PROS:
Being the only publishing platform that will deliver full and integrated digital and printing services for writers, there are many reasons to like IngramSpark right now. This is because after the book has written and formatted, people can immediately share them with the world. Writers that rely on IngramSpark will be able to focus more on their projects while they will leave the printing, shipping and distribution to the website. The best thing that will be mentioned from all the pros in this Ingram Spark review is that the platform is free and easy to use as well.
- E-Book Distribution
- Print On Demand
- Global Reach
- Color Printing
CONS:
The only negative aspect that can be said about the website in this
Ingram Spark review is that there isn’t much information about the company behind it there. People that are interested in their services might want to know more about the agency and not just how their platform works. This is because
IngramSpark.com want to understand and learn about the primary company behind it all to whom they will be entrusting their literary works. Although the details of how the platform can help you are explained thoroughly, you might want to keep this thing in mind just so that you are aware.
- Minimal Information From Their Website
9.8
Total Score
Now with those things said, there are a lot of reasons why this Ingram Spark review can really help writers that are looking for an online publisher. There aren't many platforms like this that can help people get their literary works distributed through an online process and thus this is quite unique right now. It is important that writers will be able to focus more on their projects while they let the experts do the distributing, shipping and publishing for them. Why don't you head on over to IngramSpark.com right now so that you can learn all about the platform today.
9.8Expert Score
Is IngramSpark.com Legit & Safe?
10
Is IngramSpark.com Reliable?
9
IngramSpark.com Guarantee
10
IngramSpark.com Hidden Fees
10
IngramSpark.com Shipping Cost
10
IngramSpark.com Shipping Delivery
10
IngramSpark.com Help & Support
10
2.8User's score
Is IngramSpark.com Legit & Safe?
3.3
Is IngramSpark.com Reliable?
2.1
IngramSpark.com Guarantee
2.1
IngramSpark.com Prices
3.8
IngramSpark.com Hidden Fees
3.8
IngramSpark.com Shipping Cost
3.1
IngramSpark.com Shipping Delivery
3.3
IngramSpark.com Help & Support
1.5
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Support is a joke. You are on your own, with no recourse to collect your compensation.
Stick with Amazon.
Still trying to get my first book out but between the month-long wait times for individual draft orders to arrive (if they arrive at all, which they too often do not), terrible web site and even less helpful customer service, I wish I hadn’t decided to support an indie business and stuck with Amazon.
IngramSpark is a frustrating waste of time. Don’t be a martyr.
People are going to Amazon and buying my book, but the sales are not showing on on IngramSpark. I do not know why. They are not fully distributors because they only make the books available to book stores. They do not send copies to book stores. The writers still have to do most of the work themselves.
Started with them in April, their system is the worst to work with. I have gotten some book orders pretty much every month from retailers, when I had the ebooks with them it did well on ibooks and amazon.
However MY problem with them was they don’t allow you to check or uncheck which of their “partners” you want them to distribute too. (like d2d does) and this caused me to have duplicates on Amazon (both ebook and PB), Kobo and B&N. I was DIRECT with all of those places and didn’t know it would create a duplicate (I thought the company wouldn’t allow it).
Anyway for amazon when a IG ebook sold I got less money than the direct Amazon ebook. Also the PB on Amazon from IG would say “out of stock”. So I had them (IG) delete the Ebook, left the PB so it can continue to get int small stores, and other places.
I don’t think I’ll do IG again (maybe for every first PB of each series I put out). I uploaded both the EB and PB when they ran the free upload deal. But I had to resize covers and convert my files to epub. It was to me more work than I wanted. Their website to ME is non helpful and so is their customer service. They are “bare bones” and not author friendly (in what they offer in options) Now I’m direct with everyone(I get more money since you are not using a go between company) and use D2D for Ibooks only since I don’t have a apple computer.
They (IG) take the least (which is still a LOT) even for the PB to be sent to retailers. Their “discount” is 30 to 35% on the low end.
