Just thought I'd update everyone re: shipping. I ordered a largish order on Monday morning, and the difference between USPost and International Economy was only $10. The order shipped today, and FedEx tells me to expect delivery Monday. Spread over my 50 items in the order, that is $10 well spent, when compared to the last shipment that took >14 days to cross the border.
Cool! It has been suggested in other threads that the USPS has faster cross-border service than the couriers...I look forward to hearing when it arrives. (I assume it's an SM order?)
Just thought I'd update everyone re: shipping. I ordered a largish order on Monday morning, and the difference between USPost and International Economy was only $10. The order shipped today, and FedEx tells me to expect delivery Monday. Spread over my 50 items in the order, that is $10 well spent, when compared to the last shipment that took >14 days to cross the border.
Good point on a large order - if the shipping time is really shorter. I have clients from horse show events, for example, that only order 1 or 2 prints each so then shipping costs on top of the price + exchange, and delays in delivery become significant and kill future sales. It's a shame because I love SmugMug and the quality of the end products - and obviously I really like being here in the forum - but I'm probably going to have to find an alternative local printing situation right away. Sigh.:(:
Good point on a large order - if the shipping time is really shorter. I have clients from horse show events, for example, that only order 1 or 2 prints each so then shipping costs on top of the price + exchange, and delays in delivery become significant and kill future sales. It's a shame because I love SmugMug and the quality of the end products - and obviously I really like being here in the forum - but I'm probably going to have to find an alternative local printing situation right away. Sigh.:(:
Hi Snowgirl - When I started shooting a lot of soccer, and selling one or two prints, the exchange rate was >20%. Add shipping and internet shopping and there was no way I was selling through smugmug. I guess using a local lab has always been my solution.
Smugmug allowed me to display photos and protect privacy, and the possibility of selling 'art prints'. It was a good deal for that in itself.
Now, finally, orders are getting bigger. I still offer people that I see regularly the opportunity to order from me. I tell them if they are patient I will order luster from smugmug when I have a large volume, and if not they get Costco prints for the same price. Just part of customer service from my perspective.
Anyway, there are options and that makes business easier.
Hi Snowgirl - When I started shooting a lot of soccer, and selling one or two prints, the exchange rate was >20%. Add shipping and internet shopping and there was no way I was selling through smugmug. I guess using a local lab has always been my solution.
Smugmug allowed me to display photos and protect privacy, and the possibility of selling 'art prints'. It was a good deal for that in itself.
Now, finally, orders are getting bigger. I still offer people that I see regularly the opportunity to order from me. I tell them if they are patient I will order luster from smugmug when I have a large volume, and if not they get Costco prints for the same price. Just part of customer service from my perspective.
Anyway, there are options and that makes business easier.
ann
Thanks. That makes sense. I'm taking some time now to re-vamp (well, to be truthful, create) ,my 2009 business plan and sourcing out labs is a part of that process. I would love to simply direct customers to my (SM) site and say - go ahead and order - but for small orders it's not worth it for them. Sigh.
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Good point on a large order - if the shipping time is really shorter. I have clients from horse show events, for example, that only order 1 or 2 prints each so then shipping costs on top of the price + exchange, and delays in delivery become significant and kill future sales. It's a shame because I love SmugMug and the quality of the end products - and obviously I really like being here in the forum - but I'm probably going to have to find an alternative local printing situation right away. Sigh.:(:
http://www.imagesbyceci.com
http://www.facebook.com/ImagesByCeci
Picadilly, NB, Canada
Hi Snowgirl - When I started shooting a lot of soccer, and selling one or two prints, the exchange rate was >20%. Add shipping and internet shopping and there was no way I was selling through smugmug. I guess using a local lab has always been my solution.
Smugmug allowed me to display photos and protect privacy, and the possibility of selling 'art prints'. It was a good deal for that in itself.
Now, finally, orders are getting bigger. I still offer people that I see regularly the opportunity to order from me. I tell them if they are patient I will order luster from smugmug when I have a large volume, and if not they get Costco prints for the same price. Just part of customer service from my perspective.
Anyway, there are options and that makes business easier.
ann
My Galleries My Photography BLOG
Ramblings About Me
Thanks. That makes sense. I'm taking some time now to re-vamp (well, to be truthful, create) ,my 2009 business plan and sourcing out labs is a part of that process. I would love to simply direct customers to my (SM) site and say - go ahead and order - but for small orders it's not worth it for them. Sigh.
http://www.imagesbyceci.com
http://www.facebook.com/ImagesByCeci
Picadilly, NB, Canada
ann
My Galleries My Photography BLOG
Ramblings About Me