So-called 'expert' rates
I'm assuming that the reason PPH introduced the concept of Entry, Intermediate and Expert levels was to offer buyers a way to flag their project according to the level of experience required and the rate of pay on offer. It's a great idea in principle. Sellers can search on the criteria that apply to them and spend their credits wisely, while buyers don't have to wade through proposals that span a broad spectrum of price, ability and experience. However, I'm finding that some buyers are advertising for expert freelancers with apparently no understanding of price expectations at this level - many offering derisory rates. Although irritating, this is OK when the budget is stated up front but it's irksome to spend time and credits applying for jobs only to discover the budget is entry level at best. I think some type of system is needed so that freelancers can flag postings they feel breach the guidelines with maybe sanctions in place for buyers who consistently ignore the experience level guidance.
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Official comment
Many thanks for your suggestion. I will pass it on to our product team.
Please let me know if I can help you with anything else.Comment actions -
I agree Diane, I have been asked to do a job for £120 on PPH, whereas had they come into my office, the job would take six months, not five days that PPH's constricted system uses and of course the price which would have fees of £4,500+VAT and Disbursements (Application fee's, Court fee's, advertisement fee's) of £1400.
The site was very good a few years ago, but the rigid system does not allow for professional service providers like Solicitors, Architects, Movie production Specialists etc I believe the system is now more suited to someone who wants to provide a letter writing service. They are really losing out on money with such a short sighted policy as the commissions worth hundreds compared to £5.00!
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Large jobs are supposed to be quoted for individually, not done as hourlies - there is not time limit I know of on jobs.
I think part of the problem is that buyers do not actually know what they should expect to pay. It is a difficult problem to solve because PPH deals with a wide range of skills and skill levels. Take a look at rates for software development (from £7/hour to a few hundred/hour) and the range of skills within that. Unless you know the business, how do you know what you should be paying?
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I agree that there will always be a wide range of rates in every category but the application of a little common sense would surely not go amiss. I don't think you need to know what the going rates are in a particular business sector. We've all employed plumbers or electricians or tutors or whatever. I'm thinking that entry level skills would fall into the sub-£15 per hour category, Intermediate £15-£25 and expert £25+. Obvs, there's the added complication of overseas freelancers for whom £10 is worth considerably more. But I've seen jobs posted here under the 'expert' banner offering rates of £3/hour. If this price is stated up front, at least it's possible to scroll past it but the issue for the freelancer is taking the time and spending credit applying for jobs where the rate is too low.
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