katakatica

It does look fake for us who know how the site looks (I'm guessing the image is photoshopped) but the amount of new scams surfacing in a short period of time is honestly alarming. I'm guessing that Fiverr has started to crack down on some other recent ones so... they cooked up some new ideas...)

I'm not saying the system is right, because often it's not, but I'm trying to explain WHY the buyer has the upper hand here. As I've said before, someone managed to cancel an order from me the same way - they said they loved it in the chat and then they wrote a long list of why I was a crappy writer right after. I had delivered as promised (more, actually) but we were a bad fit and they clearly didn't know how to phrase that before. Who was at fault? Hard to say, BUT at leas there was tangible proof that I did what was needed IN the system. For some reason, Fiverr prefers to keep all deliverables on the ORDER page, so not even in the inbox. I do think this is a bit messy sometimes (with the two inboxes opening into each other and whatnot), but I can see them saying that they can only help if you have documentation of what you've done on the order page itself (this would be videos or photos of what you've done basically.) It's unfair perhaps, but it's just one way Fiverr can help filter out bad eggs (on all sides.) You can be an awesome person and wonderful at your job, but if you fail to show that (in Fiverr's eyes, even if that feels unfair) I really don't think thre's a lot they can do. (keeping the chat on platform is for other reasons too, not just this. That's a whole different issue.)

So... As someone also in the game industry (and with my circle of friends/etc also working in the industry) I understand where you're coming from. However, rules are rules, as silly as they might sound. Fiverr requires proof that each order is completed ESPECIALLY because of buyers like this. If you upload a quick video plus a screenshot or maybe even a small doc explaining what you did, you are protecting yourself against scammers. CS can't really go on the client's computer and check if things were fixed, right? The client surely won't send them their game and say 'see? It does run smoother but I'm still angry'. As annoying a this is, I'm quite sure that there is a prompt when delivering to post something in there (maybe you have been doing that, just the 'wrong' thing. Buyers can lie when they 'think they are getting what they want later' (someone cancelled an order with me saying that they were lying to me about liking the product...) While this is usually quite obviously, well, a lie, people-pleasing is common enough for CS to believe this. That combined with you likely leaving the delivery fields open (or just not supplying 'enough' proof (well, what Fiverr considers enough...) can easily cause enough of an issue. Do I think that you're in the wrong? Not really... but it's hard. When it comes to talking to CS, one advice I can give is to try and cool down before talking to them (or even posting online.) I KNOW it's hard, heck, I've ranted to CS, too, but it doesn't help. Calmly supplying facts and evidence - can - help. (though I've never been refunded an order even when I had ample proof that I carried out the writing I was asked to do..)

I don't think Fiverr realises that some people just.. don't care. They come on here, buy something and (in better cases) download it or in worse cases just... disappear. I really REALLY hate running after buyers constantly, but do it because I know Fiverr might penalise me if I don't. I can only imagine how someone who goes off for a week can feel when they see 6 (or more) "oh hey, by the way" messages from me. (I send updates. Then updates about updates. Updates about the delivery and then the time to review things expiring and so on.) I personally would feel pressured as a buyer (to react even if I don't like something or just didn't have time (which is why I try my best not to pressure them) but it's hard...

This is that one message that was sent out to everyone all over again (about our performances dropping.) I get it - bugs happen, especially when things are being updated, but... I don't know, it always makes me feel a bit off I guess? There are things that shouldn't happen, or if they do (and testers/users report it) the least that could happen is a 'whoops, sorry guys, we f-d up, update your apps and you'll be fine (or something.) I know that we probably do catch bugs faster as well but still.. (

If anything I'm glad I saw yours. I didn't see the date / etc first because I'm between games at an arcade so I honestly almost had a heartattack. 😅

Uh. (I'm outside. Browser still shows the same so I assume it's a bug (also exposed my meagre earnings lol) but uh...

I guess it is? To be honest I'm a little confused by how the grace period will function - was that this past month? I'm guessing so to some extent, which is why expected things to change (or start changing) today as well. We might just need to wait a bit longer.

I mean I guess people already outraged themselves? In a way, Fiverr probably was aware of the reaction they would get. Announcing it first and then switching gradually (or just suddenly without much fanfare) might actually be in their favour? (Or... it just hasn't happened yet.)

