Is it ethical to employ freelancers on a per-success level and turning down late submissions? [closed]

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I work on software solutions and whenever I hit a wall and stackoverflow can't help me, I post my problems to websites where freelancers are looking for gigs.



What's special in my case is, that it's not given that all the freelancers applying for the gig can actually solve the problem. Many use bots to automatically contact me whenever I post a new gig etc.



A conversation usually consists of



  • the freelancer asking for more info

  • me providing the info and assistance they need

  • a few minutes or hours of silence

  • the freelancer saying "I think I have it" or saying "sorry I can't help"

Before showing me the code, we agree on a sum to pay, I get to see the code and if it's working on my computer I will wire the money to them.



Now the thing is because "I think I have it" doesn't come as often as "sorry I can't help" I usually am in contact with more than one freelancer at a time. As soon as one has it, I tell the others I got it working by myself and thank them for their time. So far, no one has showed signs of disappointment etc. as they themselves probably didn't even think that they are going to solve the problem in first instance.



What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore. Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't made out of gold either.



What would you do in my situation? Telling them upfront that I am in contact with more than one person due to the project's difficulty results in a way worse basis to start off the payment's negotiation and might scare off people who otherwise could've solved the problem within minutes and with ease because they think others are faster.







share|improve this question












closed as primarily opinion-based by Dukeling, gnat, Michael Grubey, GOATNine, OldPadawan Aug 30 at 8:51


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.










  • 3




    Have you considered just sticking to one or a few freelancers who have proven they can solve your type of problems, to significantly increase your individual success rate and reduce the need to work with multiple ones at the same time?
    – Dukeling
    Aug 28 at 21:43











  • @Dukeling That comment would be better posted as an answer.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 29 at 15:49










  • @GOATNine Maybe, but answering doesn't really mix well with voting to close. It's also indirect and also seems rather logical, so it seems likely to not be a desirable option for some reason or another.
    – Dukeling
    Aug 29 at 15:58

















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












I work on software solutions and whenever I hit a wall and stackoverflow can't help me, I post my problems to websites where freelancers are looking for gigs.



What's special in my case is, that it's not given that all the freelancers applying for the gig can actually solve the problem. Many use bots to automatically contact me whenever I post a new gig etc.



A conversation usually consists of



  • the freelancer asking for more info

  • me providing the info and assistance they need

  • a few minutes or hours of silence

  • the freelancer saying "I think I have it" or saying "sorry I can't help"

Before showing me the code, we agree on a sum to pay, I get to see the code and if it's working on my computer I will wire the money to them.



Now the thing is because "I think I have it" doesn't come as often as "sorry I can't help" I usually am in contact with more than one freelancer at a time. As soon as one has it, I tell the others I got it working by myself and thank them for their time. So far, no one has showed signs of disappointment etc. as they themselves probably didn't even think that they are going to solve the problem in first instance.



What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore. Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't made out of gold either.



What would you do in my situation? Telling them upfront that I am in contact with more than one person due to the project's difficulty results in a way worse basis to start off the payment's negotiation and might scare off people who otherwise could've solved the problem within minutes and with ease because they think others are faster.







share|improve this question












closed as primarily opinion-based by Dukeling, gnat, Michael Grubey, GOATNine, OldPadawan Aug 30 at 8:51


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.










  • 3




    Have you considered just sticking to one or a few freelancers who have proven they can solve your type of problems, to significantly increase your individual success rate and reduce the need to work with multiple ones at the same time?
    – Dukeling
    Aug 28 at 21:43











  • @Dukeling That comment would be better posted as an answer.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 29 at 15:49










  • @GOATNine Maybe, but answering doesn't really mix well with voting to close. It's also indirect and also seems rather logical, so it seems likely to not be a desirable option for some reason or another.
    – Dukeling
    Aug 29 at 15:58













up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











I work on software solutions and whenever I hit a wall and stackoverflow can't help me, I post my problems to websites where freelancers are looking for gigs.



What's special in my case is, that it's not given that all the freelancers applying for the gig can actually solve the problem. Many use bots to automatically contact me whenever I post a new gig etc.



A conversation usually consists of



  • the freelancer asking for more info

  • me providing the info and assistance they need

  • a few minutes or hours of silence

  • the freelancer saying "I think I have it" or saying "sorry I can't help"

Before showing me the code, we agree on a sum to pay, I get to see the code and if it's working on my computer I will wire the money to them.



Now the thing is because "I think I have it" doesn't come as often as "sorry I can't help" I usually am in contact with more than one freelancer at a time. As soon as one has it, I tell the others I got it working by myself and thank them for their time. So far, no one has showed signs of disappointment etc. as they themselves probably didn't even think that they are going to solve the problem in first instance.



What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore. Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't made out of gold either.



What would you do in my situation? Telling them upfront that I am in contact with more than one person due to the project's difficulty results in a way worse basis to start off the payment's negotiation and might scare off people who otherwise could've solved the problem within minutes and with ease because they think others are faster.







share|improve this question












I work on software solutions and whenever I hit a wall and stackoverflow can't help me, I post my problems to websites where freelancers are looking for gigs.



