Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/31/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In 2016 I published my book Change Your Life Through WRITING by ***** ****. I looked at my account today and I havent sold a book online since 06/19/2016. I have been very busy promoting my book through social media, I should have seen some kind of result of my books being sold, I havent to this ******* there a glitch in Outskirts Press system that is preventing my books from being available for purchase online. I am looking for an answer as to why I am not seeing any online sales.Thank you for your time in this matter.Sincerely,***** ****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/01/2025

  Mr. **** published his title; Change Your Life Through WRITING; on 12/17/2015. He is a Print-On-Demand self-published author.Books are printed after they are purchased. There is no inventory of books.

  
  To date Mr. **** has sold 5 books. All of our books are distributed by ******, the largest wholesaler of books in the **. Each month ****** reports all book sales to Outskirts Press itemized by each titles unique ISBN number. We in turn post those reported sales into each authors password protected ************** We use Lightning Source as our print floor which is a wholly owned subsidiary of ******. Only Lightning Source has the necessary files to print copies of Mr. ***** book. When a book is purchased from an online retailer that order is electronically delivered to ******.****** routes the order to Lightning Source where the book is printed and then shipped to the purchaser.

  
  As a double check on the accuracy of Mr. ***** reported sales we will be requesting an itemized sales/print report from ****** for his unique ISBN number. This will be sent to Mr. **** from ***** *******, our Director of Production once it is obtained.

  
  In closing we have been in business for 25 years and have never experienced any inaccuracy in Ingrams reporting.

  
  ******* *******
  CEO

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/01/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have published three books with Outskirts Press. In the past I have never had a problem with either communications, or receiving my royalties. My last royalty payment was 11/30/2023 by *************** Transfer to my bank account. May 24, 2024 I e-mailed *********************** at Outskirts to ask her about my past due royalties. I have royalties accumulated since October, 2023, for which I have not received any payments, in the amount of $1,378.71. I was told by *****: "Our estimate for 1st quarter 2024 payment run is scheduled for end of month to mid-************ I received a notice from ***** dated May 31 that they didn't have the correct address to pay me royalties, even though after I had moved I received my royalty payment via EFT and I received author's copies of my books at my new address. I responded to her immediately and notified her that I had made sure my address was corrected in my profile. I never heard anything further from ***** even though I followed up with multiple e-mails. I e-mailed several addresses at Outskirts and never heard anything until finally ************************* responded and told me that my royalties in full would be in my account via EFT by the end of June. I have received nothing. I e-mailed (several times) and called ***** to let her know that if my royalties weren't received as promised that I would be filing a BBB complaint and I've heard nothing. I have screenshots of my account and royalties owed me and copies of all correspondence with Outskirts. I will be happy to provide this. I'm stymied as to why a good relationship I've had with Outskirts for four years has suddenly deteriorated into no or very little contact and several unkempt promises in regards to my royalty payments owed me. I want the amount promised me: $1,378.71. Again, I have full documentation for everything; attaching a couple, but I have all e-mails.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/05/2024

  RE:  BBB Complaint # ********   OP Ref #******
  
  7/3/2024
  
  Dear **********************,
  
  Thank you for forwarding the complaint submitted by ******************. We at Outskirts Press take pride in our services and find it unfortunate that one of our customers has contacted you.  ********************** is happy to provide the following detailed response to Mr. ******** concerns to the Better Business Bureau.  Our excellent standing within the BBB is very important to us.
  
  ****************** is correct there was a delay in the distribution of his royalty payments. The delay was caused by the fact that his 2023 1099 was returned to us due to an outdated physical mailing address. When this occurs, we reach out to our client via email and advise them to update their physical address and then to email us to advise us that their information has been updated in our system. On June 15,2024 we confirmed that we now have Mr. ******** correct physical address. The normal processing of first quarter royalties was completed on May 30th.Mr. ******** address update notification was past that date, meaning his royalties would now be paid in August with the next scheduled royalty processing.
  
