Hotcards ripoff, disorganized, fraudulent printing and design firm with the worst customer service ever! Cleveland Ohio

I first called Hotcards.com for the first time this January 24th 2005 after seeing an paper ad. Their prices on printing and design services seemed unbeatable so I figured I would give them a try. Being the first time I would print a post-card flier for a business I am just getting off the ground I needed some questions answered.

Calling the office numerous times got me no where! Not one question was answered to me about how to submit artwork for printing, I was either left on hold until the phone disconnected, or I was directed to the Hotcards.com website which is impossible to navigate. A few days passed.

When I called to ask how to navigate the website I was told that "It's simple and that I should try harder" I only wanted my questions answered, and tried to aske again, but was told that I NEEDED to go to the website and that there is no one available to answer every question that every caller might have, the woman answering the phone said "look, we're very busy now." I just decided that maybe they are too busy, and I assumed that if they are that busy then they must be very popular, and worth the hassle.

At January the 31st 2005, I visited the office. I was surprised that it was such a make-shift opperations. I could not find the exact office location at first because since it is located inside of some other company's building in a dark basement, in what seems to be an old area. I almost walked right out just thought I was in the wrong place. But a gentlemen pointed me to the waiting area where I was not greeted, and found myself a seat.

I sat for a few minutes until another gentlemen poked his head into the room and said "What you need?" I informed him that I was in need of printing and design for my post-card flier and that I wanted to view some product samples. He pointed to the back of the room, suggesting that I look through a scattered aray of there merchandise. I made my way back there, tripping over a few steps due to the lack of lighting. When I almost fell on my face I heard a giggle emerge from the shadows, an employee(I assume) looked up from desk and said I should watch my step.

After locating a pile of printed things I found a Design sample from the very limited supply of layouts I made my way back to the waiting area. A young lady helped me make my order. I handed over color negatives of my products that were to be placed on the card design. (It was Monday)I was told that the design would be completed and my cards ready in 2 weeks on the next Friday afternoon.

I called Friday morning Febraury the 11th to confirm pick-up. The young lady on the phone assured my order was complete and I should come at 5pm. At 4:45pm I arrived to find the doors locked. I searched around the building for a second entrance, and found a loading area. I asked the gentlemen there is this Hotcards.com He said, s**t,I guess so. He disappeared.

I waited in the cold for around 15 minute before venturing into the building to wander around hope trying to find a salesperson and find out why I was told to come and they are closed?! I made my way to the downstairs, and was told to wait because no one knows if my cards are done.

I patiently waited until 6pm, and I was told that Oh, we did not design yours yet, come back next week. I demanded to speak to a manager, a young lady asked me how long I could wait because I would be waiting all weekend since he (the manager) would not be in until Monday. Then the gentleman there said, Well, how can be print something if you didn't look at the design of it first, like it was my fault. I was frustrated and left.

Calling first thing Monday I asked what was going to be done about this situation. The young man who answered the phone said that the person I had to talk to was not in yet, and that I should call back later. I asked when. He said he didn't know, the manager comes in when he feels like it.

I tried to leave my number for him to call me asap, I did, then asked him to read aloud it back to me. He admited that he did not write it down, and that the manager would not call me and I should just try back tomorrow. I called for a few days and was either placed on hold or dismissed.

Finally I had some answers. The owner spoke to me and told me that I would be able to come in to review a custom design (which would now be discounted to $100 instead of the original $150, and is more expensive anyway than what I had originally purchased). It was Friday the 18th now, He told me I could approve of the design and that the cards will print the following Monday. Everything seemed to be worked out now with him in charge. I just wanted all this over with, and With the show comming up that I had planned to distribute the cards in, and mail out for I decided it would be quickest to have Hotcards.com complete what I had hired them to do.

I came to the office to review the design that afternoon. And NONE of the the photos I specifcally told them to use where on the card. I kept my cool and asked to see the owner whom I spoke to, the young lady in the office said, nope, he's not here today he left. I said give me my color negatives back, give me a full refund I am tired of this! she informed me that Hotcards.com does not give refunds. and proceeded to tell me that I need to speak to the owner, "whenever he shows up again" I said ok, just give me my slides of my products. She said there aren't any.

I assured her there was, and they are my only coppy and EXTREMELY important. all the employes did a half-hearted search of there areas. When nothing was found the original gentleman who I delt with told me No, you did not leave any slides.

Frustraded, I left without and product, without any re-embrushment, and most importantly without the slides of my products which can not be replaced and are very expensive. The event was the last week of February, I had to distribute a home-made, very unprofessionel flier.

Most of all it is now March, and I have not heard back, except from them to tell me that they printed the Cards that do not have my product photos on it, and that I owed them money for it. I mentioned that I want my color slides returned! and then they hung up on me. I am tired of calling to have return to me what is mine!. And no, I will NOT pay for cards I did not want.

Unsatisfied Hotcards.com Customer
Cleveland, Ohio
U.S.A.