Scamming Clients? Freelance Profiles Should Include Number Of Disputes They've Been In

[#1]

I've been using this platform when it was eLance since 2011, and have never dealt with the scams freelancers are now performing. Not all, but majority. Freelance profiles should include the number of disputes they have been involved in. I know negative feedback is allowed to be removed, yet nothing shows if a contractor or client uses Upwork disputes frequently. I believe it would be a determining factor on whether to continue with that said party. 

If freelancers use the hourly feature, how does Upwork determine screenshot assist is valid if autoclicker can be used? How does Upwork determine freelancers are working properly on hourly projects and not running the clock? 

If client's choose a fixed rate, the contractor can create basic work and then state completion. That project would get disputed and then freelancer is awarded an amount of money for minimal work before arbitration. 

Arbitration costs a high fee for a 3rd party not mentioned by Upwork to determine disputes. I've been unable to locate any information or the deciding factors of this so called 3rd party arbitrator. 

How are any of the situations noted above legal? Why are client's responsible to pay for a freelancers incomplete and unapproved work? If freelancers are allowed to abuse the dispute and arbitration system, then clients are entitled to know this information before hiring. 

[#2]

I believe clients need to be a step ahead when they hire any freelancer. I think having all the statistics available to the either party is highly beneficial as it will bring more transparency in the contracting. However, the work related point require more control from the client side as they must be aware that what it takes to get the specific work done (I am discounting the individual productivity here as it is interviewer responsibility to evaluate the same).

As a client you need to ask for the estimates from the freelancer on what it will take to do a specific job irrespective of hourly or Fixed price. You need to have the appropriate monitoring and tracking of the project to ensure you are getting value for the money spends. I think if monitoring is done effectively then 80% of the issue will not even occured.

The remaining 20% of the dispute could be genuine issue which might require resolution or arbitration as applicable. 

[#3]

As you mentioned, the client "must be aware that what it takes to get specific work done." If a client knew "what it takes" to get work done, I do not believe they would be hiring for that job or project. Most of this information is addressed in the proposal before hiring. I also feel it's the freelancer responsibility to ask the client questions, gain a full understanding and knowledge of job requirements. For an example, a client would not understand how to develop a website from start to finish. Hence, the reason they hired a professional to do so. 

Reportedly, Upwork monitors 100% of activity. Yet, there are many flaws within this system. If they are not monitoring, then I'm curious to know why clients and freelancers are paying fees each time.

Disputes and arbitration statistics on all profiles would provide great transparency. Personally, I would not hire a freelancer who has engaged in over 10 disputes, as an example. If they participated in that many disputes, then I would believe there are issues with that person's work ethic. Upwork disputes isn't even a fact finding resolution. They only provide a common ground for both parties to agree upon. Which seems to contradict the purpose of a dispute. However, parties are required to pay high fee's for a fact finding result. Again I question, what is the point in client and contractors paying fee's each time. 

[#4]

That would be excellent on both freelancer and client profiles. It would quickly eliminate the large number of clients who trick new freelancers into doing free work, or hold them hostage for ratings and end up getting $500 worth of work for $20, or who try to get the freelancer to send them money before they get paid, or who engage in that extortion game with the non-compete and one-hour contract...

As an escrow agent, Upwork is required to remain neutral. If you know of an outside arbitration service that works for free, I'm sure Upwork would be happy to learn of it. They already downgraded the quality of the service to cut the costs. 

[#5]

An Upwork Escrow Agent being that biased against clients... Interesting.

Being on the platform since 2011, I do know the quality of service has been cut dramatically. 

[#6]

You seem deeply confused. I can't tell whether you somehow distorted the first sentence of my last paragraph to persuade yourself that I am an Upwork escrow agent or you twisted it in a different direction to interpret my saying Upwork, as an escrow agent MUST BE NEUTRAL to mean they were biased. 

I'm guessing it's the first, but it takes some tortured backflips to get to either. 

Upwork escrow agents follow contractual obligations. They make no judgments. And it's beyond bizarre that you started a whole post about how you need more info on scamming freelancers, yet consider it "biased" to point out the same types of behaviors on the client side. 

Maybe your problem isn't with freelancers but a product of your abysmal communication skills? 

[#7]

Are you always this angry or do you really despise Upwork clients that much? Either way, it's non of my business, nor do I care that you insinuated being an Upwork Escrow Agent in your last comment. Good luck to you!  

[#8]

Neither. I AM an Upwork client! What I despise is blathering nonsense from people who can't be bothered to read. I understand that not everyone here is a native English speaker and that's fine, but if you're not able to comprehend what's being written you should get clarification before drawing weird conclusions and reacting to them.

[#9]

I agree.

[#10]

nor do I care that you insinuated being an Upwork Escrow Agent in your last comment.

You need to re-read her post.

[#11]

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Heather C wrote:

As you mentioned, the client "must be aware that what it takes to get specific work done." If a client knew "what it takes" to get work done, I do not believe they would be hiring for that job or project. Most of this information is addressed in the proposal before hiring. I also feel it's the freelancer responsibility to ask the client questions, gain a full understanding and knowledge of job requirements. For an example, a client would not understand how to develop a website from start to finish. Hence, the reason they hired a professional to do so. 

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 Heather - Just to close the statement, As a client you need to budget your project. Budget preperation excercise tell you about how much you can spend in the specific month or year for the development. Now post budget, If you are not in a position to define the project scope then it will be good to go hourly. As you know your budget so you are good to define the spend for the project. Now freelancer role will come after first step to provide you effort and cost estimate for product development. You need to see what fits into your budget in terms of rate (Some may have ask rate of $100 and other may have $20 for same skill) offered by the freelancer, skills, experience and other specific. You need to select accordingly.

Rest everything Requirement, product development etc.. come under the above umbrella of cost defined in step 2 which freelancer will tell you, if you are not technical. (This will be within your budget). However it is always better to build understnading or hire someone who have good understnading for effective project monitoring.

You only approve the payment  / timesheet when work is being delivered as per your expectation and requirement.

Rest all you mention come if you approve and later find that you needed something else later. Or there is wrong select for the project who is not able to deliver the project. In that case it is better to close and move on, earliest you identify the issue is better as you will be better positioned to save money.

[#12]

This might already be a part of the secretive JSS calculation. But it's good to separate the feedback of "insensitive" and "doesn't care much" clients, with the real problem.

[#13]

Good idea, especially with all the fake freelancing out there. 

[#14]

Yes, new comoers on upwrok waste connectes in response to such posts. there should be some filter for such add posts from upwork.