Business cards - Vista Print: a false economy?

soolin

I was half way to buying some cards from Vista print and having read comments elsewhere decided not to bother.

However, the amount of spam I now get from them is ridiculous, I've tried everything to unsubscribe, and still more arrives.

Soo

Ed_Stirling

Update: I contacted VistaPrint on 21 Sept 05... via their website, then by e-mail making a complaint about a 'printing error' (theirs) and then giving contructive feedback on quality and size (for the UK market)...

I even responded this last week to a feedback questionnaire... (which they use to try to sell you more stuff!).

Anyway, to date some 15 days later I've not heard a dickie bird... I would have though an American company would have been very keen on good customer service...

sallie_2

Hi Ed
They did the same to me and missed my mobile number.
They insisted it was MY mistake and said they only printed what was sent in to them.
HOWEVER I did get mine for free as I ordered them through one of their promotions (Which seem to be on all the time) All I paid was the postage which was about £4

MDUK

I have not used them yet but intend to try them when my current stock runs out, my wife does design so i can upload what i want, but they also have some quite reasonable templates. here

Also for the record, the idea of printing your own business cards. I was given one once by the owner of an exhibtion company, I didn't listen to anything he told me after that. I had already made my mind up about him and his company.

I don't like laminated cards, i think they look cheap. The worst one I have been given was one almost the size of a compliments slip with the guys photo on it and a list of what he did. He thought he was being clever it turned me right off. IMHO you can't beat classic designs on a decent quality card.

newfunk

Ive used them and have to say, i have had some good customer feedback about the quality and design! So I guess its down to the individual!!

Ed_Stirling

Another update...

After weeks of hearing nothing, I phoned VistaPrint up... went into 'explain mode'... I'm sure the guy hung up on me!

Second call, spoke with a girl who listened, I explained the problem; gave the UK market feedback about size and thickness (ooh mother!).

Although I wasn't convinced that the printing error was acknowledged (the onscreen design should have looked fine!), they did agree to a 'free re-order'.

So in a couple of weeks I should get another set of cards - fair dos. It doesnt explain not producing what was signed off and ordered, nor the long delay in getting back to me...

The cards do look OK (glossy finish a must!), however, the size (not the normal credit card size) and 215g thickness (a bit flimsy) mean that these cards won't be suitable for everybody. They feel a bit 'cheap'. (Rather than the 250 order quantity, surely better to have 200 thicker cards maybe?) Premium cards share the same spec and paper stock!

If making a good impression counts then look for a (UK) supplier. Size should be c. 85 x 54mm and thickness > 215g (I'd say 300-400g would feel more robust).

rprinter

Vista Print.

You get what you paid for it looks like! Use a local digital printshop for fast service, great quality, a card your clients can actually fit into their wallet or card file, and at a reasonable price!

can u guess I'm a UK printer...? (don't print business cards though; i'm not touting!)

Nursey

I have used Goodprint.co.uk for business cards. The quality has been good with a range of styles, prices and order quantities to suit your budget.

flossy_splodge

I've used Vistaprint many times and am perfectly satisfied. If I was the head of a multi national corporation I might want something better but I've never had negative vibes from customers about my cards. Try another design?

Ed_Stirling

Flossy...

It's not about the design. I believe that VistaPrint offer good designs and a wide range of them. The customisation option is good and relatively easy to make use of (+ £7).

The problem is that the cards are not a standard UK sized card (credit card) and they are slightly thinner than you might expect. The customer may focus on the card handed over... first impressions, and all that.

It is for VistaPrint to know their market and sell a product that suits their market (the old Marketing standardisation v. adaptation argument). Market research should identify that. What would make the UK customer happy cf the American?

Personally, I'd have rather had 200 thicker cards out of the materials purchased (instead of the 250). But that's my feeling about it, an opinion.