Foreign currency transactions

[Cammo]

Well, I have fielded my fifth call today where the customer has enquired about purchasing a pic but was miffed when they saw the US$ symbol. And, looking at my sales quantity this could be a big part of the problem. As nice as it seems to be able to charge in $US and the credit card company do the conversion it just doesn't work well for sales. My customers know me and expect, rightly so, that they will be billed in AUS$. Therefore when they go to buy a pic and the price is in US$ they are mystified and turn away 99% of the time. I have to try and explain how the prices are based upon my AUS$ prices and if they want to check they can go to xe.com. That doesn't work at all - just bamboozles them.

What is the chance of introducing something where, depending upon the location of the photographer, the prices are displayed in their currency? I LOVE the fact that I can stick my pics on Smugmug and the layout is super slick but it just isn't working for me as a sales tool. I honestly thought that the sales would tick over nicely but so far I have as close to none as you can get. Put it this way, I have had more emails and phone calls about the $US rather than AUS$ than I have sold prints.

Is this something that anyone based outside the US can look forward to? I can't imagine it would be too difficult.

Thanks in advance!

Cameron

[tsk1979]

Well, I have fielded my fifth call today where the customer has enquired about purchasing a pic but was miffed when they saw the US$ symbol. And, looking at my sales quantity this could be a big part of the problem. As nice as it seems to be able to charge in $US and the credit card company do the conversion it just doesn't work well for sales. My customers know me and expect, rightly so, that they will be billed in AUS$. Therefore when they go to buy a pic and the price is in US$ they are mystified and turn away 99% of the time. I have to try and explain how the prices are based upon my AUS$ prices and if they want to check they can go to xe.com. That doesn't work at all - just bamboozles them.

What is the chance of introducing something where, depending upon the location of the photographer, the prices are displayed in their currency? I LOVE the fact that I can stick my pics on Smugmug and the layout is super slick but it just isn't working for me as a sales tool. I honestly thought that the sales would tick over nicely but so far I have as close to none as you can get. Put it this way, I have had more emails and phone calls about the $US rather than AUS$ than I have sold prints.

Is this something that anyone based outside the US can look forward to? I can't imagine it would be too difficult.

Thanks in advance!

Cameron

Wow this would be good. I would think that this fix would require that you enter your curreny requiement, and enter the prices in US$. Then smugmug should print the currenty currency converted date along with a price in US$. This way customers will know how much is the price in local currency and the charges can still be in $.

[Andy]

Hi Cammo,

As of now, we don't have plans or the ability to do what you are asking. But we'll take it as a feature request, thanks!

[harpel1]

This is the same for me, i have 2 smugmug site as it is the best site on the web for being able to make your site look pro and cool. Now my first site was for me to play with and was more a family and fun site. But now my son has started his own business and is selling photos in clubs and events. But Ihave set his site up so that the viewer can directly download the pic to there PC. This works realy well. But have had to change the text on the "buy now" button to tell then that it will be £1.50 as the sale is in US dollars. This is the only bug I have with the Smugmug site, I am not the only person I know that has a smugmug account in the UK and it is also there biggest gripe. The people I speak to in the UK feel it is the biggest wall in the NOT selling more photos. (it also might be some of there photos are not worth selling, but I am not going to get in to that one).

So please, please, please can we see a multi currency opion for the next release........

thanks
lee

[kened11]

Hi,

I'm wondering if there is any update on this feature request? I would like to use Smugmug for print sales but lack of local currency support is stopping me.

Thanks!

Ken

[Andy]

Hi,

I'm wondering if there is any update on this feature request? I would like to use Smugmug for print sales but lack of local currency support is stopping me.

Thanks!

KenHi Ken, there is no update, I'm sorry.

[kened11]

Hi Ken, there is no update, I'm sorry.

Disappointing! Thanks for the quick response though.

[DigitalTasmania]

Well, I have fielded my fifth call today where the customer has enquired about purchasing a pic but was miffed when they saw the US$ symbol. And, looking at my sales quantity this could be a big part of the problem. As nice as it seems to be able to charge in $US and the credit card company do the conversion it just doesn't work well for sales. My customers know me and expect, rightly so, that they will be billed in AUS$. Therefore when they go to buy a pic and the price is in US$ they are mystified and turn away 99% of the time. I have to try and explain how the prices are based upon my AUS$ prices and if they want to check they can go to xe.com. That doesn't work at all - just bamboozles them.

What is the chance of introducing something where, depending upon the location of the photographer, the prices are displayed in their currency? I LOVE the fact that I can stick my pics on Smugmug and the layout is super slick but it just isn't working for me as a sales tool. I honestly thought that the sales would tick over nicely but so far I have as close to none as you can get. Put it this way, I have had more emails and phone calls about the $US rather than AUS$ than I have sold prints.

Is this something that anyone based outside the US can look forward to? I can't imagine it would be too difficult.

Thanks in advance!

Cameron
G'day Cameron (et al),

I'm also unhappy about this issue, mate . . . it is, IMHO, the single biggest handicap for non-US Smug Pro's from making money.

I've put in requests and emails about this in the past - over the past 1.5 years, roughly. Unfortunately, this issue wasn't clear to me until after I signed up.

SmugMug is an awesome service that is "world class" in everyway but one, IMHO. How this US-centric inflexibility handicaps Non-US accounts and undermines print sales.

I also have a serious "branding" issue with being a "proud Tasmanian business" but asking my clients to pay in US$.

I can only imagine that there are not enough overseas users to make changing the system worthwhile financially for SmugMug. Disappointing - until this is sorted there is an opening for a UK-centric or Australia-centric or Euro-centric service filling the gap in those regions and others.

I love SmugMug, their service otherwise has been great. I, for one, hope they listen one of these days and provide a better service for their non-US accounts.

Cheers from Tassie,

Thomas

[Dealbh Alba]

Just wanted to add my suppoort to the request for a non-US currency feature. To be honest it should be there by default, not a feature, and it does look rather amateurish to have to explain that prices will be converted to local currency. As a UK photographer Snapfish (http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/index.html?gallery=1559392) (WIP) is much better for my purposes, and I'm quite annoyed that there was no mention that this function was not available prior to sign-up. The world isn't America and if SM is to succeed globally, then it needs to think globally.

[Andy]

Just wanted to add my suppoort to the request for a non-US currency feature. To be honest it should be there by default, not a feature, and it does look rather amateurish to have to explain that prices will be converted to local currency. As a UK photographer Snapfish (http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/index.html?gallery=1559392) (WIP) is much better for my purposes, and I'm quite annoyed that there was no mention that this function was not available prior to sign-up. The world isn't America and if SM is to succeed globally, then it needs to think globally.Hi, welcome. Ouch, I'm really sorry that we don't have this for you. It's something we'd love to have, but unfortunately, we don't yet. I'm sorry that it's causing you to be so annoyed. If you'd like, we'll give you a full refund, no worries, just say the word. Email to our help desk http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal and put ATTN: Andy in the subject, I'll take care of it for you.

[Andy]

Thanks in advance!

Cameron

So, I'm curious about something - I was looking on your site for an example pricing page, in local currency, and couldn't find one. Wouldn't it be rather easy to setup a page like this:
http://andydemo.smugmug.com/gallery/2242951

And of course you can go much fancier, too. Just holler if you (or anyone!) wants help doing this.

[Andy]

So, I'm curious about something - I was looking on your site for an example pricing page, in local currency, and couldn't find one. Wouldn't it be rather easy to setup a page like this:
http://andydemo.smugmug.com/gallery/2242951

And of course you can go much fancier, too. Just holler if you (or anyone!) wants help doing this.
Added to the Pro Wiki:

http://smugmug.jot.com/WikiHome/Pros/ProSalesTips

[Art Scott]

Having a page on your site that shows the currency conversions, whether they are live or approx. is not as profession as having it showing up in the shopping cart and the actual price list....like is done on ebay....they show the price in the posters country (mostly for british pounds, auzzie dollars & canadian dollars) with US$ amount in () directly below it.....Now for a group of super hero code jockies like we have here.....there shouldn't be any reason why that could not be implemented on SM.

Is it truly a case of it is too darm difficult or what exactly?

Maybe SM really doesn't need to be worried about foreign clients as long as they have plenty of americans to support them.....

I personally would like to see at least the various dollar amounts and british pounds plus euros at least implemented at least like ebay does it....as my european move will be to a country using euros even so they prefer their own currency and will usually give you a price break if you pay in the native currency.

[Andy]

....there shouldn't be any reason why that could not be implemented on SM.

Is it truly a case of it is too darm difficult or what exactly? it's not that simple. It's a huge job, and one that would be at the expense of lots of other stuff that pros and everyone want.

Maybe SM really doesn't need to be worried about foreign clients as long as they have plenty of americans to support them.....
That's not how we think or operate, and you know it :D

I personally would like to see at least the various dollar amounts and british pounds plus euros at least implemented at least like ebay does it....as my european move will be to a country using euros even so they prefer their own currency and will usually give you a price break if you pay in the native currency.

Thanks for telling us how important it is to you!

[Andy]

Hi, welcome. Ouch, I'm really sorry that we don't have this for you. It's something we'd love to have, but unfortunately, we don't yet. I'm sorry that it's causing you to be so annoyed. If you'd like, we'll give you a full refund, no worries, just say the word. Email to our help desk http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal and put ATTN: Andy in the subject, I'll take care of it for you.Refund applied, thanks for trying us out :thumb

[Art Scott]

it's not that simple. It's a huge job, and one that would be at the expense of lots of other stuff that pros and everyone want.
Okay it is a huge undertaking......but is also a huge smack in the face to foreign users, which I am not YET, but will be.......american businesses are not making a lot of friends in Europe and other places because of OUR attitude about things like this......to expalin a to bit futher.....A couple of times a year I buy flowers for namedays, birthdays and such for friends in the Czech Republic.....I have to pay in either CZECH KORUNA not us$...but their site is set up to show prices in both currencies.......I am refering to a small flower shop...not worldwide FTD florist.....but the customer service is almost like SM.

That's not how we think or operate, and you know it :D

actually this how MOST of american businesses DO think and operate...it is the same expectation that MOST americans have about language when traveling...everyone in the world should speak american english.....For some reason it is in our nature to be so conceded and self centered.

