ComplaintsforPublishing Concepts, LP

• Initial Complaint

  12/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Trying to Review My Final Story in the *********************************** 2023 Oral History Project Book for which a I have paid $500. None of my identified corrections are being accepted. This is totally unacceptable. If the company cannot resolve this issue I demand my payment be refunded in full.*************************

  Business response

  12/19/2023

  We haven't been able to reach ******************** by phone, but did send an email to the address we have on file ********************** with the full content of his story. That message was sent on Wednesday, December 13.

  We are happy to make any changes for him - we can take those by phone at ************** or by responding to the email from our ************** Help Desk.

• Initial Complaint

  11/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased and paid $517.96 for this package done for the Signa Alpha Iota Alumni Association by a company called publishing Concepts. The package included an oral history digital copy which is poorly organized, a crappy bag, sweatshirt, and tshirt made in a sweatshop in ********, and a hardbound book of the oral history. I never received the most expensive item which is the hardbound book. The recording i made for the oral project was altered and edited making me sound like a 3rd grader. I have contacted Publishing Concepts twice via email and once via phone but have not received any replies. I have even contacted my SAI alumni association that hired this dishonest company. Still waiting for that reply. I want a full refund. I have read so many other complaints about them after the fact; wishing now i had read them BEFORE i decided to pay this outrageous amount for c*** AND NOT RECEIVING THE HARDBOUND BOOK!

  Business response

  11/22/2023

  Were so sorry you aren't pleased with the program's apparel. As noted at the bottom of each of our emails, we have a 100% happiness guarantee (screenshot attached). We've been unable to reach you by phone at the number given during your initial contact with us *************). You can disregard our message indicating that we will initiate your refund upon receipt of the items you no longer wish to keep. Although we not have received the items back, we issued a full refund on November 20. You'll receive that check in the mail, sent to the **** Blf address in ************. If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

• Initial Complaint

  11/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was contacted via email to participate in a project for my **** mater University. I was excited to participate and give back to the University. I participated and gave my story at the end of sharing my story with the representative she told me I would receive multiple gifts for my contribution. Before ending the call she asked me how I would like to pay for the service. I paid $517.86. Receipt said I would recite gifts some by June and others by October. After several attempts to contact via email I was met with the same email response that assured me I would be contacted within 24 hours but have never been contacted back to resolve the issue. Unprofessional. I would not recommend.

  Business response

  12/13/2023

  Following receipt of this inquiry, we reached out Mr. ******* and at his request on 11/22/23 his order was cancelled/refunded. The full amount of $517.86 was sent via check on Monday 11/27 when we returned from the Thanksgiving holiday. If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased an Oral History Project package from them associated with my fraternity Sigma Nu. The entire package was around $500. I have not received the **shirt, sweatshirt and bag that they promised, but I did receive the very expensive coffee table book. my profile in the book is atrocious - they got me information wrong - I attended ******* - they said multiple times in my profile that I played football at ******** - and had a BASKETBALL next to my profile instead of a football. They also got my graduation year and pledge year incorrect. I am embarrassed and do not even want anyone in my pledge class or my chapter to ever see this. I want a FULL REFUND IMMEDIATELY - however I have contacted them 2 to 3 times and have had nothing except I got a copy and paste auto reply stating something about them wanting me to have a wow customer service experience. My university, ****************** - is now planning to use them to do the same, and I will be contacting them and letting them know why I will not be participating in their alumni directory project because of who they are using for the project. I want my money back. My embarrassment cannot be fixed as they sent these books out NATIONALLY already.

  Business response

  09/22/2023

  We're so sorry that your published story was incorrect. Following the transcription of every audio, we forward the written compilation to all participants if they'd like to make changes, additions, etc. - we'll do that in the upcoming ******* program as well. Upon receipt of this message, we issued a full refund and you should receive that mail shortly. You'll also receive the ******* publication as a gift when it ships in 2024. 

