New Clearing Period and the Terms and Conditions
I am aware that PPH have introduced a change in the way in which freelancers are paid resulting in funds being unavailable for 14 days, after being paid by the buyer. I was also aware of an item in the Terms and Conditions stating that funds in a dormant account can be claimed by PPH so I decided to check the details. The terms and conditions document is not easy to find but eventually I did find it.
I would like to suggest that PPH either obey the terms and conditions and resume allowing freelancers access to their funds within 24 hours, or update the terms and conditions document to reflect current behaviour.
If PPH want to continue withholding funds for 14 days, can they clarify whether this is included in the 30 day dormancy period.
Here are the relevant paragraphs:
Funds
PPH IS NOT A BANK and only holds funds for the purposes of settling the provision of services and specific invoices of Freelancers. We strongly recommend that all users do not hold dormant balances on the platform. No user is permitted to hold a dormant balance on the platform for more than 30 days. PPH reserves the right to apply Admin Fees or write downs to dormant balances until they are withdrawn or become zeroed. Funds held by PPH on the platform are not insured nor covered by any Financial Services Compensation Scheme or any other government agency. PPH hold the funds in a separate client account.
Payments
PPH acts as an Agent of Payment between the Buyer and Freelancer. In return for full invoice payment by the Buyer for the project, PPH agrees to discharge the Buyers obligations relating to debts owed to the Freelancer under this agreement. PPH agrees to make such funds available to the Freelancer balance with 24 hours, subject to fraud an AML procedures. Freelancers are then able to withdraw those funds subject to the setting up of a valid withdrawal account. PPH takes its obligations to prevent fraud and money laundering seriously and reserves the right to delay payments to Freelancers if fraud or money laundering is suspected.All payments for work completed must go via PPH unless PPH has given its express written permission otherwise in relation to a specific payment or invoice; attempts to pay outside of PPH will lead to sanctions not limited to immediate account suspension. Users must immediately report to PPH any offers to pay outside of PPH made by their Buyer or Freelancer.
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Yuriy, I disagree with you. No money problem but they simply keep it as much as possible in their bank account and receive more interests. All the banks are paying interests so think about dozens of thousands pounds or dollars which people pay every day and, probably hundreds of thousands each month which will bring them a great extra amount. I'm very disappointed. In fact I will not take any small amount project till this will be restored to the normal 48 hours because waiting fo 30 or 40 pounds for 2 weeks has no sense for me. I'm not screwed but those ones which need small budget jobs.
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Hello all on this thread- I hope you don't mind but I have written an 'open letter' to PPH here, would love it if anyone could read and comment: https://support.peopleperhour.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4403556666001-An-Open-Letter-to-People-Per-Hour-Please-Comment-Below-on-Payments
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They are not interested. I left a review on Trustpilot and they are now trying their best to get it taken down. The review states only facts:
Quick to take client's money but slow to pay freelancers
PPH used to be a reasonable platform until they started messing with freelancer's payments. They are quick to take money, but really don't seem to want to pay it out. Their new payment policy effectively penalizes the smaller freelancers even, despite the fact that those are the ones that need cash flow the most.
From now on, I will not be using PPH. Instead, I will focus on Upwork which offers a much better experience and fairer policies for both buyers and freelancers.They have since been hounding me through Trustpilot for detailed information - do they not even read their own policies??!
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@ Meri
I completely agree with you regarding the damage to freelancers from fraudulent activities on the part of PPH. But unfortunately the hishniks are not interested in the victim's opinion.
I believe that they can only be compelled by someone outside the PHP system, such as MPs or the UK financial ombudsman https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk -
Looks like PPH is capitalizing during this of pandemic where a lot if people have switched to freelancing. I was happy to reach CERT5 but these new policies are just straight middle finger to all freelancers. Oh well, back to Upwork where it's not perfect but payment has always been on-point without BS about clearing and earning it legally nonsense.
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Did anyone ever get a satisfactory response from PPH on this? I've just come back to the platform after a few years away and have been shocked by how long it's taking to get my money after they already take extortionate fees?!
I'll be complaining/ escalating it as far as I can but it seems the only way is to not use the platform?
They say it's for added security, yet if you only earnt more money they could do the checks in as little as 3 days?!?! It makes absolutely no sense.
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Yes, I agree with Vincent - I wouldn't waste your time here. Not sure what skills you offer but you'll probably find a huge decrease in the number of quality jobs.
I do voiceover work and used to see at least 3-4 reasonable jobs every day. It's now barely 1 a week that i'd even consider.
There are other places that provide a far better all round service.
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@matthew nothing. They clearly don't give two hoots. Until they start losing clients because there are no decent freelancers left, only dross. I don't use PPH at all now and the only reason I keep the account active (for now) is in case any previous clients want to touch base with me.
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14Days is very long period and PPH must identified the people who is fraud? If any client send telegram then 100% fraud so just match it words and banned immediately. in upwork 60% job post are fraud and sending link to telegram or asking to pay by check etc . One week is holding is enough but 14days is almost 21days for receiving . that is too long . I think must discuss with their team member and make changes this happening. . Ticket response is 24hrs but it also goes for replying longer days. I am still not received any response.
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1. I agree that +2 weeks delay for the money withdrawal is a terrible abuse. This has a purpose, keep the money in a bank account for many days and receive more bank interest. This site owners seems to have an unlimited appetite to have more and more money. The site is charging 20% from the fee which is a lot but seems that they want more and more. It's a disgusting lack of morality from their part. No consideration for the freelancers hard work. That's why I stopped working here until this crap policy will be changed and return to the previous 48 horas withdrawal.
2. You are very wrong with Upwork. It's the best site at the moment and never, ever, since I was working there from many years ago (formerly o'Desk) I never knew about some fraud issue. Their payment system is strongly enforced and supervised. You should never take a job, anywhere, till your client make a deposit. I do not know why are you saying this because it's not true.
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I've been working on this site for 2018.
Waiting 14 days to receive small amounts of money while a big amount of money (2000$+) can be received in a few days is very illogical to me.
it should be the opposite if it is "CLEARING" Period, does it really take that much to verify few 20$ or 30$?
this is a joke apart from your heavy fees!
your customer support used to be the best support ever with online chat everywhere and quick response, now anyone is lucky if they even respond.
Im taking all my clients elsewhere.
14 days clearing period is very ridiculous , I would sue the company if i was in the UK.
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