# Freelancer.com **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 18, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freelancer-com/554198 "2010-09-18T17:40:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreenHell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freelancer-com/554198/1 "2010-09-18T17:40:32Z")
Anyone ever work through this site? I just signed up and was wondering if anyone had any impressions, experiences or concerns. Also, what’s with the bidding system? I bid on a project offering to do it for a total of $200. The budget for the project was $30-$250. But, the client said he would only pay up to $30. 😕 Well, $30 for what? Per article? Per day? Milestone? :dubious: The FAQ didn’t have anything about that distinction. So, what say you teeming masses? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freelancer-com/554198/2 "2010-09-18T18:36:19Z")
I just took a quick look at the site and pulled up some freelance writing listings. The pay rate is absolutely ludicrous. I can’t imagine a professional working for that little. Unless you’re pretty desperate, I would avoid it. As an example, one listing was looking for someone to write 300-500 word articles for $2.00 to $2.50 each. It’s flat-out insulting. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freelancer-com/554198/3 "2010-09-18T19:01:00Z")
I’m wondering if it pulls out international work. Years ago I did some technical writing for a company and it paid decent, till they informed me they were moving it to India. The price went from 20¢ - 50¢ per word to 10¢ per page. At that point I stopped. The price may be enough to keep people in some countries interested. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freelancer-com/554198/4 "2010-09-18T19:05:40Z")
It must, **Mark**. Nobody could afford to work for the rates they’re quoting in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![GreenHell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freelancer-com/554198/5 "2010-09-18T21:51:32Z")
Most of the bids on the site are from overseas. Pakistan and India pop up a lot, I assume because of a good supply of English speakers. Yeah, I just signed up today and after looking at the bids (unless I am really missing something with how the bidding system works), I’m not seeing anything to lure me away from the shop I’m working with now. I just don’t like the feeling of being dependant on one site for work. On that note, any freelancers, former-freelancers or people knowledgable about it have any suggestions for finding work elsewhere?