Industry News: Costco is closing all of their in-store photo centers on February 14, 2021

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    costcologo - Industry News: Costco is closing all of their in-store photo centers on February 14, 2021

    Costco announced today that they are closing all of their in-store photo centers on February 14, 2021. You will still be able to order photo services via the CostcoPhotoCenter web site.

    The following was sent to Costco members today.

    We are writing to inform you about the upcoming closure of the photo department at all Costco locations on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

    Since the introduction of camera phones and social media, the need for printing photos has steeply declined, even though the number of pictures taken continues to grow. After careful consideration, we have determined the continued decline of prints no longer requires on-site photo printing.

    Digital technologies allow consumers to do more with their photos, including the ability to personalize canvas, metal & acrylic prints, or create photo books, stationery, calendars and other gifts. We will continue to ship these high-quality products and prints to your home or business through the Costco Photo Center website, CostcoPhotoCenter.com.

    Costco’s home movie video transfer, passport photo, photo restoration and ink cartridge refill services will no longer be available after February 14, 2021.

    Please pick up any remaining orders you have at your local Costco location by March 28th, 2021. We thank you for your business, and look forward to providing our innovative, high quality, personalized photo products to you in the future via the CostcoPhotoCenter.com.

    Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

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    6. I'll be sad to see these photo centers go. But as long as they keep their main online photo center open I'll be happy. I've printed over a dozen 12"x12" lay-flat photobooks from it, and have been very happy for the great (maybe not topmost) quality and least expensive prices of any photobook sites I know. I'm glad it's still around and with very affordable shipping to your door prices.
    8. One step closer to ILCs going the way of the buggy whip. Times change and tastes change. Your grandchildern don't need shoeboxes full of 4x6 prints—they carry around thousands of photos on their phones.

      How long until Costco closes it's Tire departments. With te rise of Uber/Lyft many people have stopped owning cars, therefore no need for replacement tire purchases.

      Progress marches on!
    11. People don't have backups, not even a copy of their smartphone / PC?
      For every tech savvy person I bet there is >1000 who have no clue. Plus, when you need to prioritize your budget due tp the economy, covid, etc these days, an iCloud or whatever backup plan might be on the short list of things to go.
    12. Plus, when you need to prioritize your budget due to the economy, covid, etc these days, an iCloud or whatever backup plan might be on the short list of things to go.

      If the 15GB Google gives for free aren't enough, $20/mo will get you 1TB + Photoshop from Adobe. How many people have more than that without a paying job?
    13. If the 15GB Google gives for free aren't enough, $20/mo will get you 1TB + Photoshop from Adobe. How many people have more than that without a paying job?
      It's more about not knowing, not caring, not understanding, not being informed -properly or not. We here do not represent the average user. (something that needs to be reinforced time and time again it seems) I've run into this day after day, for years!
    14. For every tech savvy person I bet there is >1000 who have no clue. Plus, when you need to prioritize your budget due tp the economy, covid, etc these days, an iCloud or whatever backup plan might be on the short list of things to go.
      Exactly
    15. If the 15GB Google gives for free aren't enough, $20/mo will get you 1TB + Photoshop from Adobe. How many people have more than that without a paying job?
      I have about 3 TB worth of photos. I have been paid a few times but 99.999 % of my photos are unpaid. Some of us just like taking photos for themselves.
    16. I have about 3 TB worth of photos. I have been paid a few times but 99.999 % of my photos are unpaid. Some of us just like taking photos for themselves.

      I didn't intend to imply there aren't any such persons, just that they are a minority. With that much storage, it might make more sense to buy a couple of external HDDs, keep one away from home, and switch them every so often. A friend used to rent a locker in a gym, and kept his backup there.
    17. One step closer to ILCs going the way of the buggy whip. Times change and tastes change. Your grandchildern don't need shoeboxes full of 4x6 prints—they carry around thousands of photos on their phones.

      How long until Costco closes it's Tire departments. With te rise of Uber/Lyft many people have stopped owning cars, therefore no need for replacement tire purchases.

      Progress marches on!
      Er, don’t Uber and Lyft autos need tyres?
    18. I have about 3 TB worth of photos. I have been paid a few times but 99.999 % of my photos are unpaid. Some of us just like taking photos for themselves.
      A 4TB HDD is less than $90, have two and keep one at a friend or relatives house in a little Pelican case then sync and rotate them once a month. Cheap simple robust and doesn’t rely on any firm staying in business.

      If somebody wants it I have an old Pelican case I used to do this with but have since moved to a remote NAS setup, just pay the shipping.
    19. One step closer to ILCs going the way of the buggy whip. Times change and tastes change. Your grandchildern don't need shoeboxes full of 4x6 prints—they carry around thousands of photos on their phones.

      How long until Costco closes it's Tire departments. With te rise of Uber/Lyft many people have stopped owning cars, therefore no need for replacement tire purchases.

      Progress marches on!


      Hm...I don't know anyone that has stopped owning cars. IN fact, everyone I know has MULTIPLE cars in their driveways.

      I suppose not having a car might work if you live in a densely packed ultra urban environment stacked like rats on each other, like a NYC type thing.

      But for most of the country (US), that's just not the case at all.

      Heck, I don't see the demise of gasoline powered ICE vehicles in the US anytime really soon, even with electric vehicles starting to get slightly popular.


      I do think it sad about the Costco photo development in store going away. I saw something the other day that I can't remember the exact quote...but something to the effect of "never have so many people taken so many photos that so few will ever see".

      Yes, so many are taking pictures, that pretty much just got to the internal memory of the phones.

      More and more these days, I'm thinking an image that isn't printed and hanging on a way, is almost a waste.

      Is it Friday yet?
      ;)

      cayenne

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