In preparations for launching my new company, I have had problem after problem with people constantly lying and delaying everything.

I have ordered servers, administrators to install software, programmers to create software, designers to design a site, and other things. It seems like almost everyone I deal with I have issues with. They all constantly delay, delay, delay everything. They tell me something will be done today or tomorrow, then its 2 weeks later and I am still being told today or tomorrow.

Can anyone give me a reasonable explanation for this?? I am just starting to get very frustrated with everyone and on the verge of just doing chargebacks and finding others to do the work.

Is this normal for people to do this so much?

I expect when I pay $500 to get a server online, it should only take 24-48 hours, not a week.

I expect when I pay $300+ for software, it should be done in the original amount of time quoted.

I expect when I ask someone to do something, and pay them large amounts of hard earned money, to get something done.

Are my expectations too high or what?

Are you going for the cheapest bid on everything you want done?

No, I am not. I hardly doubt $500 setup for a server is cheapest. I also paid someone $200 to install ASP, a week ago. They told me it would take a few hours at the most.

Did you set them realistic target times to finish things?

Put your foot down you are paying for it, if they think they can get away with it they will try as hard as possible to.

If you have gone for the cheapest bid then im afraid you get what you pay for. If not definitely put your foot down.

Simple solution: go elsewhere. If they are giving you that much trouble, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. Start searching WHT for providers who have been getting many raved reviews.

Asverse: I'm sorry to hear that you've had so many problems with so many different people on so many different issues!

No, there is no reasonable explanation for this. It's not normal!

What can I say, everyone experiences this to some extent at some point or another.

I've had several negative experiences working with people who did not do a good job, made excuses, lied outright, tried to change the terms after getting payment, stopped responding,etc and I've had several positive experiences where people have exceeded my expectations, done exceptional work, been very professional and courteous, etc.

Unfortunately there's no way we can predict with 100% accuracy which of these categories a person falls into. Hopefully your future business dealings will go better!

I am going by the amount of time they tell me it will take. I am going to offer a billing system to my clients. I was told the API would be done in 2 weeks to setup licenses. I waited 3 weeks, and was told on Saturday something would be ready by the next day. Then the next day they just told me to e-mail them the requests by hand, they didn't have time to build an API :/

Things like this just discourage me from even trying.

Ultematum time! I say, give them a week or so more, tell them that they have no choice but to be done then. If not done, take back your money and go elsewhere. Demand the money back because that they haven't uplived to their agreement.

yes i agree

if this kind of thing keeps happening, try and get a refund

i've learned now to only pay a small amount upfront and the rest upon completion

i almost always try to get a contract now that is signed by both parties that details the terms of the agreement - this helps back it when c%$p like this happens

Seems like you're having a string of bad luck, Asverse.

Where are you finding these people? Is it through WHT? Are you able to research their reputation/track record before shelling out the cash? Are you able to pay a depost and the balance on completion? I realize with some things, there is no other way to do it other than full payment up front, but with things like software/scripts, you can just tell them they will get a deposit, and then full payment when the work is done.

If you are getting the runaround and unreasonable delays, then I concur with the other posts here - just request a refund and move on. Too many quality providers out there to have to settle for the duds.

Vito

I'd also mention to them that you're going to write about your experience on the WHT - so it is up to them whether you are going to write a positive or negative commentary. :)

Maybe that will "light a fire" to get them to act faster. Then again, maybe they just won't care.

Sorry to hear about these issues and I hope that some of these folks start to deliver as promised for you.

My next question... Did you pay them up front? Often times if the person you are hiring already has the money, they have trouble finding the motivation to get the work done.

Yes, I normally do pay up front. But I doubt I will do it again.

The administrator I hired is now claiming sick, saying that is the reason he has delayed so much and still won't be able to do the work.

I told him I couldn't help it, finish the job today or return my money. I am not being too mean am I? I mean, I hired him over a week ago to install ASP, and it STILL isn't done..

As a programmer, server admin, tech and more, i can tell you - no one expects problems when they quote time frames.

Due to the simple nature of it, machines don't always do as expected. software doesnt always do as expected. Internet connections go down, specifications change, network issues arise, things go wrong. Murphy's law.

While I am in no way justifying it or giving some slack to slackers but things do happen :(

That's why I believe more in half now and half after; saves you from a higher loss if screwed like this. Tell him to prove he is sick or give your money back. I know people who just claim to be sick because they are too lazy to do the job.

It wouldn't take a week to install ASP.

I can rattle off a PHP install in less then 1 hour, and that is if I have to compile libraries into the system.

Find another server admin.

Originally posted by Asverse
I am going by the amount of time they tell me it will take. I am going to offer a billing system to my clients. I was told the API would be done in 2 weeks to setup licenses. I waited 3 weeks, and was told on Saturday something would be ready by the next day. Then the next day they just told me to e-mail them the requests by hand, they didn't have time to build an API :/

Things like this just discourage me from even trying.

What billing system is it?

It's a well known, and well used billing system used by a lot of WHT members. I don't really want to release which one because it would be very degrading to the developers of it :(

Dude if you are having trouble an dit has been that long. chargeback and give them the boot.

Are these kids you dealing with?

Look for Pros, and then set a time line.

What datacenter are you using that takes that long to set up a server? I would not use them...Period, no matter how good they claim to be.

If the billing system is giving you a headache..and it is there fault, put there name out there.

no one hates crap service!!!

Use only company's that know what they are doing and give a solid completion date.

Well that is my $0.02

If you're dealing with companies with project managers, or professionals who offer their services to the public, then you have every right to be outraged at their poor estimates and service.

If you're dealing with programmers (etc.) who are experts at what they do, but have no project manager, and don't hold themselves out as independent consultants, then you're taking on the role of project manager, and you have to know how these sorts of professionals work, just like a general contractor needs to know the quirks of cabinetmakers and plumbers.

I managed programmers for more years than I like to admit, and almost never got good time estimates. They always tended to give me the "no glitches" estimate, and that was seldom if ever realistic. The minor problems always took far longer than expected.

Typically, 90% of the functionality was complete well within the estimated time, but some interface, annoying database bug, or the like would always drag out. It was a rule of thumb that the first 90% of the job takes 50% of the estimated time, and the remaining 10% takes 100% to 200% of the estimated time. The more cynical project leaders I knew would double the number (2 becomes 4, 3 becomes 6, etc.) and increment the unit of measure (hours become days, days become weeks, etc.). It was seldom this bad, but they were often closer to reality than the wildly optimistic estimates we got from programmers.

So -- you have every reason to be frustrated with people who give unrealistic estimates, but you will probably have to expect to always get this sort of estimate, and apply your own correction factor to get a realistic expectation, if you're dealing directly with the technical folks.

And one more note -- you are doing a lot at the same time. I don't know what all is going on, but if Joe is waiting for Bob to finish, but Bob is waiting for Joe to finish . . . well, you get the idea. You can't get a baby in less than 9 months no matter how many men you put on the job!

Bill

Yes, I normally do pay up front. But I doubt I will do it again.


That's what's causing the problems imo. A downpayment is okay, but never give all the money up front!

1. It can make them lazy and take their sweet time to finish your work

2. It's easier for them to scam you if you pay them all the money before they actually do anything for you