Is it just me???
 

I don't know if I am at the right place but I would like to see if I am the only one experiencing this.

Since my forum is up, I asked 2 times to programmers to do me custom jobs. And every time it went wrong. I don't receive exactly what I paid for and there is always a good reason.

For he last job, the guy told me 1-2 days. It's been 2 weeks now and he still can't deliver. And he does not want to refund me since he said that the amount of job he already done on this project is too much for this!!!

So I don't know when it will be ready, he can't give me a time frame and I can't do anything about this.

Am I alone who experienced this? Is there something we can do in this kind of situations?

If you really want a quick, nice job, use these conditions.

Once I feel the hack is at least (insert percentage here) finished, I will give you (insert percentage here) of the money.

If you get it finished in (insert timeframe here) you will get(insert percentage here) more money.

If you don't get it finished by (insert timeframe here), you will only recieve (insert percentage here) of your pay. This is no different from a real job.

If I feel that the hack wasn't done as asked, or at a half rate job, you will only recieve
(insert percentage here) of your set pay.

The offer that I am willing to pay for this job is (insert $$ amount here), no more, no less. The terms and conditions above still apply to this, it is not a guaranteed, set amount. It is liable to change at anytime, providing with the terms and conditions, and nothing else. It will only change under these rules, not by any other factors. These terms and conditions are to prevent scams and help enforce a good, yet fast coding job. If you do not apply to these terms and conditions, you will not be used for this position.

Hehe, hope you liked the article. Might submit it for a sticky.

Personally i've always used coders from private websites like getafreelancer.com. I've always selected coders with a high positive rating and never ever pay until the job is done.

you were actually fooled by a coder who can't deliver and who is breaking our reputation... naming him would help so other people would know he is not reliable.

also, some suggestions: >>>> NEVER <<<< pay a coder/designer before the job is done... if he force you to pay before he starts, that's a proof he will not do the job... or his reputation is VERY high.... (like me.. lol)...

a upfront of 40% of the whole project can be required by a coder who can display some results, but actually, if that guy can't do the job.... someone else can. so if he said "pay me or i don't do it"... just don't pay him... call for someone else... even the best coder have someone summoning him somewhere. and sure you do not always need the best coder on earth!

call for the "Modification Not Available?" forum, so if someone can handle your request from there, you save a little... :)

Thanks guys. The 2 coders I worked with are from here. They answered to a "Modification Not Available?" thread. It is good to know that you are not suppose to pay before. I will never do it again.

I'll wait a bit to name the coder here, to give him a last chance.

2nd on pay after
Ive had alot of offers paying full or partial straight up, and I want them to be satisfied with what I have done before they pay. Causes less problems etc.

also, to show some security statements, you can force the coder to follow some rules when they code for you... the exact same way the coders may protect themselves by applying some rules:
http://nexialys.net/vbulletin/rules.php

also... "Modification Not Available?" is NEVER for paid job... unless the only solution is a paid modification.... never answer a first reply by accepting the job to be a paid one... wait for some days until someone can provide a free solution... and then if you have none, you can discuss a paid job.

Oh yeah sorry. I think I asked there but didn't get any answer so I posted it in the Request for paid service section.

I ask for a percentage up front. I won't work without it. However, I keep the amount rather small. I tend to break a project down into small segments, and invoice before each one. That way, I never work for free, and the client never risks much money.

I'll say it again though, not having a commercial directory where clients can leave feedback is leaving Jelsofts customers open to being ripped off, repeatedly.

You can choose two of the three in most cases: well-done, quickly-done, cheaply-done. Normally you will never get all three on any project.

Yeah, to be honest, I practice in the first and last qualities. I believe that you can save a lot of money in the long run if you have it well-done. Time too.

i have quickly-done jobs, they are usually released publically.. lol

i also have well-done jobs... and most of the time they are on time or late... because we have to make things perfect, sometimes it takes more time than the evaluation to make it so.... and i usually refund 10% of the quote when i'm late...

i have had some cheaply-done job in the past... it is called "PostNuke".. lol

It's very hard to evaluate how much work a job may be. I've been doing this for years, and I still underestimate. I just finished a job that took easily five times as much work as I estimated. I ate the cost though, because that is just how it works. In the end I learned a lot from the project.

Clients have to understand that this is not easy work, and sometimes estimates are off. Developers have to understand that when you underestimate, you eat the cost. You're a professional - you make a deal you do the job. In the end, it will pay to have a good reputation instead of being short-sighted about making every dime you can from your current client.

I think it should simply work like eBay. Both the buyer and the seller get to rate the transaction. It's a simple system, that would protect Jelsoft customers and help out the hard working and honest developers and designers.

Tsss... Shazz, stop this before you go too far... ;)

actually, anybody with a bad experience in the Service Request can post a comment about their adventure in reply to their own thread... nobody can reply but them, so they are free to post...

that's how the system is supposed to work, but a lot of sad clients are not coming back due to their experience...

Yes, please, let's not get personal. You'll get the thread closed, and a closed thread doesn't do anyone any favors.

Part of the problem is, by Jelsoft rules, we are not allowed to post a portfolio, or even a link to a portfolio. Hell, I may be violating the rules by mentioning that I have a portfolio and customer testimonials.

I understand that numerous people want this to remain a site about free community support, and though I don't fully agree with that stance I do respect it. However, at some point we have to deal with the reality that more and more cash business is being done on this site every day, and clients (and the occasional developer or designer) are getting abused.