The Designers Hut - Warning & Review!

I regularly employ freelance designers and coders via sites like Elance, Scriptlance and Rentacoder.

Although reliability and the quality of work varies, my experiences have generally been good.

When I find a good worker, I like to give them repeat business and have worked with some for as long as 8 years without any issues.

That was until I worked with "Sweety" who trades as "The Designers Hut" at http://www.designershut.com and uses the email address, thedesignershut@yahoo.com.

When working under an escrow agreement, there is usually no problem, as the quality of work is quite good.

However, in August 2009, I commissioned The Designers Hut to do some work for me and paid $200 in advance, as I didn't want to use Scriptlance on this occasion.

In fairness, that was my mistake.

Although I don't like Scrptlance's interface, it does protect people from dishonest people like Sweety.

Sweety claims to be female. "Her" real identity is Milind Prakash Thombare of Bung. Number 5/2, Shreedhar Kripa Housing Society, Bhelke Nagar, Kothrud- Pune - 38 Maharashtra, India.

No sooner had she collected her money from Western Union, the excuses started. Here's what the first email from The Designers Hut said;

Hi David,
 
Thanks, I will collect the payment in a day or two and will let you know, as for next days are Gov. holidays.
 
I hope we are in no rush for the design and I can take my time to come up with unique and creative design.

Take care.
 
Best Regards & God Bless,
Sweety

That was 31 August. She'd actually already raced down to her Western Union agent and picked up the cash before I got that email!

After that, I got a further email requesting more design detail which I provided, but then I heard nothing.

So I wrote again on 13 September and got this reply on the 14th:

Hi David,
 
Thanks for you email.
 
I have been suffering with viral infection and lot of weakness since last 4,5 days hence I was not able to work- as doc advised me strict rest.
 
I will email you once ready.
 
Hope you can understand my concerns.
 
God Bless & Take care.
Sweety

Well, it's now the 23rd September and I've heard nothing, despite twice requesting an update and confirmation that the work I paid for in advance will be delivered.

There's been no reply unfortunately, so I have no choice than to warn others who might be taken by the claims at www.designershut.com.

For a start, this one, "Designers Hut is as a hub of Creative & Talented Professionals" - it clearly isn't. It's one person who, without the protection of an escrow payment mechanism, will disappear with your money without so much a second thought.

Deigners Hut UPDATE 30 September 2009

Before posting this page, I emailed and let Sweety know what I'd be writing on this page. I got this reply:

"Hi David,
 
Thanks for you email and I can understand your views, but as we discussed I was ill and hence was not working.
 
I did started your designs but again I had weakness problems so I had to stop working on it, just give me 2,3 days (this weekend) I will complete the designs any how and will send to you.
 
To fill up this time that has gone in between - if you need I can make up for this by designing few banners for your site if you require them.
 
 
Regards,
Sweety"

Well, the weekend came and went and I heard nothing else.

So, this page remains because The Designers Hut is dishonest and cannot be trusted.

Sweety, stole $200, plain and simple.

You have been warned. Sweety and Designers Hut will rip you off unless you use an escrow service - and even then, she'll be constantly pushing for release of funds.