HELP! my fixed-price buyer won't pay up!
what can i do about a fixed-price buyer who won't pay up?
i have a fixed-price copywriting job with this buyer that started in june. the 16th and last page i wrote for her was submitted on july 11. it has been 2 weeks and i still haven't received any payment for any of the work that i've done even when my writing is now all over her website. she emailed me 3 days ago to say she was having a computer problem, but that it's fixed. still, 3 days later now, i still don't have any idea when she will submit payment for me.
please help me. what can i do about this? is there no hope for this situation?
thanks...
Mariel, I'll suggest to all freelance writers not to submit the completed project. Ask the buyer to make 50% payment when you submit half the work, and the rest after the work is complete. I know that even the other 50% isn't guaranteed, but this is a better situation than the one you are in.
Some freelancers also demand an upfront part payment at the beginning of the project itself. While this may not be acceptable to every buyer, but that's how most people work.
Also, try to atleast have some contact information about the buyer, if possible. Work only for those buyers who have been verified by ODesk.
Odesk should also make a policy to divulge the contact details of the buyer to the provider in case of non payment. I am not saying that odesk should get involved. Just let the provider handle the situation by themselves. At least that would be one assurance in terms of fixed fee projects.
thanks. i appreciate your response. i think that's a lesson learned for me. next time i would ask for milestone payments for accomplished work.
in any case, i tried to email her again earlier. and great news! she has finally paid for the assignment. whew! 
Thats great news...
So she was genuine after all. But be careful for the next time.
I am so glad this worked
on Thu, 2008-07-24 17:54.I am so glad this worked out for you! As I believe you noticed, payment on fixed price jobs in not guaranteed. Buyers have total discretion over if, when, and how much to pay the provider for fixed price jobs. oDesk cannot force them to pay.
Most buyers aren't out to get you. They're just busy, forgetful, go on vacation, have computer problems, etc. Maintaining contact with the buyer, keeping your cool, and sending polite reminders will do the trick in most cases.
Occasionally, there is a rotten apple who won't pay no matter what you do. This happens on other job sites and in the real world, too. oDesk believes that taking the extra step to verify the buyer's payment method weeds most of these buyers out - so only working with verified buyers is very important!
In the future, milestone payments are a great way to minimize your risks on fixed price jobs. Ultimately, your best bet is to work hourly jobs with verified buyers. That way payment is guaranteed.
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thanks. i'm just normally
thanks. i'm just normally the type who thinks people can generally be trusted. 
i will be more careful next time, and ask for milestone payments on fixed-price jobs. i'm still just glad this all worked out.
Sorry to hear that....
Mariel, I'll suggest to all freelance writers not to submit the completed project. Ask the buyer to make 50% payment when you submit half the work, and the rest after the work is complete. I know that even the other 50% isn't guaranteed, but this is a better situation than the one you are in.
Some freelancers also demand an upfront part payment at the beginning of the project itself. While this may not be acceptable to every buyer, but that's how most people work.
Also, try to atleast have some contact information about the buyer, if possible. Work only for those buyers who have been verified by ODesk.
Odesk should also make a policy to divulge the contact details of the buyer to the provider in case of non payment. I am not saying that odesk should get involved. Just let the provider handle the situation by themselves. At least that would be one assurance in terms of fixed fee projects.