I am MAD MAD MAD!! Album issue

[princessmocha]

I am soooooo P***** off right now..pardon me...but I am really really frustrated right now....
I worked 12 hours /per day for 3 days to finish up my very first "official" album(yea, I am that slow, ahha, since I am pretty much a newbie in album design). Anyway,I ordered that through Blurb.com.
THey arrived on time. Everything looked great at the first glance.
Until I checked on it the second time. I found a "dust filament" printed on the dust jacket. It's not a little tiny one,BUT it looked kind of obvious. I wouldn't have complaint about it unless the album is meant for my clients. Fortunately, it's NOT. But it's kind of like my portfolio, to showcase my work, my design ability, etc etc. So it is a big deal for me.It represent my work, ME as a professional photographer, and my reputation.
And also, I planned on doing business with Blurb in the future, so I guess it's a very good opportunity to "test" their customer service.
So, I sent the album back with these problems that I encountered:
1. the dust filament on the dust jacket
2.The back cover is about 0.5 inches higher than the front cover. The alignment is off.
3. there are several pages where the background color is black, with white edges. The trimming is off also. You can see it with your eyes.

I dont think I was being picky, I just want to make sure my future/potential clients will get the best consider the amount of money they pay.(and also consider the time and money i spent on the album...)

Here's what I received from them:
Hi there,
I am looking at your book now... I see there's a little dust filament on the back dust jacket and we could issue you a reprint based on that.
The other two issues are not ones which would generate a reprint, however, and you would need to work those out on your end.
I have attached an image of what your uploaded cover looked like and as far as I can tell, your cover printed out exactly as you designed and submitted it.
The black pages with the white edges are probably not ever going to work with our printing process. When the pages are trimmed, they go through a manual process and it is never exact. There can be up to one-eighth of an inch trimmed from any one or all three of the outside edges.

So I can reprint this book as is or if you'd prefer, I can issue you a credit for the cost of this book and you can use that to re-do and re-order the book.

Please let me know which you would prefer.
Best,
Maggie


Is it ME? being TOO fussy and picky? Or what????????


Thank you guys for reading!! I feel much much better now......

[Breezy]

that sucks.
I would probably just tell them to refund my money period but then I am bitchy like that :D

[KeepsakeGirl]

Originally Posted by princessmocha

The black pages with the white edges are probably not ever going to work with our printing process. When the pages are trimmed, they go through a manual process and it is never exact. There can be up to one-eighth of an inch trimmed from any one or all three of the outside edges.

So I can reprint this book as is or if you'd prefer, I can issue you a credit for the cost of this book and you can use that to re-do and re-order the book.

Please let me know which you would prefer.
Best,
Maggie

If the book is going to come back THE SAME minus the dust filament I would get a refund and find another book company or fix those edges so it works with their "manual process" and try again.

[Dsheree]

It's hit or miss with them. Some like it and some don't. Don't expect to talk to anyone there.....it's online contacts or nothing.

[PeteQ]

The fact of the matter is that Blurb books are toward the lower end of the spectrum and quite honestly, you get what you pay for. Compare their quality to an Asuka or better yet a GraphiStudio and you'll see a huge difference. Personally, I would stay away from a Blurb book as a final product for something like a wedding or portfolio. For not that much more in the big scheme of things you can step into an Asuka or similar product.

That being said, I have used them on a few projects and they have their place, you just need to be mindful of your edge layouts. Make sure you have plenty of border space and that your image extends fully outside the page if you want a full bleed effect. And also, several people have noted big color shifts on their covers. Simple fix, do the covers in black and white (Thanks Jake). As a matter of fact I have a client interested in several hundred of these books. They want a simple, easily update able, giveaway for their guests. The cost is inline with where they want to be for that type of novelty so it's a good fit. But for a "one off" like a wedding album IMO you should aim a bit higher. As you said yourself, this is the product that will represent you for wedding work. Even if it costs you a bit more, you will be putting a quality product out and that is what you will be remembered by.

If this was your first attempt I would chalk it up to a learning experience. Be glad you didn't spend $300-$400 on a GraphiStudio only to find out your full bleeds aren't exactly where you thought they were.

[princessmocha]

Yea, I guess i will ask for a refund. I ordered a different album(a much simpler one with minimal design/effect stuff)with them and it turned out fine. That's why I went back to them.
I guess it's just like what Dawn said--- "hit or miss"....well, the hit or miss could happen everywhere and anywhere, I just have to be careful on MY end....
I am going to try mypublisher next time....
oh, by the way, I just received a free shipping coupon code.It's good up to $7 on shipping.

travelfs-77C9D
Offer expires September 30, 2007

[princessmocha]

Pete, thanks for the advice..i totally agree on what you said...
I truly learnt the lesson, I get what i paid for....no kidding. I'll be really careful from now on.

[PeteQ]

I'm sure the next one you do will be better. They always are. You start picking up tips and tricks and get the feel for the company you order from. I have a standard book I laid out and I send it to any company I think I'm going to use, that way I can compare across product lines and make my judgments based on the same book. Even so there is always a bit of nervous anticipation as you await your books!

As you found out, it rarely comes down to price in hindsight. Quality and service are much more important when it's your name on the line....

Keep moving forward, best of luck!

[LoungeLizard]

SukYee - sorry about this, but I wish you had done a bit of research on their product.

As Pete said, it's slearning experience and I'm sure the next go around will be much better.

For alternatives to Blurb, look at Asuka and SharedInk. Those are about the lowest priced that I'd consider suitable for wedding work (Asuka for album, SharedInk for proofing).

[princessmocha]

Thanks, Jesus! I am actually looking at different album printing websites right now, I am going to take my time to do the research. No rush....
Thanks for the suggestions!! :)

[a2rob]

I have ordered 7 albums from blurb and not one issue. Blurb, like mentioned previously is on the lower end. Simply ask for a refund and find another company, I just received an album today from mpix.com, minus the cover, the pages were actually heavier and the quality better that blurb.

[Michelle Allmon]

I dont think I was being picky, I just want to make sure my future/potential clients will get the best consider the amount of money they pay.

So get the best.

Can we see your album design?