Is Template Monster no go? Where can I get ZC templates?

Hi there,

I'm completely new to ZC and am looking at it as a cleaner alternative to VirtueMart for Joomla!

I have quite a lot of experience with Joomla! and particularly the huge amount of template clubs etc that are available as a springboard for customising the look of a site. I should point out here that I'm very much a designer, not a programmer/developer.

It seems that ZC also runs a template system and, while not seeming as simple to use as J!'s template installer, I basically don't foresee any major problems when customising my ZC look or installing a new template.

However, it seems that pretty much the only supplier of professional looking ZC templates is Template Monster or one of it's affiliates. I was pretty happy when I saw the selection on TM's site and was all set to buy one to modify (it seems there are no ZC template clubs about as there are with the J! community?) until I trawled this forum to find that you guys aren't happy with TM.

From what I can make out, TM's templates don't actually work very well and loads of code has been stripped out to make their designers' lives easier.

Would anyone have any comments further to what's already been posted on this forum or be able to offer me any directions to a more reliable template for ZC site or, better, still a template club (pay a subscription for as many templates as you like). It seems that one use-once template from TM costs more than a year's subscription to one of the many Joomla! clubs offering around 24 templates with unlimited use.

I'm hoping to use Zen Cart a lot with my clients' sites in the future so I'd appreciate any comments.

Cheers

Ollie

http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=40_53
Over 60 Free templates at above url..
most of those templates can be viewed/tested at
http://(sorry, site offline)
Template Monster.. all you need to know about TM and their
zencart templates can be found on these forums..

If you want to use these templates for websites for your clients, I wouldn't use TC templates.

They are 100% NON-compatible with the Zen override system. The coding is absolutely terrible (they especially make it very difficult for themselves): the Zen search engine on your site won't work properly anymore, major lay-out flaws in product lisitings, your site will not be multi lingual anymore (despite they say it should be), all future Zen updates will ruin your TC template.

It will cost more work in adapting all the trash than make one yourself, at least when you know php and css properly.

If you like the TC designs, just be inspired but don't buy the templates. I bought one June 26, it is nearly August and the helpdesk still isn't able to solve my problems. Companies can build entire websites in this time frame.

You're right, there are no other professional looking templates (all of the other available templates look like the basic awfull Zen template), but don't waste your money on these amateurs! Major problems are guaranteed!

Callan.

Depending on your design and impementation skills, it seems many people have been using the Apple Zen theme, and modifying it(or just leaving it as is).

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(sorry, site offline)