A word to the wise!

[roguewo]

I thought about buying from Envato, aka themeforest, then I did a bit of research....

http://meebal.com/webmaster-ripped-off-by-themeforest/

WEBMASTER RIPPED OFF BY THEMEFOREST Normally, Im the kind of person who researches things before I buy them, this time I didnt. I wish I had.

Recently, I bought what was described as a WordPress theme from a company called Envato, doing business as Themeforest, they also have several other subsidiaries such as codecanyon which when researching the internet forums has also been accused of taking free WordPress plugins, adapting them slightly and passing them off for sale as their own work.

On the Themeforest website I looked in the WordPress area and found a theme called, Avada. It looked good and was a popular download, so I bought it. I paid through PayPal, and downloaded the theme.

When I tried to install the theme and build the site, I had difficulty. No problem, I thought, Ill just see what info I can find in the forums. I tried to signing up to the forum on Themeforest in relation to the theme that I had purchased, but the codes Envato sent me didnt work. Okay, Ill contact customer support. So, I sent an email. No response.

Two days later, after yet another email, I get an email from a woman named Patrisha saying that they were really backed up and how they apologized for the delay.

It all sounded so sweet. Then I was told that it wasnt a WordPress theme and it is my responsibility to be careful about my choices, but they would credit my account and I could get something else. How very kind of them.

In reference to the forum sign up I also got another email from a different person saying that I had to remove all the spaces, from the codes they sent me, to gain access to the forums. They could have just told me this when they sent me my information.

I told Patrisha, the sickly sweet girl, Im a bit busy these days and I would not have time to look at this again for another week. No worries, she says. By now, Im into this project for about ten days, and another seven days to go.

During the week that I was unable to build the site, I spent some time thinking. Typically, relationships that start poorly dont get better. I thought, get a refund and find another theme.

So, I disputed the payment through PayPal as the product was substantially different from what they had described; it wasnt a WordPress theme, yet they sold it as one.

To make a long story short, I went the through the process with PayPal, which Patrisha said they never dispute, and elevated the claim when the dispute was about to expire. They were either so busy with customer service disputes to respond to PayPal or they were being passive-aggressive. Im going with the later.

About four days after escalating the dispute with PayPal, PayPal decides to side with Envato. For what reason? The product is intangible.

I dont know about you but I get really angry when someone cheats me. I get even angrier when they smile and act really nice while they cheat me. Propelled by anger I researched Envato, and found out I am far from alone. Take a look Anyone involved with Envato has been barred from Wordcamp, which is a place where the WordPress community gets together and brainstorms.

Theres a Facebook page devoted to informing the world about Envato and Themeforest. Who gets a Facebook page devoted to telling the world about you? Scammers! https://www.facebook.com/envatoripoffs?ref=stream

According to some developers posting around the forums Envato is stealing copy written material, and selling as their own.; which is probably why there is a patent lawsuit underway now.

In researching this company, I have learned if you take any premium theme thats more than a month old, write its name in Google and append the word nulled to it, youll find it for free on some shady dubious download website.

Considering my experience Themeforest and their whole Envato operation should be avoided at all costs.