Just a short tirade about Honesty, Responsibility, and the Marketplace

[CW Finesmith]

Today I had the unpleasant experience of trying to download some clothing templates that I bought on the Marketplace.  The note card I was sent, took me to ilivid, a download site that required me to download several pieces of their software and watch adds and download more before I could possibly get the file I spent good money for.   By the time my malware protection kicked in, I had no time to save my computer from becoming a smoldering heap and spreading the malware through my network.   Getting a refund was like pulling teeth, and then I was told that the person that set this all up would not even consider herself responsible for the damage.   No apology, no consideration, no taking responsibility.

The hardware damaged, or even the time spent cleaning up all the spyware, adware, and malware represent hidden risks and costs THAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED BY THE SELLER.

As a result of this experience, I have several suggestions for all who buy and sell .zip, .rar, and raw code over the Marketplace:

1. If you sell such on the Marketplace you should disclose the added costs of the download in your product description.
2. If you buy such on the Marketplace and find that there are hidden costs or risks from an unknown site trying to install software on your computer, THEN FILE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
3. SHUN any vendor that does not disclose the hidden costs of their product and has negative feedback to that effect.

There is no excuse for this type of dishonesty, and I’m betting not one of the vendors that use these sites will take responsibility for their actions or the results of their actions.

If you end up at ilivid, remember I am livid at what they have cost me for a 300 linden product, and livid at the woman who sold that product without disclosure.

[Abby10 Lenroy]

Did you know that clothing templates can be found free on the SL website. :smileyvery-happy:

 

I wouldn't concider paying 300L$ to get clothing templates. Just my thought.

[Dusk Firehawk]

I see the predicament for both parties.  Undoubtedly you should have received bettercustomer service, however, I ASSUME if I'm getting a raw or zip file that there may be hazards associated with downloading it.  If I'm uncomfortable, I write the seller.  I think most sellers would be happy to send you an E-mailed Raw or Zip (I know as a seller I would).  also the refund issue is hazy because (1) you still have full perms in your possession or the ability to download them, and refunding doesn't help that problem. 

 

I think when you buy psds you should know that an offsite download is possible.  Sellers should do their best with this, but you can't hold them responsible for third party site problems, malware, etc.  You should heva been dealt with more professionally but in the future, write your seller first and ask for an e-mailed version if this is a concern for you, or just don't buy PSDs. 

The remainder of your ideas just seem angry.  While I would be angry too if what happened to you happened to me, it seems like you are putting an awful lot off on the seller.  As I said before, I assume that when connecting to a third party site for downloads there are risks, most people would.

 

As to the comment about not buying templates (from a respondent, not original poster), that's just silly, I think that person doesn't understand the difference between the UV templates and real clothing templates (as in workable items).  I buy lots of clothing templates, and have never had issues. I've only bought PSD's once, but I loved them and will def buy more in the future, if nothing else, because they are fabulous to learn from.

 

Sorry you had a bad experience.

[Kenbro Utu]

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Abby10 Lenroy wrote:

Did you know that clothing templates can be found free on the SL website.

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I would bet the templates the OP is talking about already have clothing drawn on them so that all one needs to do is load into a graphics program and fill the template with your desired textures.  if they are quality, they are well worth the cost, especially if you don't have the knowledge, skill or time to create them yourself. 

[Madeliefste Oh]

 

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CW Finesmith wrote:

The hardware damaged, or even the time spent cleaning up all the spyware, adware, and malware represent hidden risks and costs THAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED BY THE SELLER.

As a result of this experience, I have several suggestions for all who buy and sell .zip, .rar, and raw code over the Marketplace:

1. If you sell such on the Marketplace you should disclose the added costs of the download in your product description.
2. If you buy such on the Marketplace and find that there are hidden costs or risks from an unknown site trying to install software on your computer, THEN FILE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
3. SHUN any vendor that does not disclose the hidden costs of their product and has negative feedback to that effect.

