[pete123]

I have noticed that so many people have been let down or ripped off by freelancers of all sorts. Many of them aren't even based in the UK and operate with @yahoo or @hotmail e-mail addresses. They seldom have solid contact details and cannot be traced.

Their postings under the Business Services Area is contrary to Gumtree terms and conditions, but Gumtree can't cope with the high number of sham postings. What's worse is that these people do not pay tax, have no VAT number and operate as if they are legitimate businesses.

How to identify a freelancer:

1) Check contact details- if there is no company e-mail address- REPORT THEM
2) Make sure there is more than just a mobile number. Mobile numbers are hard to trace if things go wrong.
3) Make sure they are a registered company. If they are not- REPORT THEM. It is also against Gumtree policiy.
4) Make sure that they are UK based. Most shams operate abroad. REPORT THEM
5) If they have misadvertised a product- REPORT THEM TO TRADING STANDARDS.

HELP MAKE GUMTREE A CLEAN AND SAFE COMMUNITY![/list]

[richard_unwin123]

I really feel sorry for this web designer. I can see his ads in each and every category of Gumtree

I did check his website and his own site is ONLY 1 site in his years of career. Poor guy

I would suggest you not to SPAM Gumtree and get some life also some lessons how to design and get clienst rather than SPAMMING !!!

I think my opinion was honest if you think sincerely.

Your well wisher

[andysears]

Fistly I am a web designer advertising on Gumtree.

I would ask youself to check the facts before you start slagging every freelancer off.

Fact: Freelancers are allowed to post on Gumtree, the category is even called. 'computer / telecom / freelance'

Fact: I am UK based with address, email and shock horror my mobile number advertised. The reason for the mobile, so I can be reached no matter where I am.

Fact: I do pay tax? do you?

Fact: I am registered self employed as well as having a 9 to 5 job and paying PAYE, so pay tax twice.

Fact: No I don't have a VAT number, I do not need one unless I my turnover is greater than around £70,000 (sorry dont have the actual figure to hand)

Fact: I am a legitimate business.

So please be careful what you say, because it sounds you have had a bad experience but many have not.

one thing to note, you would not get top web / design agencies advertising on Gumtree. If you want to pay top whack for your website then go ahead there are enough of them about.

If you want tight budgets, low cost then all I can say, you get what you pay for... sometimes a little more.

regards

Andy Sears Web Design
http://www.sears-online.co.uk/

[christos]

here here - i agree with andysears.

some adverts are from people who couldn’t design anything let alone design a "shop window" for a real business.

However, some of the adverts are from real designers who can provide and excellent service for little cost.


CP - www.web-design-nottingham.com

[johnny_nemonic]

I also agree with Andy Sears

Pete 123 your way off the mark and you need to get some facts right !!!

- Many legimate business' operate with a Yahoo or Hotmail address

- If a freelancer only has a mobile number then its up to the client to do further checks to find out if this person is legitimate

- You not need to register a company so long as your registered self employed

- As Andy correctly states you do not need to be registered to pay vat if you only earn a certain amount per anum


The most important point you are missing is the reason why people choose to use freelancer's and that is to save money by using a budget service and Im sure people are well aware that there is a certain element of risk and this applies to any other business you use. If people did'nt use freelancer's from the Gumtree they would use the Yellow Pages and we would'nt have a Gumtree !!!!

[jbrannan]

I agree with you guys.

I am currently trying to get a clientel list for my data cleaning etc service. I am plymouth based etc but because its just me i use places like this to let people know i'm about (so to speak). Many times people are operating alone (as freelancers do) so a mobile is generally the best means of contact especially if your not always in the same place glued to a land line!!! I also work for a large company... but if i use official telephone numbers/email etc I could jepourdise my position.

[jbrannan]

That site is excellent. It is a shame there is not more work on it. But like I said it is an excellent site by the looks of it.