silverorange stuff

Shipping and Packaging

Packaging was amazing. Nothing was rolled in tubes and every print was individually wrapped between foam, paper envelopes and sheets of cardboard. Well protected and no hassle of trying to de-roll the print. I have decided to replace my currently framed prints because you can still see the waves caused from shipping prints rolled.

Shipping from the US to Canada will always be an issue regardless of the company. $15 for each order and $16 duties has my bill already up to $46 worth of shipping costs on a $200 order. To be positive, shipping was less then a week to deliver.

Customer Service

Unfortunately, both orders had an error. The first from MPix Press had smudge marks and the second order from MPix Prints was missing two items. Sending an email to customer service resulted in a reply both times in a few minutes. I found it simply amazing how quickly I was responded too and with no questions asked, I was notified that a reprint for the mistakes would be in the mail immediately. It has to be the fastest email support I have ever experienced. I'm pretty sure this was not automated and a real person replied.

Metallic Paper

Their Metallic Paper is beautiful. I had ordered some of each paper types to compare and the metallic surface simply adds to the photo. It's possibly a bit too reflective for some subjects but seeing is believing and it's just not something I can review in words.

Mounting

For an added price, I had selected prints mounted on Matboard and Foam Core. I am having a hard time seeing the value of this if the print is intended for a frame but the added support and thickness of the print definitely improves the feel of quality and also re-enforces a perfectly flat print. Without it, the print paper thickness is similar to any other lab I have used and fairly thin.

Overall Experience

As a result, I'm really impressed and wish I could use their service more frequently. The high USD/CND exchange rates and expensive shipping pushes Mpix for Canadians to a premium. It would be much cheaper to continue using Superstore, Futureshop, Wal-mart etc but you do get what you pay for. They are simply not in the same field to compare. Sure, continue using these local shops for 4x6 prints, but not for anything you care about.

I’m concerned that my first two orders both had problems but the customer service and speed of the correction more then made up for it.

Mpix is now my print lab of choice but I'll be saving up and doing larger orders a couple times a year instead of printing on a regular basis.

Updates - Office Order History

I love the result and their customer service has been very positive. However their accuracy rate has me questioning how they make a business out of fixing mistakes. (which they do very quickly)

• Nov 29 '08: Book and Cards. Cards were smudged.
• Nov 29 '08: 29 Prints. 2 Missing.
• Jan 21 '09: 3 Prints. All correct.
• Feb 12 '09: 6 Prints. 3 Missing, 1 24x36 Damaged in transit.
• Apr 20 '09: 13 Prints. All correct.
• Dec 09 '09: 11 Prints. All correct.
• Dec 12 '09: 15 Prints. All correct.
• Apr 20 '10: 20 Prints. Bubble between print and mount.

Update - Shipping

Unfortunately Mpix has decided to change their international shipping from USPS to over night FedEx. This means that all orders now have a flat fee of $30 and after exchange and duties, the shipping was averaging about $50 CND. As a result, I have decided to change labs.

Up front shipping fees, GST at the door on delivery, and then an invoice duty charge a couple weeks later by mail was too much.

This review is still 100% in favor of Mpix. They provide wonderful results and amazing customer service but FedEx is unfortunately a financial problem for me.