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[HELP] Honest Opinions Required...

by margaretw
8 replies
Hi All,

My first proper post on here and I'd really like some opinions as to what my options would be with this...

I created a simple site that crafters could use to make greeting cards etc, really simple point and click stuff.

Cutting a long story short I wanted to upgrade the site into a proper membership site and decided to hire a programmer via elance to make a new version. I explained that I wanted the user to be able to do a lot more with this new version, like resize, rotate, load multiple images, mirror image, text editor, etc, etc.

I also explained that while I know the basics I would ultimately be in their hands. The intial quotation was that it would take 4 month and cost $4000. This seemed reasonable and I accepted.

Six months in with no end in sight the programmer advised that it had taken much longer than expected and they required a further $4560. This was to take into account some further additions/changes etc.

I know the alarm bells should have been ringing but at that time I still trusted them and accepted this wanting to get the job finished asap.

The programmer then advised that the software/scripts etc could only work on a dedicated windows server. I have had no help from the programmer on how to set this up and it took me around a further 3 months to configure. This is presently costing me £57 per month which is a 12 month contract with another 6 months to run.

Since accepting the job there has been little communication between us. I didn't worry about this as I trusted their judgement.

A further six months have past and my programmer has delivered the results. I haven't uploaded many of my graphics but if you click on any of the 10 buttons then click on either the graphics or templates folder you will be able to try to use it.

Heres the link... As I don't have enough posts to post a link you'll have to put in the usual >>> makingcardprojects.net/amember/membclub/index.php

Login using...
U/N - platinum
P/W - test

Personally I think what the programmer has delivered is not usable and certainly not saleable. I've paid $6440 and theres a balance of $2210 to pay.

Main question is... would I be in my rights to contact elance and ask for some, if not all of my money back??

Many Thanks
Margaret
#honest #opinions #required
  • Profile picture of the author robitn4
    I think elance should be able to advise you on what rights you have. Surely they'll have a dispute resolution procedure.
    Signature

    Tim

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    • Profile picture of the author margaretw
      Thanks robitn4,

      Just about to look into that...

      Many thanks
      Margaret
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  • Profile picture of the author eddiejames
    I think you're well within your right to do that.

    Always best to pay close attention to contracts. Ensure you have a good set of terms in place!

    In my opinion, for higher value jobs (Eg. $1000+) go for a web development company that are local to you. So you can physically sit down with them, have a meeting and explain what you need. Then if they don't deliver, much easier to go knocking at their door and demand a refund, or answers.

    I would also say, any programmer offering services - should really have their own development server(s). The fact he's asked you to pay for his development environment, I think is quite frankly shocking and very unprofessional. Whenever we develop solutions for clients, we always first create the solution on our own systems - then deploy to a clients server when they are ready to go live.
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  • Profile picture of the author zain654321
    Hi, According to me you must ask the elancer to make it able to be sold out it must be the first prority and if they do not do so then you can claim them for the lose of your time as well as money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Damien Roche
    First, once the alarms bells went off you should have actually took notice. Thankfully, you're working through a reputable middle man (elance), but this can't always protect you. You should NOT have paid extra and certainly should not have entered into any kind of contract.

    It seems this provider is trying to fleece you - contact elance immediately. I wouldn't push for a full refund, but rather a barter. Either way, the product looks unfinished and they've already received full funds from the original project spec.

    What can I say, it's a toughie. Be more careful in the future.
    Signature
    >> Seasoned Web Developer (CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby) <<
    Available for Fixed Fee Projects and Hourly ($40/hr)
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  • Profile picture of the author Tracey_Meagher
    Hi Margaret,

    When you are a novice it is very difficult to know what you are getting into.

    You might want to contact elance - I see on their employer section is says:-

    Providing Confidential Feedback to Elance

    During the duration of a job, you may also send private feedback to Elance about your provider and your job. All private feedback is kept strictly confidential and is not visible to the provider. Elance uses this data to ensure that our providers are delivering consistent quality.

    To leave private feedback:
    Click Manage > My Jobs in the top navigation.
    On the right side under the current job status, click Select Action > Leave Private Comments link. (You may also use the 'Quick Links' in the right margin.)

    They might have some way of helping you get you rmoney back.

    Did you pay via invoice or escrow?

    Did you define your requirements clearly? Did the developer have a lot of feedback and experince when you hired them? Are they still working on elance? Where are they located? Maybe you can still hurt them enough to make them give some of your money back! Especially if they're still doing business on elance!

    I don't understand why you need an MS dedicated server. The developer used Wordpress. Can you tell me what the other files are that need to be uploaded?

    Also, I see the developer used the podango player. Not certain on this, but it appears they've gone out of business. I guess maybe your developer was going to use the podango server service for hosting your media. There are other players easily integrated, and cost effective ways of hosting videos off your own server if that's what you need.

    I really hope you resolve this, as it is a lot of your money and time!

    Could you please be a little more specific on what you are trying to do? I know a lot about Wordpress and might be able to give you some alternatives.

    If you would like to pm me go ahead.

    Tracey
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  • Profile picture of the author lharding
    Hi,

    I certainly would not pay the outstanding amount. I couldn't get your site to do anything. What does work does not look like 6 weeks of programming let alone 12 months.

    Perhaps you need to have a formal conversation with elance. You'll probably need to have your requirements/specifications handy.

    The problem you'll have if you don't have clear requirements is justifying that the developer has not delivered what you've asked for.

    Good luck, Lee.
    Signature
    Lee Harding
    The Architect
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  • Profile picture of the author clubvikram
    Banned
    Hello Margaret,

    I also agree you should go for dispute resolution and do not pay the outstanding amount.
    but one thing you must remember since you are paying big bucks,regular communications and regular reports are your rights.Ideally you should have identified the milestones leading to the ultimate objective and payed on completion of those milestones in time,if deadlines committed by them are missed then penalty should be charged.
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