Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/30/2025

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am the author of Running Prophecy. ARPress republished it in 2023. I have a Jan.31,2023 email saying the book had earned prepublication sales of $3,800, and a Feb. 28 one saying $4,500. They have never paid royalties on any book ordered through their gateway. They have never even said how many books they have published. For the longest I have no book **** with the company. The CEO does not return calls or personal letters. The only royalties they paid me was $87.22 for books ordered through the website they set up for me and shortly took back down. The ******* is worthy of his wages and I would like to know the sales figures and receive the royalties due me.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/11/2025

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  To Whom It May Concern:
  Please see the attached file. Thank you. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/01/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This agency and representatives are fraudulent. They pursued me to publish my book, then charged me thousands of dollars to promote my own book. They, in turn, sell my book all over the US and abroad, and I have less than $10.00 in royalties. They have lied to me about bookstores purchasing my book to sell in their stores; after begging and threatening to cancel the contract, I finally received a list of the 200 stores. I called several of them, and they verified they never heard of me nor ARP, and had not entered into contract to sell my books in their stores. I have asked for the contract to be canceled, and for *** to stop selling my book, I received one response, and haven't heard anything else; they're still selling my book. I want my money and for them to stop selling my book. *** is on a list of fraudulent publishers that are located in the ***********; but they appear to have no fear of legal charges being filed against them.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/11/2025

  Dear ***** ********,
                                                                       
  Author Reputation Press (ARP) acknowledges BBB Complaint No. ********. Thank you for bringing this complaint to our attention and providing the necessary information, allowing us to address it appropriately.
  
  We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused the parties involved. The information presented in the following paragraphs is the result of our investigation and outlines the actions taken to address the concern.
  
  In your complaint, you requested that sales of your book on online bookstores be discontinued and that the books registration be canceled. Accordingly, the publishing department submitted a cancellation request to the printer/distributor. As part of this process, the author received a confirmation email verifying the termination of the books availability. The book has now been officially canceled. (Please see the attached file for proof of the request and the email sent to the author.)
  
  The same email confirms that, as per your request, Success Against All Odds: A Black Male Expected to Fail, Yet Achieving His Goals and Beyond has been terminated. As a result, we have immediately ceased all publicizing, marketing, distribution, sales, and any other promotional activities related to your book. The associated ISBN(s) have also been canceled.
  
  However, please note that it may take some time for third-party retailers to update their websites to reflect the book's unavailability. Some retailers may still list the title, but this does not mean it is available for purchase unless they still have existing stock from before distribution was ceased.
  
  Please note that your cover and interior files have been deleted from our internal system and will become permanently inaccessible 60 days after the confirmation email has been received.
  
  Your feedback is valuable to us, and we are committed to taking the necessary steps to improve our services moving forward. Thank you for your understanding and patience. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ***************** or email us at *********************************************************.
  
  Sincerely,
  Author Reputation Press

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/14/2025

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  My book has been sold by ARPress to numerous onlline bookstores nationally and internationally, it is on sites such as ****; it has been sold in the ***, *******, and *******. This company has made a handsome amount of money from selling my book; however, they have only paid me $5.93, which is not only unprofessional, and shows a lack of integrity, it is also illegal. I requested from ARPress a complete and TRUTHFUL list, giving an account of every book sold, to what businesses, the quantity and the amount, and I believe I am well within my right to request an accurate accounting. I understand there are costs to printing; however, I should have a substantial amount of money from the sales of my book. ARPress has not addressed that issue, SO IT IS NOT RESOLVED!  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *****

   

   

  Business Response

  Date: 05/02/2025

  Dear Dr. ***** ********,
  
  We understand your concerns, and thats why were complying with your request. In our previous response submitted to the BBB, we stated that the publishing department submitted a cancellation request to the printer/distributor. As part of this process, the author received a confirmation email verifying the termination of the books availability. The book has now been officially canceled.
  
  Furthermore, we immediately ceased all publicizing, marketing, distribution, sales, and any other promotional activities related to your book. The associated ISBN(s) have also been canceled, as per your request.
  
  Regarding the request for information on the accounting of your books sales, we regret to inform you that this information cannot be provided, as it is considered proprietary. The distributor does not disclose all of its partners or its network of retailers. Additionally, once the author-approved eGalley is submitted to the printer/distributor, the data is stored in their database. After submission, it becomes the printer/distributors responsibility to disseminate the book to its network of retailers.
  
