Template Monster: Public Service Announcement

My GOODNESS I wish I had read this forum before spending 160 USD on a TEMPLATE MONSTER TEMPLATE!!!

:censored:

I contacted their support department outlining SEVERAL problems that made the template USELESS. I was told to read the instructions as if I had "just joined the internet" yesterday.

When I contacted their Live Support, the conversation went something like this:

Me >>> Your templates are not up to date with the current version of ZenCart
Template Monster >>> So?
Me >>> Your templates for Zen Cart say that they are 1.3 but the latest version is 1.3.7
Template Monster >>> So?
Me >>> Do you plan on updating the current templates so that they work smoothly with ZenCart? And if, so do you plan on sending them to the customers that have purchased them?
Template Monster >>> Yes.
Me >>> Do you know when I can expect this?
Template Monster >>> All I can say is ASAP.

If I spend $160 on a template, I expect it to work...with MINIMAL issues, not MAXIMUM issues. Here are a nice lil list of issues:

• Majority of EZ Page functions do not work
• Layout Box Controllers do not function for all controls
• When disabling a left or right column, the middle column will NOT expand to fill the page
• The search doesn't function correctly
• Reviews stars are messed up
• Sort order does not function on the categpries
• Sort order does not function on the products
• IP Address does NOT show at the bottom of page when enabled
• Comtains graphics in side columns that are not configurable in the Zen Cart Admin. You must find them in the code and change or remove them.
• Shopping cart display shows a new product image instead of the shopping cart.
• Split page for login does not work
• Configuring MANY features do not work such as disabling the previous/next buttons on the product pages.I am a new Zen Cart user and haven't even gotten around to testing the actual functionality of the cart WITH the Template Monster template. I puke at the thought of all the issues I will run into.

Many of the features that are left from the templates are neccessary to run a shop. I wonder if the person who makes them is even aware of the overall impact that removing and replacing bits of code have on the functionality of the cart itself.

Why create a half functioning template? That's like making apple pie without the apples...or using applesauce INSTEAD of apples!

These are some of the most beautiful templates I must say. But unless you have your Frequent PHP Flyers license (I am ASP native myself), then you are going to have a hell of a time getting things to work and it is not worth the money, the headache, or the time it will take you to get it up and "HALF" running....not to mention the half caring support team.

I have officially earned my PHD in
"Template Monster Chinchilla Marketing"
:smartass::smartass::smartass::smartass:

Lesson 1: Do NOT BUY a Zen Cart Template from Template Monster

The products at Template Monster are not as described. You have been warned.
This has been a public service announcement from
the Department of "The Latest Template Monster Sucker"

Thanks for lettin' me vent :smoke:

Sorry to hear that you have paid for one template from TEMPLATE MONSTER !

Similar thread at
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53229&page=4
Sorry to hear you have also been burnt by TM.. moral at thread above seems
to be.. Keep pestering them.. you will EVENTUALLY get support...

So sorry, Dandy!

They're also trolling the net for Zen Carts. Got an email from them yesterday
hawking their templates via my Contact Us page. Hopefully, those with carts
already up and running are aware.

I briefly toyed with the idea of replying with something like "HA! You gotta be
kidding me!" :schmoll:

forward a copy of the unsolicited ad to their hosts abuse department

I know what you are going through, tooks us 9 days to fix some thing to actually make it work, added some stuff they took out.

Messy Work, dont worry your announcment has been posted in many forums, I added it to ebay powerseller board as well, some customers we have has asked us about them and we told them we will do it half price just to make sure it is done right.

https://www.wilsoncellular.us is a monster template, even the owner thought he could a guru and mess up his graphics lol, other then that it took forever to clean it up.

Perfect Posting for viewing.

TShooters:

So sorry, Dandy!

They're also trolling the net for Zen Carts. Got an email from them yesterday
hawking their templates via my Contact Us page. Hopefully, those with carts
already up and running are aware.

I briefly toyed with the idea of replying with something like "HA! You gotta be
kidding me!" :schmoll:

i got the same email in my support system.. i basically told them to screw off :)

Merlin,

I would do that if I could find the info on who their host is.

Abovenet Communications

I also wasted $160 on this : (

i have all of the above issues and customers are not able to change the shipping address because of a country loop.

Contact their technical support department and work with them on the issue. Document your results. If it is within the 60 or 90 day timeframe (w/ your credit card company. I hope you used a credit card.) Tell them that you will dispute the transacation. If they still do not offer to refund, contact your creditor and tell them it is promised to work "off the shelf" and it does not. Additionally, tell them that the proof of many people having problems with their item is proven in many forum discussions. And... if that doesn't work, show them (your creditor) the code. They will see the modifications. I doubt it will go this far.

I hope you are within the allotted timeframe. If you are not, try to at least have them give you a credit toward another purchase. They have a lot of sexy templates you can get that are worth the money spent.

I wanted to add a comment here regarding the quality of these templates - I agree some of the layouts look really nice; however - please keep in mind these folks really don't seem to have a clue in regards to Zen-Cart/osC design.

