JoomListings
- This extension requires registration to download.
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Savings Coupon
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Code: 7FF8B119D1
Discount: 20 % OFF on all JoomClan.com Products
Expires: 12/31/2011
*Follow us on twitter*
http://twitter.com/joomclan
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*~New Features for JoomListings V.2.1.8~*
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- Checkboxes, text area, flash up-loader as an extra field
- Paypal Subscriptions for Packages
- Listing Rating
- Counts the number of views for each listing
- Joomla 1.6 compatibility
- Report Listings
- Integration with Community Builder
- Integration with Artio JoomSEF
- Bold Listing additional upgrade option in package
- Disclaimer/Privacy for Ads
- Pedigree Module
- Submit Classifieds to your Twitter account
- Improved Expired Listings Handling
- Improved Expired Package Handling
- Additional level in Regions (Now we will have Region > Location > Neighbourhood)
- Additional levels in categories
- Packages can be assigned to specific categories or all categories
- Messaging and email template bugs reported in forums
(http://www.joomclan.com/ipb/index.php?/topic/417-problem-tracker/)
- Package and listing expiry bugs reported in forums
(http://www.joomclan.com/ipb/index.php?/topic/417-problem-tracker/)
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*~New Features for JoomListings V.2.1.7~*
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- New front end template (jquery/CSS)
- Google map integration
- Unique IDs for Listings
- Search Module For searching the Listings > Only listings With Images Option
- Anti-spam protection for forms
- Tags module (jquery based)
- Images for sections and categories in the front end
- Module to show sections/categories in menu
~Top Features of JoomListings~
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*Increase Revenue with JoomListings*
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Create a variety of listing packages based on the features of the ads. This includes the number of images, number of impressions, number of ads, number of clicks, also includes up sale features such as bold, highlighted, and featured. Increased revenue through up selling!
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*Sections/Categories*
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Create unlimited sections/categories. Associate extra fields pertaining to that category.
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*Category Specific Extra Fields*
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Extra Field feature provides a means of collecting descriptive information about a listing. Make the field search able. This features flexibility is what makes JoomListings the perfect
I am an experienced Joomla, website builder and I highly recommend this component to anyone looking to build a classified ads website!
Now that the support team has my site all configured I can't imagine having all the options I have without this extension. A very valuable extension for the classified's market!
At first I was a bit setback by the amount of setup required and the size of the component, but once I opened the documentation, I saw the full potential of it, I was amazed.
This component is designed to rival setups of sites like craigslist and others. So naturally there is a lot of settings and variables that need to be setup. This is not something to just jump into. It takes time to get all the settings exactly how you need them for your live site.
But I think that is where this component is great! It has a lot of customization built in. From packages and free listings to Regions and locations. The regions and locations was a great option for us. We run a statewide classified site that will be moving to a national service next year. This setting will allow us to expand without a problem, or worse getting a new component.
The component can be used for a lot of different listings sites, merchandise to real estate.
Plus, the people at Joomclan are very supportive, from fixes to feature suggestions they are generally always available.
Issue 1 - Their website says that the component was compatible with JomSocial and Community Builder. It did not say that one of these were REQUIRED to be installed for the login and payment to work...and if the user does not use the JoomSocial login but use the Joomla login, the component will not treat the user as a guest.
Issue 2 - The website says that it can handle unlimited number of neighborhoods (cities or zip codes). If you have any number of cities, you have to import them directly into the database and make sure it is cross indexed with the States. If you want to add one later, you will have to edit the entire database table. Also, the number of States shown have to be equally divisible by 3 or it will crash the site.
Issue 3 - The component causes 102 Jquery errors (2 for each State) in IE 8 and the site will freeze for 8 minutes.
Issue 4 - The dropdown function of the region view does not work in Opera.
Issue 5 - When the admin changes any option in the admin section, it will crash the entire site and you have to uninstall the component and make sure ALL the JoomListing tables in the databse has been deleted before reinstall and setting the options correctly the first time.
Issue 6 - NO SUPPORT!! The phone number on the site does not work. No response by email...either that you have contacted them or if they are working on the problem.
