Createspace Distribution Update

Well it took long enough to sort it all out.  I can’t say I’ve ever seen such a mess from them – not even when they lost my first lot of books, and god knows where they ended up because I surely don’t.

Anyway during the process to help my client with the delivery of their books (which still haven’t arrived in New Zealand) I had to get my name added to her account to get emails stating what they were doing and had done.

The first email after being approved said they had sent another set and gave the tracking number etc and the delivery date.  I cringed. Why you may ask.  Well because they don’t track parcels to New Zealand, they never have and probably never will.  Knowing this, means I knew something else was going to go wrong.  

Since when has New Zealand in the South Pacific been in CANADA.  The tracking number given in the email from DHL was for an address in CANADA.  We have no idea if it was my clients books that were delivered there or not. The parcel was signed for.  This actually makes me wonder if this is how resellers get hold of brand new books to on sell without us making any royalties.  Suspicious yes…Hopefully I’m totally wrong and the tracking number given was just a mistake.  It is doubtful we will ever find out.

My poor client was furious. There again so was I.  So I emailed them again this time telling them exactly what I thought of their customer service – which in my honest opinion has dropped significantly in recent months (Yes there are some great people still there I’m just wondering where!)  I also mentioned I would be contacting the CEO if this issue wasn’t resolved correctly. (It’s nice to know someone who knows someone at times)

Anyway my client received a new email stating that they had sent yet another parcel of books and given her a full refund due to all the issues.  Of course said books are ment to arrive on an inconvenient date so lets hope if they do deliver them that the courier will keep them until she is available to collect.

Meanwhile back at Plaisted Publishing House I am wondering if we should start using LULU or KDP Print as an alternate distributor.  This would be sad! I’ve always loved Createspace overall they do great work.  Nicely printed books and are generally helpful with issues. I just wish some of the problems they are having would disappear and that some of their customer service & others get updated training and also research instead of sending out emails that make no sense.

My last issue with them was over copyright…Hopefully they will get sorted and spring back to be amazing again.  I certainly hope so anyway.