I'm secretly wondering if the update has already happened but because of the 30-day grace periods/etc. the differences aren't very obvious just yet? It looks the same on my side, but I'm not expecting any changes other than my rating changing a little bit. (but yes, if something big happens, I'd rather it happens before 5 so I can go out tonight in peace :D)

I think the tricky part is that Fiverr technically does warn us about screening links (I think) and files in the TOS and about communicating outside of the platform. It's clearly not enough but it's kind of there. However, when a scam like this runs this rampant (and they are able to use the site's name) it is kind of... a them issue as well. I feel like people are fooled easily partially because they expect to link their cards to the site - how else would we get paid? (I know bank accounts and card details are different but still...) In the end.. I just hope something is done about this because of not, it's going to further harm the people (and eventually the platform.)

I'm honestly amazed at how a line taken out of context in a conversation could (potentially) harm our accounts, but scammers are finding more and more ways to fool newcomers. The double standard scares me.

From what I've seen on here (I got one of these but would never scan it!) the scanned site pops up as Fiverr (with a small change to the URL). While it's noticeable to us, it can easily fool newcomers who haven't been around for long. That being said based on the screenshot the fake support chat they have does use very broken English (which... can be an indication of issues but again might not be picked up by some people.ĺ This is a particularly nasty scam and I really hope something will be done about it. As you said, as long as someone is able to pose as Fiverr (which the telegram scammers have tried as well) it's kind of a Fiverr issue.

What I fear is that Fiverr seems to be taking human error out of the calculation completely when rating sellers. CS being... close to useless in some cases makes it worse because we might be able to advocate for ourselves, but they don't really 'get' it. While I hope that once things die down CS will have less to work with and be able to solve issues more efficiently, I don't have super high hopes. AI doesn't account for mistakes from the buyers' side or even for sellers trying to fix things they didn't even break.

This is one of my biggest gripes lately with Fiverr. If you catch a good agent, they might be able to help, but 9/10 times they'll miss the mark when I write to them. Usually, they'll get it after me clarifying what's going on, but it's still... not OK. I understand that they are swamped (and so are SMs/etc.) but that's not an excuse to ignore messages and copy in what 'you think' is a good response. I think Fiverr phasing out human work to rely more on AI could work if say, CS/etc. were properly trained to ensure that the decisions made are correct. However, this seems to be lacking right now. (I keep bringing this example up, but CS's reply to me saying 'hey, my valid tax number isn't accepted by the system' was 'Unfortunately, you will have to declare your number, these are the laws. I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear'. I - have - had slightly more luck when asking about NDAs/etc. but when that was the case, it was quite obvious that the responses were AI-made, which is... OK, I guess, but could be an issue if the info ends up being incorrect (which has happened before.)

Oooh, I love this question! I'm working on a short fantasy book with a twist, so I probably would spend the money on ads and social media marketing while I figure out the rest of it myself since I already have an artist (and can figure out the formatting/etc. myself.)

CS basically said that it doesn't affect our 'completion' rate, but affects the score still based on, well... I guess just like how revisions/etc. effect us as well? So basically, the score has more to it than just 'don't cancel orders'/etc. I can sort of see why it could affect me, but... I can't magically make the buyer need me again. I think in some cases, a cancellation is the best choice for everyone. I'm almost sure it's just the tweaking/etc. but it's still pretty strange that we don't exactly know what's going on. Stable and changes daily just around things you can use for the same thing in my book. Of course, if it's like the other scores used to be in the past (e.g. only, say, 100 days count or whatever) I can see that causing the number to fluctuate, but... even then the jumping up and down (that many people are seeing) before it's even fully out is a little concerning. Maybe it'll get better though!

So according to CS (whom I asked for help), they are 'aware of the issue and working on it'. This order was a bit different - the client started the order, sent me what they wanted but asked me to wait a bit for a bit more for a bit more info. Their project changed (for a couple of reasons, not really their fault) and now they just don't need me for the next, who knows 3-5 months? It was a tiny order, so waiting for a total of 5-7 months (the two I already waited plus more) and constantly extending (...which also goes against us.) just didn't really seem feasible. If the client were to come back in, say, a few months, I'd love to work with them again, of course, but... I agree with you, some things should NOT affect us whatsoever. I did see that many articles (about changing requirements/etc. seem even more biased towards buyers now as well.) It used to be OK to just say they changed their mind to CS, but it seems like that's changed, too. Eh, oh well.. I'm just a bit confused at the score jumping around, I guess.

