On Gig.tn, it's normal for buyers to want to understand the quality of a freelancer’s work before placing an order. That’s why we provide reviews, portfolios, and past delivery ratings. But some buyers abuse this process by asking freelancers to do "test work" or "samples" — and then disappear without ever paying.
This is one of the oldest scams in the freelancing world: pretending to need a sample as a way to collect free work without placing any actual orders.
🚨 How the Scam Works
This scam often looks like a normal request at first. A buyer will contact you with a message like:
"I love your profile, but can you do a quick sample to see if we're a good fit?"
Or:
"I just need a small piece of writing/design/video to test your style. I'll place a big order if I like it."
It sounds promising — and many new freelancers fall for it, hoping it will lead to future work. But what happens is:
You spend time and effort doing the free sample.
The buyer disappears or ghosts you.
They repeat this scam with other freelancers, collecting full projects for free.
🎭 Common Excuses Scammers Use
Scammers try to sound polite or professional to gain your trust. Here are some of their typical lines:
"I need to show it to my manager before we proceed."
"I’m comparing different freelancers. I’ll let you know who gets the job."
"It’s a small task, just 10 minutes for you."
"I’ll place a big order if this works out."
In almost all cases, no order ever comes.
🧠 Why Experienced Freelancers Don’t Do Free Work
Real freelancers on Gig.tn get paid for their time and skill. Offering free work — even for a few minutes — is a slippery slope that devalues your expertise.
Even if a buyer seems legitimate, the correct way to test your skills is to place a small paid gig. Gig.tn is built to protect and support professionals, not to help buyers collect free work.
✅ What to Do Instead (Professional Alternatives)
If a buyer asks for a sample, here’s how to respond professionally:
"Thanks for your interest. I don’t offer free samples, but I’d be happy to complete a small paid task through Gig.tn to demonstrate my style."
"You can view my previous work on my profile or place a trial order — I’ll treat it with the same quality as any full job."
This filters out fake buyers quickly. Real clients who are serious about working with you won’t have a problem placing a small paid order.
📌 Real Case Example: The Content Trap
Case: Sana, a freelance content writer, received a message from a buyer asking for a "quick sample article" to test her writing style before ordering a 10-article package.
She spent an hour writing it. The buyer said they would “get back to her.” They never did. Later, she found her sample article published online under a fake name.
💀 What happened? She was scammed out of her time and work.
🚀 Lesson: No matter how tempting the offer, always ask for payment before you begin.
🛡️ Gig.tn’s Position on Sample Scams
Gig.tn encourages freelancers to never accept off-the-record or unpaid test work. Buyers who repeatedly request free work may be warned or banned.
If a buyer tries to:
Get a full or partial gig for free
Request off-platform communication
Refuse to place an official order
...you should report them using the platform tools immediately.
🚨 Red Flags – How to Spot a Sample Scam
They refuse to place even a small paid gig.
They ask for something that requires real effort or skill for free.
They avoid committing to timelines or next steps.
They make big promises (“I’ll bring you lots of work later!”) without proof.
They disappear right after you send the sample.
📢 Protect Your Time and Value
🔹 Never send free work to anyone. If they’re serious, they’ll pay.
🔹 Always request an official Gig.tn order before starting.
🔹 Offer a low-cost trial gig if needed — but never unpaid.
🔹 Report users who repeatedly request free samples.
You worked hard to get good at what you do — don’t give it away for free. Gig.tn is here to support professionals, not to help scammers.