Most service requests are far too vague, most are way under priced as well. Since you cannot ask questions in the service requests forum I just ignore any vague ones.

I don't do big jobs as I don't have the time. I have a minimum charge of $40 for up to an hours work on small jobs, it's just not worth the effort for anything less.

Looking at your request princessfrozen you simply aren't offering enough.

Ah...so what would be a good amount to offer for that, given that a lot of the work has already been done?

Same reason here. I usually do hack installs and when someone just says "I need a chat application" I ignore it.

Also the grammar... Dear God is it awful sometimes.

Add a zero ^^

I guess it also depends upon the revenue of your site and if you dont mind the coder maintaining all copyrights. I mean for $85 I would consider it if you had no problem with me releasing it at either a lower price or for free.

Ah now see this is useful information. Perhaps there should be some sort of standardized request format so this stuff can be communicated up front. For example, I am all for releasing hacks to the public or the coder reselling. However, I wasn't aware that was a factor in the pricing of requests.

Hmmm so added to the list of what the service request area needs (IMHO)...standardized formatting of service requests, coder ratings, a completed check box that makes the thread disappear from the forum....

Im not a coder but what I THINK is because a lot of them ask for TOO much for the minimal pay......Never satisfied.......and cant explain well

Im not a coder :p but i can do a thing or two. and i know im NEVER doing any custom pay....

and also the fact that a lot makes you do the work and never pays.....no one has time to waiste....and coders does as much work as any person in an office job

my 2 cents :)

Design-wise, I usually don't bother with projects under $400. It takes time to gather information about a project and communicate everything and make sure everything is clear on both parties, and I feel that my time is best spent working on larger-yield projects. Spending two hours talking about a project and then one hour of actually working on the project in exchange for an hour's work is simply not worthwhile.

When it comes to coding, I usually don't take on small projects. Historically, it's always been relatively large projects that take a month or two.

I have a rather unique stance on service requests most days. I do ones that interest me or that I know I can do with no fuss or muss. And, my pay scale is the strangest you'll see around here. I typically do the work, then give you my paypal address and tell you to throw whatever you think it's worth at the paypal. If the client pays too little, I know not to accept work from them again.

I've only been stiffed once, and I still have my faith in the general fairness of the people that I work for around here.

But, I don't generally do requests anymore because I'm just too swamped between my day job and the day at the paper.

I have never asked for any paid work to be done, though people have suggested I should several times.

My feeling is that it it seems a bit rude for the person wanting the work done to suggest the price. Surely it is better for the coder to give an estimate.

All this $5 stuff, well that's a joke to be honest unless it really is about 5 minutes' work. There are a few things I might consider offering out at some point soon, I wouldn't dream of saying $5. I'd want to pick a trustworthy coder and ask them to give me a quote or estimate.

I do this occasionally.