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Anyone Else Having Problems with ODesk?

by maggie2
16 replies
I have signed four contracts with people on ODesk to get novels written. One has done about 75% of the novel and then just stopped. The others have not even written one page.

Am I doing something wrong in my hiring? Has anyone else had similar experiences on ODesk? Any suggestions on how to avoid this kind of thing in the future?

Thanks,
#odesk #problems
  • Profile picture of the author GeoMasters
    I've had some problems with people not following through on odesk . My advice would be to check their references more than anything. Don't go with whoever is cheaper. Also, I like sites that are less formal where I'm in control more so than the outsourcing company.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Jonas Phil VA
    I know some of the freelancers at ODesk work on several projects at a time which is probably why you haven't most of the work you've commissioned.
    Why not hire a writer full time?Have you tried looking at the warriors for hire forum? How about bestjobs.ph or onlinejobs.ph?
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO_WARRIOR
    It is a constant problem in online hiring. I used elance & posted around 20 jobs. Nearly 12 jobs done in time, 3 with little delay and 5 with long delays of upto 1 month. Just check for reputation of the service provider before approving the project.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dorotea
    The problem with most of these kind of freelancing sites, the contractors have to do more than one job at a time to make ends meet, so don't fall for the cheapest bidder, it is better you pay more and you get quality work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aira Bongco
    I think John Jonas hit it. Some providers try to get as much projects as they can without following through. It's quite sad but that's reality.

    But you're protected by Odesk right? Don't know much about it though. You can still get your money back and look for another provider.
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  • Profile picture of the author CoolitDown
    I've had problems with them, and I've had successes. I think the main pitfall is the temptation to use a very inexpensive freelancer. They're literally a dime-a-dozen on Odesk. My advice would be to focus more on repute, and positive reviews, and then narrow down your top choices based on their fee/fee structure. Better to spend a little more to have the job completed and done right.
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  • Profile picture of the author chiwawa
    Its not a general problem, it has to do with the contractors you hired. I suggest you take a look at the contractors work portfolio before hiring them.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnpaulgrant
    Hey Maggie,

    Why not hire a writer full time to make sure that it's done 100%. A lot of people on odesk have three, four, five or more projects. My best suggestion is to hire a writer full time if you have more writing tasks piled up.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I can't speak for how other writers work but I do accept more than one job at a time. I have to because I never know exactly what work will be coming in (apart from my regulars).

    However, I can always tell a client when I will have the job completed by.
    If it's a large job, I discuss options for completion before we commence.
    It's the only way to work and I believe I get more work that way. I never say I can do something in a certain time if I can't.
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  • Profile picture of the author OutsourceFactor
    With oDesk I found that it's helpful to give a thorough run through on the contractor's details like available time and amount of work (other work) that they're doing now. It has always been a part of my hiring process and it always seems to slim down the list of hopefuls. Giving out a deadline is helpful but the key is still really my interview process. So far, I have not had a similar experience with yours at any freelance site.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnpaulgrant
    Also Maggie.... You did not mention if you have paid? if you did then they just stopped, that's something like a scam. But if they stopped in the middle or did not even start, something with the pay must be their silent complain. Some of them just get another job that has better pay, then will just leave you without notice. Yes that happens. Better yet, see if the task you are giving is a difficult one, and make sure that you give a decent compensation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Berkinb
    It's something that happens quite often with freelancers and not only on ODesk. And the real problem is not about the money, it's about the time lost.

    Yes, you are protected by ODesk and can get your money back but what about the time you have lost waiting?

    Finding good and reliable freelancers is like half science - half art. I've dealt with many freelancers (translators and editors) during the 8 years I ran my translation agency and I can say that it's a very tiresome process.

    The only solution is holding as tight as you can to the good ones you find. Pay them a bit more than usual if necessary, but try to keep them working for you for as long as you can.
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  • Profile picture of the author cashp0wer
    I went through many writers before I found the select few that really worked out well. Many flaked on me, turned in very bad work, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jan W
    I had some trouble with writig jobs on odesk to. It´s not really easy to find good people there.
    Maybe you should try elance or guru.com, had some great results with people from there. But You really have to research and reviewing there work exactly before doing business with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author BudaBrit
    I wrote a short story for a guy on oDesk. I was running a bit late, so I told him I would be a day late 5 days in advance - for the first draft. Then I produced said draft, asked him to look over and provide any feedback on changes he would like.

    He paid and never got back to me... There's a short story out there, written by me, without a final edit!!! I've not removed him from my Skype yet as there could be a chance he could launch a complaint via oDesk, when I'll need our communication to safeguard my money.

    My problems with oDesk come with their lying about payment terms.
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  • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
    The major problem is that when you pay somebody peanuts then you get just as much importance in his life. There may be some sincere individuals but they are relatively rare. Mid sized companies are much better but then they charge more than individuals as well.
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