Trafford Publishing’s earns a 2.5-star rating from 0 reviews and 46 complaints, showing that the majority of authors are somewhat satisfied with publishing services.
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Not honoring their commitment
I published a book with Trafford under their "Webblazer" program that was offered at a considerable discount. Everything was pretty good up until proof reading time: They have a very sloppy printer. When I sent in my list of changes, it came back with even more needed! Whole paragraphs were suddenly in the font of different point size. Some of the changes I asked for were so botched that they had to be redone. Now that I've accepted the book - there are a dozen or so typos still in it - they are not honoring the final part of our deal. I am supposed to have a number of paperbacks sent to me, and they haven't been. They no longer answer my emails. There are better publishers than Trafford out there.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
No royalties yet book is being sold
In Ontario, 2005... paid over $3, 000 to have book published with a promise of marketing the book. I received some books and then paid for more. I wrote and phoned re: royalties as I saw the book advertised but
never received any royalties as promised from
Trafford. They had a bank account for us ...once
in Ontario some money was deposited 4 years ago,
my book is advertised all over but no royalties
have come in. A year ago they said I had been
paid...no money in the account and no cheque
from them. Then I heard they had shut down
due to scams and complaints.
WHAT CAN I DO? Thank you!
Charles Nelson Shave, Author of
book 'Newfie Priest'
My book is being sold EVERYWHERE yet i have not recieved one dime in 20 yrs. How can my book be for sale allover but apparently not have sold one copy? Someone is lying
All Trafford Publishing complaints should be directed to the Indiana Attorney Generals Office Gov web site and file a consumer complaint. Trafford is based in Bloomington Indiana.
I'm still waiting for a check more than the only for 10$ I only received since 2010. My book is all over the world on numerous bookshops and shared hundreds of times. I know at least 10 people whom purchased it, and 10$ is not cutting it. What can we do about this? Is it possible I didn't sell even one in the past 3 years?
That seems to be the way Trafford operates. I paid them to have a book published and you could see it in several different countries. I received two cheques for $2.50 each and one for $4.00. I paid them a total of approximately $10, 000 in total for publishing and advertising. The staff seemed to be constantly changing and I felt they had to be good liars to keep their jobs. They certainly know how to beat a person down and kill their dreams.
Contact the Indiana Attorney Generals Office Gov website and file a consumer complaint. Trafford is based in Bloomington IN.
Yeah its like you spent 8 years writing a book and all your money to publish and they get the money
In California, February 2011... I paid over $8, 000 to have my book Poetry To God Volume 1 published with a promise of marketing the book. I received some books and then paid for more. I wrote and phoned re: royalties as I saw the book advertised over the following year but I never received any royalties as promised from Trafford. They have my book advertised all over and it is selling and also getting ratings but no royalties have come in. When I keep calling them about the matter, they say I had been
paid...but I have never received a check from them at all and I feel that I'm being ripped off from them.
i just paid my first installment to trafford on Oct. 26, 2010 have not submitted manuscript yet and now after reading these complaints i want to get my 363.oo back and seek out another publisher
yeah trafford sucks
I just recently published a book everything went fine then I got to the marketing part my book is on Amazon and Barnes and noble but they promised me and I HAVE IT ON PAPER I SAVED EVERYTHING
That my work will submit and reviewed by magazines and be advertised accordingly
But it’s about two weeks now my book been online for a week and no sales
So that about 2000 dollars wasted so now imp even afraid to get a book published I know I can write ive multiple poetry contests one of my poems was included in whispers if you ever read it
Can anyone help I want to get my work out to the world
But that ###ing company made me resent even picking up the damn phone needs help
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
They used the same comment on me. They tell you that you haven't sold one book for years and then keep selling the books with out telling you
I totally agree with all these complaints, as I am a Trafford victim. They are beyond disgusting. I am just waiting for a mass lawsuit against this company. My book would help so many people and maybe it has but where in the hell are my royalties for all my hard work and dedication.
I spoke to an attorney and he said to revise it and have it published elsewhere. My problem is: Who can I trust? Will they rip me off too?
I want recourse on this.
I am sorry but I see that I have some typo errors, Imeant to say that their ethics are that they want you and reel you in and want to work with you, then after the honeymoon period is over they drop you and you become a flick of dust to be swept under the carpet. if you are looking for a place to help with your book as a first time author look someplace else, do some research before committing to a company such as Trafford Plublishing
Terance
yes I agree totally I have been trying to get someone to contact me for about a year now and it os as if they fell off the face of the earth, their ethics are they seem to now want to work with you after the honeymoon period. They rope you in and then you are just a flick of dust to be swept under the rug. My thoughts for any first time author is to research and find someplace else to get your book published.
