Now, the vWorker only needed to get me 250 vendors out of a possible 423. There were certain criteria they had to meet in order to go on the list and a spreadsheet was assigned to handle the data into proper fields.
This is not to say that every vWorker is like this – but most new workers often have trouble conforming to the stringent rules. Albeit good rules which are in place to keep everyone focused and the projects flowing smoothly.
This particular vWorker that I hired was very new – this in fact was his first project.
After giving him all the details of the project, the spreadsheet and all my contact information should he get stuck or have a question – the vWorker started the project. Apparently though, he didn’t check his email as frequently as one would like and the project crept up to the ending date with no word from him after the project was assigned.
Upon questioning him about the project he finally responded:
“Sir, I am really very very very very very sorry because i did not respond you for many days, once again i am really very sorry, actually the reason of my absence and about to not fulfilling my promises is that, i was busy with my exams so that’s why i was not able to respond you about your work. It is my humble request to you to just give me 2 more days so then i will submit you your work, it is my request please sir please, i will be very thankful to you if you allow me to do this.”
I am looking forward for your reply.
Regards, NAME WITHELD
Now then, I gave him an additional two days as he had asked, believing that he was new and just didn’t get how things worked here – or that he at least did ask for an extension.
The two days had come and gone, and inevitably turned into 7 days – as a Buyer, this is not the thing to do – but when you are as busy as I am, often the small projects aren’t too much of a burden or a necessity to have completed on time… but I digress.
Hi, I have already done your work, i will submit you by tomorrow, only check up your work is remains that’z why
Regards, NAME WITHELD
…and again, the next day had come and gone without a word from this vWorker. Now as a knowledgeable buyer – I know when someone is blowing smoke. Its like this in every industry – but, this project was again, too small to worry about – I had bigger fish to fry.
He then contacted me a few days later after I asked if he wished to simply cancel the project:
Hi, I am going to submit your work to you in two hours time.
Nope – that didn’t happen either… it was 9 hours later… and of course the work was entirely incomplete.
As a Buyer – what would you do? First and foremost I documented the posts where he has stated he was 50% complete and also when he stated he would send the work. I then told him we should cancel becuase I knew if this went into full arbitration that he would receive a negative mark (-3) and this would really affect his ability to get work in the future.
But, the noob decided to post an arbitration against me… dumb move. He wound up losing the arbitration, and pretty quickly I might add. So, the escrow money was returned to me and I am on my way to find a new vWorker to work on this project.
So, long story short – as a Buyer – keep up on your project and whatever is committed to stay on target. If the vWorker states they will have the work completed by a certain time – you can either agree to it or find a new time or try to cancel altogether. It is best though to find a way to complete a project.
As a vWorker – if you are having trouble completing the project or simply cannot finish it – let the Buyer know straight away – one bad mark will carry with you the entire time on vWorker – its best to have a neutral comment rather than a negative. Just be open and honest.
