Safe, ethical alternatives to TaskRabbit in Chicago
October 7, 2014 3:18 PM Subscribe
I really need to hire someone to do the kinds of things I used to hire TaskRabbits for, but ever since they changed their system I have had no luck actually connecting with anyone. I now have no more patience for TaskRabbit. I still need to hire someone, but I want to do it safely and ethically.
Specifically I need someone to help me physically get stuff into moving boxes after our organizing helper helps us sort through what we're bringing and donating. This is not a service she provides. I know, for a fact, from experience, as deeply as I know anything, that I need to schedule this person now or it will be me breaking my back the night before the movers and junk haulers arrive trying to get everything finished. (The movers will finish packing for us, but the stuff situation is so chaotic over here that I need to see clear progress happening on each of the 2 weekends left to stay sane.)
But this is also a general question for when I feel like I need help and want to pay but don't know how to get it.
For this particular task I called a moving company to see if they would just help me with packing over the next two weekends and they charge $6/box which seems outrageous. I just want to hire a nice college kid for $100 to spend about 4 hours here while we tell them what stuff goes in what box. I don't want anyone to do this for free and I don't want it to be someone I can't communicate with.
I know I can google for "alternatives to task rabbit", and I did, but I've never heard of any of these companies and I want to make sure the individual is getting a fair rate for their time and is also not some kind of criminal. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Or even individuals to recommend?
Specifically I need someone to help me physically get stuff into moving boxes after our organizing helper helps us sort through what we're bringing and donating. This is not a service she provides. I know, for a fact, from experience, as deeply as I know anything, that I need to schedule this person now or it will be me breaking my back the night before the movers and junk haulers arrive trying to get everything finished. (The movers will finish packing for us, but the stuff situation is so chaotic over here that I need to see clear progress happening on each of the 2 weekends left to stay sane.)
But this is also a general question for when I feel like I need help and want to pay but don't know how to get it.
For this particular task I called a moving company to see if they would just help me with packing over the next two weekends and they charge $6/box which seems outrageous. I just want to hire a nice college kid for $100 to spend about 4 hours here while we tell them what stuff goes in what box. I don't want anyone to do this for free and I don't want it to be someone I can't communicate with.
I know I can google for "alternatives to task rabbit", and I did, but I've never heard of any of these companies and I want to make sure the individual is getting a fair rate for their time and is also not some kind of criminal. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Or even individuals to recommend?
Would posting a request on Facebook work? Surely you must be connected to some available people in Chicago.
posted by michaelh at 3:44 PM on October 7, 2014
posted by michaelh at 3:44 PM on October 7, 2014
Response by poster: Would posting a request on Facebook work? Surely you must be connected to some available people in Chicago.
I thought so too but no. Chicago doesn't like me like that.
Hm, I will give Jobs a try though it didn't come through for me last time.
posted by bleep at 3:47 PM on October 7, 2014
I thought so too but no. Chicago doesn't like me like that.
Hm, I will give Jobs a try though it didn't come through for me last time.
posted by bleep at 3:47 PM on October 7, 2014
Maybe your organizing helper knows someone who could use the work? Or can you reach out to your network of acquaintances for a referral?
posted by zachlipton at 3:51 PM on October 7, 2014
posted by zachlipton at 3:51 PM on October 7, 2014
Best answer: What about going directly to the local colleges? Rather than a posting on a bulletin board, you could reach out to a specific student organization (at my university, I would have recommended the Volunteer Action Committee) and ask them for a recommendation of someone who is hardworking.
posted by China Grover at 4:04 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by China Grover at 4:04 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I work at a university (not your university) and if you contacted our alumni office (even if you were not an alum) we would either forward your name to some of our wonderful student workers or we would forward your name to the student employment office. So, yes, recommend that option.
posted by anastasiav at 4:58 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by anastasiav at 4:58 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: they charge $6/box which seems outrageous. I just want to hire a nice college kid for $100 for 4 hours
Are you sure your college kid will get more than 16 boxes done? Because if they do less than that then the movers would be cheaper.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 6:32 PM on October 7, 2014 [3 favorites]
Are you sure your college kid will get more than 16 boxes done? Because if they do less than that then the movers would be cheaper.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 6:32 PM on October 7, 2014 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Please check your mefi mail
posted by lunastellasol at 9:48 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by lunastellasol at 9:48 PM on October 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by samthemander at 3:39 PM on October 7, 2014 [3 favorites]