Wow, Now I am scared! I'm not sure what to think about Trafford. I just got off the phone with a counselor. They talk so fast, I hardly understood. I just finished writing my first book ever, very excited. I decided to go online and get some ideas on how to publish a book. The counselor told me I would be spending a lot of money on lawyer fees if I did it myself and something about vanity publishing. I am so confused, but so glad I read these complaints, don't want to be blind sighted by this company. If you have any advice for a first time author, please share?
Shay
Hello- my name is Terry Harris, and I published a book with Trafford Publishing several years ago. Yes, they have cheated me out of royalities as well. Why don't we (authors that Trafford has ripped off) get together and file a class action lawsuit? I am sure that there are enough of us out there who have indeed been ripped off by Trafford. Let's do something about it.
terryrharris8@aol.com
Yes we should get together and get a law suit. Please let us know what to do about it and get started
You said it all
I publish a book through Trafford and they told me that I have NOT sold a book last year-yet I had seven people only in Britain who happened to meet me and told me that they bought the book through AMAZON via Trafford. Therefore now I need to take a serious action against these sad people
None fulfillment of obligations
I simply can not get anyone to respond to my e-mails on a book I am publisihing with the company. The company says my book has already gone on sale, though they are obligated to provide me with a sizeable number of free books for my book launch - they have not and are not responding to e-mails. Where should I appeal. I needed to have those books so that I can launch my book before year 2009 ends
Paulinus
Trafford Talked me out of spending 999$ into spending only $300 for a supposed sale of half price off of one of their packages the salesman on the phone claimed was containing similar equivalent features. Berfore submitting funds I requested an email containing all features included in the prospective package i received an email listing the services as well as additional services which were not actually included in my package MISLEADING FALSE ADVERTIZEMENT!
Unfortunately, 99.99% of the people who "self-publish" have NOTHING of marketable value to offer. "Vanity" publishers - crooks who charge you to print your book - prey on vulnerable people who are convinced they have something of value. The plain truth is if your work has any value, NOBODY will charge you to publish it. Instead, they'll get your signature on a contract that gives them publication rights, with any royalites paid to the author by the publisher. Thieves like Trafford will accept your credit card, spend two months making you glowing promises, and once the 60-day period for reversing the charges has passed, you'll never hear from them again. You need to file a complaint with the District Attorney's office in the county and state in which Trafford is located. Even then, good luck in getting any cooperation. Anyone who wants money to publish your book is a crook. PERIOD!
I think I read that book !
Fraudulent Sales Techniques
Trafford has great sales people and terrible ethics. Upon contracting with them for my book of 120 pages, I was quoted an author price of 6.53 and a retail price of 13.74. I have this in writing. My book came to 112 pages - 8 pages less than quoted - and they placed the author price at 10.49 and the retail price at 14.99. Originally they placed it at 15.99 - but I disputed it. For now - they are refusing to honor their original message. My books have not gone to print, thank goodness. So I am trying to cancel the contract. I simply can't trust them -even if they should decide to honor their words.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I appreciate all the people that posted their complaints & problems with this "self-publishing" company. They have an excellent marketing ploy, sounded too good so after checking for complaints & warnings I've decided to stay away from these people. Also noted they are doing business the same way under several different names.A good class action lawsuit possibly?
Thanks so much for the information
I've read this all too late. Two books published, change of company retaining title only - pretending to be Trafford so that they can 'milk' the database - they have reneged on the royalties I am owed claiming it's 'da udder cumpnees fault'! Yeh! right.
My recommendation to anyone contemplating self-publishing is DO NOT GO NEAR THIS LOT. They are untrustworthy, unreliable and undependable.
If anyone would like to see the last email they sent to me saying I should now contact the receiver for the previous owners having told me two months ago I would be paid my royalties (moyah!) just contact me at ardoci@thesoulmatecode.com
yes indeed you are right, we got the book self published many many mistakes, looking more money to correct the mistakes, this is indeed a rip off, don't use trafford they take your money and don't care if can can afford it or not, ashling morries in the company doesn't care why would she? she is propably singing the whole way to the bank, with peoples money. she is a fraud+the other works.
Company does not deliver service
Trafford was acquired by Author Solutions on April 2009. I signed a contract with Trafford December 2008 and paid for it.
Since March they have my "PRINT READY" book with all the files for the cover and webpage. I have not received the pysical proof until today (July 6) and the communication is dead! They do not react to phone calls and messages. I can only advise:
DO NOT USE TRAFFORD!
Update on my complaint:
After more weeks of waiting Trafford finally sent me a physical proof of my book. Now I am waiting again for the activation of the book with no response since 10 days. Their problem is the lack of communication. They just cannot give you a simple response like:" sorry, this will take longer, just be patient." Instead of this they just keep quiet for weeks. This is not acceptable. For me these weeks of waiting (and thinking that my money was lost) were just terrible.
