Fraudulent web designer

The web designer was hired, but did not proceed dealings in a professional or timely manner. Failed to keep me abreast of design, disappeared in the middle of design session, claimed to have been 100 hours coding a web design I did not grant full approval on--which, calculating 100 hours compared to the date of first contact means designer only worked approximately 4 days out of three months. When dissatisfaction was lodged, designer took that as a termination of business relationship and didn't respond to emails except to express regret that money could not be returned. "Good faith" was the excuse. Highly unprofessional and does not know how to work with clients who are not acquaintances. Would not recommend. Refund demanded. Designer ignores this.

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The designer and a few clients have spoken up--which doesn't negate MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with Haven Rich. It is not a common business practice in any sector for the owner to keep money when they did not deliver on the service they were hired to do. Particularly when there was NO CONTRACT drawn up NOR did the designer explain her "good faith" concept of payment during initial contact or when she asked for half of the total payment. That omission is why I am justified for a refund.

The designer is NOT professional: a look at any major web design business (Swank Web Style, Jaxadora Designs, Croco Designs, etc) can tell you that a PROFESSIONAL web/graphic designer has all information a client requires up front, and when they and the client reach an agreement, the designer CLEARLY outlines their business practices and payment practices.

This designer gave me her payment requirements, which were pretty cheap, but did not tell me anything about her business proceedings (her frequent disappearances are proof of that) or her terms on which she was entitled to retain my money.

This is a situation of FRAUD because the designer obviously felt did not need to appraise me of her rights to my money if the business association was to be terminated.

Haven Rich clearly ignores her role in this situation. Regardless of the end of the business association, I CLEARLY outlined my lack of trust in her abilities and her business acumen: her lack of communication. Days would go by with nary a peep from her, and as I said, on an early disappearance, her response to my email was that she was on vacation!! I've never heard of a business that didn't let their clients know they would be on a vacation and would get back to work when they returned!

The designer and her happy clients can refute my complaint all they want, but the proof is in the pudding: Haven Rich cheated me out of money and doesn't have the grace to admit she made a mistake. My mistake was in not terminating the association when she disappeared the first time--though even then she probably would have claimed a stake in the money I sent.

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I had the great pleasure of hiring Ms. Rich to design a new look for a group blog, and she was professional, creative, and excellent to work with. She clearly explained her procedure and payment schedule, and was willing to tweak the design many times until it reached a level that all blog members approved. She has a terrific sense of color and design.

I'd recommend her with absolutely no reservations and hope to hire her for another project.

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I have worked with this designer for over two years and have always been satisfied with her work. She has been very patient and amenable to all the changes I've made on two separate website designs, including follow-up work and tweaks to the design. In addition, she has always been available for consultation on other website issues.

Her organizational skills are enviable and the very height of professionalism.

I am very pleased with her work and business ethics.

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I used Haven Rich to design my author web site, my email and board banner, and my business cards. I was pleased with every transaction and found that the longest parts of our interaction were those that were held up by me when I vacillated about design.

I was a difficult client who didn't really have a vision and went back and forth about the many samples she sent me. But she was continually patient.

She also continued to work with me when I had questions about making my site work when those questions are not really a part of her job. I was nothing but pleased and, in fact, was considering hiring this designer again for another site under a second pen name.

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A query was sent to me for further information about a blog design on September 15, 2008, with the estimated launch date being December 31, 2009. On September 19th, I replied, asking for general information and to explain in detail what the ideal design of the blog was to be. A detailed email followed with descriptions and samples of sites for a better understanding of what the client wanted.

Wrapping up a design for another site, a sample of the pending site for the new client to preview, as their request was very similar to the almost completed job. It was asked if the sample was "a baseline" for the new project. I assume the sample didn't meet the client's desired idea as she sent more information and sites to preview.

After extensively studying and reviewing the client's emails, I began work on a new mock-up for the client to view. Having thought my concept matched that of the clients, I sent the preview to the client and mentioned that if the design was agreeable payment arrangements were to be made. The next day, September 29th, a half payment was made via paypal.

