I am sure there are other indies here who, like myself, have received inquiries from these clients wanting help to correct the mess they received. Sadly, by then, they are nearly broke and can only afford the bare minimum to improve the crap they received.

The flip side, if you can afford to give them a little extra to show what you can do, you have likely gained a long-term repeat client. It's really sad, though, that there are so many companies that do charge higher rates for the crap their writers generate. I know I don't like spending my money on something that's not of equal value, and I don't expect my clients to want anything less, either. ;)

My experiences with companies is limited. I spend some time (less than a year over a decade ago) with a company that was notorious for withholding percentages for any little thing--whether founded or not. I've also worked for a company that seemed fair and paid quickly. However, I did notice that there were several times there would be orders for revisions that no one was wanting to take. Often times, the original writer's name would be mentioned in the order details, and I knew that writer was still writing for the company.

While no one wants to be "docked," there are times when it's appropriate, such as in repeated lateness. If a writer knows there will be no repercussion for being late (a day or more) every time, then why would they not take that extra time? In business, there has to be some regulation of deadlines, etc., but those that have abused writers for so long make it hard for the "good" companies to apply deductions for fear they will lose writers who have had those negative experiences. Now, plagiarism is another matter. If you plagiarize, you deserve to lose your gig. Period.

Exactly... a measure to everything. In commonly requested papers such as Martin Luther, etc. there's often nothing really "new" to contribute, but a little research will reveal some more recent criticism or coverage of the topic that can often be used to supplement and add to the material to make it more timely versus the same old review of the same old works. A decent academic writer can draw from memory AND apply current research to bring a fresh perspective to an old, overused subject.

My responses on the other issues are similar to that of @FreelanceWriter so I won't reiterate. However, I do have comments on:


I've experienced some clients do this exact thing to get a lower price. I've had a few request a project at the undergrad level when it was really Masters or PhD. Thankfully, that doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Then they are upset when I tell them it will cost more to have me revise the order. In the long run, trying to save a few bucks ends up costing more. It's best to give everything upfront and be honest about what they need. If the price exceeds their budget, they can always get fewer pages/words and work on the rest themselves. Sometimes getting the ball rolling helps them complete the rest.

Then, of course, there are those who omit what they call "minor" details on purpose hoping that will be enough to get a free revision. I don't fall for it. I am careful to follow all instructions from what is expected in the paper to the citation style, academic level, etc. I do make mistakes sometimes and correct those quickly at no cost. But for those trying to get some free work after they've received feedback, those tactics don't work on me. ;)

Exactly! Similar to the "I'm not satisified" is the "I'm not happy" complaint. No one is going to say, "By all means, let's refund your money." One things that concerns me when a customer says they are not happy but doesn't specify what is wrong is that they are simply trying to get their money back. AKA "I have the paper now and I want that large fee back, too."

As a customer, I would be clear on what I feel the writer or company didn't do or how they did not fulfill my instructions. However, before demanding a refund, if time permits, I would list what needs to be corrected and allow them the chance to make the corrections. Customers can be as unethical and companies, sometimes. It's important that writers--whether indies or those working for a company--learn how to spot those who may be future problems. If I see any red flags, I don't proceed with an order. It's better to pass on an order now than to risk a chargeback/dispute later.

This is exactly what some client have a hard time understanding, along with the inability for some to understand that they are not the only customer we have.

One of my pet peeves is to have a client fuss when I can't fit in their project since it's "only 4 pages" and "can be done in a few hours." While 4 pages can be done in a few hours (less in some cases), I have a steady schedule and it is often not possible to fit in even short orders. Of course, if I have time, I certainly try to accommodate, but most of the time, I need a few days to avoid having to rearrange projects already in progress.

I've heard of needing to verify one's identity by sending a copy of a driver's license, but to send the front and back of your bank card? No way! All a fraudster needs is your ID and bank card to go on a shopping spree and then some. I've definitely refrain from anything that is not a secure verification source. For example, employers in the traditional sense use third-party verification services that are legal and vetted. Even if you are working as a freelancer and are asked to complete a W9 or othe tax form, you still won't be asked to provide a picture ID.

Run, run, run!

