An Open Letter to People Per Hour: Please Comment Below on Payments
Dear People Per Hour,
I wanted to let you know just how much havoc, chaos and panic you have caused in my life since you announced your decision to subject us to the new payment clearance process and times. If you are a freelancer reading this, please comment below so we can try to support each other and so that we can let PPH know what damage this is causing us and that we, as freelancers, are not only the lifeblood of the platform but also real people with real lives and families to support.
I am a freelancer, but I am also a single parent to two young children. We have all lived through a year and a half of the most disruptive time in any of our lives due to the pandemic. I am sure it hasn’t escaped PPH’s attention that freelancers have had a rough ride during this time. I am mainly referring to the UK here as that is where I am from, but I am sure these problems are global for freelancers. As freelancers, we did not enjoy the benefits of furlough, of the Job Retention Scheme and many of us were not eligible for government grants or benefits. As we start to move out of the pandemic, many of us are reeling from the effects and have now been served a huge blow by PPH-a platform that is supposed to support us as freelancers and make our lives easier-by making us wait up to 18 days to receive money we have earned and worked hard for.
I don’t know about other freelancers, but my family relies solely on the money I earn from PPH and we live from invoice payment to invoice payment. We don’t live beyond our means, there is only me earning money and I work very hard.
On Friday, I came to the realisation that due to the new payment clearing processes, we did not have enough food to last us the weekend, let alone 18 more days. My rent was due on Friday, and I have not been able to pay that. So, we are hungry and on top of that I am now really anxious about not paying my rent. I earnt enough money this month to pay my rent and buy us food and everything on top, but it is sitting in my PPH account, and I cannot access it. This morning, my son’s school had to arrange a delivery from our local food bank. I have never, ever had to ask for anything like this before, but we had no choice.
I have not heard anything from PPH that makes me understand why they are doing what they are doing. I simply do not believe that in the world of instant payments, high tech and on-demand services why they need to hang on to our money for 18 days. It just won’t work for me in the long term, but at the moment, I am wondering what we will do in four days’ time when the food runs out, when I can’t pay my internet bill leading me not being able to work at all and when the stress of this will just be too much to bear.
I hope people don’t think I am being overdramatic, for some freelancers this will just be a frustrating experience, but for some of us, this is having real life, damaging effects on our lives and the lives of the people we love- and I am sure I am not alone.
Please comment below and tell PPH how this is affecting your life if you can.
Yours Sincerely,
Meri Williams
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Was that on this thread that you got censored Mohamed? Was it an 'automatic' moderation do you think?
I think Simon mentioned earlier that the regulations may have something to do with Worldpay...and in that case why don't they just say it is because of a change in their suppliers' regulations?
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@Meri, Simon, Sam, ALL.
Yes, Meri. It's automated moderation, in a very crude way though.
And yes, Worldpay could be one reason but we are not sure. So, I guess someone - me - should send a message to Worldpay and ask about these regulations. No body did that. Let's see what they'd say.
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@Meri, ALL.
Worldpay.
This is "Contact Us" page on Worldpay:
https://www.fisglobal.com/en-gb/merchant-solutions-worldpay/get-in-contact
The relevant email address is: getinfo@fisglobal.com
Now, here is what I am going to do:
1. Write a succinct message to Worldpay asking for a clarification about any new fraud-investigation regulations.
2. I'll include "Clearing period" screenshot I used in my emails to different media outlets to show where I'm getting my information from.
3. I'll include a copy of your (@Meri) open letter (in .pdf format) attached to my message. I'll also include a link of our conversation here to show Worldpay how PPH's new payment policy is causing a lot of trouble.
Anything else you think missing before I write my message to Worldpay? (I'll send you a copy for your review before I hit SEND)
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@Meri, ALL.
This is the message I'll send to Worldpay at: getinfo@fisglobal.com]. Please let me know if anything else is needed and if you are aware of any other suppliers we should contact, so I send this very message to all:
Dear All,
Good day.I am a freelancer currently working at UK-based PeoplePerHour (PPH). For some unexpected reasons, PPH just informed, without notice, all freelancers about a new payment clearance policy shown below.
