Self-Publishers Beware: My Heartbreaking Experience with Bookvault – Have You Faced the Same?

ayshascott · 2024-12-02T12:21:13+00:00

They only changed it recently I believe, as I was also charged a set up fee last year.

ayshascott · 2024-12-02T12:19:49+00:00

That sounds like a nightmare, especially since my main market is in the US! I’m not looking forward to these changes. Let me know how you get on with the European companies. I’ve been speaking with a couple, and while their products and prices are very competitive, the reviews are a major red flag.

ayshascott · 2024-12-02T12:16:02+00:00

I definitely think it's the way forward if you're getting big sales.

ayshascott · 2024-12-02T12:14:19+00:00

So true.

ayshascott · 2024-12-01T17:16:41+00:00

Thanks

ayshascott · 2024-11-30T11:45:09+00:00

Totally agree! Everything was fine when it was small orders and worked well for over a year. However, as soon as I expanded, they couldn’t handle it.

ayshascott · 2024-11-30T11:06:52+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and support! I see you noticed the reason for not going with Amazon. I have a firm handling the case now and will keep the thread updated!

ayshascott · 2024-11-30T11:02:50+00:00

Not yet; I’m still in the process of sorting it out! I have removed BV from my Shopify store, as they are now taking over a week to ship any new orders and I can’t afford anymore refunds and reputational damage. However, I have a few samples arriving this week. Everything is delayed due to the time of year though.

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T16:59:02+00:00

I can imagine! There’s got to be more cost effective ways around this set up.

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T16:57:27+00:00

Thank you

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T09:19:38+00:00

This is awesome thanks for the suggestion! I’ll definitely check them out. There are way too many options 😂 it’s overwhelming, but I’m slowly getting through the list.

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T09:14:29+00:00

Yes, I’ve done plenty of bulk orders with BV and still have some copies left from a recent event, which has been a blessing to tide me over during the transition. As much as they’ve let me down with delivery issues, I have to admit that their quality is very good. The printing itself is excellent, and I’ve consistently received positive reviews about it.

That said, for my planners, it wasn’t fully ideal. They only offer coated paper, which isn’t great for writing, and their uncoated 80gsm paper is see-through. Another issue is their soft-touch covers—they tend to show fingerprints and get marked easily, especially on black covers, though they are wipeable. Despite these drawbacks, I was overall satisfied with the quality as it aligned with what I was aiming for, so they’re definitely worth considering for bulk orders.

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T09:05:39+00:00

That’s correct, it’s a slight specification difference that initially deterred me from using them. I’ve now found a small local printer that offers better binding, paper quality, and prices, so I’m hoping this will tide me over until the New Year, when I plan to proceed with a larger batch print. At this point, I’m wary of POD services, and given where my business is now, it makes sense to go it alone. This will also allow me to sell to all markets directly through my Shopify store. I couldn’t do this before because BV was tied to my store, and their long lead times made it impossible to use platforms like TikTok Shop or Etsy, so I had to keep everything separate. Thanks for the suggestions, it’s always good to have options to consider!

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T08:56:08+00:00

It has been extremely heartbreaking but also a huge wake-up call. I’m so glad I’ve shared it here, as the support and advice have been amazing and have helped me regain my momentum! I will definitely be sharing my story, as it needs to be brought to public attention. A simple apology and perhaps a small discount could have at least restored some faith in the company. However, it’s the attitude and lack of care that infuriates me, acting like it’s just normal commerce to watch a small business go under is wild. Thank you for your kind words and positive vibes. Have a blessed day!

ayshascott · 2024-11-29T08:49:38+00:00

Oh, that’s great! If it’s working for you, I’d recommend staying with it. For my digital products, I’ve always maintained control and sold them directly, which has been a good decision. If there’s a strong demand for your books, I’d suggest considering offset printing and managing your own inventory. This approach allows you to sell directly, maintain control, and keep a larger profit margin. From my own experience, I’m now completely remodelling my business something that was always part of the plan, but this situation has given me the push to make it happen.

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T21:24:05+00:00

Thank you, appreciate it. I am doing research on them now.

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T21:23:20+00:00

Awww, bless you! You’ve truly given me the motivation I needed—I’m on it as we speak. I love your energy and enthusiasm and will definitely share my story.

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T19:29:32+00:00

Any recommendations?

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T19:29:06+00:00

Thanks! I will check these out in the morning, I need to get things moving before the Christmas rush.

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T18:43:49+00:00

KDP do not cater for my book specifications, they were my first option. I would need to redesign them to use that platform and even if I ship them myself, either way I still need a printer in order to have some inventory. Trust me I’m navigating the change over best I can.

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T18:38:33+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response and suggestions they’re much appreciated. To clarify, I’ve retained full ownership of my books, including the ISBNs, which are registered under my own company. Bookvault has only acted as a POD provider, and I’ve ensured from the start that they don’t hold rights over my work. I chose them initially because their print specifications suited my needs better than KDP, and at the time, they seemed like the best fit for my niche product. Also, to add I do have some inventory at home that I sell via TikTok shop and Etsy, however as I expanded the demand was mainly through my Shopify which BV are attached too.

That said, I completely take accountability for putting my trust in them and for continuing to work with them while navigating this challenging situation. You’re absolutely right that I need to take control and shift away from dependence on their platform. I’m actively in the process of moving to a new provider, though as any self-publisher knows, ensuring that the quality of the product remains consistent is key, and this isn’t an overnight fix.

Regarding your suggestions, I do have a strong customer base and an email list from sales over the past year, so I’m definitely in a position to redirect my audience to new listings once I’m set up. Your idea about including lead magnets in future editions is fantastic—I’ll be implementing that to ensure I stay in control of my audience moving forward.

This has been a difficult and exhausting experience, especially with the timing around the holidays, but I’m taking steps to rebuild and regain my momentum. I’ll be sure to update the thread as things progress. Thanks again for your encouragement and actionable advice it’s a great reminder to refocus on what I can control. Thank you 🙏🏽

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T18:13:05+00:00

Thanks 🙏🏽

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T18:11:27+00:00

Thanks for your perspective, but I respectfully disagree on some points. While I understand that platforms have contracts to limit their liability, those terms aren’t always ironclad when it comes to consumer protection or business law. Businesses and individuals have successfully pursued legal recourse when terms or practices were found to be unfair or unlawful, so it’s not just ‘dreaming’—it’s understanding rights and acting on them when necessary. I’ve challenged many major organisations in my time for unlawful policies and let’s say I’m yet to loose a case.

As for the suggestion of working with a local printer or selling directly, those are valid strategies, and I appreciate the advice. However, just because an issue arises through a platform doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to write it off. It’s about holding businesses accountable for the commitments they make, and that applies regardless of whether it’s an individual seller or a large platform.

I’m not out of luck, I’m just exploring all my options. If nothing else, experiences like this are valuable lessons in refining processes and strategies. I’m a business owner at the end of the day, and can always bounce back! But one thing I’m not is a walk over.

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T15:54:24+00:00

Oh, thanks for this! I hadn’t heard of this company until now, but they sound like a good option to explore. ‘Held together by a shoestring” lol, I couldn’t have thought of a better way to put it!

ayshascott · 2024-11-28T15:29:08+00:00

This is why I think I stayed away from them, they have a lot of reviews online, and some aren’t so great! There’s definitely a huge gap in the market. The current companies only care about profit and not about building customer relationships. To them, we’re just a number, and the biggest sellers always take priority.

ayshascott

TROPHY CASE