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.
freelancing
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.
add a comment |Â
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.
freelancing
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
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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.
freelancing
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.
freelancing
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
add a comment |Â
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
add a comment |Â
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.
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
add a comment |Â
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.
add a comment |Â
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.
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
add a comment |Â
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.
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
add a comment |Â
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.
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.
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
add a comment |Â
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
add a comment |Â
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.
add a comment |Â
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.
add a comment |Â
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.
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.
answered Aug 28 at 21:45


Kilisi
96.6k53221380
96.6k53221380
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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