  Unfortunately, ***************** received some inaccurate information regarding the timing of his royalty distribution from ****************** (who indicated they would be paid by the end of June); so, it is understandable that ****************** is upset.  ****************** has apologized to ****************** for her error; and, on Friday July 5, 2024, ****************** will be receiving his royalty payment. Our intent is to always pay authors royalties in a timely manner so we are hopeful that expediting his payment will relieve Mr. ******** frustration.
  
  Thank you for your help in this matter.
  
  Sincerely,
  *****************************
  Chief Executive Officer

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/06/2024

   
  Complaint: 21926089
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  See attached.  I received a message from ************************* stating that my royalties had been paid with a graphic enclosed in the e-mail showing a successful payment.  What's not stated is if the payment was supposed to be an electronic funds transfer, or if they're mailing a check.  If it was supposed to be an EFT I checked my account several times yesterday (July 5) and this morning (July 6) and I have not received any funds into my account.  I e-mailed ***** a total of 3 times asking if it was an EFT or if they were mailing a check, informing her that I had not received any funds into my account, and I received no reply.
  
  When I have received my royalties then I'll be satisfied.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/08/2024

  It was stated in the reply to my complaint that I would receive a royalty payment on Friday, July 5, 2024.  To date (Monday, July 8, 2024) I have NOT received any funds deposited into my bank account via EFT.  I've written to ******************* four times now to ask if it was supposed to be an EFT, or were they mailing me a check.

   

  I haven't gotten a reply, and I still have NOT received my royalties.

   

  Thank you,

   

  ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/07/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am filing a claim with the Better Business Bureau against Outskirts Press for breach of contract. Outskirts Press predatory and deceptive business practices have negatively affected my business. I entered into a contract with Outskirts Press to publish a book, and paid the contractual amount, however Outskirts Press failed to fulfil its contractual obligations. I made a good faith effort to contact Outskirts Press through phone and email, however Outskirts Press blatantly ignored my numerous attempts to resolve the matter without outside intervention. Outskirts Press continuously ignored my communications, after accepting my money, but refused to provide a sample of the book, preventing me from meeting deadlines. When it was apparent Outskirts, Press would not fulfill its obligations, I spent additional money to work with a new vendor to help me meet my publishing deadlines. Outskirts Press took advantage of me and refused to fulfill any portion of the contract. As such, I am requesting a full refund of the amount I paid of $2500 amount.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/11/2023

  RE:  H363137393**8313831H Complaint # ******** OP Ref#******A
  
  8/11/**
  
  Dear Ms. ******************* you for forwarding the complaint submitted by ********************. We at H333139333**830343835H take pride in our services and find it unfortunate that one of our customers has contacted you.  H333139333**830343835H is happy to provide the following detailed response to Mr. ***** concerns to the Better Business Bureau.  Our excellent standing within the H363137393**8313831H is very important to us.
  
  ******************** started his publishing process with H333139333**830343835H on October 12, 2020.  ******************** approved production on his book on November 20, 2020 and his manuscript was submitted for editing which was completed and sent to him for review around December 21, 2020.  ******************** never returned his approved manuscript or submitted the 160 images he indicated he wished to include in his book.  Once an author has approved production and work has begun on their title, they are no longer eligible for a refund as clearly stated in our publishing agreement (per Section V, #**) which ******************** agreed to on October 12, 2020 with his publishing package purchase. 
  
  In December 2020, ******************* exH313737343034353**332Hed concern with his publishing timeline and we reminded him of the editing and publishing timeframes and reminded him that he had not yet submitted his **** or the images he wished to include which needed to be done before we could proceed.  As of the end of January 2021, ******************** had not yet returned the edited and approved manuscript, the **** or the images to enable us to proceed.  Repeated attempts to contact him for these materials found him either unresponsive or unprepared to do his part in the publishing process. ******************** made no contact with H333139333**830343835H until he requested a refund in May 2021.  Our Director of Production reminded ********************, again, that he was no longer eligible for a refund since he had already approved production and work had begun on his book.
  
