given a commission on sales.

A promotional contest for the best action shot of this weekend's round-the -Island boat race has been established with a trip to New York listed as the top prize.

Business developers: The team of three behind Zip-Pix are: (from left to right) Rick Craft, sales and marketing manager; Glen Smith, president; and Steven Souza, manager.