Print Ordering Questions

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

KristenL — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:24:31 GMT

Is there a difference in print quality between Mpix and MpixPro? I have been quite happy with MpixPro in regard to true print color. I am brand new to Zenfolio and have my first customer order in-process on my new site with a premium Mpix account?

... update, found the following thread which answers the above question. http://forums.zenfolio.com/forums/t/7341.aspx

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Reza Gorji — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:50:00 GMT

The shipping charges are too high; period. And I think because of it some (including gallery owners) print elsewhere. I wanted to print and send 2- 4x6's. The shipping was $4.26. MPIX packages very well and protects the prints well but in my opinion these high costs are the weakest point. In fact I've had many customers tell me that they will not order a few prints because of these costs. They will only put bigger orders. I end up losing.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Ronbo — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:35:14 GMT

I think a lot of people would be thinking twice about Zenfolio if they know the details of the shipping prices, assuming that was important to them. If I were just starting out I would probably pick Smugmug knowing what I know now. Changing over would be a pain though. If you think your going to be making good use of print ordering on your site than Smugmug seems to be the better deal right now unless you need the business plan and what it offers. If Mpix is charging Zenfolio so much than maybe we should have another provider for some competition. if Mpix is not charging Zenfolio more I would like to know why Zen is price gouging us with the premium plan.

If SmugMug was smart they would use this information to their advantage. Or pay some guys to hit all the forums, causing Zenfolio to lose some potiential business. I personally can't recommend Zen to my freinds if they want to use print ordering. Although I can't stand the name SmugMug its the one I recommend now at almost half the price for the top plans. My main reservation with SM is the setup and editing interface is not as intuitive as Zenfolios last I checked. I expect some backlash from premium users once they realize what the shipping cost actually is, I'm sure the vast majority don't know.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

rwherr — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 02:42:17 GMT

ronjon2:

It makes no sense to me that we would have to pay an additional $150 a year to get the lower cost shipping options if that is that case. If so with Zen you have to pay $250 a year for decent shipping prices and with SmugMug $150

Smugmug's $150 cost includes BayPhoto and/or WHCC lab printing?

I'm torn. I've heard some good things about Zenfolio, but I definitely don't want to spend $250 for the convenience of self-fulfillment at a lower cost shipping for a service (MPixPro) that I already use.

I do know alot of photographers that use Smugmug and BayPhoto/WHCC are both good. Decisions, decisions.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Ronbo — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:34:35 GMT

I see no options for changing the shipping in my account. Where is this First class mail option found? it's certainly not something that is obvious to me or my clients in my premium plan. It makes no sense to me that we would have to pay an additional $150 a year to get the lower cost shipping options if that is that case. If so with Zen you have to pay $250 a year for decent shipping prices and with SmugMug $150

I just went and checked out SmugMug and tried ordering some prints from 3 of their members. I tried ordering 5 5x7s and had the following choices USPS $2.95 first class $4.95 and $9.95 For Fed X next day. For 5 8x12s shipping is $6.95 (that's $18 less than Zenfolio's premium plan) $12.45 & $19.95 for next day. It seems SmugMug has a strong advantage when it comes to shipping prices.

This is the kind of information that folks need to know before choosing a Zenfolio package over one of Smugmugs. Unfortunantly the forums is the only place to get this valuable information.

Here is the current shipping price page for Mpix.com (not MpixproROE). http://www.mpix.com/about/Shipping.aspx

The website says the 1st class does not apply to luster coated photos. So to be clear I also checked my Zen accout to verify that the metalic option was not affecting the shipping prices, The plain color photo option gives the same shipping price in my premium account. If you want family and friends to make prints at base prices from your files your better off just letting them download them with a password.

What laura is not telling us in the post above is that those shipping prices are apparently only available for the $250 yr business plan. Why is that? Mpix & Zenfolio are losing business from this.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Laura — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:16:30 GMT

Zenfolio's shipping prices are closely aligned with MpixPro's shipping costs. With MpixPro, FedEx shipping is FREE for orders with a base product cost over $100.

