It pains me to have to write this because Derek and I had worked together on several successful projects prior to this experience, but after basically being defrauded out of $800, this is my last option for recourse.
I reached out to Derek in September for a time-sensitive, technically delicate project. I'd been really pleased with all of the work to this point, so felt confident Ace could handle the specific request. After some back and forth via email with Derek as usual, we confirmed production details: the material's thickness and dimensions, the urgency of the time-frame and since it was so delicate, that each piece would be packed with a sheet between it and the next for protection. We confirmed the project and I trusted Derek to do just what he'd promised.
After some time, I checked in on the progress - only to find that the material hadn't even been ordered yet and that it would take some time to receive. Again, time sensitive project so this is a big problem. I told Derek as much and said we'd need to cancel. He insisted that since the die had already been created I'd be out for that expense either way and offered to rush the material to his shop and ship it to me urgently both at his expense. Seemed fair so we went ahead.
Derek did rush the material and did ship it to me urgently, but literally every single piece I received (200) was damaged beyond presentation. The stock was not as thick as we had agreed, it had not been packed as we had agreed and was not received within the timeline we had agreed.
*Again, this was a time sensitive project - so now with only a few days to find a new vendor to accommodate the project, I demanded Derek refund the payment in full so I could move on and do my job. I sluggishly got back from him a list of excuses why this happened and several rote, time-consuming tasks I would need to file to receive a refund.
I shipped the pieces back as they had been packed and flagged the transaction with my credit card company as the goods had been delivered completely damaged.
Adding insult to injury - Derek refuted the reimbursement from my credit card - even after admitting fault via email and acknowledging that he should refund payment, leaving me out $800 with no product and having had paid *another $800 to a vendor who could actually deliver the project.
Really a ridiculous way to let a good business relationship like we'd had fall apart. Super disappointed and would recommend all to avoid at all costs. read more