Elance experts, need some help...

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   jenuboukaposted 11 years ago

   Is there anyone who uses elance for work?  I have a client who is conversing with me via my personal email versus the "work room" email address. 
   
   Is this following the rules?  Is this a good idea?  Why would they use my personal account and not go through the Elance site?  I feel this is shady and need some advise from those who have used or uses elance on a regular basis.
   
   This project is lagging as far as payment goes, and the client is communicating through my personal email for questions and advise.  I am to the point where I am about to dispute the fricken project...
   
   Any advise is much appreciated!

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      DMartelonlineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't use Elance but oDesk works in similar ways. In the case of Elance whoever, they allow this kind of contact.  In fact it says "Once you have accepted the job, you can contact the client directly to discuss the job before beginning work.  You can communicate in the following ways:
      Via Elance, through the Workroom Messages (required in order to keep a written record of communication), Elance Chat and Elance Call.
      Directly via email, phone, Instant Messenger, etc. (always transcribe key elements of the discussion to the Workroom to maintain a record)
      Elance recommends that you request full contact information upon acceptance."
      
      I'd recommend listing info in your work room so that you have a record of contact because this customer sounds like he plays loosely and you could wind up getting taken for a ride

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         DMartelonlineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         UGH That should have said "however" not whoever

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            jenuboukaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.  I am getting tired of this client and he does owe a lot of money a couple of k's to be exact.  I am trying to give him the benefit for his long time there; however, he keeps asking for more for nothing..  I am having a hard time to tell him no more until I see some money......Ugh on that.

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               jenuboukaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Oh, do you know how to transcribe in the work room? Couldn't figure that out.

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   EmpressFelicityposted 11 years ago

   I use Elance and I had a client like yours. I used private email with them for day to day communication, but I uploaded actual files to the workroom as well as sending them direct. That way, there was no chance that the client would later claim that I'd been late sending work or hadn't sent it at all.
   
   Having said that, I find that most clients are perfectly happy to communicate entirely via the workroom and I must say I prefer it that way. The one client that I mentioned above, who preferred to do things via private email, turned out to be an "envelope pusher" and I politely declined to do any more work for them once that job was finished.
   
   EDIT: it sounds like your guy is an envelope pusher too. One reason why I always prefer to work in small milestones and never, ever without escrow (if it's fixed price).

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