Unless an order is very simple, I don't see how online pricing can ever be accurate. Each project varies according to the subject area, complexity, and other factor. Unless the company's order form includes many option choices where the client can select what else is involve apart from just writing, it cannot possibly be accurate. However, for companies (like other users mentioned), that pay their writers very lower per page rates, the online price probably does generate a decent profit margin. The writers are the ones who suffer in most "online price" scenarios.

Spot on! Just because the student wrote the paper does not mean they can reuse it. Attempting to do so without permission from the professor is almost certain to yield a fail as the original paper is now in the school's database. You also risk the issue being on your permanent record. Best case outcome, you are allowed a complete rewrite with a penalty. When in doubt, leave it out!

The rate would depend on the work involved, but I would charge around $100 for 1000 words. I don't generally factor deadlines in UNLESS the customer needs the order quickly (24-48 hours). That rate could change depending on the subject area and other factors, but assuming it's a straightforward project that rate is close. Also, if the order is only 1000 words of writing but requires countless hours to research, the rate goes up. I've had clients say "but it's only 2 pages of writing" not realizing that I will have to spend several days researching a complex project, not to mention projects that require additional work outside of writing (i.e. Excel calculations, etc.).

Pre-written papers do have benefits when used correctly, with "correctly" being the operative word. Submitting a pre-written paper as your own is not just risky, it's dumb. Common sense says if a company sold a "used" paper to me, it sold it to another 50 students. It's in a database. Period. No way around it. If you're using a pre-written paper to garner information and to help with your own project, it can be helpful. As for companies that resell papers, I believe the majority do. I only know of a few that don't (which I won't name per forum policy). Further, most pre-written papers are fairly cheap, so it can be a good starting point if you're stuck.

Exactly. For instance, a psychology major is less likely to be motivated to finish a history essay. I know I hate the majority of the "fluff" and "prerequisite" courses. And don't even get me started on the required college math courses for all students. By the time a student enters college, the courses should be solely related to their major, which is where their passion lies. All the additions bog the student down, lead to burnout, and risk overall failure. I'm glad to be able to help fill that gap so my clients can focus on the areas where they will be applying efforts the rest of their adult/working life. For instance, I'd rather know that my doctor was learning the practice of medicine and understanding how to treat and health instead of writing papers. Just because a student writes a knock-out essay on a medical topic doesn't mean they will practice that area with the proficiency I want for my health care. The same applies to all career paths. ;)

It depends on the project, the customer's budget, the work involved, and the deadline. Each client is different, and each project is different. Repeat clients typically get better rates. I will also give a new client a small discount if possible. Overall, though, I don't have a set rate per se because of the potential variables involved in each order. I look at the order details and see what is involved, then I provide a price for the full project-- whether it's 1 page or 100. I do have a minimum, though, and won't go lower regardless of project length or deadline.

A quick turnaround isn't always cause for concern, but a crappy essay indicates to me that the writer wasn't qualified for your project. I write dozens of pages every day and churning out a high-quality 3-pager in an hour is generally easy for me. Still, I check and double check before sending to the client regardless of whether it was completed in less than an hour or 2 weeks. Which makes me think that @WriteReview hit the nail on the head in that the company most likely uses poor quality writers and nothing you did or could do with them would make a difference... other than demanding your money back and telling them to burn the garbage they produced. ;)

As @WriteReview said, money back guarantee and credit are totally different promises. If a project fell through for something other than poor writing and you plan to have future projects written, a credit may be fine. Otherwise, getting your money back is the best option. In terms of "satisfaction guaranteed," I have issues with that phrase. Some people are impossible to satisfy and nothing a writer does will ever please them. As such, there should be specifications that are clear on what constitutes satisfaction. Simply because you don't "like" something isn't grounds for a refund.

It depends on the company, but the majority will accept an excellent writer with less than a Masters. Having a Masters or PhD does not make one a great writer. I've seen writers with a PhD who were horrible writers, and I've seen writers with only an Associates knock a paper out of the ballpark. It depends on talent, quality, and how badly you want to write. From a customer's perspective, though, it's hard to convince a Masters student that a writer with a Bachelors can and will write Masters or PhD level papers. Still, it happens ALL the time.