What's special in my case is, that it's not given that all the freelancers applying for the gig can actually solve the problem. Many use bots to automatically contact me whenever I post a new gig etc.



A conversation usually consists of



  • the freelancer asking for more info

  • me providing the info and assistance they need

  • a few minutes or hours of silence

  • the freelancer saying "I think I have it" or saying "sorry I can't help"

Before showing me the code, we agree on a sum to pay, I get to see the code and if it's working on my computer I will wire the money to them.



Now the thing is because "I think I have it" doesn't come as often as "sorry I can't help" I usually am in contact with more than one freelancer at a time. As soon as one has it, I tell the others I got it working by myself and thank them for their time. So far, no one has showed signs of disappointment etc. as they themselves probably didn't even think that they are going to solve the problem in first instance.



What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore. Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't made out of gold either.



What would you do in my situation? Telling them upfront that I am in contact with more than one person due to the project's difficulty results in a way worse basis to start off the payment's negotiation and might scare off people who otherwise could've solved the problem within minutes and with ease because they think others are faster.









share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Aug 28 at 21:32









user2875404

1241




1241




closed as primarily opinion-based by Dukeling, gnat, Michael Grubey, GOATNine, OldPadawan Aug 30 at 8:51


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.






closed as primarily opinion-based by Dukeling, gnat, Michael Grubey, GOATNine, OldPadawan Aug 30 at 8:51


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.









  • 3




    Have you considered just sticking to one or a few freelancers who have proven they can solve your type of problems, to significantly increase your individual success rate and reduce the need to work with multiple ones at the same time?
    – Dukeling
    Aug 28 at 21:43











  • @Dukeling That comment would be better posted as an answer.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 29 at 15:49










  • @GOATNine Maybe, but answering doesn't really mix well with voting to close. It's also indirect and also seems rather logical, so it seems likely to not be a desirable option for some reason or another.
    – Dukeling
    Aug 29 at 15:58













  • 3




    Have you considered just sticking to one or a few freelancers who have proven they can solve your type of problems, to significantly increase your individual success rate and reduce the need to work with multiple ones at the same time?
    – Dukeling
    Aug 28 at 21:43











  • @Dukeling That comment would be better posted as an answer.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 29 at 15:49










  • @GOATNine Maybe, but answering doesn't really mix well with voting to close. It's also indirect and also seems rather logical, so it seems likely to not be a desirable option for some reason or another.
    – Dukeling
    Aug 29 at 15:58








3




3




Have you considered just sticking to one or a few freelancers who have proven they can solve your type of problems, to significantly increase your individual success rate and reduce the need to work with multiple ones at the same time?
– Dukeling
Aug 28 at 21:43





Have you considered just sticking to one or a few freelancers who have proven they can solve your type of problems, to significantly increase your individual success rate and reduce the need to work with multiple ones at the same time?
– Dukeling
Aug 28 at 21:43













@Dukeling That comment would be better posted as an answer.
– GOATNine
Aug 29 at 15:49




@Dukeling That comment would be better posted as an answer.
– GOATNine
Aug 29 at 15:49












@GOATNine Maybe, but answering doesn't really mix well with voting to close. It's also indirect and also seems rather logical, so it seems likely to not be a desirable option for some reason or another.
– Dukeling
Aug 29 at 15:58





@GOATNine Maybe, but answering doesn't really mix well with voting to close. It's also indirect and also seems rather logical, so it seems likely to not be a desirable option for some reason or another.
– Dukeling
Aug 29 at 15:58











2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote














What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers
got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that
their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore.
Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't
made out of gold either.



What would you do in my situation?




If you feel you must string along several freelancers, then simply specify in your task description that the first acceptable solution wins. Then you only pay one and the others lose.



Those websites are a race-to-the-bottom situation. And you have seen the side-effects of that situation - freelancers trying to "win" by holding your attention until they either solve the problem or give up, bots, incomplete solutions, etc.



If you want to pay the lowest amount possible then you have to live with those sorts of situations. Just make your goals and methods of determining the winner clear up front.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
    – Edwin Buck
    Aug 29 at 15:41

















up vote
5
down vote













How I do it is I put the job out and only take one freelancer. But I don't take them until they are sure they can do the job and they don't start work until I have confirmed they will be doing it and the details they'll be doing it under.



So until I confirm that rate, timeframe and payment method, I'm not employing him/her. If they don't solve my problem in the timeframe they agreed to, I don't pay them and I find someone else.



Once I find someone I like I tend to give any work that fits their skills to them.






share|improve this answer



























    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    6
    down vote














    What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers
    got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that
    their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore.
    Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't
    made out of gold either.



    What would you do in my situation?




    If you feel you must string along several freelancers, then simply specify in your task description that the first acceptable solution wins. Then you only pay one and the others lose.



