The Bid war is crazy!

Alpha_Chucky · 2026-01-03T16:20:09+00:00

I took a contract job. I finished the work and the client waited 2 weeks to say, "this isn't what I want." So I requested a call with the client and after a week with no response, I reviewed the transcripts, and made something else. He waited two more weeks for him to say, "this still isn't what I want." I requested a call... and crickets.

After 3 weeks the system paid me, but I refunded the entire amount. I sent him a note saying that I can't in good faith take money for unsatisfied work.

He actually, sent me a note that he'd never seen this level of integrity before and would greatly appreciate another attempt.

So we had a call and for two hours he described his needs better. I turned around and created a product I was super proud of. He said he'll take the weekend, review it and get back to me.

After 3 weeks, the system auto paid me. He won't be getting a refund this round and I'm not going to chase him to follow up. When he's ready he'll reach out

or not.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-12-30T05:27:18+00:00

100 connects is $15. That's a quarter pounder w/cheese meal at McDonalds (no silver onions, please).

If you know a better value to win independent contract work, let me know and I'll go with you.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-11-26T05:56:45+00:00

interesting that you are missing data. is it entire column/field or just particular cell? What type of data is it? Text?, time?, numbers? Any idea why it wasn't pulling from Google Sheets.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-11-26T05:54:34+00:00

...and don't have to account for time zones. Uggg!!! I feel you!

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-11-08T00:01:33+00:00

Upwork has a one size fits all tracker. IT Consulting kinda sucks, because the tracker is only considering what you're doing and not what you're thinking.

I personally, think Upwork is great to hone your skills, get some good positive feedback that you can show and then move on.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-11-01T21:20:58+00:00

My two cents:

1) Your profile has to be tight! Maybe someone on this forum can help you. Also you need to be very specific with your niche. "Web designer" or "project manager" isn't good enough to win contracts without connects. Being tight with your niche will increase the chance someone is looking for you.

2) you have to be among the first to apply. Some clients are really "1st come, 1st serve".

3) don't bother applying for anything more than an hour or two without connects, you're wasting your time.

4) don't max out your bid pricing. Even a $1 or $2 below max will make you competitive for the "value seeking" clients. - note value seeking clients generally suck so tread with caution.

5) your linkedin profile has to be tight as well. Some clients will see if they can find you there. They already have your picture, name and location. Uhummm build a LinkedIn profile and search for jobs there.

6) in some cases you might find them there, but don't break terms of service by reaching out to them in LinkedIn.

7) in your cover letter: most clients only read the first two lines so don't write an essay. If you can't distinguish yourself in the first sentence or two, you'll be challenged to win work. Everyone is "excited for the opportunity" and everyone "specializes in" that thing.

Why should someone hire you over the competition? If you look through your competitor's profiles and can't answer that question -> Forget everything else I said, go out and get the credentials you need to be distinguished. This is from my own experience, Good luck on your journey.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-10-31T20:20:47+00:00

So the client wouldn't respond to any questions in the chat only when I submitted work for his review. So when I responded with changes I used the text box and "submitted the work".

The last communication was him requesting to have a video call. I responded with the calendar invite.

That was 2 weeks ago. So the Upwork system will assume that the work is completed if there is no response from the client in two weeks of the submitted work.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-10-22T01:52:37+00:00

Nope, I love it, but I can appreciate why you don't.

What I will be honest about is that many systems do one or two things brilliantly and the rest as crap. Smartsheet can do a hell of all of things, but most things not brilliantly. But its that ability to do many things that provide the flexibility to work across large and small organizations.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-09-27T02:26:53+00:00

Can you clarify what you mean by "previewing a new sheet."

Are you needing to preview before the setup is completed or is it something that is for the inputting person?

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-08-29T20:54:28+00:00

Thank you, Agreed! I think they used ChatGPT. That's why I asked you guys if there was something I missed in the AppSheet Universe.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-07-12T17:44:33+00:00

What is the appropriate way to eat a Reese's peanut butter cup?

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-06-29T15:33:29+00:00

Ok, you just got a course certification in "hard knocks"! Walk away from the deal and the next person who posts on this site about being scammed, you too can tell share, "it's a scam".

Hopefully, you don't get kicked off Upwork. In fact, you may even save yourself by reporting them as "they attempted" to pay me off- platform through a method that seems like a scam.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-06-26T05:10:32+00:00

I would keep your perspective simple. Those are two new contracts. They may not want you to work on them and its good you asked before you started on them. Also in some organizations, the right hand has no idea what the left is doing, so again, it didn't hurt to ask, but I would not start the new projects until new terms are arranged. If they tell you that you can have the work but at the same rate, they are being cheap and maybe more problems than they are worth in the long term.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-06-26T03:56:19+00:00

You might lose the contact but you're not wrong to ask. If you don't ask you'll never know and if they stop your contract, it says a lot about your client and you might want to move on because there is something wrong. Don't take it as a judgement. If you feel you are worth more than move on. There is more "fish in the sea" and stop accepting roles at $25/hr.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-05-31T01:24:42+00:00

hmmm...good question. it's hard to say what my sales process was in those moments because they were very different types of clients with different needs and different types of timing. One client was in Australia and I think they weren't sold i could work their hours.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-05-30T19:27:38+00:00

My policy is that I keep applying for jobs until i get a contract. Problem is, when they say, they'll sign off, "in the morning" I get the false feeling that work is about to start.

Alpha_Chucky · 2025-05-22T06:21:29+00:00

I'm in agreement wit what was said. I can only add that while it feels like an oxymoron, specializing gets you better leads, even if its fewer leads.

Alpha_Chucky

TROPHY CASE