FedEx shipping is $5.50 for orders with a base product cost between $10 and $100.(It has not been $4 for a few weeks)

For orders with a base cost less than $10, the shipping options are as follows:

USPS First Class shipping is $4.25 and available for orders of 50 prints or less that contain print sizes
5x7, 5x5, 4x6, 4x5 and/or 3.5x5. USPS First Class shipping is also available for orders of 15 prints or less containing print sizes 8x10, 8x8, 6x9, 5x7, 5x5, 4x6, 4x5, 3.5x5 and/or wallets. Boutique Packaging is not available with First Class shipping.
USPS Priority Mail is $8.25 (delivered in 3-4 business days)
FedEx Next Business Day shipping is $13.25

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

joy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:09:32 GMT

I hadn't checked multiples..That is a bummer.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Slynky — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:50:05 GMT

ronjon2:

Just did another check and shipping for 5 metalic 9x12 photos is still $25 & 10 5x7s is over $10, 3 metalic 5x7s is $8.25, 1 5x7 it is still $8.25. With small prints you do seem to save with volume. It's hard to imagine that folks are paying those prices for shipping. Good luck with that. MpixProROES is $5.

Something is a bit fishy at those prices.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Ronbo — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:57:32 GMT

Just did another check and shipping for 5 metalic 9x12 photos is still $25 & 10 5x7s is over $10, 3 metalic 5x7s is $8.25, 1 5x7 it is still $8.25. With small prints you do seem to save with volume. It's hard to imagine that folks are paying those prices for shipping. Good luck with that. MpixProROES is $5.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

rwherr — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:36:26 GMT

Thanks for the clarification, Laura. I apologize for my confusion.

So in order to have MPixPro as one of my print options, I would have to get the highest level Zenfolio (Business) acct, correct?

Is the MPixPro shipping fee on those Business accts as I have described ($4 flat fee for next business day shipping)?

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Laura — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:15:01 GMT

Shipping options from Mpix are completely different from what is offered by MpixPro. So if you are using MpixPro, then the same shipping options are available to you through Zenfolio when using MpixPro as the vendor. This thread was focused primarily on shipping options from Mpix through Zenfolio, not MpixPro.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

rwherr — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:05:18 GMT

I've never printed with MPix so maybe I'm just confusing the pricing difference between MPix & MPixPro, but I still think $4.25 for one 8x10 is still way too high.

I've done an order with multiple 8x10's, a bunch of 5x7's & (2)16x20's with MPixPro and was only charged $4 for Fedex Next Business day delivery.

I'm guessing IF I decide to go with Zenfolio, I will do as suggested and turn off the printing option and go directly to MPixPro ROES with my print orders.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

joy — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:50:42 GMT

Very nice...I just did a test run..and an 8 by 10 had 4.25 shipping..
Thanks!

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

Laura — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:35:01 GMT

It's good to know that some companies actually listen to their users. If you are not already aware, Mpix has changed their shipping options somewhat. Basically, some larger sizes will be available in the First Class option and it will no longer be limited to 5x7. They are adding 8x10, mini wallets, wallets, 8x8, and 6x9 into the First Class option. If any of the new sizes are included, the quantity limited is lowered to 15. Here is some detailed info:

First Class Shipping is available for orders of 50 prints or less that contain print sizes 5x7, 5x5, 4x6, 4x5 and/or 3.5x5.

First Class Shipping is also available for orders of 15 prints or less containing print sizes 8x10, 8x8, 6x9 5x7, 5x5, 4x6, 4x5, 3.5x5 and/or wallets.

Boutique Packaging is not available with First Class Shipping.

Previous first class list:

5x7
5x5
4x6
4x5
3.5x5

New additions to the first class list:

Mini wallets
Wallets
3.5x5
4x5
4x6
5x5
5x7
6x9
8x8
8x10

I hope that this change will help, at least a little.

Re: MPIX Shipping higher?

rwherr — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 03:54:26 GMT

Wow, I was about to sign up with Zenfolio being that I already use MPixPro, but with those shipping charges, it's definitely not worth it for me.

Right now, I'm only charged $4 for Fedex Next Business Day shipping with a $14 minimum order.

Disappointing