FAQ

Who is a Freelancer?

Freelancer is someone who provides services on a contract basis. Freelancers usually telecommute and finish projects remotely. Freelancing/Outsourcing provides flexibility to the employer and the freelancer

Who is a Contractor?

Contractor is someone who provides services on a contract basis. Contractors usually visit your house and repair or install things in front of you. Hence, it is more important to hire a contractor whom you trust. Genie Bazaar's trust ratings help you in picking the right contractor. With each quality contractor placing a competitive bid for your job, you can be sure that you would get the best for free.

What are Genie Bazaar Trust Ratings?

Trust ratings are provided after taking many factors into account including but not limited to consumer reviews, license information, insurance, peer reviews, number of successfully completed jobs, etc. We try to make sure that the information provided in contractor's profile is most current and complete.

How can I register on Genie Bazaar?

It is free to register on Genie Bazaar. It is a simple step-by-step process which shouldn't take more than a minute. For registering on Genie Bazaar, click on "Register" link on top right of any page. Fill out an appropriate form and submit it. You will receive an e-mail for verifying your e-mail address. Once you have confirmed receipt of the e-mail, your profile will become active.

How can I post a project?

It is free to post a project on Genie Bazaar. For posting a project, you have to register on geniebazaar.com by clicking "Register" link on top right of any page. It is a simple step-by-step process which shouldn't take more than a minute. Once you have registered, you can login and post a project by selecting an appropriate category from home page.

E.g. If you need a plumber for repairing your leaking faucet, then you can select "Local Contractor" tab on home page and search for "Plumbing" category. Then, select sub-category "Faucets, fixtures, and pipes". Fill out a simple form describing your project, review your project, and post it. As soon as you post the project, a SMS will be sent to plumbers in your local area who will then respond and bid on your project.

How can I view my profile?

For viewing your profile, you will have register and sign in. In most of the cases, signing in will redirect you to your profile page. Otherwise, you can select profile menu option for viewing your profile.

How can I accept a bid/quote/proposal or award a project?

Select "Projects" tab on your profile page, select a bid for a particular project, and click "Award" button

How many times is a lead sold?

The maximum number is decided by the employer while posting the project. That said, if there is not sufficient demand, then a lead may not be sold as many times. Typically, we advise 5-10 to an employer

What is an Escrow?

Escrow account is an account where funds are kept until services are completed. This increases the amount of trust between freelancers/contractors and employers. We encourage employers and freelancers/contractors to use escrow.

Is there a fee for using Escrow service?

There is a minimal fee for using escrow services for covering our costs associated with it. Please see pricing page for more details.

How can I add bank details?

You can add bank details from your profile page by clicking "Account Information" tab. Depending upon the account verification method, your account may take 1-7 days for activation.

How can I deposit funds?

From your profile page, you can select "Projects" tab, select appropriate project and account, and click deposit. Minimum deposit has been restricted to $25 per transaction

How can I withdraw funds?

Click on "Account Information" tab on your profile page and click withdraw button and mode of payment. There may be some withdrawal fee depending upon the mode of payment. Please see pricing page for details

Can I withdraw funds from an Escrow?

If you are an employer, then you cannot withdraw funds from an escrow unless freelancer/contractor releases those funds. In case there is a dispute over the funds in the Escrow, then an administrator with help in resolving the dispute and move funds, accordingly.

How can I release funds?

Click on "Projects" tab on your profile page. Select a particular project which has Escrow deposit and click "Release"

How can I submit a review?

You will be sent an e-mail with a link after the project is completed for submitting a review on your service provider.

Who is a Contractor?

Contractor is someone who provides services on a contract basis. Contractors usually visit your house and repair or install things in front of you. Hence, it is more important to hire a contractor whom you trust. Genie Bazaar's trust ratings help you in picking the right contractor. With each quality contractor placing a competitive bid for your job, you can be sure that you would get the best for free.

What are Genie Bazaar Trust Ratings?

Trust ratings are provided after taking many factors into account including but not limited to consumer reviews, license information, insurance, peer reviews, number of successfully completed jobs, etc. We try to make sure that the information provided in contractor's profile is most current and complete.

How can I register on Genie Bazaar?