  There was no breach of contract by H333139333**830343835H. ******************** did not contact us again and we had not heard from him until he submitted his request to the H363137393**8313831H.  If an author becomes non-responsive for more than 2 years from the date of their publishing package purchase, we terminate their title in our system per the terms of our agreement.  If ******************** wishes to resume the publishing process at this time, we will make an exception to this policy and allow him to proceed, but ******************** is not eligible for any refund at this time.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************
  Chief Executive Officer
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/26/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Around April of 2023, I purchase the service of Outskirts Press to prepare a Press Release for me, and to distribute it through their database. I have an email that state that they will not release it without my approval. I submitted the form, which Outskirts Press ask me to complete, and submit to them. I attempted to call them, and communicated with them via their online chat, yet I have not gotten a response from Outskirt Press, nor have I given any approval to distribute my Press Release. I will attach the conversation via a chat to verify this information, and if you need me to send the email, which state that they will not release it without my approval, I can also send that upon your request. It has been more than two months, since I paid for this service, and I have not heard anything from them about the progress of my Press Release, and I am having problems with getting management to call me to help me to get the service that I paid for ...

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/29/2023

  RE:  BBB Complaint # ******** OP Ref# ******A
  
  6/28/2021
  
  Dear **********************,
  
  Thank you for forwarding the complaint submitted by Mr. ***** We at Outskirts Press take pride in our services and find it unfortunate that one of our customers has contacted you.  Outskirts Press is happy to provide the following detailed response to Mr. ***** concerns to the Better Business Bureau.  Our excellent standing within the BBB is very important to us.
  
  Mr. ***** Custom Press release was distributed 2 times. He disliked his 1st release distributed on 3/20/2023 after distribution, despite the fact that he approved the press release prior to distribution.  So, as a courtesy, we rewrote the press release and redistributed it on 4/25/2023.
  
  Mr. **** communicated numerous times with our team member that coordinates this option during this process.
  
  We are sorry that Mr. **** is dissatisfied with the lack of activity following the distribution of his press release.  Self-publishing is a very crowed space and requires strong self-marketing efforts from the author so we encourage Mr. **** to review his tandem marketing efforts and use his custom press release to reach out to local media outlets who will have a more direct connection to his announcement.
  
  Despite the fact that we have more than fulfilled our contracted services regarding Mr. ***** press release, we are electing to credit Mr. **** the full purchase price of $249. A credit will be placed into his shopping cart today.
  
  In light of our detailed response, we request ************** complaint be removed from our record at this time.
  
  Thank you for your help in this matter.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  *****************************
  Chief Executive Officer
  Tell us why here...

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/03/2023

   
  Complaint: 20237634
  
  I am rejecting this response because: One thing that Miss or ********************************** who is the *** of Outskirts Press must admit; whatever she knows about this situation is he say; she say, because we have never communicated to each other before this time via BBB.  So, why is Miss or ********************************** being quick to take sides, and give her opinion, which is based on her employees without talking to me, too, or checking the facts, then make an opinion of this situation.  Miss or ********************************** has made up her mind by going by the words of her staff without evidence, and disregarding my evidence.  How is that fair to me and not prejudice?  Miss or ********************************** claims to take pride in her customers, but this is her response by pointing the figure at me instead of trying to understand why her customer is not satisfied. 
  Miss or ********************************** claim in her response that I am dissatisfied with the lack of activities with my press release.  Why would she make such a false claim, and prejudge this situation with such a comment, which is prejudicial to me.  I have never complained about the lack of activities with my press release.  As a matter of fact, I was not aware of a lack of activities with my press release.  If she had read my complaint,and the attached evidence, she would see that I was under the impression that the press release was not done; moreover, my complaint stated that I never approved of a Press Release.  I contacted BBB to help me to get my press release, and to allow me to have the final approval,which was promised to me.  I have never gotten a final copy of my press release, and I have no ideal of the result of the press release, which she stated was release twice for me.  Mrs. or **********************************, why are you not focusing on my complaint instead of making up something that I have not said in my complaint?  Can you please take a moment to understand my problem, because we can resolve this in a manner to please both of us.
  I also take offense of Miss or ********************************** for advising me to go through my local community to do what I have paid Outskirt Press to do for me.  Outskirt Press was not advising me to go through my community, but I should pay Outskirt Press to accomplish this goal for me by purchasing a press release.  Therefore, since Outskirt Press offer to distribute a Press release for me regarding my multi-billion-dollar self-publishing deal to accomplish the same goal that Miss or ********************************** has advise me via her response to BBB, I am asking Outskirt Press to fulfill its promise by releasing a Press Release to accomplish the goal that she is now deterring me to not do through Outskirt Press, and allow me to have input on constructing it,and I must give my approval before the release instead of releasing it without my permission or acknowledgement, or give my money back. 
  
