I suspect users of these sites are fully aware what kind of a bad deal these websites are. If you are in a situation where you cannot be fully employed or start your own business, they seem like your best hope. These websites are exploitative because they can hold the livelihood of people on already shaky ground hostage. Since the clients on these websites know that the users may be somewhat desperate, they can drive prices down - it becomes a race to the bottom.
What can the OP do, short of creating publicity of Freelancer's behaviour? There does not seem to be any protections ensuring that the author gets paid. He'll be held to the 'terms of service' - which will always be in the client or Freelancer's favour - this is not enough.
They make me think of the rent seeking nature of the 'sharing economy' which just weakens the market and distorts it because it takes advantage of people who do not have an escape. Like if you're uncertain whether you're going to have a place to sleep or eat in the next month.
Comments
I suspect users of these sites are fully aware what kind of a bad deal these websites are. If you are in a situation where you cannot be fully employed or start your own business, they seem like your best hope. These websites are exploitative because they can hold the livelihood of people on already shaky ground hostage. Since the clients on these websites know that the users may be somewhat desperate, they can drive prices down - it becomes a race to the bottom.
What can the OP do, short of creating publicity of Freelancer's behaviour? There does not seem to be any protections ensuring that the author gets paid. He'll be held to the 'terms of service' - which will always be in the client or Freelancer's favour - this is not enough.
They make me think of the rent seeking nature of the 'sharing economy' which just weakens the market and distorts it because it takes advantage of people who do not have an escape. Like if you're uncertain whether you're going to have a place to sleep or eat in the next month.
http://tomslee.net/2013/08/why-the-sharing-economy-isnt.html