How to distinguish a real test task from freeloaders?

Question

Freelance

Hello. Usually he was always very skeptical about test tasks. Recently, a customer from Europe knocked on Skype, talked, offered to do a small test task for a couple of hours. I decided to try, because. the project really interested me. The next day, the customer wrote that he liked it and even, on his own initiative, paid me for this work. But, unfortunately, not everyone is so decent, a lot of freeloaders who are trying to push through some pretty large projects as a test. And what are your algorithms for weeding out freeloaders from really decent customers?

Answer 1

A test job rarely requires a working copy of the code. Usually this is something that in practice does not make sense without further improvements.
And if you are required to have a ready-made working website, apologize politely and look for another customer.

Answer 2

The test item is usually simple and takes a reasonable amount of time.
For a test task, it is usually not required to provide code, and if they are asked, then not necessarily all, but, for example, a specific solution to a separate algorithm.
Well, in general, it is not a problem to evaluate the work, and to suggest, then agree or refuse.

Answer 3

Well, according to previous reviews.
No special calculation is required here - just take such test tasks that you could do for free. The test task is supposedly work for the future.
If they are trying to push you through a "large project" under the guise of a test task, then already agree on the usual task - payment in installments, hours or something like that.
It all depends on your current position and the current position of the customer. Take a break from this. If you already have reviews, and the customer is "new", demand an advance payment or divide the task into parts. Look for either another customer or an adequate solution to your common problem. Put forward professional adequate ideas - are you a professional or where?

Answer 4

even on his own initiative paid me for this work

If the work is more than an hour (15 min) - offer to immediately pay for your time
$ 20 is often an unbearable amount for freeloaders

Answer 5

I most often pay for a test task, because it is real)