NOT SAYIN' SM is....... just MOST americans' whether companies or individuals.:D

Thanks for telling us how important it is to you!

I do not think any one expects to see an implentation of currencies for the 193 or so ( isay or so beacuse at any moment a coup could happen some where it it could sprout one or more smaller countries in the blink of an eye) different countries and their currencies......

Really HUGE JOBS are what make companies grow and stretch....yes with muscle pains and aches....but in the end it is worth while for all.....

It very well could help up the sales of all the POWER and PRO users of SM.......

Thnks forthe speedy reply....sorry for the use of yellow font above but it really is the only way to have a good separation with in the quote:D

[Ann McRae]

I will add my voice to this feature request list - believe I have done so by email before. Not being able to display cdn $ in the shopping cart has truely cost me sales, despite emails with potential customers that prices have been adjusted.

I agree with Art that being able to display in a variety of currencies should help all pros, even those based in the US. After all customers should come from all over - thats what the web is all about.

ann

[caroline]

I will add my voice to this feature request list - believe I have done so by email before. Not being able to display cdn $ in the shopping cart has truely cost me sales, despite emails with potential customers that prices have been adjusted.

I agree with Art that being able to display in a variety of currencies should help all pros, even those based in the US. After all customers should come from all over - thats what the web is all about.

ann

I hate to do an "And Me" but I would like to add support for this feature request. I'm not yet in a position to expect sales of any kind from my site and equally I wouldn't expect them to be hugely significant, rather just another egg in the basket. There have been a few other posts from UK photographers so I would like to join them in making this request. I've no doubt we are just a small number compared to your US customers and I appreciate that the cost/effort of implementing this may not be viable, and if that is the case well I'll have to live with it.

Smugmug is great value in all respects, it can't be all things to everyone, but it comes pretty close. Personally I can't be bothered to go looking at other services in any great detail, Smugmug jumped off the page when I first came across it and nothing since then has done anything to detract from that impression.

Caroline

[jcp]

Hi there, I am another who is rather bothered that this feature is not on the "very important" list.

I understand the priorities that Smugmug have, but please believe me, this is a very important issue for the rest of the world. It's a rather simple rule that people prefer to shop in their own currency.

In my short time here at Smugmug, I have had emails already asking why they can't purchase in their local currency. Since the majority of my photos are in Europe, I would expect the majority of my customers to be European. In fact, my only sales so far have been to Americans (using American currency) This just seems illogical. I love my American sales, but I am sure my biggest market would be for European sales if the currency was right.

Also, keep in mind that Smugmug makes a profit from our sales. Adding this feature would not only increase Smugmug's customer's sales, but also your own revenue.

I really hope that Smugmug will reconsider the importance of this feature request and move it up the ladder. At least by starting with some of the more important currencies out there, Euro, Pound, Yen, Aust/Can dollar etc.

Anyway, excellent hosting site here, I don't want to complain or anything, but like those others here, it is very important to us.

[Andy]

Hi there, I am another who is rather bothered that this feature is not on the "very important" list.
Ouch - I'm sorry we're falling short in your eyes on this issue!

Thank you for telling us how important it is to you, we appreciate it very much.

[caroline]

Maybe SM really doesn't need to be worried about foreign clients as long as they have plenty of americans to support them.....

I personally would like to see at least the various dollar amounts and british pounds plus euros at least implemented at least like ebay does it....as my european move will be to a country using euros even so they prefer their own currency and will usually give you a price break if you pay in the native currency.



Would it be possible to link to this
http://www.printbutton.com/pbcom_service.html
from Smugmug, while you are unable to provide a multi currency option ?

Caroline

[Andy]

Would it be possible to link to this
http://www.printbutton.com/pbcom_service.html
from Smugmug, while you are unable to provide a multi currency option ?

Caroline
And do what?

EDIT: I guess I should say, we don't have a way to integrate with Photobox's cart stuff, sorry.

[Chockstone]

Hi, welcome. Ouch, I'm really sorry that we don't have this for you. It's something we'd love to have, but unfortunately, we don't yet. I'm sorry that it's causing you to be so annoyed. If you'd like, we'll give you a full refund, no worries, just say the word. Email to our help desk http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal and put ATTN: Andy in the subject, I'll take care of it for you.

I'd also like to voice my dissappointment on the lack of AUD currency as an option. My print sales have gone from quite healthy down to almost nothing since moving my site over to SmugMug and this is the only factor I can see as being at fault.

My site is here:
http://www.chockstone.org/PhotoSales

I've tried adding a pricing conversion table to the site footer so it appears on every page, hoping to thus avoid customer confusion, but so far it's not made any difference. I've lower prices. I've added another page explaining in detail how to make a purchase. Nothing helps. Oz customers just don't like ordering from the US for an Oz product.

Even the fact that pricing on SmugMug appears in US dollars is not made obvious to the customer from the shopping cart view. All we see is a price in dollars without a currency symbol.

I bought a SmugMug pro account so I could avoid the hassle of printing and mailing photos myself because the sales we getting more than I could handle. Now I have no hassle, but also no sales :(

[David Tomic]

I have to admit that not having a foreign currency feature is [by FAR] my single biggest disappointment with SmugMug.

I also understand though that implementing a system to charge in different currencies is no easy feat either.

Yes, I know we can add links to currency conversion websites, or add pricing tables for individual prints into our galleries, but neither of them are particularly elegant soloutions to the problem.

It means that the customer still has to a) visit a seperate website, and b) work out the conversion rate/total amount manually.

Here's the thing though ...

Whilst I obviously can't speak for everybody else who's already commented here, from the people [customers] I've spoken to personally, MOST of them DON'T actually care if the final amount is charged their credit card is in US dollars. They just want to see the cost of prints, and the total of their shopping cart in local currency [Australian dollars], WITHOUT having to visit some thrid party conversion website and calculate the totals themselves [manually].

IE - Show what their actual order would be worth in a chosen currency, and then just charge the equivalent amount in US$.

Just having the [equivalent] cost automatically calculated/displayed in the shopping cart total would be an absolutely HUGE improvment over the current system.

With all the brains floating around at SmugMug, SURELY this can't be such an impossibly hard feature to impliment?!?

[Andy]

I have to admit that not having a foreign currency feature is [by FAR] my single biggest disappointment with SmugMug.

I also understand though that implementing a system to charge in different currencies is no easy feat either.

Yes, I know we can add links to currency conversion websites, or add pricing tables for individual prints into our galleries, but neither of them are particularly elegant soloutions to the problem.

It means that the customer still has to a) visit a seperate website, and b) work out the conversion rate/total amount manually.

Here's the thing though ...

Whilst I obviously can't speak for everybody else who's already commented here, from the people [customers] I've spoken to personally, MOST of them DON'T actually care if the final amount is charged their credit card is in US dollars. They just want to see the cost of prints, and the total of their shopping cart in local currency [Australian dollars], WITHOUT having to visit some thrid party conversion website and calculate the totals themselves [manually].

IE - Show what their actual order would be worth in a chosen currency, and then just charge the equivalent amount in US$.

Just having the [equivalent] cost automatically calculated/displayed in the shopping cart total would be an absolutely HUGE improvment over the current system.

With all the brains floating around at SmugMug, SURELY this can't be such an impossibly hard feature to impliment?!?Impossibly hard? No. But it must get prioritized along with everything else :D

Thanks for letting us know how important this is to you!

And, :wave welcome to Dgrin!

[rmcd]

Andy, you can add me to the list of requestors for this feature. I live in Canada and have been shooting hockey teams this spring for their team photos. I looked into the Pro account which does pretty much everything I need, except for the currency issue. I can't bring myself to spend the money for a Pro account without this feature...

Having a Pro account will be a huge time saver for me when this feature is implemented. I am currently processing every order myself and it is time consuming! I wonder how many other photogs have turned away because this feature isn't there...

If I had my choice, I would like the customer's buying experience to be entirely in Canadian funds, including the credit card transaction. Anything that puts some form of questioning or doubt into the customer's mind is a detriment to sales.

I'm sure you will get to this feature some day, I just hope it is sooner rather than later. Even if you don't nail it the first time around, offering support for multiple currencies would be a step forward. I'm a strong believer in incremental change as it will get you where you need to be faster than trying to get the whole thing the first time.

Perhaps there are other ways of offering this type of service. Is it possible to have certain SmugMug sites hosted elsewhere, like in Canada, the UK and Australia? I'll bet that the organization you are working with for your credit card processing can set you up that way... It's just a suggestion that I don't even know is possible or not. There is frequently more than one way to address a particular issue.

Thanks for the great site and incredible customer service. It's a pleasure dealing with you guys.

[toadlet]

I would like to add my voice as I have been wanting to sell my prints for some time now, but like others, I have not wanted to because of the confusion that would probably arise from having to pay in US dollars, insetead of AUD.

I have been thinking of just upgrading to a power user account, set up a gallery called 'prints for sale' and within the bio list prices for 2 standard sizes, such as A4 and A3. I was then going to add a code below each photograhph (say landscape001) and then customers could purchase prints by this description. I could send along payment options, make the prints myself, save from having to pay a internation cheque fee, and not have to worry about US conversions.

What do others think?

[Dna]

An email from one of my customers.

"Hi,
I have orded a photo from your website through smugmug? What is the price in AUD? Everything is in US$. The postage charge of US$3.50 (for airmail delivery) surely does not apply for you photos taken in Victoria and mailed within Victoria?
If you could clarify this I would be most appreciative.
Regards,

Gary"

Andrew

[Ann McRae]

So I found this currency convertor (http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic?user=mcbain&lang=en) on my local camera store web site.

Is it possible/feasable to copy and make use of the code that runs this page? That would be coooooool.

ann

[denisegoldberg]

So I found this currency convertor (http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic?user=mcbain&lang=en) on my local camera store web site.

Is it possible/feasable to copy and make use of the code that runs this page? That would be coooooool.

ann
I don't know if this helps any, but I usually use a currency converter from xe.com when I am looking for rates in a different currency (and no, I don't have it on my smugmug site...). I just popped over to their web site, and it can be used from other sites, for free with an ad (of course), or embedded with a license fee. Worth a look?

Of course it probably doesn't really help since the rates could (will?) change between when they are displayed and when the transaction goes through...

