Retrocube

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Principal of Brokers Guild Real Estate

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

I have been in the real estate business for 26 years, managing over 1,000 agents in the Denver, Colorado market. Before meeting with RetroCube, I was searching for a robust app that included a desktop version. It was challenging to come to an agreement on my needs with multiple companies. However, after meeting with RetroCube, we decided to proceed with them, and the results have been nothing short of perfection. I highly recommend contacting RetroCube for any mobile app development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Retrocube to accomplish?

• Mobile and desktop app

SOLUTION

How did you find Retrocube?

Online Search

Why did you select Retrocube over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Retrocube were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Main screen news feeds, search and filters, user directories, direct messaging, multiple forums, independent multi state "National" user options, national listing service, photo and video uploads, add content (vendors), massive content with auto generated Q&A's. Deliverables are amazing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Clear and precise communication. Realistic timeline goals were achieved and all milestones were met.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The RetroCube project management team was outstanding and exceeded our expectations.  

What was your primary form of communication with Retrocube?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

None of our meetings or responses to our questions felt scripted or focused on sales. They were truly interested in listening to our project needs. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Retrocube could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of DKP Productions LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We have ideas for mobile apps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Retrocube to accomplish?

• Develope a mobile app for realtors
• develope a mobile app for realtors clients

SOLUTION

How did you find Retrocube?

Online Search

Why did you select Retrocube over others?

Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from Retrocube were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Map It Realtour is helps realtors show homes to clients with ease. Realtors will create a route with a list of homes the clients want to see. The route will be assigned to a client so the client can too follow the route with their own app (map it customer). The realtor and client will navigate (using their own app) to each home with the in app voice navigation in map it realtour (realtors) and map it customer (clients). When they arrive at each location the client and realtor can add their own notes and pictures and be synced together via the apps. Once the agent and client are done with the first location they then will navigate to the next and so on. Once the route is complete each can view the route later in route history (via their own app). Map it realtour not only makes showing homes easier and allows the agent and client to remember what they liked about each home but they can chat, email, call, and view the routes using their own app. It makes communication so easy and keeps both parties on top of the conversations all in one place. Map it realtour has a section for their contacts, listings which they can share with other with a swipe of a hand, save favorite locations ect. All this is done inside the app. The agent may use the app Map It Realtour by itself but the client has to have an invite from the agent to use the app Map It Customer. Once the customer/client accepts the invite then the customer is allowed to us the map to follow assigned routes to them, communicate with the agent ect

Below is the dates, monies paid and the delays.

2-3-2021 – Initial Contract – Deadline for app completion was 150 working days

2-4-2021 – 1st Payment of $3000

3-29-2021 – 2nd Payment of $3000

3-29-2021 – 3rd  Payment of $3000

4-27-2021 – 4th Payment of $10,000

5-26-2021 – 5th Payment for Map It Customer $4000 (never completed)

5-26-2021 – Addon- Map It Customer – 58 working days – Never completed

9-3-2021 – Original Deadline

July 12 – Aug 3, 2021 - Delay from 3rd party Here Maps

10-15-2021 – New Deadline for app completion including the delay.

11-30-2021 – Deadline extended

1-20-2022 – Deadline Extended again

3-23-2022 – 6th payment of 10,000

5-19-2022 – Andy sent an email saying the app will be done 5-30-2022

5-30-2022 – Extended Deadline again

7-17-2022 – Employee uses my competitor’s website realtor.com as a placeholder in my app and email templates. So unprofessional.

