CafePress.com is the leading E-Commerce site for buying and selling custom designed products by individual, groups and companies. The privately held company, which only opened for business in August 1999, is located in San Leandro, California. The site is growing rapidly and now averages 1,000 new stores and 4,000 new products each day. The site has shown steady profitable growth and recently opened its 300,000th new Web store. Visitors can shop in the various stores or easily set up their own store. I first discovered the site when I visited the Member Center at Epinions and noticed that Epinions merchandise was available for purchase.

Reaching CafePress.com & Epinions CafeShop.

With the new design change on Epinions, this link is no longer available. In fact, I can no longer find any mention of the Epinions CafeShop anywhere on the Epinions site. So, visitors to the Epinions CafeShop must now access the store by first going to www.cafepress.com. To enter the Epinions CafeStore or other store in which you wish to shop, click on the Shop tab at the top of the page. Visitors can browse other stores from this page or the main Homepage. Under Start Shopping choose the category you wish to shop or browse more choices. Clicking on the category brings you to the Directory. If you already know the store you wish to shop, simply type the name in the search box - for example "Epinions.com" and click GO. This will then bring you to the Epinions CafeShop.

CafePress.com Homepage

The CafePress.com Homepage is attractive and crammed with lots of information, color, text and a large photograph. It is kept up-to-date with new information and photos. You need not register just to browse the stores but you will need to do so when placing an order. At the top are navigation tabs Home, Shop, Sell, Community and My CafePress. As you click on each word to navigate the site, it will turn into a green tab. From the main page, visitors can also check out the complete Product Line and Services offered; join Message Boards, read about talented members and the check out the currently featured category of CafeShops. Recent categories highlighted include Comics, Sports, Japanese Animation (Anime), Fashion; the current highlight is Photography.

Clicking on the Sell tab will bring you to general information on how to set up a store and permits you to take a tour of the site and join. Clicking on Community brings you to a colorful busy page with information on message boards, featured members, store spotlights and contests. The MyCafePress tab brings you to your personal account page where members can manage their account and stores, keep track of their sales reports and referrals, change passwords and personal information, view order history, store images and read valuable helpful tools and tips.

Newcomers can also reach Customer Service on the main page for the Help Desk (password help), Shipping Rates & Return Policy, FAQ & Selling information. If you wish to browse other stores, click on any of the 9 categories listed on the CafePress.com front homepage such as Art, Comics, Gaming etc - or any of the subcategories listed below each main heading. For more choices, click on More Categories under Start Shopping. Epinions is listed under Business and then the subcategory Service.

Individual CafeShops - Basic and Premium Services

The many different CafeShops sell a variety items - some with funky, politically incorrect or fun messages and illustrations. How about a "Save Martha Stewart" mug, for example? Others just use a corporate, company or organization logo. Over 36 corporations now offer their corporate logo items on the CafePress.com site. Check and see if your favorite local band, sport, non-profit organization, Website or magazine has a shop. Whatever your interests, I'm sure you will find a shop that offers a unique item for personal use or as a unique gift purchase.

Many of the 300,000 CafeShops use a basic design. At the top of the page is the name of the store, its logo, plus a brief description of the business. The left side of the page lists the categories of products sold by the store. Merchandise offered is listed in categories for easy locating against a plain white background.

The site has recently added a Premium Service for $5 monthly when you subscribe for a year. With a Premium Service membership, owners can now customize a CafeStore and Shopping Cart design to match their own Website with multiple categories and sub category pages. Premium Service CafeShops can add as many products as they like. More useful options are planned for the future. The designs of the Premium Service CafeShops are all very different and original; their numbers seem to be growing. Large organizations or companies should definitely consider the service since the fee is so nominal and the opportunity for creativity and individuality is so great.

Shopping & Merchandise

The company seems very quality control conscious and uses only quality products from top brand name companies such as Hanes and American Apparel. A manufacturing team checks each product twice before it leaves the factory. There are 42 products currently in the CafePress Product Line. Presently, Epinions CafeShop sells 36 of the items using their logo in the following categories: Apparel (10), Baby (3), Housewares (10), Hats (4), Auto Goods (3) and Bags (6).

