Monday, October 27, 2008

My day of intense irritation continues...

I left work early to avoid quitting and came home to find my note cards that I had printed waiting for me in the mailbox. Yah! Horray! Oh wait... No. The cards look awesome, except they're printed on the back with the printer's website and logo. What??? My jaw dropped. I have printed lots and lots of things before with several different printers, and not once have I received a product marked with the printer's name without my notification and consent. I was furious. That is just the most ridiculous thing I've ever come across. Most of the time the printer will warn you that they will mark the product and you pay extra to have the mark left off. That's fine, I'll live with that. But this...

This is bullshit.

So, I called the company and made that sentiment very clear to them.

They told me that you have to be a member of their preferred business program to have the logos left off. But, they don't tell you that at any point in the ordering process. It's a nice little surprise when you get your cards in the mail and they say VISTAPRINT.COM across the back. I didn't yell, but I angrily explained to them that I'm a graphic designer and I do printing jobs on a regular basis, and not once in my career have I come across a printer who does such a thing without the client's consent. I payed for these cards. They were not free. They were not promotionals from the printer. Therefore, they should not have the printer's logo and website on them anywhere.

I didn't get a refund, because that's their policy. What else is new. But I got a full credit for my printing to use on a future job. Wow. So, I can use my credit from my fugly print job to get a different fugly print job in the future? Awesome! Thanks a million.

3 comments:

kelly said...

Perhaps you could put a sticker over their logo? With your own information?

(Sorry -- if my "problem solving optimism" is annoying, please ignore me.)

I do agree -- it's total bullshit. Let's have more wine!

Christine said...

Haha! That made me laugh. Thanks for the input! The first thing I thought of was putting a sticker over it, but then I thought about it some more and decided to call anyways. It's really just bad practice on their part. I still can't believe they would do that...

My bad mood has lifted! I medicated with a little red and then ate a huge brownie.

Cheers!!!

miss violonjello said...

Ah! That is awful.. that really is bad business practice. If you were really keen, you could probably sue them, but I doubt it's worth it..

I felt sympathy annoyance for you too - I ate half a jar of nutella.. :(