• Shutterfly

Shutterfly

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Overview

Shutterfly has a rating of 1.4 stars from 975 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Shutterfly most frequently mention customer service, christmas cards, and photo book problems. Shutterfly ranks 143rd among Photo Printing sites.

  • Service
    284
  • Value
    264
  • Shipping
    271
  • Returns
    162
  • Quality
    236

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 8.9%
Positive
7
Neutral
0
Negative
72
160
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How would you rate Shutterfly?
Top Positive Review

“Beautiful Books and Cards”

Wanda K.
2/15/24

I've created 27 projects over the past 15 years on Shutterfly. This includes 15 different photo books. Each and every time, I've always received excellent, professional customer service and beautiful books. I custom design all my books. There may have been a couple of times over the years that I needed Shutterfly to help with a mistake. However, they stand behind there products 100%. If you aren't an experienced design person then ask for help. Use high quality photos! Remember Shutterfly didn't take the pictures. The photo quality of books and cards depend on what you upload. Low quality photos will create poor quality projects; so don't blame Shutterfly for your photos. They will make what you approve. Start your project early enough to allow for help and receive book in ample time in case the book or cards need to be possibly replaced if it's the direct fault of Shutterfly.

Top Critical Review

“Poor performance”

Beth T.
8/23/24

I ordered three photo books. The order was processed, they gave me a delivery date and then only one book came in the mail. No explanation- I figured it was an error and called customer service. I was told that it would come in two shipments---Why? This makes no sense and was a huge inconvenience. Now I see all the complaints I understand this is not a one off. I will not use them again. Way too expensive for such poor service!

Reviews (975)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

christmas cards (114) photo book (92) delivery date (44) customer service (366) photo books (92)
Thumbnail of user saral511
Maryland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 25th, 2022

I think it's crappy that Shutterfly sends out emails to remind people of memories they created 4 years ago with someone who is no longer a part of my life for a lot of reasons. I don't need that reminder and I think it's crappy marketing & business to use that when a company knows nothing about someone's life.

Thumbnail of user mohankumarr1
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 24th, 2023
Verified purchase

Shipment was not delivered on time. When I tracked back using the track number, I noticed it's in final attempt to get delivered as no payment was received by UPS driver. I reached out to Shutterfly helpdesk to understand what is happening as why the package not getting delivered. Shutterfly asking me to contact UPS and find out the payment. Not sure why I should reach out to intermediate person and pay him to get the package delivered when I already paid to shutterfly to take care of it. Not happy with the support and service as they are not taking ownership to get it delivered.

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Thumbnail of user darrenm368
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 30th, 2022

So much for shutterflys 100% happiness guarantee!
Zero quality control! Ordered a blanket. The first one came and the pictures were improperly cropped. I went back in to their site and repositioned the improperly cropped photos, contacted customer service and they said they'd send me the correct blanket for free. Well the second delivery, the same exact blanket came on time for Christmas but still wrong. So now I don't have a Christmas present for my mom. I contact them again. Let them know they sent me the same one and they need to send me the updated version. They assured me they'd send the new updated one this time. Well so much for their times a charm. The same exact improperly cropped blanket came. Absolutely unbelievable!
Contacted customer service yet again and finally just asked for a full refund. I will never order anything from shutterfly ever again!

Tip for consumers:
Don’t

Products used:
Blanket

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Thumbnail of user jennileec
Utah
1 review
3 helpful votes
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June 1st, 2016

I ordered on app 500 pics. Shipping was fast even with holiday. The color is dark and off in several pictures. 80 of the pics cropped people and ruined pics. I will never order again. Bad quality. Don't crop pics!

Thumbnail of user simonee6
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 29th, 2017

Totally messed up my daughters 1st Mother's Day present. Gave some BS that I cancelled my order! WTF! Why would I?! Would never recommend or use them again. Over my cold dead body, is when they get an order from me. NOT!

Thumbnail of user prestona32
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 31st, 2022

3 strikes and your out. 1 last year my Shutterfly desk calendar had 1 month the dates and days didn't match. 2 My mom ordered 2022 desk calendar. When I opened it for Christmas it had no photo's. She call thinking it was an error and they gave her the run around. I save my more more stress. I just ordered and eat the $20+. It arrived but now the photos were on the calendar but the dates and days didn't correspond. The dates align with the 2023 calendar. They are ahead of their time. To ahead!

