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Post by Loren on May 9, 2020 2:14:48 GMT
I own the ISBN to my book and I am acting as my own publisher. In order to change POD services from Lulu to IngramSparks, would I have to assign a new ISBN to my book? Or would it simply be a case of deleting my account with Lulu and opening one up with IngramSparks?
From the ISBN hand book (translated by me, as I do not have an English one):
Thanks so much, benziger! <3 This is helpful. I suppose I can probably find this handbook on my "Bowker" website....? (This is where I purchased my ISBNs in the US.) I'll have to check it now. I didn't even think of looking there for answers... DUH!!! lol And, thank you for welcoming me as a guest, and for suggesting registering to this forum. I will consider it.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 10:50:38 GMT
Don't get rid of lulu though. They have a lot of things no one else offers.
I know you aren't only speaking to me, Maggie , but in the spirit of having a conversation about the issue at hand, I'll do a basic "copy/paste" from what I previously posted on Lulu's newest update post on Facebook, as of today (an update that will soon be deleted, btw...LOL!): "I'm not loyal to Lulu, I have no reason to be, nor would I be for any company, particularly those who can't seem to handle a website upgrade (and a tech company at that!), and who have awful PR strategies like trying to hide negative comments, as if deleting them makes the problem disappear... 🙄 For some, like myself, migrating away from Lulu may be easier. For others, it may be better to stay. Each one should do as they see best. But Lulu isn't the only company out there." So to summarize: I'm not inclined to "get rid" of Lulu on a whim. But Lulu simply has made it less desirable to do business with them. Yes, other POD companies are likely to do undesirable "upgrades" to their website. I will do like I do with every other online company who does such and "roll with the flow," unless it becomes irksome. Then I will find a new company with which to do business. Yes, other POD companies are likely to rid their websites of features that no longer make them as much money as before, such as different book size options. I will adjust accordingly. That's not a big deal for me as I only plan on writing possibly one more book in addition to the one I already have (with a co-author), although I can see where this would be an ache for others who have many books and who depend upon a printed version to get their message out. If worse comes to worse (relatively speaking), I'll stick with the free e-book option that has currently been, and will continue to be, available on our website. The important thing for me and my co-author is that our info gets out, not that we make money. This puts us in a position to likely be better off than some authors who are depending upon the money or who desire to make a name for themselves as an author. Don't get me wrong, please: I understand and support those desires; but it just isn't our motivation. Regardless... the way Lulu, as a company, has handled this "upgrade" is not professional, and their PR strategy stinks, and this is why I do not want to do business with Lulu any longer. I do not trust them. That's a big issue for me, personally. But this is my opinion. Others may disagree, and that's okay with me. But all that to say this: if someone wants to "get rid" of Lulu, I don't really blame them. It's not always the options that a company has to offer that entices people to stay loyal to, or to not "let go" of. Sometimes it's a trust issue. Anyhoo... not trying to argue the point. I hope this hasn't come across as that, and I sincerely apologize if it is. I'm just sharing my thoughts about the issue at hand. Thanks for allowing it. ...and for not deleting it. LOL  My impression has been that lulu is employee-centric as opposed to customer-centric. They are wonderful to employees and they stay there for years, are super loyal, have fun together, and love going to work. The customer, however, us, the users, who spend our money there, well, there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service."
Still, lulu staff have helped me tremendously over the years, from coupon codes, to free shipping, to extreme kindnesses of all kinds. But this removing book sizes and deleting messages, pretty annoying and disappointing.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 10:52:50 GMT
Hmm I just posted a long response and now it disappeared.
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Post by benziger on May 9, 2020 11:51:48 GMT
But this is my opinion. Others may disagree, Loren, I share much of your thinking. Personally, I'm bound by the book format and when it comes to landscape and square, Lulu offers less for the second time, but still more than others (as far as I know).
