Quirky, Original Printing (vistaprint.co.uk)

Member Name: GuruOnAMountain

Product:	vistaprint.co.uk
Date:	29/10/08 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of original gift ideas etc.

Disadvantages: Lots of hidden charges bring prices up.

I've started the Christmas shopping early and was wanting to get my mum and unusual gift and I stumbled across VistaPrint. They make lots of different printed materials such as business cards, Christmas cards and calendars. I decided to make my mum a calendar printed with family pictures and so set to uploading my photos.

I was initially very impressed with the choice on the website and the ease of use. Uploading pictures was easy and quick and the site took you through step by step the calendar creation process stopping the user from getting overwhelmed. I was given plenty of options in regards to background and layout of calendar grids.

However, I was soon to find out there was a downside to the website. When I got to the checkout I soon realised there was a lot of hidden charges eg. I was charged for the upload of my own pictures for use in the calendar and there was a charge of £2.99 for it to be printed on glossy paper. All the little costs added up until I was quite shocked. The worst bit was P+P. For P+P for one calendar the cheapest option was £3.99 and that option took 21 days for delivery!

I ordered it anyway and waited until it arrived before I wrote this review. Thankfully, although I opted for the 21 day postage option since it was cheapest, it didn't take that long to arrive and arrived after about a week. It was fairly well packaged in cardboard so that it wouldn't get bent, but wasn't particularly well packaged considering how much I was charged, so I definately believe that the £3.99 was a huge rip off!

The calendar itself was well made, though. I was pleased with the results and although I didn't pay for the glossy paper upgrade, the paper it was printed on wasn't too cheap looking and I was pleased with the overall result.

Ever since I've made an order with them I've had a huge amount of emails off them offering me free stuff. I've not taken them up on any of them, but no doubt there's some hidden charges hidden away in a lot of their 'free' offers, even if it is only the extortionate P+P.

Definately a site to have a look at if you want something quirky and original, but probably not one I'd use particularly often due to the hidden charges bringing prices up.

Summary: An online printing company.