  The listing, display, and availability period of the title depend on each retailers internal standards and procedures. Various factors may influence their decisions, including demand for the genre, the books relevance to current issues, marketability, and other considerations aligned with each retailers mission and goals.
  
  In your correspondence, you stated that you "see online that numerous online bookstores purchased" your book and, as a result, believe that your royalty payment should exceed $5.93. While we acknowledge your position, it is important to clarify that these online entities did not purchase the book directly. ******, they serve as partner retailers within the distributor's network, offering the title for sale to consumers. As such, they are not direct purchasers of the book, and their listing of the title does not constitute a completed sale or guarantee of sales volume.
  
  We understand your dissatisfaction with the services provided and regret the situation. We hope this response addresses your concerns and assists in resolving the matter. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to working toward a mutually satisfactory resolution.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Author Reputation Press (ARP)

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/05/2025

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  It is obvious that the books being available for sale by other online bookstores, they're not there without cost, as I am not in the business of giving away books, nor are you as an irreputable business. These books have been purchased by other companies, as you all have been made known to me. Or maybe not; remember the email of the 200 bookstores that I was sent saying they have purchased the books, and when I contacted them, they had no information regarding me or my book, nor any contract with ***? A copy of the document is attached. That was blatant fraud, as none of these bookstores have my books in them. 

  The contract also states in section 8 concerning royalties the following:

  "Author shall be entitled to receive 80% of the net proceeds received by Publisher from the sale of the Work in all formats, including print and electronic. 'Net proceeds' shall mean the amount of money received by Publisher from the sale of the Work, after deducting production costs, distribution costs, marketing expenses, and any applicable taxes or duties. PUBLISHER SHALL PROVIDE AUTHOR WITH A DETAILED ACCOUNTING OF ALL SALES ON A QUARTERLY BASIS AND SHALL PAY AUTHOR ANY ROYALTIES OWED WITHIN 45 DAYS OF THE END OF EACH QUARTER." (Emphasis in caps). Unless you are illiterate, or have ***********, I have a RIGHT TO REQUEST, AS I HAVE DONE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE BECAUSE OF THE LIES THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD. I HAVE A RIGHT, HAVING PAID *** SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE A WRITTEN ACCOUNTING OF MY BOOK SALES. I AM TRYING TO BE CIVIL ABOUT THIS MATTER, YET YOU ALL STILL WANT TO PLAY GAMES. GAMES ARE OVER, AND WHEN YOU ALL ARE HIT WITH ANOTHER LAWSUIT, AND MY NEXT BOOK BE ABOUT MY EGREGIOUS EXPERIENCES WITH YOU ALL, WITH NAMES AND DOCUMENTS INCLUDED, MAYBE YOU WILL LEARN NOT TO FRAUD PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO USE THEIR LITERARY HARD WORK, AS WELL AS THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY TO GET THEIR LITERARY WORKS TO THE ***** TO READ AND CHERISH. IF I DON'T RECEIVE AN HONEST (AND I USE THAT TERM VERY LOOSELY, YET SERIOUSLY), AND THOROUGH ACCOUNTING OF BOOK SALES  PLEASE EXPECT LEGAL PROCEEDINGS TO BE FILED. YOU FRAUDS HAVE MADE MONEY OFF OF MY BOOK. 

  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *****

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/13/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  the $1,210 Service Contract to publish my manuscript title IN ENDLESS WRATH by Author Reputation Press that I signed on 02/27/2024 -The 02/29/2024 email document showing the Book Registration including ISBN and LCCN but missing the Copyright Registration Number -The 03/7/2024 email exchange document with the Publishing Project Manager ****** ******* where the following tasks include:Proofread Editing, Copyrights Registrations, Worldwide Online Book Distribution, ************ Marketing, and Professionals Review which could not be verified nor ascertained.-The 04/23/2024 email document when I first raised the issue of lack of ************ Reach or Marketing for about to be published IN ENDLESS WRATH that was promised per the contract.-The 04/24/2024 email document where I raised again the issue of ************ Reach using a Banner and the issue of providing ************ Statistics Analysis for the marketing of IN ENDLESS WRATH-The 05/27/2024 email document where I was wondering about the promised book reviews and social media statistics analysis -The 06/14/2024 first email document giving reference to limited ************ Reach around the published book. Not what I was expecting!-The 06/24/2024 email document requesting Online Book Sales Reports -The 07/03/2024 email document requesting Book Reviews and Sales Report -Copy of the above report -The 10/31/2024 email document when I found out the Certificate of Copyright Registration for IN ENDLESS WRATH was not done nor available at the ********************- -The11/22/2024 email document showing the US **************** acknowledging that I applied and paid for the Certificate of Copyright Registration for IN ENDLESS WRATH-Copy of the Certificate of Copyright Registration for IN ENDLESS WRATH-The 12/03/2024 email document when I advised ARP that I was terminating the service contract to publish IN ENDLESS WRATH-Copy of the BBB Revocation of ARP accreditation

  Business Response

  Date: 01/14/2025

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  Please see the attached file. Thank you.
  
