Having prints shipped directly from lab unprofessional?

I've started to seriously consider just using Costco as my lab as their prints are pretty high quality, for a great price (not to mention free shipping as well on all 4x6 orders)

Would it be unprofessional to have them just shipped directly to the customer? Costco doesn't put the prices (thankfully) anywhere, but it does say Costco Photo Center on the envelope.

I want to say yes, only because there are times when there is an issue with the picture. You want to be the first to see/check them before the client gets them.

Its another $1-$4 out of your pocket to re-ship them but you'll save a client from having a bad story about you. Which is huge, IMHO.

I think it's a bad idea. Put yourself in the customers position: they order prints and pay say $10 for a 6x4, then their print arrives in an envelope that tells them you paid about $0.30 for the print. They'll feel ripped off, even though the value is in the making and processing of the photo. If it turns up in plain packaging or packaging branded with your studio name then they'll assume it was done somewhere expensive, and assume greater value.

Incidentally I won't use a lab that puts their name on the back of the print for the same reason.

I have ALWAYs had my orders shipped directly. I have NEVER delivered or had a client pick-up. It works for me. You have to decide what works for you.

Mistakes are going to be made regardless how you do things... even if you see the prints first. The few times I have a mistake in an order I fix it and include freebies for their trouble.

I'd say it depends how the lab packages it. I wouldn't use Costco anyway though. That in and of itself seems unprofessional, IMHO. I think of Costco as a consumer lab along the lines of Wal-Mart & the local drug store, even if they are better.

I agree... you need to find a lab that packages the prints professional and does drop shipping... which means the invoice will not be in the package.

I recently used adoromapix for an order and the shipping was very professional as well as the quality

adorama is excellent as are many other on-line services. Costco shipping direct to a client would be a no no for me.

Sign up for an account with WHCC. They will do drop shipping if you want, and they are a professional lab with great quality.

Just my $0.02...

I have done the blind test myself. 5 prints from costco and 5 from 3 other "high quality" printing companies in various sizes (the same picture). Nobody has yet been able to figure out which one cost $0.12 and which one $1.20, which was $8.99 vs. $25.10!! for a large print.

When they do make mistakes but than they're very quick and nice about fixing it. That's more than I can say about most other printing houses.

I'm not defending Costco, wouldn't care less about them, just the "cheaper is crappier" statements.

were the other choices wal-mart and walgreens...

perception is important.. can clients tell its from costco?

Its all about "perceived value" Its a Marketing term about what the client feels they are getting. Do you think there is any, (as mentioned above) if they pay a lot of money for an enlargement, but it comes in the mail from some discount chain they get 5 gallons of mayonnaise and 24-pack of tube socks from? I highly doubt it. They will think "Ill drop it off myself on the next trip there." However if you repackage it yourself, the precieved value is intact. Even if you did have it processed at Costco. Just the implication of "discount shop" on your final product is worth the money to repackage. Now Im all about saving every last dollar. But not at the expense of my reputation.

In the past I have always dropped shipped from WHCC. They put there name on nothing unless it shipped to your studio. However I am considering having all prints shipped tome for review then repackage them in a nice designer box from Bellagrafica to give them a more valued professional look. It will cut into my profit some but hopfully will add some perceived value to my work. At least that is what the people trying to sell me the boxes say.

Greg

I have mine shipped directly from Printroom.com. When you setup shop with them, your customers actually get shipments with your name on them. You can even put a logo if I'm not mistaken.

Doc

g-money wrote in post #5820549
In the past I have always dropped shipped from WHCC. They put there name on nothing unless it shipped to your studio. However I am considering having all prints shipped tome for review then repackage them in a nice designer box from Bellagrafica to give them a more valued professional look. It will cut into my profit some but hopfully will add some perceived value to my work. At least that is what the people trying to sell me the boxes say.

Greg

This was my point as well. I believe the point is to show your best foot -- always. Whomever prints the pictures, I really think its better that I get, stack, reassemble the picture before the client sees them.

I have had the print lab send me someone else's prints. I'm sure everyone else at least ended up with 1 other picture that focus on the wrong part of the body or saw something in the background that shouldn't be there, whatever. Quality Assurance is very important for keeping customers.