Seriously Dissappointed :(

[Karebear98]

Well as I have been going through the process of setting up Smug Mug...I am starting to think I made a poor decision. Although Smug Mug sounded great, I am realizing it is quite limited.

I don't understand why there are no mounting options...this means that even prints over 8x10 up to very large sizes will come on PAPER. Seriously? No option to put on Styrene, Gatorboard or anything else for that matter. There are thin wraps and canvas available...should this be my standard for 8x10's and higher?

Bay Photo just told me I have to order those myself. What's the point then of having Smug Mug handle my orders??

I can't believe a print of say size 16x24 would even be offered as just a paper print....upgraded mounting should be a standard. Although Bay Photo says mounting options should be available to Smug Mug within the next few months...I don't think that is good enough for me.

If I am wrong about any of this, someone please clarify. Any help is very appreciated.

[groovyone]

Because you cannot organize your photos with Bay Photo.

I use SmugMug as a way to organize and share my photos. I don't think I ever looked at it as a means to get prints.

Bay Photo does great work. I have been very happy with my orders from them. Also, I have several 16x24s on different papers, unmounted.

I guess you have to ask yourself what you were expecting to use SmugMug for. If you were looking at t as a means to orders prints, then it may not be a good fit. However, I am not sure of any photo hosting service that does what you are asking.

[Karebear98]

Groovy...although Smug Mug started as a gallery site...they pride themselves now on being a one stop shop for photographers and for ordering and customer service. If I wanted just a place to put my photos, I would have bought a site or template through someone else, hosted it on my host I have used in the past AND downloaded miller's remote suite or one of their places and done all the ordering myself through Millers.

I don't think you have a full understanding of Smug Mug groovy...they say they do everything I am asking right on their website. All I am saying is they do not have mounting options in their price list. Do you have a pro account with them? If you don't, then you probably haven't seen what I am talking about.

[groovyone]

I do have a pro account. I do not use them for orders. That's it. I understood what you are saying. I am just saying I don't use them for the same use you apparently want to. No reason to get snarky.

I apologize if I came off mean or something. I was just offering my experience.

[Karebear98]

Not being snarky AT ALL....you read waayy too much into that. What I meant was, maybe you weren't seeing the same as me depending on the account you have. Wow. If you don't use them for orders, than why did you comment? I was asking something specific to orders and mounting options. Looking for a fight today are we?

[groovyone]

Seriously?? I know text has no intonation, but how should one take this:

Originally Posted by Karebear98

I don't think you have a full understanding of Smug Mug groovy...they say they do everything I am asking right on their website. All I am saying is they do not have mounting options in their price list. Do you have a pro account with them? If you don't, then you probably haven't seen what I am talking about.

Once again, I apologize if I am reading too much tone into this, but I have NEVER started crap on here.

[Karebear98]

I promise...I might should have worded it differently..in a hurry but I wasn't trying to insinuate anything at all. :) Sorry for not being more clear. My point is that, why would someone use it as just a gallery...I guess I never understood that when you can have more attractive sites to display your photos, even with smug mug customization. I only went with Smug Mug due to them being able to handle credit card transactions and order fullfillment...thought it was a win win for me. :) And also figured I could customize it to look like a regular website...all in one deal.

[groovyone]

Fair enough. More options would be nice, I agree with you there.

[Redneck]

@Kara
You're right, they don't offer mounting options (except for canvases). But this is something you will experience with any "full service provider". There will always be products be missing you might want offer to customers because you depend on the provider having the same desires as you do.

The only real solution is an open software like PhotoCart where you can set up your own products and options. But this, of course, comes with a lot more work and technical understanding for the photographer.

[Karebear98]

I'm hoping a Smug Mug helper will come to my rescue...come on guys! lol

I'm having problems thinking how I would orchestrate separate ordering ...groovy maybe you can help. Let's say I have a client who orders one of my packages...let's say this package contains several desk prints, a couple 8x10's , an 11x14 and an album.

Now in my mind I would like all my prints 8x10 and up to have better mounting than just paper. I have my proofing galleries set on delay so I can review the order. Now when I see they have ordered sizes where I want customizing that smug mug's cart doesn't provide...do I remove those from the order, let the smaller paper prints go through and then get on Bay Photos site and order the rest myself??? Then have everything shipped to me so that I can do my own packaging and delivery/mail out.

Is this how the real world scenario would work?

[Karebear98]

Thanks Redneck...chime in on what I just posted if you care to...I was posting while you were.

[groovyone]

Try sending ZacW a PM on here if you haven't already. He is usually pretty responsive and has been very helpful.

[brad]

Those of us on SmugMug forever have been asking for self fulfillment since... oh, the beginning... like before they added Bay Photo, back when EZ Prints was the only option (and it wasn't an option). I don't know where it stands, but they've been promising it to us for years... with very little movement.

I use it for hosting (for stuff I post on blog and forums) and delivery (I will upload full resolution images to let clients download when they need them faster than a CD)... and that's it. I don't do online orders most of the time... and when I do for a portrait client, I post the gallery and have them contact me with what they want and I make a custom package deal for them.

I have used the self-fulfillment for sports events before.. but I don't offer bigger than an 8x10 for that.

My point (and I do have one) is that if you are offering prints larger than 8x10 (in other words, larger than commodity), why not make them special? They come to you.. either in email or phone or person.. and you make a big deal of them. Crop it with them.. show them what it will look like.. place the order.. deliver the images. You charge a premium for those bigger prints -- give them premium service to go with it. Don't use a self-fulfillment house for that. It makes you look like everyone else.

You are your brand. The more friendly face time you have with a client, the more likely they are to remember you and refer you.

[Flea77]

If you are still in the process of deciding, or in the trial phase, you might also look at Zenfolio. I use them and just checked, I have mounting options for 24x36 prints.

Allan

[Karebear98]

Flea...I already paid about 4 or 5 days ago. :(