  Kind regards, 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/09/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was first contacted by ******* ****** of Author Reputation Press (ARP) via a phone call on 10/25/24 telling me a book I had published had been selected by a team of literary experts for conversion to a movie. ***** ****** (***) told me up-front money was needed to initiate services and make a pitch to producers. On 10/29/24 a payment of $1680 was made by me to *** to initiate services. ARP was to provide Movie Script Coverage, Professional Book Trailer and Hollywood Trailer. 3 more payments of $1283 each were to be made every 30 days. Work to be complete by 01/01/25. On 11/1/24 I did a BBB search where I discovered there have been numerous complaints against ARP including false marketing, excessive costs, poor communication, unauthorized charges, etc. I tried to call ***** late that Friday, but offices were closed for the weekend. On 11/4/24, I attempted to call ***** to cancel the agreement due to the BBB findings. I left voice/text messages. On 11/4/24 I sent ***** an email wherein I went over the BBB consumer complaints and explained I wanted to terminate the agreement and get a refund. He made several attempts to talk me into continuing. I told him I had made up my mind and that I wanted to terminate and get a refund of my money. He said he would pursue getting me a refund but after 6 weeks nothing has been done and *** has collected $1680 from me. I have received no services nor have I been contacted by anyone. There has been no effort by *** to try and resolve this. They have collected my money ($1680) but they have not performed any services. I don't believe they have any intentions of contacting me to resolve this. I am a senior citizen, veteran and cannot afford this $5500 scam by a company (***) that is known to have engaged in fraudulent activities doing exactly what they have done to me. Please help me and let me know if I have any recourse to recover my money.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/19/2024

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  Please see the attached file. Thank you. 
  
  Kind regards, 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/19/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  ******

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/13/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The following information is only my opinion. However, I would appreciate your assistance in my obtaining the ********* early June 2024, I spoke on the phone with a representative of Author Reputation Press (also known as ** Press) regarding the purchase of a marketing contract for my autobiography, "The Paths of My Life," which ** Press had published. The representative, ****** *********, who was acting as a Marketing Representative for ** Press, assured me that I would receive 2-3% of the sales of my book through the marketing contract. Based on this promise, I authorized an initial payment of $1,030.00 for the marketing contract.Subsequently, ** Press sent me a copy of the contract for my signature. However, upon reviewing the contract, I noted that paragraph three (3) clearly stated in capital letters, "NO GU**ANTEE OF MINIMUM SALES." This, I feel is a misrepresentation by the ** Press Marketing Representative, and that led me to refuse to sign the contract. ** Press sent an email stating that the refund request was processed and sent to US Bank, (information from that refund request, which was dated September 16, 2024, is included below), and to date I have not received my *********** are the details of your refund:Invoice Number ****** Service Name CHRISTIANITY TODAY M**KETING CAMPAIGN Refund Amount $1,030.00 Reference: Transaction ID ****************

  Business Response

  Date: 11/29/2024

  Dear Mr. ****** ****** Sr.,
  
  Author Reputation Press (ARP) acknowledges BBB Complaint No. ********. Thank you for letting us know about the complaint and providing the necessary information so we can address it appropriately. We apologize for the inconvenience this concern has caused to the parties involved.
  
  Author Reputation Press followed up with the bank regarding your recent refund request. The refund request has been reprocessed on their end, and the refunded amount should be reflected in the account from which it was originally debited once the process is completed. Kindly check your account.
  
  On November 23, 2024, the finance department informed you about the progress. Kindly confirm the email after checking your account. (Please see the attached file.)
  
