I'm just starting out in my own business and thought I'd try this company because they're cheaper than others. I ordered 3 jobs from this company: business cards, stickers/labels and compliments slips. Before ordering I read the terms and conditions and took note of the fact that returns are only accepted if they arrive at their office within 3 days... which I thought rather far-fetched but...

At first the proofs were too large (although I was told when I uploaded them that the upload was successful). I emailed the images to them but got no confirmation of them being received. About a week later I got an email saying the cards would be sent within 24 hours.

The cards arrived a week ago at about 9am local time. I opened the package to find two cardboard boxes (containing 500 cards each) wrapped in corrugated cardboard. The boxes and cardboard each had one of the cards taped to it, which I thought was odd (I paid for 1000 cards... had they used 3 of my ordered cards?). After the initial shock of the cards being wasted on the packaging, I noticed that they all had a 1mm black spot in the upper left corner. This was definitely not on the proofs, and showed up starkly against the white background.

I immediately took photos of these cards and the ones in the boxes (all of which have the spot) and emailed them (marked URGENT) to the manager, Suzie Youle, asking how to proceed as I wanted replacement cards. I didn't get a reply. 24 hours later I emailed their enquiries people because I thought I'd get a response, considering the web site clearly states that EMAIL ENQUIRIES WILL BE REPLIED TO WITHIN 24 HOURS. But no reply.

The following day I got tired of waiting and looked up their office number in the yellow pages. I called and asked for the manager by name. I was told she was taking another call, so I left a voice mail message for her. She didn't call. She did reply to my email, however... but this is what it said: Hi Rebecca, Hmm weird one! Is it on all of the cards? Let me know. Thanks Suzie.

There was no apology.

I sent a reply within 30 minutes. That was last Friday. It's now Wednesday. I called her again twice this morning and left another message on her voice mail, somewhat more annoyed sounding this time. I explained that I needed a replacement URGENTLY and I'd been waiting a week. I don't expect her to call.

It only cost $65 for 1000 cards, which is very cheap. But that's $65 wasted and I'm just starting out. I now have to order cards from someone else because Dynamite Express Cards is so incompetent, meaning the new cards will cost far more than I can afford when I factor in the wasted $65 and the lost time... I ordered these cards on January 25.

In the star ratings I've put a 2 for value, because while they're very cheap, they've lost me money and wasted my time. Overall, the value isn't as great as I initially thought.

(The other jobs arrived without any problems.)