The concept of playing nice with others seems to be disappearing. I do not understand the purpose of threatening on either side. If a client orders a project and the writer accepts payment for the project, the writer should give 110% of his/her efforts to produce the best quality project as possible--and deliver it on time or early. If a client orders 3 pages and see he/she only needs 2, they should either receive a refund for the extra page or at the very least a credit for another project. The academic writing business should not be as cut-throat as it's become. Sure, we don't live in "It's a Wonderful Life" land, but dang, people. What happened to doing the right thing?

It depends on the company. If you are given direct contact with your writer, then a company can be as good to work with as an indie writer. It also depends on the company's overall professionalism and customer service. Just because you may have contact with the writer doesn't mean the company is worth a hill of beans. Indie writers are sometimes more flexible, too, as they aren't answering to a company. Overall, though, to say one is better than the other isn't possible as it really depends on the company and/or the individual with whom you are working.

I'm sure many will see my reply as trying to color the issue gray instead of it being black and white. However, it isn't black and white. I don't see getting help with a paper as cheating in the same way that one would cheat on an exam (i.e. cheat notes in your pocket, etc.). Today's students have more on their academic plates than ever and the majority of students have jobs and families. The workloads given are often impossible to follow and certainly next to impossible to yield high grades. I know from personal experience and having put 3 out of 4 children through college. I helped my children with the essays but I made danged sure they were doing everything else and that they knew the subject material. Getting help when the waters are above your head isn't cheating; it's smart!

All companies that I am aware of have similar TOS noting papers are models and not to be submitted as one's own work. It's up to the customer to check out the company and its TOS before placing the order. If there's any confusion in how you can use the completed paper, ask beforehand. Companies will go to the ends of the earth to avoid chargebacks or refunds, so it's best to avoid getting into that type of situation by finding out what exactly you can expect and how you can use the paper ahead of time.

In response to grades, I am an excellent writer but I never guarantee a client will receive a specific grade. I'm sure everyone here who's completed college knows that one professor will grade differently from another. What would be an A with one might yield a B or C with another. It sucks, but it's the truth! What I do guarantee is that I will provide an excellent paper that follows ALL instructions and requirements provided by the client. I reiterate what the instructions are before beginning to allow the client the chance to clarify anything.

I know I can't always email back and forth a lot due to work constraints, but a courtesy email letting the customer know the project is in progress is something I always do. Then if they have questions or want to check in, it only takes a minute to reply and let them know the status. Most times, client simply wants to know we are still working on their order and that we are real people. Professionalism and kindness make a world of difference. When a client has no reply, they can only assume the writer is not working on the order. Waiting until the day it's due or the last minute to be in touch with the client is bad business.

Of course, there have been some instances where a client wanted to email more than I had time for. I kindly explain that I am working and that interruptions hinder my progress. Most often, the client understands and feels better that I replied.

I don't know what sparked the original post, but I can only assume the poster had a negative experience with an American writer, perhaps. I can't speak for others, but I don't discriminate based on where a student is located. Needing help and being willing to seek help is what matters. Not everyone is a strong writer while others have absolutely no time to handle all the assignments given due to other circumstances (i.e. family, work, illness). I am always happy to hear from students whether American or ESL. @WriteReview is on target when saying, "Just because he isn't capable of writing the paper doesn't mean he doesn't understand the class, it just means he is not capable of writing it himself."

I would also be interested in an update from the student. However, it's always important that students understand the company's TOS and use the work appropriately. It may also be that the student's past work has been significantly under par and the most recent submission was a clear difference. Even with edits, there are elements of the student's voice that remain. If the work was custom written and turned in as is, a report could spark a closer look. If they haven't noticed already, a closer look would likely result in the professor realizing it is not the student's work.

In response to the issue of the student's bank reversing the payment without their knowledge, I don't buy it. What I do suspect is that the student received the paper, turned it in, then decided he'd get his money back, too. If that is indeed the case, then he gets what he deserves.

Working for yourself can be rewarding in many ways, yes, but it's not heaven on earth by any means. We are responsible for everything from A to Z and then some. At the end of the day, there's no "end of the day." We can't simply clock out at 5pm and leave issues for the next person or even the next day. Resolving an issue right away is all on our shoulders and must be done quickly to retain a client and avoid negative feedback (i.e. posting in forums like this).

