I process my own B&W to avoid this problem, however I have notice this about c-41 processing in various discount outfits.(posted 8361 days ago)1. Definitely watch the untrained operator of the minilab and once in a while you will see someone who know what they are doing and you can make sure to take your film in at their shift. if you get friendly with him or her, they will put your film in when the chem is fresh.
2. One time I drop a roll of regular kodak gold 200 in the send away box at wal-mart and it came back supper! The reason was. I was trying to have them push the gold 200 1 stop. so I guess when it gets to the lab they have to find someone who understand what I wrote on the envelope "push to 400" not bad for $4. and they even put it on the good fuji paper.
3. Clark color lab seems to be the best send away place I have found. After countless rolls of c-41..... they haven't scratch one yet. (knock on wood) and they are more consistant than me.
Any moden minilab printer can do B&W pretty well. the question is: Is the person paying attention to what he/she is putting in the machine? The machine is fully adjustable to print various kinds of film. the operator has to set it change the color balance. I had problem with people processing fuji color film. most lowprice minilab set their machine on Kodak and pictures coming out are usually too cold.
Alex