I have had not one but two customers that have purchased these templates. Now both were for osc, but I have to tell you, I was absolutely dumb founded at the method that was used to design the template. These were completely separate customers - and separate templates, but designed the exact same way

• The entire design was laid into the header!!! It's the craziest thing I've ever seen. I've not seen a Zen-Cart version, but I've looked at source code on a couple and found a similiar method used. The designer disabled all the auto functions pretty much built into the systems and hard code everything. These templates were designed like a big horse shoe in the header. All right and left column functions were disabled. Much of the appearance of functionality did not exist that was displayed in the template.

My first introduction was a customer asked me to modify the cart to show merely a drop down for the manufacturer's list. I asked why she didn't just change it in the admin? The reason was the list was hard coded as a straight UL list and the options in the admin were no longer available. First I had a heck of a time trying to figure this all out as I never thought to look for the entire design ... in the header.php file - was I shocked!! Now I know osC is a pain in keester to work with - that' just one of the reasons why I don't unless it is to fix something on an existing site and then I do my best to convince the client to let me port it over... but... this was ridulous.

My suggestion, is unless you are merely buying the templates for the graphics and the basic css - don't do it, unless you are very skilled at template design or plan on paying a professional.

I'm currently rebuilding both of these - porting them over to Zen-Cart and I have my work throughly cut out for me. All I can do is gather the graphics to gether - create a new psd and using a custom css- and start over. The customer's each paid 160.00 for graphics - that's it.

just my 2 cents (ok..maybe it was a dollar's worth..LOL)

^ same issues here. A client of my workplace purchased a Template Monster template.. and everything is basically hardcoded. There are no left and right column includes.. just built in. I think the right side menu was merged in with the footer.. and the main content & header was merged into the header. PITA is all i have to say.

In America, people could report these guys to the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising. There are a lot of government resources for reporting this sort of thing in the US. Also, a lot of Attorney General offices take consumer complaints though it can take months to see results.

I had an advertising problem recently so I got a little acquainted with some of the resources. You could also attempt filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau which operates much quicker and records the responses of the business for everyone to see.

Good luck,

Keep in mind ... a template is many things ...

It looks good or it doesn't

It works or it doesn't

It looks good and works and follows the rules of templates and overrides correctly ...

If looks good and works and doesn't follow any of the rules of templates and overrides correctly ...

This does not make the template evil ... this makes the template very hard to work with and very hard to manage on upgrades etc.

Templates should follow the rules of the software that it was written for ...

Some will and some will not ... it is up to you to investigate this or post in the Commercial Help Wanted and find someone who knows how to do the proper templating for your site ...

Or start with one of the templates that have been added to the downloads and jazz it up to meet your needs ...

No ... I do not like templates that do not follow the rules and would not be inclined to buy one that isn't made the right way for Zen Cart ...

... but that is again part of the beauty of Zen Cart ... you can make the code and template of any kind work if you can figure out a way to get the code and template to talk to one another ...

Just don't let yourself get locked in to something you cannot later change on your own or have a designer step in and continue to build for you ...

I agree with much of what Linda says, but the problem here is that one has to part with $160 BEFORE you find out it's not "what it says on the box".

What about this... ?

We have Zen Cart "certified hosts". What about a "kite mark" for other 3rd party offerings?

People who develop templates/modules/graphics **for commercial gain **could submit these to the dev team for scrutiny and pay a $500 fee for the privilege of having their "products" kite-marked by Zen Cart.

This $500 is non-refundable. If the bolt-on does not meet the dev team's standards, it does not earn the approval. It can be re-worked and re-submitted - for a further $500 fee each time - without limitation.

A prominent message on the Zen Cart site could alert zenners to look for the kite mark as a mark of quality assurance.

Thanks for the suggestion. There are plans for Certified Designers in the future, but it is still being worked on.

Hello there.

I am sorry that I did not reply to this topic earlier, my online colleague just showed it to me today.

We never had any intention to provide low quality service to our customers. We work really hard to design Zen Cart templates and to increase the attractiveness of Zen Cart powered online shops (to increase the sales volume of their owners).
Kim could confirm that I asked many times to provide us with new releases before the official release date to ensure the compatibility of new versions and start researching new features, etc.

I understand that it can sound like another BS from the company, trying to recover its reputation etc. To avoid such an image I'll promise to do the following steps:

1. Ask the specialist from the Product Development Team to review all posts regarding our Templates and provide a comprehensive report.

2. Contact Zen Cart team again to ask to develop more coordinated collaboration to ensure that everybody is happy and satisfied.

3. Ask the head of Support Department to investigate each case of this forum members individually and provide refund or free exchange if necessary.

Again, we are not fast money makers. We are a big, established company with leading positions on the market. That means, that our aim is to make the business with all of you in long term period.

Your comments and suggestions are very welcome. You can email me personally to david at templatemonster.com if something goes wrong.

Sorry forgot to add that we provide Free Sample Templates download to avoid the situation when customer buys "a pig in a poke". That should resolve the majority of "Product is not as described" issues.

Hello TMonster,

Im just wondering how far you have gotten on your promise to make this right,
I have half a dozen customers that are still having issues with templates that they purchased from your company.

Also how soon will the actual Zen Cart 1.3.7 templates ( ones that properly use the file over rides system and are NOT totally hacked together with hard coded links )

will this be before summer do you think,

Its been almost 3 weeks since you made this post,

Just wondering