ComplaintsforOnlineBookClub.org LLC

• Initial Complaint

  05/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I did a review for them which was approved by the author of the book. I purchased the book and reviewed it to be paid per their request. They never paid me. Once i told them i felt like i was scammed they found two reasons for the review to be denied (which had already been previously approved) they kept my review up and kept the money. I also paid for a book i never really wanted to read.

  

  Business response

  05/28/2024

  Hi,
  
  Typically, the issue you describe is caused by not reading the Review Team Guidelines before submitting your review.
  
  Generally speaking, if your review was rejected for failing to adhere to the Guidelines, then that means it was just sent back to edit to fix the issues and re-submit, meaning this would be an easy fix for you.
  
  If you are having any trouble at all, you will simply want to contact the support team using the official contact form on the website. We have a professional support team working 24/7 to ensure all members can get quick fast support.
  
  
  Thank you,
  Scott

  Customer response

  05/28/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  You should be alarmed. I plan in leaving reviews everywhere. I feel scammed. I have over 12 emails back and forth with your "support team" they were all very nice and professional but not at all helpful.  Zero followed up with me. 
  
  
  Salome O****
  Official Reviewer Representative.
  Nisha D******
  Official Reviewer Representative
  Jeremie
  Official Reviewer Representative
  Valarie K****
  Official Reviewer Representative
  Kirsi
  Official Reviewer Representative
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ********

• Initial Complaint

  05/10/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 3/7/24, I purchased a Guarantee of a 5-Star Review from OnlineBookClub for $297 for my book Instant Replay. I was told if I buy this Level 4 Package, I will be guaranteed to sell 1000 books. I thought it was a great deal. It really wasn't. For the past two months I have been trying to get the 5-Star Review they guaranteed and the 1000 book sales that never came. All I want at this time is my money back. The service was never performed. The review I did receive was 2-Stars and from someone who doesn't even read romance books. They never should have guaranteed any sales in their email (and yes I still have a copy of it). And they never should have guaranteed a 5-star review. And no, I don't want their review now. They have given me the run-around for the past 2 months and I just want this situation over with.

  

  Business response

  05/28/2024

  The information in the screenshot is correct.

  The way you are quoting it in your complaint is not correct.

  We did not and would never guarantee that your book would earn a 5/5 review, since we only offer tough honest reviews.

  Instead, what the email you screenshoted says, which is accurate, is that and I quote, "If our reviewer doesn't give you a 5/5 rating on the first review, as part of this special offer I will give you unlimited free reviews of updated versions of the book until you do earn a 5/5 review."
  
  A key word in that offer is the word "earn".
  
  I am sorry the first reviewer did not love your book enough to think it deserved a 5/5 rating, but we do not offer guaranteed positive reviews, only honest reviews.
  
  Per the offer, you are entitled to free re-reviews of updated versions of the book. To claim that, simply email me the updated version of the book when it is ready, and I will have a new review done for you at that time.
  
  
  Thank you,
  Scott
  

  Customer response

  05/28/2024

  
  Complaint: 21694821
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This is the exact same information Scott has sent me. Never does he mention the 1000 sales that never transpired. That was also a guarantee in his email. I have seen no sales from his site. 

  All I want is my money refunded. The services were never done properly. And he misrepresented how his business works. I was guaranteed a 5-Star Review and 1000 sales. Neither has transpired. And it has been over 2 months.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  01/31/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I accepted an assignment as a freelance reviewer for OnlineBookClub.org and I have had my first paid review accepted and published. I am awaiting a $5 payment for the review. I have fulfilled all of the requirements to receive payment. Prior to obtaining payment through a verified ****** account, I have been issued a new requirement to upload a "selfie with government issued photo identification clearly visibly in the picture". This was never a described or agreed upon condition of payment. The company has no stated privacy policy available on their website and the company provides no information about how sensitive personal information will be used, stored or protected. I have expressed my privacy and security concerns to the company and informed them that I do not have identification that can be used to comply this request. I am including the transcript of my messaging interaction with representatives of the company. The final exchange (also copied below) summarizes the issue: Thank you for reaching out. We understand your concerns about your privacy, and we assure you that your details stay private. These measures were not in place before, but have been effected to prevent fraudulent activities by members who work against our rules and guidelines. We do hope that you understand and will reconsider complying. This is response unacceptable. Your assurance about my privacy can not be trusted since your company provides no information about how sensitive personal information will be used, stored or protected. Photo id was not an initial requirement for payment. I have completed all of the requirements as set out on your website for this review and you have published the work I produced.