I'd edit the original post but I think it's too late. My overall Success Score just went back down to 9. I did have a cancelation yesterday (waited two months for the requirements but they might not be done for 3-4 more months but still...) At least we know the score moves?

So... for the success score being relatively stable, mine went up to 10 from 9 (which is great, like, I'm happy I'm quite safe for now), but I also noticed some movement on a gig of mine that has fallen from grace a while back (so I only had one order on it lately compared to the many more on my other gigs.) It went 8-7-8. Now, the tricky thing with this is that it means the score can shift in a relatively short time (which realistically is what we want, I think?) BUT what concerns me is that it's hard to guess why something happens. I understand that's due to wanting to keep private reviews/etc. private, but I feel like that's making it.. trickier to manage/try to improve, I suppose? In the end, two weeks (I think) from the launch of the new system, while I feel safe, I'm still quite concerned. It doesn't help that I got the first review that complimented me on my professionalism, only to say that I could have improved (you know what I'm gonna say here: my professionalism. I'm fine with 1-2 'bad' reviews, but I'm not sure I can stand behind 'very good' potentially bringing a penalty to sellers. Even if the public rating isn't everything, it still feels very dishonest to me because of that. As a buyer, if I rated someone as very good, I would be complimenting them in my mind. On a personal level, my anxiety levels with this update have only risen and risen. I'm bending over backwards for mistakes even if I'm not the one who made them! This can't be healthy in the long run... As for whether there's been any change in traffic with an improving Success Score, I don't think so? If anything, things feel slower than they did a while back, though things still seem to be coming in waves.

Still that copy (the website, not the writing the writing is terrible lol) is really scary. Like, as someone who's worked on Fiverr for years we wouldn't fall for it but... It's perhaps the dangerous scam right now I would say. It's a scam. Trust your bank and avoid at all cost.

This is my other concern as well. Some sellers might just be blunt by nature (or just not speaking English that well.) They might think that they're doing the right thing... but they aren't, and that's definitely scary. I like this. Maybe encourage people to use it sparingly (because imagine spamming buyers...) but having a system could feel 'better'.

I never liked this advice (even if it probably works very well.) I also think it's awesome to have some clear guidelines, @Kesha, so thank you for writing this! However, I'll share what I think personally (even if perhaps I won't be very popular with this point of view.) For me, asking for a review seems a bit strange after the buyer has decided not to leave one (especially if they are prompted by Fiverr as well.) I do however check-in with them two days or so after delivery to make sure all is good. That being said, what I'm not sure I can agree with the most (even if it seems fine as per the TOS) is tactfully asking buyers about a certain rating, especially if we think it was an accident. In my mind (and perhaps I'm just a weird one) it's the intent that matters. It's still manipulation, even if I'm being nice. I could say 'oh hey, I've noticed that perhaps my communication could have been better, was there anything I could improve on?' knowing fully well that the buyer likely made a mistake... My intention in that case won't be me wanting to improve, but wanting the review to be better. As subtle as it is, it can still influence the client. I do understand that people make mistakes (especially when there is a new system that not every buyer seems to understand well yet) but I'm not sure I should be the one teaching them how it works (mostly due to the fear of pressuring them in case they actually were unhappy.) That being said, I also don't like complaining if I don't like the food in a restaurant (or similar things) so perhaps I'm just worried about potential confrontation. I'm curious to see how other people think about this!

I've noticed - I'm not sure if it's always been like this or not) that orders that are delivered way ahead of time show x days late until they are accepted. I always felt like this is just the system (and never had any issues in the prior system) but if we think back to what was told before (I think it was mentioned that revisions, etc. should be done during the initial time set for the orders as well) there could be something strange at work. (Or not and it's just weirdly phrased.)

I write (amongst other 'spooky' things, murder mystery stories and escape rooms. IF the AI does not recognize brainstorming (which it might), it might be best to take it all into word documents maybe? I've noticed that some of my gigs that took bigger hits (nothing awful luckily) on communication were the ones that, well... have some 'unusual' subjects. Of course, the AI COULD be smart enough to interpret brainstorming as well, brainstorming and angry buyers as angry buyers, but who knows?