BlogHue Review - Buyer Beware - Product Not As Advertised

[droplister]

I ordered 15 "Regular Blogs" from BlogHue.com based off of the user's enlightened thread, impressive samples, and listed blog features. After a long series of self-set unmet deadlines, I feel like you bros need to know.

I paid for 15 blogs on November 14th after BlogHue created 1 blog in good faith. I had him make 1 in good faith because he wanted me to make my Paypal payment to a friend and not to him. Which is usually a bad sign.

It's now two months later and what I have are 15 websites in various states of unfinished. Perhaps just one blog is up to snuff with the clearly listed features that I paid for.

Two months is a fairly generous amount of time to wait for satisfaction. I will now out some of the websites because they aren't that important to me and I'd rather out these than someone pay BlogHue anything.

This is the most done website:
Dried Coconuts

I have several in a state like this:
P.T. Barnum
Definitely not 15 articles, the articles that there are have no images, no custom logo was made, there is no about page, and there is no twitter account created. And I assume that any of the promised offsite work was not done either.

I have a few like this:
Mass Camping
Same issues as above but way less articles.

Then I have sites like this:
Trucker Times
With almost nothing accomplished.

He definitely made some what of an attempt to deliver, but I would say stay away. Of course, you get what you pay for. And if it's too good to be true, it is.


What I ordered:

Complete Site Setup

We install the latest version of WordPress, so you’re running the latest and most secure blog platform.
We carefully select an appropriate theme for your site which conveys your sense of style and your site’s message. If we can’t find a good match, we’ll customize an existing theme to suit.
We carefully select and upload only the most necessary plugins and configure them to their optimum utility, thereby giving you a clutter free website.
We will create a Custom Logo that matches your website and upload it to your header. (The PSD will be available on request)
We will install an Auto updating sitemap and integrate it in the footer of the website.
Content & Optimization

We create 15 (Fifteen) Articles relevant to your niche (and will include any keyword you provide at no extra cost) and set them to drip on your websites at your choice of intervals.
Will find an image or a branding-free video that relates to your content and include them with every post.
We will create a unique “About us” talking about your website and/or your business and add it to your website.
We will generate a Disclaimer online and have it added to your website (optional)
We will generate a Privacy Policy online and have it added to your website (optional)
We work with all major Advertising Companies and will integrate their advertising, almost seamlessly with each of your websites, at no extra cost.
We will backup all your sites manually, every single day for a period of 1 month.
Marketing & Social

We handpick 4 (Four) Web 2.0 websites and create properties (blogs/pages/profiles) with unique content that link back to your main site.
We’ll have your website submitted to 5 (Five) Social bookmarking websites and 5 (Five) Directories.
We’ll create a twitter account, customize it and integrate it with your website. We’ll even go ahead and follow 15 people relevant to your niche while creating the account.
Things you should know

All orders placed with us are backed by our rock solid refund guarantee. You can read about our refund assurance by clicking here.
As of now the Maximum acceptable order for the above package is 25 blogs.

 

[GingerSnaps]

 

[TechS]

Damn son you makin' sites about dried fruit and circuses?

 

[dmnEPC]

Whats the rest of the story OP? There is more to this story? Isnt there?

 

[amateursurgeon]

What did he say when you told him you weren't happy about it?
What have you done to resolve it with him?

 

[jstover77]

Is this the BHW shitlist? I will say that 2 months for 15 blogs is a bit ridiculous.

 

[wat__]

 

[droplister]

Damn son you makin' sites about dried fruit and circuses?

While you chase keywords, I chase markets. Dried fruit market is worth billions. P.T. Barnum is a marketing hero.

Whats the rest of the story OP? There is more to this story? Isnt there?

What did he say when you told him you weren't happy about it?
What have you done to resolve it with him?

If you really want the run down, here a a pretty detailed log. I don't really go hard at service providers. I always try to work with them and I gave BlogHue the benefit of a doubt because of his rep here.

Here is a some of our Skype:

11/19 - DL - I was wondering if you would give me an update because i havent heard anything in a while from you.
11/20 - DL - ...
11/20 - BH - Dan, I already provided you with a TAT of 12 to 15 days. And am working towards your order. Is there anything else you want me to do?
11/21 - DL - i understand that the tat is 12 to 15 days, but its been about 7 days and i only have 4 blog posts. you said you would keep me updated. telling me it will still be 12 to 15 days isnt an update. Letting me know work has started is an update. for example
11/21 - BH - Sure I can do that - and it will be done. Also apologies for that bloghue mention you found the other day. That is embarrassing and it shouldn't happen at all.
11/27 - DL - Think you'll mee the deadline you emailed me? I'm not seeing today what you said I would see via email.
11/27 - BH - You should in a couple hours.

Here is summary of our back and forth via email:

12/06 - BH - We're adding content. Thanks for being extremely patient.
12/06 - DL - Although your pace is not as promised. Getting what I delivered is what is important.
12/08 - BH - Getting on it now.
12/10 - BH - Further updates tomorrow.
12/11 - BH - I can't access your sites. Everything is ready to upload, will do it tonight.
12/12 - DL - I can access them. How is it going?
12/14 - BH - Working on it. More updates in 24 hours.
12/17 - DL - You're full of it. I paid you lots of money for a dozen articles it seems. Why do you offer a service if you cannot deliver? Or you never intended to deliver.
12/18 - BH - I'm sorry you think that. As stated earlier, I need 12 hours to give you an update or I'll process a refund.
12/18 - BH - I was out of internet. Back at it now.
12/19 - BH - As you can see content updated. 80 articles added. Won't stop until you have everything (logos, about us, google+ profiles) completely done.
12/19 - DL - Okay. This progress is better. I'm not upset that this is taking longer. I only care that it gets done and that you're committed to delivery.
12/26 - BH - Adding 30 more articles.
12/30 - BH - Content updates applied.
12/30 - DL - Thanks.
12/31 - DL - Please update google doc so I can follow updates easier.
01/05 - BH - I will update google docs tonight. I intend to finish in 72 hours.