  Customer response

  02/01/2024

  The business has responded to my complaint directly and has provided payment for services rendered. I consider this issue resolved. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  01/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On November 30, 2023 I booked a book review service from Online Book Review. The service of tier foiur which has an average turn out of 4 weeks. I contacted them when I did not even get a review after 40 days. During the Review Request stage for my book The Reset, I asked for the reviewer ******* ****, who had reviewed my earlier books T** ******* and *** ********. Please The request for the review can be found in the file REQUEST FOR A SPECIFIC REVIEWER – *********  The Online Book Club kept citing my choice of reviewer, which was the reason for the delay. Please see the file Reason for delay-Specific Reviewer- Gmail. PDF. On one occasion they also falsely claimed that the review was already done by point at the Review of *** ******** ( from last year). See Attachment OLD REVIEW.PNG. Then then promisd that the revew will be done on January 18, 2024. See attachment January 18.png Later, on January 3, the online book club told me that the reviewer will pick the book a week from January 3. Please see Specific Reviewer picking up the book.PDF. Please note that by then, the project will already be several weeks delayed. On the same day, the Online book club confirmed that the delay is because I chose a specific reviewer. Please see the Attachment Delay due to the Specific Reviewer-******* ****. PDF. When I finally got my review (50 days from request and 22 days late), I saw it was reviewed by someone else. Someone who did not read my previous books. So, all this while ONLINE Book Club lied to me, citing my choice as the reason for delay. See the review link h************************************************************. It's reviewed by Chris Powell, not ******* ****. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHMENT REVIEWED BY SOMEONE ELSE.pdf.They kept me in the dark. They kept lying to me and delivered a poor product. This is a highly unprofessional and unethical behavior.

  

  Business response

  01/25/2024

  This was already refunded. I don't know why the client chose to leave a BBB complaint. We never refused to issue a refund. All he had to do was ask.

• Initial Complaint

  01/18/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was sent an offer via email from Onlinebookclub.com to review a book for 50 dollars. The email offer simply states that you buy the book to review, review the book, and get paid 50 dollars once you submit in the review. Well, I purchased and reviewed the book I was instructed to. This morning, I received an email from Onlineboookclub.com, stating that my book review was essentially not "good enough"; that it didn't follow "guidelines". Also, I am unable to resubmit the review for further consideration. Keep in mind, I have never reviewed anything on onlinebookclub.org site before. The fact that I was a first-time reviewer, should have been taken into consideration. Please, again note that the email I was sent initially said nothing about these "strict guidelines", simply review the selected book and get paid 50 dollars for your efforts. The original email simply stated that I buy a book and review it. I feel that the offer made to me was very misleading. Not even an offer to cover the price I paid for the book; just a complete and utter refusal of payment of any kind.

  

  Business response

  01/24/2024

  Hi, *******,
  If your review was rejected for not meeting the Guidelines, then the email notifying you of the rejection would simply advise you to edit it to fix the issues and re-submit the review.
  
  If you aren't clearly seeing the word "re-submit" in the subject line of the email you mention (i.e. the one notifying you that your review had been rejected), then please forward that to me so I can get that fixed for you asap. You can email me at:
  
  ****************************
  
  
  Thank you,
  Scott
  

  Customer response

  01/25/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  

   

  The message left by the owner and creator of OnlineBookClub.org.  The message sent to me, via email, was borderline harassment.  Please come to me with professionalism or not at all. 
  

   

  Sincerely,

  ******* *******

  

  Business response

  01/27/2024

  Hi, *******,
  
  How are you?
  
  This is Scott, the owner and creator of OnlineBookClub.org.
  
  Can you give me the name(s) of the staff members to whom you
  communicated before giving up and leaving negative comments on
  third-party websites (namely the BBB)? If you can, please also send me screenshot of the conversation you had with them or forward to me the full email conversation if it was via email.
  
  If anyone on team of paid support staff is not going above and beyond to  resolve issues when contacted, then they need to be fired asap.

  Once I see exactly how the team member failed to go above and beyond to help you, I can not only do what they were supposed to do originally for you, but coach or fire that team member as needed so the same thing doesn't happen to anyone else in the future.
  

