Great Service but, Beware of the Fine Print
Written: Jul 11 '05
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I used to labor to create my own business cards; you know, do the layout in Microsoft Publisher, buy the stock paper, and then try to get it to print correctly; they never did. Not any more. About two years ago, I discovered VistaPrint.com, or more precisely they found me, by way of a mass emailing. Ordinarily, I consign such spam to the bit bucket, but the offer from VistaPrint.com sounded so compelling𤻒 free business cards—I just had to see if the service delivered.
So, I ordered my business cards (this was just when I was beginning my consulting practice) and lo and behold about a week later they came in the mail; 250 business cards for free, well almost free, I had to pay for shipping. But that was nominal cost. That was then; now let us plunge forward to, well today. VistaPrint.com is still around and still offering free business cards. The site has grown over the intervening years and now offers all manner of printing and graphics services, including logo’s, brochures, letterhead, note cads, postcards, premium business cards. But along with that growth has comes the patented bait-and-switch that invariably accompanies growth and success. Success equals more business, more business equals more employees, more employees equals more overhead, more overhead equals the need to generate more profit. Hence the bait and switch techniques; can the company really afford to give business cards away anymore with the hope that you will come back and pay for a far more expensive service? Apparently not…
The Site
The VistaPrint.com website is not as colorful as some, but is not a borings as others; it is a well laid out site that is easy to navigate. Along the top is a large menu for quickly navigating to the sites primary products: Business Cards, Business Identity and Stationary, Marketing and Promotion, Consumer Products, Business Services, and International Sites. Running the mouse cursor over these menu items will bring up a laundry list of choices, and choices within choices in the form of sub-menus.
Along the left hand side of the site are links to the sites most popular items divided up into Business Products and Personal Products. Some of the items available under these broad categories include:
• Free Design Services
• Free Business Cards
• Premium Business Cards
• Brochures
• Business Card Magnets
• Free E-Cards
• Folded Cards
• Letterhead
• Logos
• Note Cards
• Return Address Labels
• Announcements
• Caricature Gift Tags
• Contact Cards
• Holiday Cards
• Invitations
• Photo Cards
• Thank You Cards
It would be darn near impossible to compile a list of all of the sub-categories under the above listed categories, sufficed to say that if you are looking for printing services for a business or personal use, VistaPrint.com can probably fulfill your need.
In the middle of the site are color examples of what the site can offer, including a substantial portion dedicated to free services. For example, right now the site is offering Free Graphic Design and Printing, but you must act now because it expires July 31st.
Ordering
Ordering custom business cards through VistaPrint.com is actually quite simple. I recently place an order for a brand new set of (free) business cards and before I was through it cost me $25.00. I have a standing account with VistaPrint.com, which I created during my last order. I went to the site, clicked on free business cards and I was taken to page which displays a number of different card layouts. After clicking on one I liked, the site generates a template in the middle of the page; on the left is a form wherein you fill in your information; e.g. company name, your name address, etc. The site is completely interactive, meaning that as you fill in your information it appears on the business card exactly was it will appear on the printed card. Nice touch.
Once all of the information is filled in, you can either accept the card or customize it. I accepted it as is, and moved to the next phase, wherein I was asked if the wanted the name of my company on the back of the card, along with my phone number. Thinking there was no cost associated with this service, I assented (I know how naïve) and moved on to finalize the order. I was given the option of purchasing a business card carrier for $3.99; I passed. I was also asked if I wanted matching address labels for $7.99; again I passed, ditto for matching magnets for $7.99, but I will admit that these were tempting. The one option I did choose was an electronic business card ($2.99 I believe) that can be used with Outlook as a mail stationary. This electronic card is an exact replica of the printed business card.
I then proceeded to checkout and it was at this point that I was informed that having my company name and phone number on the back would cost $14.95! I sat and fumed for a moment, but then proceeded to check out because the service seemed worth it me in the end, I just wish VistaPrint.com had been up front about the cost; they were with the other services, why not this one?
Shipping & Handling:
From the site: Shipping and handling costs vary by the weight of your order and by the turnaround time you select during checkout. Please use our Instant Quote tool to determine the exact price for your order. (Or click the "Get A Quote" link on each product's pricing page.)
I choose the cheapest route (of course), which was 7 -10 business days at a cost of $2.95, but I got my card in about a week; not a bad turn-a-round time. The electronic business card arrived via email the night I placed the order; impressive.
Forms of Payment:
VistaPrint.com accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card. You can also pay by Check or Money Order payments, but these methods of payment are only available to customers whose banks are located within the United States. Checks or money orders must be made payable to VistaPrint USA, Inc. and forwarded to the following address:
VistaPrint
Attention: Payment Processing
100 Hayden Avenue
Lexington, MA 02421
Sales Tax: following the current trend in e-commerce only those individuals ordering from Massachusetts will be charged sales tax.
Conclusion
Despite the bait-and-switch, I would use VistaPrint.com again, albeit with a little more caution the next time. Having received my new business cards I can attest to the high quality of the printing services. And the card stock is as thick as you would expect from OfficeMax or Staples. The premium business cards offer more space. But then again they are not free.
If you need fast (almost) free business printing services VistaPrint.com might be the place for you; just be careful of the fine print.
Recommended:
Yes
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vemartin
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Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
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