  If Miss or ********************************** checks all emails that were sent to me, she will notice that I have never received a final copy of the Press Release, and I have never given my approval via any email, which I will upload to verify. 
  I have also attached an email from me, which verifies that this problem with Outskirt Press marketing department was still happening up to April 18, 2023.  ************************, et cetera (who are employees at Outskirt Press) made an apology to me for the long delay.  I even ask for management to contact me regarding this problem, as you can see in the email, and management never contacted me.  I am really hurt that the *** will respond to BBB, but will not respond to me.  Now there is a chance that this *** is not fully aware; therefore, if the *** is really serious about resolving this problem, and is not aware of me to be denied to talk to the management, which is verifiable with the attached email, then the *** can call me directly to resolve this problem in a peaceful manner that I know that we can resolve to please the both of us.  But these lies that your staff is telling you in the marketing department, is not helping to resolve this problem.  Since you are the ***,then you have authority over the marketing department; so please, can you please call me to resolve this problem, because I can tell by your language that you really care about the reputation of Outskirt Press.  You say that I communicated numerous times with your staff during the process. How is this true, when I am giving evidence to you from me and your staff that no one was communicating with me, and you cannot submit one email as I am submitting to say otherwise.
  I conclude with the following facts: (1). If BBB and Miss or ********************************** compares the history of emails that Outskirt Press saved to the copy that I have attached, both will notice that I stated that I strongly disapprove of the Press Release, and Outskirt Press have no record of me to approve it via email, nor does Outskirt Press has any email or any other evidence that I have received my Press Release. (2). Notice how ******* communicated to me that she is not the one to assist me, but could relay the message. I said if it is not too late to make changes before giving my draft to whoever is doing it, I would like to make the following changes.  (3).  Notice that ******* instructed me to send an email, if I approve.  I have attached a copy, which states that I strongly disapprove; moreover, you stated that I communicated numerous times to your staff regarding this process. However, if you observe conversations between me and your staff, there was a communication breakdown, and your staffs offer their apologies for the lack of communication and delay regarding my press release.
  P.S. What good is the credit for $245 from Outskirt Press via Miss or ************************************ offer, if she is not willing to listen to my complaint instead of being defensive to make false judgment for the reason for my dissatisfaction.  Can Miss or ********************************** please just listen, because I am screaming for help, and I feel like this is the only way to contact management to help me, because no one will allow me to address this matter with management at Outskirt Press, which I submitted as evidence.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** Love

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/26/2023

  Outskirts Press fully provided the press release service contracted by Mr. ***** Nevertheless, because of Mr. ***** disappointment with the response by the public to his press release, and as an accommodation to him,  Outskirts Press refunded 100% of his payment back to his credit card.  Mr. **** accepted his 100% refund and this matter is closed in the Outskirts Press system.   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/30/2023

