IndiaNIC

On May of 2013, I contracted them to do a website, asked for 60% upfont, to this date I have NO WEBSITE.5 months ago I got funding to rebuild [redacted] I decided to give http://www.indianic.com/ A try, their website looks impressive, and their clients feedback looks good. Emailed [redacted], images of the design that I had created, to give them a picture of the features I was looking for, I wanted them to build me a social ecommerce website. They decided to go with a [redacted] platform, and after agreeing to the price, which was NOT cheap by any means. We did a contract in which pointed all of the requirements. 5 months to build; I was required to advanced them 60% upfront so they could start right away. I started feeling the project manager, confused, irritated and even disrespectful. About 4 more weeks they came back to me and said, listen we have taken great efforts in understanding all your features.This was probably 2 months into it, they came BACK saying wait, I think [redacted] platform might be better for your features. BUT, we want MORE money for these efforts! I said NO, I will not give you more money, and you can finish how you started with [redacted] By now we were in out 4th month, when they said OH [redacted] is NOT the best to cover all your features. The best platform for your features is a social platform! and we could do it BUT you will need MORE money. After 4 months, tired, depressed and SEVERAL thousand dollars out. I negotiated to pay additional SEVERAL thousands more. The additional money made them happy and I was now very frustrated and all I wanted was to have [redacted] before the holidays. like originally planned.I asked indianick to show me websites they had done, with this platform, since it seemed to me that they were not very knowledgeable, otherwise why not do this social platform since day ONE. Inquiring and learning that the platform they wanted to use is pretty much pre done, all they do is buy it and put it together. I found and talk to the company that makes the plug-ins, they are the cream of the crop, REAL professionals in the social community, and were able to get me a quote for the same website that indianick was making for a FRACTION of the cost Indianick was doing it for.Without reservation, I can say that Indianick maybe good for phone applications but when it comes down to a customized site, they are NOT the BEST, they Will tell you anything to get you to sign a contract and give them the down payment and after they have hooked you, they will tell you what ever they want. This experience has thought me a great lesson, NEVER hire someone just because their feedback on their site reads nice. Make efforts to talk to any of them and if they are real people you should be able to get hold of them and ask them what their experience was? when I tried doing that after this nightmare I went back to look at those feed backs and most of the websites, that they show they did, are NOT ACTIVE, some websites show a totally different from what indianick showcases, which means that perhaps indianick did make a site for them, but if now they show another website, they probably had to get it rebuild, WHY? because even when indianick delivers, they DO NOT deliver TOP NOTCH technology.When I asked for a refund, they ignored me. Till now after 5 months of torment, torture and nonsense. I can say that indianick failed me, took me as a fool. I hope that before you embark into a real nightmare with them, at least NOW you know what could come out of working with them, they talk the talk, they walk the walk BUT actions speak louder than any words. Inidanick's integrity is VERY questionable and it is no wonder they are NOT in India's TOP software companies. My email is [redacted].com, and you are welcome to email me, if you have any additional questions. They should be ashamed for taking money from people that work hard to earn it.Desired SettlementI want FULL refund, not seeking additional money for ALL the grief they have put me and my company. I just want the $7,000.00 I advanced them, I have proof of those funds since they were sent with [redacted]. Business Response Contact Name and Title: [redacted]Contact Phone: +[redacted]Contact Email: [redacted]It's really unfortunate that our client had to come here, despite our several attempt to provide him workable solution. For us client is always first and with same intention we always worked with her. Yes, we mutually agreed and went in contract for application development using [redacted] platform, as client was facing issues with existing application. After spending sufficient time to understand her requirement & expectation, our consultants proposed the solution to develop application using [redacted] platform. After evaluating, client has given the approval on proposed solution and project contract. As per contract client given the advance payment of 40% to start the project as per agreed contract between us. During project kick-off Project Manager conveyed the process of project execution and it was made clear that project will go through with different phases as per waterfall methodology. Every phase was allocated timeframe to finish. We also made clear that unless we don't receive approval on existing phase, next phase won't be started. Client was agreed on it, however all these practices are common for any software development activity. It was also clear in proposal as well as to client that if scope (features & functions of proposed application) deviates from the agreed scope it will be considered as "Change Request" and it may impact project scope, timeline or budget. Again this is common practice across the globe. As per agreed plan it was decided that project will start from requirement gathering phase. As soon as we started the requirement gathering phase. Our team ([redacted]) started receiving new features & functions on daily basis. Whenever we tried to explain her that these features were not agreed as per our scope, client always forced us to include in scope without adding any additional budget. As we value our client, initially we agreed on various new features by looking constant request from client & understanding her business perspective. But day by day it were getting increased and every time we thought that it's over, next day bunch of request came from client. We organized number of conference calls with client to make her understand the impact of ongoing endless requirement on project. We conveyed that with this approach project will never be finished, or rather it can't be start. There were many time she agreed on call, but very next day everything got changed with several new request. When we re-visited the whole project, new requirement was just double of actual scope and way client want the system, even we had to change the technology. Project was no more for [redacted], it require Social Engine framework to be implemented. It was totally deviating from scope, technology, timeline & budget. We shared our concern with client on additional scope, almost double from original and initially she were agreed to revise the proposal, but later on she denied the same. In mean time to save timeline we started design along with requirement gathering phase. But that attempt too went in vain, and after submitting 11+ design themes client were not able to approve that too and keep asking changes. During this phase some other company approached client and offered the project in some other cost. Thereafter client forward that quotation to us and asked us to revise the project cost to match with offer she received. Otherwise we had been asked to refund the money. However, we strongly believe this practice is unethical and should not have place in any business. Otherwise no one will trust the agreements. - As project cost was mutually decided and agreed between Client & IndiaNIC. Client accepted the offer and asked IndiaNIC to start the project. - Since begging it was clear that unless client doesn't sign off the requirement, next phase of project won't be started. IndiaNIC always raised these concerns to client through email, voice call and chat. But client never looked into it. - Although many features & functionalities were added to project, but we didn't revised the proposal and stick with original one to give or client more benefits. - As a part of deliverable requirement document & design is developed for project. We strongly believe with such practice, it is not feasible for any organization to do the business. If someone comes and make some low offer against the agreed offer between two parties and one party deny to oblige that agreement. Then what is the purpose of agreement. And it is not just about the agreement, we have invested great amount of efforts to prepare the requirement document, technical evaluation and developing UI designs. As per our knowledge client has shared that requirement document, design & details of technical evaluation with other company to get the lower quote. However, we never denied to continue with work. Even our COO personally talked with her and given the assurance that work will be done as defined in agreement as soon as you provide the sign off on design & requirement. Unfortunately we were responded with threatening statement to defame our organization rather acknowledging our professional approach. We are a committed organization and we always believe in moving ahead rather engaging in issues. As we always conveyed to client we are ready to execute the project as per our agreement as soon as she provides the approval on submitted documents & design. But refunding the amount is not feasible just because of someone else has offered lower cost. Project got delayed as client never approved the submitted document and as a best practice it was not possible for us to move ahead for development without those approvals. We have proof of all communication, discussions which we explained above. Consumer Response This company is not addressing the real issue; the facts that I paid them for a website that they never delivered. They suggested SEVERAL platforms that NONE worked for my requirements. The same that they knew since day one. They are all talk no action, it is sad to see that this company is taking advantage of people all over the world. BEWARE of Indianic business practices!