Returns and Support Replies

[dbvirago]

Was wondering what everyone's experience is with returned articles and how long it is taking recently to hear from support.

In November, I got a private request from an editor to write 4 articles on a particular topic with a quick turnaround. I wrote all 4 and submitted them. They were all accepted before the deadline on the request. The same editor then told me that another writer had backed out and could I write 4 more on the same subject within 24 hours. I wrote those as well, they were accepted. Note, I put 100% of my content in the long summary. All of the articles were accepted and payed for.

About a month later, I got 8 site emails stating all had been returned. No reason. Now my balance shows a negative balance. I emailed the editor I had worked with and asked what happened. No response after a couple of weeks, so I put in a contact to support with the same info.

After many years of writing here, this is the first time I have had any articles returned, much less 8 under such tightly controlled circumstances.

Any ideas, inspiration or suggestions?

[Lysis]

Ouch! Yeah, I got a massive return too about a year ago. Didn't know about it until I contacted support. Don't do work for that guy anymore!

FYI: Anyone who marks anything as a rush should be a big red flag for you. Rush jobs, 911 jobs, "need it in 24 hours," are all red flags. Avoid.

You won't get your money back, but I can tell you that they do check to make sure the work hasn't been used and it goes into the public pool. They try to find a buyer for you, and I can say that most (maybe all?) of the ones I've had returned have sold to another buyer.

[dbvirago]

Thanks. Hopefully, I'll hear from support. I have been checking the articles with copyscape myself also.

[Isabelnewth]

OH dear! I have just agreed to do four articles in exactly those circumstances! Direct request from CC, another writer dropped out etc. I hope it's not the same buyer! Aren't there any rules about buyers returning articles? Don't they have to have a reason? Isn't there a time limit? It seems crazy if a person can return your work at any point without giving a reason and then go on to do the same to other writers....

[dbvirago]

Well, I don't mind calling them out, since no one has bothered to get back to me. The customer was hello and the editor that never returned my email was Chris Reid - Web Content Specialist - Constant Content. Good luck

[Isabelnewth]

Thanks: the address is different, so fingers crossed it isn't the same person!
CC customer guidelines say

Do you have a return policy?
Yes, when you buy articles from us, you have five days to request a refund for your purchased website content. We consider these requests on a case-by-case basis. Please read the article excerpts carefully to make sure the website articles you are considering fit your needs.:


So CC is meant to consider the reasons for a return, implying there must actually be a reason. It's hard to understand how there could be a justification when 100% of the article is shown in the preview, and harder to understand why the return hasn't been explained.

[Lysis]

I can say that we've seen people have returns regardless of time frame. That was my scenario too. I think it really depends on the customer.

Also, Chris is a cool guy. I've worked with him before. If the customer is an issue, I'm sure he's on the job. I had an extremely difficult customer through him and he got me through it. Not my best CC experience but it wasn't his fault. I found him to be extremely responsive, so if you haven't heard from him, I'm thinking he's on vacation or out of the office.

[dbvirago]

Thanks for the info. It's been a month, but I'll try again.

[Constant]

Just spoke to Chris and he's emailed you to follow up on this.

[dbvirago]

Yes, I got his reply. Don't know what happened the first time, but I appreciate the followup. Still no reason given other than 'he didn't want the articles.' I will definitely keep that customer name on my black list for any future requests. That was a lot of work in a short amount of time, to be given no better reason than that.

[dbvirago]

Just did several searches using keywords, title words, etc. and it appears that none of these 8 articles have been placed back into the general pool. So not only was I not paid for the work, I can't sell them to someone else? I'll also contact Chris directly, but I need better support on this.