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

--- Denise

[Dna]

And another one.

"Hi guys, l have just ordered photos off the lsv (Lifesaving Victoria) website and are very surprised to see l will be billed in US dollars. ls this correct? lf so why? l look forward to hearing from you.
Regards Barry Davey"

Would there be some way to have a pop up link in the cart to a currency converter. To me, that is the place where they need it.

Andrew

[David Tomic]

Andy & Co ...

Asking honestly, is this something that's even remotely on the radar over at SmugMug HQ at present, or am I [and the rest of us International plebs] simply leading a masterclass in futility by even requesting it?

Of course I'm not asking for any sort of commitment/timeframe. I understand enough about business to realise that you don't make those sort of commitments on a public forum.

However, some sort of guidance on exactly where we stand with this issue really would be appreciated.

--David Tomic
www.davidtomic.com (http://www.davidtomic.com)

[Andy]

We'd love to do it. We have limits with our cart, card provider, and system. If it happens, it's not anytime soon, I'm sorry to say.

But it's still important to us. I wish I had a better answer for you.

[David Tomic]

We'd love to do it. We have limits with our cart, card provider, and system. If it happens, it's not anytime soon, I'm sorry to say.

But it's still important to us. I wish I had a better answer for you.
Whilst I'm obviously not in any sort of a position to argue with you about your system capabilities, I must admit that I really do find it hard to accept that you can't come up with something which at the very least works slightly better than your current system.

There are already a million and one public API's one can plug into for working out currency conversions.

So ... What's so hard about giving customers a list of alternative currencies to choose from, and then on the checkout page just displaying a converted amount alongside the USD total?

You still charge the order in USD, so you don't have to completly re-invent your entire billing/checkout system, but at the same time you're still making it a WHOLE LOT friendlier for people buying internationally .

[B]EXAMPLE (http://www.users.on.net/%7Enat_tomic/smugmug/example.htm)

Of course, this is still a long way from the ideal solution [which would be to actually charge the whole order in [say] Australian Dollars], but as a "quick fix" I can still see a LOT of value in getting this up and running.

Andy ... this ISN'T that hard to impliment!!!

I'm not asking you guys to try and re-invent the wheel here ... just make a few simple changes to make the checkout process slightly more friendly to international customers.

--David Tomic
www.davidtomic.com (http://www.davidtomic.com)

[Andy]

Andy ... this ISN'T that hard to impliment!!!

Nothing is as easy as it sounds, I'm afraid.

Thanks for telling us how important this is to you. I've made sure that our Product Manager, Ben, has seen your postings.

Thanks!

[David Tomic]

I've made sure that our Product Manager, Ben, has seen your postings.
Thank you.

Is there any benefit at all in me discussing this with him directly, or not?

--David Tomic
www.davidtomic.com (http://www.davidtomic.com)

[Andy]

Thank you.

Is there any benefit at all in me discussing this with him directly, or not?

--David Tomic
www.davidtomic.com (http://www.davidtomic.com)
You are doing so, right here :thumb

[David Tomic]

Nothing is as easy as it sounds, I'm afraid.

Let's discuss it then Andy!

I'm positively overflowing with good ideas about getting this up and running, but unfortunately they really don't count for much if I can't at least understand what's actually stopping you from getting any of them implemented in the first place.

I'm not asking you to get into specifics about the companies internal workings, just a broad sense of what you're actually talking about when you say it's not easy an easy thing to do.

Is it purely a coding issue? Too Hard? Too much time? Too costly? Just not worth the bother of doing?

Are you worried that people will be confused by the diffrent US/Foreign amounts?

Is there some sort of a wider problem with showing totals in non-us dollars?

---------

What's the story?

[Ben]

Hi David,

To be perfectly honest, it is something we have only given a cursory thought to. Nothing is ever simple, especially not something that involves changing pricing and financial transactions for an already complicate procedure. So in addition to the hurdles we do know about, there are always tons of hurdles we don't figure out until we are neck deep.

There are some basic problems relating to the fact that we don't charge cards at the time of transaction. We charge them (days/weeks) later at the time of shipping the product. Showing them even an "estimated" cost in their own currency won't be accurate when they actually do get billed. Trying to educate a customer on that isn't exactly easy either.

That being said, it isn't so much the problems as much as it is a combination of problems and priorities. We overcome bigger problems every day when building new features, but we are a very small team. We have extremely limited manpower, and we have to prioritize what we will work on. To be completely bluntly honest, currency conversion is fairly low on our list at the moment.

We have an extremely long list of things we want to add to the site (see the several years of feature request threads), and as a small company we don't have the manpower to work on everything at once.

We are building a new shopping cart that will do more for improving the shopping experience for instance. (Which also makes it worth less to try and build it now, as it would just have to be rebuilt with the new cart)

Somewhere down the road, we would REALLY like to add coupons and package deals, which is also probably a higher priority for pros. You can see where I am going with this.

We do mean it when we say we want it, but we also mean it when we say it probably won't come very soon. :cry

Sorry, I know it isn't the answer you want to hear. But I figured you would want to hear the honest answer.

[jcp]

Hi David (and Andy), First, I really want to thank you both for taking this issue seriously, and communicating back with us.

I would like to respond to a couple of points though first.

Hi David,
That being said, it isn't so much the problems as much as it is a combination of problems and priorities. We overcome bigger problems every day when building new features, but we are a very small team. We have extremely limited manpower, and we have to prioritize what we will work on. To be completely bluntly honest, currency conversion is fairly low on our list at the moment.

The way I see it, the current system is costing you the loss of many sales. Smugmug make a percentage from every sale, and for every sale lost because of the current system, that is good money lost to you as well as us.

I would really be interested to see the percentage difference in sales from US Pro accounts to non US Pro accounts. If anything written in this thread is something to go by, I would guess that non-US Pro users sell less which could be attributed to the currency situation.

If this is the case, then surely it would benifit SM to look more seriously into this. An improvement that increases revenue is a priority change in my books.


Somewhere down the road, we would REALLY like to add coupons and package deals, which is also probably a higher priority for pros. You can see where I am going with this.

Maybe, but many international users may say it's only a higher priority to US-Pros. It won't help us if we are not getting sales anyway. The way Smugmug feels to me, is that it is a Global Photo Viewing Community, but a US Shop. Maybe the promotions for the Pro-Account should mention this?

[photobanks]

Hi David (and Andy), First, I really want to thank you both for taking this issue seriously, and communicating back with us.

I would like to respond to a couple of points though first.



The way I see it, the current system is costing you the loss of many sales. Smugmug make a percentage from every sale, and for every sale lost because of the current system, that is good money lost to you as well as us.

I would really be interested to see the percentage difference in sales from US Pro accounts to non US Pro accounts. If anything written in this thread is something to go by, I would guess that non-US Pro users sell less which could be attributed to the currency situation.

If this is the case, then surely it would benifit SM to look more seriously into this. An improvement that increases revenue is a priority change in my books.


Maybe, but many international users may say it's only a higher priority to US-Pros. It won't help us if we are not getting sales anyway. The way Smugmug feels to me, is that it is a Global Photo Viewing Community, but a US Shop. Maybe the promotions for the Pro-Account should mention this?

Yes, I totally agree. Being a UK user I would love to see multiple currency support. This site is great, apart from the fact that I cannot sell from it as my customers want to see GBP prices. I do agree that coupons and packages would be good to have, but at the same time I cannot sell these anyway as the site is exclusively in USD at the moment.

I have been trying to set up paypal as an alternative, with not much success so far. May be this is another alternative SmugMug could introduce instead for us international folk.... a paypal shopping cart to use... just to give us something to tide us over until the multiple currency becomes more of a priority for them.

Michael

[Andy]

I have been trying to set up paypal as an alternative, with not much success so far.
It's rather easy - and we'll help you - make a post in SmugMug Customization forum and see :thumb

[David Tomic]

Guess what folks. Yep ... it's time to drag this one up from the depths again.


There are some basic problems relating to the fact that we don't charge cards at the time of transaction. We charge them (days/weeks) later at the time of shipping the product. Showing them even an "estimated" cost in their own currency won't be accurate when they actually do get billed.

Okay ... so I've accepted that as an obstacle that needs to be overcome, but has this actually changed recently? [Perhaps along with the introduction of the new cart interface?]

I've noticed with the last couple of orders that I've put through, that my credit card has been charged as soon as the order is completed.

Has that marked a change in the way transactions are being processed?

Does that move us any closer to making ANY changes what-so-ever to make the ordering process more friendly to the 95% of the World's population that don't call America home?

--DavidTomic
www.davidtomic.com

[Dna]

The latest in a series of emails about why we charge in US$.

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your quick reply. It ensured that 3 of your photos made our annual report and made a $75 dint in my credit card account (ouch!)! How come you guys use an offshore host ? I hate $USD.

Kind Regards,

David Morgan"


I can't see what is hard about having a little more Javascript to grab the current currency conversion and convert the US$ to what ever currency I specify. Or even making a setting somewhere, where I have to update it.
Even if it is an additional number after the total. ie US$ 30 (AUS$ 35)

I do realise that you are working flat out on new things and I do like the new cart ordering system, but sometimes you have to stop inventing and tweak what you have to make it smoother.

cheers

Andrew

[Andy]

The latest in a series of emails about why we charge in US$.

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your quick reply. It ensured that 3 of your photos made our annual report and made a $75 dint in my credit card account (ouch!)! How come you guys use an offshore host ? I hate $USD.

Kind Regards,

David Morgan"


I can't see what is hard about having a little more Javascript to grab the current currency conversion and convert the US$ to what ever currency I specify. Or even making a setting somewhere, where I have to update it.
Even if it is an additional number after the total. ie US$ 30 (AUS$ 35)

I do realise that you are working flat out on new things and I do like the new cart ordering system, but sometimes you have to stop inventing and tweak what you have to make it smoother.

cheers

Andrew
There's a lot to it, not just programming. But thanks for letting us know how important this is to you!

[lichtlab]

hi there,

First post here. I have been trying the pro account during the past days and customized my site (lichtlab.smugmug.com (http://lichtlab.smugmug.com)) to look like www.lichtlab.be (http://www.lichtlab.be), my current site. I am very happy with the customization options and the presentation of the galleries, but I am seriously doubting if I will continue with Smugmug because of this issue.

