What can an employer do when a freelancer in Guru.com has collected three quarter of the project quoted amount and is not completing the web design project and not responding?

I'm a freelancer and when I hear stuff like this it just baffles me to no end. I just don't understand why any employer releases anything until they see actual results, have access to files, have the development done on their server, etc.

As an employer it is your right to refuse release of funds if you're not seeing work getting done and if the freelancer is "blackmailing" an employer by demanding money, give them the boot.

Next time, do partial Safepay funds deposit for let's say 1/3 of the total cost so not all of your money is in there and tell the freelancer that you will only release and load the next 1/3 deposit once they can show that work is to the point it should be unless the work is being done directly on your server so you are seeing the progress. If it's something that doesn't involve programming then you need copies of the files before release.

Put your foot down.... you are the employer and you are the one paying money for the service so you're entitled to be a bit of a "jerk" if the freelancer is giving you the run around although that's not really the word I'd use but you get my drift.

I would suggest setting milestones, with a clear and detailed scope of work to be preformed and completed and documented for each and every milestone. Fund the first milestone, and ONLY release that milestone's funded amount if all of the work has been preformed and completed as stated. If you are satisfied then you can fund the next milestone etc. At least, doing it that way, if work stops midwaythrough, or starts to go downhill, at least you have completed work up until that time. Then you would just have to find another freelancer to complete your job. At least, although a hassel, you won't be out so much money with nothing to show for it.

Just a broad statement, and it doesn't apply directly to anyone here or anyone in paticular, but there are 2 sides to every story. for example: An employer may complain that the freelancer isn't submitting the work on time, or isn't doing all of the work or even the freelancer isn't responding to any communication, and the freelancer may complain that the employer is imposing impossible deadlines or the employer has added extra work, or changed their minds and went in a completely differrent route or contacting them every few hours or in general making impossible demands on them.

Remember, this is a worldwide freelancing site, There are freelancers on here as well as on other freelancing sites that are "bad apples" or may just have different work ethics then others. But there are also a great many skilled, experienced professionals on here too.

Depends on a few things. How long as this freelancer not responded to you. If it's just a few days, give them a few more days to respond. Emergencies do come up. Have you received ANY work from this freelancer? Is there still some funds in escrow?

Once funds are released, there's not much guru can do except ask the freelancer that those funds be returned. If there's still some funds in escrow, you need to request that they be returned to you.

Either way, contact Guru and explain the situation. Unfortunally, if this freelancer doesn't respond you may have to repost your job and have someone else redo it, or finish it.

Guys,

I'm on my second project and probably my last one with Guru. We as customers to these freelancers get treated as we were robbing them. I'm tired of having these Guru freelancers steal my money. I was out of $ 4,000.00 the first time and now I have paid 1000.00 and this project is going in the same direction as the first one.....no response and delaying the work. Guru doesn't do anything to the freelancers, they just continue to bid and fish out for first timers and feast on them.......my recommendation is leave Guru, until they show signs that they will protect you with Safe pay or without it.....my opinion.

I'm now trying to have my second project completed and i'm not getting answers and is 4 weeks past is completion date. What can Guru do for you?........NOTHING !

Throughout the process of running a project, the employer has the OPTION to release funds for work completed or not. The project agreement should be the guide as to whether or not milestones are to be paid, and if they aren't set out in writing at the start of the project and agreed to by both parties, they simply should not happen. A freelancer can ask for a payment while the work is in progress, but the employer is not required to provide it, unless he or she wants to or has a comfort level with doing so. If they are coerced in any way, this should be reported to Guru immediately, regardless of the state of the project and any progress that may or may not have been made. They should not be forced to pay for work they aren't receiving and if they do pay, they do so of their own free will. They can only be scammed if they allow themselves to be.

The same can be said for freelancers. If they elect to use Guru Invoicing rather than Safepay, they take a chance on doing the work, either in part or in full, and receiving no payment for it whatsoever. It's unfortunate, but it happens. Freelancers can be just as vulnerable to scams as employers.

I feel sorry for those who have lost money, time, and project work that they needed. I really do. But I also believe that if you allow yourself to be victimized, you most certainly will be. We all have to consider the work we want done, or are willing to do, but we also in that have to remember that it's up to us to protect our best interests. Guru staff are here to help, and they have the arbitration process in place for when things do go wrong, but they are in a no-win situation if you think about it. No matter what they do, someone will end up losing. The job is made all the more difficult when payments are made for work unreceived, Safepay isn't use, etc. They then have job of being the messenger with bad news. They do this part of their work because it's necessary but perhaps if both employers and freelancers were to take more responsibility for their actions, then arbitration could be the exception rather than the rule, and the blame game wouldn't be necessary.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

:)