Template Monster: avoid.

My verdict on Template Monster: avoid at all cost.

I was initially quite pleased with Template Monster, particularly since early kinks in the template they sold me (order number 829945364) got resolved rather quickly through their customer service. This included problems with the upload to wordpress, and initial errors in the homepage slider. The fact that these problems were resolved within a few days even prompted me to leave an "endorsement" on the company's website, which I obviously now wish to retract.

As it were, it turned out that the template had substantial errors and shortcomings beyond those first “kinks”, which only become obvious as I worked with it more.

Here are a few examples:

- category-include for posts was faulty and did not discriminate between different categories at all: by default, all overview (portfolio) pages would simply display all posts. This needed to be recoded in the CSS.

- all but the "standard" post format contained errors, ranging from inconsistent use of headers, to missing "more" buttons, to serious CSS inconsistencies in the way that images were displayed. I needed to recode all of this, since the help department was very unhelpful with this issue.

- the template was supposed to be "responsive", but the video embedding option was in fact not. I had to replace it with a third-party solution.

Revamping the template to a normal working condition has taken me significant time, not least due to the terrible documentation that came with the template (which was utterly useless) and the refusal of the TM help department to correct any errors beyond my first complaint. In fact, once the scope of the problems became obvious, the service department made it clear they would only help me correct their faulty product if I paid for this "service" (!).

At that point, I filed a formal complaint. I asked for a partial refund, not a full refund (since I was now committed to using this template, considering the amount of time and energy I had invested in rewriting it). I also requested that my endorsement be taken down from their website. This complaint was supposed to be processed within 24 hours. It has now been almost two weeks, and I still have to hear a word from a senior employee at TM.

My advice: go with a standard or premium WP template, or ask a friend and programmer to design you your own. Do not waste your time and money on problematic business practices like the ones that Template Monster adopts. I don't wish this amount of hassle and grief on anyone.

The best templates for a fair price

I have decided to post my comments about my experience buying from TM. Yes their antifraud system is strict - but I also sell my ebooks online and totally realize the fraud issues etc.

But I completely disagree about their support service. Their people are fantastic. They helped me our with every single step, pointed to documentation, made some changes for me and even suggested what to do next. I would be coming and buying more products from these guys.

The worst experience in my whole life

After watching the website for a little while I found a template that I liked, I went to purchase it (64$) that was a HUGE mistake, I was 2 seconds after bombed with all kinds of e-mails telling me that I would have to send in passport, drivers license etc.

This is a HUGE BREACH OF PRIVACY, I went to hear what was up in the live chat and they ammediently told me I would have to give them all of my infomation, and I would have to recieve a CALL from them.

This is probably the WORST service ever.

BY ALL MEANS AVOID THIS COMPANY, THEY OWN THE FOLLOWING COMPANYS TOO:

template-help.com


I WILL BE POLICE REPORTING THEM!

Yearly Costs

I purchased a template from TemplateMonster. They need to overhaul their business plan because many companies are offering access to thousands of templates for the price that they are charging for 1 single template. I found TemplateDrop.com for $9.95 a month and used coupon code TDROP1. I saved an additional 25% with the coupon. Webhosting was included as well. They had plenty of templates like TM.

Worst company ever! Nightmare for me!

I bought a template, it should have been a very easy transaction
It's been a nightmare from beginning to end
I bought a template from them. The problem was, it was only editable using a PC, they didn't disclaim PC use only and I use a Mac.

I wanted a refund or something done about that
After 3+ days of getting a run around, they did a like exchange for a Mac version. All they had to do was tell me that in the first place

The replacement template doesn't work.
A file was corrupt and gave me an error. I'm having a hard time getting them to correct this "again"

Their support phone #'s are bogus, there is no way to contact them really, their support is very rude
One of their support members even told me "to solve my problem, buy a PC"

Wow, that's support?

I still have no resolution from them

I would not advise anyone buy a template from them, unless you have alot of time and money, like being treated like garbage and given the run around.

I am still trying to resolve the problems with them, but I shouldn't have had to have gone through all that I have, over this small infraction on their part!

Lars Thomsen found this review useful