So, that's how I've handled it. At the end of the day he failed to deliver. I'll do what I can with what I received, but no matter how you cut it - under delivered.

 

[medicalhumor]

I lol'd (but if it'll make him some cash...)

Damn son you makin' sites about dried fruit and circuses?

 

[amateursurgeon]

12/19 - DL - Okay. This progress is better. I'm not upset that this is taking longer. I only care that it gets done and that you're committed to delivery.
12/26 - BH - Adding 30 more articles.
12/30 - BH - Content updates applied.
12/30 - DL - Thanks.
12/31 - DL - Please update google doc so I can follow updates easier.
01/05 - BH - I will update google docs tonight. I intend to finish in 72 hours.

On the 19th, you basically told him you weren't worried about timescales. Is the 31st the last date you corresponded with him?

 

[droplister]

On the 19th, you basically told him you weren't worried about timescales. Is the 31st the last date you corresponded with him?

Yes, last time I talked to him was 12/31. I didn't tell him, "hey, I definitely never want these to be finished ever." And it wouldn't matter anyways because he routinely told me it will be done on this day, or in this number of hours, and it never was. A lot of the messages regarding updates, upon inspection, not nearly as much as was stated was actually done.

Take what you will from this information. I believe that BlogHue is someone you should not hire. I don't believe I should have to micromanage someone else's company to be delivered what I'm owed.

 

[BlogHue]

Been really working my ass off delivering sites as fast as possible to all clients with pending orders.

I apologize publicly for the inconvenience that you had to go through with my service.

Things are beginning to look good and I am in a better position now than I was 3 weeks ago with my delivery.

Have offered the OP with $500 worth of bloghue.com credit that can be redeemed against any of our offering. Have also offered a promised delivery of the sites within the next 72 hours. Vouching for it publicly.

My apologies once again.

 

[dreamache]

^-That's how you deal with this type of situation.. Unlike other service providers here in the past, who would engage in a public pissing match.

 

[dmnEPC]

Hope you guys are able to get this worked out.

^-That's how you deal with this type of situation.. Unlike other service providers here in the past, who would engage in a public pissing match.

agreed

 

[droplister]

Been really working my ass off delivering sites as fast as possible to all clients with pending orders.

I apologize publicly for the inconvenience that you had to go through with my service.

Things are beginning to look good and I am in a better position now than I was 3 weeks ago with my delivery.

Have offered the OP with $500 worth of bloghue.com credit that can be redeemed against any of our offering. Have also offered a promised delivery of the sites within the next 72 hours. Vouching for it publicly.

My apologies once again.

Fair enough. I appreciate the $500 credit offer, but all I want is the completion of my order. Having to do $500 worth of services for me for free will just make it harder for you to deliver for other paying clients.

 

[shawnhag]

nice job bloghue, as a proivder of services here I have definitely fucked up, in many ways, to a number of different people and the only way to make it better is to always remain honest/transparent and work your ass off to make it up.

 

[greenleaves]

Lesson to be learned OP: The power of small batches

 

[skohh]

nice job bloghue, as a proivder of services here I have definitely fucked up, in many ways, to a number of different people and the only way to make it better is to always remain honest/transparent and work your ass off to make it up.

I miss you

I agree totally, it's hard running a business from your kitchen office sometimes... Or legit office... But always remain honest and go above and beyond to make your clients happy which is what I think bloghue did here...

 

[amateursurgeon]

Yes, last time I talked to him was 12/31. I didn't tell him, "hey, I definitely never want these to be finished ever." And it wouldn't matter anyways because he routinely told me it will be done on this day, or in this number of hours, and it never was. A lot of the messages regarding updates, upon inspection, not nearly as much as was stated was actually done.

Take what you will from this information. I believe that BlogHue is someone you should not hire. I don't believe I should have to micromanage someone else's company to be delivered what I'm owed.

This is a really common mistake people make when outsourcing - you have to be crystal clear with the people you're outsourcing to. If you were paying someone in the US $75 an hour to do your stuff, you could expect to just give them the job and wait them to finish it, but buying overseas labor never works that way. Expect to chase them.

FWIW, I've used Bloghue's services and been very happy with what he's delivered - he's definitely one of the better providers around here.

At the very least you should have given him a specific deadline to finish the work or refund you for whatever was undone.

 

[matt3]

Wp setup PLUS articles AND Web 2.0 for fiddy fye dolla? Srs???


Droplister, I have a lady that does site setup (no build out content, but logo, welcome, about, etc.. Looks really good) for me almost part time. To help both of you out, I can have her do one or two of your blogs free of charge if you're in a time crunch.

PM me and I'll have you completed this weekend.


Ps- to be forward, there's no way in hell I could offer that as a service for $55 with buildout content. I think managing expectations for similar is important. Just a thought.