   
  Complaint: 20237634
  
  I am rejecting this response because: This is not the total agreement. Please read the entirety of this letter, which state our agreement.  Outskirts Press sent a copy of our agreement to me via email in regard to my complaint to BBB, which state how Outskirts Press will address MY concern, and resolve this problem with my press release.  I have also attached a copy of this email to verify the agreement between Outskirts Press and I. I ask you to read the conversation via email by starting from the bottom than read up.  For this was the only way to save and upload the order of our conversation.  I ask this, because there is a miscommunication between Outskirts Press and I; therefore, if it is possible for BBB to communicate between us, or can the *** of Outskirts Press call me directly?  The following is the reason for rejecting Outskirts Press's response: (1).  Outskirts Press stated that "they fully provided the press release service contracted by Mr. ****** which is not true. (2). Outskirts Press claims that "Mr. ****** disappointment with the response by the public to his press release", which is not true, and (3). Outskirts Press stated that they have refunded 100% of his payment back to me, which is the only thing that is true; however, Outskirts Press stated that this matter is closed in their system, which is not true.  Again, please read the attached file to verify this.  Outskirts Press agreed via an email to me that this matter is being further investigated, and they will update me.  Yet I have not heard from Outskirts Press after our last communication until receiving this notice from BBB.  I have never made a complaint about being dissatisfied with my press release; therefore, why does Outskirts Press keep repeating this instead of discussing the reason for me to contact BBB?  Outskirts Press's employees is trying to cover up the reason for my complaint to hide from their employer and the public for the reason of my complaint.  Moreover, I did not know that my Press Release was released; my complaint was that I have never received a copy of my press release from Outskirt Press.  To prove this, Outskirt Press finally sent a copy of my press release to me on July 20, 2023 (for the first time).  The copy that was sent to me on July 20, 2023 was a draft copy (not the actual copy, which Outskirt Press stated that it released).  Therefore, I got an email from ************************* that she was working on finding the final draft to my Press Release, and she would send it to me.  She also stated that my concern of not receiving my Press Release, why Outskirts Press did not get my approval, and never sent a copy to me, and other concerns was being addressed and fix.  I was told that I would her back from Outskirts Press regarding addressing my concern, and showing the correct copy of the press release.  Therefore, if you compare the attached file, which state our agreement, and Outskirts Press's recent letter to BBB is contradictory, and a miscommunication between the staff of Outskirts Press's ***, and their employees.

  Sincerely,
  
  ***** Love

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/30/2023

  Complaint: 20237634
  
  I am rejecting this response because: This is not the total agreement. Please read the entirety of this letter, which state our agreement.  Outskirts Press sent a copy of our agreement to me via email in regard to my complaint to BBB, which state how Outskirts Press will address MY concern, and resolve this problem with my press release.  I have also attached a copy of this email to verify the agreement between Outskirts Press and I. I ask you to read the conversation via email by starting from the bottom than read up.  For this was the only way to save and upload the order of our conversation.  I ask this, because there is a miscommunication between Outskirts Press and I; therefore, if it is possible for BBB to communicate between us, or can the *** of Outskirts Press call me directly?  The following is the reason for rejecting Outskirts Press's response: (1).  Outskirts Press stated that "they fully provided the press release service contracted by Mr. ****** which is not true. (2). Outskirts Press claims that "Mr. ****** disappointment with the response by the public to his press release", which is not true, and (3). Outskirts Press stated that they have refunded 100% of his payment back to me, which is the only thing that is true; however, Outskirts Press stated that this matter is closed in their system, which is not true.  Again, please read the attached file to verify this.  Outskirts Press agreed via an email to me that this matter is being further investigated, and they will update me. Yet I have not heard from Outskirts Press after our last communication until receiving this notice from BBB.  I have never made a complaint about being dissatisfied with my press release; therefore, why does Outskirts Press keep repeating this instead of discussing the reason for me to contact BBB?  Outskirts Press's employees is trying to cover up the reason for my complaint to hide from their employer and the public for the reason of my complaint.  Moreover, I did not know that my Press Release was released; my complaint was that I have never received a copy of my press release from Outskirt Press.  To prove this, Outskirt Press finally sent a copy of my press release to me on July 20, 2023 (for the first time).  The copy that was sent to me on July 20, 2023 was a draft copy (not the actual copy, which Outskirt Press stated that it released).  Therefore, I got an email from ************************* that she was working on finding the final draft to my Press Release, and she would send it to me.  She also stated that my concern of not receiving my Press Release,why Outskirts Press did not get my approval, and never sent a copy to me, and other concerns was being addressed and fix.  I was told that I would her back from Outskirts Press regarding addressing my concern, and showing the correct copy of the press release.  Therefore, if you compare the attached file,which state our agreement, and Outskirts Press's recent letter to BBB is contradictory, and a miscommunication between the staff of Outskirts Press's ***, and their employees.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** Love