This new payment clearance policy has created unprecedented confusion and frustration and, as PPH remains silent about any clear explanation, all sorts of explanations are popping up, including an explanation raised by a freelancer about a possibility that your company may have required such payment clearance condition. As matters stand, a (very) uncomfortable atmosphere is dominating and, sadly enough, many freelancers, some are of industry's best, have already decided to move away from PPH. To give you an idea of how PPH's recent payment clearance policy is actually a snowballing issue, please have a look at a (very) long and extended conversation among freelancers at:Also attached is a copy of an open letter (included in above link) a freelancer, Ms. Meri Williams, has written and started our conversation about PPH's new payment clearance policy.I, as well as many freelancers at PPH, appreciate your immediate attention since PPH's new payment clearance policy is actually affecting livelihoods of so many.I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.PSYou are most welcome to ask for any additional information for verification and/r authentication purposes. I personally do not mind sharing any personal information you might require from me.Best Regards,Mohamed TantawyFreelancer @ PeoplePerHourCell: +201095372431Address: 350 1 B Al-Sudan Street, Ahmed Oraby JNC,
Mohandessin, Giza 12411
Egypt
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@ Meri, ALL.
This is the FINAL version of my message to Worldpay, for your reference, after a little bit editing.
Dear All,
Good day.I am a freelancer currently working at UK-based PeoplePerHour (PPH). For some unexplained reasons, PPH just informed, without notice, all freelancers about a new payment clearance policy shown below.
This new payment clearance policy has created unprecedented confusion and frustration and, as PPH remains silent about any clear explanation, all sorts of explanations are popping up, including an explanation raised by a freelancer about a possibility that your company may have required such payment clearance condition. As matters stand, a (very) uncomfortable atmosphere is dominating and, sadly enough, many freelancers, some are of industry's best, have already decided to move away from PPH. To give you an idea of how PPH's recent payment clearance policy is actually a snowballing issue, please have a look at a (very) long and extended conversation among freelancers at:Also attached is a copy of an open letter (also included in above link) a freelancer, Ms. Meri Williams, has written and started our conversation about PPH's new payment clearance policy.I, as well as many freelancers at PPH, appreciate your immediate attention since PPH's new payment clearance policy is actually affecting livelihoods of so many.I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.PSYou are most welcome to request any additional information for verification and/or authentication purposes. I personally do not mind sharing any personal information you might require from me.Best Regards,Mohamed TantawyFreelancer @ PeoplePerHourCell: +201095372431Address: 350 1 B Al-Sudan Street, Ahmed Oraby JNC,
Mohandessin, Giza 12411
Egypt
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i think the effect on the website is already evident the no of views have darned down by 50 %
The number of active jobs were around 1500 in design category at an average now they are at 805 jobs only with lots of fake jobs init already included
I dont know who is managing them but i as an outsider seeing this ship to be sunk very soon now unfortunately
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Only 23 news projects in Translation and Writing section the last 24 hours. So few!
I think PPH is killing itself with these new regulations, people are staying away, lots of projects with ridiculous expectations, rate and deadlines.
I for one am not accepting a project which might take me half a day to complete, only then having to wait nearly 3 weeks for it to be deposited in my bank account. I rely sympathise with people who rely on PPH as their main source of income. It used to be very handy being able to withdraw the money when project was finished and cleared. But now it is almost like a payment term of "21 days after date of invoice" kind of thing.
Oh btw my withdrawal which I started on the 5th July (9.30am) and was processed after 51.5hours, came in yesterday at 3pm - which was nearly 26 hours. So basically they have broken their own 'rules' twice here as they state 48 hours and 24 hours respectively.
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I could manage with the 3 week wait for payment on a half day project, if I was guaranteed to get it and I was actually paid for half a day. Most of the half day projects I see only pay for about 15 minutes of my time, and reading the description and submitting a proposal would take 20 minutes. Add to that the fact I might apply for 6 projects to get one and I'm 2 hours down before I've started.
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I am finding that it is really affecting my morale and motivation to complete projects. When you knew you would be paid within days- sometimes the same day- as finishing a project it would really spur you on. Now I have no motivation. Also, as sales are so slow I am back to the 14 days clearance time now.
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Vicky, I'd be seeking other ways of working with that client.
This is the first week ever that I've had no work at all. No enquiries, nothing. Plus, I have £900 sitting in PPH, which will be there for the next 10 days or so at least. It is demoralising, but we have to push on through otherwise August etc will be pretty grim income wise.
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PPH don't care at all, and therein lies the problem. However, you've got to look after your own interests first. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. The real issue will be in convincing new and potential clients to post on PPH. Existing ones know you and probably only want you personally to carry out their projects, so it's up to us to find the best way to keep them, and keep them happy.
