Share your experience in Freelancer.com
By aprilsong
@aprilsong (1884)
China
October 27, 2012 5:50am CST
Dear friends,
I joined this site two months ago. And this morning, when I logged in my email address. I saw two notices about a client gave me an offer. You know, I was so happy and logged in this website and accept his offer. Then I noticed this guy has not verified his payment method. I know there will be no guarantee for my payment. And what makes things worse is that I was charged 5 dollars for the contract. Oh, only at that time, and after I contacted with live support, I got to know, the 5 dollars fee is non refundable. Oh, what a big mistake I made. I have not earned one cent here, then lost 5 dollars.
I have worked in other websites such as oDesk and Elance. I know the systems are different. But I am still puzzled about it: a failed contract still cost contractors' fees? What if some people cheat others to accept their projects, but refuse to pay with a not verified payment method. While the contractors still need to pay fees to the website?
Well, you know what, one guy replies me in the forum said :Answer: don't use Freelancer.com. Have you done tasks in this site? Please give me some advice. Thanks!
1 person likes this
2 responses
@dianaramos (57)
• Philippines
28 Oct 12
well i am at freelancer and i think its good site for me actually it was the best site i have found to earn money online. for just 3 weeks i have earned 100 dollars. By the way i am from Philippines and i am using frelancer.ph. well maybe for some people they are not satisfied with the site but i think for some they are satisfied. maybe you just didn't read and learn their sites first about their terms and condition.
@aprilsong (1884)
• China
29 Oct 12
OK, actually, I think it is a good news for me. Anyway, I don't want to lose money because of this site. So could you please give me some advice:
Will you accept a fixed price job without any upfront payment? I am puzzled about the contract, though I have asked for milestones, but even the client didn't pay any milestones, but the contract still started. Of course, the $5 fee was deducted from my account.
Thanks in advance.
@dianaramos (57)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
as i have said read their terms and conditions and be familiarize with the do's and don't of the site. Contact employers who are verified user only and you don't need to pay for you to get the job. just keep on bidding till somebody will hire you without paying. Actually i have a milestone request too but that was ok since i did't do the job until they approve my milestone request.
@dianaramos (57)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
nope you don't need to pay. you do the work for them so they are the one who will pay you. that is why you dont need to start the work until your milestone is sent to you. meaning a partial payment.
@Downwindz (2537)
• Netherlands
27 Oct 12
I have also had a few projects from Freelancer, but in general I have decided not to use this anymore because of what you have mentioned. And yes I have experienced it myself aswell.
My general feeling about Freelancer is also that there are more clients wanting cheaper contractors and not willing to pay the same fee as the same work you can get on oDesk. I am personally very happpy about oDesk and currently it provides me enough work to make a living until my other projects get running.
@aprilsong (1884)
• China
28 Oct 12
Well, now I got two projects from this sites, and my financial account is -10 dollars. Though one client agreed to offer $5 milestone for me, which means my incoming milestone is 5 dollars. The other client didn't offer any milestones (I have asked for upfront from him before I accept his offer), but I don't know why the contract started without milestone. I am still puzzled at how the website works. Wish I can really make some money from this website, at least not lose money from it. :) How funny it sounds. I am really not sure about whether I can make real money from it or not.
