Jim Jamesson

Not sure about other web designers out there, but I get livid when I see other web companies taking credit for work that my company produced. It’s one thing when you use someone else’s work as inspiration for your own–I’m totally cool with that, and guilty of doing the same. But to blatantly take credit for others’ work, and pass it off to clients as work they did themselves–well that’s just wrong, and boy does it piss me off. Such is the case with this clown…

Example 1: After a while, nobody will remember that you stole someone’s shit

My problem with this: Adding an oak leaf with improper shadow does not make this your work. While this website is no longer representative of my company’s quality or capabilities, the fact remains that this web company did not originally do this work, and this guy is taking credit for it.

Why this sucks for the client: Sucks for the client because ever since the new web company took over the project, a simple link in the footer has pointed to a broken link the entire time. Goes to show you the complete lack of quality control and attention to detail on work this company produces. Also, the leaf’s shadow that was added is completely inconsistent with any of the other shadows across the website. This web designer does not understand the importance of continuity on a website, and the client suffers as a result. (What does the designer care, he made his $ from client. Shows you he simply doesn’t give a shit about how his clients’ websites are presented in the long run.)

Example 2: the pitfalls of stealing someone’s shit is that your work looks like shit next to the original

My problem with this: I’m not sure what connotations the brick wall background really have. I have never, in the history of my dealings with many rock climbers and spelunkers addicted to rappelling, seen anyone climb a brick wall. Oh, and they ganked my original concept about as much as possible.

Why this sucks for the client: The original design was built in Code Igniter, a very solid and stable PHP web framework. The new web company, unable to fathom the use of Code Igniter or ay other database-dependent framework, somehow convinced the client to pay for a complete website overhaul, rather than simply paying a legitimate professional a couple hours worth of time to make the changes. Is it any wonder why people are afraid to pay good money for web design?

Example 3, when you can’t come up with your own idea, just steal someone else’s

Out of respect for my client and friend, I’m not going to post the screenshots of this.

These kind of tactics really chap my web designing ass. Of the 13 examples offered on their portfolio, by my math, 23% of these examples you can plainly see ripping me off. We feel that several other examples can be traced back to our work as well. Personally, anything more than a 4 or 5% rip-off ratio adjusts my Facebook status from Flattered to Furious. I mean best I can figure, a potential client visits my site, and this turkey’s site. Sees a similar quality of work (because he stole my good shit), but goes with the crappy guy because he is 1/4 the price. Hmm, now that doesn’t seem like fair business practice to me.

I think now is maybe a good time to write this chump an open letter. Hopefully he reads it the next time he’s scouring my websites for ideas to hijack. Hopefully he realizes that he just made a massive error in judgement, and corrects the issues. Of course, I seriously doubt it.

Open letter to the guy who stole my shit

I gotta give you some credit man, you’ve got some real balls. Not only did you make the decision to steal our shit, but you then had the audacity to continuously come to us for business advice. You’ve got a real pair of swingers, dude. The more I think about it, the more pissed I become. But for some reason, I take some comfort knowing that our stuff is leagues better than yours, and the websites we produce not only look better, but perform better for our clients as well.

I have been busting my ass on the web now for over 15 years, and I’ve seen loads of guys like yourself come and go in my industry. If history is any guide, you’ll also go away in time. Companies like yours will never thrive because you lack the ability to establish your own unique identity. Clients will eventually fizzle and fade away, and your true lack of web experience and business ethic will shine through like wizz through a cheap diaper.

Oh, and maybe you should even consider thanking me while you’re drafting your pathetic apology/excuse. See, I’m pretty easy-going most of the time, and today you caught me in a peachy mood and lucked out in a big way because Sirius 3 is jamming some Lionel Ritchie, which calms me down and brings out my inner peace. (Technically, it was the Commodores.) Make no mistake though–the thought of contacting each and every one of your clients and informing them of your tactics has undoubtedly crossed my mind. The notion of ripping off your hard work and creating a website to mock you has certainly been entertained.

Instead, maybe I should just make efforts to effectively advertise to your clients that better options do indeed exist. The Asheville and WNC region is home to many quality web professionals, many of whom Groovy Web Design considers their friends, not just competing business acquaintances. See these guys and gals are extremely hard working, trustworthy, and always practice morally-sound business ethics. None of them would ever stick their proverbial dick in our proverbial ass like you have. I guess you’ll just be out of the cool people loop forever.

It’s sad because with a little more tact and an honest approach, you could have actually propelled yourself into a contender of the web world. (Well, probably not.) But no. Ultimately you chose web design as a means to make money, and not as a means to produce quality web content for your clients. And thats exactly the line of thinking which will lead to your demise. Actually, it will probably be the pending litigation from another company (with deep pockets) that you stole from as well, who we just learned is not happy with you as well.

In closing, I just wanna make one thing clear: Stop stealing my shit. Like, right now. My workload and schedule are pretty much booked, but do I have the ability and determination to find free time to build a website that not only mocks and directly competes with you in your market, but also be built far superior to yours, and would out-think you and out-SEO you on every single keyword and tactic you currently use. Because, dude lets face it… if we boil down and compare our stuff, my work is always going to kick your work’s ass. Game on?

Regards, Jim