My rating=C-
I am having trouble getting Ingram Spark to comply with my request to update Amazon about some of my books, which I had already removed from a series. Bowker has discontinued the series for me in Books In Print with no problems whatsoever, but IS is stonewalling me about Amazon. Now, today I received an email from IS saying that Amazon requires that the books in question be continued with a series name. Who is the publisher here, ME or Amazon. I have already sent an email to Ingram Content Legal stating my intention to retain a lawyer regarding this issue. I have files a complaint with BBB regarding this issue. I had filed a complaint with BBB regarding Amazon but they erroneously closed the case due to Amazon’s continual refusal to correct the situation on their end. Now, Ingram Spark is no help at all. I read about issues with printing and delivery, but I updated the metadata for each book involved and now IS is acting like it does not care about its customers. I will continue to complain about this until they comply. I have been with them since 2008 and I can’t believe the lack of respect I have received about this situation.
IS is the absolute worst online company that I have ever dealt with. As with the other comments above, they have zero customer support. They don’t return calls, they don’t return emails, hold times on their support line is well over 30 minutes. They completely ruined my book launch, and I had two major book signings scheduled which needed to be cancelled because I could get any books delivered in time. I have been trying to cancel distribution, and I cannot even get responses to do that. Every interaction yielded negative and disappointing results.
Caveat Emptor; DO NOT do business with this company.
I recently ordered six review copies, which I had promised to print media book reviewers. The books were never received. According to the carrier, they were never shipped. IngramSpark refuses to reply to my inquiries or accept responsibility. The purported “customer support” is nonexistent. Considering the cost, as well as the inferior print quality of bound books, I can vouch as a bestselling author whose books have been published by the leading ten publishers, that IngramSpark is a “slum” on-demand printer. The first six books that I ordered arrived after two weeks, despite overpaying for priority delivery, with very poor binding and reproduction. I deepfully regret having contracted with IngramSpark. I am now in the position of having to litigate in Small Claims Court for the unshipped review copies. Of course, I will win. Nevertheless, unquestionably, IngramSpark has abdicated its legal responsibilities.
I am currently using IngramSpark as my distributor, and I regret the decision. DO NOT use them. They claim to be a “Print on Demand” company but they should be renamed to “Print on DELAY.” I have repeatedly been delayed in trying to obtain copies of my own book. I have contacted their customer service multiple times, and they have done absolutely nothing to expedite my print orders. People who have ordered my book are receiving it within a couple days if they have ordered through another retailer (which is good but it is less money for me since the retailer takes a cut). However, I placed a bulk order of 50 copies of my book on December 30th and Ingram claims it will not even be available for shipment until January 23rd (not including shipping). I have orders from my website that I am unable to fulfill because of their delay. Despite my many requests, they continually tell me they are sorry they cannot help me. They claim they are still having delays from the holiday. IT’S JANUARY!!! Are they going to be claiming this until February too?? The first time I tried to order a prototype copy of my book, it took over 2 weeks to receive it and it cost me over $11 for 1 book simply because of standard shipping. I do not want to use this company again for my next book. It is false advertisement that they claim they are a “Print on Demand” company when they cannot even quickly process the orders of my own personal book. HIGHLY, HIGHLY dissatisfied. If you are looking for a distributor– use Createspace or some other company. Ingram is not worth your time!
Ingramspark over priced My children’s book from inception. They made several changes to my dashboard (changing Premium color to color 70) without my approval then denied they made the change in the same breath I changed the YES/Destory after receiving a return of books that they charged me over $3500 for!! They lied and said I never had “yes/destroy”, I had proof, that didn’t matter to them they put me through to their collections dept when i refused to pay until they accepted responsibility for the added $600 in shipping costs. They stopped annotating any of my sales but kept recording returns. Mind you, they shield ALL returns so you, the author can never mitigate why you’re receiving returns and for what purpose. I was told I’d get a call back, it was a month later then sent to collections with no way to mitigate unless I engaged a lawyer. I made $700 off my book, they made $3500 and when they say they “destory” the books returned they don’t. Stay away from them!!
The editor is obviously not impartial. How could they score that high when the customers are totally not served?
Worst experience I have had after 13 years of self publishing and working with major publishers. CAn’t even list the problems and the lack of response from them. They stonewall and defer. Promise they will call back and don’t. It is astonishing that they are in business. Beware.