Each product has a large clear color illustration, very brief description and the price. Products change seasonally and new products are constantly being added. In the Epinions CafeShop, prices range from $1.99 for a sticker to $29.99 for a Fleece Pullover. A snap bib is $4.99 and an adult hooded long sleeved sweatshirt costs $24.99. Prices are reasonable; there is a wide price range and a good variety of quality merchandise.

For more detailed information about any item and/or to place an order, just click on the item. You will then view a larger photo with front and back shots and can even zoom in on additional photos of features such as zippers, necklines, tags, cuffs, waistbands, etc. There is a very complete listing of Product Information. Prices and variety of products are fairly similar in the basic CafeShops.

Ordering - Payment

Order the quantity you wish and easily bring up the Size Chart if you are unsure of your size without leaving the ordering page. Place the item desired in your Shopping Cart and either proceed to Checkout or Continue Shopping. Before actually placing your order, you can access Shipping Charges, Return & Exchange Policy, 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee and get Help with your order. The site accepts Payment by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and check cards connected with these major credit card companies. The site's secure server encrypts all submitted information. To make a Payment by personal check or a money order, follow the simple online instructions. To order by phone, copy down the order number for each item you wish to order and call the toll free number listed.

You may order from more than one store in one transaction and save on shipping costs. Cancel an order by emailing the company. To add items to an already completed order, you must first cancel the original order. You may also change your shipping option by phoning the company's toll free number. The site often offers promotions and special deals. In September there were sale prices of $3 off all drinkware; orders over $25 received a free plush toy.

Shipping

In Stock items ship within 2-3 business days with standard shipping, using the US Postal Service. The Super Saver rates are $5 for the first item; the remainder items are free; items will be shipped within 2 weeks. Order $40 or more of merchandise, through Super Saver shipping and shipping is free. I placed an order totaling $40 and received free S & H. My order was received within the 2 week time period as promised. I also received an immediate confirmation email after placing my order. Faster shipping options by Airborne Express (Next Day Airborne Express and 2nd Day Express) are more expensive as are International shipments. International shipments can take up to 4 weeks.

Returns/Exchanges

CafePress.com has a 30-day return/exchange policy. Notify the company online and they will send you instructions and a Request Form to fill out and return along with the merchandise. S&H fees are refundable if a mistake was made by the company.

Getting Started Selling

It is very easy to set up your own store on the site with no upfront costs. First join and create an account using your email address and a chosen password. Fill in personal mailing information and how you want your checks addressed. If you wish Premium Service you will additionally need to submit credit card information. You will only be billed for the monthly Premium Service fee if your commissions do not cover your small monthly bill. Remember there is no charge for basic service. Log into your account; click on Store Management; then choose Create New Store.

Now begin designing your own unique products - it's that easy! Choose the products you wish to sell and upload your designs for free using the suggested common file forms. The site suggests JPG and PSD for files up to 10 MB in size. Use TIF and PNG for images that are up to 4 MB in size. Files above 10MG should only use JPG. The site offers plenty of help and advice with this process. You decide where to place your logo.

The site then takes care of everything else for you and manages every aspect of doing business online. CafePress.com manufactures the products as they are ordered so there is no inventory expense. It handles all ordering, payments, shipping and customer assistance. The site also provides help and answers to common questions and problems in setting up and maintaining your store. You may own more than one store and have more than one logo or design. You must agree to the reasonable Terms of Agreement as detailed on the site so read them carefully.

Earning & Receiving Commissions

Make commissions by setting prices above the set CafePress.com base price for each item. Plus, the more customers order each month from your store, the lower your base price and the more commissions you earn. Earn still more money through the Referral Program(up to four levels) each time a product is sold from a store your referred. You may refer as many people as you want.

Sellers are paid by check within 45 days of the month that they are eligible for commissions if their commissions are over $10. If lower, the amount rolls over to the next month. Epinions CaféShop charges base prices and makes money from volume orders. Members also receive special discounts - right now there is a members -only Summer Clearance sale on golf shirts, hats, visors, coolers and tank tops from your own store - $5 for each item. Get help or provide help by joining the message boards. Discover tips and tricks for successful marketing on search engines, help with designing and uploading images/logos and graphics, HTML codes, store self-promotion, site design, etc. The site offers plenty of Marketing Tools.

