Menu
Zazzle

Zazzle review: Online fraud 56

T
Author of the review
11:17 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I too have had problems with this company, although not so much with faulty merchandise being delivered. I created several shirts - the only non-text item on them whatsoever was a piece of artwork I designed myself. Within 3 weeks I received an e-mail from zazzle stating that 'somebody' claimed it was their 'intellectual property' and they just arbitrarily removed it without any investigation or even asking. I wrote them back informing them that it, in fact, was not somebody else's and requesting a name and contact info for this person/organization's general counsel to file charges of copyright infringement and slander.

All this 'Erik' with Zazzle's 'Content Management' provided, after 6 e-mails requesting the full name, address, and any contact info they were provided, was the name of a company (Affinity Consultants). No proof whatsoever that they owned my design, nothing specific on the shirt that supposedly belonged to them, just their name and the claim. After visiting their website, they're an environmental protection consulting firm!

Anywho, if you guys are trying to find a better way to get in touch with Zazzle, why not contact their management team (contact info is listed below, including home address and phone number so you can get in touch even after those pesky business hours when their minds are fresh as they relax in their $1.1 million dollar homes).

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

More Zazzle reviews & complaints

Zazzle - Charges credit card without authorization 8
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Zazzle - Black membership scam 10
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Zazzle - Scam 9
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Zazzle - Content management team 8
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Zazzle - enforcing policy to independant contractors 1
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
56 comments
B
B
Bob Tinker Mellinkoff
, US
Aug 23, 2018 8:55 am EDT

I became a seller at Zazzle in 2007. Have made the company in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Have had issues over the years with a forum and moderators who are indifferent to many personally and have gone on banning spree's and insult and post about the person on the forums they do not like ( I have hundreds of these posts). Three of my so bans from the forum were lied about saying it was my browser. My last one something for a reply I got from support I posted to answer a forum question was told I could not do that and was banned from the forum, no biggy many are, .

However, almost a year later, I tried to contact a member of the forum as I cannot post there about a post I thought she wrote same name (only two people with this name) and was asking her about another place we worked online which is talked about all the time in the forums, with no objection from Zazzle. Accidently I sent it to the wrong person same name and it was sent through the artists store (Contact Seller link). It also contained concerns on the forum about referrals not being credited but give to Zazzle another concern of many artists. Again publically both issues are talked about on the forum.

So Zazzle after 12 years sent me a email saying my stores of over 5, 000 products hand designed were removed for what they claim was "Poaching". I wrote the person I thought I had and found out it was not her. So I wrote the person a amends and that the message was not meant for her, . I also spoke to the person it was intended for and she confirmed we had in the past talked about this other company and i was not poaching her either.

Several years ago they took down thousands of my designs that they never again gave me the chance to discus. I had to fight for days for them to stop and listen to my side. And was allowed to put them back up but it was to late I lost 7 years of rankings and never was able to recoup. I went on did not cause any problems about it or look for legal remedy. But this again is showing they have it in for me personally.

After sending this to Zazzle they have refused to review it, and now refuse to send me my pending earnings and a doc on all earnings I have made for my records as I can no longer see them/

I am pursuing legal action and that person in the process of contacting the owners if Zazzle does not reply within a time frame we have established giving them more than enough time to reinstate my 12 years of work and earnings as seniors we need, worked hard for and depended on.

This is total disparate treatment which we are giving Zazzle the benefit of the doubt as being unintentional treatment until we can conclude they are not going to answer which so far have not.

It is shameful what they have done to a 79 year old man and he is not alone, have seen this happen to several people they just do not like.

Z
Z
ZazzleZucks
, US
Jan 01, 2018 8:39 pm EST

Zazzle auto renewed the zazzle black without my authorization... As if that was not enought... Zazzle does not let you remove your credit card information so they can find illegal reasons to charge your credit card!

