COLLAGES.NET - Who uses them or thinking about using them...

[MyKey]

If you are currently using www.collages.net or are thinking about using them for your business could you let me know!

I personally use them as I know a few others here on the forum do also. I found besides my website and logo it is the most important aspect of my business in the way of marketing. I truely could care less if I sale a single print when I upload a session, cause the amount of new people which goto my website and then on to collages to view our images is money well spent. We have booked many weddings simply through this process.


OK enough rant, I am curious on who uses collages or who is possibly thinking about using colleges for their business. Several high end reps from the business might possibly be making a trip down to Houston/Texas area in the next 2 months or so and I would like to see if anyone here on TPF would like to set up a place and time to meet to you can better understand what Collages can offer you.

I know for me personally until I understood collages and what they could do for my business I was disappointed with them, but once I understand how the system worked and how I can use it to assist our business it truely made my print sales double at every wedding/special event we covered.

So again let me know if you can, there is no pressure and this is not a sales pitch just something I truely feel could assist many of you in your business. If you dont look at just the bottom line and look at the larger picture collages truely is an amazing marketing tool!

[Erin Kathleen]

I've been thinking about switching over from smugmug. I'd be interested in what they have to say. Let me know when they're coming and maybe Lana and I will take a trip down to Houston. We've been wanting to anyway to visit friends and family down there... Otherwise, maybe have them send me an email or something??

Thanks, Mykey.

EK

[LoungeLizard]

We've been using them but have been thinking of stepping away from them. Quite honestly, they've given us grief with a few events (not loading correctly, losing access, etc.) and billing (double billing, claiming not paid, etc.)

I would still be interested in meeting with their reps if they're in town.

[Elsaspet]

I know that you know that I use them and love them. Couldn't be happier. I have several weddings that I've netted an additional $1000+ on the back end, and it's all due to their presentation, IMO.

I know you have a close relationship with them, so I have two suggestions for you to pass on please: I'd love it if they had a "package" pricing system that wouldn't charge the customer, only indicate the prints this particular person wanted from their packages. Would make my life much better! I know they are getting cuts from the orders, and wouldn't net off of a zero dollar order, but I do pay my monthly dues and would love to have one customer from each wedding be able to order this way.

I too have a problem with collages being down quite a bit. When they are up, it's great, but they tend to go down on the weekends when I am trying to upload. For instance, they are down at this very moment ..........

[MyKey]

Easy problems to fix Cindy

First of all they are in the process of putting together package pricing, it will be in the next release or so of their desktop software.

Second problem: GET THE DESKTOP SOFTWARE! It is NEVER down since it is on your computer and all you need is the internet to upload the final orders to your lab of choice. You can do all the busy work via your computer then just hit the update or upload button and be done with it.

If you do not have a copy of the $130 software let me know I can get you a copy for you free of charge.


And yes I work with them and they do sponser me, however they came to me I did not come to them. I ONLY push products which I use and work for my business, I have had lots of other companies wanting to sponser us and I have turned them down cause I do not use their products. Big names that could have helped my business out a lot, but I truely did not feel it was right to get a sponser from anyone and push their product when I did not use it in the first place. So when I push Collages it is truely cause I feel it is the best option out there, especially for us wedding photographers.

[Elsaspet]

Actually, my rep is sending me the desktop software in thanks for sending them several clients their way. Yea! I can't wait to get it. In fact I had no idea they had it. Super Woohoo on that. I have weddings pretty much every weekend, and it takes me about a week to process and make the albums, all of which I upload to Collages. When they are down, it really messes me up. I'd like to just file the folder and be done with it, so I hope this desktop thing will help remedy that.
Again though, they have been super to me, and I could never get the end revenue without them. It's like money in the bank. I spend $80 bucks a month with them, and in return I make a small fortune. Great Investment all the way around.

[cmalana]

I've been considering them but just switched over to exposuremanager from smugmug.

Actually, I still keep smugmug as our HTML version of our website but do all of our proof presentations, etc. on exposuremanager now.

We're going to be taking a closer look on our marketing options for 2007 later this year and they may be considered again. I like the exposure manager model of putting up lowres proofs and having them select (and only working on the ones that have been ordered - including the customized crop).

However, we do not generate enough backend print sales for weddings (besides albums and occassional canvas prints) so we're looking at improving that next year.

[brewdog]

I am currently using Pictage and considering Collages, I would love to meet with them. It is always good to know your options.

[haraki74]

I am using Collages for the first time right now(pretty much based on what TPF'ers have said). In fact, I just had a meeting with the wedding couple and on quizing them about Collages, they were fine with it. I would love to meet some of the folks from Collages to see how they can better benefit me.

[PictureCow]

I use to use collages but I fired them. Just this Monday actually after I wasted about 4 hours trying to upload one stinking wedding.

Honestly, I think they suck... and they made it hard to close my account and made me talk to a manager. She wouldn't close my account she insisted on turning into a pay per event client. Whatever.

Also I don't like that they won't send out a check for sales. I have to give them my banking information for direct deposit. I don't freely give out that information.

My biggest issue is their system all together. I'm well versed in MANY software applications (I'm a graphic designer too) and their software is not at all intuitive. I've had to call for help every time I uploaded an event. I've never had these issues with any other third party image hosting companies and I've tried several at this point. Not to mention that servers are very slow and often down.

There are many other options many of which are far less expensive and can benefit your sales in the same exact manor. I believe that online image hosting is good for business. I just don't think you need to pay $80 a month as well as 15% commission.

The one nice thing I will say is.... The bells and whistles are pretty.... but that's about it.

[MyKey]

OK So I am going out on a limb here and saying PictureCow will not be interested in the meeting :)

Please lets keep this on track with the question of the thread.

Why I am sorry you feel this way I do not work for Collages I just support their product and them. So again can we please keep the bashing off the thread and just let me know if you are using them or interested in them and want to be part of a possible get-to-gather.

Again Laura sorry you have had this experience, I hope you find something that suit your business needs.

[OversighT]

Mike, she did answer your question... just not in the way that you would have liked. If you are trying to get fellow photographers to switch to Collages it's only fair that they should see the other side as well... those who used to be with Collages. They won't work for every business model, but they do work for a lot and they have some software issues to work out. Air it out and let everyone choose for themselves.


T.

[MyKey]

I was in no way trying to get people to switch to Collages, I was just throwing out the meeting Troy. I am not even going to be at the meeting, again you can take it or leave it, I truely do not care. Sure I make $1000 a wedding extra from them most of the time, it works for me, however many did not work for me in the past before I found them. In fact this thread is quite funny to be honest, I love to see the responses it is quite funny in deed :) Im just waiting to hear from "Archer" now.

[Silvernic]

Just signed up today, but won't be posting my first wedding for about two weeks. It was cool seeing your site on theirs MyKey. Except, Cody's face on there can't be improving sales, can it?

[ndsimm]

I currently only use smugmug and have had success, but has this meeting been set up yet?