You may remember this post from a company I did business with this past summer. I have been remiss in updating the full story, and for that I apologize. Let’s catch up, shall we?
On October 14th, almost two months after the project was completed, I received a payment from an unknown (to me) source. Not knowing from whom the payment originated or what it was for, I was concerned I had received it in error, so I emailed the source with an inquiry, and an offer to return the money (less the fees involved in the transaction.) In return, I received a very nice email from a new PIC (Person In Charge) saying that it was payment for the services rendered to this company, and the former PIC was no longer a PIC, and a sincere apology was offered for my inconvenience. I politely replied that these things happen, and I appreciated the payment. I further stated that I hoped we could continue a working relationship, but in the future I would require a deposit upon my services.
The PIC thanked me for my patience and understanding, and said they totally understood my position.
The End. Oh, wait…not The End.
In December I received another message from my financial institution, saying that the payment had been disputed, but since it was over the dispute period, no action had been taken. Confused, I emailed the originator of the dispute, asking what the problem was and how could I fix it?
Now, as if this whole thing wasn’t weird enough, it got weirder.
The originator of the dispute told me to return the money. That’s it. No other information. Now, I’m just a wee bit irritated because I have no idea what’s going on.
We swap a few emails, and this person was claiming that the payment was made out of their account without their knowledge or permission, and they wanted the money back, like NOW, because it was close to Christmas and they had to buy gifts. Um…
I forwarded the information I had regarding the payment and wished him good luck with his mission. I have no idea who this person was, or how someone could make a payment to me out of their account without their knowledge, and the whole thing smelled fishier than a three-day-old octopus washed up on the beach. This person (are you confused yet? Because I sure am) said this whole thing was a scam, and “we’ll get them”. We? Scam? All I know is I finally got paid TWO MONTHS LATE for services I rendered, so I haven’t been scammed. I think. I’m so confused.
I emailed the PIC I spoke with in October, and they told me it was a mistake, the dispute had been withdrawn, we’re all cool. I never did get an explanation of what was really going on, and at this point, I’m over it.
The End…oh, wait. Not The End.
Today, I received an email from someone I’ve never heard of demanding I take this original post down. That’s all the message said — “Please take this post down immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.” Um….
So, I emailed back and said hello, who are you and why would I delete it? It’s the truth.
Response? One line… “You got paid, hence it’s not true.”
I still have no idea who this person is. So, I emailed back and asked again.
It’s the head of accounting.
****
I just want to say, for the record, I did eventually get paid, although that part is wreathed in mystery, which is really not my problem and I don’t care. I am a reasonably nice person, and I try to conduct myself in a respectful and professional manner. What is really irritating me here is the total lack of professionalism and respect on this other end. I don’t think I’m out of line here. If you want to discuss a problem, I’m all ears. If you want to start demanding, like I’ve done something wrong, well, talk to the hand.
This is my blog. This is my experience. Period.
Beware. That’s all I’m saying.
21 Comments to “An Update on Writershire(dot)com”
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Wow. Just, wow.
Sounds like their left hand doesn’t know what their right hand is doing over there. And, you reported events, truthfully, as they occurred. The fact that you finally were paid, two months later, does not negate that you were telling the truth at the time of reporting it.
I mean, that’s like telling a creditor to take a “slow pay” ding off your credit report, because you did pay … two months later! OY
Yeah. I’m wowing a bit over here, too.
What a frustrating situation! I think it might be best not to reply to them anymore if they get in touch again.
They should understand once and for all that you were professional; they were not. End of.
And they’re not in any position to tell you what to do with your blog!
Umm. Unless they’re bent over with their bottoms out waiting for the kick.
Marisa Birns´s last blog ..The Woods
Oh, I’m done. That’s what delete buttons are for. It just really irritated me that they would tell me what to do with my own personal blog — and basically, call me a liar. I have all the emails of all this crap (I love Gmail) I could post, if I didn’t have much better things to do.
Hahaha — girl, you crack me up. *MUAH*
Wow, that’s incredible. Hey, I think I’ll go back to all my suppliers from last year and ask for my money back because I’ve got bills to pay…. Hard to believe one business could be so unprofessional and just plain stupid. Glad it was outside the time limit for disputing, can you imagine the trouble of getting your money back if it had been within the limit? Sheesh….
Maybe you should put a link on the original post to this post – “The saga of being paid – or was I?” LOL
Melinda | SuperWAHM´s last blog ..The 70% Principle: Why You Never Get Projects Off The Ground
I know Mel, right? It killed me when that guy said he had to buy Christmas presents…like, okay then. And I thought of the same thing about the dispute period. Oie.
