Hey guys, I’ve been using fiverr for a decent amount of time maybe about 2 or 3 years now? I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs, but thankfully I’ve never really needed to use the resolution center or anything like that. Well that’s all changed unfortunately. I know ‘Sellers not responding’ stories are nothing new and happen to lots of people, but I still wanted to share my experience and get some outside input.
So about a month ago on November 8th 2019 I went around canvassing for programmers to help me bring an idea I had to life. I asked 5 programmers for help and out of the 5 only 2 replied to me. Both of them were very polite and cordial, they outlined everything that would be feasible and how much it would realistically cost for them to do. So i compared both gigs and chose the one that seemed like the better deal. So the seller I went with was newer and while that can be a red flag, I still wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt so we talked and he was very knowledgeable and polite. He even offered to add things to help round out my project free of charge.
So the original gig was slated for 10 days delivery time, but he specifically told me in the beginning that he would need around 15 days to complete the project. I agreed and told him that would be fine, my main concern was the product coming out right.
So over the next 3 days we kept in frequent contact going over the specifics of the project and what needed to be done and it was honestly a really swell experience. He seemed to know everything I was worried about before I could even say it! He told me that he could tell I was frustrated and I opened up and told him how I had gone down this road 3 times before looking for someone who could do this prototype for me. He assured me again that he understood and that I would be impressed by his work. So I finally relented and ordered his custom offer I was positive in my mind that he would be the one who could finally help me with the project.
So we kept in frequent contact with each other after that, there were times where if i didn’t respond right away he’d send a follow up message to make sure I was alright. I dunno maybe I got sentimental or something, but I really appreciated the notion. A few days after that he sent the first screenshots of the progress and he gave very detailed reports on what was going on. He told me what he had accomplished, which areas were giving him trouble, and what his honest opinion on the matter was. I was pleased with the progress and it looked like he was slated to finish on time so I gave him the greenlight and asked him to keep the updates coming.
So we’re chugging along and we get close to the gig finally being due, I could tell from conversation he was a little apprehensive about broaching the topic of needing an extension So I said “say how much more time do you think you’ll need. Like another week maybe?”
And he replied with “Based on the amount of polish left. yes” I was a little disappointed I wouldn’t be getting what I wanted when I wanted it, but I also understood the amount of work I asked him for and all the extras he was giving me on top of that, so I was in no position to be unreasonable. I told him that an extension was okay and that my main concern was a quality product. (This whole exchange took place on the 28th of November mind you.) He thanked me again and we went on about out days . . . then contact got spotty
So four days after the 28th I sent him a message on Dec 2nd asking if everything was going well. I didn’t receive a response, but I figured he was probably busy. So I waited til Dec 6th when I messaged him again asking if he was okay . . . no response. Now I’ve been ghosted on Fiverr before and I try not to take it personally, I try to be understanding and go through all the possible scenarios before going into “Buyer Panic Mode” But I would be lying if i said i wasn’t at least a little worried of being ghosted again.
3 days went by and then he finally replied to me on the 9th saying that he was finally putting certain aspects of the project together and that when he was done he would let me know and then we could finally be done. Now I neglected to mention the timeline of this project and when it was supposed to be due and what not
So on November 12 the order started and the order delivery date was updated to November 27th. He didn’t meet the 27th as a deadline so we both agreed on 3 days delivery extension, my delivery date was adjusted to the 30th and as of December 19th 2019 I haven’t received anything yet. The order is 18 days late and I honestly don’t know what to do.
Like I understand going back to the resolution center and getting my refund which I can easily do with a gig that’s this late, but I guess this let down really hurts because the seller kept me updated through the first half. I could see what was happening with my gig and it was everything I wanted. On one hand I feel like I just got strung along and wasted so much time in hopes of getting what I wanted, but on the other I’m still hopeful that he is working on my project and that maybe tomorrow will be the day I get it . . . Sorry for writing this wall of text, I’m just . . tired of this. This’ll be the 4th time this has happened to me where I’m all super hyped to finally get my dream gig done, and then I get hit with the major let down. Like I don’t even understand why he won’t respond to me anymore!? He has 2 projects in his queue I’m guessing mine and someone else’s right now, but even when I stay up way past my comfort hours to message him in his timezone, I don’t get anything in return now.
After December 9th I contacted him on the 13th and 18th respectively . . . I honestly don’t know what I should do, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.