Freelancer.com Freelancer.com hosts shady contests Internet, Internet

Watch out for the contests on Freelancer.com

Recently this site started offering contests as well as normal freelance jobs, and to say the least I am highly disappointed with the results. They offer two types of contests, guaranteed and non guaranteed.

I don't normally enter contests, but this option seemed like a good idea for Freelancer.com since so many "jobs" on their site require you to do a mock in order to be considered (doesnt this make it a contest?). So I decided to enter a few so that I could follow them and see how they turn out. I entered three guaranteed logo design contests, here are the results-

Contest #1- $290 guaranteed prize, almost 400 entries, the contest closed almost a month ago. According to Freelancer.com the contest holder has 14 days to pick a winner, if they dont the prize money is distributed between all the entries. Not winner picked, no money distributed. Have an open ticket on this one waiting to hear back for 2 weeks now.

Contest#2- $690  guaranteed prize, over 300 entries. The contest closed and was on day 13 of the pending period when the contest suddenly wen live again. Opened a ticket, they responded that they were working on a solution with the contest holder. The next day the contest was deleted. Have an open ticket on this for a week now.

Contest #3 $29 guaranteed prize, over 1300 entries (this contest holder was very active which got lots of people revising logos). A winner was picked, but it was a last minute entry with the name of the company misspelled. It had not gone through any revisions like so many others had. You have to wonder who would pick a logo with a typo? They actually responded to my ticket quickly on this saying that it was being investigated, but they don't take these matters lightly and a due penalty will be given.

Anyone entering a contest at Freelancer.com is wasting there own time. The guarantee means absolutely nothing, they have zero respect for the people doing the work and will do nothing to uphold their own rules.