It is free to register on Genie Bazaar. It is a simple step-by-step process which shouldn't take more than a minute. For registering on Genie Bazaar, click on "Register" link on top right of any page. Fill out an appropriate form and submit it. You will receive an e-mail for verifying your e-mail address. Once you have confirmed receipt of the e-mail, your profile will become active.

How can I view my profile?

For viewing your profile, you will have register and sign in. In most of the cases, signing in will redirect you to your profile page. Otherwise, you can select profile menu option for viewing your profile.

Why I cannot select more than two main categories?

We have restricted the maximum number of categories to two for avoiding spam. We intend to open up more categories for users at a later date.

Why I cannot change my category?

This is another feature for avoiding spam and misuse of the system. In case you would like to change your category, please send an e-mail to support@geniebazaar.com stating your username and the reason behind changing categories. Our estimated time of completion is within 24 hours.

Why am I not getting SMS notifications?

Make sure that you have activated SMS, provided a valid phone number, and selected a valid carrier name in your profile. This service is available only in US and Canada. If problem persists, please send us an e-mail at support@geniebazaar.com

How can I edit my profile?

Once you are on your profile page after signing in, click on "Add/Edit details" link below menu on right hand side. Once you are done editing your profile, click "Finish editing details" for saving your profile.

How can I upload work sample/resume/link?

Click on "Work Samples" tab on your profile page. Click upload button, select type (Work Sample Image, Resume, Link), fill the details, and click upload.

How can I add/edit profile picture?

Click on "Work Samples" tab on your profile page. Click upload button, select type as profile picture, select path, and click upload.

How can I add/edit offers?

Click on "Package Deals" tab on profile page. Click "Add/Edit details" link below the menu on the right hand side and click on pencil mark for editing offers. Once you are done, click "OK" and then "Finish editing details"

How can I search for projects?

Click on "Search" menu item.

How can I filter search results?

Once you are on the search page, you can use the filters on the left hand side of page for reducing the number of results. You can filter results by type of project, category, keyword, location, payment type, budget, posted date, etc.

How can I bid on a project?

You can bid for only those projects which fall in your category. System will not allow you to bid on projects which are not related to your category. If you are allowed to bid on a project, then you must select the project from the search results page and then click bid.

How much do I need to pay for submitting a quote/bid/proposal?

Contractors are charged a minimal amount for buying the lead. Please see pricing page for details.

How many times is a lead sold?

The maximum number is decided by the employer while posting the project. That said, if there is not sufficient demand, then a lead may not be sold as many times. Typically, we advise 5-10 to an employer.

What is a project fee?

Genie Bazaar charges a project fee for the projects received through Genie Bazaar. It is based upon the total quote which was submitted to the employer. Project fee % varies between 2% - 10% depending upon the size and type of job. It is deducted from your entire payment.

What is an Escrow?

Escrow account is an account where funds are kept until services are completed. This increases the amount of trust between contractors and employers. We encourage employers and contractors to use escrow for 100% payment guarantee.

Is there a fee for using Escrow service?

There is a minimal fee for using escrow services for covering our costs associated with it. Please see pricing page for more details.

How can I add bank details?

You can add bank details from your profile page by clicking "Account Information" tab. Depending upon the account verification method, your account may take 1-7 days for activation.

How can I deposit funds?

From your profile page, you can select "Projects" tab, select appropriate project and account, and click deposit. Minimum deposit has been restricted to $25 per transaction

How can I withdraw funds?

Click on "Account Information" tab on your profile page and click withdraw button and mode of payment. There may be some withdrawal fee depending upon the mode of payment. Please see pricing page for details

Can I withdraw funds from an Escrow?

If you are a freelancer or a contractor, then you cannot withdraw funds unless employer releases the funds. In case there is a dispute over the funds in the Escrow, then an administrator with help in resolving the dispute and move funds, accordingly.

How can I release funds?

Click on "Projects" tab on your profile page. Select a particular project which has Escrow deposit and click "Release"

How can I get reviews?

You can get reviews after you have completed work for the employer. An e-mail is sent to the employer which lets the employer submit a review on your services. You can also get "Peer recommendations". For that, you will have to invite your friends/peers to Genie Bazaar and ask them submit a recommendation.

Who is a Freelancer?

