Accepting hardware/equipment/material from client. Is it okay according to the rules?

[thedcoder]

Hello everyone

I have a client who wants to send me some hardware for testing and development. I personally wouldn't mind accepting it from the client as long as I don't pay for it or for it's shipping (not my expense), so this is not a question about avoiding scam

The thing I am worried about is if it is okay with the Upwork folks? Is this against any rules? I have read the rules thoroughly several times previously when I was still a newbie here, I do not recall any mention about accepting physical things, only things related to money.

Does accepting physical items count as paying in material, thus avoiding Upwork's fee cut? I certainly do not think so, but I would be relieved to have a word from the staff

P.S Obviously accepting valuables like gold or diamonds is fishy and against the rules, I am talking about normal hardware like USB devices.

[g_vasilevski]

Hi Damon,

This is not a violation on our TOS as long as it is on returnable basis, you will have to ensure your client that it will be sent back to them if requested.
You can negotiate all of the details with your client and agree on therms about this with them.

[thedcoder]

Thank you for the reply Goran

A little sad to see that it has to be on a returnable basis. It does not actually cost that much to purchase the item, but shipping and customs can be a hassle. Is there any chance to accept it on a non-returnable basis? Neither me nor the client will be happy to pay for shipping it back

[g_vasilevski · Accepted solution]

Hi Damon, 

Keep in mind that you need to agree on a returnable basis but does not mean that you will need to return the item/s. It depends on the client as I have mentioned below (you will have to ensure your client that it will be sent back to them if Requested).

[thedcoder]

Thank you for the clarification Goran and Petra!

So I have to make sure that I agree on a returnable basis but it is the client's choice to have it returned or not. Fair enough I guess

[petra_r]

If your client does not want it back that is not an issue, just set the contract up stating that the material is sent for development purposes and that you will make it available for the client to have it collected afterwards if required for 30 days, after which you may dispose of it as you see fit. 

[thedcoder]

Petra, do you mind if I ask about the "30 days" part? Is it mentioned in the ToS?

[tlsanders]

Putting a timeline on it is for your protection--if you leave it open-ended, the client could come back several months later looking for it, so you'd have to keep it on hand indefinitely.

[thedcoder]

Thanks for the reply Tiffany, I can understand about the time limit, but I was wondering if it was specifically mentioned in the ToS or if it was just an arbitrary number.

[petra_r]

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@Damon H wrote:

Thanks for the reply Tiffany, I can understand about the time limit, but I was wondering if it was specifically mentioned in the ToS or if it was just an arbitrary number.

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It doesn’t matter as long as it’s OK with you. Nothing in the TOS about any of that. 

[thedcoder]

Okay, thanks for the advice Petra!