I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
Okay, Sorry for the length of the post, but I want you guys to see the whole story.
I'm in the process of getting a site created by a web developing company. Here's the story: I hired these guys because they're other sites looked very good, very professional. So, they make me a concept mockup site, and i really liked it. It had gradients on the buttons and everything was clean and in good locations; so I gave it the go-ahead.
Once they showed me the site in html there where all kinds of elements that were different, granted they were details, but I'm a HUGE stickler for details. There were boxes that didn't line up with other boxes, buttons that were completely of their respective content box, and many other examples. At first when they showed me, I figured no big deal, it's in the beginning process.
So, the lady creating my site tells me to send of screen shots of how I'd like my content added, like the FAQ page, Price page, contact us page, and so on. So, I send over pages exactly how I want them. I tell her to use gradients and install the wording exactly. She does none of this. So now I'm upset so I created my own elements (buttons, content boxes like "sign up for update" boxes, stuff like that) And they said it would be another $500 to add that stuff. I get that I already okayed their mockup and it would be a hassle for them to install my stuff, but it comes down to I don't trust them to put together my content, all that they're doing literally copying and pasting my words.
The entire process costs me $2500 and I paid $1200 upfront and another $1000 when I saw the mockup (i should never have paid that $1000 so early, that was dumb) But the reason I'm paying so much is because I figured there'd be some artistic discretion on their part, and that they'd be able to create elements that would be eye appealing, but all they've done is literally copy and pasted my words and installed it with the quickest possible setup. I understand that time is money, but if i wanted someone to turn my content into code I could have hired a free lancer for thousands less.
I never signed any form of contract except one that states I don't have to pay in full until I'm completely satisfied. I'm thinking of telling them I want a full refund unless they make the changes I asked for. What do you guys think. I'm in a crappy situation.
Thanks for your help
-Travis
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Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
No shopping cart, it's more of a prices shown call for a quote and order site. I think I deserve a refund because there is no way that their work is worth $2500.
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Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
Wow, that is such a bummer...a lot of money to spend - especially if you don't get what you were expecting to get..
Thinking about it though, what are the chances of you getting a refund? they could say we have put in the time and so we have to be paid...so, maybe before going gung ho and throttling try to get them to see your side of it and why you are feeling disappointed with the service they are giving you...
Tell them that you were hoping to put their web address at the bottom of the web page, like "site designed by: XYZ" and ask them if they would be happy to put their name to such shoddy work...tell them that you will have a high traffic site and that if the site looks awesome its win win for all involved as they may snag some more customers from it...I did this for my site and it has worked out nicely so far..
Also though, if they are using just HTML that is a bit of worry..they, I hope, have some CSS going on as that is what makes sites look uniform and decent..ask them about it - what languages are they using to build the site? plain old html ain't really enough these days and for 2.5g its a real rip off...
Good luck with it anyway...whatever way it pans out..
Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
I can see what you mean, for me the t-shirts in the main header need spreading out a bit, the quote click me button is out of position (at least in FF) and the box needs to go up in line with left hand column, need a low price bit needs to be same width as rest of side bar and there are some padding issues with the bullet points The footer is a bit of a mess and the myspace etc links don't work.
Is that the kind of things concerning you?
I suppose you have to decide if you want your money back or them to fix the problems, I dont know if you'd get a complete refund - depends on their terms & conditions.
Do you want your site up and running or the long old haul of trying to get your money back with no site and no more cash to get it done elsewhere?
Providing them with a snagging list for them to complete doesn't seem unreasonable for the money you've spent. Keep your remaining $300 until your happy.
Why are the files .php when its just XHTML (that has validation errors by the way)?
Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
The money is spent... can't change that...(unless they have a satisfaction guarantee?)
I would call them and be cool about it... but i would firmly say that you have spent quite a
bit of money and would like the site to be to your liking...
I think the site in the link you provided looks fine btw... using xp with ie7...
just a little pricy... good luck with sales... and after you make a bunch of money, you can look back
and not feel so bad about the cost of the site...
Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
Yeah, maybe I'm over reacting. Maybe I should just get them to fix all of the stuff that wrong and be done with it. I don't know. It just seems like there's a lot of stuff not right for the amount of money that I've spent.
__________________ cloverprintshop.com (coming soon)
High quality screen printing soon to come
Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by zymerguyer
No shopping cart, it's more of a prices shown call for a quote and order site. I think I deserve a refund because there is no way that their work is worth $2500.
Sorry but that depends on the site, dont be cheap or cheap minded. A lot goes in to a personalized site.
On the other hand, they need to comply to your requirements. Make a fuss about things not matching alignment and such.
A good site cost money and time for both the client and the firm or designer. Be fair, you wouldnt want your client telling you YOUR SHIRT AINT WORTH WHAT THEY ARE PAYING.
Just push them in the right direction.
Make a list of things they need to fix first, than make a list of demands you feel fall between the scope of things already agreed for.
Personally, we do high-end sites and some clients want a $10,000 but expect to pay $800.
Using templates is a sin, yeah they look great, but integration is a dud.
Simply tell them what you want, your the PAYING client.
Re: I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!!
I see what you mean about the alignment, but it probably isn't something the average customer would notice.
Before you demand your money back, I'd take a breath, sit down and list your concerns. A lot of the changes you want should be pretty simple to make. It would probably be worth it for the company to make them just from a customer service standpoint.
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I Need Some Serious Advice About Web Designer Troubles!! 
