First of all I need to say that when and if a seller charges fees for services in which fair exchange is provided, I'm fine with it.
Also, if there are favorable reports to file on this company, let them be shown. I've found 3 here on Ripoff and I'm adding a 4th.
A friend advertised Guru to me and I've since cautioned him about the "gotchas" in the agreement, which freelancers only discover AFTER a bid has been accepted.
In setting up my profile I was never asked about membership fees or advised about fees. No law is broken as no law specifies anyone, including Guru. Must be up front about such matters.
I got a project approved via Guru only to find that when I went to set up payment that THEN they wanted 10% of the reward. I considered this outrageous and emailed them to that effect. Note, I can't and won't put the text of that here as I don't know if minors may be reading:)
This, combined with what I'd owe the IRS and State of Ohio, along with Escrow fees and the like, would have taken far too much of the funds.
I let them know in a hurry this was a rip off.
Beware, Guru.com does NOT provide you with informed consent. You MUST use their pay system or this CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE. Get that one! You MUST use their service. Or your account will be cancelled, should you be caught.
And here is another gotcha, if you don't believe it fully read the terms of using their pay serivce. They want fees even when and if you get further business from the client. They want this even if it was not bid via Guru!
When someone wants 10% of what I'm producing, I'm sorry. They either need to be the Government or be on my development team.
I'd be eager to hear, and welcome, any GOOD news as to Guru.com saving the day for someone, watching an employer's or freelancer's back. DO give a rebuttal to this report if such exist. I'll welcome it.
However, when charges and fees are not explained up front, I'm suspect as a result and NOT encouraged or comforted.
My advice is to write them and let them know you're not happy about such non-disclosure, about this total surprise as to terms of service.
Mike
Cincinnati, Ohio
U.S.A.
0 comments