So it turns out they’ve been waiting for me to return the books to them on my own dime. And neglecting to tell me that the whole time.
I have never had a poorer experience with a printer than I have with Alphagraphics. They have cocked up every single element of this job. It has taken them three months to get me a reprint of 100 copies. Then, despite assurances and requests, they ship it by, I dunno, dogsled or something so it arrives two weeks later than their already two months late.
Then, when I ask for a refund, they apparently expected me to a) wait for the books to show up and b) instruct IPR to repackage them and send them back at their expense while I do the same with my copies.
Seriously, it’s like they’ve got monkeys running the company. And they’re not particularly bright monkeys. We’re not talking apes; I could trust my printing to a bonobo and get better results. No, we’re talking tamarins at best. And those monkeys have cost me a lot of money. Unlike other tamarins I’ve met.
So, some advice: never, ever use Alphagraphics. I’m truly, genuinely amazed that such a company can exist. May their assets be purchased by an organization with a little more professional pride.
(I just edited the previous post, which I thought I’d lost, into this one for brevity and not-harp-on-it-like-a-crazymanness.)
This blows. When they were RPI, I was recommending them to everyone. Now, I am warning everyone off. Bully Pulpit Games underwent a similar comedy of errors.
Yeah, and Jason’s made the mistake of thinking that maybe it was going to come out OK, too.
It’s like the company’s being run by the cast of Porky’s III: Porky’s Revenge.
Tell us how you really feel! So where will you go now? Chris and I used to publish a little zine a few years back and we were very pleased with our printer, Vermont Graphics in Bellows Falls. They had reasonable rates, always delivered on time (even when we were late getting them the documents). And they’re sorta local and not owned by a big corporate glob.
Well, I’m going to be sending files out to Publisher’s Graphics and Fidlar Doubleday to see what they can do.
Joshua: We have been trying to reach you via phone to resolve the matter. Please return our call 206-448-9100, ask for Reid Baker or Chuck Stempler.
Yeah, I got your message the other day. You’re on my list to call on Monday. Thanks for responding.