Is this a scam? - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008

These days our local craiglist has a typical post
The ad is

Admin. Assistant Needed

We need admin. assistants. Must be internet savvy and good in English. We pay $5 to $8 per hour depending on performance. You can work from home. Please email a brief resume.
Compensation: $5 - $8 per hour

I tried.
I applied and got the following response

Thank you for responding.

Here is the description of the job that you are required to do.
http://www.InternTask.com
The above site talks of an unpaid internship, but we are offering you the same work for $5-$8 per hour.

We can't guarantee exactly what we can pay you until we see your initial work. But our minimum rate is $5 per hour.

I look forward to work with you.

Thanks,
(Name of person : mostly diff as ad are many)

Is this a scam?
How should we find out?

Regards
Vinita

#2 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

I wouldn't even waste the time to find out if it's a scam or not, the rate of pay is insultingly low!

#3 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

Technically, I wouldn't classify it as a scam. If you Google the site owner's name, James Brausch, you will find several of his sites and blogs where he seems to be a self-anointed expert in a variety of things and wants to pass that knowledge on to others for a fee.

#4 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

Hmmm...

Scam or not - I would feel uncomfortable doing the work for them because I wouldn't know how much exactly I'd be paid until "after" I submit my work. Beside, the pay is way too low.

So, IMO, I'd skip that one.

#5 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

Thanks Julia,Jeanne and White Rose for commenting on issue, as in India many seem to be getting attracted as this pay is good enough for college levels (if the payment is really done at all).
regards
Vinita

#6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008

If he's looking for VAs specifically in India then I'd agree that the pay scale is relatively 'OK' considering location, economy, cost of living, etc. but I'd be hesitant to work with a company that won't commit to a specific rate of pay - as a service provider I would at least insist on that.

#7 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008

Yes Tess, And at this level of life I too really feel that no work is so humiliating if it is charged/ paid less, but it is certainly very very humiliating if one works and if one doesnot have guarantee of work but not of payments. Many such cheats are easily available in India, and I am sure they must be roaming in globe too. I tried this intern, this says first to post on craiglist, a fake job perhaps, and send the replies to them. I tried posting, but got no response yet from outsiders, perhaps VA in India are more aware of the work than me.
Regards
Vinita

#8 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008

Personally my feeling is that I set the rates - not the client. If they're looking for employees, sure, then they can choose to pay what they want. But if they're looking for service providers, no matter what country they're in, the service provider has the right to decide what they will be charging for the work to be done.

The fact that he's advertising, rather than actively contacting and seeking assistance is another indication of the employee vs service provider situation.

I don't respond to ads - I'm the one who places them and the work comes in, via the Yellow Pages, my website, Google Adwords and other mediums.

#9 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008

Kathie,

Thanks a lot for your valuable comment. I really loved it.

Every approach is right in its own suitable atmosphere. You are right because business culture and trends in your area are best suitable to your thinking process. I appriciate your thinking, and love to dream whether myself also would have thought in similar way.

An average Indian would love to do this job, if you ask me, even I would, if the payment is guaranteed. If we ask more, we might not get jobs here at all. I hope anyone who is known to India, will agree to this.

Also an expert in the similar field who belongs to any territory would not even look at the job if he is already getting more in regular.

So both streams of thoughts do go together.

Regards
Vinita

#10 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008

I was so excited that I finally got a response for VA work. After a few emails back and forth, I felt really suspicious. I googled his name, and OMG, the information I read about him made my hair stand up. I was being scamed. Here is his name, just in case others are contacted by him. Google his name and you will see what I mean.

Ben Mcmean

Back to hammering the pavement....ugh

Joy