I am a client who posted on Linkedin a request if somebody would be interested in designing a thesis cover for me. I had a few responses and decided to go with a person who offered me the following (after some discussion).
A concept within 24 hours, unlimited revisions and payment at the end before receiving the final files. We agreed I would determine whether to accept this offer based on the concept. I’m not tied to any agreement so far.
Now I learned that that person listed my request and all the requirements that I gave on a freelance website. Where everybody can submit a proposal and the winner receives the listed reward. The reward (payment) for the winning concept would be 1/10th of what I would pay him.
I am not sure what to make of this. I “hired” him based on his portfolio but he delegates my work to others without telling me. And the fact he only offers 1/10th of what he would earn, though this is for a concept and not the final work I suppose. And there is no formal agreement, we agreed I would accept his offer based on the concept he would give me. So I can still say no and he would’ve lost the money he paid the freelancer.
What am I to make of this situation?
Edit: I don’t mind work being delegated. But I do expect that person to have a network of professionals he/she works with. Asking random freelancers on a website to do the work is something I could have done myself.
Answer
This sounds exactly like the person you don’t want to work with.
A concept within 24 hours, unlimited revisions and payment at the end before receiving the final files.
Red flag already. That’s an incredibly small window, a promise of unlimited revisions for the final product is plain stupid, and no payment upfront are all signs that point to the person you’d potentially be working with being either a) not a designer or b) being a really cheap designer. Additionally, the lack of mention of a signed contract is another sign because contracts are vital. I’ve heard countless stories of designers (and developers) getting burned due to the lack of a contract.
Do you really trust a cheap or non-designer to make your brand’s identity?
Now I learned that that person listed my request and all the requirements that I gave on a freelance website. Where everybody can submit a proposal and the winner receives the listed reward. The reward (payment) for the winning concept would be 1/10th of what I would pay him.
These contests are terrible for designers (1, 2, 3). The person you’d potentially be working with likely knows this and is just trying to get quick money by being a middle man. Again, not a person I’d want to work with.
I “hired” him based on his portfolio
If I had to guess, their portfolio was created the same way – either hiring others to make it or just using other people’s work.
What am I to make of this situation?
But seriously, use someone else. You don’t want to work with this person or use the work that the contest brings most likely.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Rien , Answer Author : Zach Saucier