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/30/2023

  To whom it may concern,

       I ask BBB to consider this one point in reviewing this case.  I gave $2,000 dollars to Outskirts Press to publish a book for me, and an extra $259 to release a Press Release about the book.  I could have published my book; however, I sought the services of Outskirts Press, because of the marketing service.  I clearly made this point clear to Outskirts Press before giving my money to them.  I should be satisfied for getting my $259 back for the Press Release; however, if BBB read the complaint that I submitted.  I was hoping to get the service instead of a refund, because I need the marketing service, which is a part of the contract between us.  All I requested was to submit a Press Release that I approve and to receive a copy of the Press Release.  I have attached an email to verify that Outskirt Press agreed via this complaint to give a copy to me as a condition to resolve this matter, and to establish a better communication and my involvement with the process of the Press Release and other services that came along with giving $2,000 for services to market my book.  If I do not get these services of the Press Release, and the services, which Outskirts Press agreed to address in the attached file that I am submitting to BBB, then I am out of $2,000, and wasted time.  The attached file, which is an email, prove that Outskirts Press are supposed to address, correct, and render a Press Release to me regardless of the refund, and address other issues, because I have given $2,000 dollars to these people.  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/07/2023

  RE:  BBB Complaint # ******** OP Ref#******A
  8/7/2023
  Dear Ms. ************* marketing services were separate from the publishing services and Mr. **** received a full refund despite the fact that the Press Release was distributed twice.

  
  Mr. **** was officially published on 2/26/2023 and his title is in full distribution via ******. All publishing services were provided as outlined in his Publishing Agreement with us. There is no available refund.

  
  Sincerely,
  *****************************
  Chief Executive Officer

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/10/2023

   
  Complaint: 20237634
  
  I am rejecting this response because: there appears to be a misunderstanding and miscommunication.  Outskirts Press' response stated that I was dissatisfied with the response of the public regarding my press release.  This is not at all true.  First of all, I was not aware of a press release to be released by Outskirts Press.  I reached out to BBB to help receive a copy of the press release, which I purchased from Outskirts Press.  Please see the attached file to this message, which states the arrangements and agreement betweeen Outskirts Press and ***** Love to resolve this matter.  Outskirts Press sent an email to me, which stated that I was refunded my money, and we were in the process of addressing my concerns regarding the copy of a press release was never sent to me.  I have given over $2,000 dollars to Outskirts Press for publishing a book for me, and to market it.  Outskirts Press sent an email to me of them in the process of addressing service that was not rendered to me, and it was being investigated and corrected.  Yet Outskirts Press did not mention any of these facts to BBB of the incomplete service to me, and it was being addressed, and Outskirts Press would contact me when these problems are fixed as part of the agreement to end this matter with BBB.  I have attached a copy of the email as proof, and I am more and willing to submit any other information to support these facts.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** Love

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/05/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Report filed for the reasons listed bellow:False Impersonation Identity Theft IRS Violation Compromised Author Account Copyright Infringement Outskirt Press failed to distribute royalties to author (*******************)?for the sale of book Life Experience Collection 1 Heart to Heart. Amazon book sales over 7 million copies sold. Author ******************* only received 1 royalty check under *****, ** 2022. Outskirt Press failed to provide **** MISC from 2009-2023. Outskirt Press issued a second ISBN to book without author consent and knowledge. False Impersonator (************************* AKA *********************) added as an author for book Life Experience Collection 1 Heart to Heart. Addition books added to my author page that I did not write without my consent. Issue was reported to Outskirt Press in 2022.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/15/2023