Maybe I should consider to change my landscape and small square sized children pictures books into portrait sized text-only books? |
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Post by yaphetkotto on May 9, 2020 15:05:26 GMT
Maggie, thank you so much! This tip may have saved my upcoming project! I did a quick comparison. For my needs, I don't even need the IngramSpark publishing program and can skip straight to Lightning Source, their global printing network. Here's the calculators from Lightning Source and Lulu: myaccount.lightningsource.com/Portal/Tools/ShippingCalculatorwww.lulu.com/pricingResult: - Lightning Source is consistently cheaper than Lulu, around 20% - Premium Color books are a LOT cheaper, around 40% - Shipping cost is comparable - Both Lulu and Lightning Source still have good prices even for printing single books (many online printers become very expensive if you only print one) - IngramSpark charges a 49$ setup fee per book but since I usually sell around 1500 copies that's not an issue. I guess I'll give it a try then. I'm very excited about this! Thanks a lot again!!! Coupon code INGRAMSPARK2020
Makes it free indefinitely, for now.
This option keeps getting better and better... Thank you so much, Maggie, truly a life-saver. And yes, you are right, we should not dismiss Lulu too easily. They got in bed with the wrong web developer and they are clearly mishandling this crisis. But of course they must be confused, overwhelmed and probably unable to just move back to the old design (as many have demanded). I have been with Lulu for 10 years and for most of the time they have delivered excellent service. So, even though I will migrate all my projects to IngramSpark for now, I will check back with Lulu every now and then, and perhaps return once the dust has settled in a year or so. |
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 15:29:05 GMT
Coupon code INGRAMSPARK2020
Makes it free indefinitely, for now.
This option keeps getting better and better... Thank you so much, Maggie, truly a life-saver. And yes, you are right, we should not dismiss Lulu too easily. They got in bed with the wrong web developer and they are clearly mishandling this crisis. But of course they must be confused, overwhelmed and probably unable to just move back to the old design (as many have demanded). I have been with Lulu for 10 years and for most of the time they have delivered excellent service. So, even though I will migrate all my projects to IngramSpark for now, I will check back with Lulu every now and then, and perhaps return once the dust has settled in a year or so. My pleasure.
Yes, Lulu has a lot of benefits and their distribution is great. I use KDP, Ingram Spark and Lulu. Example 6x9 at one place, 5x8 at another, and hardcover at Ingram Spark.
Good luck!
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Post by Loren on May 9, 2020 17:42:07 GMT
Wow... Well, their attitude and PR stance is starting to make sense now, given your enlightening observation. A company who reflects this sort of attitude towards their customers/partners/whatever-you-wanna-call-us, is not a company I want to be involved with. To each their own, however. |
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Post by Loren on May 9, 2020 17:44:50 GMT
My impression has been that lulu is employee-centric as opposed to customer-centric. They are wonderful to employees and they stay there for years, are super loyal, have fun together, and love going to work. The customer, however, us, the users, who spend our money there, well, there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service."
Still, lulu staff have helped me tremendously over the years, from coupon codes, to free shipping, to extreme kindnesses of all kinds. But this removing book sizes and deleting messages, pretty annoying and disappointing.
Hmm... that post didn't go the way I thought it was going to. lol I was responding to what you said, Maggie. You said: there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service." And I then responded with: Wow... Well, their attitude and PR stance is starting to make sense now, given your enlightening observation. A company who reflects this sort of attitude towards their customers/partners/whatever-you-wanna-call-us, is not a company I want to be involved with. To each their own, however. |
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 22:11:14 GMT
My impression has been that lulu is employee-centric as opposed to customer-centric. They are wonderful to employees and they stay there for years, are super loyal, have fun together, and love going to work. The customer, however, us, the users, who spend our money there, well, there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service."
Still, lulu staff have helped me tremendously over the years, from coupon codes, to free shipping, to extreme kindnesses of all kinds. But this removing book sizes and deleting messages, pretty annoying and disappointing.
Hmm... that post didn't go the way I thought it was going to. lol I was responding to what you said, Maggie. You said: there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service." And I then responded with: Wow... Well, their attitude and PR stance is starting to make sense now, given your enlightening observation. A company who reflects this sort of attitude towards their customers/partners/whatever-you-wanna-call-us, is not a company I want to be involved with. To each their own, however. They can't help it. They were the first to offer this service. |
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Post by BlueAndGold on May 9, 2020 23:29:23 GMT
Folks:
It might be good to put ourselves in the People of Lulus' perspective and have a little empathy. Those folks are getting SLAMMED right now. Not only were they caught by surprise with the new site technical troubles but no doubt they are having to deal with all of this remotely due to the Wuhan Flu complications many/most of us are dealing with.