  
  
  
  Thank you,
  Scott

  Customer response

  01/31/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I just want the dollar amount that was promised to me.  That is it.

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *******

• Initial Complaint

  11/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  For the last 5 months I have been receiving emails from them and when I try to unsubscribe I get another email stating that it was rejected because the sender declared it as a spam request. I don't want emails from them nor did I request to Ever get them.

  

  Business response

  11/20/2023

  Hi, ******,

  It sounds like you are attempting to unsubscribe by sending a manual email reply to a noreply email address (hence why you would get an automatic email reply back saying your email didn't go through).
  
  All mailing list emails contain an unsubscribe link at the bottom. You can instantly unsubscribe yourself easily anytime by clicking that unsubscribe link.
  
  However, if you do have trouble unsubscribing when you using the unsubscribe link, and likewise are unable to reach us by email for some reason, you can alternatively contact me easily on social media:
  
   ********************************************
   ***************************************
  

   

   

  
  
  Thank you,

  Scott

• Initial Complaint

  10/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have spent the last two weeks attempting to get a refund from this company. The owner has stated he will not give me a refund until I remove any critical online comments I have made on other sites, including a complaint I posted on BBB. I have offered to remove the comments once I receive the refund. (His refund policy is clearly stated on his website, and nowhere does it mention anything about refusing a refund for such a reason.) He is now trying to bargain with me. He will send me half the money, I remove the negative comments, and then he will send me the other half. He says he doesn't trust me to remove the comments. He has also offered to get someone to post a 5 star review for my book on **********. This is a clear violation of ****** review policy, and could put me in jeopardy of my relationship with ******, who prints and sells my book. I want a refund. He has promised me a refund but with conditions that were not stated on his website at the time of purchase. Changing the rules once the transaction is completed is not a legitimate business practice.

  

  Business response

  10/20/2023

  Hi, *****,

  While we do have a satisfaction guarantee, we do not offer a "no questions asked full refund at the smallest issue" guarantee. That is very clearly stated on our terms.
  
  The reviewer read your book in full, wrote a great professional review. Then you asked the reviewer to also leave a ****** review on ****** too, which the reviewer also did for you.

  The ****** review was done upon your request. We didn't bring up anything to do with ****** reviews, you did.
  
  Then, after the reviewer as a friendly extra courtesy left an extra ****** review on for you, that is when the complaints started coming from you, after we had already delivered the original service you ordered and more (the extra ****** review that you yourself asked for).
  
  You were upset and suddenly 'dissatisfied' because the reviewer left that extra review on ******.***** instead of **********, since the reviewer happened to live in ******* not the ***.
  
  In your first email to me about the issue you wrote, in part, and I quote,  "Then the second review was posted on ******.**. This review does nothing for my book. I don't know, an ******** company stating to an ******** that a review would be posted on ****** would lead someone to believe that it would be on **********, not ******.**."
  
  Thus, in reply, I told you we can easily get that fixed for you at no additional charge to you. We can have the review put on the ********** version instead of the *********.** version of ******. We are always happy to go above and beyond to fix any issues like that, at no extra charge. That's our guarantee.
  
  Even though no ****** review at all was included with what you ordered and was just an extra service we provided after the original service was fully provided, I would have been (as I expressed to you) more than happy to go above and beyond for you by getting you the ***m ****** review you were asking for at no extra charge in place of the *********.** review that was left for you after you had asked for an ****** review at no extra charge, which we had already provided before you ever contacted me at all.
  
  When submitting your original review request, you chose the "No Restriction" open in the drop-down menu for "Reviewer Country" and likewise for the "Reviewer Religion" section. It was completely within your power to choose a reviewer from the ***. You choose where your reviewer is from, or if there is no country restriction.
  
  However, nonetheless, in my interest to not only honor our satisfaction guarantee but go above and beyond, I offered to have a second ******** reviewer read and review your book, at no extra charge to you.
  
  I am confident I not only honored the terms of our satisfaction guarantee but that I went above and beyond in doing so, offering to not only fix the small issues with extra free-ads you requested but go above and beyond to more than fix them.
  