Live and learn, right?
I have presents to buy too. Can you give me some money? Pretty please?
Ganesha´s last blog ..Encouraged recycling
Hah. Evidently, you’ll have to get in line
“That’s what the delete button is for.”
Nope. Any time there’s the possibility of contention, always archive your email.
In fact, if you want to be really ‘creative’, you could post them, after redacting the email addresses and other personal data.
I’m sure your readers would love to see what this shop is made of.
It sounds like a husband/wife owned small business. Good informative post about the hazards of freelance writing and I don’t think you should have been asked to take it down.
Madison Woods´s last blog ..My whining post: bad day at work
Thanks, Taer, I have everything saved. I politely emailed him back and said I would not take the post down, but I would write an update and inform everyone that I did get paid. I even sent him the link. I’m not sure this is what he was looking for. Heh.
Thank you, Madison. It’s up to us, as freelancers, to keep each other informed as to the sandtraps out there, and that’s what my main goal is. I have many wonderful clients, it just seems it’s the bad apples out there that makes this job so…wearing sometimes.
Hello there,
Unfortunately I may have a very similar tale to share re: my experience of working with Writershire. Just waiting (perhaps naively) for a response to an invoice reminder or any of my emails today before adding my thoughts. I have a similar gmail chain to the one you describe and the similarity of the pattern of events I’ve experienced is simply staggering.
I really appreciate your post and sincerely hope I won’t be in the position to have to add to it this weekend!
Kate
Thanks for your post! I got a cold email tonight with a rush assignment. Said they found me off a website I posted on ages ago, but have not kept updated for a number of reasons. As I was downloading their notes on the project a voice in my head said “google them now!” and I did. And I found this site. And a few other things that didnt gel to a reputable company. And why would they want to throw a big project out to someone they dont know without any sort of screening process.SO glad I found your post. Thanks for the warning. I am not convinced they are legit or not either, but it all sounds a bit too good to be true, so…
Steph
Well done Steph. Glad you have more sense than I clearly do! Am still waiting for payment. Others be warned. Will post when I get paid. Like Netta the author they caught me in a weak irrational moment too x x
I am so sorry you guys had to go through this. Live and learn, but it still sucks. Always, always Google first. And Kate, I am so in touch with you…it’s difficult out here, but if your gut is screaming, it’s a good idea to listen.
Please keep me updated, and if there’s anything I can do just let me know. Steph, you made some excellent points and I’m glad if I helped you out.
Good luck!
~Netta
netta´s last blog ..A Unasinous Decision – Friday Flash
Hey guys,
Still not been paid but I have been commissioned to write a few big articles about my tentative forays into freelance copywriting, where I will issue a warning based on our shared experiences.
I’ve offered WriterShire their right to reply but not a word and they’ve missed my deadlines! Shame I was so quick to leap when they put the pressure on for me to meet their eleventh-hour requests but then I’m a professional!
Enjoying the dialogue!
Best wishes,
Kate
Kate, if it was new material you wrote for them, since they have not paid you for it, it is still YOUR material and retain all rights. This means you can sell it elsewhere and try to recoup your time and effort.
If it is an editing job, I would say if you could find out who the original client is, maybe you can contact them. Again, if there’s anything I can do to help, just ask.
I’m very glad to hear of your new commission…good luck, and let me know when they go live
Best,
Netta
netta´s last blog ..A Unasinous Decision – Friday Flash
It was an editing assignment with a few paragraphs of ghost writing. I have advised Writershire that I am prepared to contact the client. I just didn’t want to get nasty but I’ve got all their details ready to go!
I guess I could withold my original paragraphs but they’d be a little silly out of context!!!
Am sure I will be keeping this thread going with further installments! Thanks for listening!
Kate
No problem, Kate, and good luck.
If they’ve missed your deadline, I’d say let it loose. I’d also inform them you will be spreading the word via social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Maybe that will shake them a bit. I know I’ll be spreading the word.
~N
netta´s last blog ..A Unasinous Decision – Friday Flash
Phew! am I glad I checked? they (Writershire.com) wrote to me two weeks back and I had it in the back-burner to be actioned later.
I must thank you guys for posting the warning.
Perhaps what caused me to check their credentials was the fact that they wanted to know how versatile I am from writing reports to copy to ‘you-name-it’.
Thanks again.
Good for you for checking, Jepps. I know sometimes things get really busy and I don’t always check, but that is not a habit I’m fostering. Google everybody, because you just never know.
It gives a bad name to the good clients out there, and that’s too bad. But forewarned is forearmed.
netta´s last blog ..Bits and Pieces and This and That – Jobs, Jobs, Jobs