should you prepay.. is this normal...

Hi Bruno,

When you want to purchase a product or service locally you might prepay, because you have a bricks and mortal place to go and you get a receipt. Working with a freelancer is a bit different. Your relationship is at a great distance in some cases and prepayment is a risky thing to do.

You can instead use the Safepay service, which would involve making a deposit to the Safepay account set up specifically for your project. Guru will hold the funds while the work is done, and then it's up to you to release the funds in agreed-upon installments or as a lump sum to the freelancer, when work is provided. You have the opportunity to review the work prior to payment, so that you receive what you need, as well as having some control over your funds.

If you're being pressured to prepay for work, you should approach the situation with caution. It may be an indication of trouble.

HTH

:)

Some freelancers, depending on what type of work they are doing ask for a prepay before starting work. Usually this is for writing books. It's sort of an advance. Others may ask for a prepay to purchase supplies that they need in order to complete a job. So, depending on the situation, this can be normal.

Prepayments can, as stated above, be risky, You should always check out the freelancer throughally. Look at the jobs and reviews they have received etc. And of course, never prepay the full amount of the job. Usually, as I've heard, it's about 20 to 40% of the total. Never any more then that.

Only pre-pay if you have worked with the freelancer in the past and have a good relationship although I would highly suggest just asking the freelancer to bill when the project is completed via invoice.

Everyone else... Safepay is the way to go with milestone releases of funds.

Hi, I think it would depend on what type of project you are offering. However, if you are both new to each other ( you and the freelancer) I think Safepay is the way to go. That way you as the employer knows that the money does not get transferred until some work is produced and approved and the freelancer knows the employer will not take the work and run without paying.