Costco, Sams ETC. Vs. Millers or WHCC for final delivery

[Rson]

On your competition prints or final delivery prints do you print from Costco, Sams etc or a premium company such as Millers or WHCC? Why?

On another board some people were talking this and i would throw it up for discussion.

[AndrewCCM]

WHCC

Why? Consistency with color, and more options for papers, textures, mounting, colorspace, drop shipping...professional service from people that specialize in photography development, and consistently calibrate their equipment...

Cost difference is extremely inconsequential IMHO when it comes to reputation, customer/competition prints. I even market my sales as professionally retouched and printed at professional lab. This is just how I choose to do business. Not that it's the only or right way...Just my way.

FWIW: My wife gets snapshots done at Costco all the time. Sometimes they look good, sometimes not.

[CobyPhoto]

You even have to ask...Sam's = NOT professional. Miller's, WHCC, BWC any number of other PROFESSIONAL labs = Professional.

Sam's is about one thing...low cost to produce the most income. Professional labs are about quality and the best image they can produce! If Sam's screws up some prints, oh well, they will still make money, as that isn't their primary focus, and there are alot of cheap people that will continue to take them work because it is cheap.

Professional labs on the other hand, would be hard pressed to keep the doors open if they do not consitently turn out professional level work.

If you are pushing your work as professional level, Sam's IS not your place to have processing and print done.

CJ

[brad]

Sam's is hit or miss depending on the lab techs that are working that day (and the previous one) since all printing machines need almost constant calibration... I used to have some techs that I trusted at my local Sam's .. got real good, consistent results... but if those people weren't there, I couldn't count on that.... so using them for my final images was never something I considered.

Miller's and I assume the other houses are all about quality output... with the same file, you will get the same print time after time. And if not, they will reprint it without argument.

[bondarnes]

I agree with everything that has been posted, however if I just need one more print to deliver an order or it is a rush "gotta have it now" order I will take a CD to WalMart. They usually get it right.

[kenw]

I have found that if you have a relationship (and act like a decent person) the folks at Walmart, etc will literally bend over backwards to get you the print you want. It can take some patience and some of the things you will have to work with them on may be 2nd nature for someone at Millers, et al, but the turnaround time (and cost) can make it doable in a pinch. But you really need to be there to hold their hand while they print it. Find a slow store with an above average photo-tech and build a relationship. Work with them and they will work with you.

It worked very well for me until the corporate folks decided the volume didn't warrant keeping the lab open it the store nearest me. Then they decided that all web uploads had to be pre-paid, no pay at pickup, even for a single 4x6 19 cent proof...... Walmart is off my list for those reasons, not for print quality.

Now, if you need backings, canvas, etc, well....

[tjones0214]

I've used WHCC and been pleased. I just switched over, though, to MPIX.com. Wasn't sure abou them, but if you follow any Photoshop stuff and/or NAPP, those guys seem to be really happy and are actually recommending MPIX. MPIX is actually the digital division of Millers. Haven't really heard/read anything negative. My experience so far has been great.

[adirty1]

Needing one 16x20 end of day or a couple 4x6's I have used Costco a few times. They seem to be much more controlled than other retail stores. the store in North austin is really pretty much right on. And they are very willing to work with you and get your print done right.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

I've NEVER had any non-professional print labs come out with quality even coming close to the WHCC's of the world (Full Color, BWC, etc.). It is really amazing to print the same image at two different labs and look at the results.

If I'm printing for family... cheapest wins every time; unless it's important.

- Wil

[boldimagery]

i had an 8x10 produced at both WHCC and Sam's so I could compare them side by side. Their color was dead on, but with my processing of my own images their contrast was off the chart, and WHCC was dead on.

When comparing the two it is like night and day. WHCC was hands down smoked them, and the cost difference was not as much as one would think.

I believe that those discount stores are calibrated to be a bit more contrasty to compensate for images straight out of the camera. That is just my theory though.

[Debbi]

Quick true story on Walmart. I did a photoshoot a couple of weeks before Christmas. They HAD to have the pics by Christmas (actually a week earlier) and took forever to choose what they wanted. Came down to it and they had to have them THAT evening. Against my better judgment, I gave her a cd with the specific images and already cropped. Told her exactly what to ask for. She was thrilled - UNTIL - we had the rest of the images printed correctly. She ended up buying the first prints again and shows everyone she knows the difference.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

If I'm printing for family... cheapest wins every time; unless it's important.

- Wil

Cheapskate

[CobyPhoto]

Put another way...if you are trying to sell your product, and market your work as professional...how do you explain to your customer that you get your prints from Sam's/wallmart/Costco (the same place they get them) and expect them to continue using your work?

In this business, if you plan to make a living at it, perception is as important as the actual work that you produce.

You can't be percived to be professional if you are using a quick print place like Wal-Mart, Costco or Sam's.

CJ

[Rson]

Well said Coby

[LoungeLizard]

Couple of things.

First, MPIX is the "consumer" side of Miller's - not the "digital" side!

Second, if you're competing on cost of the paper/print, then you're bound to fail. You differentiate yourself based on the work that is printed - not the paper. I'm not selling square inches of paper, I'm selling the work that is printed on those square inches.

Third, I actually have prints hanging in my office (day job) printed by Costco (they know me well there) and Miller's (all customer deliverable prints are from them) and by looking, it is difficult to tell the difference. My work is all color calibrated and aside from the paper "feel", the untrained eye will not be able to tell the difference.

Most of my personal work is printed at Costco - some at Miller's. All my prints for customer delivery are printed at Miller's.