  Customer response

  09/22/2023

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. They called me also and were absolutely committed to finding a suitable way to address this issue. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I participated and was fully charged for an oral history project for my **** Mater, SUNY *******************************, that has not materialized and items never arrived.Through 2/2022 & 3/2022, I received 3 emails that resembled FIT's letterhead from *********************, Director of Alumni Relations. I was phished by Publishing Concepts into responding to the Alumni request, knowing that FIT sends both e-************ mail out frequently asking for updated Alumni information. Upon checking, that email ended up coming from PCI with ***'s name on the address (phishing, included an example in the uploads) I spent over an hour delivering my oral history and personal details to ******* at PCI, under the impression that I was going to receive a coffee table hardcover bound book, a digital version that includes my oral history, and an apparel collection of 2x shirts and 1x bag. My original invoice states delivery of apparel within 9/2022 and book-related materials on 2/2023. I followed up in 3/2023 asking for status, and I was told by ************************* there was a delay & to anticipate Summer 2023 to be the new date of final delivery and have not received what I thought I ordered. The 2x shirts and 1x bag came, but bared no indication that these products were endorsed or approved by FIT, or if this company can use FIT's likeness on their materials. The company had made no effort to inform me of a delay until I reached out first.I am deeply disappointed because I truly wanted to give back in a way that seemed unique to me and now I am meant to feel like I was scammed.I was charged a total of $533.50. Publishing Concepts charged me twice: 3/2022 ($288.52) and 4/2022 ($244.98). The value of the items I received in no way adds up the full amount taken. My issued customer / request number is: ******* / *********. My dispute: Products never arrived, unreliable communication, general dissatisfaction, lead on by potential phishing. Resolution requested: refund.

  Customer response

  09/21/2023

  Hello,
  
  Update from Tuesday, September 19th 2023. I received a call from a toll-free number ***************, which directs to Publishing Concepts / PCI). The man I spoke to offered a refund of $508.50, which already discounts the $25.00 donation to SUNY *******************************. They let me know that a check for that amount will be mailed to my home address between ***** business days. I let them know that I accepted this resolve. Will update if there is no further development / no check received.

  Business response

  09/22/2023

  Last year, ******************************* partnered with PCI to embark on an Oral History Project. Information about that program may be found here on their website: *******************************************************************************************. We're so sorry about the delay in receipt of your items. Upon receipt of this communication, we reached out to confirm we were mailing a full refund. Your publication shipped just last week as well, and you'll soon receive that in the mail. Thank you so much for supporting FIT in all their endeavors!

  Customer response

  09/22/2023

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I received a phone call from this company, portraying themselves as representing **************** of which I am a **** graduate. They were publishing a directory of alumni, personal stories and voice recordings of alumni, as well as a gift of official Wartburg apparel, a sweatshirt & possibly another item. Before I knew it, I was recording and being wooed expertly by the female caller. I thought I had agreed to a $24 deal!! I should have known it was a complete scam. I gave them my credit card which I paid in August of 2022. I did not receive one item until this past August of 2023, the Directory!! Nothing else. The Directory was absolutely disappointing. All alumni profiles were presented in one group in this book. One had to search to even find their own profile with **************** Not even arranged by class years!! Stupid! I waited a year to be grossly disappointed in this company's service and product.

  Customer response

  09/11/2023

  This issue was successfully resolved with a telephone call on 9/11/23.  The Publishing Concepts representative offered explanations of my complaints regarding the book and is issuing a full refund by mail in ***** days!  The representative was very nice and wanted to ensure my satisfaction with this resolution.  I thanked him profusely!   

  Business response

  09/19/2023

  We're so sorry your experience as a participant in the **************** Oral History Project was not a positive one. Information about that program is on the Wartburg website here: ********************************************** and stories in the final publication were presented based on story category. 

  Following receipt of this inquiry, our team contacted **************** and issued a full refund. 

  Customer response

  09/19/2023

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution.  I received a very satisfactory phone call.  I appreciated the explanation offered for the order of personal stories altho it was not explained in the book.  Thank you for the prompt refund and for sending the apparel to me despite the refund!

