Getting Paid in Advance for Freelance work via Escrow service
June 28, 2019 9:44 AM   Subscribe

Is there an online payment platform like paypal or venmo that holds funds in "escrow" and doesn't have to be released until the job being paid for is complete?

I work as a freelancer. I've been doing my work for almost 20 years. Recently I've run into a bit more clients then usual that are simply taking way too long to pay me and every once in a while I'm getting stiffed. I would like to see if anyone has any recommendations for a platform that allows customers to make payment to me at the time of being hired but will simply hold the funds in "escrow" so that the client doesn't have to release the funds until the job is complete. So sort of like paypal or venmo but with the ability to put the money in "escrow". I believe this is a good compromise to getting payment upfront but still giving the customer some control if that makes sense. And then they can just click a release button to have the funds released. Any recommendations here would be great.
posted by ljs30 to Work & Money (2 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Someone who's going to stiff you isn't going to click the button; what about getting paid in installments?
posted by kate4914 at 10:08 AM on June 28, 2019 [1 favorite]


Upwork holds payments in escrow. They offer freelancers the ability to bring over their own clients and not have to pay upwork a commission on those accounts, but this may only be applicable in some circumstances. So look into it before signing up. Be aware that this may trigger your clients' interest in exploring working w other freelancers using this platform.
posted by cacao at 10:22 AM on June 28, 2019 [1 favorite]


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