Having a paltry start-up budget of $200 to invest in a cart for my shop, the problem I ran into was getting something that could/would bridge with smf, Joomla! (with paid templates), and moodle. Though Virtuemart did not have the highest rating on Joomla, I have noticed that it has become a "thing" for those seeking a solution. So, I decided to download it and check it out (because I want a WORKING product for my $200 investment--I really don't think that is too much to ask for). Honestly, I have been with Zencart since the mid 2000's and would go with that if they were more hospitable to bridging their cart.
I really do not want other people touching my websites, even if it means I have to pay for help in learning how to USE said software. I feel if no one else TOUCHES it, then no one else is responsible for it. Anyhow...so I read through the instructions, read the reviews, checked out the links, blah, blah, blah...So, I download the virtuemart package from Joomla's extension section and set about installing it.
The snag I hit was rather surprising given Virtuemart "reputation" (reputation= how often I hear about the software, WHERE I hear about the software, WHAT I hear about the software, plus reviews, and seeing actual interactions between the devs and their consumers...all that saves me time and hassle until I am ready to finalized by my own experience with the software and those who are developing it.) Honestly, I'd rather pay a good dev more money for so-so software, than pay a crappy, mean dev top dollar for great software...weird, but that's how I feel.
The snag I hit was that the com_tcpdf_1.0.4.zip file is empty. I've downloaded it several times, and each time that file is 0. And will not install. I have searched joomla!'s site, here, the internet in general, NOTHING about this problem. Now, I once bought a oxy pulse meter and the box was empty when I got it home. The business had a no open policy for checking products before you buy them, and since this is a local business, and I know the owner personally I did not check when I got in the car. You can't tell me I have to buy something sight unseen and then refuse to help me when it turns out that someone "shoplifted" the product from the box you wouldn't let me check...so, I stopped that relationship completely. Anyhow, so I come here to see what I can find to help myself get this file that I apparently need (or do I even need it? I mean, could something this big be overlooked by such a highly trained team?)
What I found is that this product goes beyond pay to play. It goes beyond purchasing a product, or paying for a "pro" service. I feel as though my website has been taken hostage by shady developers selling a shady product. Now, I am fairly certain that the product is not shady, and that the devs are not "shady" but to refuse any and all help to customers (because free or paid, we ARE customers) unless they pay is really a bad business policy unless you don't care anymore. I doubt that is it, because it seems that a lot has gone into the development of this software over time.
So, I decide to continue searching the forums here to see if I can find some direction (I mean, anyone using the software should be able to find direction at the very least --even on a pay to win software.) What I found is affirmation that not only do I have to pay to have any hope of possibly being helped with my issue (that is directly caused by the individual who uploaded the package to Joomla!, so far as I can tell), but I have to pay my entire budget just to HOPE that I MIGHT get help, if I sign up for the all invasive Skype. Listen, I did not use Skype to talk to my brother when he was stationed overseas in the military, I'm NOT installing it for some ecommerce software...just not happening.
So, my final impression is this: I'm just going to find another cart to invest my time and cash in. If I am going to sink 1000 bucks into a cart over a year or two, I am going to have a cart that does what I need it to do, without having to wait and worry about meeting my deadlines. WITHOUT hiring someone else to do the work that I want to do. I'm very firm on this because self reliance is key to success - EVERY developer knows that...
I know that no one here cares about my opinions, nor my comment here...from what I have read here, that is a given. So, I'm going to just leave this right here and hope that this team at the VERY LEAST will ensure that those who PAY for customer service (because that is really all your "subscription is"), GETS that customer service within a suitable time frame...as in right away because they have PAID YOU FOR THAT. Good luck, but a score of 84, on what seems to be outdated software, being handled by someone who does not know how to upload a file to the repository (which makes me fear that the lack of help is not a scam, just a reflection of the lack of knowledge on the part of the people handing customer service for the product), is simply not going to urge me to risk my budget here.
No one cares, but I'm saying it anyhow.
Home
Forum
Extensions
Developer Portal
