I wasted $25 or $30 because I placed an order that I had already post-processed and then forgot to check the box to turn off color enhancing. There has got to be a better way, doesn't there?

It seems counterintuitive. Most of us using Mpix are using Mpix because we are looking for something better and more professional than Wal-Mart. To go through all of the editing and post-processing before uploading to Mpix, placing an order and then having to remember to say "oh and please don't now completely alter my images" doesn't seem to fit. Wouldn't it make more sense to have to choose to enhance the photo rather than choose to not have the image(s) altered at that point?

How about setting a "user profile" to allow each user to set a default so that when I sign-in, the option to color correct is automatically turned off so that I don't always have to consciously think about it. The option comes after cropping and other enhancement choices when I'm trying to find my credit card and choose my shipping option.

 I have the same complaint with Shutterfly where I get some work printed sometimes. So maybe it is just my backward way of thinking.

I agree that the check box should be the opposite. 

As to the money you feel you wasted on prints that were color corrected by MPix - It is my understanding that if you are unsatisfied with the results when MPix does the correcting, you can just email customer service and they will reprint them for you. 

Unfortunately, it was about 12 hours after placing the order that I remembered I had not checked it. I wrote them and explained the situation hoping they could at least just stop them from shipping. They wrote back and matter-of-factly said that after 30 minutes there is nothing they can do. So, since it was my mistake, I immediately re-ordered. I don't expect them to pay for my mistake, I just wish they would re-think that option.

You missed what RedBarn is stating.  If you are not happy with the prints then contact customer service to have them reprinted.  It is irrelivant that MPIX color corrected when processing or that you forgot to check a box.  If they color correct, they should still do it properly.  The error was in the quality of the prints received.  Can you post some pics of what you wanted and what you received? 

As much as I'd like mpix to default to not color correcting, I'm sure it would cause a ton of complaints since I'm guessing the majority of mpix customers have mpix color correct their images.

A user profile makes a lot of sense... good idea.

Perhaps a change in their website that forced a response rather than defaulting would solve the problem.

wjasonh,

 I did not miss what RedBarn is stating, I don't think. She is suggesting that if I am not happy, Mpix will re-print. When I receive the prints, I expect they will be fine for color-corrected prints. I ordered them as color-corrected because I fogot to check the box to NOT color-correct. I can't complain if the prints arrive exactly as I ordered them.

My point is that the ordering process needs to be changed so dummies like me don't keep overlooking the box I have to check to keep them from being changed from how I have submitted them. It wouldn't be right of me to make Mpix responsible for what is my error - although I am asking and suggesting how Mpix can change things to mitigate these kinds of mistakes.

And if I'm still not understanding what you are trying to tell me, please try again. Sometimes it takes repeated attempts!  :)

 

Nic

nicshow - i SO agree with you!  i should have to check off "please color correct" just as i would if i wanted them to remove glasses glare.  i think my images are ready to go when i upload them so i don't want anyone in the lab altering my color.

here's my continuing complaint and i'm not sure what to do about it.  i keep getting different print results off the SAME file.  for example, i've had an image in my album for several weeks now.  i've ordered that same print 3 different times while it's been sitting there.  and all three prints are different.  light, dark, and darker. on this image, it's a landscape so it's not so critical and i didn't even notice till i started packaging things up for clients BUT when the image involves PEOPLE, the differences just aren't acceptable and it annoys me greatly.

i like everything about mpix except for this. 

Okay, I was under the impression that you had already received them and was not happy with their color corrections.  That apparently remains to be seen.  This will be a good test once you receive both orders.  Keep us informed of the results, if you do not mind.

One other thing to look out for... I have checked the box to disable color correction then add more images to my order just to see the option is no longer checked.  A profile would definitely correct this.

 

bonber@aol.com:

nicshow - i SO agree with you!  i should have to check off "please color correct" just as i would if i wanted them to remove glasses glare.  i think my images are ready to go when i upload them so i don't want anyone in the lab altering my color.

here's my continuing complaint and i'm not sure what to do about it.  i keep getting different print results off the SAME file.  for example, i've had an image in my album for several weeks now.  i've ordered that same print 3 different times while it's been sitting there.  and all three prints are different.  light, dark, and darker. on this image, it's a landscape so it's not so critical and i didn't even notice till i started packaging things up for clients BUT when the image involves PEOPLE, the differences just aren't acceptable and it annoys me greatly.

i like everything about mpix except for this. 