I did contact Hasson (in Canada???) by Skype...just by chance and he said that "the component worked right out of the box." I told him my issues and he said that he MIGHT look into it with the next release...maybe in July. He also said that he ONLY supports with training on how to use the software...and that is an additional fee per 15 minutes.
Like most of you here, I am a web developer who has deadlines and contracts with clients and they (as well as I) expect Commercial software to work and be ready at the time of the purchase. Buying software from Hasson would be like paying for a car and the manufacturer saying, "here is your car...it is perfect, but the engine will be here in about 3 months and if there are any other items not working, say...the gas pedal or the breaks...that is your problem...I am here only to show you how to drive...for an extra fee."
You may think I am harsh with this review, then try it and you will find that I have been quiet kind.
I would actually give this component negative 5 stars
I still stand confident on the product and hope that JL will be part of my success in business.
Keep up the good work Hassan on making JL the best it can be.
Shane
Thanks for your comment. I will not take this as a review because this doesn't explain the pros and cons of the product.
JoomListings is a complicated product. To cover the wide market of the end users requirements product is difficult to setup up initially. To overcome that we offer FREE hands on training and support for the customer.
Before purchasing product I always encourage end-users to email us so that we make sure product cover their requirements.
Clearly I see here end user getting unhappy on setting up the product. I apologize for that. But was support involved.... If there were issues were they reported....
Like many users here, I also agree that the regions are not entirely flexible, I will like to see the body of the classifieds and just filters to search by country and product / services (regions or countries in function to the ads and not like it is currently).
I wonder when released version 2.1.8 "stable" to buy and I believe these improvements have already more than covered.
Greetings!
Thanks for the review. I don't recall any bug associated with jomsocial (I believe) you are talking about. This bug hasn't reported to us. Please do so if there is something. JomSocial combination with modules.
In 2.1.8, we have made region as flexible as possible. In 2.1.8, we have added 3 level region, location and neighbor hood combination. You can either run site as 2 level directory or 3 level depending on your need. Or even with no regions at all. 2.1.8 is stable to buy. There is no issue with it.
The developer offered to upgrade the software to the new version and promptly deleted all of the current ads on my live site!
Once we got that sorted out, and I manually added all of the ads back in for my users. I was unhappy with the way that I was forced to navigate through "Regions" before I could get to the ads. In addition, there was no way to link to an individual ad. I was assured that these features would be available in "The next release"
So I waited. . . and I waited. . . and I waited some more. Very patiently, all the while dreading what might happen if the upgrade ever did happen.
When version 2.1.8 came out I decided it was time to give it a try. I spoke with the developer, I backed up my site and database, and attempted to run the upgrade on a test site. It didn't work.
I spoke with the developer and he assured me that he could have it updated within an hour. I gave him back-end Super Admin rights, my FTP account info, and MySQL access. (All of which scared the crap out of me since I have several parked domains at the same root!)
He was not able to upgrade the software either. After, two more weeks of waiting, I was finally able to upgrade the MySQL tables on another server. However, the listing descriptions were not showing due to a bug in the new version.
The developer had "his guy" look at it, all the while with unprecedented access to my site. After another few weeks, I got a short e-mail stating that the problem was fixed. I checked, it still wasn't working.
I sent the developer an e-mail but I have not heard back from him, in several weeks. So to make a long story short, after almost a year of struggling to get this to work, I ended up deleting it all together and switching to another solution.
This has been, by far, the worst experience I have ever had with a Joomla! component. (Especially for a commercial component that I paid for.)
The developer seems VERY conscientious, and wants to help you get your problems solved, but ultimately he seems unable to deliver the goods.
In fact, I think most of the features that have been added to the software are requests from individual users with individual needs. 90% of the features will need to be “turned off” for the majority of users, making the front and back end very cumbersome to navigate. If you can get it to run at all, and if the there is a way to “turn off” the unwanted “feature” to begin with.