I am based in Belgium (Euro territory) and people are not too positive when they see dollars and inches versus euros and cm. I solved it this (http://lichtlab.smugmug.com/gallery/3735030) (Where it says "Maten en prijzen") way, but that is really just a hack... REALLY REALLY no chance of implementing an auto conversion IN the shopping cart? (you could always post a disclaimer that says subject to fluctuations in exchange rate, or you could go the extra mile and swallow the fluctuations yourself, or even charge it to me if that is the problem). I really find it hard to believe that this is such a difficult problem. Nothing a few database tables and javascript couldn't solve...

If you guys want a chance of breaking into the euro market and become the default leader make this change now before another company steps up and implements this relatively simple feature. I realise it is not THAT simple, but you are most likely compromising a huge market opportunity!

[David Tomic]

I really find it hard to believe that this is such a difficult problem.

Welcome aboard lichtlab. Here's a brick wall which you can now officially start banging your head against.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9430/brick01xg7.gif


--David Tomic
www.davidtomic.com

[Andy]

Welcome aboard lichtlab. Here's a brick wall which you can now officially start baning your head against.

http://members.tripod.com/%7Ebb822/brick_01.gif

no need to get an image from tripod.com, we have our own smilie right here on dgrin for that.

type colon-bash :bash

[David Tomic]

no need to get an image from tripod.com, we have our own smilie right here on dgrin for that.

type colon-bash :bash

Thanks, but that's not nearly a big enough wall Andy!

EDIT: Of course me being the eternal optimist that I am, at least we can look on the bright side of all this.

With the US Dollar declining at the rate it is, it's not going to be too much longer until it's worth less than the Australian Dollar, and then we won't even have to worry about the conversion any more. Hooray!

Viva la Revolución! http://www.forum-tvs.ru/style_emoticons/default/guillotine.gif

--David Tomic
www.davidtomic.com

[lichtlab]

Well, I do feel rather annoyinf already complaining even before I have an official account but it is such a nice feature and for the entire non-us world probably a whole lot more important than other features such as package pricing. You guys are not only missing purchases from registered non-us pros, but also a lot of missed non-us pro registrations, which you can not even measure. I would kindly ask to reevaluate the importance of this request. If you do this, you are FIRST for the ENTIRE rest of the world. It seems so obvious that I can't imagine you didn't consider this, but OTOH it also seems so strange that despite of the huge opportunity you put this low on your list. Profit IS important for you guys too no?

[Dna]

David, thanks for the brick wall. I've installed next to my desk and it's proving very handy for problems such as this. I've also seen the boss sneaking in to use it as well !

Seriously, lets look at some figures. Population of the US is 0.45 % of the worlds population. Population of Developed Nations, which are the ones outside the US to most likely use Smugmug is 20%. Even if we discount half that figure, the US is only 5% of that. So by only using US$ you are effectively alienating 95% of your customers. Doesn't seem to be a smart business move.

Looking at traffic, Alexa.com (http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=smugmug.com) has just over half your traffic coming from the US (56.7%), so again you are alienating 43.3.% of your visitors as soon as they get to the shopping cart and can't pay in their currency.

Again, I love what you are doing with the site, all the new tools and so forth, but this is my only bugbear.

Andrew

[lichtlab]

David, thanks for the brick wall. I've installed next to my desk and it's proving very handy for problems such as this. I've also seen the boss sneaking in to use it as well !

Seriously, lets look at some figures. Population of the US is 0.45 % of the worlds population. Population of Developed Nations, which are the ones outside the US to most likely use Smugmug is 20%. Even if we discount half that figure, the US is only 5% of that. So by only using US$ you are effectively alienating 95% of your customers. Doesn't seem to be a smart business move.

Looking at traffic, Alexa.com (http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=smugmug.com) has just over half your traffic coming from the US (56.7%), so again you are alienating 43.3.% of your visitors as soon as they get to the shopping cart and can't pay in their currency.

Again, I love what you are doing with the site, all the new tools and so forth, but this is my only bugbear.

Andrew

Yes I want to emphasize this too. I love everything else about the site. Never thought it would be customizable like this and you can get it to look great, but I am afraid for my sales the dollars and inches only will do no good... Thanks for the Alexa stats BTW, this makes our request a bit more substantiated.

[cyberunch]

SMUGMUG!
First I must say I love smugmug and what it has achieved to date..

BUT!!!

It has come to the stage where customers are now telling me that they do not want to do business with me in US dollors.. Im based in Ireland, and it looks like I have to start moving my site away from smugmug as if I want my website to succeed.. :dunno

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider handling euro and others! At least give us an inclination that you are even considering our requests and maybe even a distant development timeline????

:help

Cheers

CyberUnch
http://www.freeweddingphotographers.com

[TransactionPhoto]

Hi, welcome. Ouch, I'm really sorry that we don't have this for you. It's something we'd love to have, but unfortunately, we don't yet. I'm sorry that it's causing you to be so annoyed. If you'd like, we'll give you a full refund, no worries, just say the word. Email to our help desk http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal and put ATTN: Andy in the subject, I'll take care of it for you.

This is a great way for SmugMug to capitalize on the weak US dollar. I have no plans of selling photos internationally but it makes good sense to get this working for those users. You should at least employ a system for handling transactions in Euros. People in Europe will pay more for the exact same stock image in the US. If you have to choose between buying a US picture for $100 or a European picture for 100 Euros, it is a no brainer. Everyone would go with the US first. Same thing with SmugMug’s services.

[Craig Ridley]

I am a current smugmug user and absolutely love the photo display and customisation capabilities of smugmug. I am however a power user who is thiking of upgrading to a pro account primarily due to the key feature of being able to set custom pricing.

Being based outside of the US (Australia in my case), as many people have already mentioned, anybody who is looking at my photos and is considering buying prints want to see prices in local curreny not US$.

This is the only thing stopping me from upgrading to a pro account immediately and now I will need to put some serious consideration into whether I use the smugmug printing capabilities for customers or set local pricing and submit on their behalf.

Craig.

[Manfr3d]

Is there any update on this feature? If not I'd like to add
my voice to the future request. When reading this thread
I realized that the american localization is the only thing
that keeps me from signing up for a SmugMug Pro account.

[paulbrock]

I'm having to provide an online ordering system for a new client - I'm dismayed Smugmug STILL hasn't got an option/customisation that will allow people to order in UK pounds, as I believe that my customers simply will not order when they see US dollar pricing. :bash

Hopefully I'll still be able to integrate something clever (Paypal?) on the SM site. (any pointers? :D )

To echo Craig and Manfr3d, once this is fixed I'll happily upgrade to a Pro account. But not before.

[presence]

Parts of my website are hosted outside of SM. I'm not a computer expert so forgive the basic descriptions. Their control panel is 'cpanel' and it automatically installs 'plugins' via a fantastico script (?). My host offers 3 e-commerce plugins and, AFAIK, they're free to me.

They are:
cubecart (http://www.cubecart.com/site/home/)
oscommerce (http://www.oscommerce.com/)
zen-cart (http://www.zen-cart.com/)

I think they all offer real-time, multi-currency transactions via credit card, paypal and a host of other stuff I didn't fully understand. An earlier poster said something like 40% of your visitors come from outside of the USA.

There seems to be a demand for a non-US$ payment scheme and there seems to be off-the-shelf solution(s), yet hosting video's(!!!) gets more priority... I don't understand it.

In addition to the customisation options, the main advantage (to me) of SM was the potential for 'drive-by'/'long tail' sales to international customers. But if, (&/or when), my work becomes more event/studio based, it might be easier for me to use Lightroom and upload/ftp low-res images to my own website and let clients phone/email me what they want.

I would urge SM to reconsider their priorities. You're not the cheapest option and I would encourage you to listen to your customers. Afterall, Don MacAskill has the same opinion :roflCompanies That Listen: Sun (http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2007/12/13/companies-that-listen-sun/)

My 2€cent :D

[presence]

I'm sure if you contacted one of the three companies listed above and said, 'we've 100k customers but we need a SM "skin" over your product'; they'd be very, very, very happy to do so. Probably wouldn't cost you too much either if you played the three of them against each other??

[David Tomic]

[/URL]
My 2€cent :D

Sorry ... but only American currency will be accepted!

Today was the day I had to let go of another US$150 to renew my SmugMug account, and I have to admit that I felt a bit sad seeing it go ... knowing in all probablity that all I was buying myself was the oppertunity for another 12 months of banging my head against this same brick wall.

I've also read with a rather unsettling sense of irony Don MacAskill's gleeful blog posts about (http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2007/12/13/companies-that-listen-sun/) Sun acquiring MySQL (http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2008/01/16/sun-acquires-mysql/), because Sun is a company that actually listens to it's customers!

He's right you know ... that really must be a good feeling to have! What a shame that we can't all share in that same sense of optimisim ...

With the American economy rapidly sliding towards a recession, I would have thought that diversifying beyond the US dollar would have been the absolutely BEST thing you could have done?

Still ... I suppose that it's not ALL bad news for us International Plebs™ ...

The more the US dollar slides, the cheaper we can get all our photos done!

Goooooo greenback go ...

--David Tomic
[url]www.davidtomic.com

[TalkieT]

After my customer first had an issue with not being able to click the button for copying the shipping address from billing address (I reported this months ago and it was seemingly fixed, but the same thing happened yesterday), I now have a complaint about the USD$ to add!

"All done, but didnt not know I was paying for them in USA dollars!!!! Till the e mail came back to me to say all done. Arent you in Christchurch? I am in Christchurch every second week so dont even need to send them... Why are we paying in USA dollars not NZ dollars? Debbie"

I did have a comment in the gallery description "Please note all prices are in $USD" for 1 of the 2 galleries she ordered from, but apparently that's not good enough.

As for this customer, I've emailed her and volunteered either a refund or a free 4mp image of all the images she ordered - but the embarassment is worse. I screwed up on one gallery by not noting the $USD (It was a gallery from about a year ago) but even with the comment in the recent gallery description, it was missed.

I know SM won't give any indication if they're working on any new features, but on the offchance that a pang of guilt for not implementing SOMETHING helpful in relation to this occurs, here are a couple of hopefully simple suggestions. Either of them would help a little bit, first one's better.

