How does the shipping process work?

We’ve designed our process to be as hands-off for you as possible. When you checkout, we handle the logistics:

1. Label Delivery: Within 24 hours of your order, we will email you a pre-paid shipping label.

2. Pack & Drop: Print the label, secure it to your box, and drop it off at any authorized carrier location.

3. The 15-Day Window: To keep our remastering queue moving, please ship your tapes within 15 business days. If the label isn't scanned by then, we will cancel the order and issue a full refund.

The Return Process:

Once your memories have been successfully remastered and you have received your digital files, we don’t just "toss" your originals back in the mail. We treat the return journey with the same "white-glove" care as the restoration itself.

• Secure Repackaging: We use professional-grade, moisture-resistant packaging and fresh padding to ensure your tapes are protected against the elements and rough handling during their trip back home.

• Tracking Included: As soon as your package is dispatched from our NYC studio, you will receive an automated email with a tracking number so you can monitor its progress right to your front door.

• Pre-Paid Convenience: Remember, the return shipping is already covered by the flat-rate fee you paid at checkout. There are no surprise invoices or hidden "return handling" fees.

• The Disposal Exception: If you decide you no longer need the physical tapes once you’ve seen the digital results, you can opt into our Secure & Eco-Friendly Disposal service. In this case, we skip the return shipment entirely, physically destroy the media to protect your privacy, and responsibly recycle the materials—all at no additional charge to you.

Can you dispose of my old tapes for me?

Yes! Many customers find that once they have their high-quality digital files, they no longer want to store bulky, degrading tapes. There is no pressure to choose this option—we are more than happy to ship your originals back to you. However, if you would prefer to declutter, we offer a specialized service:

• Privacy First: We offer Secure & Private Disposal at no additional charge. We ensure your tapes are physically destroyed so your private moments remain private.

• Eco-Friendly: We dispose of the plastic and magnetic tape responsibly to keep them out of landfills.

• Double-Confirmation Process: To prevent any mistakes, we require a confirmation (via a brief phone call or recorded voice memo) before we proceed with disposal.

• 48-Hour Grace Period: As a courtesy, once you confirm you want them disposed of, we wait 48 hours before taking action. This gives you one final window to change your mind.

• Final Peace of Mind: Once the process is complete, we will reach out to notify you that your tapes have been successfully and securely destroyed.

If you’re interested in this, simply let us know after you’ve reviewed your digital files, and we will walk you through the confirmation steps.

What does the shipping fee cover?

The shipping cost at checkout is a comprehensive flat rate. It covers:

• The pre-paid label we email to you to get your tapes to our NYC studio.

• Professional packing materials used for your return shipment.

• The return shipping to get your original tapes back home to you.

What should I expect to pay for shipping?

While final costs are calculated at checkout based on the size of your project, here is a general guide for the total round-trip shipping:

• For 1–5 Tapes: Expect approximately $15.00

• For 6–12 Tapes: Expect approximately $22.00

• For 13–25 Tapes: Expect approximately $30.00

• For 26+ Tapes: [Contact Us] for a custom bulk estimate.

Do I need to pay the Post Office when I drop off my box?

No. Because we provide a pre-paid label, all costs are handled upfront. You simply walk in, drop off the box, and you're done. No standing in line or paying at the counter is required.

We offer a variety of delivery methods to ensure your memories are accessible, shareable, and preserved. Whether you want to watch them on your TV, share them on social media, or store them on a physical drive, we have you covered.

1. Digital & Cloud Delivery (Included at No Extra Cost)

Every project includes high-speed digital delivery. Once your tapes are remastered, we can upload your files directly to the cloud service of your choice. This is the fastest way to view and share your memories with family across the globe. We support:

• Google Drive & Dropbox: Secure, private folders for easy downloading and long-term storage.

• YouTube or Vimeo: We can upload your videos as "Unlisted" links, allowing you to watch them on your Smart TV or share them privately with friends and family via a simple link.

• iCloud or OneDrive: We can facilitate transfers to any major cloud provider you prefer.

2. Physical Media (Optional Add-on)

If you prefer a physical backup you can hold in your hand, we offer high-quality hardware for an additional flat fee. These prices include the cost of the drive itself plus the time required for the data transfer:

• SD Card (Up to 128GB): $25.00 * Best for: Use in digital photo frames, tablets, or for easy storage in a safe deposit box.

• USB Flash Drive (High Speed): $30.00

  • Best for: Plugging directly into your Smart TV, laptop, or car.

• External Hard Drive (1TB+): $85.00

  • Best for: Large archival collections (50+ tapes) or if you want a massive amount of extra space to store other family photos and files in one place.

Note: You are also welcome to ship us your own empty drive along with your tapes, and we will load your files onto it for a flat $10.00 "Transfer Labor" fee.

Service & Pricing Menu

• Standard Digital Conversion | $25.00 per tape

  • A high-quality "raw" transfer of your footage into a modern digital file. Perfect for simple preservation and archiving.

• The "Remaster" Add-On | +$15.00 per tape

  • Professional digital cleanup, including image stabilization (to fix shaky camera work) and noise reduction (to smooth out grain and static).

• Advanced Color Restoration | +$10.00 per tape

  • Manual color balancing to correct "washed out" or faded footage, restoring natural skin tones and vibrant colors.

• Physical Tape Repair | $20.00 flat fee

  • Expert "tape surgery" for snapped film or cracked plastic shells to make the tape playable again.