Tip for consumers:
Find another vender. Over 2 years 3 different headaches. Etsy has a good selection

Products used:
Easel desk calendar

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Thumbnail of user mattm166
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 22nd, 2017

Paid extra for *guaranteed* shipping to get it by Christmas. Delivery was supposed to be by 12/22. The package ships on 12/22 and won't be here until after Christmas. In what sense is this a guarantee?! It seems to me that they're obligated to ship it next day air and have it here by 12/23. Awful! Won't buy from them again!

Thumbnail of user elisej39
North Carolina
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 17th, 2020

Awful wait time. I needed to edit my order after submitting but the site would not respond, couldn't cancel the order right after I submitted and absolutely no one to call, email or chat with was available with 2 days of trying. An hour wait time on hold before hanging up. I will dispute the charge with the bank since there are no humans at Shutterfly to be found anywhere.

Thumbnail of user jeffreya645
Rhode Island
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 21st, 2022

Delivery has taken over a month. The tracking shows it's in my town at the post office for the past week. My wife went to the post office with the tracking information no package there. I chatted online with a representative last week, they said if it doesn't arrive by the next day reach out to them. Almost a week later I chatted again with someone online they said if it doesn't arrive by today reach out tomorrow. When I explained that I chatted last week with someone the representative kept repeating wait until tomorrow.

So today I called Shutterfly after going through their voice activated system I was told 5 minutes into the call that thier phone lines are closed and to reach out to them via chat online. I will call my credit card company to try to get a refund from them. DO NOT USE SHUTTERFLY!

As a follow-up I did receive a full refund, and my Christmas cards came on Dec 24th. The box was completely damaged. Horrible shipping. Glad they gave me a refund but will never use again.

Thumbnail of user stephaniem2653
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 18th, 2022

After I spent many hours creating three photo books, error measures appeared whenever I tried to access my previous work. I have had trouble with the Shutterfly website before, but it had always been when I was trying to start a new project. I was always able to work it out. This is the first time Shutterfly has blocked me out of ordering my books. Although the tech support at Shutterfly was courteous and tried to be helpful, the problem was not solved. According to an analysis from an independent computer expert, the problem lies with Shutterfly and not with either of the two computers on which I tried to order my photo books. I am mightily annoyed that I will not have these books to give as gifts at special events. I will not use Shutterfly again. My time is too valuable.

Service
Thumbnail of user helenah5
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 22nd, 2015

I ordered custom Christmas cards on December 15. Shutterfly produced the cards correctly but then mailed them to me in plain paper envelopes. There was no cardboard backing, no plastic wrap, nothing to protect the cards from damage. They arrived crushed, bent and wet. When I called Shutterfly, they offered a refund but said it was too late to reprint and reship (even though their website was still saying it wasn't too late to place super-rush orders for Christmas). I'm really sorry I relied on Shutterfly for my cards and I won't do it again.

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Thumbnail of user cristig7
Utah
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 18th, 2021

I did an order more than 3 weeks ago and the shipping info just stopped 2 weeks ago! I have no idea where the package is and there is no email or easy way to get help! Never again I'll stick to Costco from now on!

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Thumbnail of user klw
New Jersey
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 7th, 2018

OMG! I was so disappointed with my Christmas card order this year. Envelopes are flimsy. Christmas card is small and to top it off I spent the extra money ($35) for envelope liners and I now have to go to the store and purchase a glue stick and assemble the envelopes and liner myself. Just awful. This was supposed to save me time. Total failure.

Thumbnail of user meknes102414
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 3rd, 2023

I received my photo book, it is the worst work I have ever seen in my life, when you place the order online you cannot see exactly how the work will turn out, The company did not take the time to contact me to inform me that the photos were not centered correctly. I don't understand how Costco chooses this company. My order number **************074

Products used:
Photo Book

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Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user laurenr59
Ohio
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 25th, 2017

Ordered a photo book and spent a lot of time putting it together for a friend as a gift. Ordered and paid online. I was then sent an email notifying me of my window of shipping. On the last day of expected arrival, still no package because mine was never shipped. Now twenty, yes TWENTY days later I am still waiting for my now late gift for my friend. Will never use again!

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Thumbnail of user stevens1539
Oregon
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 17th, 2020

Ordered 11/24/20 Order #**************012
Order received and created on November 27.
Estimated Delivery November 30 - December 4
Today is December 17 and my order shows as shipped, as it has for the past 3 weeks.
I ordered from my local supermarkets photo spot where orders such as these (calendars, books) are created across the country and the order arrives within a week.
I went for the discount on Shutterfly. Never again. I needed this be here by the 19th, figuring 3 plus weeks in advance would be enough. Ridiculous.