1) Provide a currency selection in the cart, and list BESIDE the official $USD, something like "(approx $11.25NZD at 21/01/08)" and link that whole comment to XE.com. Also you'd need a comment on the page that local currencies are indicative only, and that all transactions are in USD...

2) PLEASE, at the very least, place "$USD" beside EVERY INSTANCE OF A DOLLAR VALUE ON YOUR SITE! I have to ask you, please get one of your coders to give you an opinion about how hard that would be. Please please please at least explain why what would be so hard. It WOULD prevent issues of the surprise billing like I got above.

Unless something gets done here, I'm going to include in large text "ALL PRICES IN $USD ONLY" in red text on my banner, and put that text in capitals, FIRST, on all my gallery descriptions"...

I honestly don't think you understand over there in the US, how embarassing and crazy it seems to explain that I can only sell photos using $USD.

Sorry I had to vent, but please at least consider hacking in the "$USD" display beside dollar values - the estimated local currency would be even better.

Cheers - Neil Gardner
www.nzsnaps.com (BEWARE! All prices in $USD only!)

[xris]

For what it's worth, I'm still looking for SM to go global too! It's been a whole year for me and I'm sure it's been much longer for many others.

I'd very much like my customers to be able to pay in any currency they prefer (and I'm sure many US-based photogs feel the same way) so, though I'm quite happy with SM, I am keeping my eyes open for a comparable service with a more international stance.

I simply feel that, to be a serious Web player, I have to internationalize.
:thumb

[paulbrock]

To echo Craig and Manfr3d, once this is fixed I'll happily upgrade to a Pro account. But not before.

Actually, I take it back, after learning about the payment of sales revenue:

http://www.smugmug.com/help/reporting

Checks (cheques) are mailed out in US dollars?! Checks? Seriously? No electronic transfer, BACS payment, Paypal even?

I'm not even sure how I'd go about cashing a cheque in US dollars, and how much I'd have to pay for the privilege.

The online retail system has been clearly designed by US residents, FOR US residents. That's fine, as the rest of Smugmug is so great :D, but this facility will take more than a currency converter to be suitable for the rest of the world.

[Manfr3d]

Actually, I take it back, after learning about the payment of sales revenue:

http://www.smugmug.com/help/reporting

Checks (cheques) are mailed out in US dollars?! Checks? Seriously? No electronic transfer, BACS payment, Paypal even?

I'm not even sure how I'd go about cashing a cheque in US dollars, and how much I'd have to pay for the privilege.

The online retail system has been clearly designed by US residents, FOR US residents. That's fine, as the rest of Smugmug is so great :D, but this facility will take more than a currency converter to be suitable for the rest of the world.

Uh I didn't think of this problem before ... my bank takes 10€ or 3% to cash non EU currency cheque .. and it takes 10 to 21 days to process. :cry

[skydognz]

Well, i'm back again after searching high and low for a professional photography website that offers the international photography community the opportunity to sell internationally and in their own currency.

I see this is still a issue with SM, though with the US$ still so strong against most other countries, myself; a New Zealand Photographer, still can't offer my customers here; or even in other countries; the better exchange rates when wanting to buy my images in the $NZ.

Every tourist in the world loves coming to NZ because of the exchange rate! - and the scenery, But they don't have the same opportunity to buy my images in the same currency - which they love!

SM is such a wonderfully professional and addictive, informative and ideal site, that I want to use and pay for (as a PRO site) but I can't offer my local customers who pride themselves on "KIWI MADE" and "BUY NEW ZEALAND MADE" products on this site that has me still sitting here, 2 years later without a well priced and well structured site to sell my images...
:agree

Hamish
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

[TalkieT]

I made 2 simple (I think) suggestions in my previous post in this thread and didn't get any sort of response from Smugmug support. This shows me two things...

1) They're getting a bit slack, or ignoring this topic because it's too hard and they don't really care about non-US based photographers.

2) The fact that I expected a rational response and am genuinely surprised by the fact it was ignored just shows how incredible their support normally is!

So, Heroes, read my previous post and tell me how hard either of these woudl be...

1) Provide a currency selection in the cart, and list BESIDE the official $USD, something like "(approx $11.25NZD at 21/01/08)" and link that whole comment to XE.com. Also you'd need a comment on the page that local currencies are indicative only, and that all transactions are in USD...

2) PLEASE, at the very least, place "$USD" beside EVERY INSTANCE OF A DOLLAR VALUE ON YOUR SITE! I have to ask you, please get one of your coders to give you an opinion about how hard that would be. Please please please at least explain why what would be so hard. It WOULD prevent issues of the surprise billing like I got above.

Regards
Neil Gardner
www.nzsnaps.com (WARNING: ALL PRICES IN $USD ONLY AND YOU DON'T REALLY GET THIS HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU UNTIL THE MOMENT YOU PAY, OR AFTER YOU HAVE PAID IN SOME CASES)

[Dna]

Vote now !!

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=84855

Andrew

[bham]

If and when smugmug truely wants to become international they will probably do a couple of things, accept other currency and then setup relationships with another lab in other parts of the world (or get EZ Prints to do it).

But realize smugmug is focused on being a site for people to share their photos not necessarily the best place for pros to sell their photos. But because the display and options is so great many pros want to use them as their selling site as well.

I feel your pain, maybe if enough non-US pros ban together and show them a $$ figure they are missing, they can justify the cost to do it.

[Craig Ridley]

If and when smugmug truely wants to become international they will probably do a couple of things, accept other currency and then setup relationships with another lab in other parts of the world (or get EZ Prints to do it).

But realize smugmug is focused on being a site for people to share their photos not necessarily the best place for pros to sell their photos. But because the display and options is so great many pros want to use them as their selling site as well.

I feel your pain, maybe if enough non-US pros ban together and show them a $$ figure they are missing, they can justify the cost to do it.

I completely agree. And if that is the case, as a minimum smugmug should look to provide a self-fulfillment option to allow those outside of the US a means by which to at least capture an order from a customer.

[Andy]

I made 2 simple (I think) suggestions in my previous post in this thread and didn't get any sort of response from Smugmug support. This shows me two things...

1) They're getting a bit slack
Neil I have said directly to you before, and to many others on Dgrin, we read every single post here. If I repsonded individually to every single post, what else would get done? I'm very sorry that you didn't get a response. Truth be told, I was busy fixing a shipping to New Zealand problem :)

[TalkieT]

Neil I have said directly to you before, and to many others on Dgrin, we read every single post here. If I repsonded individually to every single post, what else would get done? I'm very sorry that you didn't get a response. Truth be told, I was busy fixing a shipping to New Zealand problem :)

You were a bit mean on not quoting my point 2 as well :-) But I'm afraid my points stand. While I can see how a true international cart would be a lot of work with process implications - I fail to see how it could be that hard to be a bit more obvious about the currency, or to add an indication of equivalent price in another currency.

And the Shipping to NZ problem still exists (just tested again)...

But yeah, I know you guys must be busy. It's just frustrating answering the same questions from customers. (Can't ship to NZ and why the USD$ in my case).

Cheers - N

[Andy]

And the Shipping to NZ problem still exists (just tested again)...

Please check now? We pushed some bug fixes today.

[Andy]

One of the big issues here, guys, is that customer buys a print today:

* we pre-auth the card for Xamount of local currency

* now the order is in proof delay for 7 days, say the pro takes the full 7 days...

* order released, up to 2 more days in the lab... and it ship, yay!

* but the currency rates changed between the time we pre-authorized the card and the time we ship (when we actually charge the card). Potential for problems here, and I'm trying to noodle that....

[TalkieT]

Please check now? We pushed some bug fixes today.

Nope dammit...

Still only shows $USD, no options for foreign currency.
...

...

I'm so sorry for that, but I just had to :-) The "same as billing" option from the shipping screen now appears to work and accept New Zealand as a shipping destination :-) Thanks for the heads up on the bugfixes.

Cheers - Neil G
www.nzsnaps.com

[TalkieT]

One of the big issues here, guys, is that customer buys a print today:

* we pre-auth the card for Xamount of local currency

* now the order is in proof delay for 7 days, say the pro takes the full 7 days...

* order released, up to 2 more days in the lab... and it ship, yay!

* but the currency rates changed between the time we pre-authorized the card and the time we ship (when we actually charge the card). Potential for problems here, and I'm trying to noodle that....

I get this as a problem and it does look tough. Your options really consist of the following:

1) Charge the card at order time, but I understand why this is probably an unacceptable option.

2) Pre-auth the card for amount + fudge factor, then provided that by the time the order is shipped, the amount is still under the pre-auth, you're sweet.

I don't know if you realise this in the US, but international CC transactions from the rest of the world to the US are a crapshoot... No-one knows when the card will be charged, or what rate will be used, and I personally have had several instances when the pre-auth was greater than got charged.

3) Don't do a pre-auth at all - wait until ship date and do it.

4) Do pre-auth as is now, and bill that amount regardless of the exchange rate changes. Either eat the difference out of your 15%, or make the pro eat the difference, or split the difference. Personally I'd be happy to absorb any difference in the preauth to billed amount from my percentage. Maybe make that a condition of using the alternate currency billing.

5) Assume that the relative exchange rates will go up as often as down and just eat the difference as above in 4.

Still... The 2 suggestions I have made (plaster $USD everywhere on the site so overseas visitors can tell it's a $USD billing solution, or show an "estimated $NZD" value in the cart before billing in USD as usual) don't have any of these issues associated with them.

On reflection, I believe my customers are surprised about the $USD thing because of my URL (www.NZSNAPS.com)... Using .com is common, and the NZsnaps really indicates it's a New Zealand site - especially since that's where I am, and where all the events I cover are.

New Zealand currency is the Dollar ($), so on the site, seeing $ everywhere, it's perfectly understandable how visitors could just not even realise that it's $USD. I have to be so inelegant and ugly and point out everywhere that prices are $USD due to the inflexible billing options of the photo host.

I have people emailing me and PMing me suggesting local photo hosts, but there's nothing that compares with Smugmug for features, price and support - so I can't see myself switching to an NZ host - but the currency thing is really starting to bug me.

