Author Topic: Zazzlers on this forum, happy with their products? Not really... (Read 5828 times)

click_click · « **on:** March 24, 2012, 12:35 »

I used to order large prints (not the max but the second largest size) and was quite happy with the quality. 72ppi was fine by me.

In the meantime I ordered mousepads, business cards, shirts and mugs and I'm not happy with the quality.

It's not so much the overall quality but the variation of quality.

For example I ordered a mug for last christmas which looked really nice. I used the guide files (Zazzle's product templates) to ensure I provide the best source file possible. The image uploaded was tack sharp (they don't require very high res files for most products).

However, I recently ordered a mug and the print was pretty bad compared to the last mug I ordered. Really muddy print and the sharpness varied across the print area.

It wasn't for a specific event or anything so no big deal but I have complained on previous products so many times that I feel awkward to keep on asking for refunds/credits...

They always gave my a credit and it was always very smooth but I'm afraid to get flagged for constant complaining. I understand that these are not super high quality products but if the quality varies so much, something's off.

Did anyone experience similar issues?

etienjones · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2012, 12:57 »

I have only viewed one printed product and the quality was excellent, so, kind of like an Ostrich with his head in a hole I only hope the quality for all the products are OK.

All of my image files are at 300 ppi, no matter what the product.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2012, 13:06 »

Since you are Anonymous Mr Click (or is it Ms Click?)

I can't answer your question, but if you are in the USA use Walgreen's which is done by SnapFish and you don't have to pay the high prices and get variable quality. Money back guarantee, no questions asked.

If not, I guess you are welcome to overpay for random quality results.

I'd think Zazzle has enough volume and business sense to keep their product QC up to top standards?

click_click · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2012, 13:33 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on March 24, 2012, 13:06

Since you are Anonymous Mr Click (or is it Ms Click?) I can't answer your question, but if you are in the USA use Walgreen's which is done by SnapFish and you don't have to pay the high prices and get variable quality. Money back guarantee, no questions asked.

If not, I guess you are welcome to overpay for random quality results.

I'd think Zazzle has enough volume and business sense to keep their product QC up to top standards?

You can call me Sir if you like and I'm located in the US yes.

Here a few further details about Zazzle and their competition:

I paid for Zazzle Black ($10 annually) for free shipping on almost all products (no interest in ordering products that require additional shipping costs - so it fits well).

Snapfish, Walgreens etc. they all charge too much IMO for shipping so Zazzle 1 competition 0

Regarding overpaying for products. Zazzle offers every customer to submit a photo or a video review of their last purchase to receive a $5 or $10 discount code for the next order. I always do that and always combine it with a %50 off promotion they have going on all the time anyway.

In most instances I pay between 5 cents to $1 for many products and in every case I use my referral code and therefore often end up with more money in my pocket after ordering a product. I don't think Snapfish can keep up with that...

On top of that Zazzle also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee which they upheld in all the instances I complained so as far as that goes, no problem either.

Anywho, I originally did not ask whether Zazzle's prices are too high or where I can get better products...

I asked if anyone who regularly orders on Zazzle (and therefore is able to compare the quality of the print) can provide feedback here.

Nonetheless, racephoto I do appreciate your help in finding a better provider for POD products.

Pixart · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2012, 20:25 »

Another problem MAYBE for Zazzle - maybe they outsource. I know that Wordans up here outsources to a local vendor. You might have ordered in the past and the closest vendor was in Toronto with spectacular results and then a new guy closer to your postal code is contracted so they automatically get your orders - but their quality just doesn't match.

Not Zazzle, but a local vendor did all my photo gifts. I used to get a ton of sales in porcelain Christmas ornaments, mugs and dye sub key tags and really, the photo gifts were very nice. Then all of a sudden I consistently had to return just about everything I ordered and decided I simply couldn't offer those products any more. But what the heck went wrong? He was supplying exactly the same items he'd been making for years. I don't know. You would think that quality and technology would get better over time, not worse!

madelaide · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2012, 21:12 »

The only product I have ordered myself were baby creepers with photos of my lovebirds. Indeed, they don't look great, but photos printed on textile often don't look good.

Business cards must print well, because I have returning customers.

click_click · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2012, 22:23 »

Quote from: madelaide on March 24, 2012, 21:12

The only product I have ordered myself were baby creepers with photos of my lovebirds. Indeed, they don't look great, but photos printed on textile often don't look good.

Business cards must print well, because I have returning customers.

The standard paper is not much to look at IMO. It's semi-gloss/matte and it looks like a print on cardboard.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2012, 23:49 »

Quote from: click_click on March 24, 2012, 13:33

You can call me Sir if you like and I'm located in the US yes.

Nonetheless, racephoto I do appreciate your help in finding a better provider for POD products.

Thank you Sir!

Yes Walgreens has specials and yes I find their shipping a bit high. Some of the things can be picked up at the store and sometimes they have discounts like the 66% off on a book. (I've yet to make a book, but they look kind of interesting) Free mug was so high I didn't want to pay $12 or whatever it was for a "FREE" mug.

Just proposing an alternative and it looks like aside from QC, Zazzle does offer things for less, which is what I would have assumed they should do?

Two other sources for assorted items. Fine Arts America offers us items at "cost" (hey we don't have to pay ourselves a commission, nice deal?) And Vistaprint seems pretty good to me.

I haven't done a whole price analysis, especially on mugs. Don't drink coffee and I have a lifetime supply of free mugs from events.

Maybe someone else does that. I only watch for 8 x 10 printing prices. Larger prints I have done locally at a custom shop. 4x6 they almost all use the same machines, they are snapshots, whoever has the lowest price at the moment gets the order.

So Zazzle has a free shipping deal? Sounds interesting.

cathyslife · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2012, 06:49 »

I can't help much either. I ordered a calendar I made with my images and I was very happy with the print quality, but this was a couple years ago. Sorry to say, I haven't ordered anything since.