It depends on your definition of being ripped off.
If the definition is a guy paying the full donation and zero service was given, then I have a fairly recent review,
http://eccie.net/showthread.php?t=1345363 of just that. One reason why I hate paying upfront.
If the definition is paying the full donation and under performance of services, well, that happens quite frequently and more than you think. But, again, it is all a matter of opinion on that definition.