We haven’t had many updates on here lately, but I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the new oDesk Manifesto that has come out recently. So many of the freelancing/outsourcing services seem to work against the provider or against the buyer to make their money, but what those services fail to realize is that by turning off qualified providers or making the hiring process more difficult and costly for buyers will create a diminishing return.
That’s why I like oDesk and their new manifesto. Really, to be honest, there’s nothing new in it. It’s the same policies which they’ve always expressed throughout the terms, conditions, and guidelines. However, I’m happy to see that they’re elevating those guidelines to the status of rights. I can be a little paranoid about whether or not I’m going to be paid for a job, whether or not my rating is going to get knocked down for a silly reason, and many other things, but I’m very happy to see that oDesk is taking the stance of a mediator between the two parties to ensure that both are protected in a transaction.
It may not be new news, but it’s good news.
I got all excited when I saw a new post in my feedreader…then I read this. j/k
Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.
Oh wait …redundant.
I could have written any one of these posts – where have I been? Just heard about oDesk today.
I recently treated myself to the freelance job from hell because I thought I could take the job on the cheap and they’d love my work so much I could negotiate any further work. Bottom line…I made about 32 cents an hour. I just discovered most of the freelance writing jobs are done in countries where $10 a day is a good wage, so it’s no problem to offer to pay $3 an article. When I first saw that I called customer service (on the site I was on) and told them their job offers were full of typos.
I was appalled that people expect you to write 800 word “well researched, original” articles for $3 each.
Cherish the buyer who will pay $25 an hour!!!
I’ve also discovered there are software programs that will spin one article into 10 different pieces that will each pass Copyscape on their own.
Why bother having an original thought? Writers have to be the most undervalued creatures on the planet…or at least in the U. S.
I will NEVER use oDesk again in my life, even if I could!
I was permanently suspended on False grounds because of some newbie Client, who also forced me to do 75% of the Job without pay, at the end, leaving my the lowest possible feedback score.
Then oDesk decided also to Steal my 8 Job Payments that were still in my account, including bonuses that were given to me for doing excellent Jobs.
Do NOT use oDesk, they are only concerned about getting as much money as they can for themselves.
I have been on oDesk for years, so trust me, I know…
I maintained an awesome 5-Star Profile all through that time, and then oDesk had me shut down as soon as they found the slightest disagreement between the Client and myself.
They have absolutely no concern for the well-being of the Providers who work hard to bring in their money.
The Providers or oDesk are treated as Slave Dogs.
Take your chances with some other more reputable Freelance Service.
Elance, Guru and others are more trusted, and better as a whole than oDesk.
Good luck with your Business,
Saddened and Ripped-off by oDesk,
-Anonymous
Quote: “# Pay your global online team without the hassle of payroll and taxes”
ha, I don’t think they meant to be implying any illegalities even though it kinda sounds like it!
I was too a victim of Odesk. I have started working on Odesk since March of 2010, and my account was suspended permanently after a year. With a 4.80 star rating and almost 1000 hours.
So here are the reasons and story behind my struggles on Odesk.
1st violation: If you’re an old or started earlier on Odesk, you could notice that the system “You have applied for this job” is a new system that lets you know you have already applied for that job opening. I was job hunting on that time and I was searching on Business related job opening which is my expertise. I was reading the entire job opening which they look the same for they have the same needs. Copy and paste was not my style in writing cover letters for I have read their terms that spam cover letters are not allowed. I was really confused that one day, they had suspended my account and told me I was having spam cover letters. They told me to have an ID with my verification on it, so I passed a postal ID which is I processed a week and 3 days. I have lost all my job interviews, the jobs applications as well as my time to work. This clearly states that it is not my mistake on my first violation and “they only wanted me to make my account verified so they are making up reasons so I would give them something as identification.” Verify your account system was not yet available at that time. Account resumed.
Conclusion: Odesk can suspend your account with no further notice, gives you hassles and also blames you a violation you never committed for their own purposes. (Identification)
2nd violation: I had an employer from Israel and we are working on a powerpoint presentation which he needs it in 3 days. This was an urgent project and he needs it to be done quickly. As a freelancer, you also want to get paid after a project is completed. After we had finished the presentation, his account was suspended and he is not able to send funds. At that time, I needed also money urgently for I have a family and bills to pay (life of a freelancer). So he proposed to me that he would pay me outside Odesk which is Paypal directly, so I agreed to his terms. I knew it was a violation on Odesk terms, but can I decline his proposal? My family will starve if I hadn’t agreed on his terms and maybe has possibilities he could runaway with the project finished. Odesk suspended my account for the 2nd time and I admit it was my mistake on this violation. Account resumed.
Conclusion: Odesk is serious on having their percentage on buyers’ funds as well as providers’ earnings.
3rd and last violation: There was a time that I had an employer from the US, this man was really great when we were starting on a social media marketing project. He talks like an educated man whenever we discuss about the project. I would like to let you know guys that I had basic pay of $3-5 per hour on my Odesk profile and with this employer; we had a $1 per hour and 2 hours per week contract. (I accepted this job even though I know the rate is not that good, its still money) One day, he accused me of stealing his money which is the time I had worked for his project and I was wondering what I have done to him to act that way. Seriously, I have higher rates on my past projects and campaigns which are double or triple $1 and I would steal a total of $2 per week? I was so mad and disgusted that after I had done for him on his projects he would accuse me that way. So I need to confront my buyer and explain to him. Another day had come that ODESK again suspended my account but this time it was permanently. (Employer reported me of stealing and threatening which I would assure you guys is not true) They will always accept employers’ accusations and take their side.
Conclusion: Odesk is biased when it comes to decision making between provider and employer. Whatever the provider’s nationality is, they will always take employers’ side. Come to think of, no employers’ is equal to no profit. Employers’ funds are their profit so providers are second to their priorities. Notice or try to have a misunderstanding with your employer, you will be treated and experience the way I did.
Message: Don’t put too much of your life on ODESK, they will push you on the edge of the cliff whenever they want.