This Company Stole My Money
I paid this company to do illustrations for a children’s book and for publishing services. I later requested to cancel the publishing services and requested a refund, due to having a hard time working with them to complete the illustrations and they kept changing project managers weekly. Several individuals agreed and confirmed I would receive the refund. Then a specific staffer promised and confirmed I would receive the refund on a specific date. The refund never came. The company stopped responding to my emails and my phone calls go to voicemail. I would recommend to anyone, do not work with this company.
UPDATED: 11/15/2025
As of this date, American Illustration Lab, continues to not respond to my emails. Below is a more detail account of my experience with this company.
This is an account of the events that occurred between September 9 and November 6 regarding the $2,000 refund that American Illustration Lab repeatedly promised me but never delivered.
On September 9, I responded to an emailed from another staff member after noticing ongoing problems with the project’s consistency and communication. I explained that:
• The project began well under, but after the original project manager left the project everything declined.
• I began receiving emails from multiple people, with unclear roles and inconsistent information.
I stated that I needed to cancel the publishing service (which cost $2,000) and keep only the illustrations. I asked who I needed to speak with about this.
On September 29, I emailed the project manager to confirm that I had approved the final images for my book Willie’s Joy. In this message, I also stated that I had spoken with the finance department, and they confirmed that my $2,000 refund would be issued.
I asked her for an update on when I would receive the refund.
On October 6, after receiving no update, I emailed everyone i had and email for
I asked again for the status of the items I had previously followed up on, including the refund.
On October 22, I sent another emailed everyone I had an email for again
I reminded a specific staff member that he had previously agreed to a payment schedule:
• Firs week of October 8
• and a second payment two weeks later
At this point, I had received no payment, no confirmation, and no explanation.
I requested the refund status and the payment method.
On October 23, a specific staffer finally responded. He said:
• He apologized for the delay.
• He confirmed that he had already promised to send the refund earlier in the month.
• He claimed the company was undergoing an audit that “stalled finances.”
• He said he personally vouched for my refund.
• He promised my refund would be initiated within one week, by November 1.
This was the second specific date he gave me.
On October 29, the same staff member wrote me again and stated:
• He had confirmation from the finance team.
• I “should receive” my refund by Monday, which would have been November 3.
• He thanked me for my patience and said they intended to “make good on this promise.”
This was the third time a date was given for my refund.
By November 6, no refund had been issued.
I emailed the staff member who promised payment and cc: his coworkers to let them know that, once again, the promised date had passed and no funds had ever been deposited into my account.
The company continues to not respond to my emails or refund my money.