I'm selling a few more Digital Downloads now, but I am really seriously considering setting up a self fulfil system for that, since the extra hassle it would mean for me will probably be countered by the extra profit, and the ability to let customers pay me directly by Internet banking which in new Zealand, is by FAR the most common form of person to person payment.

Cheers - Neil Gardner
www.nzsnaps.com (All prices in $USD ONLY!)

[presence]

One of the big issues here, guys, is that customer buys a print today:

* we pre-auth the card for Xamount of local currency

* now the order is in proof delay for 7 days, say the pro takes the full 7 days...

* order released, up to 2 more days in the lab... and it ship, yay!

* but the currency rates changed between the time we pre-authorized the card and the time we ship (when we actually charge the card). Potential for problems here, and I'm trying to noodle that....

I apologise in advance if my reply is rude but I'm surprised to read this statement.

Most companies who do business internationally 'forward buy' their currency or hedge their bets by agreeing a rate with their bank in advance for, say, the next 1/7/14 days or 3 months or 6 months. IMO, it's quite common in Europe to have someone senior who deals with the FOREX (foreign exchange) side of things. It's how banks make most of their profit!

Maybe it's different with credit card companies but then how do airlines, for example, survive when they sell (international) flights that might not happen for 6 months in advance? How does Dell or Apple sell computers in foreign markets? Or Karlu dot com, a British business?

I'm Irish but I buy a lot of my equipment from a British company (Karlu dot com) and they offer 7 different currencies! I think they're a family-business but, on their website, you just choose what currency you want, et voila, it happens.

I suggest that you pick a rate for the week or month. Sometimes you'll win and sometimes you'll lose. But if your accountant picks the right rate, you'll win most of the time...

My 2€cents.

[Andy]

New Zealand currency is the Dollar ($), so on the site, seeing $ everywhere, it's perfectly understandable how visitors could just not even realise that it's $USD.

In our shopping cart, steps 1 through 4 and the final order screen, it says $USD on the total - on each page.

http://img.skitch.com/20080219-8em5ppccp6je85bxhp2ajk6e5d.jpg

We don't have it in the buy-this-photo add to cart interface, and I'm seeing about adding it there.

I have made sure we're up front here, too: http://www.smugmug.com/help/payment.mg

Need to add it here, too: http://www.smugmug.com/prints/shipping.mg I've asked that that be done.

[TalkieT]

In our shopping cart, steps 1 through 4 and the final order screen, it says $USD on the total - on each page.

http://img.skitch.com/20080219-8em5ppccp6je85bxhp2ajk6e5d.jpg

We don't have it in the buy-this-photo add to cart interface, and I'm seeing about adding it there.

I have made sure we're up front here, too: http://www.smugmug.com/help/payment.mg

Need to add it here, too: http://www.smugmug.com/prints/shipping.mg I've asked that that be done.

Thanks Andy - I did notice it's in the endgame on the cart, but adding it in some other places will certainly help.

Hopefully it's just an interim though you guys can figure out how to offer multiple currencies. I'm sure you can do it.

Cheers - N
www.nzsnaps.com

[Andy]

Thanks Andy - I did notice it's in the endgame on the cart, but adding it in some other places will certainly help.

Just to be clear, once in the actual shopping cart, it is now already on every page not just the end.

[davidweaver]

LOL.

This is not easy to change as changes in the shopping cart are generally not easy to do.

My suggestion as a quick fix: Allow shoppers the ability to checkout using PayPal. Add 5-10% to the price that get's sent to PP. Sure PP takes a percentage, but I would expect SM to negotiate a more favorable rate.

The PP transaction can happen BEFORE the items are shipped thus insuring a solid return to SM.

Reasons for not doing this are related to returns. I have a solution for this too but don't want to post it as it has a couple issues with it, but it still solves 90% of all problems. These problems should be a tiny percentage of the sales and thus, the 5-10% pading in currency conversion will cover the rare cases.

Besides, I would welcome that kind of markup when I'm forced to change currency with an airport booth in Heathrow or Lisbon. :-)

[presence]

from SmugBlog: Release Notes (http://blogs.smugmug.com/release-notes/2008/02/20/the-only-good-bug-is-a-dead-bug/) (20th Feb 2008)

* Due to overwhelming demand, we have added Romania to the list of countries we ship to. Minunat!*
Romania joined the European Union on 1st Jan 2007. Let's hope they want to pay in Euros!! :D

[Bascule]

...and the only thing holding me back is having to order prints from the US in US$..

I love smugmug, I really do - but we need a UK equivalent! Having promoted SM to a number of colleagues and associates, its the single reason why the majority don't even sign up in the first place, but carry on using some of the enfeebled local offerings.

This is an embuggerance. Everything else about SM is superb - but this means that while I shall continue to use SM for my personal stuff, I am already scouting for alternatives for work I wish to sell. What a waste!!

please SM - can you proactively keep a list of those who are making this request? (My pref is UK pounds of course)

Here's my wishlist, it's nice and short:

www.smugmug.co.uk

Thanks!



The day you are able to provide this, ideally with a UK based printing service, just let us know! I for one would return to the SM fold immediately.

[Bascule]

ok.. the link I put was entirely in jest.. www.smugmug.co.uk

and it goes to fotoinsight, who I have purchased some photobooks from!

I assume there is no actual smugmug/fotoinsight link? was that a cheeky bit of marketing on their part?

Would be great if there were a link, their print quality and service is excellent too!

[vaio2006]

any update on this?

We are currently using Smugmug to host images for an American/International School in Japan.

But this summer we have to sell photos to a Japanese audience (who don't read English.) Smugmug works PERFECTLY for the English speaking audience, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a service similar to Smugmug but in Japanese?

[methd]

+1 for the general gist of this thread.

I have a pro account on here, but I don't sell prints through smugmug for this very reason.

I'd love for something to be done about it.

[Squeezer]

I'd also like to be able to have potential buyers be able to see the prices for photos and shipping in AUS $$.

I really dont want the hassle of having to deal Direct with customers using Paypal / Bank transfers. It is really the ONLY gripe I have with using SmugMug and reccomending it to others. As such I tend to put my photos that I think someone might buy on my RedBubble site instead as they do deal in $AUD

I dont and my potential customers dont really care where the photos are printed/shipped from but the sight of a checkout that has currency based in USD puts a LOT of people off.

[Dna]

From here. (http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=654324)(Subscription needed.)


"I got a SmugMug account so as I could sell a few of my photos. Set it up. Added the photos. 1st customer emails me to tell me it all in US dollars. So far, of the 6 potential sales (I know bugger all to alot of you, but a new lens to me http://forums.overclockers.com.au/images/smilies/biggrin.gif ), 5 have bailed because it is in $US

Guess who wont be renewing next year!"

"Man.. that sucks ass. I was very close to getting smugmug.

No $AU? Forgetaboutit!"


Andrew

[tsservo]

As I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary with my Pro account I've been doing some serious thinking about what I should do regarding this currency issue. I, like many others here, have found the lack of alternate currencies to be a substantial hurdle (read: complete block) to selling prints outside the US (I'm from the States and living in Oz).

While looking for SmugMug alternatives (yes, I will leave if I have to) I found Red Bubble (http://www.redbubble.com) that seems to do exactly what we're asking SmugMug to do in the way we're asking them to do it...

Prices in USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD... a little link that lets you change the currency... and frankly I'm starting to like their cart implementation more as well.

Example: http://www.redbubble.com/people/globalphotos/art/1263057-1-chamber-of-light

Perhaps someone at SmugMug can get a hold of someone at Red Bubble and ask them how they seem to have done what apparently is too time consuming to do for us...

I am seriously looking at them as an alternate and interested in anyone's opinions on them. I'm also seriously interested if SmugMug has thoughts about this topic any more.

Thanks.

BTW, I have no connection to Red Bubble whatsoever. No family, friends, distant relatives, anyone that I remotely know have anything to do with that site. I found them just this morning while evaluating my alternatives.

[Art Scott]

As I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary with my Pro account I've been doing some serious thinking about what I should do regarding this currency issue. I, like many others here, have found the lack of alternate currencies to be a substantial hurdle (read: complete block) to selling prints outside the US (I'm from the States and living in Oz).

While looking for SmugMug alternatives (yes, I will leave if I have to) I found Red Bubble (http://www.redbubble.com) that seems to do exactly what we're asking SmugMug to do in the way we're asking them to do it...

Prices in USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD... a little link that lets you change the currency... and frankly I'm starting to like their cart implementation more as well.

Example: http://www.redbubble.com/people/globalphotos/art/1263057-1-chamber-of-light

Perhaps someone at SmugMug can get a hold of someone at Red Bubble and ask them how they seem to have done what apparently is too time consuming to do for us...

I am seriously looking at them as an alternate and interested in anyone's opinions on them. I'm also seriously interested if SmugMug has thoughts about this topic any more.

Thanks.

BTW, I have no connection to Red Bubble whatsoever. No family, friends, distant relatives, anyone that I remotely know have anything to do with that site. I found them just this morning while evaluating my alternatives.

As you musta noticed this is not an USA company....RB is an Aussie company....that is why they offer all the different currencies...... but that is JMHO

[gus]

As you musta noticed this is not an USA company....RB is an Aussie company....that is why they offer all the different currencies...... but that is JMHO
Sadly i am about to join Red Bubble & also another photo stock/storage site simply to see if this currency problem is as big as people say it is. I have an inkling (ive never written that word before you know..inkling....inkling....inkling) that they may be correct.

[markymark]

Just wanted to add my support for currency conversion.

My customers are also being scarred away by the fact of USD pricing. When I deal with companies, they prefer dealing in $AUD as it's tax effective for them also.

I just saw redbubble and that's a perfect implementation of this feature i'd like to have.

[nobody]

Although this issue does not directly affect me, I have to agree with the general consensus here that there is no better time than now, with a weak US$ and recession in place, to do everything feasible to maximize foreign sales. The prolonged record of unbalanced trade (more imports than exports) and poor energy efficiency are a large part of what's gotten the USA into the economic mess it is in. Thus, reversing these trends would be part of what's needed for the USA to get out of this mess and get into a better position internationally. China and the oil-producing countries of the middle east are overflowing with US$. If we, in the US, cannot sell them some of our products that they want, then they will end up buying US companies and real estate, and many of us will be poorer in the long-run as a result. I realize exporting photography and web-hosting from the US is not going to solve these monumental problems, but it is a step in the right direction.