Ditto and then some. I generally spend more time communicating with a new client because, like most in this forum, they are leery of using a new writer. I totally get that. I spend time helping them feel comfortable, knowing I am a real person who writes for a living. I am available via email anytime for all my clients, but the extend of communication after the relationship is established significantly changes. It's the same for most customers, too. They'll email a lot at first but once they're more comfortable and know they can rely on me, they relax and let me do the job I have been hired to do. :)

I'd pay more attention to how a company responds to negative reviews, but more over, I would call them and get them in a live chat. You can often tell more voice to voice and in a live chat as this gives them no time to tweak their responses. Other than that, @FreelanceWriter covered the rest: use the search function at the top of this page.

The other side of the spectrum is that even the closest friends in college (and life) don't share "everything." Some won't share their experience out of embarrassment or, as @FreelanceWriter said, to claim the credit for themselves. Some might have no problem sharing the service with a friend who may need help, too, BUT what if that friend becomes a foe? Do they really want to risk their "friend" knowing something that could hinder their degree? Even if they have already obtained the degree, it's still a risk as degrees have been revoked for similar issues.

If a writer is wanting to reach the university crowd in person, making in person visits to student halls, etc. is a way to go. A few will tell others, but the majority won't. You have to be proactive in finding clients. If you're looking to work for a company versus independently, you still have to be proactive but you also have to be very careful. I'd personally go the indie route but a newcomer may have to contract with a company to get a foot in the door.

I've taken a few short breaks mostly for family events (weddings, graduations, etc.), but I haven't taken a real vacation in about 10 years. Even those short breaks have been literally SHORT... I'm talking about driving there and back the same day or the next at most. I'd love a full week to unplug and relax but, like you said, if a customer needs us and no one trustworthy is available to step in, we have to do what we have to do. It's the job we chose. :)

Yes, there are many real writing sites, but you have to research and be informed. This forum is a good place to start and a simple search will yield information. However, you have to search. It's not going to come to you. Also, as @WriteReview said, click the banner above. There are some vetted sites listed, but that's not to say they will be a fit for you or you for them. Still, you have to check them out yourself to know.

I'd be careful when giving out information, even when submitting a resume. However, in response to the OP's question (re submitting a resume and it's been 2 weeks while the company stated they would reply within 24 hours), I would also be a little nervous. However, if 2 weeks has passed, you can safely assume they didn't select you. Since we have no way to know the quality of the information you sent, it may be that your writing style/quality wasn't a fit. However, I'd be more concerned that they said they'd let you know something in 24 hours and you didn't hear anything --even a reply to let you know you aren't a fit is better than silence.

I don't know anything about the company in question, but I'd like to know the outcome. Did they ever reply?

Registration means little when dealing with unscrupulous companies. Many unethical companies (those who knowing provide crap by crap writers) are registered and even more operate so many sister companies that it's impossible to keep up with them all. The best route for students seeking help is to not wait until the last minute where you feel forced to go with whichever company offers the best rate. Instead, take a little time and research companies and make an informed decision on which company (or indie writer, for that matter) will be best for you in terms of both money and quality. However, if you're looking for a company that has no negative feedback, you'll never find one. All businesses receive negative feedback from time to time. So, I would see how each company responds/responded to complaints and go from there. Either way, this industry involves some risks on both sides.

I would also be wary of a company that promises the moon on large rush orders. Perfection is not possible in such cases; in fact, the larger the order and the shorter the deadline, the more likely you will encounter the need for revision. Keep that in mind as well and avoid deeming a good company bad because their writer (or an indie writer) work his/her butt off for you and make a few errors.

Overall, there's so many variables in finding the right company or writer for your project/projects. Research. Be informed.

Sad, but true. As writers, we have to implement strong policies on what we will accept and make our terms clear. I know many students will not want to (or will flat out refuse) to give us references, but we have to protect ourselves. I can't afford to provide countless hours of work for a risky client. I've learned to see the warning signs and when I do, I either refuse the order or require they pay via Western Union. I can't afford chargebacks and don't know of any writer (indie or not) who can.

Many of the same writing companies also offer resume services and other writing related projects such as user studies (i.e. reporting on website functionality, making recommendations, etc.). There are many other types of writing gigs out there, but you have to look and be willing (and able) to diversify. And if you aren't sure if a company or writer offers a specific service, ask. You never know!

