Does it have to be so complicated?

I was thankful and happy when I realized my third novel was revised to the point where it was about as good as I can make it. Then I had to think about the best way to publish it. After much research I decided on a semi-local publishing company that had some good reviews from other authors. I was then highly pleased with the cover design provided by a niece of mine with a background in graphic arts. Things were looking good.
Then I got into the mechanics of electronically uploading the chapters so they could be printed and bound in book form. That is where all the wheels fell off. After repeated attempts and "guidance" from a "service coordinator" the "publishing wizard," their version of a software program that puts your files together in publishable form, it is still telling me that my 4" x 6" files are 8 1/2" x 11." I am at the point of suspecting this to be a ruse to get me to the point of frustration so that I will purchase the option to let them format my files...an action for which they charge a substantial extra fee. They also make money on the cover...and on the printing...and on the book.
Could there be a pattern here? Ah yes.......they who do little make much money; I....who did most of the work, make little. Sort of seems to be the way America is going these days, doesn't it?

I guess the question for the day is....when did we become such a nation of crooks?