8-1-2022 - Realtor.com comes out with own routing app

10-1-2022 – Extended Deadline again

12-1-2022 - Extended Deadline again

1-30-2023 - Map It realtour and client Finally Finished – One year and 3 months later

1-31-2023 – 7th payment of $7000

New SDK Update for here maps for Map It Realtour and client

3-24-2023 – Paid $4000 for updating sdk

3-24-2023 – 35-40 working days to complete SDK Update

5-25-2023 – Deadline for New SDK update

30 day delay again from 3rd party here maps

6-25-2023 – Extended deadline for New SDK update

6-27-2023 – Retrocube have not started on new sdk and gave a new deadline

6-27-2023 - 35-40 working days to complete SDK Update

6-29-2023 – 8th payment of $4500 for additional features (never started)

8-27-2023 – Extended deadline for sdk to be completed

10-10-2023 – Andy told me SDK would be complete on Nov 20, 2023

11-20-2023 – extended deadline again

12-11-2023 - extended deadline again

12-15-2023 – Aligned comes out with routing app

3-15-2024 - extended deadline again

5-15-2024 – I wrote an email to maddy and andy with all my complaints and said for them NOT to complete the additional features and Map It Customer and I wanted my money back.

5-30-2024 – Extended deadline by Maddy at retrocube that both the SDK and LDS would be done

Still not finished

6-3-2024 – Andrew is put in charge of my account – I told him over the phone that I want my money back for items paid and not started and for them to complete the LDS app and the SDK UPDATE ONLY and nothing else. I was very clear not to anything else on the app (specifilally the additional features and map it customer) and that I want my money back for those 2 items. I told him I DO NOT AND WILL NOT WORK THEIR COMPANY ANY LONGER.

6-21-2024 - Andrew wont give me a deadline on when the sdk will be done nor the amount to be refunded.

7-09-2024 – Andrew sends me an email with images that they have started on the additional features. Andrew completely ignored my requests. All of them.

7-12-2024 – I hired an attorney.

Original amount for MIR and MIC = $39,000

Total with extra’s for MIR and MIC = $45,000

LDS Tithing Report App

3-23-2023 – 10 working days for library updates

4-10-2023 – deadline for app to be completed

6-27-2023 – 35-40 working days LDS subscription to be updated

6-27-2023 – $3500 payment for LDS subscription

8-27-2023 – Deadline for LDS app to be fully completed.

12-20-2023 – Extended Deadline

5-30-2024 – Extened deadline by Maddy at retrocube

Still not finished

Paid for LDS app $3500

Paid for All Apps = $48,500

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

That is the problem, nothing. They finally delivered Map it realtour but it was 1 1/2 years late so I lost first to market and the mapping software was out of date so I couldn’t use it. Then I paid for them to update the mapping software and they couldn’t and they were another year late from the new deadline. 

I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY WORKING PRODUCT AND THEY HAVE MONIES I HAVE PAID FOR ITEMS THEY DIDNT COMPLETE AND THEY WILL NOT REFUND THAT MONEY OR GIVE ME MY CODE.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

None of the items were on time. 3 years late past deadlines they gave me. When I would ask about when the project would be done they would give excuses and more delays would happen.

What was your primary form of communication with Retrocube?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The project manager was nice. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Retrocube could have done differently?

Evertything. They could of been honest, not delay, not take my money if they knew they wouldn't finish on time. Not lie about the project, not ghost me when I ask for my code and money back. Retrocube was the worst company I have ever worked with.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Treoconnect Inc

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

TreoConnect, a groundbreaking mobile app designed to promote health, wellness, and transparency in the evolving cannabis space. Built with a focus on compliance and education, TreoConnect connects users with licensed cannabis retailers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Retrocube to accomplish?

• Application Development
• Consulting Services for app deployment
• App server migration

SOLUTION

How did you find Retrocube?

Online Search

Why did you select Retrocube over others?

Good value for cost

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Review of TreoConnect Inc’s Experience with RetroCube on Clutch

Title: Caution: Unfulfilled Promises and Poor Communication - A Review of RetroCube's Services

As the founder of TreoConnect Inc, I recently engaged RetroCube for the development of a mobile application focused on legal cannabis for wellness and health. Despite RetroCube's initial portrayal as a professional and reliable partner, our experience was far from satisfactory, revealing numerous issues that potential clients should be wary of.