V
V
VLuna
, US
Aug 18, 2017 1:58 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Zazzle took my payment and RAN. After I was making many sales they closed my account ...not only took the customers money took my cut too. Shame on your Zazzle... Let's create a Class Action Suit against Zazzle...How can you close someone store and take their money from months and years of hard work? But yet you took the money didn't you Zazzle from customers! Spread the word Class Action Law Suit

Z
Z
zaggleapp
, US
Dec 21, 2016 11:32 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi Tom,

We are sorry to hear that your experience with Zaggle was not up to your expectations. Our aim is to provide the highest quality services to our customers. Please share your contact details and location with us. Our executive will get in touch with you at the earliest to address your grievance.

From,
Zaggle Team

H
H
hokiedave
, US
Oct 06, 2016 9:21 pm EDT

Received a defective product -- tried to review it but the review wouldn't work. They still haven't adhered to their return policy and provided me an RMA envelope to return the product. Ordered a custom VT Hokie lumbar pillow and it showed up with white, bleached specs all over it ... so disappointing.

View 0 more photos
D
D
Dairbite
, US
Aug 31, 2016 5:35 am EDT

Interestingly enough, when I was asked if I was satisfied with my experience and clicked "no", I was brought to an invalid link. When I clicked "yes" I was brought here. hmmm. Well, after a bad 2010 experience in which my 10 not customized christmas cards took over a month just to ship, I thought I would give Zazzle another chance. This time I placed another order of about 10 or so Christmas cards. I received the cards. Yay Zazzle...Ohh, but the envelopes. I was mailed fewer envelopes than the cards I purchased. Come on Zazzle. Booo Its a shame because I think the cards available are quite clever and cute. They just make it near impossible to mail them out to your kith and kin without a hitch.

T
T
t. de leon
Arlington, US
Aug 11, 2016 1:04 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

ok so this isnt a complaint. I ordered invitations my daughter designed herself from this website then saw all the complaints on this website and was so scared I was going to get crappy invites. I received them today and they were beautiful! they were exactly what she designed and looked perfect in every way when we received them. It took me four days to receive them from the day we ordered them. they were packed well and were delivered in perfect condition.

S
S
Smartie555
, US
Aug 01, 2016 5:35 am EDT

I ordered t shirt for daughter . In addition to charging $25 for the t shirt, they charged $24.00 for shipping and handling! To add insult to injury I just realized theyve been charging me $9.95 automatic renewal for zazzle black for the past two years! I spent over 1 hour going through the website and it is impossible to find out how to cancel the automatic renewal. This is definately a scam!

C
C
Carrie w
, US
Jul 15, 2016 5:23 am EDT

Yes, I was also charged through PayPal, no doubt! It's states you will be given the chance to opt out before you are charged and I was not notified and not given a chance to opt out. An unauthorized payment was charged on my PayPal account.

P
P
Pat Segatto
, US
May 31, 2016 8:13 pm EDT

I have had Zazzle remove my work numerous times because of some supposed copyright infringement. I am getting suspicious as three of these items have sold, but when I check my sales, those have been canceled. Could this be a scam to collect money on products, but not pay the artist? I don't know, but I put a lot of hours into everything I have posted, plus the time setting up a Zazzle store. I am ready to close out my account with them. I do much better with Red Bubble.

J
J
just me in Ok
, US
Jan 08, 2013 10:45 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Ordered 2 mugs 11 days ago(12-29-13)-received one mug with a receipt saying both mugs were in this very small box so I emailed them and asked them-where is my other mug? and got back a response for me to look "very" good inside this small box-to make sure I didn't miss the other mug! ha! so I responded that I looked and if they do not send me the other mug -to take it off my cc bill asap! I have ordered from them before so was" un "pleasantly surprised this had happened so no matter what happens after this-they have lost another customer! If I am not happy with what happens after this-I will complain to many sources(BBB-Angie's list, ect)...and to my cc company as well.

