Hi Mike,
I have used the Target service and I don't like it at all. The white border around the image MUST be disclosed to the buyers. This border strongly takes away from the image. I disliked the quality of the cards so much that I returned my entire order to the San Ramon Target store.
Sincerely,
Rene Maher

What is the link to the Target stores?

There is no need for alarm, really.  Until you have seen these cards for yourself you should not pass judgement nor panic.  We have looked at this long & hard, have done and will continue to do endless testing before and after stores are brought online.
 
There IS a trade-off for quality and convenience and the trade-off that we are talking about in quality is small and the convenience is HUGE.  Picking up a card within 2 hours of ordering it online - that is significant.
 
We believe the most important element here is setting expectations.  Based on the feedback from Rene and other artists we have updated our In-store pickup FAQ.  It now includes a better description of the differences including the white border and now includes thumbnail images of a sample card with and without the border. (see In-store pickup link in GCU header).
 
Additionally we will be making this In-store pickup FAQ located more clearly in the flow of the In-store pickup order flow.
 
Here is the updated content in the In-store pickup FAQ re: quality differences:
Is the card quality the same for mailing directy from Greeting Card Universe and In-store pickup?
Your satisfaction is our top priority. The card quality for in-store pickup is very good although there is a minor difference in paper weight. The cardstock used for in-store pickup is 100 lb Kodak duplex greeting card paper as compared to 111 lb greeting card paper used by Greeting Card Universe. Note: 100 lb paper weight is the most common stock used for greeting cards and can be compared to the weight of an average index card. If you desire premium cardstock we suggest you have your cards mailed directly from Greeting Card Universe. Additionally in-store pickup cards are only available in a matte finish while direct from Greeting Card Universe offers both matte and glossy finishes. Lastly cards via in-store pickup are all printed with a tasteful white border around the entire front image design.  
 
Since we are frequent visitors to the San Ramon Target Photo Dept (walking distance from our office) we were given Rene's refused order and have found her cards to be more than acceptable.  The color is nice, the image is centered, the paper weight and finish are as they should be.  Are they identical to cards direct from GCU?  No, they are not supposed to be.  
 
Here are images of Rene's in-store pickup cards from Target.  Photos taken today at my desk with my iPhone <click image for large view>:
 
 
 
Premium cards?  No.  Nice cards?  Absolutely!

I second Mindy's appraisal as well!  I've done the Target thing a couple of times now and the first was, I'll admit, BAD!  But, it was the first week of the BETA and it was somewhat expected.  The second order was quite acceptable, though not the quality of the cards from GCU's printer, but purchased to see what improvements had been made and so I'd have some product immediately for upcoming shows and venues that I'm the official photographer at.  I'm glad to say that they were quite readily accepted and no one was upset at my asking $5.00 for a card althogh some of it was their knowing the photographer and supporting me.  I even had a couple of people who questioned my only asking $5 thinking maybe I should go a little higher since many of the scenes were local and of a more personal nature to the people at our shows.  
 
I'm selling them higher simply on that basis and that they can take the card right there and I don't want to undervalue my onsite photos which I sell an 8X10 from $10 - $20 depending on the show or event.   Still don't want to go too high considering that they can go to my website and be directed to my store at GCU getting the cards for $3.00 and with FREE shipping now.  I let anyone who pruchases my cards know that and point them to the web address on the back which they thank me and still take the cards they've chosen for now assuring me that in the future they'll check out my store online when shopping for more cards.  I've had a couple of California orders, but don't know if it's from any of these sales of Target store cards as we're limited to knowing just the state a customer is from.
 
I don't have any of the GCU printer's cards with my Target cards, so the customers have nothing to compare them with, but I know there is a noticeable difference and in the future will try to order cards in enough time for whatever event I have coming up and probably will discount the Target cards based on the difference.  But, stand alone, haven't had anyone pick up on any lack in quality even when I try and explain it to them personally.   It seems that for the most part, for the convenience and that they can relate to the photos, they don't really care that much about a slight drop in quality.  And in regard to the borders, I think a couple of my designs actually look pretty good with the white border and if it comes to needing other cards quickly, I'll consider that in my designs before putting any cards in my private gallery for submitting an in-store order.
 
So for anyone out there that might be worried, I'm for the most part very positive on the option of having this convenience.  On a scale of one to ten with the GCU printer being a ten, I'd give Target a seven or an eight.
 
JMHO!
 
Best always, Randy

Thank you Mindy for your feedback and update. I hope the Target roll out is successful for GCU.
Sincerely,
Rene Maher

Wouldn't it be great if each of those stores had a PC on the counter that only had the GCU site available so that customers while there at the store could browse cards on GCU and create an order while actually there? They might be picking up other photos of their own and while waiting could be browsing and ordering cards....kind of like when they have confectionery at the checkout and you impulse buy.
 
Or like on of those machines that they have where you can process your own photos and insert a flash drive, you know the ones that I mean?  
 
Brain and mind working overtime!  
 
Cheryl

Here's a scenario, if there is a customer who wants a card done right away and has the ability to purchase at a local Target, if we post it in our Private Gallery will the customer be able to see it and purchase it from there or will we need to request a Fast Track?