Smugmug experiences?

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Kaffemonster
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p.1 #1 · Smugmug experiences?

I'm considering getting myself a smugmug account for christmas - The galleries are nice, but most importantly - It's easy to order prints

But this is where I need you guys, I have a ton of questions!

1) How is the print quality? I know crappy images makes crappy prints, but how is the technical quality of the prints?

2) Do I need a "pro" account to sell prints? A few has asked for large prints of my images and it would be great to be able to just point them at the "buy huge, expensive print"-button.

2.1) Are prints from jpg's only, or could I upload huge friggin tif-files for prints?

3) How is their customer service? Does it take 14 days for them to answer an email?

4) Any recommendations on the best way to print this one?
http://www.onexposure.net/?photos=member&memberid=3443&photo=9091

5) Any similar sites/services you would recommend?

Dec 22, 2007 at 10:18 PM

rscott
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p.1 #2 · Smugmug experiences?

I love what I can do with a pro account...
just had prints from them........absolute crap.
will never order prints from them again and am getting ready to ask for a refund on the prints because there's no way I'm going to send these to my customer....gonna use MPIX as always.
So...that's my 2cents.

Dec 23, 2007 at 04:16 AM

rscott
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p.1 #3 · Smugmug experiences?

customer service by the way was excellent when I had a question. They emailed me back right away....I ordered a DVD of the files in a gallery....price was fair....received it no trouble....
just don't order prints.

Dec 23, 2007 at 04:17 AM

Mike Ganz
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p.1 #4 · Smugmug experiences?

1.) I think that smugmug has a file size limit of 10-MB (think is the operative word), so having very large tiffs may be out of the question

2.) I made several print orders through smugmug within the past three weeks (3-16x20's, 1-20x30, and several 11x14's). Each print came out perfect...I really have nothing to complain about. I placed the orders on a Sunday, and had the prints in my mailbox on Wednesday. Couldn't have gone smoother. The three 16x20's were for a corporate client who was more than pleased.

I wouldn't hesitate to use smugmug again. I haven't tried Mpix as of yet, but I'll probably give them a try as well (just to spread the wealth around a bit).

Dec 23, 2007 at 04:34 AM

Kaffemonster
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p.1 #5 · Smugmug experiences?

I just read about the differences between a pro and a regular account - Looks like the pro version is the only one with a "sell prints" options. But at $149.95 a year, I'd rather just have the prints made locally (I live in Denmark) and ship them myself.

I looked at Mpix.com, but they don't store albums for more than 60 days so they're a no-go. I'd love an online portfolio with a "buy prints" option like a smugmug pro account would give me, but at the moment it's just to pricey - I'm not exactly planning on getting rich from this so the costs must be kept down. I'd rather spend my money on glass & gear!

Dec 23, 2007 at 08:15 AM

Aaron Jors
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p.1 #6 · Smugmug experiences?

Kaffemonster wrote:
I just read about the differences between a pro and a regular account - Looks like the pro version is the only one with a "sell prints" options. But at $149.95 a year, I'd rather just have the prints made locally (I live in Denmark) and ship them myself.

I looked at Mpix.com, but they don't store albums for more than 60 days so they're a no-go. I'd love an online portfolio with a "buy prints" option like a smugmug pro account would give me, but at the moment it's just to pricey - I'm not exactly planning on getting rich from this so the costs must be kept down. I'd rather spend my money on glass & gear!

You might want to take a look at this again, I have a power account and I am almost positive I can sell prints. I joined smugmug and have been very happy with the service thus far.

If you decide to join let me know and I have a $5 off code I can give you.

Dec 24, 2007 at 04:00 PM

MSC
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p.1 #7 · Smugmug experiences?

I had a lot of problems with SM Pro, which I had for over a year. The site was down constantly being the biggest problem...and when selling, it is the worst problem. I would say the customer service was fast but not good. Never had some many people blaming me, my connection, my uploading, my photos...the refrain that you hear is all the time from the site techs is "mine is working just fine, must be your ISP." Anyway, in the end the combination of being down all the time the "blame the customer first" attitude made me switch...and you know, this is one instance where I'm really glad I did...website is so much less effort now.

Dec 24, 2007 at 04:53 PM

timnosenzo
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p.1 #8 · Smugmug experiences?

Kaffemonster wrote:
1) How is the print quality? I know crappy images makes crappy prints, but how is the technical quality of the prints?

I've always been happy with the prints I get from them. One time I wasn't, they offered to replace or refund, no questions asked.

Kaffemonster wrote:
2) Do I need a "pro" account to sell prints? A few has asked for large prints of my images and it would be great to be able to just point them at the "buy huge, expensive print"-button.

You can buy prints with any level account, but you can only mark up the prices with a pro account.

Kaffemonster wrote:
2.1) Are prints from jpg's only, or could I upload huge friggin tif-files for prints?

Not sure about tiffs--but I upload full size JPG's from my 5D.

Kaffemonster wrote:
3) How is their customer service? Does it take 14 days for them to answer an email?

Nothing but a positive experience here, the times I've had to contact CS I've gotten an answer within 4 hours.

All in all I'm very happy with my SmugMug site--I'd recommend it to anyone.

Dec 24, 2007 at 05:01 PM

web52
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p.1 #9 · Smugmug experiences?

I only have a "basic" account.
While basic and power accounts can sell prints, only the Pro accounts share on the profits. Pro accounts can set the price higher than the stated Smugmug price.

I believe that Pro accounts also can disable right-click "save target as". Thus, I never upload publicly accessible photos if I'm not willing to give them away.

Once I had major problems uploading pictures to Smugmug. I received excellent support from them, and I want to emphasize that the problem was in MY Micros**t operating system (some corrupted files or registry entries) and also prevented me from seeing pBase photos.

Smuggers also get a good deal with Wallhogs printing and even though I don't have any pictures worthy of feet-by-FEET printing, it's nice to know... and I'm still trying to snap that picture!
Bill
web52

Dec 24, 2007 at 05:01 PM


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