Is GAF(getafreelancer) safe for projects?

One more reason to stay away from getafreelancer.com

You make a perfect point. They just redesigned the website and nothing else. You are absolutely right about everything. Thanks for sharing that !

 

Thanks )

I am pretty much incensed with GAF at this point. They do not have a forum that allows freelancers to communicate with each other - which means that a unified action against fee increases is virtually impossible. Yes, individual providers could leave the site, but unless we leave en masse, why should they care? One less freelancer, big deal.

I honestly don't mind paying a commission fee. That's fair - they hook you up, you pay for that service. But what's really frustrating is that they've increased the fees - did I mention the increase equates to 66%!! - AND add commission at the same time. And do so unilaterally, with NO consultation with freelancers - the very people who make the site possible in the first place.

Let's face it, the rates on GAF are not the best in the industry - in fact some are totally ridiculous. I work as a writer, editor, proofreader and honestly, the rates some buyers offer are disgraceful. But, I tend to use GAF when I've got a 'gap' between projects - I go have a cruise around and pick up quickie projects that look interesting, pay OK, and give me a few bucks.

Say in a month I pick up $100 in business there. Previously, before what I'm calling the 'great rate heist' I'd pay my $12 and I'd have $88 in my pocket. Now, I'd have to pay my $20 PLUS $3 for commission so I end up with $77. That's cut into my profit margin (which usually isn't that big for freelance writers anyway) by an extra ELEVEN PERCENT.

Seriously, this is crazy.

Other GAF users, what do you think? Are you leaving the site? Where else are you planning to work? Can we start our own bidding site?!?

cheers,

Sophie

 

GAF was good before 2 years back...But now they incresed monthly fee to $20 and 3% commission for every project.

Also, people going dam low like $5, $20, $40 for web design projects...you wont earn much money in GAF in this compitation world.

 

I used GAF to get some coding done.
happy with code and paid the providers.
I reckon it rocks.

 

From coder/writer/seo/designer/whatever pro point of view sucks and complete joke. As I said many times, if you want to meet somewhat serious clients go for Odesk and even better for Guru and Elance. The rest are pile of crap.

 

Sophie, they know how you think and that's why they made that comission and so on. They are not looking for quality decent number of coders, they look for MASS NUMBER of people who do $100 jobs from time to time.

Punish them, don't work there.

 

Yeah it's a crap shoot, i've had modarate success but only on super low tech jobs, if you want someone serious be very careful, you'll just waste money and time.