Crap designers

[BlueYonder]

I got stuck working with some Indians for a social bookmarking site using Drupal/Drigg. They may be good coders, but they're hopeless as designers.

I paid them half upfront, and no doubt they expect the rest of the fee in spite of their total inability to create an acceptable logo and banner, or even use the typeface family I requested. The first logo I got from them was an insultingly lame celery top cartoon character with a goofy face. The second is hardly much better. Seven or eight emails from me and and IM session couldn't get the message across.

I emailed this morning asking that they delete the logo and graphics, and I just want to be rid of them. I'll have to get a designer to finish this off, and the template needs customizing as well, but don't want them to do it. They're really hard to work with and I'm exhausted from trying.

How would you deal with this? Before you ask, I paid with a credit card and they're hosting the beta of the site on their own server.

 

[radio]

the money you've paid them is considered sunk costs and doesn't play into the equation. now you need to decide if what they have to offer is worth the other half. if not, walk away or renegotiate the price.

 

[BlueYonder]

I was leading up to asking them to release the template w/o the logo and banner, and not pay the rest. I don't like to take advantage of third world people, but they didn't do it nearly to my satisfaction, and this has been a tremendous source of angst.

 

[DBWebDev]

I was leading up to asking them to release the template w/o the logo and banner, and not pay the rest. I don't like to take advantage of third world people, but they didn't do it nearly to my satisfaction, and this has been a tremendous source of angst.

Get the files off their server first before spouting out your disapproval.

 

[digga121]

Shitty! I've had some good luck with designers from WickedFire, check out some posts in Buy Section. Some good ones for sure.

 

[BlueYonder]

Get the files off their server first before spouting out your disapproval.

I won't get anything off their server until we conclude this deal somehow. So far I haven't asked for a fee reduction - I only stated I don't like the graphics and was leading up to it. They have no access to my server, and would give me the work as an attachment.

 

[kblessinggr]

I won't get anything off their server until we conclude this deal somehow. So far I haven't asked for a fee reduction - I only stated I don't like the graphics and was leading up to it. They have no access to my server, and would give me the work as an attachment.

Curious if you know off-hand how to install the modified Drupal + Drigg site, and the database from an attachment? (something to have factored into the cost if they're not going to install it on the production server and you'd have to hire someone to do so if you don't know how).

 

[Fatbat]

I know of very few people who are genuinely happy working with offshore development teams. Quality talent at a price always wins out over mediocrity at bargain basement prices.

 

[BlueYonder]

I know of very few people who are genuinely happy working with offshore development teams. Quality talent at a price always wins out over mediocrity at bargain basement prices.

Not always. I'm paying a lot for this friggin thing.

 

[BlueYonder]

Curious if you know off-hand how to install the modified Drupal + Drigg site, and the database from an attachment? (something to have factored into the cost if they're not going to install it on the production server and you'd have to hire someone to do so if you don't know how).

Are you asking me here if I know how to install a modified Drupal site? ROTFL! :485::485::485::485::485::485:

 

[kblessinggr]

Are you asking me here if I know how to install a modified Drupal site? ROTFL! :485::485::485::485::485::485:

:updown: I didn't wana just come out and say it, Just thought it's kinda scary that they said they'd send it as an attachment. Especially since its modified you kind of have to install it manually. And I think when you originally negotiated the price, this should have been a factor in getting a lower price down since they wouldn't be installing it on to your server.

 

[Fatbat]

Not always. I'm paying a lot for this friggin thing.

Sorry for making assumptions. If this is the case then I would demand that they deliver what was agreed to no matter how may revisions it takes or you will have to revise the payment terms. Do you have any kind of engagement agreement/ contract laid out that defines their responsibilities, deliverables and deadlines, who owns the code, etc. etc.?

 

[ratamiss]

Every schmuck who has a cracked copy of Photoshop cs1 thinks they are a graphic designer. It devalues the whole profession.

 

[kblessinggr]

Every schmuck who has a cracked copy of Photoshop cs1 thinks they are a graphic designer. It devalues the whole profession.

I got CS4...

Anywho seems like a lot of the graphic designers on here find it crazy to pay for stock imagery when they could just rip it Perhaps thats a good way to spot the ones that have the cracked photoshop.

 

[Rage9]

Sounds like a bad situation, next use an escrow service if you don't know them. Going to cost a little more, but will levy this headache. Did they show you any graphic design work up front? Hell coders code, not as many of them can design.

 

[larrybn]

It's worth learning some code, so you don't have to have it hosted on someone elses server.

 

[illdave]

Dude, don't feel bad about not paying the last half if they're not giving you what you want or asked for. I'd suggest get the files that you've paid for so far, ask them to redo the graphics/whatever you're not happy with and keep asking for revisions and improvements - you're well within your right if they're just sending you over embarrassingly half-assed graphics.

If you think it's not getting better, don't pay the other half of the cash, or just ask for the template with no graphics (like you said) - stop working with them and get someone like Radio to finish off your graphics (I've not used him but I've only ever seen good reviews of him). Good luck with it

 

[radio]

Stop working with them and get someone like Radio to finish off your graphics (I've not used him but I've only ever seen good reviews of him).

don't do it. i'm not easy to work with.

 

[kblessinggr]

don't do it. i'm not easy to work with.

You'd work great together, both perfectionist in what they want. May be annoying as hell, but least shit would get done.

 

[BlueYonder]

If I can just get the files I paid half for, and hire out a competent designer to finish it off, I'll be relieved. Their emails are things I dread having to read.