Rentacoder Outsourcing Turns Ugly

I’ve been using rentacoder.com for several years now.  I discovered this website while I was actively developing domain names in college.  One thing I can say about rentacoder.com is it is either a hit or a miss.  Every now in then the miss turns into an ugly arbitration which is a complete waste of time.

In this case the content writer I chose for the job was a BIG mistake.  I completely ignored the statistics and went with a person who only had one completed job listed within there profile.  In fact now that I think about it, they didn’t have any completed jobs listed under there profile.  As early as December 29th, 2009  a rating / comment was left for this new rentacoder.com content writer which stated the following:

(Arbitration/mediation result):
Textexpert (the seller) agreed in their Seller Contract to upload all deliverables to the site by the deadline or they would forfeit the project. textexpert did not do so. All funds in escrow were returned to JCRU OPS. (the buyer).  Rating – 3 (Poor)

Only if this comment had been left earlier.  Lets just say I gave the new guy a chance and I will be more cautious in doing this again.  The article which the content writer submitted had countless grammatical errors.  Here is the information that I listed in the summary of my bid request on the site:

The content will be based on a cosmetic product known as blush. You will need to write the content for a small website I am developing. Important keyterms will need to be utilized within the sections that you write. Here are a few examples of sample sections which will be included on the site:

Best Blush – Would need you to write a recommendation on the best blush currently offered on the market.

Blush Color – This segment will discuss how to pick the write color for one’s skin.

Blush Brush – Speaks for itself, will need to describe the importance of a brush when using blush. Different types of brushes available etc…

Blush Palette – Speaks for itself, will need to describe the importance of a palette when using blush. Different types of palettes available etc…

Powder Blush – Write a section dedicated to powder blush.

Cream Blush – Have a section written for cream / creme blush.

A total of 800 words will be needed for the entire article / content. It will need to be broken up into the sections I have listed for you above. It is important to note that this content will be used to help SEO a site which has been developed. Keyword terms which I have listed above will be important when writing each section.

In addition to this, here is the information that I posted under the other requirements section for my bid request:

The article / content should be delivered with no spell check errors. The article should not be used by the writer, unless I have consented for the writer to do so. All copyrights belong to Eight Motives, LLC and the select properties where the article will be published. The article should be provided in both html, txt and word format, with proper formatting. If any resources are quoted please sight these resources properly using the MLA handbook format.

Now why would the writer move forward with such a project if he is unable to following the guidelines.  The worst part about this is the money that I have budgeted for the content on the future blushes.org site is now in limbo, keeping me from moving forward with another content writer who can complete the job according to my specifications.  There is one positive note in this entire situation.  I decided to utilize another content writer for a seperate domain name and they completed the task that I assigned them with flying colors.

Guess where I am going after the arbitration for this project has been completed?  If you said the other content writer, you have definitely been paying close attention to what I have written so far.  The other content writer impressed me so much I might actually type a seperate entry about them in the future.  From what I could see they are actually a small company based out of India as opposed to an individual freelancer.  Here is a funny comment written by the content writer that I am currently in arbitration with on rentacoder:

Self mediation is acceptable for me if

1. the buyer pays me the amount in escrow.
2. The copyrights of the work will be transferred to the buyer.
3.I’ll pay the cancellations charges.

If the buyer is ok with these terms, please end the arbitration neutrally. Other wise I request the arbitrator to move officially.

In summary the seller wants to keep the payment which is currently in escrow (limbo) and give me the work which he has completed.  LOL!  He obviously didn’t see what I had written before that entry:

Hello Michele,

Please cancel the project. The coder has agreed to have the project canceled as well:

“If this is ok with the buyer, please go forward with the self arbitration and cancel the project.”

Thanks

I told our arbitrator to completely cancel the project, implying that the funds should be refunded to my rentacoder account for future use.  Anyhow this is just me venting, it’s always funny to me to see the lengths that people will go for a few bucks especially when they are completely in the wrong.  We’ll see how this turns out, normally rentacoder is able to see through any of the BS which is thrown at them by such a party.  Onwards!