My Shopping Experience

There is a good selection of high quality products in the CafePress.com Product Line and also in the Epinions CafeShop. The Product Line is constantly expanding and changes seasonally. The CafePress.com has excellent, helpful product information, easy online ordering process and reasonable product and shipping prices. I especially like the large color photos, Zoom feature and the payment & shipping options. I also like the amount of product information supplied, 30-day guarantee and the quality of the merchandise. I appreciate that the company stands by its products.

Several weeks ago I placed my first online order for several items it the Epinions CafeShop. The CafeShop was easy to access since I linked through the Epinions Member Center (no longer available.) I found the quick loading pages easy to navigate. One of my ordered items, a commuter cup, was on sale ($3 off); the rest were regular price. I did not incur any shipping fees since my order was over $40. I received an order confirmation email promptly and two days later another email that my order was shipped notification. My Super Saver shipment arrived well within the 2-week period.

I was very satisfied with the excellent quality of the merchandise, the perfect condition of the package when it arrived and the speedy delivery. I didn't need to return or exchange anything. Sizes were correct and each item was in perfect condition. My large order was completed in one shipment. I was especially pleased to learn of CafePress.com's environmental concerns. A ceramic item ordered was carefully wrapped in recyclable material that I saved to re-use in the future.

I wouldn't hesitate to order again from CafePress.com or the Epinions CafeShop when new merchandise becomes available. After searching through several other online CafeShops I didn't find anything else I wanted at that time but I'll definitely check back before the holidays. If you desire products with a fun or unique logo, check out this site.

Other Thoughts

The CafePress.com Website seems so user friendly with plenty of help and advice that I am now considering setting up a store in time for our next big family reunion and will soon get started soon on a design. You may keep your store private by not entering a store ID, by the way. I feel that CafePress.com is an excellent way to get your feet wet in E-commerce. You don't need to invest any upfront money or inventory. You don't have to handle taking or processing orders, shipping, refunds and exchanges or customer service. Everything is done for you. The site offers plenty of advice on setting up and marketing your shop. Best of all, the merchandise is of high quality. You won't be embarrassed having your logo on these products.

The biggest problem is not in setting up the store, say most members, but in marketing it and attracting customers. That's why I can't understand why Epinions has removed the link to their Epinions CafeStore on the Epinions site. I question why they are also not promoting their store through banners, links and special promotions. I wish Epinions.com would replace the link and perhaps promote it more. It would generate many more visits and money for them and perhaps trickle down to us - the members.

I can't help but also wonder how Epinions.com will use the Epinions CafeStore in the future. Will they perhaps offer members incentives to use IS (Income Share) checks for purchases? Will they discontinue the IS checks completely (I doubt that) and have us just earn merchandise? I hope not, but I have no idea what they have in mind. What do you think? How would you feel about this?

In the meantime, why not check out the CafePress.com Website and the Epinions CafeShop and perhaps help out Epinions by making a purchase. If you are proud of being a member of the Epinions Community, why not show your pride and maybe alert others to the site by wearing or using the products in the Epinions CafeShop. Even better, why not also open your own shop and start making more money than you are now making by writing epinions? Good Luck!

Update

I decided not to wait for our family reunion after all. One day after writing the review, I set up a store for our condo golf association in Florida. The whole process of designing a logo and creating a new store only took me an hour. Since I do not wish to make any money on the store, I am offering the products to members at base prices. The process was without hassle; I was surprised at how easy everything went. After designing a logo including text, I easily uploaded the file and placed it on each item in my store. The only problem I encountered was that a beach hat was only available in Small/Medium. Male golf members will not be able to wear this size. So, I emailed the company to request if a size Large could be added for this product. I then ordered several items so I could check the quality of the print job before I told members of the association about the store.

I promptly received an order confirmation email and within two days another email informed me that my order was shipped. The company also promptly replied in a separate email that the beach hat was a clearance item and being discontinued for the season. It will be available in size Large when it is added back to the product line. After my items arrive I will update this review with further information.

I thought the process was so easy and fun. I can’t wait to see how the design appears on the items.


Recommended:
Yes