I have heard some somplaint that Pictage take too long to print and deliver prints.

In my experience since april this year, every order placed in Pictage has been shipped within 8 days from the time the order was made. Only one order was shipped on the tenth day (it was weekend). and the rush orders have shipped on the second day of placing the order. At least for me that is more than reasonable and I didn't any better when I did it myself.

I know some folks use WHCC as benchmark for lab experince so I will use them for purpose of comparision.

I recently decided to try WHCC and I must say their print quality is excellent... no doubt about that, as well as their customer service... Their ship time so far hasn't been any better than Pictage. WHCC has not shipped any faster than 8 days.

(By the way, I didn't try WHCC to compare it to Pictage but to check them out and to have a good backup lab.But, because many people compare everything to WHCC and because I hear some complaint about Pictage delivery time I though it may be useful to write my experience.)

So, I must concluded that, in my experience, that Pictage is doing as well in this area as the lab many use as benchmark. Kuddos to Pictage.


P.S. I haven't had any problems with Pictage in the customer service or print quality area neither. So, I am force to conclude that, up to today and based on my experience alone, Pictage is as good as a lab as WHCC.

It is good to know that no matter where I send my prints (Pictage or WHCC) I will have good printing and good shipping.

Is it possible that WHCC ship times are long because of your location (Puerto Rico)? Everyone I know that uses them has prints delivered as quickly as 2 days!

I'd assume the time frame from WHCC is because of your location. They are shipped from Minneapolis, MN (ok, well a suburb). Are the prints from Pictage from LA?

Also David, did you use WHCC's 2-day shipping or regular USPS?

I get WHCC prints in 2 days. They usually ship the same day I order (it it's before noon my time). They are always on the ball and customer service is great. And I really do think WHCC print quality is superior to Pictage as far as CONSISTENT print quality goes.

WHCC for me too: 2 days for prints. 3 days for business cards (I get rep cards on pearl paper, uv coated, so they take "longer") 4 days for greeting cards.

I've always received everything from WHCC in about 2 days. I love when I check the status on the day that I ordered to find that its already shipped!

For me, with Pictage, as a customer (not the photographer), when I would check out, it told me that ship time was 2-3 weeks. Perhaps stuff is faster getting to the photographer. I would hope so, anyway.

Ksenia

WHCC almost always ships same day for us. If we order later in the day it ships next day. We have even gotten cards and press printed stuff this fast. For example, I placed an order mid afternoon yesterday. It is in invoicing right now, so it will ship today. I will receive it on Tuesday, since tomorrow is a weekend. I don't think we have ever had anything take more than two days to ship.

Were they working out shipping issues since it was going to Puerto Rico and they have to ship it differently or something? I am really surprised they took that long to ship. Were you using print fulfillment, I have heard that sometimes takes longer than their regular ordering?

It has nothing to do with that...

Nope... You are talking what UPS or the shipping company takes to deliver and not WHCC. It is UPS who takes 2 days.

I am talking from the moment WHCC receives my print through ROES (me client placing the order) to the moment it leaves WHCC (they place the package into the mail box). I am talking about the time WHCC and Pictage take internally to process and ship my order.

Same thing with Pictage... From the moment the client places the order to the moment it leaves Pictage in its way to the client.




I am not talking Pictage sending to me ...photographer ... I am talking Pictage sending to client ... not photographer... who order through Pictage.

In the case of WHCC...

My first order... the four free 8x10 to test the calibration was placed on August 30th and was shipped by them on septeber 5th. In 6 days.

My second order placed on August 14th still have not left WHCC (I just checked). It has been 7 days.

This is the WHCC tracking info:

9/14/07 9:07 pm Order Received
9/14.07 10:55 pm In Production
9/17/07 5:18 am Invoiced

And I have not receive any phone call or email saying that something is wrong.

Hey, I am not saying that is bad internal turn around... for neither company. Of course it could be better, but is not bad. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT AT ALL!