Freelancer is someone who provides services on a contract basis. Freelancers usually telecommute and finish projects remotely. Freelancing/Outsourcing provides flexibility to the employer and the freelancer

What are Genie Bazaar Trust Ratings?

Trust ratings are provided after taking many factors into account including but not limited to consumer reviews, license information, insurance, peer reviews, number of successfully completed jobs, etc. We try to make sure that the information provided in contractor's profile is most current and complete.

How can I register on Genie Bazaar?

It is free to register on Genie Bazaar. It is a simple step-by-step process which shouldn't take more than a minute. For registering on Genie Bazaar, click on "Register" link on top right of any page. Fill out an appropriate form and submit it. You will receive an e-mail for verifying your e-mail address. Once you have confirmed receipt of the e-mail, your profile will become active.

How can I view my profile?

For viewing your profile, you will have register and sign in. In most of the cases, signing in will redirect you to your profile page. Otherwise, you can select profile menu option for viewing your profile.

Why I cannot select more than two main categories?

We have restricted the maximum number of categories to two for avoiding spam. We intend to open up more categories for users at a later date.

Why I cannot change my category?

This is another feature for avoiding spam and misuse of the system. In case you would like to change your category, please send an e-mail to support@geniebazaar.com stating your username and the reason behind changing categories. Our estimated time of completion is within 24 hours.

How can I edit my profile?

Once you are on your profile page after signing in, click on "Add/Edit details" link below menu on right hand side. Once you are done editing your profile, click "Finish editing details" for saving your profile.

How can I upload work sample/resume/link?

Click on "Work Samples" tab on your profile page. Click upload button, select type (Work Sample Image, Resume, Link), fill the details, and click upload.

How can I add/edit profile picture?

Click on "Work Samples" tab on your profile page. Click upload button, select type as profile picture, select path, and click upload.

How can I add/edit offers?

Click on "Package Deals" tab on profile page. Click "Add/Edit details" link below the menu on the right hand side and click on pencil mark for editing offers. Once you are done, click "OK" and then "Finish editing details"

How can I search for projects?

Click on "Search" menu item.

How can I filter search results?

Once you are on the search page, you can use the filters on the left hand side of page for reducing the number of results. You can filter results by type of project, category, keyword, location, payment type, budget, posted date, etc.

How can I bid on a project?

You can bid for only those projects which fall in your category. System will not allow you to bid on projects which are not related to your category. If you are allowed to bid on a project, then you must select the project from the search results page and then click bid.

How much do I need to pay for submitting a quote/bid/proposal?

Freelancers can submit a quote for free on a freelance project.

What is a project fee?

Genie Bazaar charges a project fee for the projects received through Genie Bazaar. Please see pricing page for details.

What is an Escrow?

Escrow account is an account where funds are kept until services are completed. This increases the amount of trust between freelancers and employers. We encourage employers and freelancers to use escrow for 100% payment guarantee.

Is there a fee for using Escrow service?

There is a minimal fee for using escrow services for covering our costs associated with it. Please see pricing page for more details.

How can I add bank details?

You can add bank details from your profile page by clicking "Account Information" tab. Depending upon the account verification method, your account may take 1-7 days for activation.

How can I deposit funds?

From your profile page, you can select "Projects" tab, select appropriate project and account, and click deposit. Minimum deposit has been restricted to $25 per transaction

How can I withdraw funds?

Click on "Account Information" tab on your profile page and click withdraw button and mode of payment. There may be some withdrawal fee depending upon the mode of payment. Please see pricing page for details

Can I withdraw funds from an Escrow?

If you are a freelancer or a contractor, then you cannot withdraw funds unless employer releases the funds. In case there is a dispute over the funds in the Escrow, then an administrator with help in resolving the dispute and move funds, accordingly. If you are an employer, then you cannot withdraw funds from an escrow unless freelancer releases those funds.

How can I release funds?

Click on "Projects" tab on your profile page. Select a particular project which has Escrow deposit and click "Release"

How can I get reviews?

You can get reviews after you have completed work for the employer. An e-mail is sent to the employer which lets the employer submit a review on your services. You can also get "Peer recommendations". For that, you will have to invite your friends/peers to Genie Bazaar and ask them submit a recommendation.