I don't feel bad about the work I do. Maybe that's partly because I know that many of the students I help truly want to write their own papers but just plain suck at putting ideas together. Many can orally discuss their ideas all day, but when it comes to writing about them, it's muddled gibberish. They are smart enough to seek help. I also know there are plenty of students who are just lazy and don't want to do the work. Do I still help them, yes, as long as I am treated kindly. I don't always know a client's personality until the project is well underway, but if I encounter a difficult client, their current project becomes the final project. Like many here in this forum, I work hard. I provide quality work, and I treat people fairly. I expect the same in return, or they can take a hike. What I won't do for any client or amount of money is take a class for a student. Helping with a paper here and there is one thing, but when you get into taking a class (logging in, posting discussions, etc.) that is not helping. That is flat out cheating. Now, some may say "well, the same clients you're helping are probably turning in your writing as their own." They may be, but I make my terms clear. What you do with the project after it's in your hands is your business, but if I do find out they turned it in, I don't work with them again.

The company's horrid writing on the company's website should have been enough of a warning for the OP to have never ordered to begin with. That's too little too late and there's nothing that can be done. The OP placed and proceeded with an order where the TOS is clear on refunds.

The objective to maintaining quality is to NOT push yourself beyond what would be a reasonable work load for you. Every writer's capabilities are different. Some research, read, and type faster than others, while some have to take more time to absorb material. Also, the more you research and write, the better and faster you get. I know some writers who sit and read articles from the first to the last word. I'm an extremely fast reader and I can scan an average size journal article in a few minutes to get the overall jist. I go back for additional and specific info as needed.

When I first started writing (over 20 years ago), I would do a couple of 2-3 page papers a day. Now, I do several average size papers a day while also working on larger projects that generally last a week or longer. I am sure there are some others here who can do more than me, while there are some who can do less. It's really dependent on the individual and what s/he is capable of doing, as well as what s/he prefers to do.

Yes, and from what I see, they didn't have to explain anything to the client. They could have had another writer complete the order without saying a word and the client would have been non the wiser. To me, that shows the company's integrity. I'd much rather deal with a company that may have some human-related issues on occasion than deal with one of the gazillion companies we typicality discuss here. You all know the ones. Those that promise the moon and beyond, all the while knowing their writers can't deliver anything of real quality!

Reselling old papers can bring in some easy income, sure, but the OP will want to set some terms/policies. If the OP's paper begins to circulate the same university (you know many won't change a danged thing in the paper), the client will be at risk (yes, of his/her own doing, granted), but the OP can be in deep water, too. The OP could have his/her degree revoked if it were discovered that he/she sold papers that led to obtaining that degree.

If reselling your own work, I'd be very careful and make the terms of use clear, all the while knowing that the majority will ignore the terms and submit the paper as their own.

@FreelanceWriter

Spot on. It may take a bit to build a clientele, but once you have a few clients, providing quality work and meeting schedules is the most important step to retaining those and gaining more.

While the OP didn't mention anything about issues, in response to @WriteReview:

If chargebacks were a frequent issue, I'd be looking at several things. 1) Has my quality declined? 2) Am I meeting promised deadlines? 3) What type of customer is average for me?

A writer can't be experiencing multiple issues with chargebacks from different customers without there being some culpability on the writer's part. If the writer is positive quality and timeliness has not declined, then he/she will want to revisit the types of customers he/she works with. Sadly, there are some customers who are considered high risk. Some expect a lot of work for very little cost and want unlimited free revisions.

The OP will want to revisit his/her policies and check that they are making those policies clear BEFORE the customer pays a dime. Also, pay close attention to warning signs or red flags and avoid taking an order that hint as being a possible future issue. I'd much rather pass on an order than have a chargeback later.

Seeing the statement come from a company rep is enough to know to ignore the post. A bit of advice: if you're going to post like you really need advice, doing it as a company rep is pretty dumb.


Seriously? The entire post is laughable. For the sake of argument, I'd stay away from both!

That, dear OP, is the truth!

I really depends on what the client is asking. If the "tweak" involve possible corrections (I do make mistakes sometimes), then I make those for free, of course. Overall, it depends on the feedback they've received and how much work is involved. However, with the majority of large projects, the clients generally ask about my revision policy when they receive my quote, and I am able to let them know upfront that feedback received after the project is complete is additional work and will include an additional fee. There's no way to let them know how much the fee will be until I see the feedback.