The other issue that's not been discussed much here is when a customer outside the US orders prints, where do they come from? For international sales to be effective, what will be needed is not merely display of price in local currency, but local printing as well. With downloads, this is not an issue. The cost of shipments from overseas to the USA is often 2 - 3 times the cost of shipping within the USA, and with rising fuel costs, shipping costs have nowhere to go but up. Then, the other issue is customs, tariffs, the cost of currency exchange and such. Local printing would address both of these problems, but still allow SM and its pro account holders to make a profit from their work.

[Opps]

The other issue that's not been discussed much here is when a customer outside the US orders prints, where do they come from? For international sales to be effective, what will be needed is not merely display of price in local currency, but local printing as well. With downloads, this is not an issue. The cost of shipments from overseas to the USA is often 2 - 3 times the cost of shipping within the USA, and with rising fuel costs, shipping costs have nowhere to go but up. Then, the other issue is customs, tariffs, the cost of currency exchange and such. Local printing would address both of these problems, but still allow SM and its pro account holders to make a profit from their work.

I'm new to smugmug, I'm not a pro so it doesn't matter much to me but I know that people I know will not buy pictures from the US, in dollars and pay shipping and handling. It would be difficult enough to get them to buy photos on the web.

But since national printing services are popping up I expect people here to be ready for ordering using the web in a year or two, and it would be really nice if SmugMug would be ready then, allowing ordering of pictures in local currency and without international shipping charges.

That way I would turn on printing and just point people who wants hard copies of my photos to my smugmug account.

[sbressler]

Given the week dollar, if I were abroad I'd want to buy in dollars...

[Opps]

Given the week dollar, if I were abroad I'd want to buy in dollars...

Believe me, I have !!:barb

But when you talk to people who are not accustomed to buy from abroad it's a little scary and it's not common to use credit cards for buying stuff on-line where I live.

[fotopiece]

I'm pretty new here and have been looking around for so long to find a an online host to help with sales. This thread is 2 years old now and it seems that SM is nowhere closer to an international sales solution than when it first started, very dissapointing.:dunno Seriously, how long is this feature list that nothing has happened in two years?:scratch

Other sites are the same though. Zenfolio and Photoshelter... nothing if you are outside the US. I can't find an equivilent service in the UK that even comes close to the service of SM/ZF/PS. I don't like the look of snapfish or redbubble and the like.

I feel like my only option is to create my own website with a dedicated cart and then to try and find somewhere to do the fulfillment and delivery. In a word... STRESS.

[Andy]

Seriously, how long is this feature list that nothing has happened in two years?:scratch
Yes this feature hasn't been done yet.


But we 've been pretty busy on lots of other stuff :thumb
http://blogs.smugmug.com/release-notes/

It's still something we want to do and we value and prize your feedback. Thanks.

[Photobycate]

Be patient my friend Smugmug will come through for us on this. It just will take a little more time. This is a great site to sell your prints so don't give up.

My two cents. :thumb

I'm pretty new here and have been looking around for so long to find a an online host to help with sales. This thread is 2 years old now and it seems that SM is nowhere closer to an international sales solution than when it first started, very dissapointing.:dunno Seriously, how long is this feature list that nothing has happened in two years?:scratch

Other sites are the same though. Zenfolio and Photoshelter... nothing if you are outside the US. I can't find an equivilent service in the UK that even comes close to the service of SM/ZF/PS. I don't like the look of snapfish or redbubble and the like.

I feel like my only option is to create my own website with a dedicated cart and then to try and find somewhere to do the fulfillment and delivery. In a word... STRESS.

[Manfr3d]

I have a side question regarding foreign currency transactions:

Is it still not possible for photographers to recieve their profit via Paypal?
It seems to be both expensive and inconvenient to wait for a check that
is being sent via post mail around the world. Also local banks usualy
charge extra if you try to cash a foreign check and it takes between 3 and
6 weeks until the bank has processed the check and finaly puts the money
on the account. What are your thoughts and plans regarding this matter?

[Art Scott]

Yes this feature hasn't been done yet.


But we 've been pretty busy on lots of other stuff :thumb
http://blogs.smugmug.com/release-notes/

It's still something we want to do and we value and prize your feedback. Thanks.

With the shopping cart going live .....that would have been the most perfect time to implement international currency options or at least a quick converter lie XE..............

[fotopiece]

But we 've been pretty busy on lots of other stuff :thumb
http://blogs.smugmug.com/release-notes/

It's still something we want to do and we value and prize your feedback. Thanks.
I'll agree that you guys have been very busy and that is nothing but positive for the SM community.

TBH, I still can't decide between SM and ZF, the users from both sites claim they have this or that over the other. The one-up for me at the moment is that SM has digital downloads. I'll leave it for a bit and see how things pan out. I'll do some research of my own for a UK based fullfilment partner; looks like I'll need one :pissed

[FrankC]

I'm afraid that I've just about given up waiting for SM (or ZF) to implement this (i.e. currency choice, European Lab and maybe self-fulfillment).

I guess they will get around to it some day, but I need it sooner. I am looking at a variety of self-hosted options, as these seem to offer the most flexibility at a good price (e.g. Redcart, Pickpic etc).

So, I'll downgrade my account to basic level and put my professional stuff elsewhere. I still like many things about SM, which is why I've waited for so long.

I asked in Dgrin if the new cart would also make it easier to implement non-US$ transactions at some stage - but no reply. I think it's just not very high on the priority list for SM - from observation, their priorities seem to be mid to high end amateurs (worldwide) and pro-photographers (US) - not sure in which order though :scratch

[cdonovan]

As a Canadian this is something that I'd like to see changed as well. I understand the reasoning, but think that it's also a good thing to keep in mind....I know I've been asking since I signed up.

I think the thing that miffed me the most was that my sales were being made mostly last fall, early winter when the US and CDN dollar was very close to par and CDN was sometimes above, when the check came and I cashed it, the exchange rate was much less favorable....I still feel like I got cheated out of that deal....but unless I am paid automatically when ever I have one sale I don't know how on earth it could be done fairly. Can you tell I'm still a little bitter about that!:rolleyes:cry

[Squeezer]

I have a side question regarding foreign currency transactions:

Is it still not possible for photographers to recieve their profit via Paypal?
It seems to be both expensive and inconvenient to wait for a check that
is being sent via post mail around the world.

Cant agree more. I made my first sales with my Smugmug page this week and my excitement soon dwindled as I realised that when I did request payment the payment would come in a cheque posted and in USD. Ive got 3 cheques stuck on my fridge from a few years back that would have cost ME money to put into the bank.

Most banks ( If not all here in AUS ) charge between $5-$10 just to cash a foreign cheque and even then the exchnage rate they give is woefull. I reckon it would be at least 3 years since I have received a cheque from anybody. Cheques are so last century.

I would have though the cost to create the cheque / sign it / post it / receive it / Drive to the bank to deposit it / fill out the forms at the bank / pay the bank a fee / let the bank take a cut etc etc... is just stupid in the year 2008.

I really will be thinking twice about renewing my Pro membership when it comes around. I love the simplicity of Smugmug and the Photo tools are great but the tools and the inconvenience to sell photos for people outside of the US is attrocious. I'll probably look at going back to a Normal user account here and move my sales to another host.



The sad part is that it doesnt appear to be on the Radar to be resolved any time soon :dunno

[Opps]

I'm not a Pro and have never sold a photo but I have a similar experience with selling software. I used to use eSellerate to handle my sales and I was very happy when I first received my first check ... I was less thrilled when I had cashed the check at the bank. It was so bad that I had to stop eSellerate sending my checks and just hold on to the money until I had figured out what to do (one of things was to try to get a US bank account). Fortunately eSellerate made it possible to transfer the money to PayPal which resulted in that I actually got some money for my efforts.

[fotopiece]

Cant agree more. I made my first sales with my Smugmug page this week and my excitement soon dwindled as I realised that when I did request payment the payment would come in a cheque posted and in USD. Ive got 3 cheques stuck on my fridge from a few years back that would have cost ME money to put into the bank.

Most banks ( If not all here in AUS ) charge between $5-$10 just to cash a foreign cheque and even then the exchnage rate they give is woefull. I reckon it would be at least 3 years since I have received a cheque from anybody. Cheques are so last century.

I would have though the cost to create the cheque / sign it / post it / receive it / Drive to the bank to deposit it / fill out the forms at the bank / pay the bank a fee / let the bank take a cut etc etc... is just stupid in the year 2008.

I really will be thinking twice about renewing my Pro membership when it comes around. I love the simplicity of Smugmug and the Photo tools are great but the tools and the inconvenience to sell photos for people outside of the US is attrocious. I'll probably look at going back to a Normal user account here and move my sales to another host.



The sad part is that it doesnt appear to be on the Radar to be resolved any time soon :dunno
This is my thinking too, if I get a cheque from SM for $50 for example... £5 in fuel to get to from my closest bank, £10.50 charge to cash the cheque in the first place; so that's $31 of the original $50 gone just because of costs. Like everyone has said already, cheques are so last century.... I wonder where electronic money transfer is on this "feature list"?

[dcvisions]

This has been a huge disappointment. Signed up for the trial version and love the software, site and customisation options, but the lack of local currency options is a killer. Hard enough to get people to buy in the first place. Not knowing what they are paying without using another site for currency conversion is a show-stopper.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Such a shame – for everything else it’s the best I’ve seen

[shfaya]

My previous site I had with IFP3.com and it was a great site. Small company with all I needed by this time ( even currency and personal sale options like Signed photos).
I had a trial with smug mug and I decided it is even more professional so i have paid and now I have my site. There was no problem until during my exposition someone ask me if he can buy through the net. It finished with hard explication about dollars and currency conversion and what is Euro dollar state for this particular day.
Sorry Andy I have to say I felt stupid in this moment and smug mug appeared kind of smaller than it was before. The whole think of doing this web site is trying to make some more money and doing it fast. I read that smug mug can give me a refund for this issue but will it give me a refund for my time I have spend putting hundreds of photos and calibrating the site.
I am sorry Andy but as far as I had a very good opinion about you I have a little bit impression that you don't want to give any reasonable reason for currency conversion. It looks like you copy and paste all the time "But thanks for letting us know how important this is to you!".
Yes it is obviously important for us. Imagin yourself trying to sell something in USA charging Russian Rubel.
Sorry andy but saying that it is so complicated just don´t make me trust you more. It is not a big deal for small companies like IFP3.com so it should be no big deal for you.
Miro Slav directly from www.mirophoto.com

[Andy]

Sorry andy but saying that it is so complicated just don´t make me trust you more. It is not a big deal for small companies like IFP3.com so it should be no big deal for you.
Miro Slav directly from www.mirophoto.com

:( I'm sorry you don't trust us! We'd like to be able to offer this feature. There are things that are in the way of doing it right now, so yes, it's fairly complicated. I'm sorry I don't have a better more immediate answer for you :(

[Andy]

.... I wonder where electronic money transfer is on this "feature list"?
Rather important to us, that's where it is.

