http://freelancesupermarket.com/

[_V_]

Can anyone tell me anything about freelancesupermarket.com ?

For instance, as a Contractor I can sign up and put my personal details online, including the names and contact details of client hiring managers for each contract I have performed. In this way they can be asked to rate me and I can head up the top of the leaderboard.

But something tells me an agent or group of agents are behind this website and it really is a simple way of parting this information from gullible people.

Is this website just a front for scamming leads to agencies or is it a legit means of finding work?

TIA

[PhilAtBFCA]

<snip>

_V_


I think you pose an interesting question - make syou think what someone could do with all that information, hmm.

Looks useful for any umbrella company, agency, accountancy service provider to access for information, one wonders who is really behind sites like this. The site says its owned by FreelanceSupermarket Ltd which is listed here at <snip>

In their privacy policy it does say

Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information

<snip> will not sell, rent, license or otherwise share the personally identifiable contact information (i.e. your registration email address) that you submit in the context of registration for our services without your prior consent.

To better target ads that are most relevant to website users such as yourself. <snip> may access the Non personal information that may have been collected in the registration process. Personal information such as name and phone number is never accessed or used for this purpose.

Information that you may provide, at your discretion, in creating or updating your Public Profile is intended for public disclosure and thus can be viewed by third parties. We sometimes post customer testimonials on our website which may contain the customer's name and occupation.

We will always get consent from the user prior to posting any testimonials.

Funnily enough I noticed that there was an accoutant in the same building by looking at Thomson Local I have no idea if there is any connection though......

It would be interesting to hear how you get on...

Phil

[DaveB]

The usual sources dont provide much info.

The domain name is was registered by Fasthosts, who are also hosting the site, nothing usefull there.

Companies house says they used to be named Frotech Services Ltd. But there appears to be nothing on the web to back this up or give any more info.

Checking the address, it is a serviced office development owned by Windsor House Associates :

Windsor House is a modern two-storey serviced office centre with
single and double offices large enough for two/three and five/six
people respectively. All offices have good natural light, are centrally
heated and are newly carpeted/decorated. Each office has internet
and telephone connections.

There is ample on site parking, as well as secure bicycle parking.
A meeting room is available free of charge. There is a receptionist
to “meet and greet” and deal with post and deliveries etc. The building
is attractive, secure and provides a quiet and professional working
environment at extremely economical rates.

Whoever they are, they are not a big outfit.

Other tenants include :

Options Support : We support adults with learning difficulties and we are registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

Conasta Corporate IT Solutions : With Contasta’s expansive technical capabilities and proximity to London’s business centre you’re guaranteed expert first response for a wide variety technical and new media requirements.

EMS : EMS is a UK based manufacturing consultancy specialising in Lean Manufacturing Consulting and World Class Maintenance techniques such as Reliability Centred Maintenance RCM.

H. Sweet & Sons Ltd : Builders. No web site or other info.

Now we start to get some interesting stuff.

Redego Management Ltd. :Redego are regarded as one of the most compliant providers of accountancy services to contractors in the UK. We manage the complete payroll process from timesheets, invoicing, debt collection, payroll and tax.

The Redego Umbrella is a leading HMRC-compliant, Umbrella Service for contract workers. Recruitment Agencies are protected from the new MSC rules and contractors are free from the burden of administration and unwanted tax bills. Hundreds of contractors have 'gone red' since 2003. Most have been recommended by colleagues or friends. Others have joined Redego having heard about our reputation for quality and price. Sign up today and you'll quickly see why it pays to be with Redego.

Simply Resourcing : A fresh approach to permanent recruitment.

As a small professional employment agency, we pride ourselves on our honest and open approach to candidates and clients alike.

TaxAssist Accountants : TaxAssist Accountants are the largest network of accountants who focus their accountancy skills specifically on small businesses and taxpayers needing a tax return in the UK.

So, it's a site that advertises freelancers and contractors, run by a company that shares office space with a recruitment agency, Umbrella company and tax accountants.

No definitive connections, but you can join some fairly obvious dots I would have thought.

[Bunk]

snip

Good detecting Sherlock

[malvolio]

They're based in a shared office building in a business park about 5 miles from me, and shortly moving to a slightly nore exclusive one. Their target is not really IT contractors but the independent freelancers working in media and the like, although iobviously they will take anyone that finds them interesting. They are a startup this year, nothing sinister, simply trying to establish a presence and a service they feel will be of value.

Of course all the devious dectective work is good fun, you could alsways simply email them and ask...

(and no, they're nothing to do with me, I only post there on occasion! )

[DimPrawn]

Of course all the devious dectective work is good fun, you could alsways simply email them and ask...

(and no, they're nothing to do with me, I only post there on occasion! )

Yes.

Dear freelance wot not.

Are you infact a nice startup out to help freelancers and contractors or infact a group of devious agents out to steal references?

Cheers,

Dim

[DaveB]

They're based in a shared office building in a business park about 5 miles from me, and shortly moving to a slightly nore exclusive one. Their target is not really IT contractors but the independent freelancers working in media and the like, although iobviously they will take anyone that finds them interesting. They are a startup this year, nothing sinister, simply trying to establish a presence and a service they feel will be of value.

Of course all the devious dectective work is good fun, you could alsways simply email them and ask...

(and no, they're nothing to do with me, I only post there on occasion! )

Fair comment, nothing devious about the detective work though, 10 mins on google does the job

I believe the original query was rasied due to the lack of clear information about who they are and how they operate. There are no telephone numbers on the site, only generic email contact details.

On a related note, it looks like they are frequented by one of our own as well <snip>

[Beefy198]

I've posted over there too (feel free to burn me).

It's alright, obviously not horrendously busy but it's all starting up. They have the odd interesting question and it's nice to hear from people that aren't IT contractors once in a while.

Funny comment about the phone number, this site doesn't have one either and doubt many websites like this do - and anyway, do we know who runs this place?

[DaveB]

Funny comment about the phone number, this site doesn't have one either and doubt many websites like this do - and anyway, do we know who runs this place?

Yes, but this site isn't collecting detailed personal information about it's members and their businesses.

Another example, in their privacy statement :
Who are we?

<snip> provides the most comprehensive and independent analysis into freelance services in the UK. By using a unique Competency Feedback scoring system, we are able to quantify the quality of an individuals or organisations services against their peers or competitors.

That doesnt actually tell you anything about who they are. In the absence of anything concrete, the lack of a phone number does tend to create a certain wariness. I apprecite they probably dont want to have to deal with loads of crappy calls, but a little more information about who they are would help.

The email addresses they do give appear designed to make it look like they are a larger outfit than they really are, something scammers frequently try to do.

Now I accept that I am probably more suspicious and distrusting than most, in part thats why I do what I do , so I do tend to look for the worst and try and pick holes in things. Unfortunately a lot of the time I am right.

Given Mal's endorsement of them I am happy to accept they are genuine, and good luck to them if it works. Absent that endorsment there are a few things about the way they present themselves that could cause alarm bells to ring.

[DodgyAgent]

Can anyone tell me anything about <snip>?


TIA

You'll find the contractors between the potatoes and the radishes