What to do when your Web Developer has not Delivered x3

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Craft

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My project started in August 2014.

In June and July, I had spent two months researching and seeking web developers for an ecommerce website, with a great amount of customisation involved.

I went through a shortlist and awarded the project to someone who really proved to be the right and well knowledgeable developer for the project, well so I thought.

I am at my wits end now after the 3rd deadline has been missed, even with multiple emails from him committing to the deliverables.

Gearing up to the most recent launch, I had sadly built up an amazing customer base and I have been let down by my developer once again, 8 days prior to the launch, he went quiet...

I am asking for any advise you may have on this subject, it has been the most frustrating 5 months and I really don't know which way to turn.

Thank you!
 
Can you perhaps tell us a bit more about the project ?

Is it based on a standard e-commerce platform ?

What are the deliverables outstanding ? Modules / plugins / custom features ?

How far is the website in your opinion ?

I am asking because you might be able to get someone on this forum to take over the project or to finish the deliverables if they are modules or plugins.
 
Don't want to state the obvious here, but it really depends. The guy's let you down 3 times, at this point you should be deciding between:

a) Have the requirements shifted and jigged around a lot, maybe there's a bit of blame to share on both sides? If so, meet up, tighten the processes and requirements and set up clear timelines with measurable, demonstrable milestones. This is really important for me, I think the lack of regular checkups is insanely risky. It's all well and good that the guy may have a great rep, and blahblahblah, but in the end, it's your show, your money and your butt on the line.

b) He's just not come to the party, it doesn't look like he will be anytime soon and you've had enough. Time to bite the bullet and bring someone else in to clean up the mess, either to augment his efforts or replace him? Obviously this is the most traumatic and risky option.

c) Start an organised withdrawal, start looking for another guy but continue with the current guy on a diminishing schedule with an eye to an eventual replacement. This means taking ownership of the code and closer monitoring.

To be fair, most of the above applies to something going forward a bit longer term. This doesn't really get you a website if there's nothing servicable there a few days prior to launch though, if the work's not done there's very little you can do to be blunt. (Sorry)

If it's almost there and the platform is a common one, you may be able to throw a lot of money at hotshot consultant to panelbeat it into something useable.
 
Hi ITCynic

This is only a lightweight description.
The project has many components to it, one being e-commerce, the listed providers will have their own page listing their stock warehoused by us. Events across SA will be listed on our website, and if any provider is at an event, we will link them to the event on our website. Full social media integration for each provider has to be catered for. The website needs to be integrated with our preferred courier company, payment gateway and has to be mobi responsive. There too will be an area where for 'blogging/stories', for interviews, promoting events and capturing write ups on new products/people found in rural areas, this section will need to support pictures/videos.

The website is being developed in PHP and there is no existing CMS being used.

Unfortunately I can't answer on what deliverables are outstanding because I haven't received anything. I am told that things are +/- 80%, that was in the beginning of January. I suspect there has been development and again +/- 80% could be complete.

Thank you for your advise!
 
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On the face of it, that sounds like a significantly complex project, a lot of the major stuff may be done but integrating it all might take ages. 80% complete really means nothing, for all you know, it could take months to finish off the remaining 20%.

I would say it's crucial you see for yourself what the state of the project is. The fact that you say he's gone quiet is very troubling (maybe his cellphone is broken or his dog died, but maybe he's hiding the real situation)

Without knowing what's going in, you're shooting in the dark and you can't really make any informed decisions.
 
Hi nexxus

The 3rd let down I have had no response - the other 2, he still responded and apologised due to challenges, and silly me, I gave him a chance, twice!

a) What he had quoted me on in Oct 2014 are still the same requirements, nothing has changed.
b) I am at this point...
c) I like your thinking and I'm not against it, but the other guy might not like it ;-)

I am really hoping when he said 80%, he actually means 80%.
 
Hi nexxus

A message would be nice saying "I'm really sorry for not getting back to you (8 days later), oh and sorry I missed the launch party, but my whatever died."

We live in a world of technology (SMS/What'sApp, email on phones) and missing the launch date with no communication is really not cool.
 
out of curiousity.

Any reason why you're not using an existing CMS system for your ecom project?

I too was in a similar boat about 3 years ago, wanting to upgrade our online store but local companies where just too expensive.