Sure, I love the flexibility of freelancing, but it's by far tougher than the traditional 9 to 5! I am the worker, the boss, the quality control person, the janitor, the mediator... the list is endless.

I also do not "specialize" in a given topic/subject area. Of course, there are somethings I prefer not to do. For example, I am proficient with accounting, but I hate math, so it depends on what the project involves as to whether I will accept the order. Many times, the client is also happy to provide the "math" and have me do the written analysis. So, whatever their needs, we can generally help in some way. :)

Exactly. Despite what some programs claim, ALL retain some if not all of the submitted document in their database. It's just too risky. The best course of ensuring your work is not plagiarized is to carefully cite everything that comes from a source and try to use your own words (avoid direct quotes when at all possible). Then, go back and check everything again to be sure you cited everything AND put the source in the reference list.

I've had clients ask me to rewrite papers that failed because of a high similarity percentage when a few simple checks and rechecks would have made all the difference. I know some writers who add sources last. I don't. I add as I use them so that I am less likely to forget anything. If I cite it, I add it to the reference list right then. I also make sure that when I cite, I do the full correct citation then. I don't add a placeholder citation and go back to add the year, page number, or whatever. Of course, that's my personal system, but it works for me!

It seems that content revisions are increasing becoming an issue, at least with what I've seen in these posts. I've had new clients ask about my refund policy and say "if I don't like it, will you refund?" Well, no. What one person likes another may not "like." To avoid this type of issue, I make sure I reiterate what I understand the instructions to be BEFORE the work begins. I get the client to reply via email (a record of their agreement and/or clarifications). Once the clarifications are out of the way, we then proceed. I'd rather take the extra time beforehand than to risk unclear info or them coming back and saying "that's not what I ordered."

As for doing research before payment is made, when I receive a project request, the first thing I do is search the available information on the given topic. This is only precursory research just to be sure the data is sufficient. I don't do in-depth research on anything (even for repeat customers) before payment is made. If they want to know about the research first (before proceeding with the order), they can pay a fee for my time. As someone who writes for a living, I cannot afford to spend hours on something that may or may not proceed. Payment, then work begins. After all, someone wouldn't tell a realtor, "Can I live in this house for a month to see if I will like it and then buy it?" Likewise, no, you can't get the work then pay for it. Sorry! ;)

If the work wasn't started (and it doesn't sound like it was), then you are entitled to a refund. That is just assuming you've told the full story here. If the writer spend a lot of time with you discussing the project (phone, emailing back and forth, his research, etc.), then he "may" be entitled to a "cancellation fee." It really depends on the writer and what all what done for you -- even if the actual writing had not started. If he did conduct research, then he could reasonable keep a portion of the fee you paid BUT he would also need to provide you with the research. Otherwise, you should receive a full refund.

That's my policy, but as I've said before, no two writers are exactly alike. We all have our preferences and terms. It's best to understand what is expected and what will be done by both the client and the writer before any money exchanges hands.

I would also be cautious when signing up with a third-party website like Upwork. Companies that charge freelancers to join or to access "premium job listings" often do not care about the qualifications or quality of work provided by freelancers. Their objective is to get freelancers to pay for access. The more freelancers, the more $$ for them. Then they take a percentage of your winning bids (upon completion). So, they're getting your monthly (or annual) fee PLUS a percentage of the work you do.

I get that some us these services to get started, but for me, I don't like the structure or rules of such services. If you're going to charge a monthly or annual fee, the writer should get to keep 100% of all money made. At the very least, it should be the writer's option to either pay a set monthly fee OR allow a percentage of their earnings to be retained but not both.

Regarding customer issues with these companies, 9.9 times out of 10, the freelancer will be on the losing end, so tread carefully!!

Exactly, and knowing whether the company intends to resell the paper would be my first concern. Just because you order custom writing does not mean that the rights to the work are transferred to you. Most require the client to reference the paper and note that the rights belong to the company, as @WriteReview explained. It really depends on the individual company's TOS, but the majority retain the rights after the sale. Others, retain the rights but agree not to exploit the rights for a period of time (i.e. a semester, 6 months, 1 year).

Your best best is to read the TOS carefully and ask questions if in doubt.

