RapidLance Help: Select Project Buyer FAQ Need answers? Start with the most frequently asked questions below, or click on the Help index tab above for a complete list of topics.

What is the Select Marketplace?

How do buyers post projects in the Select Marketplace?

How will I know if a service provider is Select?

What are the Select Professional Standards?

How are service providers verified?

Why would I post in the Select Marketplace?

Does it cost anything to post a Select project?

What is the posting deposit?

What questions should I ask service providers?

What are viewing permissions?

Why do you require a Credit Card? What do you do with it?

What are the minimum bids in the Select Marketplace?

What is the Select Marketplace?	Top

The Select Marketplace is a new level of RapidLance, bringing together serious, authenticated buyers and pre-screened service providers. Bidding minimums and project values are higher than in the Basic Marketplace. Bidding is limited to Select service providers who have paid a monthly fee.

How do buyers post projects in the Select Marketplace?	Top

RapidLance still has one marketplace and one process for posting your project. When you post a project, you will choose whether your project will be designated Select or Basic. Posting in Select will require a $25 deposit. We will automatically refund the charge if you award the project or if you receive fewer than 5 bids. We will wait 30 days to charge the fee to your credit card to give you time to award the project.

How will I know if a service provider is Select?	Top

Select service providers' profile pages and bids have the gold Select icon displayed next to their username. They are also at the top of the lists in the bid tables for Basic projects, in the profile listings, and in search results tables. This allows you to easily identify the Select service providers, choose their bids, or invite them to bid on your projects. Similarly, Select projects have the Select icon displayed in project listings and description pages.

Select Professional Standards

In direct response to input from Select members, we have created a set of RapidLance Select Professional Standards, for both Select service providers and buyers who post Select projects. Select is an evolving program, and we invite your comments and suggestions.

Select Standards for Service Providers RapidLance Select service providers are committed to upholding high professional standards, providing exceptional customer satisfaction and adhering to fair business practices. Doing successful business on many levels in a highly competitive global marketplace is a unique challenge. We do not believe Select providers should be at a disadvantage when bidding on Basic projects, and so have allowed for some very specific exceptions detailed below. This in no way signifies a lack of commitment in enforcing the Select Standards, and we fully expect Select providers to conduct themselves in a professional manner anywhere in the RapidLance marketplace. The following standards represent this commitment. Profiles Will have a complete profile detailing relevant experience for that subcategory where profile is listed. Submitting Bids and Proposals Will make reasonable effort to provide detailed, customized proposals that are relevant to the project. General sales pitches are confined to Profile page or attachment to bids. Will not submit "lowball" or placeholder bids. Bid amounts are only part of the full proposal, and will reflect true scope of project and time commitment necessary to provide highest client satisfaction. Will not offer free or unsolicited mockups in public bidding on Select projects. Mockups may be provided at service provider's discretion, but only in context of Select project negotiations with buyer through the private message boards. (NOTE: Some Basic project postings may require mock-ups with a bid. While RapidLance does not recommend this practice for anyone, we acknowledge that it is often part of the challenge of doing business in a highly competitive global marketplace. ALL service providers on RapidLance provide mock-ups in Basic at their own discretion and risk.) Will adhere to the minimum bids required in the Select marketplace. Working with Buyer Will work with buyer before project begins to outline requirements, milestones and payment terms, either through private message board or written agreement. Will communicate with buyer in a professional manner. Accept/decline project and respond to buyer questions promptly, and keep buyer informed of changes to project timeline or scope. Feedback In event of disputes affecting completion of project, will attempt to resolve disputes through SquareTrade (free of charge) and work to avoid negative feedback. Repeated client dissatisfaction, as evidenced through low feedback or buyer complaints, repeated cancellation of accepted projects or failure to complete projects, will be cause for review and may lead to suspension from Select. If a Select service provider does not meet these standards, notify marketmaker@Rapidlance.com.

Select Standards for Buyers Buyers posting projects in RapidLance Select are committed to upholding high professional standards and adhering to fair business practices. The following standards represent this commitment and will help RapidLance Select service providers provide the highest possible level of client satisfaction. Posting Projects Although not required to choose an RapidLance service provider, buyers posting in Select are signaling a clear intention to complete the project. If you are looking for general information on pricing or estimates, check the service provider directories to review their standard rates for services. Will not require providers to submit free mock-ups or samples as part of bids/proposals. If you are discussing project details with a service provider on the private message boards, you may both agree that a mock-up is an appropriate part of the negotiations. But submitting a sample is at the service provider's discretion, and it is not an accepted industry standard to request free mock-ups. Will choose winning proposals promptly to allow sufficient time for service provider to schedule and complete the project. Working with Service Provider Will work with service provider before project begins, to outline requirements, milestones and payment terms, either through private message board or written agreement. Will communicate with service provider in a professional manner. Respond to questions promptly and keep provider informed of changes to project timeline or scope. If significant changes are made, service provider will not be held accountable for original bid. You can either repost the project or renegotiate terms using the private message boards. If you must cancel the project, notify Customer Service promptly to prevent service provider from being charged transaction fee. Feedback In event of disputes affecting completion of project, will attempt to resolve disputes through SquareTrade (free of charge) and work to avoid negative feedback. You and the service provider agreed to your originally posted project. If the project's description or scope changed, do not penalize the service provider if they are unable to deliver work beyond the original project agreement. If a buyer posting a Select project does not meet these standards, notify marketmaker@Rapidlance.com.

