I signed on with NYLA without seeing any websites like this one. Their contract is on the up-and-up, but their escalating demands for fees make it clear what their real game is. They wanted $79 for a "critique", $99 for an "edit", and then -- are you ready for this? -- a "full edit" for $1750 (reduced from $1950!). Cough, cough. You bet I stopped before step #3. But let's talk about steps 1 and 2 for a minute, because it's not all bad.
Disappointing, yes, because I see I still need to find someone to market my novel. But meanwhile, I got some valuable feedback from the "critique" and the "edit". Could it have been more and better? You bet; I realized I could implement the editors' advice better than the editors could, but their insight still helped me knock loose some cobwebs and keep moving forward. Is that worth $178? Probably. If not, then darn close.
Lets not forget how different the publishing industry is from 50 years ago. Today editors want perfect manuscripts; they spend their money in other ways. So a major dilemma for writers is, where do we find the best editorial criticism and feedback? Not in weekly writers' groups, that's for sure. So to pay limited amounts for editorial criticism is not unreasonable. The trick is knowing where to go, who is good and reasonable, and so on. NYLA is a disappointment but not a total wash. Would I sign on again, knowing what I know now? No. But do I feel totally swindled and demand my money back? No. I went into it with my eyes open, and got some value. I've had bad dates that cost me more!