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:11/27/2023

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  My friend and I have been trying to publish a cookbook with Austin Macauley Publishers about rare food allergies since 2018. They have made us edit the cookbook ourselves, even though the contract states they are supposed to edit the cookbook, and we are supposed to go over their edits. We have invested $3,000. Every edit has come up with errors that didn't exist in previous edits or errors that we have asked them to fix. These include having pictures in the wrong place, capitalizing words for no reason, and numbering steps in recipes improperly. For example, step five would be numbered 5. 3. and then have the instructions. They refuse to edit our cookbook per the contract, and they refuse to refund our money. I have gone over the supposed final edit, and when I got to page 46 out of 346, I had already found 26 pages of errors they had made. Austin Macauley also ignored our requests to have a Zoom meeting to settle out of court. The attorney we have consulted has agreed that we are entitled to a full refund due to breach of contract. They were supposed to also publish our book within 290 days, which has come and gone. They are a vanity publisher, unreliable, and don't know what they are doing! Don't use them!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/15/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved. We have come to an agreement that satisfied both parties.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/03/2023

  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.

  Austin Macauley took $4100 of my money to produce a book. In 9 months, they have delivered nothing. Multiple telephone calls and email have produced nothing. They are very apologetic on this phone--but nevertheless deliver zero.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/22/2023

  Hi,

  Our author, *************************, has been attempting to get in touch with you to formally withdraw the complaint that was recently filed. It has come to our attention that there might be a misunderstanding, as he never intended to initiate this complaint.
  
  For your convenience, I have attached the emails from ****************** expressing his desire to withdraw the complaint. We kindly request your prompt attention to this matter, and we appreciate you removing this.
  
  Please let us know if you require any further information or clarification.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/25/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  Failure to edit book Failure to promote book Failure to get interviews Failure to get media promotions Failure to pay global book sells

  Business Response

  Date: 06/09/2023

  Austin Macauley Publishers has reached out to **************** on many occasions requesting a phone call and requesting that he confirm we have updated contact information for him, including an email address, before and after recently completing a repitch of his book. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/01/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  In October of 2021 I signed a contract with Austin Macauley who promised to publish my manuscript within 290 business days. The manuscript and all illustrations were provided to the Austin Macauley at the time. I have made payments monthly as agreed and the full amount of the contract was paid by July 2022. One proof was sent in July and there after there have been no further update or responses for my request for a publishing schedule. Even the minor type corrections that I requested were not completed in 2022. My book is yet to be published, I have not even seen a print layout pdf. It is well past the 290 business days. I could have published the book through other venues and recieved sales in 2022 but have been deprived by the inaction of this company to deliver on their promise.At this time I would like a full refund of the $2300 paid to them to publish my book. I would also like to be compensated for the loss incurred through having no holiday book sales in 2022.I would appreciatea ssistance in resolving this matter.thanks sincerely ***************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/26/2023

  At this time, I have been contacted directly by Austin Macauley Publishers regarding complaint ID ********, however my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [Your Answer Here]

   

  Auntie Macaulay  has indicated that they will publish my book in March 2023. However I was told  many times that the book would be published in 2022, so I would prefer to keep this complaint open until publication. Thanks 

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  Sincerely,

  **** ***

  Business Response

  Date: 03/07/2023

  Austin Macauley Publishers has been in contact with the author and has provided a publishing date which has been agreed to.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/01/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  **** ***
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/15/2022

  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 engaged Austin Macauley to publish a book. They offered a vanity contract, I accepted in the amount of $3,300.00, which I paid. On 5/8 they delivered the final set proof after several rounds of prior revisions. After realizing how poor their quality of work was I sought to sever the publishing contract. On 6/12 I requested contract cancellation. To my surprise they obliged and even offered a refund of $660 on 6/13. After some back and fourth I committed to canceling the contract on 7/4. I sent several emails to them confirming, and asking if there was any action I needed to take. I finally got a response from ************************* on 7/12. He provided a PDF of the cancellation letter and alleged that a physical copy was sent in the mail that day. I replied later asking which address they sent it to, as I had moved.On 7/15 they replied alleging that they sent the letter and check to my old address, completely ignoring and providing no remedy for the fact that my old address was no longer valid. I waited a bit since I had mail forwarding, nothing came. I reached out again on 8/5 stating I did not receive the refund. On 8/12 ********************* responded offering to resend it out. I said yes, then once again providing the correct address, and asked for confirmation on when the new letter was sent out. Austin Macauley did not provide confirmation. It is 9/14 and have not received the refund, and it's likely they did not send one. I would have received the original by now via mail forwarding and if they would have sent a replacement I should have received that by now. If they aren't being truthful about issuing the refund, how do I know they are being truthful about relinquishing the copyright? I would like my refund and assurance that they are not holding any rights related to the project (all I have is a PDF which may not be legitimate), and a detailed account with dollar amounts of how my contribution dollars were applied.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/20/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  

  They reached out today and arranged an ACH transfer. 

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

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/15/2022

  Type:Service or Repair 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'm an author and in January of 2020, I was contacted by this company who asked for $2900 in return for publishing my book, and marketing me as an expert in the field. I can go on for days about their lack of concern and customer service, but the main thing is they claim to have an office in *************(they may or may not), but their main office is in *******. They never tell you this until the contract is signed and payment made. However, you bear the financial responsibility of paying for shipping from England, which takes away any profits.Also, many of my friends and associates have had to file complaints with different consumer groups because the books are rarely delivered ontime.Since they are in *******, they will send you emails at 2Am New York time, and then when you call at 2p.m. your time, they tell you they can't get a hold of anyone.Bottom line is they omit a lot of pertinent info, and yell at you on the phone if they feel you are disrupting them.If you hear from them, please move on. At this point, I don't even want my money back, just the rights to my book, which I believe they are intentionally delaying.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/22/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************