I started using Postcard Press a while back, which are now Next Day Flyers. In the past couple years I switched over to Vista Print, partly because of price, but also because I could get a glossy full colour front w/ a matte full colour back which Next Day Flyers doesnt' seem to offer.
I signed on as a reseller at Vista Print because I thought I'd get better pricing, and also they would send their stuff out without any of their advertising on it.
Well, today I signed onto the regular Vista Print site, and not the resellers by accident, and found the pricing there to be pretty darn low. I realized I was not in the resellers portion though, and jumped over to sign on and place my order. But I found out the pricing there was higher! Huh???
I put in a call to find out what the scoop there was, but really didn't get an answer that seemed viable. blah blah ... sorry but ... blah blah... and that's just the way it is, too bad, ... blah blah.
So, now I was thinking, do I buy these suckers as an average consumer and deal with the marked boxes, or do I suck it up and pay extra to be a reseller?
Wait ... it gets better. After trying to log back on as an average consumer, it kept giving me the resellers pricing page. When I finally got on by googling Vista Print, I got back on the regular site. There were yet another different set of pricing. Also, sometimes when you log on, you get shipping free, and other times that special doesn't come up.
Okay, so I'm after some consistancy here. And is it just me, but don't you think resellers should get the better pricing????
What do you guys think? Who do you use?
Personally, I really don't make much on Business card printing, and of late, I've just been referring my customers to these resources directly. But every once in a while I find myself having to deal with this crap. haha
Yup ... it's feeling like a Monday. ~ janette
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
I don't know what kind of pricing you're offering. I'm offering 1000 cards, full color (4/4, 4/1 or 4/0) on 16pt stock with AQ coating for $95 plus any design time. It cost me $24 (cards + shipping).
Glenn, is that 24 bux WITH shipping? that's quite the deal.
I typically sell them on getting 2000 cards, because it usually is the best deal for them. I'll sell them at about $150 to 200. for the cards, and charge separately for the layout.
I actually prefer they just hire me for the layout, and then go shopping themselves for printing. haha
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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Time has way more value than a few bucks. Just my opinion. And while time is taken from more lucrative endeavors I would chose the next best option.
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Thanks again Glenn, I went on their site and checked them out.
Jack, if there was a "like" button on here, I'd push it on your comment.
I'm bothered that a company is selling something for less money to the end customer, than they are to their resellers.
It would be like our suppliers selling for less to the general public.
So when anyone in the industry then upcharges to their end customer ... they look like a thief! And we all know we don't need any more help fueling that concept!
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
You have to sign up as a reseller. They offer the best prices however their shipping is a little on the slow side I usually wait about one week, which is not too bad. They pi$$ed me off one time with their "your files were the wrong color BS" and I left them and came back like a beaten dog because basically they are all the same and still printfirm was less expensive.
ecolor is just horrible. i was thinking since they are in miami they would be quicker and less expensive, they were not.
4Over likes to cut crooked and print wrong colors and blame it on you
printdirect4less just takes their time and their website is hard to navigate half the time files would not upload
4over had the same color issues, it was MY fault and they were a little more expensive than printfirm.
i have used all of these and they have all been great and the prices rock. I resell a good bit of this stuff and always can smoke the local printing companies on prices. Not that I'm being an ass but they did go out and buy plotters and a large format printer, fair is fair in my opinion
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
You have to sign up with an account if you want to see their pricing but if you want a reference, 1000 4/4 biz cards with UV both sides is $11 on recycled paper... $27 for 2500 cards.
They have a very wide range of other products as well.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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What a wealth of information. Thanks so VERY much. I will be printing this thread out, and I hope it helps others here too who may be wondering about the choices out there. Bruce, I loved your reviews too ... haha
Very helpful to learn from other's experiences.
I am going to sign onto the sites you guys mentioned. Can't have enough plan B's I think, these days.
~ janette
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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I used to use Overnight Prints. They were great in the beginning then just went to heck. Horrible quality, etc... Couldn't return, only credit. Then I moved onto GotPrint. Been very happy with them. Many of my customers and locals use them. You can't beat their prices. I've had one bad print but nothing like Overnight.
I have a local printer I try to give business to but again, it's so expensive. It's such a shame, but no different than vinyl replacing paint. I support local as much as possible.
You can still make money creating the logos and layouts. I agree with you of just having them deal directly with a printing company. Suggest several and let them handle it. It's time and $ you don't get back.
I'd bag the Vistaprint. They used to be great and people I know used to use them. So weird how they can change and you can't do anything about it because it's all on line. Changing prices like what you said sounds messed up though.... like not ethical.
Good Luck!
-------------------- Summit Signs 231 Victoria Rd Venice, Fla 34293 sales@summitsign.com http://www.summitsign.com Design Is The Difference. Posts: 271 | From: Venice, Fla | Registered: Mar 1999
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I've used gotprint.com for years also and have had great results. I figure if I'm doing a sign for them and have done the graphics why not offer the business cards too. You can be more of a one stop shop for the customers and it's not that much more work to get them made. With today's economy why not get an extra $75 or so for a job, every little bit helps! :-)
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa