peopleperhour.com - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

lor · Guru

peopleperhour.com

kjmcculloch · Guru

Hi Lorraine,

I have used this in the past for both web design and bookkeeping jobs.

The key to remember it that they charge you fees on both the deposit you take and the final amount. So if you ask for the full amount as a deposit you pay once.

Good luck if you try it.

Kris

lor · Guru

Hi Kris,

I take it, it worked for you then? Thank you for your reply.

kjmcculloch · Guru

I've had a few out of it, and it worked to an extent. The first time I made £30 on a £50 job I think, the second time I learned how the fees worked.

I think it works as almost a loss leader for a longer term relationship, but for one off small jobs the fees are just too much.

Kris

lor · Guru

When you bid how much do you have to pay?

I don't quite fully understand how it works.

What I gather is you bid and pay a fee, then the person requesting help chooses the preferred bidder. Then what happens when you get paid?, I guess you are saying that you have to pay a % of your earnings.

kjmcculloch · Guru

Lorraine,

The way it works is you, as a freelancer, see an ad for a bookkeeper. You apply and fill in your details, why you're the best person for the job etc. Then you put your fee, and the deposit you require.

This bit doesn't cost, but you are limited with the free account to applying for 10 jobs per month, which is fine for bookkeeping really.

The next bit is where it costs, and I got caught out. The buyer accepts you, and gives you your deposit which you are charged a 10% commission, with a minimum of £15. Then you complete the job and the buyer pays the rest which you get charged more commission again at 10% with a minimum of £15.

So bid for a £50 job, and you'll generally pay £30 fees.

The way round it is to get all the money upfront, therefore pay 1 fee. But some buyers wont like this.

Like I said, it's a loss leader, nothing more. The only folk who get rich are peopleperhour.

Kris