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  For the last year, I have been continually harassed by RoboCalls from ***** ********, with at least 30 calls. In the last week, the calls have increased dramatically, most recently on 26, 24, 19 and 17 Aug 2023, see attached call log for details. They have been starting at 7AM, pretty early for an old retired veteran in poor health. Note I am on the National “Do No Call List”. The calls begin with “Hello this is Clarisse calling for the Texas State University.” I have absolutely NO association/relationship/business/etc with Texas State University. However, it is very difficult to track down who is actually making the calls, and finding someone at TSU with knowledge of Clarisse or ***** ******** was time-consuming but unsuccessful. Calling into this number requires entry of a special passcode to get to a real person; since I didn’t have one I was unable to get through, pressing 0 (zero) doesn't work. . Google searches for this number did not help, saying it was a RoboCall number. After a lot of digging, I uncovered that the calls were coming from Publishing Concepts, LP of Dallas, TX. This company makes it very hard to get in touch with them and to get removed from their calling lists; I was told that my name and phone number did not match, so they couldn’t do it, along with several other excuses. I was even told that I couldn't get removed because I had called them! Basically, this company makes it impossible to stop their on-going RoboCalls and gives consumers the run-around when they try to get removed.

  Business response

  09/08/2023

  We're so sorry for the calls you received. The phone number ************ was sent to us by a partner, included in the record of a member of their organization. PCI was reaching out to that constituent in hopes to secure participation in the Texas State program. Just following your August 26 call with our associate Linda, we removed your number from our call list and it will not be dialed again. 

  Publishing Concepts is a 1-year-old family-owned business. Our website, with all contact details, is at ***********************************. My personal cell is ************ and I'm happy to speak with you any time. We would normally reach out by phone as well as respond via the BBB, but we did not dial your number given the nature of this inquiry.

  Customer response

  09/13/2023

  I am rejecting this response because:   In response to your message of 8 Sep 23.  I have spoken to at least 3 of your representatives in the past with totally unsatisfactory results, have been provided incorrect/inaccurate information and have not been treated with respect. This included your senior supervisor named Philip who was a fast-talker, had trouble answering direct questions and refused to acknowledge that calling people at 8AM Texas time was 7AM at my house in Colorado.   Reviewing other BBB complaints against your company and based on my experience, I have absolutely no reason to believe that further conversations will be productive, and therefore reject your offer to discuss this on the phone.  You also did not address your harassing and possibly illegal technique of robo-calling people day-after-day, week-after-week, month-after-month with virtually impossible odds of getting it stopped and the time spent trying to get this stopped.    It should also be noted that your response said “Publishing Concepts is a 1-year-old family-owned business.” The BBB says you have been a member since 2019 (at least 4 years); so your attention to detail may need some improvement.

  Business response

  09/19/2023

  I'm so sorry for the typo in my previous response! PCI is a 100-year-old family-owned business. Our intent is never to harass anyone - it's to reach alumni and members of the organizations with which we work to participate in their oral history programs. We are clear that you are not an alumnus of one of the universities that currently has a program in progress and at your request to our associate Phillip, we have removed your number from our systems. You will not be contacted again, but are welcome to contact us any time. My cell phone, so you don't have to call a line that is designed for our customers/participants and as such the folks you'd speak with will not have a record of your number or of these communications, is ************. 

   

  Customer response

  09/26/2023

  I am rejecting this response because:   Apparently, you do not understand plain-speaking and are ignoring the clear statement in my last message: "I reject your offer to discuss this on the phone."

  In other words:  I DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO YOU ON THE PHONE.    Please don’t ask again.

  
  There are other alternative communications methods for you to address your harassment and the compensation issue.  I note that you have completely failed to mention these in any of your responses, and appears you are reluctant to do so.   I consider this case unresolved unless these issues are addressed, so don’t send me your cell phone number again: it doesn’t help.

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  08/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In March 2021, a woman "supposedly working with the ********************** Alumni Oral History Project contacted me. The project seemed to be great idea and wonderful memorabilia. I followed all the steps to submit my pictures and voice recording. I purchased both products: the alumni book and digital publication. I made two payments, May 6, 2021, for $144.38 and the balance on June 6, 2021, for $129.98.Since it had been over a year and I heard nothing, I contacted Publishing Concepts LP on 11/28/2022 to inquire about my products, no response. I called again and on December 2, 2022, I received an email response dated 12/2/2022 from ************************* stating their production of the product is delayed due to the paper shortage as a result the pandemic. I was told both products will be ready by late Winter.January 17, 2023, I received and email from the ********** ********************* of Publishing Concepts stating shipment is expected Spring 2023. Spring has come and gone. I called on July 25, 2023, asking about the shipment. I was given a new timeframe of late Fall 2023. I believe I was duped. I requested a refund as I believe this company will continue to give me future dates. At this point, I do not believe there is a real product. I was sent a check for $60 titled Refund Order number: ********. I have read the complaints on your website. This company should be embarrassed to continue to defraud people. After all this time, the sentiment I initially had for these products is gone and no longer has meaning for me. I just want the rest of my money refunded ($214.36).

