Complaint Review: Bookmasters

Hidden fees and price gouging is the name of the game here.

Please do not make the same mistake that I did! My experience has been one disappointment after another.

Not only did it take an unreasonable amount of time for the books to be printed, but the company failed to meet a deadline that they established. Everyday, I would receive excuse after excuse about how busy they are. The website is cumbersome and outdated: think circa 1998. Don't expect any 21st century innovations here. Even payments are done via fax... in 2013.

Most egregious, however, is that after the lackluster service and results, I receive a tally of fees that I OWE them. Here is a short list of some of the fees that I was charged:

1. A fee for UPLOADING! I have dealt with plently of other printers for various projects, but never before have I been told there is a charge to change an uploaded file. Upload of a new interior or cover file will range between $50-$75. After a book goes into production, it becomes $19 PER PAGE.

2. The cost of a proof with Bookmasters is well over the norm. I was charged $0.50 per page and $10 for the cover. On it's face, that doesn't seem like so much until you calculate how long the average book is. Because I was ordering a children's picture, it was only 36 pages. In total for an unbound, untrimmed 36-page book, I was billed $84.

3. I was charged for 10% more books than I ordered and told that is "normal." No other company has over-printed an order and then charged me for their over-printing.Now, my initial order is being held hostage until I pay their fees. First they were late in even completing my order and now they want more money before they ship.

Don't do what I did and decide you want to give them a chance. I tried to make a small initial order only to have them say I need to order more to initialize an agreement with them. Boy do I regret it!

Heed this warning and STAY AWAY from this place! Think twice before you waste your money and, most importantly, your time.