  
  Thank you,
  Scott
  

  Customer response

  10/23/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This issue is not about the country of origin of the review. This issue is about the refund policy you have on your website. You are not honoring the policy clearly stated on it. You have already said you would return my money, but only if I remove any negative comments about your company on the internet. No where in your return policy are these conditions stated. If this is the policy, then they should be outlined on your website.On October 13, you wrote "Please do let me know once you've removed the comments you went left publicly on third-party websites.Then if you would really rather a refund then getting a whole new review on ****** from a *** reviewer, that will be fine." Then on October 16, you wrote "I'll send you a 50% refund upfront, then you promptly remove all the negative comments you left on third-party websites, and then I will send the remaining refund. Let me know if this works for you." .
  

  I have let you know this does not work for me. Please refund my entire $148 as I've requested.
  
  
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** Denton

• Initial Complaint

  09/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid a fee to have my book reviewed in August 2023. I received an email earlier this week that a review was available for approval online after I logged in. I was unable to log in after changing my password. I contacted the web master via social media as indicated on the Web site. After over 3 days I have received no customer service support. I would like a refund or access to my account. The book under review is titled ""******* ** ** ****** ****."

  

  Business response

  09/30/2023

  Hi, *****,

  We have been emailing you almost daily for weeks before you filed this complaint. It appears our emails are going to your junk/spam folder.

  You can run the following search in ***** to find our emails to you:
  
   ****** ******************

   

   

  The "in:all" will make it so ***** includes emails from your junk/spam folder too.

  Your review has already been completed.

  I understand you are having trouble logging. There is a "forgot password" link on the login page that you can use to reset your password anytime. When you using that, you will want to check your spam/junk folder for the password reset link that gets emailed to you.
  
  Of course, you can just email us if it is easier, and we can manually reset your password for you.

  You can email us anytime 24/7.

  
  Thank you,

  Scott

  ***************************

  Customer response

  10/07/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: my problem hasn't been fixed and it's been over a week. I got emails from author support at least twice this week saying they'd get back to me in 48 hours. That last email was Wed and it's now Saturday afternoon. I sense that no one actually read my original email (ironic, this being a book club) and I'm getting the runaround.

   

  I was originally able to log in to read my first review. I paid money for a 2nd review. This time I get an error  msg because there are 2 usernames associated with my account. Sarah or Nisha were supposed to delete the inactive one. 

   

  Please just refund me the $50 if you can't figure out how to give me access to my account 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

  

  Business response

  10/09/2023

  Hi, *****,

  We replied promptly to all your emails.

  Many of our replies are ending up in your junk folder.

  Please simply use the following search on your ***** to pull all the messages:

   

  ****** ******************

   

  The "in:all" flag tells ***** to also include messages in your spam/junk.
  
  The issue you are having logging in is that the password reset emails you get when you using the "forgot password" form end up in your spam/junk folder.
  
  Thank you,
  Scott
  

  Customer response

  10/19/2023

  Just so you know, Scott never read the original complaint or addressed it in his emails to me. His staff took over a week to fix the log in issue and I kept having to re- explain the issue. He sent me a highly emotional email asking why I would be so hurtful to issue a complaint with BBB and never acknowledged or apologized for poor technical service. There was no contact info in the website to fix the issue and he did not reply to social media messages, which was the only recourse listed on his web site. This is why I filed the original complaint. Very unprofessional of him bordering on cult leader behaviors.

• Initial Complaint

  08/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In May of 2023, ****** *. a book reviewer for onlinebookclub.org re-added my profile to the onlinebookclub.org website. I explained to Scott (the webmaster) I did not want my book associated with the site as the reviewer was incompetent and did not read my book with accuracy. My book is an urban crime novel. The reviewer was from ******* and was ill quipped to accurately review my book based on his commentary. I expressed this to Scott, and a second individual... who agreed with my claim. following my complaint, the review was not published publicly, but the two-star rating remained. I was offered a second review at no cost which I turned down as I was traumatized by the initial review. I sought, however, for my profile to be deactivated. Scott claimed that wasn't possible. So, I began deleting my information from my profile. at which time ****** *, took it upon himself to re-add my profile as well as my book to his "bookshelf" without anyone alerting me, or asking my permission. I have not asked for reimbursement, in which I was entitled. However, I am requesting, my profile be PERMANENTLY deactivated, the erroneous rating removed along with my book & its title. I want absolutely NO TIES to this site, or its company. And! It IS possible as I just left a complaint forum online for onlinebookclub.org where a member by the name of "***** *********r" was removed from onlinebookclub.org on August 4th, 2023. Isn't it illegal to force perpetual subscriptions? (I have emails stating my dissatisfaction and request of profile/book removal.)