When engaging with Retrocube during the onboarding process, it is crucial to seek explicit clarification regarding the Undertaking Sign-Off Document required at the project's completion. Despite full payment for your app files and the absence of this stipulation in your initial agreement, Retrocube may assert the right to withhold your files until you sign this document, regardless of your agreement or objections to its terms. They may justify this as an "industry standard," claiming it does not need to be included in the original contract or mentioned in prior discussions. To avoid unexpected obligations, ensure that all terms and conditions, including the specifics of the Undertaking Sign-Off Document, are clearly outlined and agreed upon in writing before signing any agreements or making payments.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Initial Engagement and Misrepresentation

RetroCube presents itself as a company with a satellite office in Dallas, Texas, which initially gives the impression of a U.S.-based operation. However, the company is owned and operated by a development team from India, with all staff hailing from India as well. While the geographical location of the team was not an issue, the lack of transparency regarding this aspect was concerning. This information only became apparent after the initial stages of engagement, which felt misleading. For companies that value transparency, this can be a significant red flag.

Lack of Detailed Development Process

One of the critical shortcomings of RetroCube was its failure to provide a detailed understanding of the app development process, especially concerning the stringent requirements set by Apple and Google platforms. As a company promising consultation services, it was disappointing to find that RetroCube did not equip us with necessary guidelines or a clear development pipeline.

Upon onboarding, RetroCube assured us of comprehensive consultation services to guide us through the complexities of application development. However, these promises were not upheld. The lack of detailed, upfront information about platform-specific requirements resulted in several delays and additional costs that could have been avoided with proper guidance.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Contractual Obligations and Payment Issues

RetroCube’s approach to contracts and payments raised significant concerns. They require an upfront, non-refundable payment, which, once received, seemed to diminish their commitment to the agreed-upon terms. The terms outlined in the contract, such as development pipelines and consulting services, were effectively rendered meaningless, as RetroCube continually found loopholes to avoid fulfilling these obligations.

Their strategy often involved agreeing to all customer requests initially, only to later dismiss these agreements or reinterpret contractual terms to their advantage. This tactic of saying "yes" to everything without intention to follow through made them appear untrustworthy and duplicitous.

Communication Breakdown

Our main point of contact, a representative named Tyler, was particularly challenging to work with. Tyler frequently argued with us regarding legitimate concerns and requests, rather than working towards resolutions. This combative approach to customer service was not only frustrating but also detrimental to the project's progress.

What was your primary form of communication with Retrocube?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They talk a very good game in the beginning, until you pay them in advance.  After that period, all previous promises are forgotten,  and communication is inconsistent and sporadic. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Retrocube could have done differently?

Conclusion and Recommendations

Based on our experience, RetroCube’s business practices are questionable, and their lack of transparency and failure to honor contractual commitments made them an unreliable partner. Companies considering engaging with RetroCube should thoroughly vet them, review multiple online reviews, and approach with caution. RetroCube’s initial charm and promises do not reflect their actual service delivery, and the risks involved with their upfront payment policy and lack of process transparency should not be underestimated.

Overall Rating: 1/5 – Highly Not Recommended

This review serves as a cautionary tale for those considering RetroCube for app development projects. Transparency, reliability, and adherence to contracts are crucial in such partnerships, and unfortunately, RetroCube fell short on all fronts.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a fintech app. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

I hired Retrocube because we needed a one-stop shop for mobile app development. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the project’s phases, I initially sent them some wireframes on PowerPoint. We had a call where I walked them through the functionalities we expected from the wireframe. From there, we had weekly check-in calls. I’d worked with an animation company to produce a video for the app, and I asked Retrocube to match the aesthetic of that video. 

At present, we’re still working with Retrocube. They handle my servers and hosting needs. On top of that, they’re constantly working on new ideas and features. If I need to develop a new feature based on customer feedback, I call them to develop it. We have an annual contract where I pay them a fixed amount, and they take care of all my hosting and maintenance needs. 

For specific features and functionality, the app allows end users to load all their financial accounts in one place. Instead of checking their bank, retirement, and brokerage accounts across 10 apps, they only need one app to check everything. On top of that, our app lets users rank their accounts against other people. For instance, if the user is a 30-year-old in New York City with $100,000 in savings, he or she will know if that’s good or bad relative to other 30-year-olds in the same city. 

