The biggest difference I notice when buying from each is the packaging. Half my DTRPG orders need to be replaced due to damage from inadequate packaging. Lulu packaging is always perfect.

Quote from: Loz;909628First, there's a long approval time one has to go through with DTRPG. (...) For example, Mythras Imperative, a 32 page, saddle stitched book. The cover generator refused me a saddle stitch option (greyed out, constantly, despite the book qualifying), then when they email me the InDesign cover template, and I follow the instructions and sizing to the fucking letter, it's rejected. I gave up and sent DTRPG a stinking email about the whole, horrible process. Never got a reply.

Well, that explains why with new products on DTRPG, when the publisher claims "PoD will follow shortly" it sometimes takes months!

Quote from: Loz;909628My experiences with DTRPG and Lightning Press have been utterly abysmal. First, there's a long approval time one has to go through with DTRPG. Then there's the tortuous process of the automated system finding errors in the PDF upload that are simply incorrect. And then you have to deal with the bag-o-shite that is Lightning Press's cover generator. For example, Mythras Imperative, a 32 page, saddle stitched book. The cover generator refused me a saddle stitch option (greyed out, constantly, despite the book qualifying), then when they email me the InDesign cover template, and I follow the instructions and sizing to the fucking letter, it's rejected. I gave up and sent DTRPG a stinking email about the whole, horrible process. Never got a reply. If I harken back to when I did a test run of RQ6, five years ago, it was a bit easier, but when the proofs arrived, the interior boxed text was so fucked up that it made the book unusable. Lulu, by contrast, with the same file, had no such issues.

+1 (I got the same experience).

My opinion on lulu vs LS:

I am disappointed by the color cover as printed by Lightning Source (i.e.: the POD company that RPGNow uses): it prints dull colors. Also, I got a problem: the first time I ordered a proof copy of the softcover (Dark Albion book) the cover was well centered, but second time I did it, it came with the cover image misplaced. But other than the problem with the covers, Lightning Source prints slightly better than lulu and Createspace (i.e. Amazon's POD service) the interior pages. So, where book quality, shipping costs, and ease of purchase (i.e.: through Amazon) are considered, I personally prefer Createspace. Books are on par with Lulu, but the inconvenience is that Createspace doesn't propose hardcover books.

As a publisher, you need to decide the level of quality in the printing that makes you (and your customers) happy .

I have been very pleased with the B&W books I have ordered from Lulu, and the recent nWOD hardcovers I ordered are superb (color on the new heavier paper), if not a tad expensive. Frankly, I would be willing to order from either vendor. I prefer my PDFs via OBS only because of the vast library they hold hostage, I mean keep safely for me. :-D

As a consumer, I can't say I've been disappointed with any of the various options.  Seems to be in order of quality:
1. Traditional Print
2. DTRPG Color
3. Lulu
4. DTRPG Standard

I haven't had to send anything back that I recall, must be lucky.

I have to admit I haven't ordered any print from DTRPG recently, but what I got last time I ordered was serviceable, if not pretty. Everything I've ever ordered from Lulu (two books thus far) has been of excellent quality. But if you want your book to sell, put it on both.

As a publisher, I prefer LULU so I don't use Drivethru at all. As a buyer, I don't really mind either - both have been good quality. Although LULU does some very good coupons (up to 30% off at times), which I always look out for.

Quote from: estar;908959You do both as your customers are split between the two and you will generate maximum sales by having the product on both site. Of the two I prefer RPGNow's print quality and choices, however Lulu has the easier submission setup and better royalties.

I was wondering about this myself. Assuming they are not exclusive outlets, just put your product up on all of them, yeah?

OneBookShelf give you a better royalty rate if you go exclusive with them.

Do both.  The more options purchasers have, the better.

Quote from: Hermes Serpent;911217OneBookShelf give you a better royalty rate if you go exclusive with them.

Yes, but now that they can be manipulated into censoring your game at any time, it's probably not a good idea to do put all your eggs in the OBS basket.