Brian,
That's exactly how it is with my local pro lab. It used to be that I'd walk in and one of the nameless counterpeople would tell me that, though their ads boasted a 4 hour turn-around for E-6, I could have it in 24 if I really needed it, but it would be a favor to them if they could push it back to 48.
Last time I went in there, in August, I asked how long it would take and the lab manager (not some nameless customer service rep) said, "When do you need it, Jason?".
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