While there may be an average per page price among some companies and freelancers, the pricing is set by the respective company or writer. Sure, some companies may adjust pricing to be more competitive, but for the most part, it will depend on the company/writer you select and the work involved in your project.

When I price projects, I look at more than just the number of pages needed. I look at the information available, the complexity of the project, and other factors. Certainly, the scum companies play around with low pricing and higher pricing to give customers a feeling of "getting a good deal" or "if it costs more, it but be better quality." It really depends on the company, their quality, and their customer service as to whether the price they are asking is worth it.

Personally, I provide the best quality I can whether I'm working on an easy (average priced) or hard project (priced slightly higher). But these are just my preferences and policies... other writers will differ.

It sucks, for sure, to have someone do a chargeback for something you worked hard on, but most times it's best to let it be a lesson learned. While the student can be reported, it won't really solve anything. It could make it worse (the student retaliating online) and end up risking future clients. Right or wrong, the student has to live with what he/she did. Even if they don't have a conscious now, it will hit them one day. Just press forward and focus on continued success with other clients.

As a newbie to the company, the other posters are correct -- you simply have to do the time and work it will take to show the quality of your writing. For now, bid reasonably and accept anything you can do. Give it your all and don't miss a deadline.

I understand you want to make more money, but when starting out companies and customers look at the quality and work to get to know you. When you produce great work on time, you will get requests and build your clientele within the company. From experience, the writers who produce quality and are always on schedule often get moved to the top of the "selection/assignment" pool quicker. :)

Regarding pages: The original poster mentioned page but said nothing about spacing. Did he/she request double or single spacing. If single spacing, that explains a lot as less than 2 pages of single spaced text would be equivalent to around 3 pages of double spaced text. Also, it depends on the company's policy on words per page (275 or 300 words is common). If the customer ordered 900 words and received less than 890+, then I'd be concerned. I say 890+ because sometimes trying get the word count exactly on point means adding unnecessary words or removing important info.

It seems, though, that the main issue has more to do with quality than quantity, and that's an entirely different matter. I'd also be upset if my instructions were clear and the writer deviated. It appears that is exactly what happened here. Not having experience in a given topic is not a negative per se as we all research things that are new to us BUT, I check out the information available to see if it is sufficient for me to provide excellent work BEFORE I accept a project.

On the other side of the fence, I often get instructions that are not clear and the client simply cannot seem to explain it any clearer. Unless that was the case, the client has the right to ask for either a full rewrite or a refund.

I get the concept, but I'd recommend offering a discount for new clients versus offering free work. If you're dead set on giving away work, then maybe 1 page when ordering 3-5 pages or more. But flat out free?

@StudentAbroad and @FreelanceWriter hit the nail on the head.

In my experience, doing a few pages for a new client is the best way to earn their trust -- and repeat business. I understand they don't know me from Adam and they want to know they aren't flushing their money. I often offer a nominal discount for the first few pages (when plausible) to show my skills.

As for resume and writing samples, previous posts said what I feel, too: resumes can be easily fabricated and much of the info on a resume can't be accurately verified. On writing samples, I would never send a sample of something I've done in the past as that would breach the confidence of other clients. When I explain this, new/prospective clients understand as they don't want me sharing their completed projects, either. ;)

It takes time to build and cultivate a lucrative client pool but if one is willing to stay the course and to work on potential weaknesses (constructive criticism are our friends even though it stings sometimes), the end result is worth the effort.

Ditto the above.

When editing for Kenyan writers (yes, some who have written for their clients and hired me to edit), I've seen obvious ESL indicators when the writer's overall skills were not bad at all. I am an American writer and to write in a tone and style from another country is difficult for me, just as it is for an ESL writer to write accurate English. There is no way an instructor worth two cents won't pick up on it. If it wasn't called out, then the instructor didn't really check the work or they let it slide.

I rarely engage in phone discussions and when I do it's usually because the client is new. A lot of my business is referrals so they already know a little about me. There are some who still prefer to engage voice to voice before the order begins. I totally get it and work to accommodate during regular business hours. Once in a blue moon, I will have a client who constantly calls to discuss every little thing versus emailing (which I have to ask them to do anyway). I've been blunt before and told a client that I can chat with you or I can write -- their choice. Again, that has been rare. I find that most simply want initial reassure and once they get it, they have no qualms about letting me alone to work.

