Buyers , how do you buy...?

I am a semi-frequent buyer (graphic/web designer) across several of the Envato marketplaces. I use the search functions a lot, and always appreciate properly-tagged items because I am usually on a deadline and trying to optimize! I find myself checking out out particular authors’ portfolios when one of their items really knocks me out/meets my client needs, but most of my decisions are based on whether the item fits the project, using searches on topic/subject/keyword.

For themes, I look for well-documented offerings and have noticed that the “Elite” authors seem to be much more professional in their support and the packaging of their template/themes, so I do look at those items first. I also look at number of sales (very high might be a bit of a negative, very low - unless it’s a new item - makes me think twice about it, but in the end the quality is the tie-breaker.)

I love the Envato contributors and almost always can find what I need here. AND , I LOVE NOT HAVING THAT STUPID CAPTCHA SIGN -IN ANYMORE !!!!

Thanks for asking!

CLINE123 said

xstortionist said
You may have your own experiences but I rarely have issues. I’ve only had to raise tickets for only 3 themes, all tickets were answered very timely and in my favor. Personally, I’m very comfortable here and I don’t get the sense that Envato is out to make a quick buck (not implying that you meant that), but get the sense that they’re developing their business model as it’s still a business. What also gives me some peace of mind is that the staff is always very engaged and at hand, even for minor matters and that doesn’t happen a lot elsewhere where all you get is the corporate persona.

I have had good experiences also – and have had good support from the theme/template authors on the few occasions I’ve needed it. That IS one of the reasons I look very carefully at the code documentation and the author’s support mechanism – if it’s just an email when they have time, I’m not likely to go there, but a forum, dedicated support site, etc. makes me feel I have someplace to get problems resolved.

I think the prices are reasonable for the amount of time having a good base to work with saves me, and I’m willing to work out some issues (NOT major compatibility issues) if needed.

Thanks a lot for all the feedback. I appreciate it

Wow, that’s been an amazingly valuable thread. Thanks for starting it, Bedros, and a huge thank you to all the buyers who contributed answers.

I’ve summarised most of the responses here in an Envato Notes post called 14 Criteria Buyers Consider When Purchasing Items. I hope it helps!

adriantry said
Wow, that’s been an amazingly valuable thread. Thanks for starting it, Bedros, and a huge thank you to all the buyers who contributed answers. I’ve summarised most of the responses here in an Envato Notes post called 14 Criteria Buyers Consider When Purchasing Items. I hope it helps!

Thanks for the summary, Adrian. Very helpful, indeed

adriantry said
Wow, that’s been an amazingly valuable thread. Thanks for starting it, Bedros, and a huge thank you to all the buyers who contributed answers. I’ve summarised most of the responses here in an Envato Notes post called 14 Criteria Buyers Consider When Purchasing Items. I hope it helps!

Thanks a lot Adrian, wonderful idea and very helpful to the community…

Looking further to see more responses from buyers to this thread.

Bedros said

So , buyers , how do you buy..?

Bedros said
Considering which criterias..?

Bedros said
Are you (or CAN you) using the SEARCH option..?

Bedros said
What makes you buy from the same author again and again , and vice versa..?

Bedros said
What features you want (or do not want) to see at the marketplaces..?

designhowyouthink said

Bedros said

So , buyers , how do you buy..?

2 ways
A: send clients here and have them choose a template which looks the way they want, then we buy and build
B: test / check everything, (except the back end, which IS A BIG PROBLEM because we never get to see the back end). I view the source code, the CSS, the JS and look to see if its sane, the same way you might pop the hood on a used car. I then take the site to
http://validator.w3.org/
and http://www.w3.org/2003/12/semantic-extractor.html
Then I pop open IE tester and check IE 7, 8, 9. Then I pop open Adobe browser shots and check older versions of FF, CH, and SAFARI. to see how much of a headache I am going to have in fixing it. then I head over to the author page for that item and see how many comments are negative, I read through the problems people have and then get an idea of what I am dealing with. However, as of late, I can see through some of the BS that’s happening with FAKE COMMENTS AND FAKE REVIEWS. (note to authors: we developers can see through that kind of thing and its no boon to your credibility when we see a comment that says “thank you, very good template, we like. it work good.” irrespective of the ‘commenter purchased this template sticker’ - c’mon man that’s BS and we know it, stop having your friends rate you.)

Bedros said
Considering which criterias..?

In no specific order: Design, web standards, code compliance, SEO, semantic markup, ease of use, browser compatibility, and compare that to my final use spec sheet. (yes, I make a spec sheet prior to selecting a template)

Bedros said
Are you (or CAN you) using the SEARCH option..?

yes, its not as useful as the category selection. For the love of god I hope and pray ThemeForest leaves this as is, its perfect and useful.

Bedros said
What makes you buy from the same author again and again , and vice versa..?

Absolutely nothing, I have never found an author that I “prefer” many seem to copy off of each-other including copying the FLAW, yes, I have indeed found the SAME errors and mistakes copied into templates from different authors. I look ONLY at the product, not the author name.

Bedros said
What features you want (or do not want) to see at the marketplaces..?

QUALITY CONTROL: http://themeforest.net/forums/thread/quality-control-/87013

essentially, here is what I would like to rely on as a consumer:
1- when an author uploads a template I want to know that someone from themeforest actually opened that template, installed it and most importantly, went through the documentation one line at a time and made 100% sure that documentation was
A: sane
B: readable and accurate
C: actually works as claimed by the author

Thanks a lot, great feedback.

im a buyer and i use the forum quite offten

TNL3542 said
im a buyer and i use the forum quite offten

We want to see more and more purchasers on the forums (and of course at the authors’ portfolios too )