Do Your Customers Ever Ask...

[suzyjazz]

...where you get your photos printed/developed? If so, what do you tell them? Just wondering.

[AjP]

MPix or Miller's

[suzyjazz]

Just wondered if anyone didn't want to tell them because then they might go look at the price list and think the photog was charging too much. Of course, *we* all know our prices include time, talent, equipment, perhaps shipping, etc.

[KeepsakeGirl]

I tell them I send them out to a professional lab in Georgia that's limited to orders by photog. businesses and they go "oh okay"....which is a lie..i get them local in Austin :p

[PeteQ]

I will usually tell them that I work with various labs. I try to stay away from directing them to a site such as Miller's or MPix because the next thing you have is a phone call asking why you charge "X" amount for a photo that costs "Y" amount. Even with the "my time an expertise" discussion it is still easier to leave it alone if you can. When pressed I will direct them to a local pro lab which I use or have used. Since those guys are usually only dealing with pros, a lot of the problems are self-solving. Kind of along the line of Keepsake's discussion.

[Wendy]

I've had a couple of people ask and I just tell them that I work with a professional lab and they are printed on high quality, professional paper. I think most customers that ask that just want to make sure you're not running up to the local Walgreen's to have them printed. That has been a good enough answer for everyone that has asked me.

[suzyjazz]

Thanks for the responses; keep them coming. I don't want this thread to turn into an editorial on what location is good enough for pro use, etc. I just want to know what photogs say to their customers.

[haraki74]

Exactly what Wendy said! They just want to be reassured you are not going to Walgreens or someplace like that.

Harry

[OversighT]

I tell my customers where I get them printed and I haven't heard any complaints about me charging too much. Hearing everyone else's policy may make me rethink how I handle that question. The reality is I like being able to go into the shop and talk photography with the guys working there and I don't want simply order my prints over the internet (Mpix or Miller's), but I don't have a truly professional lab anywhere within 20 miles of me (far NW Austin)... at least that I'm aware of...so I get my prints done at Wolf (don't laugh).


T.

[suzyjazz]

Originally Posted by OversighT

I get my prints done at Wolf (don't laugh).

No laughing here.... I used them for awhile and thought they looked great.

[sbp]

I generally tell them I get it done over network and true. Then there is always next question name. I says I go with multiple lab as some are good printing closeups and some are good at enlargements. Then there is third question (sometime) can I get print from there later on, Ans- yes sure you have to open account with them and they only works with photog so tell me if you want to get printed and I will get done faster then you. and so on..
Then some weired one asks specific site name then - "I don't remmber but call me it is on my computer and I will get it to you" most of the time they don't call but if they do give them name.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by Wendy

I've had a couple of people ask and I just tell them that I work with a professional lab and they are printed on high quality, professional paper. I think most customers that ask that just want to make sure you're not running up to the local Walgreen's to have them printed. That has been a good enough answer for everyone that has asked me.

Ditto
All they want to hear is that their prints will be done by a custom/professional lab

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by suzyjazz

No laughing here.... I used them for awhile and thought they looked great.

I used them too for awhile. Until they told it was going to be 3 weeks on a medium format order. And then it took 5.

[brad]

I tell them that I work closely with the techs at a local lab and I've always been pleased... the few times there have been problems, they have reprinted with no trouble at all.

And its true.. but I never tell them where specifically.. they never ask.

[Steelsun]

I tell them I use several professional labs, which one I use depends on the product, needs, and other factors.