Hopefully the book will be nice and worth all that waiting.
So for all Trafford customers: be patient..
published the book in 2008 with trafford. It is in stores and multiple countries, I have never seen 1 check.
Dr Brian Creghan MBBS(MD), MPAS, PA-C
[protected]
Trafford Publishing knowingly monopolized their 2010 copy of The Lost Code of Ch'angdo (ISBN# [protected]) by this author, Denn Ko and used a review for the 2023 edition of the same titled book published by Stonehenge Literary and Media (ISBN # [protected]).
Do not publish with Trafford, they do not pay royalties! Complaints should be directed to the Indiana Attorney Generals Gov office!
Trafford has been harassing my husband on the phone, instead of cancelling his contract and returning his money. Is there any agency I can report this harassment. He is a sick man and unable to get is money back.
Trafford staff alluded to publication interest shortly after I published my book with them. Hall a year has passed without any truth to substantiate these claims with repeated inquiry. Marketing staff are friendly and will very nicely take your money. Service is excellent in attempting to sell 'packages', if these are bought they may languish for months with poor results. The tone of Staff is oftentimes sarcastic and opinionated, seemingly rife with resentment.
I've had 8 books published with Trafford and I have no complaints. They finished them on time and fast, put them up for sale as promised and I get small royalty checks every few months. Their production and professionalism is top-notch and I plan on using them again. They also offer the best prices for self-publishing in this field. I've also used IUniverse for 24 books, but they have really slipped since being acquired by Author House. They don't offer anywhere near what they originally did and their prices keep escalating. But as for production and service, they are still quite good but Trafford is better and faster. None of these Author House divisions deliver on all pf their promises, so you have to shop around. Go for the lowest cost packages and self promote. You don't need to pay them to do nothing.
You know why you have been paid by then it's because you have not sold alor of books. They only steal from people who sell alot. They have destroyed my life and I will never quit from trying to get my.money and more. They make money off of my writing and I am broke and they don't give a rats [censored]. Not to mention destroyed my writing career. I can never write again after what happened to me. They are so evil it's unbelievable
I purchased book because it said it was based on true events in Kansas about Popeye's Nightclub in the 80's. I am so disappointed because it is only five pages long if that. What a rip off!
I signed with them and waited months with NOTHING done on my book. The publishing supervisor kept saying "your book is in production" while the publishing consultant kept stalling and saying that they'll get to it when they'll get to it. When I asked to speak to a book designer, I had an "assistant" call me. I said "I asked for the book designer." Then he said "call you back!" hung up, and the consultant called back and said "That was the designer!" I said "He told me he was the assistant." Guess what the consultant responded? You guessed it, "Call you back!"
Next time get your story straight with your cohorts before you try to pretend to work on my book.
When I finally asked for a refund, they were very slimy about it. The supervisor asked me to read the contract to her, then said "see what you get?" I said "well, without any evidence of work being done, how can you demand that?" At which point she said "Call you back!" (Typical.)
I decided not to wait for them to pretend to do work any more.
I had to call my credit card company and have the transactions cancelled. Then I had my card number changed. Out of kindness (and to make the dispute more difficult for them appeal) I let them keep their $150 bogus "admin fee." After all, the publishing consultant certainly did more than $150 worth of sales calls!
I have dealt with so many people in their company, but none of them actually exist. None of them have ANY social media presence and they all have Filipino accents (no offense to Filipinos at all). I am convinced that Trafford/Author Solutions is really just a giant call centre in Manila. Here are the "people" I worked with:
Pepper Deschanel (supervisor)
pdeschanel@trafford.com
Nick Arden (consultant)
narden@trafford.com
Heidi Morgan (?)
hmorgan@trafford.com
Unnamed "designer/assistant"
Trafford publishing company is total ripp off and con artist
Bahman Zohuri PhD
Someone needs to learn how to count.
Paperback: 56 pages
Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: [protected]
ISBN-13: 978-[protected]
Overview of Trafford Publishing complaint handling
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Trafford Publishing Contacts
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Trafford Publishing phone numbers+1 (888) 232-4444+1 (888) 232-4444Click up if you have successfully reached Trafford Publishing by calling +1 (888) 232-4444 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Trafford Publishing by calling +1 (888) 232-4444 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Trafford Publishing by calling +1 (888) 232-4444 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Trafford Publishing by calling +1 (888) 232-4444 phone number
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Trafford Publishing emailscustomersupport@trafford.com100%Confidence score: 100%Supportsales@trafford.com92%Confidence score: 92%sales
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Trafford Publishing address1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, Indiana, 47403, United States
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Trafford Publishing social media
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Checked and verified by Jenny This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn moreJun 30, 2025 - View all Trafford Publishing contacts
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It took two years and constant re-submitting to get rid of the grammar and spelling errors caused by Trafford, before my book was ready.