Financial comparison at scale doesn’t exist because finance is a taboo topic. Our app is a privacy-compliant way to compare yourself to other people. No one can see your bank balances, but you at least have more financial context. Users can also compare themselves to people around the world, so there are a lot of ways to check the data. They can use various filters and play around with them.

Moreover, the app has social media functionality. Users can chat with other users and share ideas. We’re working with Retrocube to roll out more features. The app is only for iOS, so we use Swift to develop it. The team also uses Plaid API. For the chat functionality, they use Google Firebase.

What is the team composition?

I’ve interacted with their CEO, head of mobile development, and Tyler (Account Manager), who manages a team of three developers. 

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

I also spoke to other app developers, but I went for Retrocube because they were truly a one-stop shop.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $10,000–$25,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement started around March 2022, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’ve had around 60 downloads since our launch last week. The code is clean, and the app has gotten approval from the App Store. They’ve also been doing a great job fixing bugs in real time. If I tell them about a bug on a Monday, the team will get the bug fixed before the weekend. 

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

Tyler has done a fantastic job. Whenever I text or email him, he responds within five minutes. He’s on top of our communication, and I’ve never seen that level of professionalism in the other mobile app development companies I’ve worked with before. He’s a rock star from a customer service perspective. For deadlines, we’ve had some project overruns, but that’s just because some complications arose. Anytime Tyler gives me a deadline, they usually finish work within that deadline. 

Moreover, Retrocube is more affordable than other agencies that quote around $50,000–$100,000 for this project — one of them even quoted $300,000. Meanwhile, the Retrocube team stays honest with their pricing, which is generally a big issue in this space. Other mobile app companies have surprise fees, but Retrocube has a fixed fee. I like this transparency. 

We use Basecamp, so I can see what they’re working on, what questions they have, and what progress they’re making in real-time. I’ve had weekly calls with their account head to ensure they can flag any questions or issues with me to save time. Tyler is also available for calls, texts, and emails. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Retrocube gets my ideas; I simply tell them what I want to do, and they tell me how they can do it. A lot of non-technical founders like me look for development agencies that truly understand our ideas. I’m a non-technical person, but Retrocube has done a great job explaining to me what we have to do on the front- and backend if I want a specific functionality. 

As a result, I understand the building blocks of what they’re doing. That’s a sign of intelligence on their part. They have to take what I want them to do and tell me the right way to build it from an architectural standpoint. They’ve done a good job in this aspect. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve been working with Retrocube for a year and a half on this project, but I’ve only been with Tyler for the last three months. For context, he inherited my account from another app manager who had performance issues. I wish I worked with Tyler since day one — maybe we could’ve completed the project in a year. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell Retrocube everything you want. This way, they’ll be working on your vision from day one. Some founders change the scope as they go, but it’s better if you tell the team the full scope of everything you need them to do. Otherwise, they won’t be sure what you want to do, and you won’t be sure what you want them to do. You’re setting yourself up for disaster if there’s no clear scope for the engagement. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of OneNextDoor, a mobile app startup. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

I was looking to develop a mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube is developing an iOS and Android app from start to finish. We've also been collaborating on the logo and design of the app, and Retrocube plans on offering maintenance and hosting services. 

What is the team composition?

I work with two project managers. 

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

I spoke with a few app developers, but Retrocube understood the concept and what I was looking for more than anyone else. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in March 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The app hasn’t been launched yet, but I've received positive feedback from the limited testing that's been conducted. 

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re highly responsive and always pick up calls. Retrocube has also stayed on budget and met deadlines. They’re responsive to feedback, and they implement any changes quickly.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everyone I've been working with is exceptional; they're kind, understanding, and patient beyond words. I didn’t know much about the process, and they've been incredibly helpful. I think they’re a great company, and very hospitable in how they treat their clients. They know their business and are a joy to work with. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing I can come up with at this point.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the brand manager with the responsibilities to create marketing strategies and propose plans to expand the business both online and offline.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Retrocube?

