Throughout the process, I was giving them the benefit of the doubt. It seemed like a shady, low-grade site, but I could not decipher an angle on this "company". I received an email back from them within 2 weeks of applying, and they set specific rates (copied from their job offer that was sent to me):
"(a) We will offer $25 for an original story that was never published anywhere else, and will also pay a separate fee as established below for any associated photograph.
(b) A standard offer of $8 for each article rewritten from the internet etc, and which can be somewhere between 300 to 500 words (one page or less), plus $10 (and upward to $300) for an original photograph to support the article, providing that it was taken by you and is not available anywhere else in any format.
However, the value of the associated photograph will be solely determined by the Editor who would only use the image if you agree to the pricing that was offered.
Furthermore, all articles will be subjected to editorial review for plagiarism, quality, and flow. As such, if an article was rejected, you will not be paid for it."
I emailed, even requesting a meeting with the editor to confirm their legitimacy. I suspect they were bluffing, for they said that they were in the process of moving locations, and could set up a meeting at "a mutually convenient time" (in this email by the way, the greeted me with the incorrect name).
I heeded their bluff, and agreed to sign the contract. Upon reading the contract, however, there was discrepancy:
"$20...for an original story with an original photograph...$12 for a story with no original photograph...$8 for a story that was published elsehwhere...$30 for a story of high public interest."
I copied the original email segment and pasted in, with a screenshot of this part of the contract, and asked them to correct the figures to our original agreement. They responded with, "My apologies for the inadvertent discrepancy. We need to correct the figures in our email. The numbers on the contract and the terms on the contract are the correct numbers and positions.
Therefore, you should review the contract figures since your engagement with us will only be with regard to the contract numbers.
Thank you."
I held my ground, pointing out the fact that part of my job would to be finding and appropriately citing sources to point out discrepancies, and having already done my job, to please change it to the numbers that were previously agreed upon. I have not heard from them since.
My problem wasn't the pay: my problem with the "company" was the utter lack of integrity. If this was the pay, it should have been mentioned before hand. If this is the lack of integrity they showcase to their new recruits, then I don't even know what they do to those who they don't have to impress.
Stay away. Not worth it even for part time.
