For the new year, Costco is shutting down its online photo center and converting members who use the service over to Shutterfly, a popular photo-creation platform.
This is a big deal for users of Costco’s Photo Center. Club members were informed of the change on Thursday, January 5, 2023, by way of a store email.
Costco To Close Photo Center, Transition Customers To Shutterfly
The news comes about two years after Costco announced that it was closing its in-person photo centers inside its stores. At the time, the wholesale retailer cited a big decline in demand for printing photos as the reason.
That left members who wanted to order custom prints, photo books and more with the option to use the online Costco Photo Center, also available in the store’s app.
As a Costco customer, you may be wondering what the changes mean, when they take effect and what exactly is Shutterfly. Keep reading to find those answers and more.
1. When Is the Costco Photo Center Going Away?
Costco says its online photo center, CostcoPhotoCenter.com, is going away on January 28, 2023. Products and services from CostcoDVD.com and CostcoBusinessPrinting.com will also no longer be available.
2. What Is Shutterfly and How Does It Work?
Shutterfly is a digital and print photography company that offers several image-related products from photo books, cards, stationery, calendars and more.
The service works by allowing users to upload images to a free online account. Once there, the pictures can be customized in many ways, allowing you to create wall art, photo books, greeting cards, engagement announcements and more.
Your photo projects are delivered to the shipping address you provide during the online ordering process.
Will Costco Honor Shutterfly’s 100% Guarantee?
Costco says Shutterfly’s 100% happiness Guarantee is included in the deal.
Here’s what the guarantee entails, according to Shutterfly’s website. “We’ll produce your item with as much care as you put into making it, and if you’re not satisfied we’ll make it right.”
Shutterfly’s refund policy says, “Returns for reasons other than Shutterfly error will be subject to a 50% return fee. We reserve the right to issue store credit (rather than a refund) for merchandise returned more than 60 days after it was ordered.”
3. How Much Will Costco Members Save With Shutterfly?
Because of its prices, Shutterfly is already on our list as one of the cheapest places to print online photos. Costco says members who take advantage of Shutterfly’s photo services will get a discount.
“Costco members will receive 51% off every Shutterfly order plus free shipping on orders over $49,” says the store’s email to members.
4. How Can Members Keep Access to Their Photos?
For a limited time, Costco members can transfer their photos, account information and address book over to Shutterfly. Near the end of January 2023, the opportunity to access your photos from CostcoPhotoCenter.com will come to an end.
Here are some dates to keep in mind:
- January 11, 2023 – Begin transferring your photos to Shutterfly.
- January 28, 2023 – Costco Photo Center shuts down.
- January 31, 2024 – Deadline for downloading any images you uploaded to CostcoPhotoCenter.com to your computer.
Final Thoughts
The store’s email to members says that if you have finished or unfinished projects on CostoPhotoCenter.com, CostcoDVD.com, or CostcoBusinessPrinting.com that you want to keep or previous orders that you want to reorder, you complete the transaction by January 28, 2023. That includes calendars, photo books, greeting cards and collage prints.
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