Tasks - rules being broken (again)
By jazzsue58
@jazzsue58 (2666)
August 21, 2009 9:29am CST
There is a writing task available today, that has left me seething.
The poster is offering 0.45 for "1 of 5" people to write on car buying. It's not the amount that's got my goat - even though 45c for 500 words is bad enough - but the fact they openly admit that, having written the articles, only 1 - maybe 2, at most - will be accepted by him! This means that, even if he gets 5 excellently written articles (the kind that would "pass muster" by Sharon Bucks)only 1 or 2 people will get paid - the rest will get their work rejected.
This isn't fair! The poster should have a "1 of 1" or "2 of 2" attachment to this task, and then repost it if those who accept the task don't, as he puts it, "come up to scratch."
I could do this task, but ... sorry, Louie, but at an unguaranteed 45c it just ain't worth my time or effort, mate.
4 people like this
5 responses
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 09
I avoid tasks like the plague and have only ever done 1 since they've been up here. Even the one I did do was only entertained because it involved a mylot friend and would help a family member of hers. I just don't have the time or the patience to muck around with tasks and the example you just shared only strengthens my dislike for them even further. 
I hope you reported it.
I hope you reported it.3 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
21 Aug 09
Did you report it Sue?
That is what the button is there for 
I will go and have a look if I can see which it is and do likewise.
That is NOT the spirit of a true task - ir is wasting people's time!
I will go and have a look if I can see which it is and do likewise.
That is NOT the spirit of a true task - ir is wasting people's time! 2 people like this
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
21 Aug 09
I didn't realise you could report tasks - will do!
The thing is, the poster has 4 figures of posts here, which suggests they should know better. They also put, on the task details, "Again, I shall be ..." which suggests they've pulled this stunt before.
If they're wondering why the submissions they're getting are of low quality - they could start by reading here.
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
21 Aug 09
Beside each task you will see the (!) report icon sothat tasks may be reported just like discussions etc..
I found the task and IMO it is extremely unfair!
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
21 Aug 09
An informative and fully original 500 word article for 45 cents? That would preclude me from even considering it right there. In regards to your concerns though, jazzysue, I would agree. In my opinion, if the task creator only needs one or two articles, regardless of the reward they are prepared to offer, then they should post that as the number of openings available. If neither of the articles received are suitable, offer the task again. It seems unfair to offer a task of this nature and state right upfront that it's more of a "contest" to see who "wins" rather than to genuinely reward the work completed.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
24 Aug 09
I like to do them too, anangf! Well, certain writing tasks anyway 
They definitely help me to increase my earnings and I'm really glad about that. Good luck to you! 
They definitely help me to increase my earnings and I'm really glad about that. Good luck to you! 
But the other writing tasks is good, i like to do from usual writing tasks maker
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
21 Aug 09
I do some of the tasks every now and then, and you are right, he should only have it as 1 of 1, or 2 of 2 and then re post as needed, it is not fair for all the others that respond and spend the time doing the research, and then the writing the 500 words doing a good job, and then getting rejected. Every one of the tasks done for Sharon Bucks either the 4 paragraphs, or the 500 words have been accepted so i know i could do a good job at writing, but like you if it is not guaranteed for payment if it is good. I will also pass on it.
2 people like this
@gaz2k9 (39)
•
21 Aug 09
I would expect nothing short of $3 - $5 for a well written 500 word article. $0.45 is an insult. I may be stating the obvious here, but I also see anothe rpotential issue. If 5 people submit an article that the task giver doesn't like whats to stop him/her just using the articles anyway?
Or at the very least rewriting them and in essence getting work for free. I think there should be tighter rules regarding article writing tasks to help protect both parties.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
21 Aug 09
That occurred to me as well. I did, recently, have an assignment of my own (outside MyLot) which I was tempted to "farm out" here, but I couldn't think of a way of doing it fairly, which wouldn't leave me broke!
1 person likes this