Bonnie - are these color corrected files - or non-corrected? I can see where two different people would color correct the pictures differently, but if you are ordering prints that are not color corrected, shouldn't they be the same?

that's why i am so annoyed.  i NEVER have mpix color correct for me.

this is the same file that has been sitting in my album for a few months now.  i ordered prints from it in october, then twice again in december.  they are all DIFFERENT.  one is several shades darker (not just slightly) and the other one is somewhere in the middle.  so i have one print that is light, one is dark and one is really dark.  same file.  three different prints. 

aaaaaacccckkkkkk. 

I have had the problem of remembering to check the box for do not color correct, and then only to notice that is has kicked that option back off, so I have a note on my computer even after all this time to double check before I place the order to make sure it is checked.  I also wish they would have a user profile, because that way you wouldn't run the risk of forgetting, or not double checking the box.  You could also let them know if yes I always want my wallets cut, unless otherwise checked.  Sometimes my logo may be too close to the edge but I prefer the die cut and possible loss of a tiny portion of my logo.  I have to email mpix after each order that has wallets just to make sure they go ahead and cut those anyway.

One other thing to think about . . . is that when Mpix is told to color correct this is at the mercy somewhat of the color corrector. .. what I see as too warm the person at Mpix may think looks fine. . . not sure if this applies to any of the above. .. my experiences on the few times I have forgotten to check the box is that my prints didnt' look different . .. maybe I was just lucky . .. I have had a few times though when I ordered a 5x7 and an 8x10 in the same order from teh same file just cropped and uploaded separately .. . and there has been a slight difference but fortunately not enough to have them reprint . . . the only thing I can think of and MPix people if you are reading just correct me if I'm wrong . .. but sometimes a different printer may print the different sizes???  which could cause a shift in color and contrast. . . .

 Anyway .. . I don't think i would have fretted too much on the check in the box until I saw the prints but I realize a deadline might have been in effect as well . ..

michelle - i hate to blow your theory apart but all three prints that i was referring to were the same size - 11x14.  and all three came from the same file in my album and were ordered at different times october - december.  and they were all DIFFERENT...light, dark and darkest.

It could still be 3 different printers and 3 different operators.  Even if it were the same printer the chemicals certainly would have been changed or the printer would have been recalibrated.  One thing everyone must remember is that this a consumer level printing service and not the Millers professional printing service.  Color continuity is one thing Millers does pay closer attention to.  I myself do not do enough business to be invited to use their service but I work with another photog who uses them exclusively.

DANGIT!!!!  I just placed an order and I know I forgot to uncheck that box.  UGH!

Interestingly, I received both orders - the first which I believe I placed without unchecking the "color-correct" option and the 2nd in which I did uncheck the "color-correct" option. I opened them, looked at them both side by side and could so no discernible difference.

 I'm not sure what the lesson is. Perhaps I did un-check it without consciously thinking on both orders. Perhaps an operator saw my images and decided that there was no correcting which needed to be done. Who knows. Had I not been in a rush, I wouldn't have re-ordered and would have been satisfied with the first order but I am working with an approaching deadline.

So, I hope Mpix will follow this thread and at least consider how to make the important check box more user-friendly.

You can check in your order history and it will tell you whether or not you selected the DO NOT CORRECT .. .if you are just wanting to know.

Where is Winchester at Rachelle?  I'm in SW Kansas!

Thanks for that info. I checked and sure enough on my first order I did not check the box. On the 2nd order I did check the box. Both orders arrived and appear to be identical. No difference that I can see.

I have access to Millers "professional" service and to be honest with you MPIX results are no different than Millers. The difference is to 1 on 1 service that you get if you do have problems.

eth:

I have access to Millers "professional" service and to be honest with you MPIX results are no different than Millers. The difference is to 1 on 1 service that you get if you do have problems.

Right, as far as the print quality there shouldn't be any difference. 

Ok, if you're a firefox user there is an extension (add-on) called "Greasemonkey" that lets you write scripts to do things to web pages.  If you know a little javascript it would be simple to write a greasemonkey script to automatically turn off the color correction form element for all your mpix orders. 

What we need is one person here on the forums who knows javascript who could write the script.  I'll be happy to host it so everyone who wanted to could download and install.  

I would do it myself but my javascript skills stink.
 

I just wanted to sound off on this issue.  I agree with nicshow as this seems a little counter intuitive, but a user profile may be the best answer now since Mpix has so many customers who would have to re-learn the process, and I am sure a large number of people want Mpix to color correct.  If they were to change right now, I'm sure they would be flooded with complaints.  Other than this, I am absolutely thrilled with Mpix.  I am getting ready to try Millers, maybe, if there are any advantages.

Michelle--Winchester is northeast of Topeka.  Straight north of Lawrence about 30miles.  Where are you at?  My husband is from out that way.