Be careful when trusting new clients

[sariboudreau]

Last night I applied for a job to write an e-book. This morning I was hired. Tonight, the client cancelled the contract, with no reason. He had no intention of communicating until I messaged to ask what was going on. He said he was "new to all of this" and hired 3 people to see who would respond first! So, if you see a posting for an e-book about guitars, be very leery!

[roberty1y]

Did you start a contract? If you did any work, you should be paid for it, even though the client changed his mind.

[sariboudreau]

Yes, a contract was started. Luckily he cancelled it within a few hours, so I hadn't done any work. I was waiting for the client to let me know exactly what he needed so I could get started.

[deardipu]

Sari,

Re: " Yes, a contract was started. Luckily he cancelled it within a few hours, so I hadn't done any work."

I have figured out that contact ending without any transaction may result in decreasing your JSS.

Although it is not your fault, your JSS will be reduced perhaps.

As I don't know what you should do to prevent this problem, so hopefully the Upwork team will help you in this case.

[sariboudreau]

I've reported it and they said they were forwarding it to the team to see if they can keep that from happening. I hope that is the case.

[martina_plaschka]

There is nothing to report. Upwork will not do anything about it. 

Clients are free to change their mind. 

I don't know what kind of remedy you expect for that event. 

You might find that it is a canned upwork response that they will forward it to the team. 

[feed_my_eyes]

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Md Nazmul Hasan D wrote:

I have figured out that contact ending without any transaction may result in decreasing your JSS.

---

You have figured incorrectly - a contract with no pay does not do any harm UNLESS the client leaves a bad review.

[deardipu]

Christine,

Yes, you are right. Thanks for nice clarification. 

[lizablau]

It's safer to not accept any contract until the client has provided you with all the necessary materials to do the work.  

[moonraker]

It happens ocassionaly. Clients can make mistakes or changes they're minds - they're human after all.

It doesn't have to be a big deal, just move on. Your JSS will only be affected if the client leaves negative feedback, which is unlikley.

[a1317995]

Hi there. I have submitted more than 20 proposals and some I'm more than the first 5 that submit proposals, yet My stats are reading zero under the proposal view counts. Please help. I need to know if my proposals are being seen or not

[pgiambalvo]

Other people are also reporting problems with their stats. I'm sure someone from Upwork will reach out to help you here.