Also, make sure you are talking about internal turn around and not of actual shipping time of UPS or USPS. Two diferent things... neither Pictage nor WHCC can be held responsible for USPS or UPS efficiency or lack of.

I would check with them about what is holding up your most recent order, because honestly, I have never had anything not ship soon after it was invoiced. For your order on the 14th, it really should have shipped on the 17th, especially since it was invoiced so early in the morning. It sounds like they may have something going with the billing or with shipping it to Puerto Rico or something. I would really check with them, because that is actually not at all their normal timing.

For your order on August 30th, you actually had a three business day turnaround time because you ordered on a Friday and then Sept. 3 was a holiday and then it shipped on Wednesday.

I know all of you are trying to help and I appreciate it, Truly. I am not in a big rush and will wait till monday. I am very satisfy with my experience with WHCC and Pictage.

But a thought just came to my mind thinking about all that has been going on for a long time here and I just want to make sure it comes out right. Please bear with me here...

I see here some faithful users defending a company they trust because they have had a good experience with them. They feel they have to defend the good name of WHCC because they understand something is wrong and WHCC should be given the benefit. Or they are shock because their experience contradict what someone else is sharing. They feel hurt for a faithful friend. All that is great. I think you guys are great clients and friends of WHCC and they should be proud to have clients like you (and me because I am not complaining, honestly).


Well, the same thing happens to Pictage users that have nothing but great experience with Pictage when they come to OSP and hear a company and friends they trust and love been demonize by some who had a bad experience with Pictage.

Be aware that none of the persons that have try to help me here in this thread have done that. Quite the contrary, although some of them had bad experience while using Pictage they are very respectful of those who chose Pictage and their experiences. It is their example of how a satisfied customer react that have made me think on how Pictage users may feel at time when some decide to scream that we are fool for trusting in Pictage.

To me, all this discussion has been a great learning experience making me be more aware and careful about what to say and treat others' experiences. It reminded me that others experiences are as valid as mine and should respect them.

Again, thanks to all who has come to bring suggestions and concerns. You guys and gals are true friends.

I don't think anyone is trying to defend or stand up for WHCC. I think we are just recognizing that this is way out of the ordinary and pretty much unheard of for WHCC. We are actually making the suggestions because you may not realize how completely out of character it is for them, not because we are defending them. That is all.

Exactly...

But you are... defending them... you are standing in for them here... because, as you say, it is out of character... You do it, because you care for them... If you didn't... you could careless, even if it is out of character... You may not think you are, it may not have been your intention, but you are nevertheless. And there is nothing wrong with that, Lynn.

Hey David,

Did you realize this was over a weekend? You ordered at 9 at night on a Friday and it was invoiced at 5am the following Monday. I think that's pretty darn good!

I do wish there were pro printers that printed and shipped on Saturdays too. I hate when an order spans a weekend and it seems to take so long to come. Although, come to think of it, I believe that last year around the Holidays WHCC had weekend operation and customer service hours. That came in mighty handy.

Jess

Again...

It does not bother me that it may take a week... I am not saying that WHCC is a bad company.. I have been saying from the very beginning that ... I AM OK WITH IT!!!

But, if you insist, it may have been over the weekend, yes, and it was in production the same day... excellent, yes... But, if it was invoiced on Monday, why, is saturday, Septemebr 22, 6 days later it still haven't been sent yet? If, it is like some say, out of character for WHCC, then, even the best companies drop the ball sometimes.

3 days or 8 days to me they are great!! I am not complaining.

Is just that, in my experience so far (it may change, like experiences with Pictage also changes with time... and for the better for many) WHCC takes the same time inhouse that Pictage takes. But even if they don't, even if WHCC take less time, it does not bother me that Pictage takes 7 to 8 days (that is just a week, regardless what day it was ordered). No big deal. I like both companies. In my experience both have given me great service.

