Help! I have been `taken` by 2 so called `professional` web designers

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Help! I have been `taken` by 2 so called `professional` web designers

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bevjoy

posts: 22

Oct 22, 2008 1:44 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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First I hired a `professional individual` to design my website. Paid up front. Took my money, emailed me a header and disappeared.

This experience drove me to an `established web design company` in Utah, who I thought due to their size and online marketing ~ would deliver. Again I have paid in full for a home page + 5 pages with a 5 week deadline to launch my business at a huge women`s conference tomorrow. I am in tears over their lack and ability. If I could cut and paste, or attach what they have done here so you could see, you would know my disasterous situation. I have a long background starting, operating and selling small businesses. My now 8th new business is to target women entrepreneurs, to help them with clarity and commitment and ability to set a foundation for entrepreneurial success with an online workshop designed to give a full business plan for each client.

I am writing this frustrated and not knowing how to find a trustworthy web designer. I have limited funds and have paid 4 figures for nothing to date.

Help!

Webline

posts: 687

Oct 22, 2008 5:18 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Sorry to hear about your experience so far .... SUN has a great community here, and there are some design firms that contribute here frequently, so I`m sure you can find a truly reliable company to work with if you pursue getting your site developed.

-------------------------

M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Oct 22, 2008 7:16 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Oh my gosh Bevjoy.....what a horrible experience.! Don`t pay any of them in full till they deliver. I know it`s kind of late to even say that. I work with Roland of http://www.vwebworld.com. He is the most trusted person I have ever worked with. I`ve encountered a few bad seeds myself. And I know personally that he`s helped others that have been left with website problems. Then again, as M Hall said there are others here. I am only speaking out of experience of working with someone that I can really trust and who is always there for me.

I hope everything works out.

Janie

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Oct 22, 2008 8:17 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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As Janie says... it`s not a good idea to pay in full up front for web design - or almost any service.

Feel free to PM or email me the link to your site (or post it here) and I`ll be happy to offer my suggestions.

~Roland

PS: Thanks Janie

-------------------------

Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

envymike

posts: 31

Oct 22, 2008 4:25 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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The information that I will give is too late now.
1.Have a contract.
2.Pay by credit card if possible to dispute any problems that occur if you can`t pay check or even money order.

I took a look at the site and it looks just like a template (also based on the code), The coding is also a mess unfortunately showing this is no pro.

I have done my own website for a family business found http://www.loriabeauty.com/.
I hope to open a business someday myself, I have the client base but I am having a trouble getting it all starting.

http://www.michaeladlerwebdesigner.com check out my portfolio, offering freelance services.

atonecreative

posts: 17

Oct 23, 2008 1:03 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Yeah, never pay designers up front. If they don`t understand the importance in a start work deposit and close work payment, they probably have no intention of getting you your project. The only time I do one flat rate and require full payment is when the bill is less than 200$, and even then I do a contract ot make sure ill get that money and do some work ups to show the client that yes, You will get what you are paying for and we are working on it. Try to either work with a local designer you can reach out and smack if their being flaky or work with an established firm.. you may pay more but atleast you`ll get what you pay for!

bevjoy

posts: 22

Oct 23, 2008 2:15 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thank you Janie for replying. The 2nd, so called reliable company, made me sign a contract and pay 1/2 up front and 1/2 later. Two weeks later they took the 2nd 1/2 of the payment (therefore the entire amount now paid) out of my PayPal account, without my ok, acknowledgement, etc. They had all my money and had not yet even assigned me a web designer. What has been done to date is beyond amateurish and `home made` looking. I gave them template samples I found on line, as well as font and colors. They ignored what I submitted, designed a header, a rectangular box, totally different colors than I asked for ~ and are now claiming they did the work.

I have no recourse and cannot go after them ~ they are in another State and I would have to file `small claims court` in Utah ~ not worth the time and cost to retrieve my money.

bevjoy

posts: 22

Oct 23, 2008 2:28 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I didn`t pay full up front. I initially paid 1/2 thru PayPal and signed an agreement.
You know how these `service companies` want a downpayment up front on good faith.
2 Weeks later they took the balance.
I called them on it and they took days to reply and told me it wasn`t worth refunding me as it would take 2 weeks thru their financial dept. and by then they would have completed the site. Didn`t happen.
It took them 4 weeks just to assign a web designer to me. The company is Heritage Web Solutions. If you send me your email I can email you with the attachment of work to date. You will be shocked! Today I attended the Governor`s Conference for Women (14,000 women). I invested in heavy stock, colored flyers to distribute to launch my online Entrepreneur Training (Business Plan) Workshop. Because the site is not close to even having a home page, let alone 5 pages of info, newsletter and sign up for classes ~ I lost this once/year opportunity that I planned for.

I am now going to solicit experienced people here at SUN to form a team to launch this timely, important, much needed website.

For anyone reading this I am now looking to form a dynamic team made up of:

a) VA

b) Website Techie that can look after the back end

c) Financial Wiz

If you have any interest I would be happy to discuss this great opportunity with you at great length, on line or by phone.

Thanks

bevjoy

posts: 22

Oct 23, 2008 2:33 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

I didn`t pay full up front. I initially paid 1/2 thru PayPal and signed an agreement.
You know how these `service companies` want a downpayment up front on good faith.
2 Weeks later they took the balance.
I called them on taking the 2nd payment without permission, notice etc.
They took days to reply and told me it wasn`t worth refunding me as it would take 2 weeks thru their financial dept. and by then they would have completed the site. Didn`t happen.
It took them 4 weeks just to assign a web designer to me. The company is Heritage Web Solutions. If you send me your email I can email you with the attachment of work to date. You will be shocked! Today I attended the Governor`s Conference for Women (14,000 women). I invested in heavy stock, colored flyers to distribute to launch my online Entrepreneur Training (Business Plan) Workshop. Because the site is not close to even having a home page, let alone 5 pages of info, newsletter and sign up for classes ~ I lost this once/year opportunity that I planned for.

I am now going to solicit experienced people here at SUN to form a team to launch this timely, important, much needed website.

For anyone reading this I am now looking to form a dynamic team made up of:

a) VA

b) Website Techie that can look after the back end

c) Financial Wiz

If you have any interest I would be happy to discuss this great opportunity with you at great length, on line or by phone.

Thanks

bevjoy

posts: 22

Oct 23, 2008 2:49 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Thank you for offering suggestions.

I will attempt to cut and paste the work this company did ~ your wisdom will be appreciated.

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