Throw in a good dose of corporate embarrassment, possibly some internal strife and finger-pointing and dealing with who-knows-how-many loud complaints from users and partners; then throw in a dash or two of overtime hours and sleeplessness combined with the desire to keep their jobs and get things back to normal ASAP, and I'm sure you will find some very tired people.
Let's have a little faith and empathy here. Yes, things are screwed up badly and moving slowly but you can be sure this is not the way they wanted it to go. It will all get sorted out in due time and I believe it will be better than ever.
Faith, Baby! Now, where did I leave that mug...
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:02:19 GMT
Folks:
It might be good to put ourselves in the People of Lulus' perspective and have a little empathy. Those folks are getting SLAMMED right now. Not only were they caught by surprise with the new site technical troubles but no doubt they are having to deal with all of this remotely due to the Wuhan Flu complications many/most of us are dealing with.
Throw in a good dose of corporate embarrassment, possibly some internal strife and finger-pointing and dealing with who-knows-how-many loud complaints from users and partners; then throw in a dash or two of overtime hours and sleeplessness combined with the desire to keep their jobs and get things back to normal ASAP, and I'm sure you will find some very tired people.
Let's have a little faith and empathy here. Yes, things are screwed up badly and moving slowly but you can be sure this is not the way they wanted it to go. It will all get sorted out in due time and I believe it will be better than ever.
Faith, Baby! Now, where did I leave that mug...
Agree. Still, people need to have backups. In case there are more changes to any one POD in the future. |
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:06:10 GMT
My impression has been that lulu is employee-centric as opposed to customer-centric. They are wonderful to employees and they stay there for years, are super loyal, have fun together, and love going to work. The customer, however, us, the users, who spend our money there, well, there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service."
Still, lulu staff have helped me tremendously over the years, from coupon codes, to free shipping, to extreme kindnesses of all kinds. But this removing book sizes and deleting messages, pretty annoying and disappointing.
Hmm... that post didn't go the way I thought it was going to. lol I was responding to what you said, Maggie. You said: there's always been a vibe of "you're lucky we offer this service." And I then responded with: Wow... Well, their attitude and PR stance is starting to make sense now, given your enlightening observation. A company who reflects this sort of attitude towards their customers/partners/whatever-you-wanna-call-us, is not a company I want to be involved with. To each their own, however. If you were the first to make living on the moon possible you'd think people were lucky they got to be there. |
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Post by Loren on May 10, 2020 2:42:37 GMT
"If you were the first to make living on the moon possible you'd think people were lucky they got to be there."
"It might be good to put ourselves in the People of Lulus' perspective and have a little empathy."
Really...?! LOLOL!!!!
It's clear what this "non-lulu sponsored" forum is about.
I believe y'all should enjoy what it is clear you would like to enjoy, and the rest of us will move on. No big deal. But no sense in digging our heads in the sand.
Unless that's what you enjoy.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 8:03:02 GMT
I have been with Lulu for years and have reccomended it to family and friends who have published with the company. It took me a long time to learn my way around the site and ages until I could actually produce a book, but with help from the Lulu forum members i managed. The thought of learning a new site worries me. I'll wait and see how things develop with Lulu. Here's hoping everything will be Ok!
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Post by benziger on May 10, 2020 8:51:21 GMT
I believe y'all should enjoy what it is clear you would like to enjoy, and the rest of us will move on. No big deal. But no sense in digging our heads in the sand. Loren, some people here on the forum don't just publish with Lulu. There are trim sizes that Lulu does not offer or are disproportionately expensive. If you're looking for another provider, there are many tips here. If you make a shortlist of two or three, open a new thread and you will get answers from people who know them. Advantages. Disadvantages. Experiences. As a basis for your decision. Personally, I'd like to have everything from a single source. That would be easiest. But to do that, Lulu would have to offer some features that they've never offered before or do not offer anymore. In terms of features, I would be happy with epubli, but they don't accept that I use my own ISBN. |
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