We hire Retrocube to develop a fitness app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to work on our online reach and to make our services more accessible. We planned to get an app for our fitness services. The goals will be to put all the many fitness services and techniques we provide along with a separate video consultation section where the trainers can interact with the trainees.

SOLUTION

How did you select Retrocube?

One of my colleagues recommended the firm as he had consulted them to develop an eCommerce app for his business, back in 2019.

Describe the project in detail.

The app had three main tabs, the classes, diet plans and the virtual hangouts. We wanted the UI/UX to look simple yet classy. The color scheme, we proposed at a shade from our brand along with the usual black tone to give a professional outlook. About the technology, we wanted a cross-platform app with seamless functionality and a tool that can help users get their personalized fitness plan upon entering their requirements and current weight.

What was the team composition?

At first, we had a call with the sales guy who then dedicated a project manager who stayed in touch with us throughout the project and he communicated our requirements with his team of developers and designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

First, they shared the prototypes and then the usual development process began.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They did a pretty good job and the best part of their services was how well informed they kept me throughout the project. Everything was communicated and except for minor delays. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their empathetic behavior and the professional skillset of the team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Well, they definitely do not need any major improvements but it would be great if they had dedicated a single designer for the project. As every designer has a different set of ideas and creativity so the difference of opinion created a bit of confusion. But, on the whole, everything went smooth as all the people involved in the project are so professional and highly experienced.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and CEO of the app called It’s Time 4 God, although the original business name was Wear Jesus Well. This app is the first tangible evidence of a spiritual walk, and it has helped everybody to gauge how well they’ve been doing in their relationship with God. It doesn’t matter what age, religion, or gender the person is. It doesn’t even matter where they are in the world — this app crosses boundaries. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

I came up with a design and needed an app to be developed. I felt the design would help people with their ability to grow in their relationship with God and others. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube had to work on three things when we engaged with them. First, they had to earn my trust. I’ve been cheated on three times while trying to develop this app, so they initially had to get me to believe in them. That was a challenge in itself during their work because if they were even a day late in getting something done, I’d panic. 

The second one was for them to completely understand my idea. Andy (Senior Account Manager) talked to me for 2–3 days just to understand how this app was going to work. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do and how effective it would be at first, so Andy took his time and made sure I knew what I wanted. They also came up with ideas that could make the app better. 

The third task was finally bringing the app to life. They explained that the app had to go through several phases to work and that the first phase was going to take two months. As a person who wasn’t so tech-savvy, it took me some time to understand that. 

As for the app itself, it would go off 10–12 times a day, challenging people to think about God in a way they never thought about God before. For instance, the app would prompt them to say a prayer to the next person they’d see in a red T-shirt. They also added a feature where users could build a crown and collect jewels to serve as tangible evidence of them saying yes to Jesus. 

What is the team composition?

I mostly worked with Andy, who was my go-to contact. A different person from their team called me up and told me he’d like to share my ideas with Retrocube. After that, he handed me off to Andy.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

The app was a project that I started years ago with my first husband. I became a widow, and when I remarried, my pastor convinced me to finish it. I went online and did a Google search of reputable companies.

I thought to hire people I trusted the most. I liked people in Dallas, so I started looking up businesses there that had a better rating than the others I hired before. I came across Retrocube in the third search. I called several other companies and nobody called me back except them. We discussed how I got cheated out of a lot of money, and I told them I wasn’t paying until I received something back. 

However, I eventually agreed to work with them when they said I could pay $3,000 at first, and if they hadn’t done what they agreed to do after 30 days, they’d give me my money back. That was how it worked for me. 

How much have you invested with them?

I spent around $25,000 altogether. Initially, they said it would be about $15,000 to get the app up and running, and then I added things along the way to get the app marketed and everything. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project from March 2020–January 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

When Retrocube launched the app, a host of people checked it out. It helped them get outside of themselves and made them think about God. For instance, I once convinced a person to read a chunk of a story in the Bible. He started reading the story and ended up wanting to read the rest of the book. Because of the app, that person is now reading his Bible 3–4 times a week because he loves it.