  This matter has been resolved. Please dont hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
  
  Thank you. If you have questions, please contact us at ***************** or send an email to *********************************************************.
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/21/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am not receiving Royalties for my books, answers about the screenplay, the movie trailer, or the interview for my books. My books are on ******, two more at the end of this month. They should own up to their contracts and not have received returned phone calls. They just stopped communicating with me.***** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/06/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I paid Author Reputation Press (ARP) $3500 on 8/27/2024 for a marketing service aimed at producing an advertisement in the magazine, Christianity Today (CT), for a book I wrote and that *** had agreed to publish. I was convinced to spend the money by ****** ********* in a series of phone calls on the evening of 8/26/2024. ****** identified himself as a founder of *** and claimed that he had spoken to the Board of Directors of ** and had convinced them to run an advertisement for my book in the next issue, and that he urgently needed the $3500 to finalize the deal. He claimed that he and I would have to co-sign a contract with CT for the advertisement in the immediate future. I never received such a contract. Instead, I was sent a contract exclusively with *** the following day for a marketing campaign, which listed Christianity Today and my book in the official receipt. On 9/5/2024, I sent an email to **** *******, the Marketing Fulfillment Officer of ***, inquiring about the status of the ad and the supposed contract with CT. **** replied that *** had sent the book information to CT and that *** was awaiting feedback. After ****** ********* tried to sell me another service using similar high-pressure sales tactics, I became suspicious and called the ************************* myself on 9/26/2024. The ** staff member I spoke to said they had no record of *** as a customer of theirs, and that the issue in which the ad was supposed to appear had already been published. On 9/27/2024 I then demanded my $3500 back from *** and then received a series of emails from ****** **** of ARP, who admitted on 9/30/2024 that CT had disowned ARP and was no longer accepting their calls. ****** then tried to sell me other services in place of the original marketing service. I declined any replacement service and demanded my money back by *** 10/4/2024. I have not received any pledge from the company to return my money to this day.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/06/2024

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  Please see the attached file. Thank you.
  
  Kind regards, 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/09/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  The response by Author Reputation Press (ARP) ignores my claim of misrepresentation over the phone by ****** ********* regarding the placement of an ad with Christianity Today (CT). Also, CT disengaged with ARP only after I inquired on the status of the ad, only to discover that CT had no record of interaction with ARP. The no refund policy does not apply when there has been fraud and a failure to deliver the service that was promised in the contract. I am apparently one of many victims of ARP's unethical business practices.
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *******

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/09/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am an author. On August 20, 2024 I terminated a contract with Author Reputation Press (ARP) to republish my book From the Ghettos to the Thrones of Europe and place copies in the ************* physical outlets and many others.ESSENTIAL TERMS OF CONTRACT: 1. *** would republish the book unedr their banner with no charge to author. 2. Author was required to purchase a book return Insurance policy for $1,630 3. The $1,630 book return insurance fee would be returned less $100 stocking fee if the contract was terminated and the book was not published REASONS FOR TERMINATION THE CONTRACT:Lack a financial integrity and responsibility on the part of ***:PERTINENT TRANSACTIONS:1. On 4/3/24 author sent ARP a check #***** for $999. $800 to enter the LA Book Fair and $199 to print the charts used in the book in color 2. On 4/19/24 I was told that it was too late to enter the LA Book Fair. 3. *** agreed to return the check for $999 and Author would send a separate check for $199 for the color charts.4. On 4/19/24 check #***** was sent to ARP.5. On 4/29/24 author was informed that the ******** would not cash a check made out to ARP. *** requested I send another check made out to Author Reputation Check. 6. On 4/29/24 author sent replacement check #***** for $************* BREATCHES AND INDISCRETIONS.1. *** failed to return check $***** for $999 despite many promises to do so.2. *** failed to return the uncashable check #***** for $199 for the color charts.3. On 5/6/24 ARP cashed the uncashable check #***** for $199.4. On 5/14/24 ARP cashed the replacement check #***** for $199 for the color charts.5. *** was notified of the double payment. 6. 3 months later *** has not reimbursed reversed the double payment despite promises to do so.DEMANDS: 1. $1,530 Insurance fee + $398 for color charts: $2,028.2. Return of uncashed check #***** for $999.OFFERS:1. ON 8/8/2024 ARP emailed that they would send a check for $999 + $199. *** has not performed todate

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/20/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/08/2024

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  Please see the attached file. Thank you. 
  
  Kind regards, 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/16/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  I received your latest correspondence, which includes a response from Author Reputation Press.  They have sidestepped the issue with the red ******* of the existence or non-existence of Check # ***** for $999.The issue around the $999 cheque is not the basis of my claim against the company.  I was given conflicting information regarding the physical existence of this check. The book agent said they had the check in their office and would mail it back to me.  When I did not receive it, I communicated with their financial department and was told the check was shredded.  But when I later communicated with the agent I was dealing with, he said he would mail it back to me.  Thus, I was unsure who to believe about the physical existence of that check.  I will accept their response to you that check # ***** was shredded. And end that red ******* dispute.
  
