Template Monster: Public Service Announcement

Totally agree. Template Monster templates are a ripoff...not because of their price, since I have no problem with paying $150 for a nicely designed template. But the problem is that they are not truly compatible with the base system, in my case, Zen Cart. They have a bunch of things hardcoded into various pages which makes every single small change a 3 hour ordeal. As I told their online help people, I could have just built a copy of their template in less time than it took me to "fix" the template that I purchased from them.

My suggestion is that even new users of Zen Cart should play around with the free classic or default templates for a few days. Modify things and adjust widths or do whatever to learn the system. Once you have figured out the slightly odd logic of ZC, then go ahead and create a copy version of any Monster Template that strikes your fancy.

Do not buy any Template Monster templates until this company upgrades their business model. As of now, I would call them a scam.

@thomasw98

You say a lot with which I wholeheartedly agree. Two things that I would advise caution on though ...

I wouldn't advise copying TM templates. Taking ideas and inspiration is fine, but copying, especially if you use their images is copyright infringement and people who have attempted this in the past have (rightly) gotten into trouble with the forum mods.

Also, I wouldn't personally go so far as call TM a scam. Yes, their Zen Cart templates are shoddy and we have lots of examples here of people receiving indifferent and unhelpful service, but there are real scammers out there pedalling pirated and non-existent templates. Whereas there is at least some chance that TM will clean up their act in respect of Zen Cart templates and provide a valuable service to ZC store owners. Though as Callan points out, things have gone rather quiet lately on this subject.

You are right. I wanted to go back and edit out the part about copying a TM template, but the edit button had already disappeared...

What I should have said is: "Build your own template similar to the TM template that strikes your fancy."

Anyways, I think that everyone who uses a TM template will change the images. I would think that is just about all that TM could possibly own any intellectual property rights to.

thomasw98:

Totally agree. Template Monster templates are a ripoff...not because of their price, since I have no problem with paying $150 for a nicely designed template. But the problem is that they are not truly compatible with the base system, in my case, Zen Cart. They have a bunch of things hardcoded into various pages which makes every single small change a 3 hour ordeal. As I told their online help people, I could have just built a copy of their template in less time than it took me to "fix" the template that I purchased from them.

Do not buy any Template Monster templates until this company upgrades their business model. As of now, I would call them a scam.

I have gotten more worked up about this subject than I likely should have in the past. It's just that it upsets me to see a company exploit things the way that they have.

ZC is a product that works very well right out of the box. For a large segment of users they won't find a need to change the back end system. But everyone is surely going to want to make the front something they can call their own. When they go looking for a template it becomes very difficult to find anything other than those from the company in question here.

I have a feel the end result is a lot of people come away with a bad taste in their mouth about ZC and unjustifiably so, because the ZC product itself is outstanding. And that injustice is what upsets me more than anything else.

stage

Sorry for a delay in discussing the topic. I wanted to update the community that we are working with ZC founders to organize the conference chat this week to resolve the ongoing issues with the beta template and then we will report here with the detailed plan and terms on rebuilding all our current templates.

Template,

Rather than continue to have new issues and upset customers dont you think it would be a good idea to take the 1.3 templates off of your site until you have them working properly,

that would help eliminate further customer complaints and would free your support staff up to do other things a little,

and would help your rep out a little in the process,
kinda show the world that you DO care about the products you sell, and are not "JUST" trying to make a quick buck.

Merlinpa1969:

Template,

Rather than continue to have new issues and upset customers dont you think it would be a good idea to take the 1.3 templates off of your site until you have them working properly,

that would help eliminate further customer complaints and would free your support staff up to do other things a little,

and would help your rep out a little in the process,
kinda show the world that you DO care about the products you sell, and are not "JUST" trying to make a quick buck.

Absolutely. Another thing: also communicate with your customers. Directly, not just via this thread.

I asked several questions to the helpdesk and it takes ages for them to answer or in the most recent case I just get no response at all. The only response is "we're sorry for the delay", but I don't here a thing about any progress (is there any?).

I know you have a business to run, but so am I...

I cannot work with this...

Perhaps there is a problem with the version not being correct. So far I have not experienced this. I am using version 1.3.7 ZC and just recently downloaded a TM template.

My gripe is that they don't follow the proper "protocol" for making modifications within ZC. The override system seems to be a real breakthough in thinking, and I consider this one of the great benefits of ZC. But the TM people often hardcode modifications right into the original files. This is a MAJOR flaw.

If that wasn't bad enough, they also do not provide any documentation listing what hardcode modifications they have made. So if you ever want to change one of their modifications, good luck finding it. Be prepared to spend 3-6 hours for each one.

Also, if I ever upgrade from version 1.3.7 to 1 new version, all of those TM hardcoded changes will be lost (as the core files are replaced by the upgraded core files).

I have been reading this topic. I recenlty purchased a TM template too and having some problems too. One of my biggest headaches is that, on the "contact us" page, their default company contact information is already there and always there, and I have no idea where to go to remove them. I updated my own contact information through admin->too->define pages. That part of their info. is not there for me to remove at all.

The undesired "default" information is like this:
Customer Service: +1 800 559 6580
9870 St Vincent Place,
Glasgow, DC 45 Fr 45.

I went to "view source" and found this part from the txt file:
**<address> **Customer Service: +1 800 559 6580<br>9870 St Vincent Place,<br>Glasgow, DC 45 Fr 45.<br> </address>
Maybe this <address></address> thing indicates something? I only know basic knowledge about php or css codes.

I appreciate any help from you, thank you!

Please contact Template Monster's Customer/Technical Support with your question.

Ha, I just figured it by chance. A headache turned to be a piece of cake. Just go to admin->configuration and make a easy modification! Problem solved. Thanks!

Thank you. Unfortunately TM support team isnt very helpful as every question is asked has been replied with 'for a fee our design team will customize your website in the manner you have decided.'

The above quote is from another thread.

So what the support folks said was that for a fee they would remove the hardcoded "features" they had added that were not wanted.

---Couldn't post that! Seriously ... sorry had to edit the post!

testuser:

---Couldn't post that! Seriously ... sorry had to edit the post!

Huh? I can't imagine why you would edit my post. I don't think there was anything in it that was factually incorrect or inflammatory.I am confused...:huh:

... he edited his OWN post.

Kim:

... he edited his OWN post.

:cool: Yes the edit was to my own post.

testuser:

:cool: Yes the edit was to my own post.

My post disappeared too, by coincidence at the same time. I guess it maybe was moved to another thread?

Not to worry thomasw98 ... testuser is not on the Zen Cart Team and would never have the access to manipulate your post ...

You can check out who is on the Zen Cart Team on the Home page of the site ... :cool:

Ajeh:

Not to worry thomasw98 ... testuser is not on the Zen Cart Team and would never have the access to manipulate your post ...

You can check out who is on the Zen Cart Team on the Home page of the site ... :cool:

Anyone can delete any of my posts in this forum and I would not be upset at all. It's not such a serious topic. :D

thomasw98:

My post disappeared too, by coincidence at the same time. I guess it maybe was moved to another thread?

Your post was moved last night I believe (depending on your geographic location:cool:).

Here's the thread.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72835