Kelly Ritchie writer KD Ritchie I hired Kelly for a E-Book edit . I had a fixed price offer for 150.00 she accepted the job and i proceeded to send her the manuscript after about 10 days she said i could view a sample of her work. Next she said i had 3 hours of editing time left on my document which was 90 pages. She completed 7 and said she would need about $800.00 to finish. I tried tobe fair and gave her a 600.00 budget but next is the red flag part she wanted to be paid in advance even though the site she was offering her services on have a escrow arrangement to protect both parties. I recommended milestone payments to be escrowed but she said she did not work that way. So i lost 150.00 and got 7 unusable pages. My advice is do not be a victim and avoid using her writing or Ghost writing services. She has a website and apparently writes for someone. But had no problem asking for upfront money. Thanks Kelly Branson Missouri

Client: Troy Robertson

Site Found: Odesk.com

Date: Dec 29, 2014

Job Posting: Troy Robertson / E-Book Ghost writing and graphic design - 150.00

Job description:

Why I am Responding:

I am a 5 star reviewed freelancer on both Odesk.com and Elance.com. Within the past few years of freelancing, I have had wonderful experiences with nearly all of my clients. But on rare occasions dynamics between people do not work out, and in this case the situation became very unfortunate.

Odesk.com has sided with me regarding this case. No funds were returned, due to reading my messages with Troy. Still, he has left a 1 Star Review and chose to post my personal information online. This includes where I live, my personal phone number, and personal defamation on my character. Please use wise caution as this client at first was very friendly, but turned suddenly very antagonistic and has damaged my reputation - please see message stream below.

I notified Odesk of this situation to which they responded was 'unacceptable and horrible', but due to coporate policy can not take action to remove Troy Robertson from their client list because his actions were outside the Odesk 'world', so to speak. I did this to try and protect my peers from Troy Robertson and his inappropriate behavior.

The Proof of what Happened:

Rarther than come up with an account (which Troy Robertson did), I am posting below the exact messages copied directly from Odesk between Troy Robertson and I. I feel this is the best way to show what happened. Should any potential client of mine need to speak further regarding the situation, I encourage you to do so. This intial report filed by Troy Robertson has a skewed version of what happened, rather than what actually did. Any additional notes of clarification will be noted.

Troy Robertson and Kelly/KD Ritchie's Messaging:

Troy Robertson 12/29/2014 Thanks Kelly, I emailed it also to you so just reply that you got it. Thanks Troy

Me 12/29/2014 Hello Troy,  I got it.  Thank you!

Troy Robertson 12/30/2014 Hey Kelly I think I will just use the odesk forum your messages come thru clearly.  I tried to clean up some and I added another chapter I thought it might make it easier to divide up that way.      Revised book Entrepreneur born or made.docx (2628KB) 

Me 12/30/2014 Hello Troy,  That works for me! Thank you for updating. Can I start reviewing this version?  Thanks, Kelly

Troy Robertson 12/30/2014 Yes at your own risk. I hope its not a jumbled mess and don't even think about the chapters being in order. I started out with a chronological story but it quickly turned into something else. Thanks for your reply I patiently await the verdict.

Troy Robertson 12/30/2014 Sorry Kelly I sent the wrong one this one should have more of the corrections. So here is the latest revision for you.      Revised book Entrepreneur born or made.docx (2629KB) 

Me 12/31/2014 Okay great, thank you!

Me 12/31/2014 Hello Troy,  When you have the time, can we schedule a time to talk with my thoughts?  Thank you so much, Kelly

Troy Robertson 12/31/2014 I am available just let me know when is good for you.  I am anxious to start. We will be around so let me know.

Me 12/31/2014 Great, just give me a call! Troy Robertson Jan 02 Hey Kelly, I don't want to take advantage but I wrote some more stuff if you can give me your opinion if any of it belongs. Maybe just a quick read no editing.      Revised book Entrepreneur born or made.docx (2650KB) 

Me Jan 03 Hello Troy,  I can do that! I'll have all my feedback to you by Monday.  Thanks, Kelly

(Troy Robertson and I had a Skype call in which I explained about Hourly vs. Fixed Price Contracts earlier. During this call, he made it clear, as he does below, that he knew the work was based on my hourly work.

