I want to preface this post by stating I do not like being the “bad guy.” I don’t like having to call someone out publicly for something that should be handled in private. However, what I really hate is being stole from, lied to and ignored.
*UPDATE* the money has been refunded as of 12/31/2012 :)* I do want to say that this wasn’t me bashing Greg. He does do amazing work. I think he just took on a bit more than 1 person could handle.
If you’ve been around Parent Palace any over the past few years I’m sure you’ve caught on to the fact I change the appearance often. I haven’t found a “look” I’m 100% happy with yet. For the most part, I’ve done all the design work myself.
A few months back I was visiting some blogs and noticed many were designed by Greg from Engine1Media. I loved the look of them and decided to contact him in regards to updating my banner.
I was amazed at how quickly he replied to me and was excited to see the concept he came up with. He let me know it could take up to a week before he had the concept done (usually just a few days.) I sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation. We e-mailed back and forth several times about what I wanted – I just couldn’t believe how prompt he was to reply! I happily sent him the deposit for my header, and sat waiting.
Then a few weeks passed. I figured he was busy, after all he did amazing work. I e-mailed him to check on the progress. He told me it was coming along fine and he should have something for me by the end of the week.
Yay!
The end of the week came and went, and I waited a few days to e-mail him again. This time he told me he had some last minute clients to finish up, but it would be soon.
And Then…
About a month later I was beyond frustrated. I sent an e-mail letting him know I would like a refund since he was not able to complete my request in his stated time frame. Not even a reasonable time frame.
He apologized and gave me 2 options: He would finish the header with no further charge, just my deposit or he would refund my money. I told him I would be more comfortable with a refund. He agreed and apologized again.
Another week went by and I still hadn’t seen a refund so I e-mailed again. He let me know he was waiting on a client payment and I would be refunded soon.
Here I sit, several months later – no more e-mail communication, no refund and no other option.
If you’re a blogger and you find yourself in the market for a blog re-design or header design - Avoid Engine1Media like the plague. Especially if you’re on any type of deadline or actually want results.
About Amber Killmon
Glad we spoke on the phone and I appreciated you doing so! I meant what I said in still doing the redesign as intended at no charge and I look forward to making it more than right. To those avoiding me like the plague as a result, I totally get it, I just wish I had the hundreds of praises and success stories retweeted as well. ;) I’ll be in touch again this week, Amber!
Totally understand the reason for the post and I apologize that the refund took as long as it did. Totally agree with much of what was posted above and I was 100% honest when I mentioned I was awaiting on a payment. I actually emailed you this morning, about 30 minutes later someone pointed me to this post. I was told by my client that the payment was delayed due to them being out of the country for the holidays. I have a lonnnnng success record with happy clients and I am very sorry that it led to this. I make no excuses for it but it’ll be in your hands as soon as I get your reply.
Yuck so sorry you had to go through this. I’ve had my layout for almost a year, and am getting tired of it. However I’ll be avoiding him at all costs!
Oh I’m so sorry that happened to you.
This is exactly why I don’t even take a deposit – I tell my clients you don’t pay me anything until I have everything done and you approve it. I build the themes on my build sites and my clients get to play around with their themes and make sure they LOVE them before they pay me anything.
If it’s been under 3 months you can get your bank to reverse the charges, but after 3 months your card company/bank usually can’t do anything for you.
That’s the way I believe it should be. The sad part is I used money that was in PayPal already, so it didn’t come out of my bank or my card :(
I too thought he did great work, from what I’ve seen on other blogs. I had him on the list of potential designers to contact for my new site.
I know it was hard for you to write this post, but I am glad you did! Now I know to stay away…
In my short time as a blogger I’ve heard nothing but negative about this guy (not just from you). The one thing that really puts up an alarm with me is his business model. He can’t refund you until another client pays him! That’s a huge risk and means his business is not sustainable. Thanks for putting this out here. It’s hard being a newer blogger wanting to jump into good designs but not knowing where to turn.
That really stinks. I have been looking into getting my blog redesigned and I really like their work. I was going to contact them after the New Year.
Not now.
Dawn