How to Order Services...

After you have reviewed all of the services we offer and have decided you want to take advantage of one or more of them (Thank You, by the way!), you should read and then follow these steps...

  1. Contact us (see "Contact" page) and tell us what you want done in as much detail as possible.  Be SURE to include a current Email address and/or Phone Number!
  2. If it's not something we thing we can do, or do well enough for you, we'll tell you.  Otherwise we'll prepare and send you a formal Estimate.
  3. If you're ordering Photography services, we'll work out all possible details prior to the event. (...and you can now skip to step 6)
  4. If you're ordering Conversion services, prepare any items you're going to send to us (see below) then...
  5. Ship the item(s) to be processed to us.  We recommend that you use a shipping method where packages can be tracked (UPS, FedEx and DHL all provide free online tracking).  After we have received your items we will inspect them.  We will then contact you and advise you of any edits and/or repairs we recommend and how much (if anything) more this will cost.  We will then confirm or revise the estimated cost (often downwards) based on the actual material to be transferred.
    - Raven Multimedia accepts NO responsibility for packages until they are received by us!
  6. Once the final products (and your originals if applicable) are ready to be shipped to you we will send you a formal Invoice ("bill").  Once you've paid (see below) for services rendered your order will be shipped to you via UPS and you will be notified of the tracking number.  Orders over $100 will be insured and this cost will be included in Shipping & Handling.

Payment Options
You must pay for your entire order before it is shipped or delivered to you.

You may pay with Money Order, Personal Check (if you are not personally known to us your order will be held until the check clears) or by Credit Card (online via PayPal).  If you opt for secure online PayPal payment it is important to note that you will not be required to join PayPal.  If you choose to pay via PayPal you'll be directed to a secure web page with our Payee email address filled out to ensure the quickest possible payment.  Money Orders and Personal Checks should be made out to "Raven Multimedia".

Preparation
 If you're ordering conversion/transfer services, please follow these steps to ensure the best possible results-

  1. Check all your originals for damage and/or "bad" spots.  Make as many repairs as possible prior to sending them to us to keep your costs to a minimum.  If you're unsure whether or not a tape, film or picture is repairable please check with us PRIOR to sending it!
  2. Wherever possible, send only high quality copies, not your only copy (the "master").  Raven Multimedia is not responsible for any items lost in shipping beyond simple replacement costs of the media (blank tapes, etc.)!
  3. Label ALL your originals!  In most cases you can use a Post-It note on each item.  Alternatively, you can mark each item alphabetically ("A", "B", "C", etc.) and list the details for each item on the worksheet.
    - Films: Typically several reels of film will fit on a single DVD or tape; if you want the movies in a particular order, especially for generic "sequential" DVDs or videotapes, make sure to indicate this on the worksheet and that the tapes are marked in the correct order.  If you know what is on the reel, you can write a "Subject: ???? " line which can be used on interactive DVD menus, etc.  If you know of blank, over- (or under-) exposed, and/or damaged sections, you should mention those as well.
    - Videotapes: As with films, if you know what is on the tape, you can write a "Subject: ???? " line which can be used on interactive DVD menus, etc.  If you know of blank, out of focus, and/or damaged sections, you should mention those as well.
    - Records/Tapes:  If you want a custom sequence, use the worksheet or write the desired sequence out on a separate sheet and be sure to include it with your originals when you send them to us.
    - Pictures:  Please always use a pencil to label slides and/or prints.    NEVER write on the face of a photo print, nor write with a pen (or marker) on the back of a print!  Be careful to not get any adhesive on the film if you use Post-It notes on slides.  If you're sending slides, be sure to indicate the TOP and FRONT of the slide unless it's obvious from the picture (for example, we can tell if a picture is backwards if there's writing in it, but not necessarily if there are just people).  If you're ordering albums/collections you can specify a title and/or keywords for each picture and you can also indicate a grouping if you so desire (all pictures of each group will go into a separate folder on the disk).  If you're ordering a Slide Show, you should indicate the order in which you want the pictures displayed, and any "caption" for the picture (not all slide shows allow "picture text").
  4. Remove any "special" or personal holder for the item(s).  For example, send only the picture, not the picture frame!  If you have a videotape with a special case, send the tape in a plain cardboard case.  If your slides are in a slide tray or carousel, remove them and use rubber bands to group them in small bunches (30 or less).  Unless you have specific information to convey about each slide, you can label the groups only and still preserve their order.
  5. Place as many items as possible in baggies to reduce the chances of dust or packaging "debris" getting onto your originals.
  6. Don't be afraid to "over" pack!  At the same time, be careful that your packing does not damage the originals (by bending pictures, for example).
  7. Place all worksheets at the top of the package.  If you don't use our worksheet, be SURE to indicate the order number that we gave you as well as your full name and contact information!
  8. (Optional, but really helpful...)  Please contact us with a package tracking number as soon as you have one so that we can also keep an eye on it