Ripped Off!

My adventure on Design Contest.net has been a fiasco since the beginning and now I am out five hundred bucks and have nothing to show for it.

On January 29th I created an account and started a contest for a web site template. After completing the process I got a receipt from PayPal for my prize deposit and an auto-responder message that my contest would be set up in 24 to 48 hours. Since the 29th was a Friday, I didn't worry when the process didn't proceed quickly, but when the contest was still not 'live' on the following Monday I posted on this forum. I was informed the treasurer was ill and that things were a bit disorganized. I can appreciate a key person not being available, but business can't come to a complete halt.

So, finally the contest was set up and accepting entries. Unfortunately only 2 designers submitted any work and none of the designs were acceptable. So, according to the Terms of Service for Design Contest a refund or at least a partial refund should be due. I posted in the special area for Contest Holders and asked what the procedure was. I got no response from anyone. I waited and waited and waited. I emailed the treasurer and got the same autoresponder answer I got in the beginning. Finally, with no other options I contacted PayPal in an effort to get a refund. Unfortunately, PayPal's policies don't include non-physical goods in their Buyer Protection. PayPal was able to contact someone and the person they contacted said they would make restitution, it has never happened.

I'm PISSED! I have been ripped off for $500 and have no template!

here area couple thoughts.

I feel there were alot of areas that if you would of provided adiquate feedback on submitted designs you would have had a better out come.

I'm not going to point fingers on why this contest wasn't successfull but the designers can only be as good as the feedback is or the direction they are given.

... and the fact is there were only 2 designers that entered, there was no winner and I have not gotten even a partial refund.

... and the fact is there were only 2 designers that entered, there was no winner and I have not gotten even a partial refund.

the refund will be issued as soon as the administrator in charge of the payments (nevadabadgirl) recovers enough to attend to this matter.

the refund will come our treasurer has had some medical issues and is recovering. but you will get what you are owed.

The designers that were working in your contest are very capable of doing what you needed and would have went the extra mile to achive your liking. but the fact that there wasn't that great of feedback kinda hindered them..

I can read a brief and post something that I feel covers the brief, but I'm only reading some text on a page and cant understand what exactly the Contest holder wants. I can't see the expression on your face to tell me I'm not really liking that one or this one. So it's a VERY valuable thing to provide the best feedback as possible to the designers so that they can work through the motions to get what you want, what you forsee, to suite your needs in any and all aspects.

If you look at the contest with the most designs you'll notice that they all have alot of feedback from the CH. I like this font and not that. that colors close but maybe a little darker and so on.. if you want to get what you pay for then in the end it's really up to you to hold up your end of what's going on whith in your contest.
Doesn't matter if it's here or someother internet design contest.

I'm not being rude or trying to defend anyone, just being blatantly honest.

(please ignore misspellings )

EDIT: I've left a message with nevadabadgirl so that we can resolve this.

... and the fact is there were only 2 designers that entered, there was no winner and I have not gotten even a partial refund.

You may want to consider extending the contest and offering some thoughts as to what you do/don't like. I'm sure you can still get a great design. Speaking for myself, it's hard to enter a contest that is this involved when I'm not sure of the client's aesthetic view.

Based on the brief alone, you asked for conservative and adaptable (which kinda implies generic/lackluster), so I think that's the direction that the 3 designers went. I'm definitely not trying to lay blame, just trying to help share perspective from the design side. If you were to extend the contest, you may want to show a few samples of what you sort of aesthetic/feel you're looking for; that way, more designers may be encouraged to participate (as they would have a better direction) We really do want to help!

Well, yet another week has passed without resolution. I have been hearing the excuse that the treasurer has been ill since January. While I sympathize with her being sick,(and wish her a swift recovery) there is no excuse for running a business without someone that can take over those duties.

I do not want to have to get the Better Business Bureau and/or attorneys involved, do you?

Maybe if you could extend your contest and give the designers some clear directions about how you want your web page made, this will bring to a happy end. Ever since your contest, many new designers joined this site, including me, and I am sure everybody will be happy to give a hand and show their creativity! I am more experienced in web design than logo design and I am also a programmer so I can also make the site functionable. I am sure there are also other designers just like me, with the same capabilities and I am sure they will be happy to put themselves to test once more! Just think about it and give us another chance!

As you well know ZenNut, the funds were deposited into a paypal account. We do not have access to nevadabadgirls paypal account as it is unethical.
Nevadabadgirl suffered a heart attack, after a prolonged illness. Expecting complete recovery, when there has been damage caused due to lack of oxygen to the brain, in a week, is unrealistic.
We do not know how long it will take for her to recover, but we DO know that nevadabadgirl has a completely clean history with us, not once has she deviated from her obligations as treasurer.

... and how are winners of contests being paid? Are the designers having to wait for their prizes? If not, how is that different than a refund?

yes. the designers are having to wait to get paid.
its different from being ripped off because when someone rips you off, its generally intentional, and a heart attack and subsequent brain damage is not involved.
I personally think the excuse for the delay in payments to everyone is a reasonable excuse.
Being technically dead for 3 minutes is definitely a reasonable excuse.

As I said before, I'm terribly sorry that your treasurer has had a health problem. I do understand that, but not having any sort of backup plan or access to what should be "company" monies is not excusable.

Looking at your contest it shows you had "5" entries So per Designcontests TOS and refunds it says only half a refund is due

DesignContest.net | ToS and Refund Policies

not counting revisions the count below are the entries on the contest

Bernadette has 2 entries posts 10 and 17

Jopicasso has 2 entries posts 22 and 27

jjyepez has 1 entry post 24

If you had been more active yourself when the designers are asking for feedback you may have gotten the design you wanted. It takes communication for a designer to come up with that design you want