Well, my knowledge on legal issues are basically limited to copyright issues. Although I would say that you could give them a time period (let's say 30 days or so) to complete the project to your satisfaction before you go to any further lengths. If they don't comply, you can then take further steps and continue with the ones you have already started. Notify eLance about the issue. File a dispute with your CC company/bank. File a dispute with PayPal. Contact Microsoft and Google and inquire where you can file a complaint regarding the company (since they are displaying their badges, and thus implying endorsement by Microsoft and Google).
They asked for a few days in an email sent recently as I have mentioned in a post previously but they have picked up speed Previously they were not even replying but when I sent an email saying that I will report you, they have uploaded the crap to my web server in a few hours time but it is full of bugs. There are a lot of features missing as per SRS. I have sent them an email asking to complete it and fix the issues Now what I want to ask is that Is this a result of a dispute I opened up with PayPal today and my Bank as well? PayPal would have immediately sent an email but my bank will take time to look in the matter. Do they want to show PayPal that we have done it? Secondly, in the code, I am seeing a bunch of free scripts taken from net and merged. This isn't fair, right? Because the deal was for a custom application Help!!!!!!
It's very likely that their "quick action" is motivated by the PayPal dispute. In my experience most places are quick to take action when you start making life difficult for them (disputes against you have a negative impact on your PayPal account, so they wouldn't like that). As for your second question, it's difficult to say. It would largely depend on the definition of custom application you agreed upon with them. If you specified that you wanted to have everything coded from scratch, it would definitely not be fair. Personally I wouldn't want someone using free scripts if I paid them to code an application for me.
My bank showed prompt cooperation when I had an issue with 1AND1 hosting, and they helped me recover funds 1and1 owed me. So I'd say it could have been your bank that contributed to speed up. Paypal disputes usually sound scarey to the companies that are on the other side of the dispute, too... Here is where you will probably have to accept a scam since Paypal isn't of much help for tracking digital goods delivery. That's what I can tell..
So what can PayPal do now? I actually made 4 payments using PP out of which 1 was disputable (Because of time) but I informed them that I want to dispute all. I wish I could get a refund and I will only send them money if the application is 100% complete I am not really sure about it but I guess for the amount in $XXXX, it shouldn't be free scripts
--- I am not very sure of the same because I paid them in June and August 2006 using my credit card and as per bank policies, it is already time barred. But they are trying to get in touch with Master Card Company Hmmmm... Let's hope that they deliver it alright
Well, I don't have any experience with PayPal since they don't support my country, perhaps someone else can clarify. I'd assume they would investigate the disputes, but I don't know how they will go about that. At that price it should definitely not be free scripts! In situations like this it's always best to use an escrow service, but we always learn our lessons after being cheated...
Hope you got your money back, I would mostly go with reliable and well know companies or the one i can access my local ones. Best of Luck hassna.
I haven't got anything refunded as yet. They had uploaded the crap on my server right after I had started a dispute. I guess that would be to fool the banks and paypal
PayPal sent me this email today Our investigation into your claim is complete. As stated in our User Agreement, the claims process only applies to the shipment of goods. It does not apply to complaints about the attributes or quality of goods received. Therefore, we are unable to reverse this transaction or issue a refund. ------- I guess they are not going to do anything about it anymore. I can now safely say that I have been ripped by an Indian company "Mjewel - Starting a "companysucks.com" would be a last resort. If this company hasn't been in business very long they may just start using another name. You need to try and determine how important their reputation is to them" Shall I now move on with it?
Using "companysucks.com" would get around trademark infringement issues, but you still need to be careful of libel. If you decide to do a site, stick to provable facts or clearly stated opinions. Provide as much evidence as possible to make your position credible. Having an attorney review the content you intend to put on the site would be the safest way to proceed. If elance is still how they get some or most of their business, I would certainly do everything possible to file a grievance with them so that others can be warned.
i agree with mjewel... at least make it known to elance to watch out for such deceptive techniques employed by some of their contractors. not so sure abt the companysucks.com idea though... might be better to just move on. Of course, feel free to release the names of the culprits here and in all forums once you have concluded that there is nothing else you can get from them. most imptly, while it may be easy for me to say, but sincerely, do try not to be too discouraged and move on bro.....
I tried to contact them and they have replied as well with stuff like be careful in future, try to mediate and if you still can't do anything, let us know but it is obvious that they won't be doing anything. I have chacked the ratings of the company and they have consistently got 5 out of 5, 1 out of 5, 2 out of 5, 3 out of 5, 5 out of 5 Another problem is that on elance, the cost of the project is $900 (which was quoted to me for a PSD design) If they will do anything, it will be for that amount only ---- Yesterday, I had sent an email giving them a warning of 24 hours and if they will still not reply, I will disclose the name