Further, Retrocube told me it was going to take a year to finish the app, but it actually only took them nine months to do it. They pushed the project, and they got it out quickly. I was blown away, and they did a fantastic job.

I had a vision of what I wanted the app to be, and they made it a hundred times better. They would ask me about issues and problems, and then they would suggest some ideas that I never even thought about. They also added a feature where users could design their avatars to make them look like them. I wasn’t expecting that, and it was really unique. Overall, they were thinking about how the app could help others in the future and not just the present.

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

They were good. Since I was cheated in the past, Andy took me under his wing and walked me through the process. He told me he was going to be with me every step of the way. He’d take my instructions to the development team and tell them what I wanted. 

If I had a concern at midnight, he would talk to me. When I was trying to figure out something on the app that didn’t work correctly, he would reach out and talk to me even at 3 AM. He didn’t care what time it was. I needed somebody that I could trust, and Retrocube gave him to me for that reason. It was a unique experience.

What did you find most impressive about them?

When I threw out an idea, they would come back with an even better one. They’ve improved the app so much that it just blew me away. I was basically thinking of the smaller picture, but they convinced me that I had such a unique app that could serve anybody — whether they were a man, a woman, an adult, or a young child. 

Retrocube helped me realize that the app could be so big that it could be its own platform like Facebook. There were apps for men, women, children, and adults, but there wasn’t an app out there that hit all these markets like this app. They helped me see the bigger picture, and they’ve been making the app better ever since. Now, I have people all over the world who use the app. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

The best thing Retrocube could do going forward is to make people understand how the phases work. For example, they may give them a diagram or schematic of what’s going to happen in the project. In our engagement, there were some misunderstandings at first. When they told me they could finish the project in a couple of months, I didn’t know that they meant only the first phase.

They also said if there was one thing I didn’t like, we couldn’t go to the next phase. I couldn’t wrap my head around that. They said that others didn’t care if their app got out in the market. However, since I came to them with a full idea, they needed me to be on top of everything. If I wasn’t, then the app wouldn’t go anywhere. The problem was that I had some unrealistic expectations related to that, and they could have addressed those in the beginning. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Customers should come to Retrocube with an idea of how their app is supposed to work. They can’t expect the team to come up with a major idea for the app out of thin air. Fortunately, I knew how I wanted my app to work, so that helped them a lot.

They should also have realistic expectations of what the cost will be. When I worked with Retrocube, they said they had 65 people working on my app. I realized that $25,000 wasn’t much money for all those people. As a result, if people will come to them with an app or design idea, they should be willing to work with a team. They should also have a better understanding of their ideas. They may have a certain idea, but they may not have a clue on how to make that idea come to life. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at a ride-share startup called Swift Chicks LLC. We’re trying to compete with Uber and Lyft by offering a service that is only for female passengers and female drivers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

We first reached out to Retrocube because we needed help designing our app, as well as our website and landing pages.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube delivered the two interfaces of the application—the driver view and the passenger view. The team started from a documented workflow that was tied to another product that we wanted to mimic. That ended up becoming the original contract and scope of work.

The team also provided a database that helps us store and manage crucial information about drivers. We also now have a website that describes our services, including the fares that we charge, and has a link to download the app. Users can choose to get either the driver or the passenger view on Android or iOS.

Retrocube also set up our infrastructure on AWS and walked us through how to use it. They set up every additional service—all we had to do was create a payment account through Stripe. We’re signed up for monthly service through AWS, GoDaddy, and Google Developer Services. 

What is the team composition?

There were two individuals that I dealt with directly on a regular basis—John (Business Application Consultant, Retrocube) and Matty (Assistant Vice President, Retrocube). I didn’t communicate directly with the developers.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

We were struggling to find a partner that fit our price range, and, through probing the Internet, we eventually stumbled upon Retrocube. We weren’t sure at first if we were going to go through with the project, but their price was so competitive that we decided to move forward with them.

How much have you invested with them?

It’s a $17,000 project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We reached out to them in December 2018, and, if I’m not mistaken, we deployed the first week of November 2019. We’re still doing a bit of fine-tuning, specifically with verbiage on the website, but the product is complete. 

