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Success Photography (Reigate)
by Anonymous graduate 2012
I used Success photography for my graduation pictures. The service and the photographs produced were both completely disappointing. On the day I was rushed through even though it wasn't busy, I turned up after the rush so I was the only person there. I think they gave me about 2 minutes of their time, I didn't even know he'd taken the ... pitures before it was over, the scroll they gave me to hold was also falling to pieces and really really dated, completely off colour, and this shows through on the actual picture - it looks horrible. As I left I was handed a bag with some thin and flimspy picture frames - I took it that i'd be framing the pictures myself... not quite what you expect for the prices they charge!! When the pictures arrived I was disappointed even further, the picture was dull and a bit blurry to be honest! I mounted the pictures myself after having to cut them down myself as they obviously couldn't be bothered to do it properly to make it fit the frames, I also had remnants of other peoples pictures on the edges of mine... a real thorough job aye! basically the pictures my family and friends took are a million times better and more special, the one from success is probably a picture which will sit in a draw somewhere and never be seen because its crap crap crap!!! So upset and annoyed, especially because they take the skin off your face with their prices, I will definatley be trying to get some kind of refund!
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Truprint
by OWiseYoungOwl
Introduction
It pays these days to dig your hands deeper into your pockets. This is true in almost every industry in today's market, but one that may go under the radar is in fact photography and the way prints are processed. With the attention steering towards digital technology and things like iPads where they take excellent ... quality pictures, the need for professional photo processing is perhaps becoming less sought after. People simply just photo edit and print off the pictures onto glossy paper themselves. I think that's alright, but I do like to every now and then have my pictures developed so they can go in my album - they look more professional and I like to do it that way.
The thing that has stopped me recently has been the prices. I used to take my SD card down to my local Boots, Jessops etc and get my pictures done there - it used to take about half an hour and I would have them in my hand at the end of it, minus about £10 for 20 photographs. Then one morning I opened an email from a company called Truprint.co.uk - I had never heard of them until then, and they were offering 40 free 6 x 4 prints for new customers ( although this has since gone down to 20.) I instantly signed up, but only about three weeks ago did I upload my photos and use their service. So how did it go?
So Who Are Truprint?
If Truprint were a pony it would not be a one trick pony. It has many talents. The main theme of Truprint, however, is that you upload your photos and then you can either develop them as you would normally, like at Boots, or you can make photo books, or make a mug with one of your photos on. It turns into a good gift shop as well because lets face it, people just love photographs!
There is a lot to choose from including cards, canvasses, posters, mugs, and stationary to name just a few. They also do lots of special offers, including the free prints for new customers, and once you've joined you get a free print for every x number you order. On your home screen there is also things like 20% off photo books or free delivery, depending on what they are focusing on that week.
I really like the concept and the fact you can either use it as a photo developing service, or as a gift shop, or both! I have used it a couple of times in the past three weeks, mainly because I'm a sucker for a bargain and when they say 25% off, I fall for it!
Prices?
Like any company, they vary their prices according to demand and make the profit that way. 6 x 4 prints are 9p each after any free prints, and 8 x 6 are 40p - just to put things into perspective. I ordered 51 6 x 4 prints, with 2 8 x 6 and 1 collage of all the prints that I ordered and with shipping it came to £8.37. This did however, include my free prints.
Photo books and other products are a little more expensive which is where I suspect they make their money from. They entice you in by you uploading your photos and then you will receive handy emails with one of your prints on a canvas - so that you can see what it would look like. They do look good, and if the pictures are of your children, family or animals it is going to be difficult to not buy something like photo books, a canvas or mugs. A cheap 6 x 4 photo album starts at £5.99 - but you then end up finishing it with nice glossy paper which is extra, and also adding extra pages, which guess what? It's extra! A canvas will set you back £29.99 for a 12 x 12 square - which is quite expensive in my opinion - especially when sites like Groupon and Wowcher offer these all the time.
Site Layout and Ease of Use
The layout of Truprint.co.uk is miles ahead of similar sites. Once I had joined Truprint, I then registered with a couple of others to see if they were doing similar offers. However, I found their site layout awful and it took an age to upload pictures. Truprint is different because it does not take very long at all to upload your photos. It takes such little time that I even uploaded my entire photo albums from my computer, backed them up on a usb and then deleted them off my computer. The site is easy to navigate, with clear headings for everything and if you do decide to purchase prints, it is quite easy to work your way to the checkout!
Delivery And Quality
Having always used Boots, Jessops and such, I was a little wary of putting my faith in an online retailer to develop my pictures. I ordered on the 14th July, they were dispatched on the 17th and I got them about the 21st of July - so a week. I don't think this is too bad - if you wanted them in a hurry you would get yourself down to Boots, but I couldn't be doing with the hassle. With my delivery, I received a 25% off my next order which is quite a discount really and free delivery.
I was eager to look at the quality of the pictures and I have to say, I was really impressed. I think they may even be better than Boots. They are very sharp with every little detail showing up. I particularly love my 8 x 6 prints - I'm going to frame them and put them on my wall - they are very good quality and I'm just waiting to buy a good enough frame now! The prints were packaged nicely, with the 6 x 4 prints all together and likewise the 8 x 6.
Advantages
-Can order prints from the comfort of your computer screen.
-The initial offer is excellent - £8.37 for 53 photos in my eyes is anyway.
-I was really impressed with the quality.
-Easy to use site.
-They do great offers - free prints initially, vouchers, 1 free print per x amount you buy.
Disadvantages
-After your initial order, it can be quite expensive, or no cheaper than going to Boots.
-It can be a wait to get your prints.
-You can be tempted to buy more by their emails, which you get a couple of times per week.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
I had a good experience with Truprint and will continue to use them. I was impressed with the quality, the prices, and the offers they use. If you are a person who gets a few pictures developed every now and then I would probably stick with who you go to at the moment - because Truprint won't be much better or any more convenient. However, if you, like me love photos and process regularly then this could be for you. Truprint comes with high recommendations from me.
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