Ingram Spark fulfills a need, but it does so at a cost of time and labor on the author’s part. The author must become somewhat of an expert in publication formats and tweaking their manuscript to fit the publisher’s requirements. Though they respond to questions when you get stumped, it is often with a canned FAQ type of document that may not really solve your problem. Their low price for publication does not include actual editing or formatting of your manuscript. That is up to you.
Ingram cannot guarantee that Amazon will sell your book directly, nor that once it is for sale that Amazon will not bump it off and list it as “out of stock”. Anyone seeking to sell on Amazon should avoid this company. Their sales pitch is flawed and misleading to say the least. heir advice is to keep an eye on whether your book is available on Amazon as the status could change at any moment and Ingram has no control (and seemingly very little interest) in seeing that your book remains for sale.
IngramSpark is difficult to work with. They make submitting files a pain. I even hired someone to help me and they couldn’t figure out what they wanted. My proof was poor quality and thin in comparison to CreatSpace. I’m actually embarrassed that it is now out there for expanded distribution. Some of the photos look terrible. When I complained, they told me that I needed professional Acrobat or an expert that I could hire for $500. My book will probably never make me that much. It’s a personal account of an earthquake I was in as a child.
I agree, thank you for your comment and sorry about it. I have tried to reach them for three days and nothing. What a waste of time. I will stay with Create Space and Amazon which customer service is great all the time. What to give them money and a job with our dedicated work in writing and publishing?
I’m surprised by these negative comments. I took a look at the website after it was recommended on a writing website, then thought that I would search for ‘IngramSpark reviews.’
I often do this, to get a second opinion.
Maybe the writing website was an affiliate who was getting a commission for referrals, as is often the case.
Think I’ll stay with Amazon.
To Teresa and Jana,
Teresa you have been wrong since I first conversation. Jana, you have been wrong on two different topics ( not legal application & revision specifications) The two of you have cost me over a month of unnecessary delay in book signings and promotion, not to mention the hours of trying to convince you were wrong in conversation. No matter how your mistake was explained you stuck to your nonsense explanation even after I payed for two separate graphic artist to look at the… never was a revision ridiculous argument you would not give an inch on. This stubborn lack of respect to a customer should not go without notice. I expect no less than an sincere apology to me and Ingram Spark for blemishing the reputation of a company that has earned international respect. You two never wrong wrongers should be disciplined monetary as well as suffer some corporate disciplinary consequences for your belligerent ignorance and self- righteous attitudes that cost me unnecessary money and severe anxiety for more than a month.
Regret Knowing You,
Jerry Lewis # 9058449
Sent from my iPhone
Their new website and the old one are hackneyed and useless. They asked me to update my account and have since closed me out of getting in my account for 2 months. My book is there, but I cannot access anything related to it. I called them finally after 6 weeks and got hold of a woman who decided it was my fault that I did not know to use CAPITALs for my account name and that my password would close me out in 4 tries. I have tried and tried… I give up. They can go to HELL%$#. No one cares there and no one has helped me after all this time of writing and trying to get help, and their bookkeeping is very questionable since they give no reports of what has been sold until almost a year AFTER the fact. What a way to run a business! I have told them they need Silicon Valley to fix their web site… I hope that stings… but it is true. These people are living in the dark ages. DO NOT USE THEM.
I was so excited about publishing my book with IS. How disappointing to find out its all a racket. I looked at Create Space and I must admit that I was just as skeptical about them. It’s my first time and this process seems so crazy and unorganized. I don’t know anything about publishing a book so maybe I should consider a hybrid and pay for everything $4000. I’ve heard that its also a ripoff, but I don’t believe I have a choice. Is there an ABC company for dummies trying to publish? if there is anyone that can assist me please reply.
I have been using Amazon KDP (and previously CreateSpace) for years. Great books. Great price. Great customer service. Tried Ingram for UK and Australia printing (back before CS did UK) and it’s been a constant pain. Confusing interface. Heavy costs. And lately their website produces errors so I can’t order books at all. When I emailed customer service, they wrote back a week later that I should try clearing my brower cache. Really? How about fixing your website? Even though drop-shipping from Amazon is a bit of a pain, I’m going with that instead.