Costco Connection - June 2009

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Photo Centers

BuyingSmart

Consumer reporter Pat Volchok gives a behind-the-scenes look at Costco products and services. Send your questions about this article to: buyingsmart@ costco.com.

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WHEN IT COMES to developing and preserving photos, we all have different needs. One person’s priority might be quick, economical prints, someone else seeks a profes-sional-grade, in-person lab and yet another is all about preserving family photographs for future generations. At Costco warehouse 1-Hour Photo Centers and the Costco.com Photo Center, these wishes and more come true, every day.

I recently toured Costco’s Kirkland, Washington, 1-Hour Photo Center with Glen Hutchinson and Bill Ditty of Costco’s corporate photo team. What I witnessed would bring joy to the pickiest photographer.

Warehouse photo services
Shutterbugs swarm the lab. A woman
exclaims, “This is so handy. I just love it,” as
she quickly uploads digital images and places
a one-hour order. A young man poses for 12
sets of passport photos for the Peace Corps. A
professional bridal photographer drops off a
weekend’s worth of digital images. Numerous
shoppers retrieve their prepaid finished pho-
tos from the digital pickup bin.

“Our goal is to efficiently serve members with a wide range of high-quality photo-related products at a Costco value,” says Glen. “We are very user-friendly.”

Bill adds, “Many of the products that the 1-Hour Photo Center delivers today were not available 10 years ago. Digital [photography] has empowered members to enjoy, back up and store their most precious memories in a multitude of ways.”

Prints

You can order prints from any 1-Hour Photo Center or online from the comfort of your home on Costco.com Photo Center—a process that is as easy and inexpensive as ever.

Although development and processing of 35 mm film is still offered, I learn that most members have switched to digital cameras. Consequently, one of the most popular 1-Hour Photo Center services is the touch-screen, do-it-yourself digital kiosk.

The kiosks are quick and simple. Insert your digital camera’s memory card, USB flash drive, CD or DVD; add contact information; select the photos you want printed, enlarged or made into CDs, greeting cards, etc.; and then let Costco’s trained lab technicians work their magic.

You can order warehouse prints in assorted sizes, from wallet to 12 by 18 inches, color or black and white, glossy or luster finish, and with standard or creative borders.

One-hour pickup service is available for rolls of film and for up to 100 high-quality 4-by- 6-inch prints from digital media ordered in the warehouse or at Costco.com. Enlargements up to 12 by 18 inches are ready the same day.

Bill reports, “Our pricing is consistent across the board, with no hidden schemes. For example, one large retailer advertises 15 cents for 4-by-6-inch prints, but in reality this is only for orders over 100. Our 4-by-6-inch prints offer great savings at 13 cents each for up to 500 and 10 cents thereafter.”