$3,500 lost in add-on development -- My advise to you

I didn't post this in the XenForo forum, because this is not a XenForo issue, so much as it is a "shopping smart" and web smarts issues, with advise that applies across multiple plat forms no matter what you're using.

I'm going to start off with a simple truth. And that truth is I am not going to name the developer. Why? Because I do not want to go back and forth into a "he said, she said" type argument or intentionally cause drama.

And I'll even close with that thought with my own self admittance that my last comments to this developer was not tasteful or professional, but rather "heat of the moment talk" after learning that they were keeping my money without any return.


So the point of this thread?

My advise to everyone is go with your gut instinct. No matter how recommend someone else or accomplished someone here may seem, go with your gut instinct. This is something I did not do and in the end, I hold myself to blame for not listening to that little voice in my head, which told me maybe this developer is not the right person for the job.

The person in question has burned or disappointed others. There was a large project they had suggest they were going to complete, but never did. But before this action they were highly recommended and a lot of people referred this person to me.

But my own gut instinct told me they seemed "short" with people. By that I mean shot worded and maybe short tempered (quick to anger). Not exactly a "people person".

I dismissed this as a persona trate and figured that I could overlook this as they seemed to be very good with code. And so long as the job was done, I would be happy.

$3,500 later and I regret to inform you all that at this time there will be no alternative XenForo Arcade as noted here (link) about 1 year ago when I hired this individual.

So again, my advise to everyone is trust your gut. Do not just accept recommendations or praise from other. No matter how well recognized the individual.

 

Pretty obvious who your talking about.

 

I'm really curios who's he talking about, because several people thought that he's talking about me( 2x mail , 1 twitter message and 1 conversation pointing me to the thread on xf.com asking, if he's talking about me...... )

 

This $3,500 you talk about losing. Is it money just YOU lost, or money donated by a group of people amounting to that much?

 

Who thought it was you?

You don't remotely fit the description posted.

I don't know who it actually is though.

 

Ragtek wasn't involved with XF Arcade.

 

Not to me, I havent a clue. Some XF coder I guess from the clues.

 

Not obvious to me either.Not that I care much about xF drama since I haven't jumped on the "ohh shiny new forum software" bandwagon. Just good time waster drama for an occasional bored spell.

 

Is the $3500 from crowdfunding effort or just from yourself?

 

@ TheVisitors. Sorry to hear you lost money. I do not have details, so I cannot comment too much on this particular instance.

If I can help just ask. Our website tries to help if anyone is scammed or cheated.

Unfortunately, we do have cases where the owners of some websites actively support scammers and defame those who try to stop the fraud.

 

In before developer shows up to blast OP.

 

To answer a few questions I have received in both here, else where, and in private....

I will not intentionally name the developer or point to hints. Partly because as my advise suggest, I did not follow my own gut instinct and so I feel I have partly, thought by a minority, myself to blame. I should have followed my own gut instinct and listened to that little voice in my head.

However, for those of you who are seeking a developer and do not want to mistakenly pick this individual, as not to completely leave you out in the dark with no life line....

I can make a suggestion and say that Chris Deeming and cclaerhout are wonderful developers. If you need help, I would suggest them. You can tell them I said so.

Yes, there was a working prototype to which I could touch ("feel"), see, and use. As work continued on the developer's end, so did the payments. So no, I didn't just shell out funds on "good faith", but actual work which I slowly saw take shape.

The alternative arcade had many planned features. This included

• Support for standard v16 and v32 type games
• Support for multi-player games
• Self installing games
• Game rating
• Top score
• Leader board
• Comments on scores
• Responsive design
• Support for html5 mobile web friendly games
• User permissions / group settings
• Integration with the "spam cleaner"
• Game Campaigns
• Steam Integration
• Comments / reviews on game

 

The OP is posting about funding an alternative to XF Arcade (XFA). Whatever issues he ran into with whatever developer he contracted with has nothing to do with XFA nor any of its contributors.

 

I call BS... Just trying to seek attention yet again..

 

It sure would be better if you gave us a name or two on who to watch out for.