Are we in the wrong ?

When I was printing, if they proofed it they proofed it. Mistakes that made it through their proofing of it are NOT the printer's fault, because the artwork has been approved, but they would mearly always lead to a discounted reprint in the case of big mistakes like the one in the OP, or a discount on the next job for more minor things.

If it was a big company that were going to give us lots of repeat business we'd quite often reprint it and take the hit, but it's up to you guys whether to decide if this company are worth taking the hit for.

It's the suckiest thing about printing. If you approve it you're saying you're happy with it, that should be the end of it. Lots of companies only barely glance at proofs, they should check them properly!
 
At the end of the day the mistake that started the entire process was made by...

.... the printing company. The new car exampled is spot on. Yes, you check your new car over before accepting delivery but that doesn't then mean if you subsequently spot something the dealer laughs at you.
 
You could have cause to refuse to on grounds he checked it but look at the possibilities of future business. If he returns will it be worth it to reprint just to keep his custom for the long run.
 
A proof is just that. A proof.

As per most T & C, the proof must be checked by the client, fully. If the client signs it off, that`s the end of it. Printers deal with thousands of numbers and words every day. Mistakes happen, thats why the proof system is in place.

I design some, and proof all of our advertising. If I signed off some advert copy, which was incorrect, I would carry the can, and in the past, I have :D

The client is solely resposible for checking all content is correct before going to print. It is completely irrelevant that the correct number was originally provided, the proof system is there to clear up any issues before printing. I don`t understand what part of this people are having problems with. I would have thought the company details would be the first thing any client would check.

But................

Having said all of the above, what I would do would probably depend on the value/client. Personally, I would probably offer 50/50 cost split, or offer to do the job again at cost. Business can be hard enough to come by as it is. I would never, ever, lose a customer just because I thought I was right or to gain some kind of victory. I would weigh up the situation, and find the best solution/compromise for both parties.

:)
 
I have not read all the posts but:

IMO it is the so called professional printer's **** up and they should reprint and appologise for their incompetence.

This is a great example for all those people who say "you know what I mean, so it's not important that I don't get every piece of grammar/spelling correct" to understand how lax/sloppy attitudes can spill over to where it really does matter.
 
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after sleeping on it and reading all your replies (thank you)

we are goign to offer the client to reprint at a 50/50 split as a good will gesture

will report back his reply
 
The mistake initially was yours, you are just looking for a way of getting out of having to pay to rectify it. Whilst legally such a get out may exist, I think it speaks volumes for the attitude of the company.

The fact remains that it was a member of your staff who made the error - had they not done so, this thread wouldnt even exist..
 
[TW]Fox;11976774 said:
The mistake initially was yours, you are just looking for a way of getting out of having to pay to rectify it. Whilst legally such a get out may exist, I think it speaks volumes for the attitude of the company.

The fact remains that it was a member of your staff who made the error - had they not done so, this thread wouldnt even exist..

and had the client proof read the details properly, this thread wouldnt exist either.

legally, we would win if it came to that, but thats not what this is about, it was to find a fair solution and has been mentioned that fault has been on both sides, so both sides go half half to sort this out

i know many companies, that would just tell the client they approved the artwork and there is nothing they can do about it .....

but we want to do the right thing and hopefully keep the client
 
and had the client proof read the details properly, this thread wouldnt exist either

You guys are the graphic designers, not him. He provided you with the details he wanted on his leaflet. You failed to accurately reproduce these. I dont think it's suprising he didnt spot the phone number - it's not something you'd be doing anything more than glancing over (After all, you'd already provided a correct one so what reason would you have to think it might be wrong), you'd be paying more attention to the layout, appearance, design - basically the stuff he's paid you for.

What next - you drop your car off for repair work, look it over when you collect it, miss a detail, drive off, now suddenly when you find a mistake its 'tough luck'?
 
[TW]Fox;11976806 said:
You guys are the graphic designers, not him.

What next - you drop your car off for repair work, look it over when you collect it, miss a detail, drive off, now suddenly when you find a mistake its 'tough luck'?

that is exactly what would happen if you checked over a car before driving away and then went back to report a scratch on it, they would say

"you checked it before you left and you signed to say you were happy with it"

its what hire companies do all the time.. ..they get people to check to cover themselves, exactly like designers do with proof copies..
 
that is exactly what would happen if you checked over a car before driving away and then went back to report a scratch on it, they would say

"you checked it before you left and you signed to say you were happy with it"

It's also not exactly what would happen had they done the wrong work or fitted an incorrect part, which was my point.

Give it up [TW]Fox.

This is a discussion forum. We are having a discussion. If you don't like it, go and read another thread.
 
The printer should cover the cost - your clients should be able to rely on you not making such simple errors, even if you're technically covered by sending them a proof. If you don't cover any of the cost there's no way they're going to come back, and if they're printing 45,000 flyers they probably will if you go 50/50 or cover the cost.
 
[TW]Fox;11976858 said:
This is a discussion forum. We are having a discussion. If you don't like it, go and read another thread.

Proofing; "A trial sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected."

Paulus DID this. If he hadn't then the points you are making would hold up.
 
Htf can you compare this with a car? But since you insist on doing so, lets try this:

You order a brand new M3 with the dealer over the phone. You explain to him your exact spec, and inform him that you will call on your way home from work, to sign the papers and pay the deposit. Now, during the phone call, the salesman mis-hears you, and instead of cream leather seats, he`s put you down for cocoa brown :)

You are unaware of this, you don`t check the paperwork properly, sign the documents and go home happy.

3 weeks later, your M3 turns up with nice dark brown seats. You say "thats not what I ordered", at which point the salesman says, "Yes it is, It`s what you signed for"

You want the seats changed for free? Good luck with that.
 
[TW]Fox;11976991 said:
That exact issue came up on BMWLand last year. The dealer changed the seats.

taking seats out and replacing them ( a bit of labour cost) and keeping the seats to use again in a different car is not the same as replacing the whole car for free..and throwing the old car in the bin

i dont think comparing to cars is the way to go with this
 
Face it - you cocked up and want to try and deflect blame. It's that simple. Yes, maybe it should have been picked up sooner by the client but it should not have been wrong in the first place. You are offering a professional service - typing errors which even an office junior would be able to pick up if you gave him the leaflet and said 'verify this' are simply unacceptable.

Legally you might have a point but morally all you are doing is trying to limit damage and get as much out of the client as you think you can get away with. Which is fine but don't count on that clients business again :)
 
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