The developer needs to work on making software upgrades easier, and eliminating major BUGS, before attempting to add new features. I wish him the best of luck in the future, but me, I’m finished messing around with this. I’ve wasted WAY to much of both his and my time! (Not to mention my money.)
I bought version 2.1.5 of this software back in December of 2009 right before 2.1.6 came out.
The developer offered to upgrade the software to the new version and promptly deleted all of the current ads on my live site!
[JC] This happened year back, I accept this. But it was not because of the upgrade it was because of re-install the component on his site. The way he stated problem to us and he mentioned he is just setting up the new site. We re-installed the component. We shouldn’t have done that on the first place. I acknowledge this as our only mistake with this client.
Once we got that sorted out, and I manually added all of the ads back in for my users. I was unhappy with the way that I was forced to navigate through "Regions" before I could get to the ads. In addition, there was no way to link to an individual ad. I was assured that these features would be available in "The next release"
So I waited. . . and I waited. . . and I waited some more. Very patiently, all the while dreading what might happen if the upgrade ever did happen.
[JC] This is how product JoomListings 2.1.6 was designed. We were not selling the product with this feature year ago. Yes now in version 2.1.8 we have removed the requirement of selecting the region. It’s very simple and straight forward. Since day 1 user didn’t like this requirement of version 2.1.6 and wanted to move to different solution and based on his requirements we change this requirement in version 2.1.7.
When version 2.1.8 came out I decided it was time to give it a try. I spoke with the developer, I backed up my site and database, and attempted to run the upgrade on a test site. It didn't work.
I spoke with the developer and he assured me that he could have it updated within an hour. I gave him back-end Super Admin rights, my FTP account info, and MySQL access. (All of which scared the crap out of me since I have several parked domains at the same root!)
He was not able to upgrade the software either. After, two more weeks of waiting, I was finally able to upgrade the MySQL tables on another server. However, the listing descriptions were not showing due to a bug in the new version.
The developer had "his guy" look at it, all the while with unprecedented access to my site. After another few weeks, I got a short e-mail stating that the problem was fixed. I checked, it still wasn't working.
I sent the developer an e-mail but I have not heard back from him, in several weeks. So to make a long story short, after almost a year of struggling to get this to work, I ended up deleting it all together and switching to another solution.
[JC] I know this user and we have been supporting him for last 12 months now. I have offered him custom development, phone support and dedicated developer support but to make this particular customer happy is impossible. This review is more a revenge then actually a product review. I have asked customer to provide details of his site and we will upgrade the component for him. After 2 weeks’ time he provided the information when I started the update process I came to know the MySQL server version user has is not capable of running stored procedures with IF NOT EXISIT clauses. I have requested him to get the version of MySQL upgraded but he was not able to get it done from his hosting company and then further he got frustrated with us. To prove to him, I purchased a godaddy hosting account and showed him how easy the upgrade process is and if he had the correct MySQL version. I am not the kind of person who blames customer but issue with this customer from word go was he doesn’t want to listen and come to the conclusion by himself.
This has been, by far, the worst experience I have ever had with a Joomla! component. (Especially for a commercial component that I paid for.)
The developer seems VERY conscientious, and wants to help you get your problems solved, but ultimately he seems unable to deliver the goods.
In fact, I think most of the features that have been added to the software are requests from individual users with individual needs. 90% of the features will need to be “turned off” for the majority of users, making the front and back end very cumbersome to navigate. If you can get it to run at all, and if the there is a way to “turn off” the unwanted “feature” to begin with.
[JC] Our product is versatile and made to cater different types of small business so that they can customize and run professional classified sites. Please have a look at following comment from another customer regarding our features and flexibility. “Joomlistings was a great purchase. It has a remarkable level of flexibility - From expiration dates, pricing, file uploads, and categories beyond belief!
Among the features, the multiple modules included in the download really make a classified site on a much better level. As you may want featured ads 'up there' and newest ads 'right about there'
I've tried other classified components before. But they did not offer the flexibility and PAYMENT integration that Joomlistings does. Overall a great purchase!” – This review is posted below.