We’re still within their three-month support window; I just recently submitted edits for a feature of our admin console. It’s mostly administrative work on our end that we’re still doing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Especially at the beginning stages, the work that Retrocube delivered exceeded our expectations. We’ve added more features than were on our original scope, and that led to some glitches during the middle stages of the process, but now we’re very pleased with what we have. Part of that struggle in the middle was due to our lack of clarity about what we needed.

In comparison to other apps, as far as optics go, we’re in a much better place than our competitors. The functionality is still lacking in some areas, but we’ve initiated those conversations with Retrocube. Also, the features that we do have are excellent. Most of the work that’s left is on the administrative side.

I haven’t been able to push the app to its limits yet, particularly with the database, but Retrocube has a plan to continue building out the functionality. They’re also working with a third-party team to resolve certain issues, specifically a bug that we’re dealing with where emails are being sent to spam folders. Despite this falling outside of their abilities, we’re appreciative of how much they’ve been able to accomplish.

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked together pretty closely throughout the engagement to make sure they were meeting our needs. Matty was our main point of contact, and he delegated tasks within their team. I feel like I dropped the ball with the initial scope, but once we got on the same page regarding the timeframe, they were able to address issues in a timely manner.

We faced some problems during the beta testing phase, and they were excellent about documenting and following up on each item. Matty would communicate the tasks line by line with the development team. I never received pushback—they always assured me that they could fix the issues that came up.

I also appreciated how, when I reached out via email about timeframes for resolving issues, they were quick to respond. That set them apart.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The responsiveness and the ability to address every issue are the main two. In terms of pricing, we communicated with firms that were planning to charge four or five times as much. We paid significantly less and still go the produced that we described.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The communication was always there, but the phone support could be improved. Certain items can be handled better over the phone, as opposed to multiple emails where people struggle to zero in on the problem. As far as overall support goes, though, I would still give them high marks.

From a customer perspective, especially as we neared deployment, I think we were siding too much to perfection. We could’ve released the app earlier if we hadn’t spent so much time on beta testing. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve had people enquire about Retrocube, and I recommend them to others, but I would advise clients to give the team a clear definition of the product that they want. When it comes to the scope of the work, you need to be able to provide a detailed schedule or timeframe, even down to days and hours.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an entrepreneur.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

I wanted to develop a social media mobile app. What many people don’t realize is that their pets—dogs and cats—don’t actually age seven years to every one human year. In reality, the genetic aging of a pet is a different algorithm altogether, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate that into an app. For instance, a pet ages 15 human years in its first year of life, nine human years its second year, and then, depending on the type of animal and its size, aging will vary anywhere from 3–6 years, sometimes in an oscillating fashion. 

Part of the premise of the app is to figure out a pet’s different birthdays, outside of the regular human calendar year. This creates good bonding opportunities for young children, for example, when a new pet is introduced to a family. We also looked at creating something to find out when you and your pet are at the same age in your respective years.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube developed our app for iOS and Android. I explained the concept of the app to them and asked them to see what they could do with a crude drawing of the logo I’d done. I worked through those details with my original contact person and Kevin (Project Manager, Retrocube), who was very good at explaining the process. They came back to me with a really sharp, vibrant, and clean logo design.

Their team developed our app for iOS and Android. Kevin outlined the scope of the work, and we had that nailed down by early April. We then talked about the eight different features of the app and how we’d start to address each one. Kevin came up with some picture files to identify each feature. He also gave me access to a photo library, from which I selected a bunch of artwork. I started to provide content to him for each section of the app. Retrocube built out all of the app’s components, fonts, artwork, music files, any kind of renderings, and the algorithm for calculations.

They also created some marketing materials, including an outstanding 2D animation. They gave me about nine narrator voices, which I put out to family and friends to pick the most appealing one. I did a storyboard and a small script, and Retrocube helped refine that. From the script, they came up with a 2D animation screen set of 9–10 static screens. We worked through that process together, and, once we signed off on that, we came up with the moving parts of the animation to tie it all together. 