  

  Business response

  08/29/2023

  *** ****** ******

   

  You can delete information from your profile and deactivate your account. For instance, you can delete reviews you wrote of other books.

   

  What I was saying (and am saying) is that you cannot do is delete information from other user's profiles and delete reviews other people wrote of your book.

   

  I know it would tend to be desirable to an author of a book to be able to stop anyone from ever giving your book a low rating, at least publicly, but it is indeed not possible for you to do that.

   

  Anyone can come to our website and post a rating of any book that has ever been written by any author ever, even books written thousands of years ago.

   

   

   

  Thank you,

  Scott

  Customer response

  08/29/2023

  
  ********** ********  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  Scott mentions in his BBB response that it is impossible to remove/delete the review as it is tied to someone else. However, when emailing me directly, he claims had i come to him with my complaint in greater detail he would have tried to assist me. He even suggests that if I refrain from going "nuclear" he may be able to assist. These statements alone (which I have attached) prove that the review, my book, and my name can be deleted from the site.

  Secondly, as I mention in my email to Scott, if a review is erroneous, why would you allow it to be posted? In other words, how are you standing with that rating? Again, this is why i was proffered a second review at no cost. He tried to compare the site to ******, but ****** is not subscription driven.

  Finally, I was very clear in asking him to take down the review and any trace of my book, my name, and anything linking me to the site. This concern arose as my name was attached to his site through ****** searches. I in no way want to be affiliated with this company.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  07/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been a member of onlinebookclub for years off and on because you get paid to write reviews. I received $5 - $10 a review in the past maybe around 2018-19. Over the holidays last year, I was invited to do a review for $100 on (******* *** **** ****) which is suppose to be a best seller. It's only a best seller because he's paying people $100. The book had to be hardcover and cost about $30 with shipping from ****** *** ******. It took 2 weeks to come in. Once you submit your receipt , it another 3 weeks for them to verify your purchase and a week or so for them to accept or reject your work. I was honest and did not give the book 5 stars and was rejected. Lucky for me I was able to return the book because it fell under holiday shopping. I didn't lose anything but time. All I did was leave a negative review exposing the truth about “My” experience and ***** the owner continues to send me emails to change my review. I blocked him and was treated by several messages sent to each of my email addresses for me to change my review. I asked him to stop contacting me and spamming my emails because I will not change my review. One message he even threaten to leave a review for business that I started during pandemic but due to my illness thereafter I had to restructure it. His communication has been very distasteful and unprofessional. Now it’s July 2023 and it starts again on another email addresses because he is blocked in the previous ones he contacted me on. Still begging to do anything for me to change my review in the BBB website. On the same day I received a message on trust pilot from *****, saying ***** no longer is the manager and they would do whatever to get a perfect star rating. I have all emails to back my claims. All I’m asking is for this to stop. The restructuring of my business is to review businesses and give my honest review based on my personal experiences. I am standing my ground and will not get bullied to change my honest opinions.

  

  Business response

  08/29/2023

  Hi, ******** *******,

   

  I believe we already worked this out via email directly before I saw this BBB complaint. However, if there is anything else I can do to make OnlineBookClub better, or to help you in any way at any time, please do let me know.

   

   

  Thank you,

  Scott H*****

  OnlineBookClub.org

  Customer response

  08/29/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because I was still getting messages from this company. If all messages stop, I will be fine. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******** *******

  

  Business response

  08/31/2023

  Hi,

  The BBB requires that we respond to all open complaints. So if the response/messages to which refer is one like this (i.e. this message you are reading right now including this sentence itself), then I think you can stop that by marking the complaint as resolved.
  

  Otherwise, excluding messages sent via the BBB or related to the BBB complaint, when was the last time you received a message from us?
  
  If it's been more than a few weeks, you are almost certainly already unsubscribed.
  
  Otherwise, please simply forward to me via email the most recent email you received, and I can help you get unsubscribed asap, assuming that's still what you want.
  
  Needless to say, we would love to have you back. Our programmers can make any changes needed to make sure OnlineBookClub is everything you would want it to be and more.
  
  
  Thank you,

  Scott

*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. ↩