T
T
Trella
Eureka Springs, US
Dec 25, 2013 9:33 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I ordered a t-shirt ($28) with Nelson Mandela's picture and some words about education. White on black. The white outline and the words were poorly printed and running. I have tried six times to call them and they never answer (even after holding for 30 minutes!) nor do they respond to Emails which I sent four times. I THINK THIS COMPANY IS A FRAUD. Any positive comments (if there are any) are made by employees. I don't see how this company can continue with all these problems which they do not seem to care to fix. I advise customers to NOT ORDER from Zazzle. We should put them out of business.

B
B
BiggusPig
Eagan, US
Dec 09, 2012 9:36 pm EST

I customized 14 cards, some of which had the same design on the front. I had a different message in every card, and after spending 2 hours creating the cards and entering addresses (no email address book link), when I got to purchasing and providing shipping addresses, it was impossible to tell which card was which as customisations can't be viewed from there. Also, the shipping charges varied wildly even though all were for the UK and very poor value, up to £3.30 for N. Ireland. A huge waste of time.

C
C
cafc
Haddon Heights, US
Dec 18, 2013 4:12 am EST

Worst company in the world. Placed a large holiday order, spent hours making the designs and photos. Called them by phone and emailed to confirm no problem.Lied that had processed and shipped product. They had a problem with 1 item, and cancelled my entire order less than 1 week before xmas. Complete liars.

D
D
Darnie
, US
Sep 07, 2012 4:41 am EDT

I have bought many things from Zazzle, and they were always high quality so never in a million yeard did I think if I chose the economy tee that it would be such terrible print quality. I thought the tee itself may not be as nice, but I didn't realize the printing on the tee would appear lighter and cheap-looking. The Scooby and Minnie tee are simply not usable. :-( So upset.

B
B
Bisko
, US
Nov 03, 2011 6:21 pm EDT

Terrible service. I ordered a t-shirt with a pumpkin on it over two weeks ago and it still hasn't come. I don't need it now as Halloween has been and gone. It says on their website 3-5 days for delivery. When you look at the small print it says 3-5 days after manufacture and manufacture can take up to 12 days. Waste of time. Stay away!

W
W
Wyndine
, US
Jun 26, 2011 6:43 pm EDT

I had ordered a mousepad to be delivered to my friend as a gift and the website said it would be 15 working days for it to be delivered. It has been 3 more than 3 months now and it still has not been delivered. Also the website is bad, There is no customer service or contact numbers to call.

The worst website to order anything.

A
A
Ancike
, US
Feb 01, 2011 5:28 pm EST

I ordered a card for my 30th wedding anniversary nine days before the event. I thought that this was plenty of time for such a simple order however it is yet to arrive. To be fair the small print does say 5 - 12 days but who a: reads the small print or b: expects anything to take that long these days. I would recommend that you make a card yourself on the computer - as I ended up doing!

G
G
Gorbek
, US
Jan 09, 2013 12:22 pm EST

Ordered 100 business cards using Zazzle template Dec 31. Credit card charged. Order goes immediately to 'Processed' which means I cannot cancel. Seven days later, they cannot estimate when they might ship... and have no explanation, and no other response. Argh ! Never again.

C
C
Corban
, US
Oct 04, 2012 9:40 am EDT

Zazzle may be OK if you are the sort of person who plans everything months or weeks in advance but if you are like the rest of us AVOID! My birthday card order took 16 days from placing the order and arrived well after my father-in-law's birthday.

F
F
Fermine
, US
Jul 06, 2012 6:19 am EDT

Worst website ever! They make horrible work, print words on top of words, then make you go through a horrible and long process to get your money back, and charge $7 for shipping for one card. But do I get that money back? Nope. Horrible, ridiculous and will never order from them again.

B
B
Broumen
, US
Mar 08, 2012 10:13 am EST

Long time to deliver a simple poster. Same day bought also a made to measure frame from other website and it promptly arrived. Frame now lying on the floor whilst waiting for the poster to arrive. Last time I buy from them. Also delivery costs quite high for such a small item. this is why I feel even more crossed.