Some want it faster? Ok, I understand... we live in a microwave generation, but that does not justify some to ask for Pictage's head on a platter just because it does not deliver the next day. Even in most local lab if you want it same day or even next day you must pay extra. Just go wherever they serve you the way you want. That is your call to do, not miine.

I still waiting for WHCC to send my pictures.

As I said, I would give it till monday (yesterday) and emailed them asking what is going on but I haven't got a reply yet (it is early still).

I am not sure this is a valid test or assumptions regarding any comparison with WHCC and pictage. I always get my WHCC prints within 3 days. 2 of those days are shipping.

I would REALLY be skeptical if Pictage can get their printing and shipping done the same day they receive the order.

If I get the files up to WHCC early enough they are printed AND SHIPPED that same day. And there have been many times that I FTP the files up late in the day and they still print and ship the same day.

Pictage may be improving, I will grant you that, but I think 8 days is still way too long. Since you are not in the USA there will be a delivery factor for any lab. I have never had a print order I did not recieve from WHCC that took over 4 days (depending if I got the order in on time).

I think someone in the USA needs to do a more valid test for the USA market.

David, nobody is defending WHCC. They are only pointing out that your 'test' is not reflecting reality. Your first order was for test prints which are not run through the normal production process. For your second order, you don't even have it yet and there are too many unknowns (possibly a payment problem) to be able to draw a conclusion. Your test is incomplete and inconclusive.

I personaly (along with everyone else posting here) have a 1-2 day turnaround with WHCC. If you don't think there is much difference between that and 8 days, just try working on a special order for a big client right before Christmas

You goy my point exacty...

Well... it is talking about MY REALITY... don't you think? If I can be wrong about the WHCC reality, could those who had a bad experience with Pictage (their reality) could not also be wrong about Pictage Reality?

Why should I give more weight to those few person who constantly write here about their bad experience about Pictage than to the most who have had a good to great experience with Pictage?

Some of those who had a bad experience with Pictage come here constantly trying to sway others from joining Pictage just because of their experience. But you and other, when I speak "ill" (in your opinion, not mine) of WHCC demand that I don't use my bad experience to judge WHCC.

Why when the "test" touches a sacred cow like WHCC is inconclusive and incomplete but when the same is done about Pictage is conclusive and complete?

I don't dismiss peope bad experience... and when Pictage users try to explain the posible reasons those who had the bad experience, they are label as having drink the kool-aid or fanatics.

But I am sure you will say I am defending Pictage but no one is "defending" WHCC!

WHCC answered my email today... but no prints yet.

As many here they also point the delay to the USPS. They say that they shipped in the 20th via USPS Pririty mail. That I don't get tracking number with Priority mail and if I wanted a tracking number it could be ship Express mail.

In the first place, it is not true that Priority mail don't have tracking numbers. B & H Photo and Amazon send me everything Priority mail with tracking number. I send Priority mail with tracking number... Again... ignorance, laziness or lying... you choose.

In the second place, the longest it takes priority mail to get here is 3 to 5 days. They say that my test order was sent Express mail as a Cortesy to me, but it also took 6 days inhouse.

And in the third day, why their website does not show the status of sent, like did my prior order, but on "Invoiced"? I don't know why.

Again... Ima not complaining if it takes 3 or 6 or 8 days inhouse. Just statig my experience. If my experience should not be use "against" WHCC good record just because it is my experience, why should I use the experience of those who had a bad experience against Pictage "aganst" them.

I just suggest to be more careful in the blame game, God forbid, someone may play it on us someday,

Dude, you crack me up

Have you ever heard of a preponderance of evidence?

I am one of those who has negative things to say about Pictage. I had a bad experience with them. Some things they did were good, some were horrible. I won't stay with any vendor that over time gives me a fair share of bad experiences when there are other options where I won't have to deal with frequent problems. The difference between your summary of what has happened and my listing my experience with Pictage is that may experience is based on numerous orders over a 14 month period. Yours is based on one trial order (which is processed differently) and one real order. Feel free to give your experience with WHCC or any other lab, after you have given them a fair try.

