Shutterfly not a good start (Page 3): Do you have a favorite place?

redlegfrog

SuperflyTNT wrote:

Last time I printed at Costco they were still using the silver halide process. They were nice prints but didn’t reproduce some colors well, especially bright reds. As far as I can tell most of the “bulk” processing spots, (Walmart, Walgreens,CVS), still use the chemical process. Most high end labs use inkjet which gives superior color and potentially longer lasting prints.

Do you have a favorite place?

Rick0747

I admit I never used Costco but I have used Shutterfly for years. I am not a professional and print books, photos, gifts for myself, family and friends. I am very pleased with Shutterfly - quality, turn around time. Yes - shipping is high at times but look for deals - as DaveO suggested. I recently had my first Shutterfly book with misprints and spoke to a customer service rep who I understood perfectly. They replaced the book - and I even upgraded the paper quality - for free. If you don't like Shutterfly, there are many other options online: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-photo-books/ or https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g27154713/best-photo-book-maker-websites/

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

redlegfrog wrote:

Do you have a favorite place?

I now print my own up to 13”x19”

redlegfrog

AzPicLady wrote:

I've been doing a search of comparable printing, and here's what I found:

https://snaphappymom.com/cheapest-place-to-print-photos/#0-cheapest-place-to-print-photos-4x6

According to this, Walmart is the cheapest at 9 cents (that's not the instant in-store prints) for 4x6. Amazon is cheapest for 5x7's.

Thank you, that was very informative.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I used to take my files to be enlarged (12x18 inches) to Costco. I was always satisfied with their prints. I lost interest when I had to leave the file to be sent elsewhere.
Now when I make an enlargement I go to a local professional lab.

cdayton

Since 2010, I have done a dozen or so photo books with Shutterfly as well as various types of cards. I’ve never experienced any problem but there is some learning curve. For example, I never use their formats for picture placement or text and they have so many options for things like backgrounds or frames that choice can be time consuming.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

cdayton wrote:

Since 2010, I have done a dozen or so photo books with Shutterfly as well as various types of cards. I’ve never experienced any problem but there is some learning curve. For example, I never use their formats for picture placement or text and they have so many options for things like backgrounds or frames that choice can be time consuming.

That sounds like the same methods and choices that I went through for creating my photo book through Costco. HOWEVER, Costco has a 30-page hard cover book as their standard and the cost was $19.99 (before taxes and shipping) came to $27.50 (per copy) delivered..... Shutterfly has a 20-page hard cover book as their standard, so when extra pages were added, then subtract the 51% special price discount, and free shipping, the comparable book came to $39.95, delivered into my hands.

Jack Olson

Willingz Loc: El Paso TX

AzPicLady wrote:

I actually went through the process of transferrin... (show quote)

I would suggest you try Nations Photo Lab. Excellent product and they are always having sales. Their prints are often 40% off and the calendars & canvases I have had printed there are beautiful. Their customers service is awesome as well.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

fredpnm wrote:

In many respects, at least for photographers, Costco made a mistake by dropping the in-store photo processing and now the online photo center. In this and in other ways Costco is becoming less and less important as a place to shop - I say that having been a Price Club/Costco member since the late 1980s.

I doubt Shutterfly will be my 'go to' place for my photo needs. Not sure who will be but I have tried the local Walgreens and they did a rather nice job.

Try Bay Photo or Black River Imaging

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

alberio wrote:

Try Bay Photo or Black River Imaging

Bay Photo are great and so is WHCC.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Willingz wrote:

I would suggest you try Nations Photo Lab. Excellent product and they are always having sales. Their prints are often 40% off and the calendars & canvases I have had printed there are beautiful. Their customers service is awesome as well.

I'll take a look at them.

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

I'm surprised you experience problems with Shutterfly. I have used them since they started up, I believe, and have found them to have THE best customer service in the industry. [Note: I am not affiliated with Shutterfly in any way other than being a user. I am a retired Naval Officer.] I have been able to resolve virtually every issue with either their chat service or by phone. I find their prices good and their responses quick. I am storing some 40,000 pictures on Shutterfly and have used them for our Christmas cards and about 25-30 calendar gifts a year in addition to prints including enlargements up to 20 by 30.

redlegfrog

SAVH wrote:

I'm surprised you experience problems with Shutter... (show quote)

My problem was an issue with the webb site, wouldn't let me put anything in the shopping cart. tried to start a chat but after initial contact, nothing. My guess was there was lots of customers in the same boat so customer service was real busy. Time to try elsewhere.

redtooth

I agree with you redlegfrog . I transferred my pictures from Costco . I tried several times to order but failed . Tried to talk to a computer . No luck . Awful to deal with.

redlegfrog

redtooth wrote:

I agree with you redlegfrog . I transferred my pictures from Costco . I tried several times to order but failed . Tried to talk to a computer . No luck . Awful to deal with.

Take a look at Snapfish. They are the discount version of shutterfly. I don't know who owns who.
After I left the Shutterfly I went to Snapfish and in 10 min. or so I had opened an account downloaded my pics. paid for it and was done.
I just got a notice from them a few minutes ago that my prints are in the mail already. not too bad!