David R.

I teach at a major university. Guru connected me with some kid in India who did a fine job for my project (editing some class photos w/ Photoshop). I signed off on the project's completion and authorized Guru to pay. Guru emails me a few days later that they need some additional verification information (which it could have asked for at account initiation). I wrote back that "I am at the airport leaving the country for 10 days. I dont have this information handy." Two days later, Guru wrote back "Hello David, I've not heard from you regarding verification of the payment. Therefore, a credit has been issued to your credit card and should be reflected in your account balance within 3 to 5 business days. Your Guru account has been closed." So, I get a free project and the kid in India gets stiffed! Only through heroic efforts of my secretary do we figure out how to get the account reinstated and the kid paid. The kid wrote back "First of all let me thank you for your crystal clear sincere replied mail. The mail shows your whole hearted attitude you showed sincerely for the loss of the amount that is going to occur to me. But to be very truthful, it was not the loss of the amount I am worried with, but the loss of my first client from Guru.com. Your mail gave me a great strength because I did not lose you. For this I salute you with a huge thanks and never ending gratitude. As you asked regarding the payment. Still it is not updated. Let us wait for some time and see what is happening." He eventually got paid. I think Guru.com's conduct is shameful.