On occasion, I've had a client seem to be frustrated because I can't give a price on revisions beforehand, but I can't price something that doesn't yet exist. ;) There's really no way to even give a per page rate for possible revisions because many revisions involve tweaks here and there without actually requiring additional pages. I do try to be fair in pricing revisions, taking into consideration that the client has already spent a large amount with me. At the same time, I have to be fair to myself and the time it takes to complete revisions. It's really a case-by-case situation.

Uhm.... if I were a potential client, I would immediately decline. However, your post does illustrate exactly what NES writers are trying to convey here. Even the "best" ESL writer (which is not you, I'm sorry to say) will have traces of ESL in his/her writing. It cannot be avoided. You can follow the best examples of proper English writing, but you cannot remove the undertones of your native language. As a NES writer, I would not be able to write perfectly in another language, just as an ESL writer cannot write perfect English, regardless of how well they may actually "write." Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't keep learning (yes, take English writing classes and practice, practice, practice), but to be successful as an academic writer you must admit and accept that perfect English from an ESL writer is not possible (unless you hire an NES editor to edit projects before sending to clients) AND never be dishonest about your background.

It's wise not to put all your eggs in one basket. When you rely on one source of writing income (i.e. academic only), any downshift can have a big negative impact. Writers whose sole income is derived from writing (i.e. they write full time and do not work outside the home) tend to offer more than just academic writing services. If you don't, then you're putting yourself and your future in jeopardy. Sure, some may save during peak months to cover slow seasons, but that doesn't do anything for you long term. If you are wanting to build or save for the future, you will find that relying on savings during slow months only puts you in an endless cycle where nothing is really saved for the future (i.e. retirement planning, etc.).

I love this option for private clients. Of course, writers who contract through a company may not be able to do this, but it's a great idea. I imagine it does help when trying to explain complex issues the client may otherwise perceive as being a writer error, and yes, as you said, to help the customer understand areas he/she will have to explain later.


Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like you handled the unforeseen issue quickly and it worked out. You have years of experience, so you know how to handle most of what occurs (planned or not), but this is great info for new writers and even for possible clients to know how important it is for clients to give us ALL the details first. :) I really appreciate when clients state at the top of their instructions that their topic must be approved first. Most clients do this, but there are those who don't, so sometimes even the most prepared actions on our end do not mean there will never be issues, but it does help reduce the impact.

You're spot on. In addition, the illegitimate website owners (or their flunkies) seek out legit companies/writers (anyone they consider to be competition) and try to discredit them. That comes in many forms whether it's by posting false negative reviews (even negative posts in forums like this) or flagging legit ads online. A former colleague once told me that every time he placed an ad online, it would be flagged. At first he thought it was maybe the policies of a specific ad site so he tried others, but it would happen on ALL ad sites. It's sad that it's hard for the legit writers and companies to reach their target market because of these issues.

So am I. 2 years? I guess you have to give the OP credit for having a plethora of patience! After a 1-2 months (max) without a customer, I'd be scrapping my current methods and starting over. Apparently what's been done isn't working.

It'd be good to hear how things are going now. It's been, what, 5 years since the OP's last post. I wonder if they've finally gained customers or if they're surrounded in cobwebs... still waiting... patiently.

Interestingly, a decent number of professors (current and retired) also work as academic writers. I know a few who actively teach and write.

And something funny...
I was contracting with a company when I was still in college. I had a customer I helped through his entire course. That next semester, guess who my professor was. Yep! Of course, he didn't know my full name, but I knew his from the emails we had exchanged. Then when he listed his personal email in the syllabus, I knew for sure it was him. I never said a word. I didn't have a problem with it. It was apparent he was probably trying to teach full time and get his PhD all the while juggling family life. I'm glad that I (a lowly undergrad at the time) could help him with his PhD level work. And it seems I did help... he was a great teacher. LOL. ;)

That aside, sure, I knew his name, but when I contracted with that company, I signed an agreement to keep information confidential. I know not everyone gives a flip about promises, but I do.

For writers, the best tool for plagiarism checking is no tool at all. Googling section by section if you just feel the need to double check.

For students, the best tool is the tool required by (and usually a part of your blackboard) your respective university.

