Elance www.elance.com
Elance freelance site stole my money BUYERS AVOID THEM

Elance is supposed to be a site where companies can hire "professionals" over the internet. They claim to offer protection for buyers through an Escrow service. They also claim to have the largest collection of professionals to access.

3 strikes or LIES... They're out.

I registered on the site to locate a freelance provider to do a web project.

The first time I posted the job I received no qualified candidates at all. So then I paid an extra fee to list it in their "sponsored" category.

I awarded the job to one of their providers. It was for $2,000 and they wanted 10% upfront. Okay. I send $200 over and they disappear. No answers to anything for a week and a half. Took TWO WEEKS before Elance even responded to me reporting it. They never answer their phone and never return messages. When they finally respond they tell me there is nothing they can do and to use their Escrow service in the future because it offers protection. They didn't even do anything to the provider who stole my money. He's still out there.

Okay $200 lesson learned. I awarded the same project to my second choice. That bid was for $1800. This time I put it in Elance escrow.

The whole project is supposed to be done in 2 weeks. I get no updates, no information or replies from the provider for 17 days. Finally he sends me a little bit of work but it has nothing to do with the project I posted.

When I can finally get ahold of Elance they tell me I have to file a dispute to cancel the project and get my money back. I file the dispute and the guy never answers it (they are supposed to answer disputes in 3 days is what it says).

About another week goes by before I get a reply from Elance and they say I have to wait 15 days. So now it's been over a month, the provider won't answer any emails and my money is stuck in Elance escrow.

I contact Elance again and it's about another 4 days before they respond and they say I have to email them with a request for dispute assistance. What do they think I am trying to do? So I email them again!!!

Then they tell me they have to contact the provider and try and arrange a phone call. Another week and a half goes by and I email them again.

They tell me they can't give me my money back from Escrow. The provider hasn't even logged into Elance in over a month. They say they can't "take sides".

They are holding my money in an Escrow account that is supposed to protect buyers from fraud and guess what... IT DOESN'T!

This place is such a joke. Providers steal your money and Elance lets them get away with it. And if you use their Escrow then they keep your money. Elance has had my money for 2 and a half months and I still haven't been able to get it back!

Some of my partners have used other freelance sites and have never had this kind of problem.

If you are a buyer looking for a freelancer AVOID ELANCE AT ALL COSTS!!!

Company: Elance www.elance.com
Country: USA
State: California
City: Mountain View
Address: 510 Logue Ave
Phone: 6503167500

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