Bagged my first project...and have a few questions!

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Submitted Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 11:18pm GMT
bnareshkumar 9 posts - India - Joined Jun 27 2008

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to share this good news that I have bagged my first project on oDesk. I had created my profile just 3 days back, so in a way I wasn't even ready for this. I have a few questions, which I'll appreciate resolutions on:

The project I won is an hourly one. We agreed for 30 hrs a week but could also increase the number of hrs going forward. The buyer said that he will have work for almost a year, but I am free to work as long as I want. Is there anything wrong with this agreement?
For hourly work, do I get paid every week after the buyer reviews my work hours?
The place I live is notorious for power failures. My internet connection is dependent on power. If I get logged off due to this, will my oDesk software still count the time when there was no network? My laptop will still work due to its battery backup but I would be unable to access internet.
Lastly, I am going for PayPal as my choice of withdrawing funds. Which, among Personal, Premier and Business Accounts, should I choose. If it helps, I would use PayPal ONLY for withdrawing funds and I am an individual freelancer.

I apologize for putting up so many questions, but would appreciate a speedy reply.

Thanks,

Naresh

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Congratulations Submitted Tue, Jul 01, 2008 at 4:07am GMT
lravi 20 posts - India - Joined Jun 03 2008

Hi Naresh,

Welcome to oDesk.

1. There is nothing wrong with the agreement.

2. Yes, you do get paid every paid. But it takes time for the payment to come to your account. See here for details.

3. oDesk team will still count the time for few hours(I don't remember exactly), and upload it when the power comes back.

4. As far as I know, in Paypal, Personal account is free. If you are rich enough to pay for other accounts, you could and enjoy additional services.

You are welcome to ask as many questions as you can. Hope my answers are useful(and correct) to some extend.

Leka.

oDesk Team can cache upto 2 Submitted Tue, Jul 01, 2008 at 5:23am GMT
okudamanova

1823 posts

oDesk Team can cache upto 2 hours. If the power shortage lasts longer than that, consider addig the time worked as offline. It should only be used as an exception, as the Buyer has the right to not pay for the offline hours.

Regards,
Olga

Leka and Olga, Thanks for Submitted Tue, Jul 01, 2008 at 9:05pm GMT
bnareshkumar 9 posts - India - Joined Jun 27 2008

Leka and Olga,

Thanks for your prompt help. I have one more question on oDesk: If I have to take a short lunch break from work (being paid hourly), how do I log off for some time. I used the 'Disconnect' option in the oDesk Team and then 'Login' to connect back in my team. Is this the right way?

I am also looking for some help from an Indian provider who is using PayPal for withdrawing funds. I checked with my bank (ICICI) today and they said that PayPal can transfer dollar amount in my local savings a/c after which it would be converted to rupees. In this case, would PayPal charge the hefty Conversion Spread Charge of $50 as mentioned in their site?

Rgds,

Naresh

I can help with the first Submitted Wed, Jul 02, 2008 at 12:02am GMT
jpittenger

3716 posts - United States - Joined Jan 07 2008

I can help with the first question - what you said is exactly correct.

You could also use "suspend," so long as you'll be returning to the same team after your break. And "suspend" will pop up reminders telling you to log back in (good for those who tend to forget).

Congrats on your first job!

Jacqui Pittenger :: Forum Moderator
Need help? Visit the Help Center - http://www.odesk.com/help :: Are you oDesk Ready? Take the ORT today!

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Payoneer... Submitted Wed, Jul 02, 2008 at 2:35am GMT
lravi 20 posts - India - Joined Jun 03 2008

Hi,

I use payoneer. So I don't have much info about your other issue.

Thanks.

Leka.

Naresh, Consider starting a Submitted Wed, Jul 02, 2008 at 3:51am GMT
okudamanova

1823 posts

Naresh,

Consider starting a new thread with your PayPal question to make sure those using PayPal in India notice your question and reply.

Regards,
Olga

Paypal fees Submitted Wed, Jul 02, 2008 at 3:42pm GMT
malinigupta 21 posts - India - Joined Jan 25 2008

Hi Naresh,

Congrats on your job at oDesk.

Please visit https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_display-withdrawal-fees-outside&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f1ff80d546411d7f8a8350c132bc41e0934cfc023d4e8f9e5

The withdrawal fees is Free for Rs.7,000.00 INR or more and Rs.50.00 INR for Rs.6,999.99 INR or less.

Plus there are other charges as currency conversion charges.

Please visit paypal.com for more details.

I am sure Paypal is best method for those working from India.

Take Care,

Malini Gupta

Delhi, India

Hi Malini, Thank you very Submitted Thu, Jul 03, 2008 at 12:36am GMT
bnareshkumar 9 posts - India - Joined Jun 27 2008

Hi Malini,

Thank you very much for your help. However, I am still a bit confused on PayPal. The sign-up on PayPal asks me to choose among the 3 types of accounts . As I am only looking to withdraw funds sent by my clients (no shopping) and working as an individual, which type of account should I opt for that would attract the lowest or no fee? Also, the currency conversion charges as mentioned in oDesk's Withdrawal Options comparison table are $50. Are these charges applicable everytime one transfers his funds from PayPal to one's local bank?

Again, appreciate you help.

Naresh

Paypal Vs Payoneer! Submitted Fri, Jul 04, 2008 at 6:16pm GMT
rsun 99 posts - India - Joined Oct 22 2007

Hi Naresh,

Congratulations on your 1st Assignment in oDesk.

Immaterial of whether you wish to shop online using Paypal or not, a personal account will suffice most users. (if you're looking to accept Credit cards/Paypal balances elsewhere , say in your personal/company website, go for a Premier account)

In My opinion and experience, Payoneer beats all that Paypal Has to offer.

Paypal Charges INR.50 per transactions for Sum lesser than INR.7000.
In case a return hits (as i experienced three times in 2 months, additionally INR.250 is deducted.
Besides the website says the transaction to take 3-5 days, but in reality I had to wait something like 10 Business days.

consider Payoneer instead, for a total fee of $5(2+3 for instant withdrawal) The funds hits you in under 20Minutes.

If you're considering to transfer funds to bank account as your only option and can wait its worth.

And coming to your question of $50, I do not remember paying any, But, I've only paid a flat 2.5-2.8% fee for conversion (which is normal)

BTW, ICICI Bank can accept moneybookers too, explore that possibility too...

It really boils down to your usage and preference, for I've used the payoneer card for close to $7K and only $500+ via paypal that too, when i needed to transfer funds to account.

Take Time and Choose the option that works fine for you.

Happy Freelancing

Reagrds & Thanks,

Ramkumar.S

Chennai- India

Ram,That really Submitted Sat, Jul 05, 2008 at 7:35pm GMT
bnareshkumar 9 posts - India - Joined Jun 27 2008

Ram,

That really helped...and you now got me thinking on Payoneer Smiley . I checked up the comparison table. Do our local ATMs charge additional fee for withdrawing money thru them (in addition to the $2.15 that Payoneer charges)?How is the currency conversion spread fee deducted for Payoneer debit card...when I withdraw funds from oDesk to the card or when I make a cash withdrawal thru an ATM (isn't it a dumb question?)

Also, from Income Tax's perspective, am I not evading taxes since I would receive my income on a debit card which I can use to shop online or withdraw from an ATM? Let me know if I am missing something here!

Regards,

Naresh