I'm concerned about the negative reviews on sites like Trust Pilot, as there needs to be positivity for new clients to trust PPH in the first place. I need PPH too. I'm hoping and praying this lean spell passes. Some of it may be down to seasonal factors, but we've had July's before and they've been buzzing.
Anyway, take that project with open arms. Who knows what next week brings forth.
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@Nancy
You are completely right, and thanks for your support. It is good that we can all continue to support each other, even if PPH don't care.
I too am concerned about the negative reviews, as this certainly won't help encourage new clients. I remember a time when PPH were advertising on tv, and this really seemed to increase the number of projects available.
I hope work picks up for you again soon and that this is just a passing lean spell, perhaps as a result of the pandemic. -
Like most of you, I have seen a dramatic fall - currently, I have 4 offers purchased usually I have 10 ongoing and have the luxury of declining, but now I will be lucky to get one a day and very few asking. I think they have really lowered the marketing budget I don't believe they do much in the way of digital marketing but all the negativity is not great on review platforms. The major issue to me is the offer market is filled with foreign sellers copying TopCert sellers offers (mine is continually) or poor descriptions/english etc it makes it look unprofessional.
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@Adam
It is worrying. Most of my work comes from regulars or clients I have worked for in the past, so I no longer bother with offers, but even some of my regulars have gone quiet.
I know what you mean about unprofessional offers, and that's frustrating if they are copying TopCert sellers' offers. I'm not sure how PPH could moderate this. -
I think the issue is that they have let so many sellers join since covid that it has pretty much disrupted the marketplace through low fees and poor service. How many foreign sellers say they are expert logo designs and their portfolio is full of canva products or google imagery (I'm not a designer) ask for a logo on here and it was a horrific experience. Now that countries are coming out of lockdowns they are turning the back on these sites and full-time freelancers have really been penalised or paying the price.
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@Adam, Vicky, ALL.
Foreign! This makes me smile guys. I do not think PPH was initially designed for "locals." Plus, many clients are already foreign. Instead of saying "foreign," you can simply talk about "low quality freelancers" because "locals" could be low quality too. In any case, it's not, I think, a freelancer's fault that PPH are not doing their job right to monitor content on their own turf.
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@Adam. I see this from a different perspective because I can't use offers and I need a project to work with. The only new work I have had recently has come from direct messages from buyers who have searched the freelancer profiles. Some have said that they won't post projects because they immediately get swamped with low quality bids from people who have not read the description. They are too pushy, using poor English and some contact them directly if they can find their identity and some contact information. This has got be losing a lot of business.
What few projects I apply for are not being taken up. I think the buyers are walking away.
My worry is that PPH are still making money from the low quality work. They are not interested in growing the platform and building it into what it could be. Instead they sit back and allow the little jobs through. I see a lot jobs in the £10 region posted by buyers (Europeans often, not Asian) who have 80 or 150 projects behind them. What's going on? Is it another level of subcontracting?
I wonder if the new payment terms are to make it harder to withdraw smaller amounts and that would allow PPH to claim more money as inactive. Even if that isn't the only reason, it might be part of it. -
@Vicky, Simon, Nancy, Rachel, Adam, ALL.
PPH - at the least The Golden PPH you used to work for - is finished already, if you still wondering guys. You indulge in your wishful thinking and diplomacy and I'll assume Che Guevara's calm attitude as I spread the word about PPH. Let them start a new line of business. Once they get started, they'll have HUGE negativity around. I'm working on this for months, not even weeks. I'm an activist, you know.
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@simon that happened with me inundated with proposals outside of the platform so I never used it again for that reason. Likewise, I don't bid on projects partly because there aren't any and the ones that are listed (in my category) are fake, low budget or larger companies farming out work.
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What I get from the #Official Statement# is that they really don't care about the small fry.
"Clearing funds faster for high earning freelancers is a form of rewarding loyalty, essentially we can spend the extra time required to monitor for fraud more closely as it is more acceptable for us to take the hit when we have to cover the cost incurred by fraud. Thus we offer this higher level of service primarily to Freelancers that earn a lot of money from work done on our platform rather than people occasionally earning small amounts. "
I have been on here for 2 years, to me that is loyalty, but that doesn't count if you are not a high earner.
High level of service to the higher earners.... wow discrimination on a Tory level. The rich look after themselves and the poor can sod off.
That's it PPH, you no longer will earn a penny from me. I am leaving this portal and taking my clients with me.
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