A
A
Autribe
, US
Jan 09, 2012 6:07 pm EST

First Order received damaged. Second Order never received, emails ignored. Don't waste your money, time and stress with these people...buy what you need locally!

H
H
Halitoe
, US
Dec 21, 2011 7:55 pm EST

Awful service. Placed an order on 04/12/11 and still not received. There is no tracking order to find out where the package is even though delivery charges were extremely expensive. I've emailed their customer service days ago and no reply. Do not use them.

D
D
David Karl
Los Angeles, US
May 12, 2011 12:15 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Just found out there was a hold put on my credit card because zazzle.com tried to put a $2000 + charge on it . I've never had any business dealings with these people. Out and out FRAUD

G
G
Glunkens
, US
Mar 18, 2011 5:35 pm EDT

Don't waste your time and money, they sent me the wrong product twice and missed my deadline for weeding invitation. Website look good but service and product horrible.. Not recommended at all, be carful

P
P
Pete L
St. Helens, GB
Apr 13, 2015 3:08 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This company has failed to give me a refund on an item that was never produced due to copy right issues 3 months ago! I'm still waiting. They are a disgrace and make me sick to my stomach that they can even call themselves a company. They were happy to take an instant bank transfer back in January from me, but since then have come up with all sorts of BS to try and get me to give up...I guess they do this to multiple people every year and lots just give up and bingo, champagne parties funded for these crooks. They must use people all around the clock to make up their fake 5 star reviews on here and the rest to con and BS people so they give up trying to acquire a refund. I will do my best to report this illegitimate business to the relevant authorities and may karma catch these pigs up who are conning hard working people.

E
E
Earn This
, US
Apr 03, 2015 4:10 am EDT

Honestly, having designed with the company for a few years, everything's fine. Their content review process is a bit flawed (I've had content removed erroneously as well) and they seem to pick and choose similarly who they want to promote on site, but they clearly are a fair, straightforward, and honest company with everything else. Any issue, I've had with orders has been resolved and any other financial issue I've seen people complain about has been resolved to the best of my knowledge. I think it's just growing pains and ironing out unprofessional loose ends. Every company has them and it's a newer market type with a large degree of products, customization, and the problems that may arise from those. The designers who work their butts off there deserve your business and Zazzle is the best place for unique products, customization, and ease of usability for customers. It's also one of the only places that can help a dirt poor artist try to make a living if they work hard enough at it.

D
D
Diamesos
, GR
Mar 30, 2015 5:48 am EDT

I just received my order from Zazzle.co.uk. A bit late ? Maybe, about 2 weeks delayed. Dissatisfied ? Hell no, man!
Why all the fuss about Zazzle being a scam anyway? My order got a bit delayed, and when i googled "Zazzle scam", i was shocked from the amount of information available online in regards to the subject. I ordered two custom hoodies. The quality is wayyy better even than those of Adidas, which i checked at the local shopping mall a few days ago. Size is perfect. I STRONGLY BELIEVE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SABOTAGE THE COMPANY. Don't believe them. The staff answered my emails, after 2 days, and even offered a free replacement in case my order got lost, which wasn't tracked by the way, and they are not obliged to do so. I am ordering from Zazzle again.