[shfaya]

Is there any code or something to write something to my clients (Europeans) explanation about the dollars and thinks?

[Athena]

I am outside the US and would like to add my vote for local currency options.

Will be trying to work around it for now - if anyone has a clever solution, please do pm me. :thumb

[caroline]

RedBubble was mentioned earlier in this thread and I'm wondering if it prompted anyone to sign up, if so what are your experiences. I've taken the plunge as it is free and looks ok, hoping it may be a possible solution to the currency problem.

Caroline

[Manfr3d]

RedBubble was mentioned earlier in this thread and I'm wondering if it prompted anyone to sign up, if so what are your experiences. I've taken the plunge as it is free and looks ok, hoping it may be a possible solution to the currency problem.

Caroline

Maybe someone at Smugmug can explain to us why this is a difficult
thing to do. Is it because of legal reasons or maybe something else
that we've missed? I think it would take some of the frustration away
if we were able to understand why no progress is made in this direction.

It would really be nice too if at least payments could be recieved via paypal
or at least money order. Checks are just too inconvenient (and expensive)
to cash for us non-US residents.

Thanks!

[Art Scott]

Maybe someone at Smugmug can explain to us why this is a difficult
thing to do. Is it because of legal reasons or maybe something else
that we've missed? I think it would take some of the frustration away
if we were able to understand why no progress is made in this direction.

It would really be nice too if at least payments could be recieved via paypal
or at least money order. Checks are just too inconvenient (and expensive)
to cash for us non-US residents.

Thanks!


You can add paypal to your site and just do the Printing and shipping your self for all foreign sales.

[Andy]

Maybe someone at Smugmug can explain to us why this is a difficult
thing to do. Is it because of legal reasons or maybe something else
that we've missed? I think it would take some of the frustration away
if we were able to understand why no progress is made in this direction.

It's just priorities and time. This is one of MANY hotly-desired capabilities. Other stuff is just ahead of it, I'm really, really sorry.

One year ago: we were 21 employees. Two years ago: 13. Today? 38. But our customer base grows too :D And so does the list of things being asked for.

We're always working on new features that customers ask for. Those of you championing 'your feature request' might feel like you're getting the short end of the stick, and I understand that :(

I can foresee elec payments in local currency to non-US pros before I can see local currency in the shopping cart, FWIW. But that's just me speculating at this point.

Thanks guys, as always, for telling us how very important this is to you!

[Manfr3d]

It's just priorities and time. This is one of MANY hotly-desired capabilities. Other stuff is just ahead of it, I'm really, really sorry.

One year ago: we were 21 employees. Two years ago: 13. Today? 38. But our customer base grows too :D And so does the list of things being asked for.

We're always working on new features that customers ask for. Those of you championing 'your feature request' might feel like you're getting the short end of the stick, and I understand that :(

Thank you for explaining the situation. That makes sense to me. Well,
sounds like we just have to wait a bit longer and keep bugging you guys
from time to time :wink

You can add paypal to your site and just do the Printing and shipping your self for all foreign sales.

Sure I could, but it costs money to buy printers, inc and paper. And it takes
time to process orders, print, pack and ship them. It just doesn't make sense
unless one was selling only few images but therefor high priced images.

[Squeezer]

You can add paypal to your site and just do the Printing and shipping your self for all foreign sales.
That is the problem - For people outside the US who photograph local events - for us they are not Foreign Sales they are LOCAL SALES ( It's just they dont happen as often because people are put off by the $USD and uncertainty about what it will end up costing them )

People dont want to get the end of the shopping cart and then have to visit XE.com to find out what they are up for and to check their bank fees on foreign currency transactions before they commit.

I for one dont really care at the moment for ANY new features except the ability for potential clients to shop in local currency.

Until next months rant..

Regards

Michael
Craftypics photography (http://www.craftypics.com)

[blackshadow]

I looked at joining smugmug as a professional some time back but the issues with foreign currency have made me steer clear - I check back periodically and nothing has changed.

This thread has been open for over two years and the same spin keeps being regurgitated about this being a feature we'd like to add but there are other features with higher priorities bla bla bla

I live in Australia and the bulk (but not all) of my clients are in Australia so it makes sense to bill in Australian dollars - but I could live with US dollars.

What I can't live with is the payment system - it's by cheque in US dollars and there are minimum amounts before payment is made.

Why can't an electronic payment system be implemented? It doesn't have to be by direct deposit (preferred) it would be pretty simple to do it using PayPal or Google Checkout.

If I wish to put a cheque in US dollars into my bank account it takes 28 working days for the funds to clear plus there are extra bank fees payable.

C'mon smugmug lift your game! You've been stringing us along for more than two years and nothing has changed.

[Art Scott]

That is the problem - For people outside the US who photograph local events - for us they are not Foreign Sales they are LOCAL SALES ( It's just they dont happen as often because people are put off by the $USD and uncertainty about what it will end up costing them )

People dont want to get the end of the shopping cart and then have to visit XE.com to find out what they are up for and to check their bank fees on foreign currency transactions before they commit.

I for one dont really care at the moment for ANY new features except the ability for potential clients to shop in local currency.

Until next months rant..

Regards

Michael
Craftypics photography (http://www.craftypics.com)

I do believe that if your country is in their list of countries that they are currently doing business with then you can charge in your local currency...I do believe that PP has an automatic currency calculator that can be put into your site as well as they will host the cart and give the purchaser the option to keep shopping or continue on to the cart for processing.....I have not delved into completely as I want to but for now I will be moving my Art Work to Red Bubble (until I finad as good a service in Central Europe, so that the postal costs hopefully will be lower) to satisfy my friends in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Latvia and Norway(VAT and other taxes are figured into the base price of products at Red Bubble).......since they can spend in Euros they said they would be happy....now to get my notbooks of Czech Republic photos mailed back from Tabor Cz so I can get them scanned and Processed......Red Bubble pays by Cheque or if you want directly to a paypal account (my option....and if you go the paypal route you only need to have $20 in sales for them to transfer)
Would I be looking elsewhere if I could have at least Euros at SM....No.....I could live with only being able to charge u.s.$ and Euros

[Andy]

What I can't live with is the payment system - it's by cheque in US dollars and there are minimum amounts before payment is made.
We'll pay any month any amount, upon request. :deal http://www.smugmug.com/help/reporting
it's your money!

Why can't an electronic payment system be implemented? It doesn't have to be by direct deposit (preferred) it would be pretty simple to do it using PayPal or Google Checkout.
It's on the list of things to do. Sorry we can't get to all things as fast as you all want 'em, I wish I could wave a wand and make it happen.

Thanks again for letting us know how important this is to you!

[FrankC]

Maybe it's time for a 'non-US pros Sorcerer' :D

Sorry - couldn't resist..................
(http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2008/09/16/job-opening-social-sorcerer/

[blackshadow]

We'll pay any month any amount, upon request. :deal http://www.smugmug.com/help/reporting
it's your money!
It's on the list of things to do. Sorry we can't get to all things as fast as you all want 'em, I wish I could wave a wand and make it happen.

Thanks again for letting us know how important this is to you!

Thanks for the response Andy but it fails to address the fact that payment by cheque in US dollars is simply not acceptable, the reasons being:

1 - after waiting to receive the cheque it then takes 28 working days for the funds to clear into my account because it is a cheque from overseas

2 - To deposit a cheque in foreign currency there are hefty bank fees ($10.50 per cheque)

So not only do I have to wait a month after receiving the cheque to access my money I have to pay a $10.50 fee to do it.

For a business based on technology I find it very hard to fathom why you still use cheques for payment. Electronic Funds Transfer is quicker and cheaper than payment by cheque.

[Andy]

Thanks for the response Andy but it fails to address the fact that payment by cheque in US dollars is simply not acceptable, the reasons being:

1 - after waiting to receive the cheque it then takes 28 working days for the funds to clear into my account because it is a cheque from overseas

2 - To deposit a cheque in foreign currency there are hefty bank fees ($10.50 per cheque)

So not only do I have to wait a month after receiving the cheque to access my money I have to pay a $10.50 fee to do it.

For a business based on technology I find it very hard to fathom why you still use cheques for payment. Electronic Funds Transfer is quicker and cheaper than payment by cheque.I've posted a number of times here - we intend to pay electronically. I'm sorry we don't have it today, this minute. We'll get there, promise :deal

[blackshadow]

I've posted a number of times here - we intend to pay electronically. I'm sorry we don't have it today, this minute. We'll get there, promise :deal

When that happens you'll have a new client:deal

[mbphoto]

When that happens you'll have a new client:deal
..and maybe keep another.

I have only in the last few days signed up for a pro trial and am in the process of setting it up.

On the subject of getting paid via cheque I find it both frustrating and to be honest quite unbelievable in this time. Even if it was available to non US based pros it would make a big difference.

The big one though for me is the currency. Even if I could continue with dealing in US dollars (which I honestly am undecided about), my clients in Australia have little or no information regarding pricing. Why aren't USD even mentioned until you get to the check out?

I would prefer to have a real fix of working in my local currency however as an quick fix can a currency converter at least be integrated into the checkout so buyers have an idea of what an item will cost.

I came to the forum to see if there was solution only to be shocked that the issue was first raised over 2 years ago and still hasn't been addressed. It is all good to have a great looking setup however for a pro usability and access comes first.

Mark