The developer needs to work on making software upgrades easier, and eliminating major BUGS, before attempting to add new features. I wish him the best of luck in the future, but me, I’m finished messing around with this. I’ve wasted WAY to much of both his and my time! (Not to mention my money.)
[JC] Our upgrade process is simple and straight forward, end user is misguiding here. The reason his upgrade was an issue because MySQL version was not updated as per Joomla! requirements to begin with. Here is our upgrade process
1- Overwrite the files /component/JoomListings
2- Overwrite the file /administrator/ component/JoomListings
3- Run the upgrade mySQL script in the phpmyadmin
Among the features, the multiple modules included in the download really make a classified site on a much better level. As you may want featured ads 'up there' and newest ads 'right about there'
I've tried other classified components before. But they did not offer the flexibility and PAYMENT integration that Joomlistings does. Overall a great purchase!
Unfortunately there are so many bugs! The problem is that the component as it was at version 2.1.7 (no more upgraded since I modified it too much to have a site working) should have been rated as pre-pre-pre alpha. In no way it should have been distributed to use in production sites (since simply there are so many features broken).
This said, if I would have known all these problems I would have gone as well with the component because as said, it's the best (about features richness), but at least I and my client would have been conscious that it would have needed extra work to fix all the things broken.
Now I quite fixed everything (something, according with my client will not be fixed) and I introduced many hacks to accomplish my client needs, this of course prevent us to continue with upgrading and support.
To be clear: I dont' want to complain. Just suggest joomclan to think if possible to revise their delivery policy.
My problem is the support. I sent a support request over a week ago to fix my categories (scattered all over the page) and the developer claimed he had an idea to fix it and would get back to me. I sent a reply saying thanks and to let me know, and have since heard nothing from them. It is a small issue, but if you say you're going to do something, then it should be done. I was a bit weary of this component based on some prior bad support reviews, but I liked it a lot, so went ahead and purchased.
The component is awesome, the support is non-existant as far as I have experienced.
Something tells me I will see a comment to this review before I actually receive some support.
Anyway, good component, just dont expect much help.
PROS:
- a lot of neat features
- several neat modules
- subscriptions
- nice layout and functionality. very clean.
CONS:
- Support is the slowest i've seen. Spotty to non-existent. The developer seems to spend more time here defending himself than on support.
- AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE TO UPGRADE. Crashed my site twice.
- Very, very, very, very, buggy, and it gets worse with each upgrade. The developer needs to worry more with fixing existing features than developing new ones.
OVERALL, a lot of potential, but i uninstalled. A real waste of money, and I never made any because it never worked.
Joomla should remove this from its directory.
Just to clarify end user is using 2.1.8 BETA release. This release is not even officially released on Joomla!. As I have mentioned on my site not to install BETA releases on production site as they tend to have bugs in it.
- Support is the slowest i've seen. Spotty to non-existent. The developer seems to spend more time here defending himself than on support.
- AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE TO UPGRADE. Crashed my site twice.
JC- In past last 10 days we have not received any support email or ticket regarding crashing of a site. I am not sure what reviewer is taking about `defending himself` no idea. These comments are fabricated.
- Very, very, very, very, buggy, and it gets worse with each upgrade. The developer needs to worry more with fixing existing features than developing new ones
JC- As mentioned user is using JoomListings 2.1.8 BETA. Component is expected to have bugs. He or She should have waited of stable release before upgrading the production website.
We are looking forward to hire translators to convert our English language file to different languages.
My subscription expired while they were releasing a new update because the old version was just useless... I asked a question about the update and got the response "Sorry support is not free." I was a member for a year while waiting for the fixes to be released. Don't waste your time.
I will stick to my answer "Support is not free". For 1 year he never asked me any support questions I checked all my emails and tickets. End users subscription was expired. He emailed me, stating component never worked for him and he need a working copy. I thought let me help him out and give him few days access to latest joomlistings version so he can install the new release and be happy. I allowed him to get latest version with free 2 or 3 day membership then he started asking me support questions related to upgrade (means component was working for him for 1 year he lied with me that it never worked). I declined him and I got this review.