  Business response

  08/09/2023

  ********************** contracted with PCI to launch an Oral History Project in 2021. Thousands of alumni participated in this program - their stories were recorded in audio format, then transcribed, and will be presented in publication format this year. PCI is a 100-year-old family-owned business with an A+ BBB rating. We partner with hundreds of organizations each year and collect the stories of hundreds of thousands of people each year. We're so sorry for the delay in shipment and have sent the requested refund to the ***************, ** address. Please also accept the coming publication on behalf of ********************** and PCI.

  Customer response

  08/10/2023

  I am rejecting this response because:   

  PCI only re-stated the pitch that was told to me when I signed up for the Project. Two years ago, it was attractive.  Re-telling the same story is not a resolution.  The fact that you cannot provide a specific date after 2 years, reflect poorly on your 100-year-old family-owned business.  **************** where shipment delays impacted their businesses as a result of COVID, have made do on their commitments. With the number of complaints, perhaps the A+ BBB rating should be re-evaluated.  I am not interested in another "Sorry" from PCI.  I have been more than patient.  Sending $60 as a refund is NOT providing me the requested refund.  I do not want to publication; I want the rest of my money.

  Customer response

  08/23/2023

  Thank you, PCI.  I have received the refund balance. This case can be closed.

• Initial Complaint

  07/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Hello, I ordered a story as an alumni from ***********************. The total charges were $541.96 and I started the process January. Unfortunately when the review was sent, the audio wasn't available to preview and it didn't show what the synopsis of what was said. The additional items weren't received as yet either. I was initially excited when I spoke about the impact that my **** Mater had on me, but I'm feeling scammed due to the fact I wasn't able to review the audio as promised and the text didn't correspond with what was said. The email with the reviews didn't have any information if you were having trouble and there was not any follow-up from an actual person and the email was a no-reply email. I feel like the company took a significant amount of money and for the price didn't hold up to their end of the deal, which is unsettling and disappointing.

  Business response

  07/28/2023

  We're so sorry your experience as part of the Oral History Project wasn't positive. We were unable to reach you by phone, but as indicated in our voicemail we are issuing a full refund for $516.96.That refund will be sent by check to the address provided in ***************. If we can assist you in any other way, please let us know.

  Customer response

  07/28/2023

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I notified this company that I was unable to upload a photo. They sent me an email link to upload by 1/13/23. I still had challenges with the photo size. There was no follow up to see if I was able to upload or not. When they wanted me to buy the product, they called me multiple times to follow up. I am very disappointed that I did not get a reminder about the photo. I had a death in my family in Sept 2022 and I forgot to contact them again but again no reminder on their part. I have emailed them recently but I know it is too late for a photo so I would like them to adjust my bill due to fact that tried to submit a photo but was unsuccessful due issues with the size. They could have allowed me other options such as emailing the actual photo since as the download would not work on my computer or phone. Sincerely, **********************

  Business response

  06/06/2023

  We're so sorry to learn that you were unable to share a photo in the 6 month window provided for content submission as part of the **************** program (more info here *********************************************************************************************). Following your call to ** in July 2022, we reached out via the email provided ****************** to ask for a photo submission he following day. Upon receipt of this message, we reached out to confirm we are refunding 50% of your order - the check was mailed to the address provided in this request in *********. If we can be of any further assistance, please let ** know.

  Customer response

  06/07/2023

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution.  Thank you BBB for your assistance. The company provided me an adjustment check which I received in the mail today. I understand that I had 6 months to upload my photo to the website but it was clear that I was still having upload issues per my email. As stated in my original complaint, a follow up call or email to remind the customer that the photo or final review was due by 1/13/23 would have been quality customer service. 

*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. ↩