How it works
Two short visits, and careful work in between
You don't need to sort anything, buy anything or learn anything new. Here's exactly what happens, from the first hello to the moment your originals come home.
The first visit: we sort it together
A short visit, at your kitchen table or at one of our stores. The goal is simple: put your collection into groups, so it can be scanned and filed in a way that makes sense to you.
- We help sort it into categories, like albums, events, people or decades. Each category becomes its own folder. Loose photos, envelopes, albums, slide boxes and tapes all count.
- We count and estimate together, and that estimate becomes your price ceiling.
- You choose how you want your files: a free download link, a USB drive, or both.
- You get a signed, itemized receipt with a tracking number before we take anything.
Rather not have someone come to your home? That's completely understandable. You can meet us at one of our store locations in the Ottawa area instead. We'll confirm which one, and send you the address, once you've booked.
The careful work, done here in the city
Your things go to our base in Ottawa and stay there. Nothing is ever shipped out of the city.
- Everything is kept in order. Each envelope, album or slide box becomes its own named folder, scanned in the same order you kept it.
- The backs of photos matter. Handwritten names and dates are kept along with the picture.
- Tapes are checked before playing, so a damaged tape doesn't get worse.
- We text you at each stage so you're never left wondering.
We'll give you an expected date at the first visit, based on the size of your order.
The return: originals back, files in hand
We bring everything back and check it off the receipt with you. We'll give you a quick look at your files on our laptop so you can see how they turned out.
- Every original comes back, in the same labelled bags it left in.
- Your files are handed over on USB, as a download link, or both.
- Not comfortable with computers? That's fine. The USB plugs into most TVs, and we can send the download link straight to a son, daughter or grandchild.
Chain of custody
You always know where your things are
These are often the only copies that exist. We treat them that way, and you can check up on us at every step.
- A signed, itemized receipt with a tracking number, before we take anything.
- Items are photographed at your table, so there's a record of exactly what we took.
- Everything travels in sealed bags labelled with your name and tracking number.
- Processed at our base here in Ottawa. Never mailed, never couriered, never shipped out of the city.
- A text message at each stage, from pickup to ready.
- Everything is checked back against the receipt with you when we return.
Ready to start?
Book the first visit online, or call and we'll answer any questions first.