I would LOVE to have the option to automatically assign a boutique packaging option for orders, with perhaps a section for a custom logo on the outside of the package. I know that MPIX offers boutique packaging on their site and it really is a nice addition. I mean the greatest benefit of Zenfolio is that orders are placed through Zenfolio and go directly to the client, which saves time for the photographer. However if you offer large packages for say a wedding or engagement, you want that client to feel special. If they order and it comes in a plain brown box, then well, it just isn't as professional or upscale looking. The only alternative I can think of is to have an option for the customers to place an order, and have an option for the package to be shipped to the photographer ( a default address ). That way, customers place orders, you get the package, then re-package the pics yourself in custom packaging- perhaps with business cards included and can either mail out that final product or have the customer come by the studio to review and pick up their order. ZENFOLIO DESPERATELY NEEDS THIS

you're actually requesting two things here, and I believe both of them are being worked on.

many have requested the boutique packaging option be an addition to zenfolio's mpix offerings.  something zen and mpix have to work out, and I'm sure they will in the future.

the other often requested feature is to allow the customer to place the order, but have orders sent to the photographer so they can deliver them to the customer themselves, either ship in their own packaging, or hand deliver, but either way, ship to the photographer so he/she can do what they will.

currently, if you choose to self-fulfill orders, meaning the customer places the order and zen forwards it to you, then you can fulfill however you want, with whomever you want, package and deliver however you want.  Gives you great flexibility, just more work on your end. (you also collect payment from your customer yourself).  :)

and I see it's your first post, so welcome to the forums!

Kevin Thompson:

Gives you great flexibility, just more work on your end. (you also collect payment from your customer yourself).  :)

Kevin - I've been toying with this self-fulfillment option, and just using mpix to do some of the fulfillment so I can do boutique packaging and/or quality review myself. Question ~ did I see somewhere recently that we no longer have to collect payment ourself? Can they "order" a self-fulfillment thru Zen, then Zen collects the order for me, and I get something telling me what to fulfill?

Lori,  in self-fulfilling, you have to collect payments.  However you may now use your paypal account to collect payment during the order process.  I believe this was just added with the international currencies.

If you do collect payment via paypal, paypal will charge you a fee on the money you receive.  I believe their fee is still 2.9% + $0.35 per transaction.  Meaning if you sell a $100 photo, then your paypal fee would be $3.25 ($2.90 + $0.35).  That is pretty much a typical credit card processing fee if you go with any card company to accept payments, in my understanding.

Makes sense.I had misunderstood something I read previously, but this clears it up.

Ironically, there was another post about this today, which drove it home even more. I recently signed up with PP to email invoices to people so they can pay via credit card, so I am familiar with that.

Ok heres the issue I have with Paypal - many people will never have a problem with them, however I used to have E-bay and my experiences with paypal were horrible. They with-held $1200 in my account simply because someone claimed they hadnt received a $25 item ( which they had but I shipped USPS so I didnt have tracking info ). Needless to say I wanted to just pay the 25 bucks, however they wouldnt let me for a month as the case was "in review". I have had several other experiences like this and truly believe paypal customer service is the worst i have EVER come across and they are un-ethical in business practices and they way they justify controlling when you can or cannot deduct your funds. That being said, I think Zenfolio needs a method where they collect payments and send you the order, or a google checkout method as well as the paypal. I love Zenfolio and your customer service is fantastic, and am surprised you are dealing with a company like paypal, who may steer people away from your company simply by the negative experience they have had from paypal. Dont believe me? Just search "paypal sucks", "paypal customer service", "paypal negative feedback", etc. There are tons of people who are just like me in their dealings with paypal.

you can find the same negative feedback by searching for 'google checkout sucks'.  see, someone somewhere will always have an issue with something, whatever it is.  in the digital age, and the millions or billions (?) of people using internet services there will be plenty of people that didn't like something, and many of them will post it on the internet somewhere.

I remember having issues with paypal connected to ebay back in the day...  but have not had any issues with them recently.  They handle tons of transactions per day, who knows how many, and if they were consistently bad, they wouldn't be as big as they are now.  Again, there will always be cases of something mishandled, because life isn't fair and isn't perfect.

And never ever ship without a tracking number... but I'll bet you don't do that anymore, right?  :)

Reminds me of my favorite saying: "Making good choices comes from experience.  Experience comes from making bad choices".  It's how I've learned what I've learned...  :)   have a great day!

Oh, one other thing.. I do agree with you and it's been often requested to have the option to have orders shipped to the photographer for delivery rather than the customer.  Hard part about that might be who pays for the labs shipping fees that way...

I'd like to see a boutique packaging option as well, esp. for my wedding and senior clients.  The helps make their shopping/buying experience more special and helps justify higher print prices.  Better quality = better value = happier clients = more referrals = more business = happier me.

If Zenfolio and Mpix are already working on this, I'd hope it's a feature/option they'll offer soon.

Best--

Michael

I've received a couple emails from Mpix today that they're offering boutique packaging soon.  Any word from Zenfolio about integrating that offering with our storefronts here?