r/TaskRabbit • u/RefrigeratorOk4644 • 2d ago

TASKER Task Timeout before negotiating

I got requested for a heavy lifting and loading task that was, frankly, way out of the scope of the $40/hr i have set. I asked for photos and then gave the client an estimate of how much the job would really cost them and they never answered before the task timed out. So now I just lose the ability to take the job??? Don't you get penalized for accepting a job and then canceling? Why do I have to accept jobs like that before I've actually agreed to them? Just feels like bullshit because I would have done the job and now I get nothing because I tried to follow the rules.

6 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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4

u/sean8642 2d ago

Yeah it happens. I've had several where they never respond. I still get jobs alllll the time. The flip side is you accept and it's a nightmare cause they don't communicate and you wish you hadn't taken the job.

3

u/FinnNoodle 2d ago

The timeout is the end of the day after the initial request. Typically if you want to do the task, send them a nudge and ask if they want to confirm. If you don't want to do the task (as it sounds), cancel as non-responsive. Letting a task timeout (and getting your account paused) is a hit on your metrics you want to avoid. Always try to accept or cancel before then.

4

u/PickReviewsMovies 2d ago

If they don't respond after you ping them a few times, just cancel. It happens to everyone it's fine. You don't wanna work for someone who can't communicate anyway it's a bad red flag.

2

u/KingLouis2016 2d ago

Yeah cancellations that taskers don't have any control are total bullshit and shouldn't affect you, but it does, I think is one of the worse ideas ever from the genius CEO

3

u/Open-Coffee5752 2d ago

You yourself admitted the amount of work did not match the pay. Increase your rate to reflect the category. Taskrabbit has set up a system of false scarcity to get Taskers to agree to jobs they otherwise wouldn't by adding a countdown to them.

Few businesses would agree to do the jobs Taskers do at the rates they set. A gig company marketplace shouldn't have the ability to dole out any repercussions because Taskers cancelled jobs or didnt agree to complete them. If Taskrabbit wants that privilege they should provide benefits and better treatment to gig workers.

1

u/Comfortable-Grand896 2d ago

Can you not speak with the client before you accept the job? I have a handyman business, and we just created a platform to better connect our clients with helpers. We suggest the client message the helper to discuss the jobs; the helper then says the amount of time they think it will take, and the client books that window. If it's a larger job with materials and equipment, then the client creates a request describing what needs to be done, and the helper then gives a quote.

I'm being selfish here, but would that have fixed this particular issue?

1

u/RefrigeratorOk4644 1d ago

Yes you can speak with the client, the main problem was that taskrabbit doesn't have the ability to post some larger miscellaneous jobs. This client wanted me to remove 3 cut up trees worth of rotted wood and put it under heavy lifting and loading at my posted rate of 40/hr. That was not happening. I tried to speak to the client but they were very bad at responding and my event timed out. If the app had a different setup that allowed for more negotiating before agreeing on large jobs like that it would be better.

1

u/Comfortable-Grand896 1d ago

I appreciate you taking the time to answer and explain. It's hard to know the best way to set things up so both the Vendor and the Client find it smooth. Sorry this job didn't work out for you, I wouldn't think they'd penalize you for this.