Apr 18, 2018 08:18:42 PM by Ben A
Hi all,
I'm just after some advice from your side of things.
How long after a job offer is accepted and all materials provided would you expect to start the job? This is providing you haven't specified any delays your end.
Would it be unreasonable for a client to cancel a contract if, after 2 weeks have passed, no work has been done, considering it was meant to be 'asap'?
This is bearing in mind a few messages have gone back and forth, and a number of excuses have been given. Though also with relatively large periods of silence.
Thanks for reading!
Apr 18, 2018 08:37:02 PM Edited Apr 18, 2018 08:44:18 PM by Melissa C
Apr 18, 2018 08:38:58 PM by Renante V
Is the project fixed-price or hourly?
If it is fixed-price, maybe you can ask for screenshots.
If you are certain no work has been done yet, after 2 weeks? It would be best to cancel it.
Just my 2 cents.
Apr 18, 2018 08:42:16 PM by Ben A
Thanks for the replies.
It's an hourly contract. The freelancer is experienced, has 1,000+ hours billed, 100% success rate, etc.
There's probably a reasonable explanation, but if he doesn't offer it, what can I do! 🙂
Apr 18, 2018 08:45:39 PM Edited Apr 18, 2018 08:48:01 PM by Melissa C
Apr 18, 2018 08:49:05 PM by Renante V
He must be busy then.
The next step is up to you. You can either:
1. Wait for the freelancer's schedule to open up and hope that he finds time to do the project.
2. Find someone else to do the job.
Apr 18, 2018 08:55:29 PM by Ben A
Thanks 🙂
I think I'll set Friday as the deadline and message him to let him know. It could well be that he's busy with other projects, and because of his strong profile I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I'm glad you both back up my initial thoughts on this. I appreciate your insight.
Apr 19, 2018 10:04:36 AM by Preston H
Ben:
You have been extremely kind and far more patient than is necessary.
In the future, if you REALLY want something done ASAP, then hire three separate freelancers to work on the project. Tell them about the deadline.
Once you obtain what you need, then close all the contracts. If somebody didn't do any work, then that's fine. They won't get paid.
Apr 19, 2018 10:47:30 AM Edited Apr 19, 2018 10:49:54 AM by Janean L
@ Ben --
I do not know of a freelancing category here on Upwork in which "ASAP" would mean, as what we would call a "term of art," "more than two weeks." In my own lines (proofreading, editing, writing, translating), "ASAP" usually means hours (occasionally half-hours!), and never more than two-three days, unless specified as such -- and then only within the context of a large project. (For example, if I were editing a 1,500-page book, two weeks would be "rush," indeed!)
The periods of silence are unprofessional and entirely unacceptable! The existence of excuses sounds very dodgy.
That is the short answer to your question. It's up to you to determine whether the freelancer is or is not being candid with you, and whether it is worth it to you to continue working with this freelancer.
Apr 19, 2018 05:06:27 PM by Ben A
Hi,
Thanks for all the responses. I've just received a reply saying that he has a problem with his Mac that will take 2 weeks to repair (!), so can't complete the contract.
The thing is, what kind of feedback do I now give?!
I had interviewed a few candidates who I thought would be suitable for the job, so it should be fine.
Apr 19, 2018 05:28:08 PM Edited Apr 19, 2018 06:32:05 PM by Preston H
re: "The thing is, what kind of feedback do I now give?!"
Well, if this is an hourly contract on which the freelancer did not log ANY time, then you are in luck: Feedback won't show up at all on his profile.
If this is a fixed-price contract then you'll request a full refund, and he'll quickly authorize the refund (unless he's a horrible person!).
Either way, if no funds are paid, then no job appears on his profile page and no feedback appears.
Apr 19, 2018 05:29:53 PM by Ben A
It's the private feedback I was considering. It will affect his job success rate percentage, I believe?
(It's hourly)
Apr 19, 2018 05:37:45 PM by Renante V
@Preston H wrote:Ben:
You have been extremely kind and far more patient than is necessary.
^^
Just leave an honest feedback.
I assume no money changed hands in this one. If that's the case, your feedback won't be viewable by anyone anyway, but will count towards the freelancer's JSS.
Apr 19, 2018 06:09:37 PM by Ben A
Yep. You're right.
I think he was given enough chances, and the fact that I had to chase him up...
Thanks everyone. I appreciate it 🙂
Apr 19, 2018 07:13:59 PM by John K
Apr 20, 2018 07:37:25 AM Edited Apr 20, 2018 07:38:09 AM by Janean L
I also wonder, depending on whether this is a first-world freelancer or otherwise situated: could the freelancer not have acquired a substitute Mac or other computer? I know that when I have experienced computer problems, I have figured out workarounds, and my clients have usually never known that I have been having difficulties (the exception being when the clients have provided a program that is problematic for me -- say, a Mac-based slide program that is incompatible with my PC... and even then, I just send a note explaining that there will be a short delay while I work things out).