Hi, this maybe a long message but I want to convey what I really feel about this issue .. Its because first time I got ripped off in one recent contest where the buyer run off with our designs with us not getting paid even a single cent!
... I know we could have prevented it if we put some precautions/restrictions. Also I wasnt able to read this thread so I didnt know it has been happening to NP lately... Yes I admit I was too lazy to put watermark and check TR.. But like one guy said even if there's watermark our designs could easily be stolen and duplicated because the concept is already there...
So base on all feedbacks and suggestions, I believe the best way to protect the interest of the designers is for the contest starter to escrow funds first to NamePros before contest thread is posted. NP admin may charge a little percent for this additional task.. Say if a logo is worth $50 then if NP fees is 5% so that means the winner will receive $47.5 (this doesnt include paypal fees if payment is thru paypal). Not bad right?
you may react : If this is the case, not many will be encouraged to post contests.. My response : Well it just means that the contest starter doesnt have the capability to pay to winner/s in the first place.
you may react : What if the buyer doesnt like any of the designs.
My response : 2 options :
First NP can make it a policy if no design is chosen portion of the escrowed funds shall be deducted and remaining funds returned to the buyer. NP may decide to divide among the participants or donate it to charity. But the buyer wont have any right to use the designs
Second: The buyer can still request for more designs or changes to the designs base on his feedbacks until someone will be able to come up with the design that satisfies him. I believe this is very possible because I have tried this.
About the idea that contest starter can post contest base only on his/her trader ratings as suggested by some, this is good but this will be unfair for some NPers who has the capability to pay but has less than 10 TR (if the requirement is atleast 10 NP).
this is just a suggestion because we dont want scammers to take advantage of us again and again. Because with our present situation we cannot avoid participants esp, newbies not to put watermark on their designs unless if NP checks the posts from time to time. but this is very tedious task.
Implementing Funds Escrow is I think the best way.
you may say this is only good for professionals.. But dont we know many young designers are already earning with this method sites like scriptlance and rentacoder. Atleast there is no way they can be scammed unless if they work with the buyer offsite.
I know this has been suggested over and over again..but..
With this process it will make NP a very safe place to do business not only about domain names but also other areas like graphic designing. I hope the admin can think more on this possibility..
I appreciate your comments and further thoughts..
Pls vote here:
http://namepros.com/showthread.php?t=115015
