I've used nzdesigns myself.
I didn't know there WAS a bad reputation to be considered. What he's done for me has been good. He's been respectful and eager to please. He's worked for me several times, and I've always been happy with what I got from him. He's always reasonably priced, and gets the stuff down on time. He did an AVS site for me (maturelibrary.com)- plus banners, and he's doing some gallery templates for me now.
I use more than one designer - depending on what I want done -
Just as I don't use more than one processor, or one sponsor, or even one host. But I will use nz again when the need arises in the future.
Other designers that I've used that I've heard about from this board
ZayneE - this man is genius
hungryman < in progress
va2k - gallery templates
Mark2000 - did the gramma image logo for grammacash & a new one for a nonadult site we're working on
www.scariest.com
Marty from AdultOne - my first professional designer that I would use MORE if he'd answer his damn mail
This guy has the most unique way of looking at things and is really DAMN clever.