I did not choose to include all of the calls and messaging as part of this price point, but instead determined by the hours I had already been tracking on my own - in hindsight, I would only use hourly work with this client, as he did not seem to understand the job was not by the amont of pages but the TIME to FIX the ebook.)

Troy Robertson Jan 05 Hey Kelly, I am still not in a rush but just wanted to check in with you and see how its going and hear the prognosis. Also would love your input on the best way to get it noticed and how to promote it. Thanks Troy

Me Jan 06 Hello Troy,  I wanted to send you this link last night, but my Open Office was being VERY fussy and so was Google Doc in wanting to accept the document, but I figured things out. I think the best way to not have tech issues is what I did - set up a Google document that you can review, peek at, and leave any comments you feel are needed.

Let me know if you need in help in this area, as I can guide you through it on a quick chat if needed.  I just send a link to Google Docs so you can see what I am doing - and feel free to let me know if you like the beginning, and another section. I actually think it would be good to know if I am on the right track before I a lot more! But I think it keeps your essence while smoothing out the story... I would like to finish my hours tonight so just feel free to let me know what you think.  Thanks, Kelly Ritchie

Troy Robertson Jan 06 I could not open but I opened a new email so send the invite there and I will attempt again. XXXXXXX@yahoo.com (blocked to be respectful of privacy) Troy Robertson Jan 06 I think, I made a few small changes and those 3 chapters at end that I had not added to the chapter section.  I am technology challenged so I get frustrated easily.  So will you be able to do all of the edits within the budget and the publishing will be extra or are you still evaluating?

Me Jan 06 Hello Troy,  I'm glad it looks okay! I want to make sure you end up loving it. What I did was take the average time for the section I've done, multiplied by the hourly and word count. I think I can work through the entire ebook, and format it professionally as an Ebook for a total of 800.00.  It is about 40 hours of work (40,000 words at about 45 min per 1000 words and 3 hour ebook conversion) editing and ebook, and since it would be combined work I lowered it a bit since it is all together.  Do you think will be okay for you?  Thanks, Kelly Ritchie

Troy Robertson Jan 06 No I thought you mentioned you could edit most of it for the 150.00 and the e-book conversion and cover would be extra. So what can be done for what I have paid? Thanks,Troy

Me Jan 06 Hello Troy,  Oh I am sorry for the misunderstanding... what I went over is I would see how far I could edit for that amount. That is why I Skyped and asked if you were open to more of a budget because of knowing it would take more cost. I am going to do editing tonight for another 3 hours or so, and message you when I am done.  Thank you, Kelly

Troy Robertson Jan 06 Thanks Kelly, There is no misunderstanding you said you would have a better feel for the total once you started. We both knew there would be additional costs. (My emphasis, showing that he did understand, alter, and change content. His idea of what was happening seemed to change. He has  I just was thinking you could do most of the edit but I did add some content.  Do you think you could deliver everything for $400.00?  The proper format and cover design ? Thanks

Troy Robertson  My wife has been averaging 45k followers with her blog where she does reviews and has had a few 100k unique views on her website so she will promote it when completed. She has also written a 60k word count that will only need formatting? maybe we can get a total cost for that also.

Me Jan 06 Hmmm... I think that 600.00 would be maybe the lowest I could do for that. It really will take me a lot of time, and if I go any lower I will be doing an hourly amount that I could make up elsewhere. I hope this might work, even broken up a little more in payments, because I would like to help and work on this book all the way through.

And I love making book covers, so it is always fun to ghostwrite and create one with a clear vision.  My fingers can only go so fast - I'll drink espresso and work really hard! But, that is probably what I could do. For your wife, would it be editing or just converting it into an ebook?  Thank you! Kelly

(Client is still initiating an interest to work with me, knowing that my fees are not for an entire ebook to be done at the rate he wanted, but for the TIME needed for the work. The behavior becomes more confusing after this conversation...)