MRKIAI
MRKIAI
New York, US
Dec 15, 2013 6:52 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Our company has numerous Zazzle sites and we own dozens of registered Copyrights / Trademarks. It's clear that their "Content Review Team" (CRT) has issues. We have been subject to the same treatment as other Artists / Illustrators. There is no logic or supporting documentation ever provided by Zazzle's CRT regarding removal or refusal to process. This applies to both Public / Non-Public work. The CRT constantly contradicts themselves and makes errors at the expense of their site users. We have also noticed over the years a decline in the quality of Zazzle's Products / Work. Getting back to the CRT, on countless occasions we have been accused of infringing the registered Copyrights / Trademarks we own. Supplying Zazzle with proof is a waste of time / effort. We have come to believe that the CRT is nothing more than some "Snot Faced Kid on a power trip. You will never get to see the entity behind the curtain. We feel the frustration of "All" who have been subjected to the CRT's ridiculous actions. A Class Action Law Suite may very well be in order but ask yourself, is it / are they even, worth the time / money. The best recourse is to shut down the Zazzle sites and move on. At the moment, we have had the same Trademarked / Copyrigted image processed in Cards / Stamps but declined as a "Button". Either the image violates Copyright / Trademark Law or it doesn't. Again, there is no rational explanation for Zazzle's CRT actions. We wish all of you reading this continued success and "Happy Holidays"!
MrKIAI

W
W
WestCoastLover
Recently moved to Toronto, CA
Aug 29, 2013 9:51 pm EDT

Tenchushinobi: the idea of changing artwork by 40% (some people put it at 10%, some 25%) in order for it to be "legal" is a myth. it simply isn't true. Go look it up in copyright laws, and you won't find it mentioned everywhere. What is and is not considered "derivative" for the sake of copyright is a subjective ruling to be made in each case where it becomes an issue.

I think Zazzle's interpretations of "derivative work" is incredibly loose and self-serving (just try doing a DC Comics parody product ever since they took on DC as client, for example), but this false belief many artists have about there being an objective amount of an original piece that needs to be changed in order for a work to no longer be considered derivative really needs to die out.

T
T
TenchuShinobi
Newark, US
Aug 29, 2013 9:44 pm EDT

A wheel is a wheel . a door is a door . a ring is a ring. a shoe is a shoe. a shirt is a shirt .pants are pants. a table is a table. a cup is a cup. a chair is a chair, a house is house.comic books are based on Greek mythology which has a copyright All these things are super similar yet companies still continue to reproduce the same exact looking product with subtle differences. Mice should sue Disney for the mickey mouse concept. Everything is taken from somewhere.Bridges, watches, text, languages, etc

T
T
TenchuShinobi
Newark, US
Aug 29, 2013 9:38 pm EDT

Zazzle just sent me 30 emails today, deleting most of my online store. I created all the Fonts with Photoshop and all my work is graphic design, hand sketched, or painted. When i work with certain work i modify the image 40% or more to create my own version which legal. I have creative commons and copyrights for all of my work through flickr.com. Never made a cent with zazzle since july 2013.After 2 months they just now reported my work and deleted it. I think I have some serious haters and people who are jealous making my life harder by clicking that report button. I called customer service at zazzle and they couldn't provide me with a phone number and just gave me the run around. Also on my store page it says "awesome! you have no products under review" but i got 30 emails all in one day saying i do...

J
J
JZenti
, US
Aug 19, 2013 11:56 pm EDT

This site is so horrible, i placed an order for 4 shirts and the order was canceled because i had a couple chuck noris jokes on one. I guess it was too horrible of a shirt to be printed. lol what a F****** joke this site is. I hope they go bankrupt.

T
T
Terry
Medford Lakes, US
Jun 13, 2013 7:44 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just got my second rash of copyright dispute emails (it happened a few ago too). In my case, it's not parody or satire or anything that could possibly be gray. It was my own artwork for a logo for an annual convention I'm involved with, and a friend's artwork (who gave me permission) for a different year's logo. Like the others, no names of who disputed it were given. I hardly sell anything because of the specific topic, so I'm thinking they target people who aren't making them money, and send bogus copyright dispute emails. I sent them a letter back, but frankly I don't care if they delete me. Just delete the whole account. I can't be bothered with companies that play like this, especially after reading the above comments.

