Comments on: Freelance Writing Jobs for Thursday, May 22, 2008

By: Fiona

Fiona — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:47:25 +0000

Diana – funny you should bring this up. I heard back about a blogging job but I have to do a trial period (paid) but need to download a 14 day free trial of software for online meetings. Like you I’m wary of giving my CC number out for a free trial and don’t see why I would need online meeting software for a blogging job.

By: Shell

Shell — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:36:25 +0000

The $700 gig reads more like a sales ad. When they read like that I don’t go near them!

By: Jessica Mc

Jessica Mc — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:09:38 +0000

Wire transfers are safe; I use them all the time. Isn’t it a reputable company?

By: Katherine

Katherine — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:32:06 +0000

The $700 deal does not seem right to me – there was no mention of writing samples/topics you would be writing about, nor was there mention of how you would be paid. That always makes me uncomfortable

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:48:53 +0000

I applied for three different jobs last week that came with a request to join some kind of network for a free 14-day trial. I find it really interesting that the jobs were VERY different (one paid 5-15 per article, while another started at $25) but they all had the same request. I’m wondering if this is a new type of scams or companies are really using this service. It seems so odd to me. Anyway, I didn’t take anybody on. I’m not sharing my cc number for this.

By: Betsy

Betsy — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:01:59 +0000

@ BooBoo:
Your bank may be able to open a new, separate account to give the company for the wire transfer. Usually you only need a minimal amount to open an account. That way you won’t be giving someone you don’t know access to all your money and after you get paid, you can move it to your “main” account. It sounds like a pain, but better than eating a loss.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:27:10 +0000

I have not heard back from the $700 job as of yet either. Umm.

By: Ayda

Ayda — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:46:50 +0000

@BooBoo

I also had my share of wire transfer when I worked with an L.A. based internet sample provider. It all worked pretty quick and smoothly. The transfer fee was as minimal as 1$.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:35:00 +0000

I have also been paid by wire transfer from a publisher in Italy. It’s the easiest way to move money from country to country. I was nervous about it but I’m sure the bank has security precautions in place to prevent any tampering with the account in cases such as these.

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:06:38 +0000

Tell them to send it via Western Union.

By: BooBoo

BooBoo — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:57:39 +0000

Phil,
Thanks for the answer. It’s a reputable company, but I’ve never worked with them before, which is why I’m really iffy about it. I want my money, but I’m worried about funds going out instead of in, as you stated.

I don’t know what to do. I think I’ll call my bank to ask about it and find out what kind of info I’ll have to give. If they need my bank account #, I think I’ll just have to eat the loss. Sucks though.

By: Maryam

Maryam — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:37:02 +0000

hhahaa i just read the ” screw you” piece on that site how hilarious and absurdly true it all is…
sigh I hate elance too.

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:32:34 +0000

BooBoo,

How reputable is the company? I recently had to accept a wire transfer from Brazil, but from a publication I had dealt with before.

Also, check with your bank to see if there is any protection they can give you so that funds are transferred in, not out.

By: CT

CT — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:32:04 +0000

Fiona:

Thanks for the link! It looks like it is right up my alley.

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:26:50 +0000

If the $700 for 10 articles is, in fact, spam, they haven’t sent me anything yet. Usually with spam, an automated email comes right back. I’ve heard nothing so far.

By: Maryam

Maryam — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:11:14 +0000

Congrats on the people who got job offerse through this site, which jobs were they?
i have had two job offers as well from this site, well three if u count today.com one. But one of them fell through

By: Maryam

Maryam — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:08:47 +0000

the 700 dollar articles sounds like spam to me
but who knows.
Booboo :
I live in latin america and sometimse it goes through bank transfers. It is pretty safe, u give them your swift code and they send it through
Obviously you have to trust your employer but i mean even paypal holds that risk.
Your best bet is to tell them to send via xoom.com
it accepts bank transfers all over the world and is prob safer. Your lucky they were willing to do that though.

By: BooBoo

BooBoo — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:55:02 +0000

Does anyone have any experience with bank wire transfers? A Korean company I did an assignment for decided to tell me after the work was done that it’s the only way to get my money. Is it safe?

By: Kitty

Kitty — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:48:55 +0000

Booked a job that was posted a couple days ago! Thanks, Jodee and Deb!

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:41:08 +0000

@ Noelle: You’re welcome! That $700 for 10 articles did stick out for me, too. It may be a typo, but then again, it may not be…

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:37:56 +0000

@ Phil: I’ve updated the Digitas lead; it should be OK now.

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:26:20 +0000

Jodee,

Having trouble with link on first (Chicago) item.

Thanks

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:06:06 +0000

CT: I don’t know. I just discovered him and he has disappeared. Another one you may enjoy reading is http://www.irreverentfreelancer.blogspot.com/

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:17:01 +0000

@ Ayda and Lyz: You are most welcome.

By: Noelle

Noelle — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:03:11 +0000

Hey Jodee — thanks for the great links!

Anyone else think that $700 for 10 articles post doesn’t seem right…