Appalling customer service
After waiting nearly a month to receive the canvas I ordered, the resultant print was distorted to an unusable amount. The image was squashed into the print area rather than cropped and the result was was clearly wrong, even without comparison to the original file. This indicates that their is no quality control as the level of distortion was very apparent for the image supplied. It should have been picked up at an early stage and, as with other print companies, an email sent or phone made call to check if this is correct.
Upon contacting the company, their initial response was to deny responsibility, blaming it on their upload software and placing the blame on myself for not checking an on-line thumbnail. Their upload software obviously causes the issue as a subsequent attempt to upload again distorted the image making it impossible to achieve an acceptable result.
On trying to pursue the issue further PrintNine's representative replied in an unexpectedly aggressive email, indicating that any attempt to return the canvas for review and possible refund would be rejected and, if it was accepted by mistake, I would be liable to the cost of return postage.
Aside from the fact that the print was badly finished, the image was distorted beyond use and it took a month to deliver the canvas, their approach to customer service is alarmingly aggressive. their approach is obviously a "like it or lump it" one and any attempt at resolving the problem becomes an exercise in shifting the blame onto the customer.
I'm saddened by this as I don't like to leave negative feed back, but due to the complete lack, or even an attempt at customer service, I would regrettably be unable to recommend the company's services to any of my friends, who include a great number of photographers.
I suggest that the effectiveness of their on-line uploader is reviewed and a course in customer service is undertaken as both of these factors have ensured that, unless addressed, I can never consider using their services in the future.
Please note: Anthony McClennan who wrote the previous 5 star review on this page, seems to have exactly the same name as the person who responded to emails on behalf of PrintNine - I'm sure this is probably just a coincidence....
27 October 2011
Unprompted review