Red Spiral Printing, Pretoria

My Experience With This Printer: The glowing Google reviews convinced me to trust this company with printing my first book. Sadly, that trust was broken. From the start, the treatment I received was unprofessional and, at times, cruel. As a new author of color, I felt powerless and deeply disrespected. My messages were ignored, my concerns dismissed, and my attempts at seeking resolution were met with silence. Even when I asked an experienced author to step in and assist me (clarifying she was not legal representation), the company continued to ignore me and only communicate with her. Apparently, these are not "defects" and normal quality, part of the production process (their words). It shows, they only care about money. Any person can see these books were bad quality. The manipulation and lies left me in tears. The way I was treated was saddening. I paid nearly R4,000 in full and on time, only to receive books of unacceptable quality: misprinted colors, uneven cuts, scratches, torn copies, poor image quality and damaged and wrinkled spines. When I requested a refund for the damaged books, I was told "since you're giving it to family and friends, it's perfect for it's intended use."  But my family and friends were paying customers too. Why should I, or any other author, pay full price for substandard work? The books were handed to me in boxes left outside in the blazing sun — a reflection of how little care was shown. My deposit refund has been ignored for weeks, despite repeated formal requests. Emails go unanswered. It feels as though my rights as a consumer were disregarded, my efforts to build a career crushed before it could begin. I cried enough over a broken dream and I pray to God no one else in my position has to endure this. I feel so helpless and now I have no way of printing new books and no sponsors. This experience took an immense toll on me mentally. What's crushing, so many people loved my book in the author community. It's what encouraged me to self-publish, and yet, I'm left with a failed career due to printers who refuse to acknowledge my existence. This experience has left me heartbroken. I do not want any other author — especially POC authors — to endure this kind of treatment. The truth matters, and I felt compelled to share mine. I pray no one else has to endure such treatment.