How are service providers verified?	Top

Select Service providers must have their credentials verified by one of our Trust partners, either US Search or SquareTrade. Both US Search and Square Trade are independent third party verification services that verify service provider's records such as licenses, references, academic degrees, employment history and skill certifications. In addition to these verifications. Select Providers also agree to the Select Professional Standards.

Why should I post in the Select Marketplace?	Top

Posting your project as Select is recommended for higher-value projects and for buyers who want bids only from professionals. All bidders are Select service providers who have agreed to higher level of professionalism. Authenticated by US Search or SquareTrade Committed to customer satisfaction Provide customized, detailed bids Meet Select Professional Standards Posting your project as Select also signals that you as a buyer are: Seeking a high level of professionalism Committed to completing the project

Does it cost anything to post a Select project?	Top

No. RapidLance does not charge anything to post a project but we do require a $25 refundable deposit. We will automatically refund the deposit if you award the project or if you receive fewer than 5 bids. We will wait 30 days to charge the fee to your credit card to give you time to award the project. Posting a project in the Basic Marketplace does not require a deposit, but we do require credit card authentication.

What is the posting deposit?	Top

The posting deposit is $25 and is required to post a Select Project. We will automatically refund the charge when you award the project or if you receive fewer than 5 bids. In order to provide the most efficient experience, we will wait 30 days to charge the fee to your credit card to give you sufficient time to award the project. The deposit both confirms your identity and provides a level of assurance to Select service providers.

What questions should I ask service providers?	Top

Select buyers can ask three questions that service providers are required to answer as part of their bid. This is your opportunity to ask the vendors about issues specific to your particular needs and/or project. The answers will appear only to you on the table of bids you receive, and should help you differentiate between vendors. While the questions are entirely up to you, consider issues such as: What relevant experience does the service provider have? What is the provider's proposed approach to the project? What information or materials will the provider need from you to complete the project? How much interaction with you will the provider require? Will the vendor be able to meet your timeline? How will the vendor communicate with you? Where is the provider located?

Viewing Permissions Options	Top

What does this mean? The lock icon shows that the Buyer of this project has chosen to limit the viewing of this project, and all aspects of the project (including the description, bid comments, and bid amounts) will be viewable only to the buyer, and all Select Service providers in that category. If it is an Invite to Bid project, the aspects of the project will be only be viewable to the Buyer and those Invited Service Providers. What are viewing permissions? Viewing permissions allow you to choose who can see your project description and the details of your bids. You can choose different viewing permissions for the overall project, and for the bids. These options are only available in the Select Marketplace. Public vs. Limited Project Details If Public Project Details is chosen on the post form, all aspects of the project (description, bid comments, and bid amounts) will be viewable to all users. If Limited Project Details is chosen, all aspects of the project will be viewable only to the buyer, and all Select Service providers in that category. If it is an Invite to Bid project, the aspects of the project will be only be viewable to the Buyer and those Invited Service Providers. The exception to this is if specific Service Providers have been invited to bid on the project, the aspects of the project will be limited to the Buyer and those Invited Service Providers. All users will be able to see the buyer name, the project name, the number of bids placed, the names of bidders, and which Service Provider was awarded the project. Buyers should consider using the Limited option when they would like to post a project but are concerned about releasing confidential or sensitive information. All Limited projects are marked with the lock icon in the project marketplace. Open vs. Sealed Bidding Open Bidding allows Service Providers to see all bids for a given project before they place their bids, both comments and amounts. With Sealed Bidding, only the Buyer can see the bid comments and amounts. The options available to you are: Public Posting with Open Bidding (Standard choice) Project description and bids are viewable to the marketplace Service Providers can see each other's bids Public Posting with Sealed Bidding Project description is viewable to the marketplace Bid comments and amounts are viewable only to Buyer (Service Providers cannot see each other's bids) Limited Posting with Open Bidding Project description and bid details are viewable only to Select Providers in the Category or Invited providers, and the Buyer Service Providers can see each other's bids Limited Posting with Sealed Bidding Project description viewable only to Select Providers in the Category or Invited providers, and the Buyer Bid comments and amounts are viewable only to the Buyer (Service Providers cannot see each other's bids) Once you have chosen the options and posted your project, you cannot change the viewing permissions. How do I limit the viewing of my project description? When posting your project through the Project Description forms, choose the Select Level, and then where you are asked to "Set viewing permissions for your project" choose Limited Project. This choice will make your bid details viewable only to you and the service providers invited on the project. Once you make your project description private you cannot open it to the entire marketplace. All users will be able to see the buyer name, the project name, the number of bids placed, the names of bidders, and which Service Provider was awarded the project. Once you limit the viewing of your project description, you cannot open it to the entire marketplace. Are the viewing options available in the Basic marketplace? No. The viewing options are only available when you post a project in the Select Marketplace.

Why do you require a credit card? What do you do with it?	Top

RapidLance asks for a credit card so that we can authenticate your identity, just as we pre-qualify Select service providers. This helps raise the quality of the Select Marketplace. It also shows your commitment to completing the project.

What are the minimum bids in the Select Marketplace?	Top

Minimum bids are required in the Select marketplace. All the bids you receive on your project will be at or above this level. These minimum project values represent the commitment to quality work by our pre screened service providers who have agreed to abide by Select Professional Standards for these higher value projects. If your project budget is below this level, there are lower minimum bid requirements in the Basic Marketplace.  Select Categories Minimum Bids Accounting $250 Administrative Support $200 Design & Multimedia $300 Legal $300 Sales & Marketing $400 Software and Technology $550 Training and Development $400 Web Design and Development $550 Writing and Translation $250 *The Engineering & Design Category is not yet active. Engineering projects can currently be placed within the Software and Technology category.