  However, the basis of my complaint still stands. I stand on two grounds:
  
  1. Author Reputation Press double-charged me for the color charts by cashing check #***** for $199 and check #***** for $199 for the same service which was providing color images for my book.  I spoke to their financial department and was told they should not have cashed check #***** for $199 as it was made out to ARP. She acknowledged that the replacement check #***** was also cashed.  The person in the financial department stated that she would request that the $99 double payment be reversed.  When I did not get the refund for the double payment, I terminated the publishing contract. Refusing to reverse the double payment constituted financial fraud. That was the basis for terminating the contract.  
  
  Attached are exhibits of checks #***** for $199 and #***** for $199, proving they withdrew these two sums from my bank account. Check ***** for $199 was withdrawn on May 6, 2024, from my account. Check ***** for $199 was withdrawn on May 14, 2024. Author Reputation Press stamped both of these checks with Deposit only. That does not mean that they did withdraw the monies from my account and deposited it into their business account. 
  
  I requested that Author Reputation Press refund me the $199 double payment.
  
  2. Because of their double dipping, I suspended the contract, and under its terms, as I set out in my initial complaint, the $1,630 book return insurance premium was refundable, less a $100 processing fee. Author Reputation Press, therefore, owes me a net $1,530 refund.
  
   Additionally, because the contract was terminated, the use of color images did not take place. They, therefore, have to refund both $199 payments for the use of color chartsthe two payments of $199 amount to $398, as outlined in my complaint. The total refund due me is, therefore, $1,530 for the book replacement insurance premium and $398 for color charts Total is $1,928. 
  
  Please transmit this response with a request that they refund the sum of $1,928. 

  Business Response

  Date: 03/12/2025

  See attached response 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/12/2025

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *********

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/31/2025

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  I signed the settlement agreement with Author Reputation Press you emailed to me on 3/12/25. I am not sure what the protocol from this point is, but I have not received the check for $1,928. Will the check come to me through BBB or directly from the company? I was told that I would receive a tracking number, but I have not received one as yet.
  
  Please advise,
  
  ***** ********* 

  Business Response

  Date: 06/08/2025

  See attached

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/16/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have an account with ******************** and I have been trying to collect the royalties on my book but they have locked me out of my account and I cannot get in. I have emailed them time and time again but no reply. They are the worst company I have ever worked with. I need access to my account immediately!!

  Business Response

  Date: 06/10/2024

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  Author Reputation Press (ARP) acknowledges and honors BBB complaint No. ********. Thank you for letting us know about your concern and for providing the necessary information so we can address it accordingly.
  
  We apologize for the inconvenience this concern has brought to the involved parties. May this response address the concern.
  
  It has always been part of the process that ARP authors will receive the login information once the publication of the book commences. According to the result of the investigation, the email sent by the author was sent to her former advisor, who is no longer working with us. We apologize that there was a delay in the response.
  
  The concern of the author has been addressed. The royalty department contacted the author. The author confirmed that she can log in to her account. We appreciate the authors patience and understanding. 
  
  Should the author have questions, please contact us at ***************** or send an email at ********************************
  
  Kind regards,

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/11/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In August, 2023, I contracted with Author Reputation Press for the publication and printing of my book, "I Am Baptized". The publication process took very long and kept being delayed by *** and the agent with whom I had been working was subsequently terminated by *** for, among other things, over-promising authors and perpetrating fraud, I was told. I terminated my relationship with *** in February, 2024 because of these delays and am now requesting a refund for services not rendered. They include the following:DATE AMOUNT SERVICES NOT DELIVERED 9/11/2023 $5499.00 Service contract for ************ interview with ***** ******** 11/29/2023 $930.00 (down-payment) Elite Press Release package 11/29/2023 $1127.20 (down-payment) Spanish Language Translation I am seeking a refund of a total amount of $7556.20 for services not renderred. I was verbally told in March of 2024 I would receive a refund by both ****** **** and ***** ******, employees of ***. I have since been unable to speak with either of them or anyone else at *** about this matter. When I call, the phone rings and rings, but no one answers. I have also left messages on their cell phones, but have yet to receive a call back. I am not disputing the publication of my book, and have received my complimentary author's copies. I am disputing the above marketing services which were not rendered. Again, I terminated my relationship with Author Reputation by phone and in writing. That termination was acknowledged by the above-mentioned employees. The agent with whom I had most to do and was subsequently terminated is named ***** *****.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/09/2024

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  Please see the attached file. Thank you. 

  Kind regards,