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As a seller of objects that include psd-files I do agree.This kind of practise like you have experienced is undesirable. In my opinion the seller is responsable for delivery of the psd-files without any obligation on your side to subsribe to a downloadsite, or obligation to download any other software to your computer then the psd-file you have paid for.

There are several ways a seller can deliver you psd-files without the troubles you have experienced.

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Dusk Firehawk wrote:

I think when you buy psds you should know that an offsite download is possible.  Sellers should do their best with this, but you can't hold them responsible for third party site problems, malware, etc.  You should heva been dealt with more professionally but in the future, write your seller first and ask for an e-mailed version if this is a concern for you, or just don't buy PSDs. 

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If the only way to get the psd-file you have paid for is downloading the file from a site with malware, the seller is responsable in my opinion. The seller does have other options to offer you the file, but they did choose not to use them, they choose for the malware site as download source.

A third party site can have a problem (like server offline or such) that the seller cannot be hold responsible for. But then still the seller is responsible for the delivery of the file to the customer. If such a problem occurs the seller should use alternative ways to deliver the file to the buyer.

[Ziggy21 Slade]

 

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Dusk Firehawk wrote:

I see the predicament for both parties.  Undoubtedly you should have received bettercustomer service, however, I ASSUME if I'm getting a raw or zip file that there may be hazards associated with downloading it.  If I'm uncomfortable, I write the seller.  I think most sellers would be happy to send you an E-mailed Raw or Zip (I know as a seller I would).  also the refund issue is hazy because (1) you still have full perms in your possession or the ability to download them, and refunding doesn't help that problem. 

 

I think when you buy psds you should know that an offsite download is possible.  Sellers should do their best with this, but you can't hold them responsible for third party site problems, malware, etc.  You should heva been dealt with more professionally but in the future, write your seller first and ask for an e-mailed version if this is a concern for you, or just don't buy PSDs. 

The remainder of your ideas just seem angry.  While I would be angry too if what happened to you happened to me, it seems like you are putting an awful lot off on the seller.  As I said before, I assume that when connecting to a third party site for downloads there are risks, most people would.

 

As to the comment about not buying templates (from a respondent, not original poster), that's just silly, I think that person doesn't understand the difference between the UV templates and real clothing templates (as in workable items).  I buy lots of clothing templates, and have never had issues. I've only bought PSD's once, but I loved them and will def buy more in the future, if nothing else, because they are fabulous to learn from.

 

Sorry you had a bad experience.

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I am afraid I don't see the predicament for both parties, I don't see why there needs to be a predicament at all.

There are plenty of reputable and free sites that can be used for this purpose and there is absolutely no need to go infecting your customers computers with Spyware,  nor is there any reason to ASSUME there are likely to be hazzards when downloading a zip file, this is an everyday internet activity and to suggest that the usual default state of affairs is that your computer is likely to be infected when engaged in such activity is complete and utter nonsense.

If you sell a product here that requires the use of a third party website, of course you are responsible for what goes on there, if it's part of what your customer is required to do to make the purchase, then its part of the deal you have made. This is a real product that is being sold not some obvious 'get free porn here' scam and I would suggest most people would NOT assume there would be risks associated with it, I download from Istock,  RevoStock, Alamy, Dreamstime, Envato, Shutterstock and others, there are never problems of this type, I would never expect there to be, and if there ever was it would be the last time I dealt with that supplier.

As I see it, it's the same as sprinkling salt in your shop doorway when is snows, you may not be responsible for the fact that its snowed, but it would be irresponsible and bad for business not to do everything you can to minimise the risk of injury to your customers.

 

[Josephina Bonetto]

I think there are a variety of safer delivery methods, as already mentioned.

I personally have received items from download sites without incident, but not the one mentioned and also via email.  I would be happy to forward items to customers over email, or place them on a safe download site - there are many.

This can all be avoided with a bit of research and careful planning on the sellers part.