🐈
» Forums » Freelancers » Can I retract an ended contract?
Page options
lauramorris2000
Community Member

Can I retract an ended contract?

This may be a silly question. 

Here are the details. I month or so ago I had a client that invited me to a job and I accepted, the contract was hourly. We talked for a while, and after some discussion she deicded that she needed to do some research on her own before we begin the actual design. Comunication was then completely lost, after trying to reach her with no success I finally ended the contract with no payment and no feedback. At the time I did not realize that this would negatively effect my JSS. Now I am at a 79%. I have MANY 4-5 star reviews and only one poor one due to lost communication (a technical error, wich I responded to).

Is there any way to have this closed contract can NOT effect my JSS? Can I continue to try and reach the client and get them to leave feedback? Can I contact Upworks? 
A month ago my JSS was 100% and now it has dropped so drastically that I am worried about myself financially. 
If nothing can be done, are there other ways to get the JSS up? I have already lowered by rates and contact all non-feedback clients asking for feedback to try and get more positive feedback on record. (this resulted in 3 new feedbacks all 4.7 or above, when do these take effect on my JSS?)
I know talking about JSS is a sore spot on here, and has been done SO many times. But if my JSS effects my ability to get jobs on a tremedous scale, then I will have to leave upworks. I cannot invest this much time into a platform that is no longer benefiting me finacialy. 
Any advice would be great.

21 REPLIES 21
petra_r
Community Member


Laura M wrote:

 

Is there any way to have this closed contract can NOT effect my JSS?


Not without payment / feedback. In future, do not accept a contract until you have got what you need to log at least 10 minutes of time or complete the first milestone. There is no point contacting Upwork, and the client is clearly not the least bit interested in communicating with you, or she would have responded to you by now. Hounding a client may have the opposite effect...

 

That said, one "nothing paid" contract can not possibly be responsible for your low JSS, there must be a pattern of poor private feedback as well with the number of completed contracts you have. You have a 4.2 from last month where the client left poor 3s for quality and skills, that will certainly have come with poor private feedback, plus that disasterous 2.55.

 

What is your "clients who would recommend you" (private feedback) percentage on your my Stats page?

 


Laura M wrote:


If nothing can be done, are there other ways to get the JSS up? I have already lowered by rates and contact all non-feedback clients asking for feedback to try and get more positive feedback on record. (this resulted in 3 new feedbacks all 4.7 or above, when do these take effect on my JSS?)


They will be calculated into your JSS during the next update, which is on the first of September.

Lowering your rate may be counterproductive as that may earn you poorer clients. All you can do is see that future contracts go as well as they possibly can, and maybe grab a few short, small contracts to "dilute" the poor outcomes.

 

florydev
Community Member


Laura M wrote:

If nothing can be done, are there other ways to get the JSS up? I have already lowered by rates and contact all non-feedback clients asking for feedback to try and get more positive feedback on record. (this resulted in 3 new feedbacks all 4.7 or above, when do these take effect on my JSS?)

I really don't think you should have done this. My understanding is your JSS is largely dependent on private feedback which they cannot changed so I believe you hassled your clients for no reason.

 

Whoops, my bad, I missed that you said non-feedback clients, what you did was fine as long as you did it gracefully.


I know talking about JSS is a sore spot on here, and has been done SO many times. But if my JSS effects my ability to get jobs on a tremedous scale, then I will have to leave upworks. I cannot invest this much time into a platform that is no longer benefiting me finacialy. 
Any advice would be great.

I really don't think talking about JSS is a sore spot, it is just sometimes people ask for advice and try to understand and they are completely unwilling to own up to their mistakes. 

 

I think closing this job was likely a mistake, but I cannot be sure.  It might not have made a difference because when the job becomes idle I think it has the same effect but you could have delayed it's effect longer and perhaps found more work.  So you would still take the hit sometime in the future but you could maybe cushion it with more work.

 

I am not sure there is a good answer, since it sounds like that client is permanantly AFK, I think you are going to have to battle back on your JSS.  You need to do your very best to ignore what happened, find work that you are awesome at, write a great proposal so great they won't even look at your JSS, and get some wins.

 

People have done it before and you can too.

 

 

kbadeau
Community Member

I have the same problem. I received an offer and was super busy at the time and accepted based on the fact that he had a 4.95 rating and 105 reviews. Now I am not super busy and I'm just trying to contact him to see if he still wants to proceed, but I'm getting crickets.