Here is the full communication with the End User:
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daniel colella
Posted on: 30 Jun 2010 11:28 AM
i purchased joomlistings probably a year ago, and when i was trying to use it, it had SO many bugs, so much that the users couldnt even post a listing... there was a problem where the user had to pick a package and it was just extremely confusing... now my subscription is over and i really dont want to renew it for a product that i was NEVER even able to use...
i would REALLY appreciate it, if you can help me fix it i would REALLY appreciate it...
or maybe give me the latest version so i can actually get a working copy on my site... it has NEVER worked properly... please help
E-mail: daniel@netravedesign.com IP: 98.249.234.247
JoomClan Support
Posted on: 01 Jul 2010 07:36 AM
I will give you 2 days membership for free..
Provide me your joomclan members login
JC | JoomClan@gmail.com | 416.904.7177 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 416.904.7177 end_of_the_skype_highlighting m
JoomClan.com | www.JoomClan.com
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from Daniel Colella
to support@joomclan.com
date Thu, Jul 1, 2010 at 10:12 AM
subject Re: [#QMW-699260]: joomlistings
mailed-by bounce.secureserver.net
hide details Jul 1 (8 days ago)
i think it was
daniel_colella
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from Daniel Colella
to support@joomclan.com
date Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 11:55 AM
subject Re: [#QMW-699260]: joomlistings
mailed-by bounce.secureserver.net
hide details 11:55 AM (12 hours ago)
i was never able to login to the site to download an update?
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from JoomClan.com
to Daniel Colella
date Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 12:16 PM
subject Re: [#QMW-699260]: joomlistings
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details 12:16 PM (12 hours ago)
DOne login now
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from Daniel Colella
to "JoomClan.com"
date Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 1:51 PM
subject Re: [#QMW-699260]: joomlistings
hide details 1:51 PM (10 hours ago)
i cant seem to find out how to update the SQL file in myphp admin?
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from JoomClan.com
to Daniel Colella
date Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 9:07 PM
subject Re: [#QMW-699260]: joomlistings
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details 9:07 PM (3 hours ago)
Daniel,
For support you need to sign up. I allowed you free membership because you need a working component.
Sorry support is not free.
Regards,
Hassan
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Now, I've wasted my monies and feel bad because I have to now go elsewhere and get something else. I wish these developers would clearly specify even the more minute details. Also, there's not a good way for the subscriber to put in their contact information such as their name, address, website, phone number, etc. I have to give some props to the developer though - his promo of the extension looks good. But, unfortunately, this extension has a ways to go.
I bought joomlistings about a month ago and since then they have been just great. This component has really made my site very efficient and dynamic, but the thing that I like the moste is their Support, they have overreached my expectatives, even if the problem was not caused by them. They have contacted me morning and night just to try and fix a problem which was caused by me not by them, and still they guided me through the solution. This is really what I expect from a payed extension.
Joomlistings is the way to go if you want your site to run alone, or as controlled as you want, it has an oustanding felxibility.
I´m anxious to try the new 2.1.7 version, It can only get better!
The support he gave to me was and is excellent!
He was not only gave me support with his own component but he did it with othet components also. I asked for intergrate RS with Joomlistings and he contact RSPro for and he did the settings in the back-end of my site. He contact me sometimes by Skype and informed me......excellent support!!! Without him there was no marketplace on my site.
Despite some minor glitches the support is unprecedented
Harry
Why I gave 5 stars is because of the great support I received when I ran into php issues. I read some earlier reviews and was astounded when they wrote of bad support. One thing we have to keep in mind in reading these kinds of anonymous reviews is that we don't have the full story. My full story is that I downloaded this extension, installed it, had variable errors and asked for support. They had me up and running quickly even though the problem was not their extension but my php version.
A needed or good extension is not enough by itself. Without decent, responsive support, an extension for joomla is useless and pointless. And, I've found that there are a LOT of those around.
This one is both a very nice extension and the support is first rate.
Note - this extension can be complex to setup so reading the docs first is really necessary.
Mike