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Kevin. In the background, I’ve seen Alex (Developer, Retrocube). Stephanie (Marketing Executive, Retrocube) handles the development of our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

I wasn’t sure how to go about finding an app developer, although I knew I wanted to work with a company, not an individual. When I researched who could develop my idea into a mobile app, Retrocube’s name came up in a couple of different searches, generally in the top three spots.

I sent an email to them, and they got back to me within the same day. When we spoke on the phone, they wanted to hear about my idea, and they agreed to sign a non-disclosure. One of the factors for me was whether this project was going to cost a lot of money. After discussing the scope of the project with Retrocube, they came back to me with a price that was very much within the range of what I considered acceptable. I had no idea they were based out of Dallas, but I didn’t need somebody local; I just needed somebody to get the job done.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent about $30,000 CAD (approximately $22,700 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We signed the contract at the end of March 2019, and by the beginning of April, Kevin and I had signed off on the scope of work. They completed the app in November, and Stephanie’s social media work is ongoing. The app isn’t live yet, but that’s because I’ve been working with the App Store to have the app listed under my company and not myself.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The 2D animation they did was absolutely excellent. The app is on Instagram and Facebook, and I’ve gotten good feedback from friends and family. I did a tradeshow in Toronto at the end of November, and I got a good reception there. People like the vibrancy of the colors, and it’s image-rich in many aspects.

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

They were top-notch. Kevin was exceptional because he not only kept in contact via email and phone calls; he also provided his personal phone number and made himself quite available. We even texted on weekends. He went above and beyond, and he represented his company extremely well. We established a really good working rapport with Kevin. He was very attentive.

We had a few hiccups with the algorithm, given that it needs to calculate multiple birthdays within one year, and we had a lot of back-and-forths. Since I was so close to the project, I knew what to test against, and I’d send them feedback. They eventually nailed it. Kevin had good persistence in finishing the work, and I really appreciated it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d looked into current design trends, such as bold colors and strong fonts, and Retrocube addressed all of those trends. The app has a nice bold color, strong lettering, and a sharp image. I was really impressed by the logo they delivered.

Retrocube always addressed my concerns and built upon my ideas, which were well-received. For instance, at the beginning of the project, we had to select pictures for different features. Kevin gave me a stock library to choose pictures from, and I told him what I liked. I also told him about a specific idea I had for one section, and he came back with that picture the next day. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

If I had to choose one thing, it was that I wasn’t directly in contact with the development team. I’d speak with Kevin, who would then relay our conversation to them. Because I didn’t speak directly to somebody doing the actual coding work, I have a feeling that some things were missed. We did three rounds, and maybe we could’ve just done two. However, I don’t think that affected the timeline at all.

Any advice for potential customers?

Just do it. My experience has been really good. After they complete development, they offer a month of support to get things going on social media. If you work with Kevin, consider yourself lucky; he’s very attentive.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Trunkit.com, which is a peer-to-peer trunk-sharing app. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

We needed an iOS and Android app developed for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We currently have a website that enables travelers to post their trips, allowing users to see have much space they have in their vehicle’s trunk. Users can request for something to be sent with them as they travel. Conversely, people can post items that need to be delivered. Those who are driving can search for those items and opt to transport them.

It’s a comprehensive app that can calculate costs, suggest prices, showcase ratings, and manage tips. They built it for iOS and Android, linking it to our existing web platform. We’re launching the app any day now. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve been working directly with two people from their team.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

After finding them online, I engaged them with an email. They were very quick to respond to me with a comprehensive quote. Within a few days, they knew everything there was to know about my company, and their price was very flexible. I could tell that they valued my business, so I hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

 We started working with them in March 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We haven’t received much feedback yet. However, those who helped with testing have said that it’s clean and user-friendly so far.  

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

We typically communicated through texting and email. They’ve been very engaged with us the entire time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re engaged communicators. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything has been fine, I can’t think of any problems.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Remain engaged with them with questions throughout the development process. When I was dealing with their sales and project management teammates, they were all very communicative.