Replicolor

Replicolor came highly recommended by both Pictureline and a professional photographer that I know.  I have only had one other picture printed, so I'm still an newbie when it comes to digital printing.  I sent the picture to them via their web page.  They printed it on 11x17 paper.  It was nicely done, but way too dark.  I asked them where I went wrong and was told that they printed it just like I sent it to them. (that is what they do)  After some discussion, they explained that my monitor must not be calibrated.  How do I calibrate my monitor?  Spend more money and get more equipment.   Since I needed the pictures soon I asked if they could lighten it up a bit and print a small proof.  Great.  Two days later I went back.  The proof was way too light and somehow the saturation was set too high.  With time running out I described what I wanted them to do and told them to print it again in the large format.  The final product still didn't come out quite like I wanted.  They were very nice about it, but I felt like they are used to dealing with people a lot more advanced than me and didn't have the time to teach me how to get the prints I wanted. 

Bottom line, I guess I need to find somewhere else cheaper to get my digital printing done so that my mistakes don't cost as much.  At least until I get this whole monitor calibration thing figured out.