
There’s no doubt about it, GetAFreelancer is one of the best online freelance sites that any tech and non tech individual can go to earn a decent flow of money. In this regard, since money is involved in the topic there are many opportunists who take advantage of other freelancers in the effort to ’steal’ their money and commissions. The good thing is that technology has paved the way to simplify things and at least prevent scams from happening at GetAFreelancer. Here are some few tips on how you as a tech freelancer, can avoid being involved in one.
1. The Escrow
Firstly, it is pretty obvious that GetAFreelancer has developed one of the most secure designs in payment transactions between the project buyer and the provider (writer, designer, translator, SEO expert, publisher, etc.). They have developed the so-called escrow system wherein the buyer is required to place the money inside a certain online account that assures that provider that he or she will get paid. In this connection, all providers must make sure that they ‘demand’ their buyers to deposit the lump sum of the remuneration in the escrowed account. When the money is under escrow, the GAF support team has a certain hold of the money in the account; the money can only be cancelled when the GAF team’s approval has been made. This ensures that the depositor of the money cannot readily withdraw the funds anytime he wishes to.
2. Release The Escrow!
In line with the tip above, the second tip is basically the most effective of them all. Prior completion of the project, you must ask the buyer to release the escrowed amount to your account. Even half of the agreed total compensation would be a great trust builder once it is given to the provider upon the completion of 50% of the project. At GetAFreelancer, buyers usually release half of the total remuneration when the project has reached halfway. This is actually a win-win situation that will surely lessen the doubts from both parties. The full amount of the agreed sum must immediately be released from escrow after the client has reviewed the deliverables.
3. Buyer’s User Ratings
Take particular attention to the buyer’s user ratings. Oftentimes, these ratings are the lifeblood of every GetAFreelancer user. Either the buyer or the provider is forced to build a positive image in GAF through ratings or feedbacks. As a provider, it is required to browse over the comments found in the buyer’s user ratings page. In here, you’ll see how well the buyer has acted or behaved in the past with regards to his or her relationships with other providers. Remember, the most number of ratings is not always the best or safest choice for even those with one single rating can be more trustworthy than them.
4. Know His Contact Addresses
Lastly, establish several lines of communication with the buyer. For example, you must really take note of his email addresses. It is advisable to get one to two alternate email addresses other than the primary email address of the client. You can also get his online messenger addresses like Yahoo Messengers, AIM, Skype and many others. These ordeals may seem to be troublesome but at least you are doing yourself a favor so that you can avoid being involved in any form of tech scams in the future. Fortunately for some providers, they even get the chance to know the personal and work phone numbers of their GetAFreelancer buyers.
In the long run, once you follow these simple tips you are more or less assured that you will get the money promised to you at GetAFreelancer and that you will have a smooth experience using tech to its fullest benefit.