On October 9th, the client contacts me in regards to the paypal payment and I reply assuring them the payment was received, as her paypal emails would have indicated. It is also mentioned that a preview header would be sent along in a matter of days.

The sample header was sent on October 11th with the following response: "It's very beautiful and autumny. I really like the color scheme and the photo you've used. I know I gave a ton of websites whose layout I liked, but I've narrowed my inspiration down to two websites."

Reviewing the sites provided, I contacted the client and asked if it were ok to take a few liberties with the project to follow the flow of the sites mentioned. Permission was granted and a new design was sent for reviewing. The client then asked for "tweaks" and various samples were sent over the course of a few days, as well as other questions regarding the design.

On October 18th, I went to visit my sister because my niece was to have surgery and I felt help and support was needed. An email inquiring about the site was received on October 26th and I replied the next day that I was currently out of town visiting family, but stated it was a vacation and did not explain the true nature of my trip. I did, however, say I would return within a few days and provide more updates. October 28th, back home, work resumed as before.

During the period of October 28th and November 13th, I admit, no updates were sent as I was working on the coding for the site and thought it required no updates.

An email complaining of lack of communications was sent on November 13th, citing that: "I however, do not appreciate the sporadic communication between us, particularly when you went on vacation and failed to communicate this with me." And was asked for a refund.

At this point, I had invested well over 100 total hours on this project and replied with the information of my continuing work. I stressed the point that a mock-up is a general starting point, a rough draft if you will, for the site to be designed around. And that it takes time to create a design suitable for launching. Information regarding the time consuming coding was brought up. I also mentioned that I try to maintain normal business hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. I informed the client that I wished to continue the project and awaited her reply.

Several emails were exchanged over the course of a few days outlining the client's feelings and me trying to reaffirm that the project was on track and progress was being made. Unsure if the communication issue had been settled, on November 15th, I put forth the question of continuing the project for a second time.

The client replied November 23rd saying she was unsure of how she wished to continue. It was at this point, all work was put on hold. A rash of emails ensued and each time, I left the decision in the hands of the client, as to whether she wished the site to be finished or voided.

After a chat with a fellow graphic/web designer, it was brought to my attention that the stress from all of this might have been financial issues. I contacted the client and expressed that if this were the case we could put things on hold until a better time and I would work with her to get her site launched.

In a follow-up email by the client, a cheaper and preferred designer, who was queried at the same time, was brought to light. Upon reading this email, I was under the impression that the project was to be voided and the client would finish the project with the new designer.

On December 10th, a forwarded email of the last email sent was reissued to me. Not understanding the continuing emails, I stated the impressions of the previous email and wished the client luck with the new designer.

Another email followed, asking for a refund. To which I replied with the amount of time spent on this project and the status of the project being more than half way completed, a refund was out of the question. I did, however, state that if wished, I would finish the site.

December 12th, the client stated in an email: "I was never completely happy with the mock-ups you've made." Also: "I feel you never completely understood or saw." *referencing vision of the site* "I knew your designs wouldn't work."

It is now the 19th and an email arrived stating the client has filed a complaint here. In my defense, I would like to say that I have done my very best to smooth over this issue, multiple times, by finishing the design that until December 12th, I thought the client wanted and was satisfied with.

I would further like to explain that our region was hit by a horrendous snow storm causing our area to be without electricity, heat and phone (and thus internet) for a great many days. Finally able to get back online, I am confronted with this site's email and a Paypal Dispute.

I find that the complaint of being a "fraudulent web designer" is a malicious statement. I have put in many hours on this project and worked a great many days. Not four, as stated. The graphic/web designs take time and can not be updated on a daily basis with new "previews".

I have been nothing but polite to this client and tried to be understanding of her needs. I personally feel the project was headed in the right direction and encouraged to hear the client "loved" the design. If this client disliked the designs, it should have been made known long before the time and effort had been put in the design.

While I know it is the client's right to lodge a complaint, I feel that it is my right to provide the facts.