WHCC Out - Questions about MPIX

Well,

I did a comparison of 8x10 prints from WHCC and MPIX a while back. WHCC was slightly more expensive, but the out-of-the-box prints matched my monitor calibration better than MPIX did and MPIX had some funky thing at the time where I couldn't order true black-and-white prints and color prints at the same time ... they wanted them in separate orders. As far as larger prints, WHCC is only $4 for an 11x14 (my portfolio is 11x14) while MPIX wants $7.

Anyway, WHCC got the nod but in the past week I've been burned twice by them and am thinking of shopping around again. Specifically I had business cards printed (more expensive than anywhere else) that I am not happy with and was not quality checked (a phone call to let me know that my phone number was totally illegible would have been a nice feature), and yesterday I received my first press printed book which was missing the first two pages and cost me $78. For the record, $78 gets you a black fabric 10x10 book with 34 sides (well, 32 if they accidentally forget to include the first two pages) and B&W photos that aren't true B&W (my book is of all B&W prints and they all have a purplish tinge). The book is put together well and the paper is of good weight and excellent clarity .... but $78 is NOT what this thing is worth.

So, back to MPIX. When I placed my last order, they made me put B&W print and metallic prints in a separate order which means separate shipping ... is this still the case? Does anyone else have any negatives they'd like to share? Any other top quality places out there?

Bill

Yes unfortunately Mpix charges shipping on orders of a different kind but I've been mostly pleased with their service.

Update.

I just wanted to check in. First, I want to give props to WHCC's customer service department which has been courteous, professional, and understanding. They printed a third book and shipped it. Contrary to my original post, at no time was the shipping of the first two books back to them supposed to be at my expense ... I misunderstood which was followed up by a failure on the part of UPS.

In doing a lot more research on press printed books, I have come to the conclusion that WHCC's prices were not as far off of market as I had originally believed and in fact they may be better than market since I can't find anyone else who makes the same size book as I ordered.

Overall, while this experience was frustrating on many levels, the Customer Service department at WHCC is top notch and I have let them know as such. It was a truly refreshing experience compared to some of the absolute service trash I have been dealing with in the past few years.

Bill

Just for the record as well, WHCC requires separate orders for different paper types/products, not sure if they'll combine shipping on them.

gregster wrote in post #3532951
Just for the record as well, WHCC requires separate orders for different paper types/products, not sure if they'll combine shipping on them.

That's not true ... using their ROES system I've ordered different product types on the same order many times.

Bill

Are you sure? I just tried adding a Thrifty Print (Metallic) to cart, then changed catalogs to Thrifty Print (Lustre).

It gave me a warning about losing my order, and sure enough, my shopping cart was empty.

WHCC will combine seperate orders into a single shipment if the orders are entered at similar times.

ive had great experiences with WHCC. I mostly order 8x10's and 11x14's with the occasional something larger. Everything has always been great so far. Prices are good, shipped as promised, and the prints almost always match whats on my [calibrated] screen. Just thought I'd throw that in for anyone looking for a place to try.

Dchemist wrote in post #3537685
WHCC will combine seperate orders into a single shipment if the orders are entered at similar times.

Thanks, I'll have to try some metallic on my next order then.

gregster wrote in post #3537412
Are you sure? I just tried adding a Thrifty Print (Metallic) to cart, then changed catalogs to Thrifty Print (Lustre).

It gave me a warning about losing my order, and sure enough, my shopping cart was empty.

I had the same thing happen to me when I placed my order with them. One question though, I think orders have to meet the $12.00 min to get free shipping. If one order does and then say I place a second for couple metallic prints. Are they going to waive shipping on the entire order for me?

Also Bill NG, I was useing the ROES software as well and could not figure out how to do it. Is there a trick somewhere I overlooked. I would get the same we are about to wipe out you order message??

Greg

Bill Ng wrote in post #3537174
That's not true ... using their ROES system I've ordered different product types on the same order many times.

Bill

To follow up on this, I did contact WHCC and asked them about it, but they told me that every order is shipped separately (?). Would suck to be charged shipping numerous times, just to order various papers or products.