Troy Robertson Jan 06 That sounds fair. (Troy Robertson understands and agrees with me - which is very confusing. After this, he talks about wanting work done without payments first - this is stated in my Odesk policy that I do NOT do this). I don't mind doing in payments but I want to be able have the book in final form and completed before paying the last 200.00 if that works for you.  Then when I have the final completed book would it be in a form that could be submitted to Amazon and kindle?  What would be the completion date?  All I ask is try and keep the overall flavor of my experiences while cleaning it up and allow me final approval. I want this to be a great experience.   Thanks Troy 

Me Jan 06 Hello Troy,  Yes, I think we can do that. We can trust one another and make this great. I would like to have this completed by 1/13/14, and the last payment with full rights to the work given over to you at that date. Does that work for you too? I was hoping on doing a lot of work on it this week.  The great thing is that you can edit as much as you like within that Google Document! It is so user friendly for collaborations.

Other than awkward money talk (but that's life right?), I think the rest of the experience we will have will be super fun. I'm working on the book between messaging you now, and I really like combing through things and polishing it up. Great eBook to get to read and absorb!  Thanks, Kelly

Troy Robertson Jan 06 That is fine. (Again, client agrees with me and later admits to not understanding the system and that he wants a long work relationship? Very confused about backlash, and this is why working with client should be done with caution). And it will be in final form for Amazon and Kindle I will just need to submit ? or is it not that easy. Never feel awkward asking to get paid it is not uncomfortable for me but this is a new arena for me. I am always used to very direct communication with nothing being ambiguous. 

Thanks and as I mentioned I am seeking a long term relationship. Also the pictures and the layout of everything looking unique is important to me if that's even possible. I know I went way overboard in the Draft but I would like for what I feel were the important lessons to somehow stand apart to really emphasize them. While being attractive.

Troy Robertson Jan 06 Thanks Troy

Me Jan 06 Hello Troy,  It will be ready for Amazon/Kindle. You will just be able to upload, really simple. Glad it isn't odd for you! And I am very glad for long term dynamic. The pictures will be there and the layout, but it will not have red-text as Kindle only uses basic font, black color... but we would add the pictures back in once converting to Kindle format.

Does that make sense? So in the Google Doc, no pics, but later they will be back in!  All the headers or bold sections will remain, and you can see them there still, just in a different font type. Also, did your wife need an ebook or an ebook with editing?  Thank you, Kelly

Me Jan 06 Also - you can check out the document from the beginning until the point where I did the end edit!  Enjoy and happy reading. (At this point, I had already edited the book up to about half of my hourly time allotment). 

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Thanks, Tina I think will just need conversion.

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Hey Kelly, I think I am going to make your job much easier. I did not realize how personal writing this would become and for better or for worse I want my words. So just spend your time correcting the grammar and connecting the ideas but leave the words in tact unless I have made a grave mistake. I don't mind your adding things to make it more comprehensible. Thanks Troy

(Client now changes their mind on what they want. This is the BIGGEST issue. The end 'product' was done according to what we agreed to, but now his change in mind would mean that I somehow needed to start over without pay for his change of needs.)

Me Jan 07 Okay, that works for me! I will get started whenever you are ready (hint of awkward payment reference for freelancer).

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Thanks, So first what is the cost to convert to e-book for Amazon and Kindle? 

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Kelly, So you have completed about 10 pages is that correct? And this is the total of the 150.00 that I paid upfront?  I will make the next equal 1/3 when final edit is finished next payment following that when cover is completed and final payment after delivery but of course I will escrow prior. Also prior to each payment I want the paid for document completion sent to me in a word file.  And like you mentioned, With me owning all rights and content.  If this acceptable then this will be the contract amount totaling $600.00  Thanks Troy

Me Jan 07 Hello Troy,  I don't know if the structure is going to work well for me. Having the entire document not paid for until after it is edited is not something I am comfortable with. This is due to Odesk's payment system. If it were Elance, it would be different. However, I am basically working with no further pay until the document is done.  I work with payments upfront, and then work submitted.

Otherwise I am basically working for free... Escrow in Odesk guarantees nothing for a freelancer - you can browse the forums on the woes of this.  Also with the document, you can actually download the word file anytime you want right from the Google Docs.  I do want to work with you, but I can't go that far outside my policies and risk it. It comes to either trusting a freelancer, or having one who is willing to take the risk on themselves in Odesk...  Hope that makes sense, Kelly

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Hey Kelly i understand but you keep failing to answer my very specific questions. So you mentioned with the 3 hours i had left you would do more editing. So is the 10 pages all i will get for the 150.00 i paid in advance? 