A paper should never be submitted using a free program or anything outside the university. There's several other threads discussing this exact same topic, so to a search for specifics. Also refer back to @Major's post above, which applies to every checker out there (free and paid alike).

Exactly, and the word "scam" is widely overused and most often misused. It's the misuse that leads students to think that any little issue or error means the company or writer is a scammer. Then they run to forums like this and post all about it, putting a writer or company's reputation on the line having never really taken the time to resolve the issue maturely.

When I was a contract writer, I saw messages where customers would receive their order and instead of contacting the writer/company to explain an issue to seek resolution, they'd simply email something like "this is crap, give my money back." Like we're supposed to just say, "Oh, my bad, your money is refunded." It doesn't work that way. Let me know what you think is wrong and we'll go from there. BUT... then you do have the few who are courteous (aka they were raised with manners)... those who thank you for your work, even if they have revision request. Those are the customers who make it easier to deal with the rudeness of the others.

There's no standard, per se, but there are ethical figures. In my opinion, any company that pays its writers a few dollars per page has no business being in the business. They're not helping students; they're scamming. They're not hiring writers; they're enslaving. At the end of the day, only you (the writer) can decide what you feel is a fair per page wage. If it on the low end and you can live with it, more power to you.

So, the OP goes through the trouble to write a long post without giving more detail and despite saying s/he will post the work, doesn't. If they didn't use it, as they claimed, they would have posted it here. The post and disappearance makes the entire claim seem fishy.


In my experience, while customers generally mean it as being helpful, sending all the sources, etc. can do just the opposite. When I am researching, my brain is churning. I know what I'm looking for and I can get to it quickly. When I have a list of things a customer found or compiled, I have to literally sort through them all to see what is relevant for what part of the project, and a gazillion other factors. It's often easier for the customer to give me the instructions and let me to the rest. Sometimes "help" is a hindrance.

Also, bringing in a writer for a part of a larger project where the customer has done work already can present its own set of obstacles. Not knowing more about the project or what the writer was tasked to do, it's hard to say if the OP is correct. More pointedly, without seeing what the OP claims is not worth the price of a Big Mac, is even more suspicious.

If the job specifically asks about writing, then it would be hard to get around it. If there's some leeway, you could list your previous role as an "academic consultant" noting that some of your duties included assisting with theses and dissertations. When you're working with grad students, it's a little easier to explain the role since there has to be mutual involvement from both parties (at least most of the time). In that sense, you are consulting and writing samples and editing as opposed to many other types of projects where there's not much (if any) customer involvement beyond them submitting the order, paying, and receiving the paper. ;)

Some pay via invoicing per project. Not many, but there are still a few who do. One that I worked with before I went solo paid within 24 hours of completion; the other was every 14 days (didn't like them or their policies, either). I don't have experience with any of the monthly payers.

Isn't it ironic, "DueNow" not paying its writers. Ha!

Humor aside, I hate when someone posts like this and never follows up.

What ever happened here. Did any of you ever receive your pay?

Who in their right mind would even consider providing over $10K worth of work for on a $900 deposit? Not me! You pay $900, you get $900 worth of work. The OP's post is the craziest and, frankly, most irresponsible, thing I've heard. And, in this forum, we'll all heard some doozies!

There are several companies that pay fast, meaning 24-48 hours, but the majority have a 2-week or monthly payout policy. Typically, the latter are also known for a high ratio of penalties being deducted from the writer's pay. However, I'd listen to @Smiley73 on this one: instead of looking for fast pay, look for a quality company. Likewise, a company should be leery of prospective writers seeking "fast" pay.

I have a good chair and my monitor (large) it set at eye level, but I still have shoulder and neck pain. I only use my laptop if I just have to work remotely (I hate laptops). For those who've sat all day working, you know what a numb-butt is, too! I tend to pull my legs up to sit Indian-style, so there's that. Legs go to sleep, shifting, re-shifting. Other than us getting up and moving around every so often versus sitting for countless hours on end, there's nothing that's going to solve our aches and pains.

I've had friends and family who work outside the home complain about their feet being tired and swollen and tell me "at least you don't have to stand all day." No, I don't, but I'm sure many of you can relate to swollen feet from sitting all day. At the end of the day, most any job we do will bring aches. It's up to us to find out what will help alleviate the pain so we can keep on keeping on.