99Freelance.com recommends Buyers and Freelancers (parties or party) involved in any disputes to resolve them amicably.  If the dispute is caused by honest misunderstanding, 99Freelance.com suggests both parties determine when the misunderstanding occured and why it occurred.  Both parties can then take an objective view of the dispute and resolve it fairly.  The disputes may generally occur when the requirements are not clearly understood by the Freelancers.  The disputes may also occur when the Buyers fail to describe the requirements clearly and try to supplement the requirements after the Freelancers begin work without the Freelancer's express agreement.  The causes of the disputes may be unintentional.

• Buyers - clearly describe the project requirements, including expected deliverables, conditions regarding payments, etc.  Do not assume that certain unspecified tasks are automatically understood by the Freelancers.   Use clear terminologies instead of vague ones.   If it is possible, include the project requirements in the body of the project posts so that the requirements are visible to all Freelancers.
  
• Freelancers - ask clarification questions about the project requirements before placing the bids.  Don't assume that the Buyers can read your mind.  If something is not clear,  ask!  If you don't agree with a request, say you don't agree.  Your silence may be interpreted by the Buyer that you agree.  Deliver good results.  When the Buyer is satisfied with your work, a good feedback from the Buyer can go a long way toward a successful freelancing experience.
  
• Express agreements are provided by both parties in writing (using the private message board (PMB)) whenever there is a minor change to the project requirements. 
  
• Post a new project and set it private to the Freelancer when the change to the requirments is considered major.
• Use the escrow process.  Avoid any payments outside of 99Freelance.com.
  

To request 99Freelance.com's participation in a dispute, the following procedure has to be followed:

• Both the Freelancer and the Buyer agree that the dispute is to be resolved by 99Freelance.com. 
  
• Both the Freelancer and the Buyer agree that the decision by 99Freelance.com is final.
  
• The review is divided into two phases.  During the first phase, the Buyer is required to send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting for the dispute resolution servie.  The email is copied to the Freelancer. Specify the project ID, the UserID of the involved Freelancer and Buyer.  Specify what the Buyer wants the Freelancer to do. Any unreasonable requests by the Buyer not included in the project requirements will be considered unfair and may jeopadize the Freelancer's credibility.
• The Freelancer is required to send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting for the dispute resolution servie.  The email is copied to the Buyer. Specify the project ID, the UserID of the involved Freelancer and Buyer.  Specify what th Freelancer wants the Buyer to do.  Any unreasonable requests by the Freelancer not included in the project requirements will be considered unfair and may jeopadize the Freelancer's credibility.
  
• After the emails are received from the Buyer and the Freelancer, each will be individually contacted and information about the dispute will be requested.  The information must be received within 48 hours from when the request is sent. (a) If the requested information is not received from any party within the 48 hours limit, the dispute is considered to be resolved.  Escrow balance is returned to the Buyer, and the Freelancer is not required to provide any further work product to the Buyer.  (b) If only the Buyer provides the requested information, the escrow balance is returned to the Buyer.  The Freelancer is requested to refund the Buyer any reasonable payment previously made by the Buyer. The dispute is considered to be resolved. (c) If only the Freelancer provides the requested information, the escrow balance is forwarded to the Freelancer.  The Buyer may be requested to pay the Freelancer an amount in addition to the escrow balance. The dispute is considered to be resolved.  This is the end of the first phase of the review.  If the dispute is resolved, the second phase of the review is not necessary.
• If the requested information is received from both the Buyer and the Freelancer within the 48 hours time period described above, the process continues to the second phase.
• During the second phase, information about the project will be reviewed.  Information about the communication between the Freelancer and the Buyer will be reviewed.  Information received from the Buyer and the Freelancer will be reviewed.  A decision will be issued within three weeks from the date when the second phase starts.  The decision marks the end of the second phase.  Both the Buyer and the Freelancer agree that the decision provided by 99Freelance.com is final and that no appeal is available with 99Freelance.com.
  
• Both the Buyer and Freelancer agree that 99Freelance.com does not have any authority to force one party to pay the other party or to force one party to perform tasks on behalf of the other party.  Both the Buyer and the Freelancer agree to provide 99Freelance.com the authority to transfer the escrow balance in part or in whole to either party as 99Freelance.com based on how the dispute is  resolved.
  
• Both the Buyer and the Freelancer agree to let 99Freelance.com resolve the dispute without using any degradatory comments against one another.  Degradatory comments made by a party may reduce that party's credibility as related to the dispute and its resolution.
• Both the Buyer and the Freelancer agree to release 99Freelance.com, its officers, staffs and employees from any liability claims directly or indirectly related to the dispute.
• Both the Buyer and the Freelancer understand that, by requesting 99Freelance.com to provide the dispute resolution service, both parties have read and agree to all the terms described above.
  
• 99Freelance.com reserves the right to refuse providing the dispute resolution service to any party at any time for any reasons.