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Escrow service for service providers?

by Richard HAN
9 replies
Over the past 6 months, I had the opportunity to purchase services from 3 "warriors" in the Completed Website For Sales section and WSO section.

Unfortunately, out of the 3 transactions, only one is delivered with outstanding quality but the other 2... I had to chase one for a refund for a period of 2 months before a partial refund is given, and the other one, I just purchased last week and it's still within the first week and the screwnut has already pulled his disappearance trick.

A lot of these sevices are hired based on a payment first basis. Hence, it's placing a lot of risk on us, service buyers. We incur not only the cost of the site development, there is also hosting costs and domain cost. So, now, I stand to lose $197 + $99 + $54 (hosting) + $60 (6 domains) => $410. Not a big amount for some of you who are pulling 5 figures and above monthly. But, it's an amount which can put a lot of breads on the table for those of us who are finding our ways.


Can Allen set up an escrow service and make all service providers use it for transactions that goes through this site?

It will:

1. Protect a lot of service buyers;
2. Eliminate a lot of dubious "warriors" such as this one:

http://www.warriorforum.com/complete...xperience.html

3. Ensure that service sellers turn in quality work and not slipshod works and then claim "sites completed and delivered".


I will be wary, very wary, of buying anymore services from this forum again. The WSO forum has already lost my participation years ago. I would hate for the services section to go the same way.

Thank you for reading.
#escrow #providers #service
  • Profile picture of the author Sushiman1111
    There would probably be a lot of hassles setting up such a service...but it would also probably be welcomed by a lot of people here.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    Originally Posted by Richard HAN View Post

    Can Allen set up an escrow service and make all service providers use it for transactions that goes through this site?
    Why should Allen go to the time and expense to set up an escrow. Nothing is stopping anyone from using the established escrow services to hire. Or use Elance ... they already have escrow set up.

    I've never had a problem in WFH. I check their work and their feedback and no one has ever pulled a disappearing act after I've purchased. Due diligence.
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  • Profile picture of the author stanton
    Don't pay for any services upfront, 50% upfront is the max I will go upfront unless the service is really cheap (and let's face it if it is really cheap it will most likely be shite anyway).

    Anyone who doesn't accept these terms is most likely going to rip you off anyway.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jacob Padget
      Yes. Both in Warrior Forum and in life, it is basically up to you to at least do some basic research into the person who is providing you with a product or a service in order to determine whether they are trustworthy. If you do this, it will save you a lot of money, time and effort.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard HAN
      I never run into such problems in the past when I'm actively outsourcing jobs via RAC because funds are held by them and only release to workers when I approve it. And also due in part of the rating system they had there which made it easy to screen out the performers.

      Unfortunately, maybe Allen may feel that the huge volume of work makes it not worth it for the measely fee made via offering an escrow service. Afterall, $20 + $20 for bumps is relatively easy money EVEN if the person offering the service may be a scammer behind his nick.

      Haizzz.. Makes me think I'm at dp forum when I come in here nowadays.
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  • Profile picture of the author jcoutu
    As Subbiarel mentioned, Elance does provide Escrow services. In addition, there are third party escrow services out there like escrow.com that will do this.

    You mentioned RAC (aka vWorker), however, they were sold in December to freelancer.com, which doesn't have an escrow service.
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  • Profile picture of the author aaaa33030
    So if the milestone payment is not an escrow service, then what is the purpose of creating a milestone and then later releasing it if satisfied with the work done?
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Milestones are a form of escrow - released in increments. They are most useful for long term projects where the work continues for a long period of time.

      Several times I've done work with monthly milestones. There was a defined amount of work due each month and the money for that month was released when I submitted that section of work.

      No client wants to pay for a year's work in advance - and most service providers aren't going to work for a year without some payment along the way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mohsin Rasool
    Yes always go with 50% upfront option also when you have established relationship with reputed service providers, you can pay when job is completed. I have clients pay us after work is done but it happens only for established clients. Same go with Established sellers, do not pay upfront 100% unless you are dealing with somebody who has lot to loose by screwing you on the Warrior Forum.

    Maybe you are dealing with NEW Warriors Service Providers only as how can an established Warrior just can pull his disappearance trick as it will affect his business badly.

    $410 is not a small money even if somebody is pulling grands a month. You should file refund request with Paypal, or your credit card company. Also report that seller in the service thread so they know the consequences for not handling paid clients well.

    Hope you recover your money or get websites delivered soon.

    Best Regards,
    Mohsin Rasool
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