C
C
Consum012c
Brattleboro, US
May 15, 2013 9:25 pm EDT

Like Zazzle.Com, the site moderators like to play games with the designers. If you attempt to become a non-hourly / non-salary but are contributing work with these companies, and are being paid a consignment fee or registered as an independant contractor, these companies enforce rules and policies that break the IRS rules. Sadly enough these companies create preferential treatment. It is not worth the effort to try and submit work for these companies. Stock Logos does not moderate the art content, and only has applicable rules to submit content. However, as power games, or delay in publishing content, like Zazzle they will irrationally prohibit exceptional design content. Biz-logos.com at least admits that they have strict guidelines, and that they do have an in-house company that designs for this site, and that it partner company www.logoground.com abides by these standards. Unfortunately, there designs are limited to the old standard of 2-Color print process designs. Places like Zazzle, and Stock Logos are a real insult to professional designers. The content management, or internal monitoring team, like to create un-realistic or imaginary reasons to prohibit a design from going up, or in Zazzle's case, they just delete it. It really is pathetic to not be getting paid and be subject to such insulting scrutiny. The games with www.stocklogo.com, are just like that with Zazzle. If you aren't a real designer, and just like to fight, then these places would be perfect. For professional designers, these games get old real fast.

A
A
angryartist
Muncie, US
Feb 24, 2013 1:25 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have used Zazzle.com to post my art and generate sales, for at least many years now. At first, they seemed to be on their game. I create original abstract and various anime type art. I went from generating 1500.00 a year in sales on average, down to 50.00 for 2012. I have spoken to other artist that use their sites and they say, zazzle uses an variation of the online bait and switch now. "I can neither prove nor disprove this" but it made sense. They showed me on their computers using my site as a reference. Entered my site and went to a product and instead of going to my product and a shopping cart, it went to a list of "similar products you may like" bypassing my works in favor of their premium members. This is not my only complaint, that 50.00 I made for 2012, they are still holding. First they said I didn't have my tax id on file, so they could not send the check. So... I updated "again" all my information. Then they said there was a delay on payment after filing for a check to be sent. Then they raised the cap on minimal and said they would have to charge a 5.00 fee for less than minimal to send payment. Now, I cant even access the payment option on my site. 5 months and still no check. They got their money but I cant get mine... Seems zazzle has been engaging in fraud, and other illegal behavior. Oh and one last thing, as in the above posts, I had them 3 times, remove my artwork saying it was disputed. Even after I threatened to sue them and provided hard copies, file dates and original proofs, they never let me re-post my own designs. Over all, I am very displeased with this company and feel it has become one big sham!

R
R
RoundTable
Christchurch, GB
Jul 11, 2012 9:14 am EDT

I too have had copyright issues of satire and parody with Zazzle. It's my only real complaint with them so far. I was on the line with a rep for about half an hour trying to explain to them how satire is protected against infringement. They also dropped another product of mine because they have a policy against using names of real people in case they get upset and sue Zazzle. The fact the person had been dead for over 80 years didn't seem to get any traction with their rep. I even pointed out other people were selling products with the person's name on it and Zazzle didn't seem to have a problem with that. I have otherwise had great experiences with Zazzle, but their understanding of copyright is lacking to say the least.

R
R
RoundTable
Christchurch, GB
Jul 11, 2012 9:06 am EDT

It's a print on demand service. What did you expect? Don't blame the site because you didn't actually understand the product is made to order and not just being pulled off a shelf and tossed into a box to be mailed to you. Git.

C
C
Coledane
San Ysidro, US
Jun 10, 2012 4:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Zazzle.com is running a scam. I purchased a couple postcards from them and 31 days later I'm sent a PayPal bill for a "Black Membership". When I inquired about the charges this is the reply I got. "Our records show you signed up for Zazzle Black free trial on 5/9/2012. Unfortunately you did not opt out within the required 30 days and as such you are signed up for Zazzle Black Standard for the promotional price of $9.95 per year."
Apparently, when you make your first purchase with them, they enroll you for a trial membership somewhere in the fine print. If you don't cancel the trial membership, they bill you for it 31 days later.
Use spreadshirt.com or cafepress.com, I have never had any problem with these.