Should I start working even though the client, who awarded me a project did not accept the agreement and did not pay the Safepay payment request?

I agree that you should never start work before a project agreement is in place. In almost all cases I write a formal proposal as the project agreement. This documents my understanding of the situation, what I believe the client needs, how I will proceed, the client's responsibilities, what the staffing and timing are, and how billing and cost will be handled. This puts the relationship on a businesslike basis and documents a common understanding.

I'm not sure the client intends to cheat you. I never require clients to fund safe pay in advance, although some do. I do require clients to approve the project agreement. Until that is done there is no business relationship.

Absolutely do NOT start on the project. The project agreement is in place to protect not only the employer but you so until it is accepted, you shouldn't even discuss the project any further with the client. Also, the client needs to load up the Safepay. It not only shows good faith but it shows the employer is serious in paying you for your work.

This is posted right on the main page of the freelancer help section...

Note: Do not begin working on a project until the Employer officially awards you the project through http://Guru.com. Without the official award, you do not have the necessary information to bill the Employer through Guru Invoicing or SafePay.

There are rules on Guru that apply to both the employer and the freelancer and in this circumstance the employer is not complying with the rules.

I have a client that approved the agreement that I sent him, then never paid the SafePay request that I sent him. I emailed him many times to tell him that I had completed the work but that I was waiting for the SafePay. He ignored me for 3 days and then said because I never did the work or responded that he gave it to somebody else.

Can I do something since he approved the Agreement but not the Safepay?

Hi Julius,

If the employer is concerned about making a deadline, they should also be concerned about setting up the project correctly and having it progress from there. It's perfectly fine to request that the rules be followed and ask for the agreement and safepay first - if they object, then your instincts were correct and you simply chalk it up to experience.

:)

Without agreeing or approving the project agreement, and without paying the SafePay request, the client said that he will pay me once the first part of the project out of three is completed--- and if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you. (also some land in Florida).

This employer is looking to stiff you, to have you invest your time and energy to complete their project and not get paid for it. In other words to get his project completed by you (or some other unsuspecting freelancer) for free.

Do not lift a single finger or type a single letter unless 1. the project agreement is appoved by them and 2. the SafePay request is paid (or at least the first milestone is funded) And if you have several milestones, make sure each is funded before you start working on the job for each of those milestones.