I'm curious to hear from those of you out there who use or have used both printing companies. Why do you choose one over the other?

I submitted my four free 8x10 prints last week to Millers to check the quality and compare color. The color was spot on for two of the prints with the other two being slightly different....not enough to concern me. I placed my first order Sunday night from Millers because you get a free sample kit with their textured paper with your first order. I spent $20 more than what it would have cost me to order from Mpix, figuring the free sample kit and free overnight shipping would offset the difference. When placing the order, there was no where to request the free sample kit. I sent an e-mail to customer service asking if the kit would be included automatically. 24 hours later I received a response saying they would get a sample kit sent to me. I have contacted Mpix customer service several times and have always received a response within the hour. Score one for Mpix.

Since I placed my order Sunday night, with overnight shipping included at Millers I expected the prints to arrive today. Nope! Millers site indicates the order is still "invoicing".....whatever that means. So much for the benefit of "free overnight shipping". Had I ordered from Mpix Sunday night, I normally would receive the order on Wednesday. If I had paid extra for overnight shipping from Mpix I would have received them today.

Please don't think this is a "Bash Millers Post", because reading back through this post it looks like that. It's really not intended to be that. From my experience with Millers, I see no reason to pay more for my prints over using Mpix. Am I missing something? I'm just curious to hear other's opinions.

I have never ordered anything from Millers because Mpix has everything that I need at this point and time.  I have ordered from Adorama and will never do taht again.  If I am understanding correctly Millers is Mpix parent company.  I believe that the same papers and machines are used for all the pictures that come from teh 2 companies.  I think that Millers offers more products but you have to agree to spend a certain amount with them during the year to be able to use them.......am I correct?

I have used both, and gotten  good results from both.  I have never used the color correction on MPIX, but use it on Millers.  A friend of mine sent the same file to both, and ordered them both with color correction.  She was much happier with the color correction from Millers.  I don't really know why, but she said the MPIX print was less saturated and was "muddy" compared to the Millers print.  

 On another forum, someone said the only difference is customer service, and of course, the free overnight shipping.  He said MPIX is email only, while  Millers allows you to call them.  Of course, Millers offers more products, but supposedly, at least according to this person, the prints will be exactly the same. 
 

Some more info on this thread

I now order all my stuff from Millers but I think that MPIX website is eaiser to order from especially on the wallets! I like MPIX because you can keep up with what you are spending. I order from Millers because they have so many different papers to chose from and the shipping is free.

lmichelleb:

I now order all my stuff from Millers but I think that MPIX website is eaiser to order from especially on the wallets! I like MPIX because you can keep up with what you are spending. I order from Millers because they have so many different papers to chose from and the shipping is free.

Have you tried the Millers ROES?  Wallets were pretty easy to order when I last did it with ROES. 

I use Mpix for my personal pictures--i.e. vacations, kids birthdays, etc... as well as the 4x8 slimlines (I order them from Mpix because I don't have to order a certain amount).  I use Millers for all of my professional products and prints.

I choose to use Millers for my business because I can add textures to my prints and I think the prints just come out looking more professional.  I also know there is a difference in how they are color corrected (which I don't really use, but hey, if I need them corrected I know I can totally rely on Millers).  Mpix color correction is automated and Millers actually has a live person do it.  I also had one senior that had atrocious acne and no matter what I did I couldn't get it to look right.  I sent it to Millers and paid $5--it came back gorgeous!  I also like the ordering system at Millers if you use the Millers Remote--very quick!

Millers is the parent company of Mpix.

Thanks guys for starting a good discussion. I hope not to intefere, but to point out that all Mpix color correction is done by a human on every file. Mpix color correction is not automated.

With Mpix we can now offer more retouching services, with facial softening and braces removal. 

Thanks!

Matt, Mpix

The Mpix Guys:

Mpix color correction is not automated.

That is what I thought.

I received my tracking notification last night from Millers, so time of delivery an order shipped overnight from them will equal an order from Mpix using regular shipping. I am anxious to see samples of the textured prints, but so far I'm sticking with Mpix.

My business is about providing quality photos to clients and making a profit for myself. Thanks for everyone's input!

I received my first order from Millers the other day. I have to say that I was disappointed. I don't know if my expections were too high or not. I ordered several prints. On several I had them do basic touch ups and had them color correct. The touch-ups were noticable! To me the prints didn't look any better then the ones I get at MPIX or Meridian Pro, and I don't pay near as much.

It is correct that they have more to offer. I still plan on using them for my sports. The prices are better and the selection is greater for sports.

I just can't see paying that much more for a print when the outcome isn't any different.

Crystal

And now I will praise the folks at millers.  I have been in photography business for around 20 years.   5 years before that I worked as a darkroom technician producing custom prints up to 4x8 feet. So I know a good lab when I deal with one. Throughout that time I have  used around 15 different labs.

In my opinion I have never dealt with a lab that produces the quality and turn around time like millers.  If it's a single 8x10 print order, 10-20x24's than need mounting and textured finish , or  custom albums   They deliver an outstanding product in an unbeleivable time frame. If there is a problem, the reprint it and get it out asap no questions asked.

Now that they do Panorama Flush mount albums , Layflat companion albums and the legend series albums I dont even need to deal with album companies anymore  ( yee ha ) Even though Leather Craftsmen is an excellent comany and offers an outstanding product they cant even begin to touch the turn around time of millers. 

 Millers : My choice number 1