Can I post an errand in Jobs?

November 14, 2006 3:34 PM

Appropriate to use Jobs for someone to run you an errand?
posted by dobbs to Etiquette/Policy at 3:34 PM (17 comments total)

I need something small from a shop in NYC. I'm having a hell of a time getting them on the phone and have been waiting a month for them to ship it to a store here in Toronto. I'm sick of waiting and playing phone tag. I'm wondering if I could post to Jobs for someone to visit the store and pick it up for me and ship it and then I'll pay them for their time. Is that a misuse of Jobs?
posted by dobbs at 3:35 PM on November 14, 2006

I think previously we'd discussed a section of the site to be used for things like this before but it was pre-Jobs. I guess I'm asking in general as well.
posted by dobbs at 3:36 PM on November 14, 2006

There was the whole question of a MetaFilter favours site. I think people decided it wouldn't work for various reasons, even though it seems like a great idea.

At minimum, in order to not appear to be misusing the jobs site, I think you need to suggest a compensation level up front.
posted by Chuckles at 3:46 PM on November 14, 2006

Is that a misuse of Jobs?

No. Someone does something for which they get paid.
posted by y2karl at 3:47 PM on November 14, 2006

I don't think so, as long as there's some kind of flag you can tick (I'm not sure if there is already) to indicate the position's been filled or the job done, once that's the case.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:50 PM on November 14, 2006

Sorry, unclear: I mean that I don't think it's inappropriate.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:50 PM on November 14, 2006

But do you really think Steve will do it?
posted by wendell at 4:01 PM on November 14, 2006 [2 favorites]

I say go for it. There aren't many jobs up there, and you're offering some cash, right?
posted by klangklangston at 4:21 PM on November 14, 2006

Okay, thanks. Done.
posted by dobbs at 6:22 PM on November 14, 2006

Yeah, I reckon it's fine. I'd certainly be happy to do an errand like that for someone in London, particularly if there's a couple of bob in it.
posted by hot soup girl at 6:34 PM on November 14, 2006

AND Thus, it occurred within this fashion that the Knights-Errant of MetaFilter were formed. Many deeds and adventures would soon transpire upon the land, to the delight of all.
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:32 PM on November 14, 2006

If you need someone to vouch that you'll actually pay them dobbs, feel free to have them send me an email.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:19 PM on November 14, 2006

At minimum, in order to not appear to be misusing the jobs site, I think you need to suggest a compensation level up front.

Do any of the posts on Jobs do that, or are they all misusing it?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 6:47 AM on November 15, 2006

Thanks, all! I got a good response (5 people in 12 hours or something like that)!
posted by dobbs at 7:34 AM on November 15, 2006

Perhaps I put the emphasis on the wrong part of my statement before.

It seems to me that if you are asking for something that would normally be a candidate for FavourFilter, odds are some user is going to offer to do it for free - I think it's called 'gaming the system'. Since almost any favour could be considered a job, I think it is important to preemptively avoid that inevitable conflict. One way is to list pay up front, it conveys the intention to actually pay, and it's more likely a gamer will be found out.

It is jobs after all, not favours. If you can make it work for you, great, I hate to see pointless restrictions as much as the next person. Just don't abuse..
posted by Chuckles at 8:08 AM on November 15, 2006

I am really not clear on the reason for separating what you call favourfilter from any other job posting.

If I post a "regular" job, and five people respond, I may choose to give the work to the one who wants the least money. If they all want more money than I want to pay, I may decide to do the work myself.

If I post a job that consists of a request for someone to go to a store in a distant city, buy me something, and mail it to me, how is that different? Say five people respond, and four say they will do it for $10, while the fifth says he'll do it for just the postage. I may, once again, choose to give the work to the one who wants the least money. How is that "gaming the system" any more than any other job offer?

FWIW, I would like to see pay ranges for all job offers everywhere, but that doesn't seem imminent.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:30 AM on November 15, 2006

Is it a job if I ask for someone send me prescription medication in the mail?

(my back really really really hurts).*

* Also: migraines
posted by fishfucker at 1:30 PM on November 15, 2006