How long does it take to get paid?

amelia_n · ‎11-22-2018

I started a contract October 29th, the terms stated I would be paid one the 2nd and 17th of each month.

Its now November 22nd and I still haven't received payment.

I reminded my boss on the 16 that I was due payment, he asked if he could pay me Wednesday instead, I agreed. I should have been paid yesterday and still nothing. I reminded him again and he said he would "submit my payment for processing" today.

So, how long until I get it? Is there anyway to see that actually submitted anything?

matt_it_grow · ‎11-22-2018

A Year and a Day! just kidding, if your money is available in your dashboard, and you use PayPal, you can request to "Get Paid Now" there is a button on there, and it hits PayPal instantly, I've actually hit that button while waiting in line to buy tickets, and when I got to the window, the money was there

Matthew - Just Being Me

ryan_barrett · ‎11-22-2018

If it's a fixed price contract, when your client submits a paid milestone you will get an email for it and the balance will be shown in Pending minus fees and taxes. From there, there's a 5 day security period and it'll be in Available after that. Once withdrawn, depending on your payment method, it could take up to 5 business days (Mon-Fri excl holidays) to receive the money in your account.

amelia_n · ‎11-22-2018

It is a fix priced contract, but so far my milestone bar thing is empty and I haven't gotten any emails about incoming payments. Does that mean he hasn't submitted a payment like he said?

He he said he was submitting the payment for processing today, so should I have gotten an email or something?

Ive been working nearly 6 days a week since October 29 and I'd like to get paid, it's kinda my Christmas money here.

ryan_barrett · ‎11-22-2018

You would've gotten an email if he submitted a milestone or tip for your fixed price contract. Considering you didn't get one, he's having you on a bit. Frustrating when clients don't pay up when they say they will.

Here's the type of email you would receive:

g_vasilevski · ‎11-22-2018

Hi Amelia,

Please send me a PM(click on my name) with your client name/contract ID and our team will investigate this further. Your client needs to load the funds in Escrow and create a milestone for you where you can submit your work and request the payment.

Please keep in mind that our Fixed Price Protection does not cover promised funds and unfunded milestones. Thank you.

~ Goran

tlbp · ‎11-23-2018

You need to stop working for that client until he pays. If the milestone wasn't funded, you may never get paid. So, don't count on seeing that money. Sorry.

petra_r · ‎11-23-2018

@Amelia N wrote:
It is a fix priced contract, but so far my milestone bar thing is empty and I haven't gotten any emails about incoming payments. Does that mean he hasn't submitted a payment like he said?

This is not how fixed rate milestones work.

Go to the actual contract by going to My Jobs > All Contracts

Find the contract and click on it

What does it say?

@Tonya P wrote:
You need to stop working for that client until he pays. If the milestone wasn't funded, you may never get paid. So, don't count on seeing that money. Sorry.

The thing is: Its not possible to create a fixed rate contract without funding the first milestone.

So "the milestone bar thing" being "empty" makes me wonder if the is a contract at all...

amelia_n · ‎11-23-2018

Sorry I misspoke! I have a $5.00 milestone for starting the contract but nothing since. That's what I meant, I just explained it wrong, sorry!

petra_r · ‎11-23-2018

@Amelia N wrote:
Sorry I misspoke! I have a $5.00 milestone for starting the contract but nothing since. That's what I meant, I just explained it wrong, sorry!

Then you did it all wrong. (sorry...)

NEVER (unless you know and trust the client very well, and can afford not to be paid) work beyond what was funded.

You are fairly likely to get paid $ 5.00 and that's it.

If the client wants to pay fortnightly he has to put two weeks worth of funds into Escrow, you do 2 weeks worth of work, and hit the submit & request payment button, then wait until the client releases the money and sets up AND FUNDS the second milestone for two weeks and so on.

amelia_n · ‎11-23-2018

Well that's unfortunate.

This is is only the second contract I've ever accepted on here so I didn't know that. I saw the contract stating I'd get paid every two weeks and thought that was how it worked.

The he down side to being inexperienced with a website like this 😕

petra_r · ‎11-23-2018

@Amelia N wrote:
Well that's unfortunate.

This is is only the second contract I've ever accepted on here so I didn't know that. I saw the contract stating I'd get paid every two weeks and thought that was how it worked.

The he down side to being inexperienced with a website like this 😕

What does the client's history on Upwork look like? Previous / other current contracts?

You can find it by looking at the contract and clicking on Terms & Settings and then on "View original Job Posting" on the right.

If the client has a history of $ 5 jobs, that's all he ever paid others...

If he has no history, he MAY just be confused.

amelia_n · ‎11-23-2018

his payment method is verified and he has fairly solid reviews from the looks of it. I figured he seemed like a solid boss. I'm definitely having second thoughts now though

petra_r · ‎11-23-2018

Well, the client has been on Upwork for 5 years and hired well over 1000 people and spent over $ 50k

So not an out and out deadbeat by the looks of it.

I suspect it'll probably be ok, but you need to insist on being paid for all the work to date before continuing.

Understand that with the way the client runs his business you have absolutely 0 protection and are always at risk of not getting paid for 2+ weeks worth of work.