 

1. It's totally not okay to contact him via email through the company website which he provided me, correct?

 

2. If he decides not to proceed, rather than me closing the contract, with no hours on the contract, will that hurt my JSS?

petra_r
Community Member


Kelly B wrote:

I have the same problem. I received an offer and was super busy at the time and accepted based on the fact that he had a 4.95 rating and 105 reviews. Now I am not super busy and I'm just trying to contact him to see if he still wants to proceed, but I'm getting crickets.


How long ago did you accept it? Just don't let it go above 2 months, and in future don't5 accept contracts you're not ready to at least start on.

 


Kelly B wrote:

 

2. If he decides not to proceed, rather than me closing the contract, with no hours on the contract, will that hurt my JSS?


Yes. If nothing was ever paid, the (hourly) contract will start hurting at 2 months after it was created or when closed without feedback, whichever comes sooner.

 


Kelly B wrote:

I have the same problem. I received an offer and was super busy at the time and accepted based on the fact that he had a 4.95 rating and 105 reviews. Now I am not super busy and I'm just trying to contact him to see if he still wants to proceed, but I'm getting crickets.

 

1. It's totally not okay to contact him via email through the company website which he provided me, correct?

 

2. If he decides not to proceed, rather than me closing the contract, with no hours on the contract, will that hurt my JSS?


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


Christine A wrote:

Kelly B wrote:

I have the same problem. I received an offer and was super busy at the time and accepted based on the fact that he had a 4.95 rating and 105 reviews. Now I am not super busy and I'm just trying to contact him to see if he still wants to proceed, but I'm getting crickets.

 

1. It's totally not okay to contact him via email through the company website which he provided me, correct?

 

2. If he decides not to proceed, rather than me closing the contract, with no hours on the contract, will that hurt my JSS?


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


I don't think the snark is helpful, but thanks for the rest.

petra_r
Community Member


Kelly B wrote:


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


I don't think the snark is helpful, but thanks for the rest.


Do not mix up concise facts and snark.

There was no snark.
 

kbadeau
Community Member


Petra R wrote:

Kelly B wrote:


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


I don't think the snark is helpful, but thanks for the rest.


Do not mix up concise facts and snark.

There was no snark.
 


I am familiar with the way you all post. You and I have a different opinion of how information can be conveyed. I know I made a mistake; hence the "I think it's a bad idea" part was unnecessary imo.

(eta: "I think it's a bad idea..." is not in fact a concise fact)


Kelly B wrote:

Petra R wrote:

Kelly B wrote:


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


I don't think the snark is helpful, but thanks for the rest.


Do not mix up concise facts and snark.

There was no snark.
 


I am familiar with the way you all post. You and I have a different opinion of how information can be conveyed. I know I made a mistake; hence the "I think it's a bad idea" part was unnecessary imo.

(eta: "I think it's a bad idea..." is not in fact a concise fact)


There was no snark intended. In fact, I started out writing "It's a bad idea" and then changed it to "I think it's a bad idea" by way of framing it as my opinion rather than as a fact, since I thought that that was less likely to cause offence. Apparently I was wrong.


Christine A wrote:

Kelly B wrote:

Petra R wrote:

Kelly B wrote:


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


I don't think the snark is helpful, but thanks for the rest.


Do not mix up concise facts and snark.

There was no snark.
 


I am familiar with the way you all post. You and I have a different opinion of how information can be conveyed. I know I made a mistake; hence the "I think it's a bad idea" part was unnecessary imo.

(eta: "I think it's a bad idea..." is not in fact a concise fact)


There was no snark intended. In fact, I started out writing "It's a bad idea" and then changed it to "I think it's a bad idea" by way of framing it as my opinion rather than as a fact, since I thought that that was less likely to cause offence. Apparently I was wrong.


No biggie. Thanks for clarifying. I am having a bad week with property crime in my neighborhood so I'm in hypersenstive mode.


Christine A wrote:

Kelly B wrote:

Petra R wrote:

Kelly B wrote:


I think that it's a bad idea to accept new projects if you're "super busy" and no, it isn't a good idea to contact the client via email unless he gave you his email address and encouraged you to do so. He will have been notified of your messages, so if he hasn't responded, then he's probably gone for good and yes, it may affect your JSS.


I don't think the snark is helpful, but thanks for the rest.


Do not mix up concise facts and snark.

There was no snark.
 


I am familiar with the way you all post. You and I have a different opinion of how information can be conveyed. I know I made a mistake; hence the "I think it's a bad idea" part was unnecessary imo.

(eta: "I think it's a bad idea..." is not in fact a concise fact)


There was no snark intended. In fact, I started out writing "It's a bad idea" and then changed it to "I think it's a bad idea" by way of framing it as my opinion rather than as a fact, since I thought that that was less likely to cause offence. Apparently I was wrong.


