ArtkiveReviews of artkiveapp.com

Artkive’s Pricing is Misleading and Their Business Practices Are Deceptive Artkive presents itself as a simple and sentimental service for preserving children’s artwork, but their pricing structure is intentionally opaque, and their advertising is misleading. While they do have a pricing page, the total cost is not clearly communicated, and many customers only discover the true price after they have already sent in their artwork. Misleading Pricing and Lack of Transparency Artkive’s advertisements promote low upfront costs—such as $29-$39 for a shipping box or $75 for a book—without disclosing that the final cost is determined after the work is done. Many customers have reported receiving invoices for hundreds of dollars more than expected, often exceeding $600-$700. The company does not provide an upfront estimate or allow customers to approve charges before processing the artwork. Advertising Does Not Align With Actual Costs Artkive heavily markets through one-click purchase ads on social media, which encourage parents to send in years’ worth of artwork without fully disclosing how pricing is calculated. Their messaging gives the impression of an affordable service, but in reality, customers are left with sticker-shock invoices and no way to decline the charges without losing access to their child’s artwork. Holding Artwork Hostage If a customer disputes the invoice or refuses to pay the unexpected charges, Artkive refuses to return the original artwork unless additional fees are paid. Some customers have reported being told they must pay for digital copies in order to get their physical artwork back, despite never agreeing to such charges in the first place. Unprofessional Customer Service and Complaint Handling Artkive’s customer service is only available via email and text, with little to no direct support. Customers report automated or dismissive responses when they attempt to dispute charges or request clarification. Additionally, the company’s responses to formal complaints—particularly on the BBB website—are highly unprofessional, condescending, and often mock customers instead of addressing their concerns. Conclusion While Artkive provides a pricing page, their actual pricing structure is complex, unclear, and often results in significantly higher costs than customers expect. Their advertising does not align with their true costs, and their business model relies on misleading customers into a financial commitment they cannot opt out of without losing their child’s artwork. Consumers should exercise extreme caution before using this service. Anyone considering Artkive should demand a written estimate before sending in their artwork or seek alternative methods of preserving their child’s memories to avoid potential financial exploitation.

The marketing for this company is very deceptive. The ads present an image of a mom throwing her kids' artwork into a box and immediately receiving a beautiful book with the artwork. These advertisements belie the fact that books cost up to $600. and after you send in your kids' artwork you have absolutely no control over this pricetag. They will hold your kids' artwork hostage until you pay and they reserve the right to charge your credit card if you don't do it yourself. Artkive argues that the price of their photos are so high because they use "professional photographers." What the hell could this possibly mean? They are literally photographing pieces of paper that kids scribble on. If you are reading this review before requesting an Artkive box, DO NOT ORDER THE BOX. Take pictures of your kids' art and submit it to the million other companies that will compile them into book form. There are so many better options out there than these overpriced shenanigans. I am a busy mom of five kids who was tantalised by the advertisement of a mom throwing art into a box and getting a book back. Instead I am a busy mom of five kids who just got scammed out of $150. and I don't even have a book to show for it.

Shady business and no way to speak to customer service. We ordered a book from them about 5-6 years ago and they just started billing us annually without us signing up for a plan. Stay far away!

BUYER BEWARE - Price Misrepresentation In 2022, I received an Artkive box from my neighbor as a gift. I sent int the box with my daughter’s artwork a few months later. Having received nothing in the six months that followed, no communication whatsoever, I followed up with Artkive on Instagram on October 6, 2023 to inquire about the book of my daughter’s drawings. After some back and forth with their customer team, they said they found my daughter’s artwork and sent me a link to pay for it. I was confused because my neighbor had purchased it for me as a gift. I asked the customer service team why I was being asked to pay for it. They let me know about the 1st and 2nd payment process, which I was unaware of. With this new information, I asked to have the book returned and to cancel my order. At no time did I ever see a proof of my book or have any visual confirmation that it had been prepared. Also, had I not originally reached out to check on it, I may have never heard or received the book. Six months is not a reasonable amount of time to wait for this type of product. I told the customer service agent, Frannie, on October 12, 2023, that I did not wish to proceed with the book because of the exorbitantly high and unexpected cost. I was notified a few days later that they were preparing my box for return. Several weeks passed and I did not receive any notification that it had been shipped, so I followed up again. This is my only child’s artwork, and the lack of communication about its shipping status was unacceptable. After that follow up, I received no communication, but the box with my daughter’s artwork was eventually returned. I assumed that my business with Artkive was concluded. However, last week, I received a letter from their customer service team with a $125 charge and a notice that if I do not pay, it will go into a process of collections. This is for the digital editing work, per their team’s email explanation. I have never received a proof of the book or any evidence that they even photographed my daughter's artwork. I should not be charged for a service I cannot confirm that I received. I was never aware of the cost for this (because this box was originally gifted to me), and even when I went to their website today, it doesn’t have this fee listed. It only vaguely says “Cost of photography/editing, books, and/or mosaics not included.” There is no price listed for this. Since I was gifted this Artkive box originally, I had no idea of the cost. Today, they said if I paid $89 by the end of the day, they would not send it to collections. This did not include any evidence that the artwork had been photographed. Also, I do not know how they arrived at the $125 charge or the $89 charge. This pricing is not listed on their website. The entire process of waiting over 6 months for the book, then being charged an exorbitant amount, and then going back and forth with their team has been miserable, and been very painful for me to deal with. I am not the only one as I have observed on their Instagram. Others have complained about their lack of transparency in pricing, and they simply delete the comments or respond rudely on Instagram. I believe with cost transparency this could be a business that parents want to engage with, but not only did they almost lose my daughter’s artwork, now I am being charged for something I have not received. If they photographed my daughter’s artwork and I have to pay for that, shouldn’t I be entitled to those photographs at a minimum?