VistaPrint offers shoddy quality, if it prints at all
Written: Jan 04 '05
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but thanks to Vistaprint, there is a free business card. Sort of. But as mother always said, you get what you pay for.
Well. . . sort of.
In the case of VistaPrint, you do get something--if you fight for it. But that something will likely be off-color, poorly cut, and entirely unprofessional. And their version of free isn't quite free.
So here's my fast advice: want business cards? Go elsewhere. You'll probably spend less, get the cards faster, and have something you're proud to pass out to potential clients. Still think VistaPrint is a good idea? Read what happened to me.
Box #1: Free cards. Their design.
After getting dozens of offers to try a box of VistaPrint business cards completely free, I took the plunge. I'd just started a business, and scribbling my number on a cocktail napkin just didn't give the impression I wanted.
I chose a design from one of VistaPrint's many colorful templates (about 30 are free, and another 300 or so are available for a fee). It was simple enough to input my information and rearrange it just a bit. Poof! Business cards to proof on the screen, in ten minutes or less. As I placed the order, I discovered that free actually meant "plus shipping and handling charges" but still felt I was getting a fair deal.
I rejected a bevy of upgrades, including the option to have a blank or custom printed back. By not taking those, I gave VistaPrint the right to print their logo and mini-sales-pitch on the back of the card. In retrospect, that was a bad move--it was telling my customers I didn't think enough of them to invest in real cards.
One option did seem perfect--matching mailing labels, for just a few dollars. Yes, I clicked, and once I typed in my credit card info and mailing details, the order was placed.
Easy enough--until the email confirmation revealed a charge of more than $20. Hardly free--they'd nailed me for a second shipping charge on the labels. Snakes.
Now, I'd love to tell you I got the box and learned my lesson, but that would be too easy. The box never arrived, and after a month of growing more irritated every day, I called VistaPrint and complained.
Three days later, I got three packs of mailing labels. I called again. Ten days after that, the cards arrived. They were disappointing--printed on a cheap stock, slightly smaller than normal cards, and the colors of the ink were nothing like those shown on-screen--and nothing like those printed on the labels.
Box #2: You'd think I'd learn my lesson.
As my business took off, no thanks to the ugly little cards from the first order, I decided I needed custom cards. In a fit of utter stupidity, I chose VistaPrint again.
This time, I used my own logo, creating a custom card. Now, bear in mind that part of my business is graphic design, and I know colors and the printing process very well.
The cards I received were horrible. The red ink of my logo, which I've used for other clients for years (Pantone 199C) looked like brown, dried blood. Worse than that, the cards were cut crooked. They looked as if I'd printed them on the home computer. In fact, the cards I printed to test the file on the home inkjet were sharper.
Ugh.
I called VistaPrint yet again, and was told to mail them five copies of the card to review. Two days later, they called to say they were reprinting the entire order.
It was even worse. At that point, I called VistaPrint and threw a polite, midwestern-style hissy fit. The rep was nice and immediately offered to credit me for the order--if I'd again send them five sample cards.
I was so angry, I told him I was sending ALL the cards back. And so I did, wasting another $12 in the process. But I couldn't bear the thought of something that ugly and unprofessional representing my business.
Oh, all right. I saved one. I'm staring at it now, next to the new box of cards I ordered from another company. Those cards are perfect--and they cost just about the same as my pathetic VistaPrint cards--for which I'm still waiting for a credit.
VistaPrint gets my vote--for worst possible quality, service, and bait-and-switch tactics. Don't waste your time--or your money.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
pbyaeger
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Member: Pamela Yaeger
Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 157
Trusted by: 158 members
About Me:
I whine, therefore I am.
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