Also, the tracking with Priority mail thing, I was recently told at my post office that we could not have tracking on a package unless we mailed it Express mail. I know I have gotten tracking on larger packages I have sent Priority, but this was a much smaller box that they said we couldn't get it on, so maybe they have some strange regulations about this for certain sized boxes.

Again... you are assuming I am complaining about WHCC.... I really don't know how I must say it... I am not complaining about WHCC. I am just realting my experience so far and not even saying that it was negative... you and the others are assuming or concluding that I am saying it has been bad... I am not saying that.

But again... to be clear... the problem is not necesarily to get a tracking number... That is not what I asked them for.... what I asked them was that in their website shows the actual status of my order. If it was shipped or not. Till this day, I don't know if it has (by looking at the status of my order in their website).

Lynn and the others... I am going to be brutally honest here... Not tryig to offend but really be honest because I truly apprecdiate you all and OSP.

You know that I have never dismiss your or anyone negative exprience with Pictage. I have given due credit. But, I don't know the details on the why of your bad experience. I have to give you the benefit of the doubt. As you well know, there are two side of every story. ANd I don't know Pictage side of your experience to balance out what you say. I can only relate it to my own experience and it not the same as yours.

You got to understand that when you and others come here and claim that Pictage print quality was consistently bad, and I give you the benefit of the doubt, and then many more people come and claim that Pictage quality is cosisntently good, and I give them the benefit of the doubt... is like something is not cool here. I have to ask myself what is the truth here? Because while a company can make mistakes, it cannot be consistently two things at the same time. It is just impossible. Please do not get offended by this, it is not aim at you, but I am just been honest as what goes to ones mind when I come here and see the costant battles against Pictage. You guys seems at time as these dark clouds that are always hanging around to rain whenever we see a ray of sunshine.

Then, to top it all off, it strikes me as odd when you have people who comes to a section of OSP aim at Pictage users and you see them constantly "sharing" their experience whenever someone says something positive about Pictage or shows some interest in Pictage. I would think that if I had such a bad experience the last place I would want to hang out is with people that enjoy Pictage. I am sorry, but that strikes me as odd, unless of course, they had a vendetta against Pictage and felt they had to fight the big bad Pictage. Honestly... it feels like saying "why don't this people leave us alone, if we are so stupid, we will find out."

Of course you and the others are free to say whatever you want anywhere you want... I am not trying to censure anyone... is just that I would find a better way to channel my energies in a possitive way.

Hey, don't forget that while 30 some people said they left Pictage, not all have left due to a bad experience. So the people they actually left because of such a consistent bad expericences are very few when compared to the 6,000 current users that at least are having a decent experience if they are still with Pictage.

You guys are very talented people and I would hate to see you guys waste your time in such a negative pursuit as trying to convince all those who are having a positive experience in Pictage that they should leave.

After all, other than a few people who claim to have had "consistent print problems" the other few that complain about their experience with Pictage... by their own words... has been because they don't agree with their marketimg strategies.

Is about time that you and the others accept that while you had a bad experience with Pictage, it is obvious that it was isolated instances and that most current users are having a good one and llive and let live.

Yes, dude... 4 years of Law school and ten years of practice as a lawyer with a perfect and cosnsistent record of victories at the PR Supreme and Appelate court... I think I know a thing or two about it

When, in all that I have written ... and I have written a lot about... have you read that I have concluded in this sole experience anything negative about WHCC???? I haven't!!! and I won't!!!

Haven't I consisntently and constantly said, over and over and over that I am not complaining about WHCC? That I am happy with their service and print quality?

I am just saying that I am tired of those who have a vendetta againts Pictage based solely in their miger experiences that does not stack up against the vast majority experience of the satisfied Pictage users. Talk about preponderancce of the evidence!!!

Soooo, Why you and the others get so worked up? Now, that really crack me up