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Kelly you said the 150.00 bought 5 hours of editing and you had 3 hours left so that is roughly 30.00 per hour which is not your posted rate. i suggest you return the last 3 hrs via odesk and we can part with no issues.

Troy Robertson Jan 07 " I am going to do editing tonight for another 3 hours or so, and message you when I am done." 1-6-2015  This was what you sent Kelly yesterday but I see nothing was done and paying in advance and not getting what I have paid for makes going forward really a bad decision. 

It would appear that even though you suggested making payments that at time of completion does not work for you because you will not complete. In no work [place do you get paid first and if you decide to do then get paid. If I have no response from you by tomorrow I will take further action. You officially have been fired! Thanks Troy

(These series of responses which all happened within minutes of one another show the escalting communication. I never even got to respond to a single message. His further action was contacting Odesk, who sided with my case. He 'fires me' without any input. This is all due to him trying to leave a paper trail to discredit me and backtrack after chagning his mind).

Me Jan 07 Hello Troy,  Actually, if you compare the current document attached to your original, it is VERY different. I have complied and done the job according to what was needed, your documented wish to change the goal of the work is not in my control nor fault.  The editing took up all of the time I described. You should consider hourly if you do not trust well reviewed freelancers as you can 'watch' the progress in time tracking.

I messaged you a lot last night, back and forth, which is all documented within this message stream.  As you are new to Odesk, let me elaborate. My agreement says : pay first because of the way Odesk structures their payment system with no funding guaranteed for freelancers at the end of the day, or hire me hourly which does guarantee. I am very clear on this in my terms, on Skype, and how we initially did the payment.  I always do the work I say, and that is why I have a lot of great reviews and often have wonderful clients that understand.

As I am already 'fired' - which is just a touch dramatic - I do not now what other actions you can take?  I would advise you to remember to treat people fairly, and know that I have not done anything 'wrong', but think there was a lack of understanding on what you think was happening.  Let us part in friendly ways, without any negative speak. It does not go over well for anyone to be less than professional.  Good luck in your project and endeavors, Kelly      TroysEbook.odt (674KB) 

Me Jan 07 P.S.  On the rate issue: Odesk takes a fee, so my take home was less than 150.00 - the fee is covered by the client. I really recommend hourly, which was my original suggestion so these issues are not there.

Troy Robertson Jan 07 Kelly, I just counted you edited 7 pages and after several emails and you saying you would do 3 more hours did no editing. You to date have ignored almost every specific question asked and remain as vague as your phone conversation. I feel fully ripped off and will follow up.

(Again, the client spins a story that this was quantity based versus hourly based. Editing was done, though I cannot legally post the Ebook to show the work).

Me Jan 07 Troy,  I use my own clock in app, and I did the work. Counting pages doesn't work, because the formatting changed, things were added and taken out. All this messaging alone has cost me a lot of time - over an hour so far.  I've answered all your questions, and the phone conversation was clear. It is obvious you are just trying to make a paper trail that makes me look like a bad freelancer.

All it will get you is bad karma, and a poor start as a client on Odesk.  You are not 'ripped off', but you are clearly not what I anticipated, or I would not have agreed to work with you either. By the way, any fees associated with attrition are highly costly and far beyond the money paid.

But proceed as you wish, with the consequences on you.  As of now, I do not wish to converse with you any longer as I only deal with reasonable people who are honest and see reality clearly. I can not continue speaking with you at this point until your tone changes. Should I get an email from Odesk, I will deal with them directly.

Ending Statement:

The messaging between the client, Skype, and filing this rebuttal has cost me over five hours, to date  - 2/12/2015. I do not know how far or elsewhere this client has tried to take actions against me. I have never seen any client do this, nor do I hope to ever again.

From what I can tell, this client did not do my wishes of parting with respect. He has left a horrid review on Odesk, Ripoff Report, and I am sure many clients are looking elsewhere due to my name now having a 'victimized' client next to it.

Should you find Troy Roberston as a client, please do not pursue him. The injury to a career you so passionately adore and strive to be respected within could cost you much more than you ever imagine.

Sincerly,

KD/Kelly Ritchie