It Takes 20 Steps To Lose Faith in People
22 May
(Alternative Title: As Jon Stewart says: BE A FUCKING PERSON)
Some of you may recall a hypothetical problem I presented here on my blog in April.
Today, after my final resort blew up in my face, I have decided to name and shame. Please understand that I have done everything I can do (except hire a lawyer because did you know that lawyers are very expensive?) I am doing this on the off chance that one of you are considering hiring this company. I think it is only fair for you to know what you may (or may not) be putting yourself in for. I am also aware that the blogosphere is small and the community that I am a part of is even smaller. I know that many of you have used this design studio for your own blogs. (That’s the reason I approached them to begin with) You may have even written a testimonial for them to put on their website. You may even love them.
But this has been my personal experience with Delicious Design Studio.
1. I initially approached DDS in August 2008. I was asked to pay 50% of the fee as a deposit. This amounted to $222.50.
2. I was sent a proposal that included a time line. It stated that my project would take 6-8 weeks.
3. I was then put on their schedule for November, 2008. In order to clarify, I sent Jessica an email. She responded that my project ’will most likely begin within the next few weeks“.
4. It didn’t.
5. On November 10th, I sent an email to determine when we will get started. Jessica replies that “You are on the schedule for November! I will be starting your project asap!”
6. On December 8th, after no further communication (and my patience wearing thin) I ask her to return my deposit.
7. She replies on December 24th, informing me that my design is in progress.
8. January 6th+7th: After a series of emails, Jessica writes: “I am sorry you feel that way. If I can do anything to change your mind, please let me know. I have gotten so behind due to illness, moving and everything else and I am sorry that I did not live up to my expectations. I would love to still continue the project and would even be willing to work on getting you designed tonight. If I offer you that, would you like to still continue working with me? Now I am not an unreasonable person. I am understanding to the point of ridiculousness and I thought that her response was very professional and also very human. So I agreed to continue working with DDS. (Please note that nowhere in our exchanges did she mention to me that she would not return my deposit if I didn’t.)
9. On January 20th Jessica writes: “I have created a 3 column for you with the navigation links at top. I will also help you set up the links! I am finalizing the images to send to you and everything will be done. Yippee! :) At this point, I am thrilled. Finally, my blog is getting a makeover! (Please note that Jessica has not sent me any previews yet.)
10. On February 5 I send her an email asking about the progress of my design as I have not heard anything. She does not reply.
11. On February 17 I send another email. She does not reply.
12. On March 6, I send another email. She does not reply.
13. On March 26, I send another email. She does not reply.
14. On April 6, 7, 10, 13 I send more emails. She does not reply.
15. Finally, ten weeks after no contact, Jessica replies with the following: “Thank you for your e-mails. We have been on administrative leave the month of April to launch projects that are in progress from last year. We are launching about 3 a day, and yours will be one of them coming up this week. Thank you for your patience!” We exchange a series of emails the gist of which is:
Me: WANT MY MONEY BACK NOW.
Her: Er no. Our terms & conditions stipulate that refunds are not given under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
16. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
17. DDS responds to my complaint via the BBS complaint form by cutting and pasting their terms & conditions.
18. After some thought (and investigating), I respond that I do not accept their response for two main reasons. One, the terms & conditions I ‘agreed’ to in August 2008 were not the same terms & conditions that are posted on the DDS website now. It seems that they can change them whenever they see fit. Two, the conduct of DDS has been extremely unprofessional. Seriously? Ten weeks to respond to one email? Eight months for a blog design? Its not like its a website with an online shopping function, dudes. Plus, I was never, ever told that the waiting list would be 9 months plus. I was told that there was a ‘lengthy turnaround” which I took to understand 3-4 months.
19. DDS does not respond to the Better Business Bureau. The case is closed as unresolved. According to the BBB their public records will show ”BBB determined that despite the company’s reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.” This annoys me because Jessica’s efforts were not reasonable. They were the least anyone would do. The company failed to follow through with BBB procedure. THAT IS WHAT SHOULD BE WRITTEN. This makes me sound like the unreasonable one.
20. Lose faith in all people and choose to blog all about it.
So, if you’re considering hiring Delicious Design Studio. DON’T. I do not recommend them at all. In fact, I thoroughly DIS-RECOMMEND THEM.
DON’T DO IT.*
[You can totally use Friends' refernces under all circumstances, can't you?]
I had a similar experience. Waited a year almost for my blog to be designed after being promised it would be 6-12 weeks. But, Jess ended up coming through…almost 11 months later, of course. I got a decent design (not quite what I wanted), and she did do a lot of back and forth with me, but only after I posted an unfavorable review on Yelp.
I really think she’s a talented person who got in way over her head. I’m not making excuses for her. She had no business taking our money and not delivering what she had promised. But, I don’t think she sat around maliciously thinking that she’d take everyone’s money and not deliver. I think her intentions were good, but once her designs were noticed and the orders gained momentum, she didn’t know how to say ‘no’ and was afraid to turn off the spigot. It’s a shame for her that her talent now has such a humongous black eye. She’s a good designer but a terrible business person…She needs to just focus on design and let someone else run the business end of things.
I’m so sorry for all of you have had to deal with this. I know how maddening it is. You feel paralyzed. Best of luck to all of you!
I think Jess has a new design business. Can’t be too certain, but the layout and writing style are almost identical to her past business.
And I think she’s the brains behind another tattoo website that just started up. Could be the real reason as to why you all are still waiting.
Correct me if I’m wrong – but t’s and c’s aside, if a business doesn’t put out what they promised in writing, isn’t that just plain stealing? I’d move from calling her overwhelmed to con artist. Just my two cents.
ARRRRGGHHHH Thanks for sending me this link. THIS is EXACTLY what happened to me too, like down to the detial. I dont live in the states so its hard for me to take any legal action but I am with you all the way if you need any support on anything.