    Those websites are a race-to-the-bottom situation. And you have seen the side-effects of that situation - freelancers trying to "win" by holding your attention until they either solve the problem or give up, bots, incomplete solutions, etc.



    If you want to pay the lowest amount possible then you have to live with those sorts of situations. Just make your goals and methods of determining the winner clear up front.






    share|improve this answer
















    • 1




      First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
      – Edwin Buck
      Aug 29 at 15:41














    up vote
    6
    down vote














    What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers
    got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that
    their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore.
    Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't
    made out of gold either.



    What would you do in my situation?




    If you feel you must string along several freelancers, then simply specify in your task description that the first acceptable solution wins. Then you only pay one and the others lose.



    Those websites are a race-to-the-bottom situation. And you have seen the side-effects of that situation - freelancers trying to "win" by holding your attention until they either solve the problem or give up, bots, incomplete solutions, etc.



    If you want to pay the lowest amount possible then you have to live with those sorts of situations. Just make your goals and methods of determining the winner clear up front.






    share|improve this answer
















    • 1




      First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
      – Edwin Buck
      Aug 29 at 15:41












    up vote
    6
    down vote










    up vote
    6
    down vote










    What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers
    got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that
    their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore.
    Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't
    made out of gold either.



    What would you do in my situation?




    If you feel you must string along several freelancers, then simply specify in your task description that the first acceptable solution wins. Then you only pay one and the others lose.



    Those websites are a race-to-the-bottom situation. And you have seen the side-effects of that situation - freelancers trying to "win" by holding your attention until they either solve the problem or give up, bots, incomplete solutions, etc.



    If you want to pay the lowest amount possible then you have to live with those sorts of situations. Just make your goals and methods of determining the winner clear up front.






    share|improve this answer













    What bothers me is that a situation could arise where two freelancers
    got it working at the same time so I have to tell one of them that
    their work has just been for nothing as I don't need it anymore.
    Paying both of them would be the easiest solution but my floor isn't
    made out of gold either.



    What would you do in my situation?




    If you feel you must string along several freelancers, then simply specify in your task description that the first acceptable solution wins. Then you only pay one and the others lose.



    Those websites are a race-to-the-bottom situation. And you have seen the side-effects of that situation - freelancers trying to "win" by holding your attention until they either solve the problem or give up, bots, incomplete solutions, etc.



    If you want to pay the lowest amount possible then you have to live with those sorts of situations. Just make your goals and methods of determining the winner clear up front.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Aug 28 at 21:46









    Joe Strazzere

    225k107662933




    225k107662933







    • 1




      First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
      – Edwin Buck
      Aug 29 at 15:41












    • 1




      First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
      – Edwin Buck
      Aug 29 at 15:41







    1




    1




    First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
    – Edwin Buck
    Aug 29 at 15:41




    First acceptable solution sounds like a 1980's programming competition. The code that comes out of first-across-the-line development is pretty unmaintainable. Perhaps you've added in requirements to offset that; but, if you haven't, you're setting yourself up for future costs that could ecplise your budget, killing off new feature development.
    – Edwin Buck
    Aug 29 at 15:41












    up vote
    5
    down vote













    How I do it is I put the job out and only take one freelancer. But I don't take them until they are sure they can do the job and they don't start work until I have confirmed they will be doing it and the details they'll be doing it under.



    So until I confirm that rate, timeframe and payment method, I'm not employing him/her. If they don't solve my problem in the timeframe they agreed to, I don't pay them and I find someone else.



    Once I find someone I like I tend to give any work that fits their skills to them.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      5
      down vote













      How I do it is I put the job out and only take one freelancer. But I don't take them until they are sure they can do the job and they don't start work until I have confirmed they will be doing it and the details they'll be doing it under.



      So until I confirm that rate, timeframe and payment method, I'm not employing him/her. If they don't solve my problem in the timeframe they agreed to, I don't pay them and I find someone else.



      Once I find someone I like I tend to give any work that fits their skills to them.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        5
        down vote










        up vote
        5
        down vote









        How I do it is I put the job out and only take one freelancer. But I don't take them until they are sure they can do the job and they don't start work until I have confirmed they will be doing it and the details they'll be doing it under.



        So until I confirm that rate, timeframe and payment method, I'm not employing him/her. If they don't solve my problem in the timeframe they agreed to, I don't pay them and I find someone else.



        Once I find someone I like I tend to give any work that fits their skills to them.






        share|improve this answer












        How I do it is I put the job out and only take one freelancer. But I don't take them until they are sure they can do the job and they don't start work until I have confirmed they will be doing it and the details they'll be doing it under.



        So until I confirm that rate, timeframe and payment method, I'm not employing him/her. If they don't solve my problem in the timeframe they agreed to, I don't pay them and I find someone else.



        Once I find someone I like I tend to give any work that fits their skills to them.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Aug 28 at 21:45









        Kilisi

        96.6k53221380




        96.6k53221380












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