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Elance wise question and advise needed.

by wholesaledeals
7 replies
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So I awarded a job on elance, and the final payment is in escrow.

The freelancer wants me to release 15% through milestones, but I cannot split the current milestone for final delivery, without that is, getting charge more money.

I understand the freelancer wants an amount for expenses and to purchase resources, but is it wise to release any money without any work being done yet on elance, like this. Do you guys know an option that would allow me to split the current milestone, I don't want to pay extra for "expenses" and if I decrease the current milestone this is what is said.

"If the amount is decreased, refund of the remaining balance will be sent."

I do not want a refund just the option to work within the current payment. All input is greatly appreciated.
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    You should have set up the milestones at the start. I don't know if they can be changed now and your worker should appreciate that because they did not ask for milestones in the first place.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      wants an amount for expenses and to purchase resources
      I've done a lot of work using milestones on elance - and have never asked for a milestone to be changed.

      If expenses or resources are required that were not part of the original project, that might be different but I'd be wary of this request.

      The purpose of milestones for the buyer is to insure all phases of the project are done - for the provider it pays in increments and is good for an expensive or long term project.

      In this case - I'd be wary of this request and unless changes in the project have added to costs for the provider, I wouldn't do it.

      If he needs the money - he needs to complete the project and get paid.
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      • Profile picture of the author wholesaledeals
        The freelancer agreed to the final delivery details, I did setup a milestone, one to be paid at the final delivery of the project.

        There is one milestone for the whole amount, the freelancer should had specified that he needed a 12-15% to start the project.

        He has no feedback just a portfolio which drew the attention and his price.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          If you are paying only at the end - when project is delivered - why have a milestone at all? The milestones are usually interim payments.

          I've had contracts at elance that ran for a year with monthly work on them - and each month a milestone amount was released for that month's submitted work.

          Glad you resolved it.
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          Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
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          • Profile picture of the author The Content Professional
            Originally Posted by wholesaledeals View Post

            The freelancer agreed to the final delivery details, I did setup a milestone, one to be paid at the final delivery of the project.

            There is one milestone for the whole amount, the freelancer should had specified that he needed a 12-15% to start the project.

            He has no feedback just a portfolio which drew the attention and his price.
            Seems like he's just as confused about this as you are. Unfortunately, that's one of the risks you run with hiring people brand new to the site.

            What's stopping you from cancelling the current job and creating a new listing to invite him to? That way you can set the milestones from the beginning.

            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            If you are paying only at the end - when project is delivered - why have a milestone at all? The milestones are usually interim payments.

            I've had contracts at elance that ran for a year with monthly work on them - and each month a milestone amount was released for that month's submitted work.

            Glad you resolved it.
            A milestone for "Final Deliverable" is created by default for any job where one is not specifically set. Perhaps it was different in the past but it's been the case for all of the jobs I've worked on.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    When I freelanced on Elance, I would get 50% upfront to start and final payment upon completion. For more complex projects, there would be milestones, like Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and the total payment would be split between those milestones. That's the way milestones should be used.
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  • Profile picture of the author wholesaledeals
    No, I'm not confused at all. He just wasn't clear at the beginning when I awarded him the job.

    Did resolve the matter another way, thanks everyone the help.
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