  Please see attached document.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/25/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Earlier this year I contracted Outskirts Press to self-publish a book I was writing with two friends. The company was highly recommended by another friend, so I paid the $2,000 with a high degree of confidence that I wasn't getting ripped off. I submitted my completed manuscript to my handler/editor last week and today I received a note from the review department that it had been accepted for publishing with a lot of complimentary language telling me how good it was, but that because of the "nature of the material" I would need to acquire a "private label isdn."A link was included to a page that said ** would help me get the **** for another $249 (and maybe even less). Funny, this was more than half of the discounted rate (20%) they initially gave me on my publishing package.When I asked my editor for an explanation I got a lot of editor speak that didn't really answer my question. Top help me out, she went ahead and added everything I needed additionally into my shopping cart on the ** website. That total was $996 and did not include the original item the reviewer had linked.This seemed odd to begin with, but now ithat I've had a day to think about it, the whole thing is starting to smell downright fishy. I hate to lose $2,000 but I can't work with people I don't trust. At this point, I'd like them to finish the work as promised for the agreed upon price, or refund all my money.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/27/2023

  Tell us why RE:  BBB Complaint # ******** OP Ref#******A
  
  1/26/2023
  
  Dear **********************,
  
  Thank you for forwarding the complaint submitted by ****************. We at Outskirts Press take pride in our services and find it unfortunate that one of our customers has contacted you.  Outskirts Press is happy to provide the following detailed response to **************** concerns to the Better Business Bureau.  Our excellent standing within the BBB is very important to us.
  
  **************** purchased his Ultimate Publishing Package on 8/27/2022. Our Ultimate Publishing Package provides a paperback format as part of the package. **************** elected to add our optional hardback to his package and the additional optional billing of $399.00 was placed into his shopping cart.
  
  All Outskirts Presss Publishing Packages provide each publication with a unique Outskirts Press **** number. Authors that want both a paperback and hardback format receive an individual **** for each format. An **** is required by the publishing industry.The **** connects the author and the title to the publisher.  
  
  All manuscripts that are submitted to Outskirts Press for publication are reviewed for content and technical issues. **************** material is extremely sensitive. We advised him if he wished to move forward with our services he would need to publish under his own imprint. Authors that are self-publishing under their own imprint provide us with the name to be used for their imprint. We acquire the necessary unique ****s for the title from ******, the **** issuer, on the authors behalf.
  
  The costs associated with titles that are publishing under their own imprint are as follows. Each unique **** purchased from Bowkers are $199.00 each. **************** needs two. 1 for his paperback and 1 for his hardback. Additionally there is a ************************ fee of $199.00.
  
  It does appear that it was not communicated to **************** that we would delightfully waive the $199.00 Private Label Fee as a courtesy since he wanted both a paperback and hardback formats.*************************, our Director of Production will be reaching out to **************** privately to apologize for this oversight.
  
  There is nothing fishy about the current costs in **************** shopping cart. The hardback format is an additional expense. The Sales Page for the Ultimate Publishing Package clearly shows that authors receive a paperback for no additional cost.Adding a hardback is completely optional.
  
  We would be delighted to continue with **************** publication. Providing of course he pays for the additional services his title requires. 
                Adding hardback format: $399.00 (totally optional)
                Unique **** purchased for paperback: $199.00
                Unique **** purchased for hardback: $199.00
                Private Label Fee: $0.00
                Total of additional fess: $797.00
  
  
  If **************** prefers to withdraw we will delightfully refund 100% of his payments.
  
  I am hopeful that between this response to his submitted complaint and his direct communication with ************************* that his fears will be put to rest.
  
  Sincerely,
  *****************************
  Chief Executive Officerhere...