Without getting into all the misleading statements and advertising on websites. Plus I know they have moved locations. I had checked for customer complaints and reviews against LR Designing prior to entering into a contract. There were no complaints.in July I contracted with LR Designing for an e commerce website to sell personalized art for the amount of $2000. Sales Rep Ara Aghajani. The site was to have the functionality of my existing website with an improved shopping cart and produce better conversion. I was also to have full control over product management and content. Site was to be completed in 2-3 months. After signing the contract, but prior to paying, my existing site was hacked. I was told that was not a problem by Ara. A $1000 deposit was made and banking statement showed it was paid to LM Designing. Please note LR Designing and LM Designing are 1 in the same. Same people, same phone number, same mode of operation. (LM Designing had numerous complaints that I did not find until later. LR Designing has started receiving complaints since I started doing business with them.) Then I was told because the site was hacked it would be an additional $400. I spoke with Lisa (Munoz) Romanello, telling her if they could no longer complete the contract, refund my money. She assured me she could complete the contract. This was finally settled on Aug. 7. According to her website and sales rep there was to be a Project Manager, Designer, and Programmers working on the project. When I asked the PM who was the Designer he did not understand the question.
The home page was completed and an additional $700 was processed by LM Designing.
I have sent numerous screenshots of my old site so they would know exactly what the pages and functions should be. The site was to consist of 3 categories of personalized art and an other products page.
In October I complained to my Project Manager about the shopping cart attached to the site. I followed up with an email to Lisa Romanello. The cart only allows a customer to buy one item. They cannot continue shopping or add items to the cart. No response from Lisa.
Early March all employees were laid off and Lisa took over the project. Her programmers who are in India felt the project was complete. When I disagreed she requested and received a list of items still needing to be fixed or completed on the site which was basically the other products page, the shopping cart, product sizes, freight, sales tax, small issues of typos and crossed links that I could not correct, existing products not all being hooked up to the cart, a slide show on the home page, calls to action, ability to offer sales, and the like. She did not feel they were all included in the contract. She stated the contract was fulfilled and would send me zip files. That was not acceptable to me and I threatened legal action. She decided to continue with the site. When the issue of the cart was addressed she told me the cart would be replaced with a proper e commerce cart such as the sample one on her website which she stated I had paid for. I agreed to continue. I kept waiting for the new cart. Thirty days later I was told they could not provide a different cart because of the programming. During those 30 days Lisa kept trying to get me to agree that if they did what they felt they should do from the list, (not saying what they would do), would I consider the site complete. I kept asking what she considered on the list to be outside the contract. Forty five days later I was told to add an Other Products page would need a second cart.
At this point after paying $1700 I am told I can cancel, they'll send me the files that are hooked to an inadequate cart with none working freight figures, and inaccurate sales tax, no Other Products Page, no slideshow, no product sizes to show customers the size print they are buying. Or they can continue, but the cart won't be changed and there was never an answer on the Other Products page other than a second cart which they did not agree to do. Lisa Romanello's defense is the monies are not refundable and they underbid the contract. I have even had a friend of mine who is a programmer call her to see what the coding is and what he could do to correct the issues. He left 2 messages and she has not returned his calls.
In the past Lisa (Munoz) Romanello has had a pattern of blaming complaints on employees. However, she has been personally handling this project since March with total lack of performance, unclear changing positions on completion, and sporadic communications.
I am seeking a refund of monies paid $1700.00 for lack of performance and failure to comply with a contract. I am also seeking a modest amount of damages of lost revenue due to not having a site that was to have been completed in October available resulting in several Holiday shopping seasons being missed during a time when internet sales have climbed.in addition every month's delay brought 1-2 new competitors into my product marketplace.
This is the segment of the contract I'm standing on as failure to comply:
"According to the terms listed above, the description and cost for this service product shall be as follows:
Client has requested a custom designed site with a full cms and a dynamic cart. The site will be much like http://just4uletterart.com which is the client’s site now. However, she is having issues with the shopping cart and would like a fresh redesign, concentrating in calls to action and conversion rates. The site is an e-commerce site so it is imperative that it converts users into buyers/customer. The site will be redesigned. The content will be used and some will be added and given to us by the client. The examples of the work will be provided by the client. The client wants the site done in 2-3 months and this should not be an issue as long as the client is available to speak or email us when we have questions in the design and development stages of this project. The site will have a slide show on the home page.
Total: 2000 Deposit: 1000 Contracted Hours: 65"
Additional addendum to contract:
"The main important required specs not spelled out in contract for Just4uletterart website are as follows.
Website will be completed and function to allow customers to create personalized letter art in 3 different formats and see their creation as they customize it.
Site will be similar to competitor's websites as supplied for review.
I will be able to add and remove product offerings and themes, change prices, content, and sample images.in other words be able to manage site once completed.
Provide adequate information to me to manage site.
The shopping cart will show product to customer and allow me to know what letters, background, material, etc. Was ordered.
In addition to matted art, panoramic art, and tile art offerings there will be an Other Products page.
Home page mock ups redone up to 5-6 times until approved.
The hourly limitations are waived."
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