Newbie question

Tips and Best Practices

Submitted Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 9:07pm GMT
jennifer_walker 5 posts - United States - Joined Jul 07 2009

I have posted a few other questions, but once again, I have another. See, I am working on my first project of writing articles where the buyer ensures me that after I write 30 articles, she will pay me the $30. I am wondering if I should be entering time on my work diary and if so, how do I go about using the work diary?

Also, I want to see a buyer profile, but evidentally, this particular buyer has no job assignment history. How much does a 450 word article typically cost per article? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Vote Result

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Duped!!! Submitted Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 9:43pm GMT
rickard 90 posts

Hi,

Entering time in your work diary is worthless in this case! It's a fixed price assignment, which is not covered under Odesk's payment guarantee!!!

Have you been hired?-I mean is this job visible under your current assignments?

Has your buyer a verified payment method already setup ?

Why don't you write 5 articles and get $5, then write another 5 articles and get your 5 bucks, and so forth...

If you don't get paid for the first 5 articles, you can just stop.

Or you could write one article, get $1 and if your buyer appreciates your work, then he/she can give you a down-payment of 5 bucks, then you write & submit your 5 articles, get the next down-payment, etc. ...

To tell you the truth: After having read your profile, you look like easy prey !!!! (desperate low wage & no work history, waiting for your first job)

I could be wrong, but your buyer smells like a scam artist and you are going to be duped.

Wish you all the best. (would be nice to know how this job ends for you)

Cheers,

Rick

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Thanks Submitted Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 10:31pm GMT
jennifer_walker 5 posts - United States - Joined Jul 07 2009

Thanks very much for your reply. I greatly appreciate it. My gut instinct has been telling me to be weary. I sent the buyer an email requesting payment on the first 5 articles I have written. How she reacts remains to be seen.

I can tell you know what is going on here. Maybe you can advise me. How much do you think I should put as my rate? I want to get my foot in the door but at the same time, I don't want to look desperate either. Can you give me some advice? Thanks.

I suggest you get partial payments Submitted Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 9:44pm GMT
margaretphillips 218 posts - United States - Joined Feb 18 2007

Fixed pay jobs are not guaranteed here so I would tell the buyer you will send her 10 articles and she can pay you $10 at that time. If she pays you do 10 more. If not, publish those articles under your name whereever you can. At least they will not be her property.

I would never do all the work without any partial payment. The fact that she has no feed back is not good. Do you know how long she has been an oDesk member?

Thanks for your reply. I Submitted Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 10:32pm GMT
jennifer_walker 5 posts - United States - Joined Jul 07 2009

Thanks for your reply. I am concerned about her feedback. I don't think she has been a member very long because I see no history. I took your advice and sent her an email asking her to pay me for the 5 articles I have thus far produced for her. I guess this will signify what type of buyer she really is. Again, thanks.