Thumbnail of user hupper866
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 19th, 2023

Customer service was useless, time consuming, repetitive, A JOKE. Got notification my sons pics were ready to review so I opened up the link and while it shows my purchases, it wouldn't accept my password. After 5 reset attempts on my own I went into their alleged Customer Service chat line. They were useless - I had the first rep cancel out chat when I send the site sucked lol. Already wasted to much time - and still can't access any photo's.

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Thumbnail of user rowdyb
South Carolina
4 reviews
7 helpful votes
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July 16th, 2017

Just finished a 53 page photobook. I found it annoying that "the site is not responding" and "you need to log in" again and again while working. It's easy to make mistakes and undo or modify work you've already done. Lastly, it's a bit annoying to spend 3 weeks on a project and have it disappear with no reason. Shutterfly says I should have emptied my cache and cookies before I started, but they didn't tell me that. They say I need to redo the project, and I say it will be with another company.

Thumbnail of user shellif7
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 16th, 2021

Main issue I have with Shutterfly is that I spend over an hour picking the pictures I want to order and once I place my order out of the cart, a notification of "Cannot process your order", "Try again later". I tried customer service and no answer, on hold forever, tried automated chatting and that was ridiculous. I'm extremely disappointed in Shutterfly's services.

Thumbnail of user johns6728
Washington
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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March 22nd, 2023
Verified purchase

I was nervous about all online card outfits but now glad I selected Shutterfly. I added two photos to a template, edited verbiage, created an envelope address list, all with intuitive online instruction, and invitations were delivered a day prior to estimate. I had all sent to my home to be mailed because I wanted to inspect the results first. No issues. The ink and print was great, the cards handsome, the cardstock good, envelopes handsome... it was a very pleasant experience and I endorse them copletely.

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Thumbnail of user joanh4
Canada
6 reviews
10 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2012

I absolutely love this site! I've been a user of this service for over 7 years. The photos come out great. My only complaint would be that I'm not allowed to download the full resolution photos once they are uploaded to the site. But overall, I highly recommend Shutterfly

Thumbnail of user sharonb2900
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 19th, 2023
Verified purchase

I ordered several pictures of my disabled son's graduation day. I cropped the pictures carefully. When they processed them they cut heads off on two 5 x 7's. When I contacted them they said the two different pictures were the same picture which they were not and that I cropped them incorrectly. They said they would reprint the pictures as a "courtesy" but I had to pay almost $5 shipping and handling. The most they would offer was $1 off on shipping when it was their mistake. I was going to order several photo books from them because I have in the past and really enjoyed them. I'm going to find another site for my pictures and books because it really burns me when they want me to pay for their mistakes.

Products used:
The other 5x7’s that I ordered at the same time.

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Thumbnail of user whitneyj30
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 14th, 2019

I ordered several calendars from them. Each time you must decline extra charges for sleeves etc. Apparently I missed it for a few and was charged. Tried to contact them. Good luck. No email and when I completed the chat was informed they are not available- at at 2pm...

Thumbnail of user vivian.i
Massachusetts
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 10th, 2023

Have been a customer of theirs for over 15 years and they could care less. Ordered Christmas cards Nov 21st. Delivery window was Dec7-9th. My order didnt arrive on the 9th or 10th. They didn't send me a status update which to me seems like an obvious courtesy. So I contacted customer service. The rep just told me plainly that my order would be another 7-10 days from today. They made no effort to help me or try to make it right. I was always willing to look the other way on their ridiculous prices. No more! Done with this company they can keep my photos!

Products used:
Foil Christmas Card

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Value
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Quality
Thumbnail of user renniec1
Kentucky
1 review
27 helpful votes
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May 6th, 2020

The quality is great but no better than what Walmart offers. The biggest problem is shipping cost (outrageous) and they are DISHONEST with promos. Every time I try to order and use a promo there is a hidden restriction. It won't work, etc. 86 minute wait to speak to someone at customer service and they are NEVER polite or helpful. Done with Shutterfly

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From the business

Create photo books, personalize photo cards & stationery, and share photos with family and friends at Shutterfly.com.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user levih42
Levi H.
Typically does not respond to reviews

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