I have to say, I really enjoy both of your snark's when you lay it down and, with a slight tinge of sadness, find it missing here.  I can't even say that Petra's chastisement of me was snarky even though it was deserved.


Mark F wrote:


I have to say, I really enjoy both of your snark's when you lay it down and, with a slight tinge of sadness, find it missing here.  I can't even say that Petra's chastisement of me was snarky even though it was deserved.


Mark, you'll have to do more than simply misread a post or ask for advice if you want some snark from me. Try starting a thread to demand your connects back, or tell Upwork that they need to start charging clients, or say that your JSS is unfair and needs to be "fixed". There are no shortcuts here. 😉 


Christine A wrote:

Mark F wrote:


I have to say, I really enjoy both of your snark's when you lay it down and, with a slight tinge of sadness, find it missing here.  I can't even say that Petra's chastisement of me was snarky even though it was deserved.


Mark, you'll have to do more than simply misread a post or ask for advice if you want some snark from me. Try starting a thread to demand your connects back, or tell Upwork that they need to start charging clients, or say that your JSS is unfair and needs to be "fixed". There are no shortcuts here. 😉 


I say something stupid feel free to snark away, it's the only way I will learn.

 

Actually I think JSS is unfair, the private feedback thing is a complete s***show...but the fix is to build better humans and I don't have an answer for that.


Mark F wrote:

Actually I think JSS is unfair, the private feedback thing is a complete s***show...but the fix is to build better humans and I don't have an answer for that.


Post a job for that - probably somebody can do it for $5.


Christine A wrote:

Mark F wrote:

Actually I think JSS is unfair, the private feedback thing is a complete s***show...but the fix is to build better humans and I don't have an answer for that.


Post a job for that - probably somebody can do it for $5.


Make sure you specify that you're looking for an expert and only freelancers in the U.S. can apply.

 

Better yet, have an Upwork Talent Specialist find the freelancer for you.


Kelly B wrote:

Better yet, have an Upwork Talent Specialist find the freelancer for you.


NOW who's being snarky? 😄


Christine A wrote:

Kelly B wrote:

Better yet, have an Upwork Talent Specialist find the freelancer for you.


NOW who's being snarky? 😄


I'm learning. 😉

 

Actually I shouldn't complain because I DID get one of my favorite and long term clients because of an Upwork Talent Specialist. 😄


Christine A wrote:

Kelly B wrote:

Better yet, have an Upwork Talent Specialist find the freelancer for you.


NOW who's being snarky? 😄


love it.

In fact, the reward for the snarkiest posts in this thread goes to Kelly 😄

tlbp
Community Member


Kelly B wrote:

I have the same problem. I received an offer and was super busy at the time and accepted based on the fact that he had a 4.95 rating and 105 reviews. Now I am not super busy and I'm just trying to contact him to see if he still wants to proceed, but I'm getting crickets.

 

1. It's totally not okay to contact him via email through the company website which he provided me, correct?

 

2. If he decides not to proceed, rather than me closing the contract, with no hours on the contract, will that hurt my JSS?


I have 142 jobs on Upwork (although not all of those are in my 2-year JSS window). I accepted one contract before hashing out all the details and the client ghosted. So, eventually, I closed the contract. My JSS dropped from 100 to 99 due to that one closure and has stayed there ever since. 🙄 I knew the risk when I did it but had some hope that my total volume of contracts would insulate me from the effect. 

petra_r
Community Member


Mark F wrote:

Laura M wrote:

contact all non-feedback clients asking for feedback to try and get more positive feedback on record. (this resulted in 3 new feedbacks all 4.7 or above, when do these take effect on my JSS?)

I really don't think you should have done this. My understanding is your JSS is largely dependent on private feedback which they cannot changed so I believe you hassled your clients for no reason.


She said she hunted down clients who had not left feedback. Those clients had not left any feedback, as it is impossible to leave only one and not the other, so I am a bit puzzled where "changing private feedback" comes into this?

florydev
Community Member


Petra R wrote:

Mark F wrote:

Laura M wrote:

contact all non-feedback clients asking for feedback to try and get more positive feedback on record. (this resulted in 3 new feedbacks all 4.7 or above, when do these take effect on my JSS?)

I really don't think you should have done this. My understanding is your JSS is largely dependent on private feedback which they cannot changed so I believe you hassled your clients for no reason.


She said she hunted down clients who had not left feedback. Those clients had not left any feedback, as it is impossible to leave only one and not the other, so I am a bit puzzled where "changing private feedback" comes into this?


No reason to be puzzled, I apparently did not read it carefully enough.  I will point out the errors of my ways in what I posted.

Latest Articles
Featured Topics
Learning Paths