Reviews can sometimes be taken with a grain of salt. While good reviews can boost business sales, they should be honest. I'd rather read a review that illustrates how a company or its customer service handles an issue than to read a ton of "oh they're the best" reviews. I want to know the real deal. I want to know how they handle customer issues. After all, as freelancers (whether independent or working with a company) are human beings and believe it or not, we make mistakes. I'd rather know how the company remedies mistakes. To me, that says a lot about the company. ;)

PayPal is safe, yes. However, with any type of payment service, it's always good to know as much about the individual/company you are doing (considering doing) business with. Are they are verified user? Verified users have had to submit information to PayPal to verify their identity. The same would apply for writers with potential clients. Is the client a verified user? If not, then try to find out what you can BEFORE you start the work. Now, this is not to say that someone who is not verified is not legit, but you want to proceed with caution. And, bottom line, always (did I say ALWAYS?!) get payment first. If the client is leery about paying in full and there is time for splitting, you can offer to do the first few pages or half so they can see your quality. As a side note: I'd refrain from doing or providing the full project, even if half is paid. In these situations, which are rare, I get half upfront, complete the first half and send to the client, get payment for the second half, and complete and send.

Sadly, though, if you completed the full project before getting paid, it's most likely going to remain a loss.

Elance (also known as o-Desk) is now UpWork. I'm sure there are additional freelancers who've been added, but overall, the experience is likely to be similar to the former. I suppose, depending on what one needs, it may be worth trying. Reviewing some articles on the transition, Forbes published an article in 2015 about the change, stating that the "new" company now includes the ability for companies (buyers) to chat with freelancers. I don't have direct experience with Upwork (past or present) to know the pros and cons, but as a freelancer, I'd be cautious about platforms that seem overrun with users competing for the same projects. Further, if you are new to writing with little to no experience, it may be difficult to win bids. Again, I don't know first-hand, so this is only my modest opinion.

I've experienced this first-hand, and I agree with all you said @Smiley73. I can attest to the benefits from a personal perspective, as well. I raised four children, three of whom attended college. One was a single parent with a full-time job and full-time course load. When there are only 24 hours in a day and at least a few of those hours must be sleeping, that leaves very little time for the classes, the assignments, family-time, and an 8-hour work day. Sure, there are some students who simply do not want to do the work, but the majority are serious about their academic careers but are overwhelmed with everything they face on a daily basis.

I've had students tell me they don't want someone to do the work for them... that they need help getting started because they are exhausted!

I, for one, am proud to be able to help!

If I am understanding correctly, it sounds like the user hired someone to review his/her work and add 600 words and then turned in the additions as his/her own. The instructor obviously knew the changes were not the student's work. That is one reason many instructors assign simple writing assignments (maybe a short personal essay about yourself) when the class starts. This lets them know your writing style and level before you are assigned actual course writing.

Still, I'd also be interested to know the outcome.

While the initial post is old, for future reference should anyone else ask, see the posts by @Smiley73 and @WriteReview. I will add that the best model answers will come from your text and class notes. If you find a specific area of study difficult, consider a tutor or consult with your instructor. "Model answers" to exams (practice or not) do not exist. ;)

When using the search option, it yields a lot of results but not always what the user is searching for. This is especially true for outdated posts. So, kudos to everyone who tries to keep information in the threads current/relevant to today's students.

The first bit of advice is not to submit the paper as your own. Second, if you feel you need a starting point or guide for your paper, perhaps purchasing the paper as a reference tool would work. Still, it would depend on the cost. Based on what was asked, though, it seems that you are wanting validation for using someone else's work as your own.

In terms of free plagiarism tools, none that I am aware of accurately catch plagiarism. They may point out a few issues and flag common phrases or titles, but the level of checking needed only comes from the through one's respective university or purchasing a student account through Turnitin. Either way, if you find the essay is not flagged and you use it, you are still plagiarizing and putting yourself at risk of serious consequences when discovered. Further, as @WriteReview stated, these programs keep a copy of submissions in their database. So, just because something shows as original when you check it, the ext check will likely show unoriginal.

If you're having that much difficulty, it would be better to spend that money for tutoring or writing assistance. ;)