Buying Mods, Payment

Hi all

I have an Idea.  It is good that developers write code and make mods to help non developers improve their sites. However,  I think it would be good if Boonex was to implement an escrow type payment system.  In other words, the user buys a mod, the money would go to an escrow account and it will not be released until the developer installed the mod like they said they would then the buyer would release the funds.

I can't see how this could go wrong.

escrow is all fine and dandy, however, where you get a catch22 at, if you have a mod that is popluar, and you sell say 30-50 mods off the bat. ok money is in escrow and thats all well, though we consider that a mod install takes ~45 minutes when all is said and done.

developer works 10 hours a day and is only able to install 9 modules, but not all 9 that were slotted are unable to be completed for various reasons outside the control of the developer. so he sets the install be it one or two into the end of the queue, and has achieved the installation of lets say 7 mods. now his installation fee, if there is one, and most will install for free, is something like $10.00, so for his days effort, he has essentially made $70.00 for a full days work.

and he still has the rest of the modules to get installed when considering this model. so its not productive, nor is it beneficial to the developer or fair to the developer.

you purchase a module, you purchased the module, and i cant see where it should be held to the developer to install that module on your site, that may or may not be compatible and/or you may or may not have conflicting modules already previously installed.

bad idea on some points here.

escrow is fine, purchase the module, get it installed within a given number of hours, yes, hours, not days, not weeks, purchase a module and you either install yourself, or pay to have it installed, and if there are problems with the module, you as the purchaser would come to the modules forum where there is support for the module, and request your assistance. if you are posting in the forums within the allocated time-frame with problems on the purchased module, then by all means, funds should remain in escrow. if you are outside your allocated time-frame for installing and reporting back to the forums, then you are SOL, and it was your responsibility to comply with the established standards as well.

not to say the developer is not going to provide support for his product and by all means, that is expected. but at the same time, think about what you are asking here.

you have too many variables that could cause too many problems with little or no benefit for inspiration for mod developers to continue developing.

Its what you call doing good business.

If you have a product and part of your product is to install the code on someones webside, the do it.  I'm busy too, I'm on a mission too.  I have to wait for you to install a mod for 2 to 3 days after I paid you and you don't even let me know what the hold up is? COMMUNICATE!  If I spen my money, I would like to get good customer service.  At least tell me that "it will take 2 days sir before I can get to it and by the way thank you for buying my product."

At the least, if you cant install the mod, make very good install instructions.  I am pretty good about following good directions. Developers should go over their instructions step by step and only do what their instructions say do to see if their instructions are complete.  And do a little explaining if need be on some of the steps so that us non programmers can follow.

Thats all im asking.  I know these guys are busy, but I am too.I have to buy a mod and then I have too pay someone to install it for me because the developers customer service stinks.  It makes me not want to do business with them. i dont care how good they are because there's always someone better and with good and appreciative customer service. Dont get me started.

I have to correct you on something, He would have not only made $70 because he would have made the cost of his mod also.

Something does need to be done. I am having a VERY expensive custom mod build. It is great and we are all very pleased with it, but..... I can't pay my developer via paypal for various legitimate reasons, so I am having to pay upto 20% extra in fees. This adds upto $800 onto the development cost.

Ok, so he had agreed to split this with us, which is good, and we are trying to find a better payment method, but if somthing was implemented on here it would really help out.