    *Please contact me directly to discuss large, bulk order pricing

Understanding Our Services

Standard Digital Conversion

• What it is: This is our core preservation service. We use professional-grade playback decks to capture your tape’s signal and convert it into a high-quality, modern digital file (MP4).

• What’s included: A 1:1 "raw" transfer of exactly what is on your tape, basic audio leveling, and delivery via your chosen cloud service or physical drive.

• Best for: Families who just want to ensure their memories are rescued from decaying tape as quickly and affordably as possible.

The "Remaster" Add-On

• What it is: This is a digital enhancement layer applied after the conversion. We use specialized software to polish the video and make it more comfortable to watch on modern, high-definition screens.

• What’s included: * Digital Noise Reduction: "Cleans" the grainy static or "snow" common in old home movies.

  • Image Stabilization: Softens the distracting "shake" often found in handheld camcorder footage.

  • Sharpening: Enhances edges to provide a clearer, more defined picture.

• Best for: Tapes you plan to watch on large TVs or share at special events like anniversaries or memorials.

Advanced Color Restoration

• What it is: Magnetic tape loses its color accuracy over time, often turning memories "magenta," "blue," or "faded." This service involves a technician manually adjusting the color values of your video.

• What’s included: Manual color grading to restore natural skin tones, deep blacks, and vibrant environmental colors (like green grass or blue skies) that have washed out over the last 20–40 years.

• Best for: Outdoor footage, weddings, or any tape where the color looks "off" or significantly aged.

Physical Tape Repair

• What it is: Sometimes a tape is too damaged to even be played. This is a manual "surgery" performed in our NYC studio to make the media functional again.

• What’s included: Splicing snapped or eaten tape back together, or "transplanting" the internal reels into a brand-new, high-quality plastic shell if the original casing is cracked or broken.

• Best for: Tapes that have been "eaten" by a VCR or dropped and damaged.

By placing an order with Remastered Memories, you (the "Customer") agree to the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully as they outline our mutual responsibilities and limit our liability.

1. The Service Model: Conversion vs. Restoration

• Standard Conversion: Customer understands that a "Standard Digital Conversion" is a raw, 1:1 transfer of the footage exactly as it exists on the physical tape. No digital cleanup or enhancement is performed in this tier.

• Remastering & Color Add-ons: While our "Remaster" and "Color Restoration" services use professional-grade technology to improve image stability, noise, and color, Remastered Memories cannot "create" detail that was never recorded. Final results are limited by the original quality of the recording (e.g., extremely low-light or blurry footage).

• Audio Quality: We normalize audio levels for consistency, but we cannot remove "baked-in" audio issues like heavy wind noise or microphone distortion.

2. Shipping Logistics & The 15-Day Rule

• Pre-Paid Labels: Upon checkout, a pre-paid shipping label is generated for the Customer’s convenience. This label remains the property of Remastered Memories.

• The 15-Day Window: Tapes must be scanned into the carrier’s system within 15 business days of the order date. If the label is not scanned within this window, the order will be automatically canceled, and a full refund will be issued to the Customer.

• Inbound Liability: Remastered Memories is not responsible for items lost, stolen, or damaged during transit from the Customer to our NYC studio. We strongly recommend using sturdy packaging and obtaining a drop-off receipt from the carrier.

• Return Shipping: The shipping fee paid at checkout covers the safe return of the Customer's original tapes unless the "Secure Disposal" option is chosen.

3. Secure Disposal & Privacy

• No Pressure Policy: We are happy to return your original tapes. Choosing our disposal service is entirely optional and free of charge.

• The Confirmation Process: To prevent the accidental destruction of family history, we require verbal confirmation (via phone or recorded voice memo) before we proceed with any disposal.

• Grace Period: Once verbal confirmation is received, we will wait 48 hours as a final grace period before the physical destruction of the media. Once the 48-hour window closes, the tapes are destroyed and recycled, and this action is irreversible.

• Privacy: We ensure all media is physically destroyed to protect your privacy. Your digital files are handled in a secure environment and are never shared or published without your express written consent.

4. Physical Tape Condition & Repair

• Tape Repair: If a tape is received broken, we will not attempt to play it until a Physical Tape Repair ($20) is authorized and paid for. Splicing tape may result in the loss of 1–2 seconds of footage at the break point.

• Tape Rot (Mold): Tapes found to have mold (white fuzz) will not be run through our equipment to prevent cross-contamination. We will notify the Customer and provide options for specialized cleaning or return the tape.

• Un-convertible Media: If a tape is physically beyond repair or contains no recorded signal, we will notify the Customer and refund the conversion fee for that specific tape.

5. Limitation of Liability

• Maximum Liability: In the unlikely event that Customer media is lost, damaged, or destroyed while in our possession (due to fire, theft, mechanical failure, or operator error), our liability is limited strictly to the replacement cost of the physical blank media (e.g., the cost of one blank VHS tape).

• Sentimental Value: Customer acknowledges that Remastered Memories cannot be held liable for the sentimental, artistic, or historical value of the content. By using our service, you release Remastered Memories from any claims for damages beyond the cost of the physical media itself.

6. Digital Storage & Retention

• 30-Day Backup: We maintain a secure backup of your remastered digital files for 30 days after delivery. After 30 days, files are permanently deleted to protect your privacy. It is the Customer's sole responsibility to download, verify, and backup their files upon receipt.

7. Copyright & Ownership

• Customer Warranty: By submitting media, the Customer warrants that they are the legal owner of the content or have the express permission of the owner to digitize it. We do not knowingly digitize commercially copyrighted material (e.g., Hollywood movies or TV shows) without proof of ownership.