I ended up 'learning' magento on a few test stores. Decided on Magento but hired a russian magento company to do the hard stuff and integrations (silver magento accredited) Was not cheap, but way cheaper then local companies.


Personally - when it comes to ecommerce and business critical services, i wouldnt rely on a freelancer (i get the impression you're using 1 guy to do this?)
 
@ Craft,

As Nexxus stated in the post above, and your response, it does seem like a very complex project.

I agree with Nexxus that you really need to see what the state of the project is. Possibly consider a non-confrontational face to face meeting with your developer and allow him to show you the progess of the project.

Although it is easy to pass comment after the fact, I am surprised that you did not insist on visual inspection of the project during the past 5 months. Also, as Nexxus said, at this stage you cannot make any informed decisions until you have a visual inspection as to what has been completed.
 
ITCynic said:
@ Craft,

As Nexxus stated in the post above, and your response, it does seem like a very complex project.

I agree with Nexxus that you really need to see what the state of the project is. Possibly consider a non-confrontational face to face meeting with your developer and allow him to show you the progess of the project.

Although it is easy to pass comment after the fact, I am surprised that you did not insist on visual inspection of the project during the past 5 months. Also, as Nexxus said, at this stage you cannot make any informed decisions until you have a visual inspection as to what has been completed.
Click to expand...

My developer is unfortunately far from me, aprox 12 hours. I have on three occasions ask that he provide me with an environment whereby I can see the work that has been completed and he never did get back to me. Yes I should have you are right (I went onto to trust him) and yes this is a lesson I have sorely learnt.

naeem said:
out of curiousity.

Any reason why you're not using an existing CMS system for your ecom project?

I too was in a similar boat about 3 years ago, wanting to upgrade our online store but local companies where just too expensive.

I ended up 'learning' magento on a few test stores. Decided on Magento but hired a russian magento company to do the hard stuff and integrations (silver magento accredited) Was not cheap, but way cheaper then local companies.


Personally - when it comes to ecommerce and business critical services, i wouldnt rely on a freelancer (i get the impression you're using 1 guy to do this?)
Click to expand...

A few developers I had spoken with couldn't do the development using only a CMS, the complexity of the project would need customisation. You are right, I am using one guy.
 
Looks like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Other than flying down to him to meet face to face, maybe consider someone performing a visual inspection of the project on your behalf or him giving you a visual inspection via a remote app like TeamViewer ?
 
You know Craft, difficult as it may be, why don't you kiss him and your money goodbye. Put the episode down to experience and start again.

MyBB offers a wealth of capable Web designers available to help.

At least you'll sleep at night.

P.S. maybe hire somebody in Joburg this time.
 
maumau said:
You know Craft, difficult as it may be, why don't you kiss him and your money goodbye. Put the episode down to experience and start again.

MyBB offers a wealth of capable Web designers available to help.

At least you'll sleep at night.

P.S. maybe hire somebody in Joburg this time.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I agree with this
 
If it means back to the drawing board, well so be it. I might find someone willing to assist in getting whatever code there might be.

I don't want to be mean in any way, but is there a space whereby I can lay a fair complaint and warn others just to be aware of my experience?
 
If you had a written contract between both parties you could explore your legal options but in my opinion that would be throwing good money after bad ....

Unfortunately your experience is not unique and just a quick Google will show many user experiences similar to yours.

There are many 'developers' that give the field a bad name and if indeed your 'developer' has absconded, he could be one of them.
 
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Borrow 2 pitbulls and leash them. Drive with dogs to offending persons house. Ring doorbell. Greet with "You feeling lucky, Jan?" when owner opens door.
 
Hey man,

Yeah, this does all sound pretty ominous. In defence of the 'bad' developers, it doesn't take much to go wrong to destroy a good reputation. Take on too much and suddenly you're flooded, falling behind and have to spend your time spinning stories to keep people off your back. If this is the case, maybe you can come to some sort of arrangement where you get the current code, settle up and move on.

Personally, I don't like to lose money if there's a compromise to be made and we can rescue the situation. It could result in an even stronger working relationship. (I've never needed dev work, this is more a life principle. :) )

.....or, if you're working with the wrong type of guy, it indicates to him that you're a schmuck who he can milk for a while and then dump. Which sucks, and at that point you've got to just take the hit and move on. (Or unleash the righteous fury of contract litigation apon them, ...or the pitbull thing, there's always that.)
 
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