FYI: CostCo Photo Center online presence expanded

[slin100]

I've been waiting for CostCo to bring their online Photo Center to my area. Well, much to my glee, I just discovered they have expanded beyond Texas and now offer the service to select parts of Washington, Oregon, California and Utah. :D

CostCo is one of the few photo centers for which you can obtain ICC profiles for their printers (get profiles from Dry Creek Photo (http://www.drycreekphoto.com)). This enables you to color manage your image from capture to final print.

Adorama also offers ICC profiles for their printing service, but the $3.95 shipping charge is a bit hard to swallow.

[TonyKInTexas]

They have. Unfortunately the size of prints is limited. To get 12x18 prints I have to go to the store and order them.

and their prices are different on the website than in person.

I've been waiting for CostCo to bring their online Photo Center to my area. Well, much to my glee, I just discovered they have expanded beyond Texas and now offer the service to select parts of Washington, Oregon, California and Utah. :D

CostCo is one of the few photo centers for which you can obtain ICC profiles for their printers (get profiles from Dry Creek Photo (http://www.drycreekphoto.com)). This enables you to color manage your image from capture to final print.

Adorama also offers ICC profiles for their printing service, but the $3.95 shipping charge is a bit hard to swallow.

[slin100]

They have. Unfortunately the size of prints is limited. To get 12x18 prints I have to go to the store and order them.

and their prices are different on the website than in person.
That's a bummer. They only offer 4x6 and 8x10. I was hoping for 8x12.

[TonyKInTexas]

The Austin store has said if one sizes the images for real size (320 DPI) and size it for 8x12, then it should print that way. My issue is the $.20 difference per 8x10/8x12 print between instore and online.

They say it is because not all stores are on the same price scale. I hope the resolve this soon. I really like their processing and turn around time.

They have. Unfortunately the size of prints is limited. To get 12x18 prints I have to go to the store and order them.

and their prices are different on the website than in person.
That's a bummer. They only offer 4x6 and 8x10. I was hoping for 8x12.

[slin100]

I think I've run into a possible snag. In the past, when I went into the warehouse to order prints, I would write specific instructions on the order sheet to disable all automatic color corrections. There doesn't seem to be any way to convey special instructions via their online Photo Center.

I've sent off an email to customer service asking about this. I have a feeling they may tell me to call the warehouse after I upload the images and give them the instructions. Somehow, I feel that that is not likely to work out too reliably.

[TonyKInTexas]

To date I have not had any issues like that. My images loaded online come out as I would expect them to.

I think I've run into a possible snag. In the past, when I went into the warehouse to order prints, I would write specific instructions on the order sheet to disable all automatic color corrections. There doesn't seem to be any way to convey special instructions via their online Photo Center.

I've sent off an email to customer service asking about this. I have a feeling they may tell me to call the warehouse after I upload the images and give them the instructions. Somehow, I feel that that is not likely to work out too reliably.

[Vegas Poboy]

I use Costco but Sams Club /Walmart has been doing this for about a month also. If your a member you may want to check them out. The only bad thing is they don't offer the ICC profile.

[slin100]

Well, I got a response from CostCo Photo Center support and they say that if I login as a "Professional Photographer", then the ICC profiles will be available for download. Turns out, they just redirect you to Dry Creek Photo. So, they didn't really address my issue, which is how to request that auto corrections be disabled when processing my order. :roll:

Oh well, I'm gonna give it a shot, anyway. If the prints will turn out, I'll have saved myself an extra trip.

[slin100]

I got the prints back and they look good. I asked the operator what would happen if I ordered an 8x10 but sent them an 8x12 image. The operator replied that I would get an 8x12. The 8x10 image I ordered came on an 8x12 sheet, so I'm inclined to believe it.

I think that does it for me. I'm sold. :D

[TonyKInTexas]

Its nice, I just wish they had other sizes available, like 5x7 and 12x18.

I got the prints back and they look good. I asked the operator what would happen if I ordered an 8x10 but sent them an 8x12 image. The operator replied that I would get an 8x12. The 8x10 image I ordered came on an 8x12 sheet, so I'm inclined to believe it.

I think that does it for me. I'm sold. :D

[DReb-MO]

I need the service in Missouri. When will they make it available in Missouri. Show me, darn it!