Julian Nevin

Many businesses look for ways to reduce costs, and outsourcing work to cheaper freelancers is a common strategy. But is it always worth it? A recent experience highlighted the real cost of undervaluing skilled professionals and why the cheapest option often comes with hidden risks.

The Story: A Business Owner’s Hiring Struggles

I recently came across a Facebook post from a business owner who had been scammed by two videographers based in the Philippines. She provided them with contracts, even gave each of them a MacBook Pro to use, yet both let her down. Frustrated, she questioned why she kept being scammed when she was, in her words, treating her employees so well.

Her generosity was clear—offering expensive equipment and even cash advances when needed—but it raised an important question: were these hires actually qualified for the job? If someone needs their employer to supply the tools, do they have the skills to deliver professional results?

My Interaction with the Business Owner

Seeing her post, I reached out to offer my services as a videographer, photographer, and editor. She responded enthusiastically, saying she’d love to collaborate and asked for my day rate.

I prefer not to work on a strict day rate because projects often take longer than expected, which can lead to unnecessary costs for the client. Instead, I believe in setting a clear, upfront price based on project scope. So, I replied with a series of questions to better understand her needs—how frequently she needed content, how she planned to send footage, and the number of videos required per week.

Using email tracking software, I saw that she opened my email but never replied. After two days, I followed up with a polite message, reiterating my availability and providing my day rate for transparency. Again, she opened the email but ignored it.

The Red Flags: When Clients Want Cheap but Expect Premium Quality

This situation raised a red flag. If someone claims to treat their hires well but lacks the basic courtesy to respond, it speaks volumes. A simple “This is out of my budget” or “I’ve gone in another direction” would have been professional. But ghosting? It showed a lack of respect for freelancers’ time and effort.

It also reinforced a key lesson: businesses that consistently chase cheap labour often deal with unreliable work and high turnover. When someone repeatedly gets scammed, they need to ask themselves—are they truly hiring qualified professionals, or are they simply looking for the cheapest option?

The Real Cost of Hiring Cheap Labour

1. Lack of Experience – If someone needs you to provide the tools to do the job, they may not have the necessary skills or experience.
2. Missed Deadlines & Unreliable Work – Cheap hires often come with hidden costs—delays, poor quality, or even disappearing before the job is finished.
3. Poor Communication – Hiring at the lowest rate often means dealing with professionals who aren’t fully invested in your project or lack the professionalism to maintain clear communication.
4. Higher Long-Term Costs – Constantly replacing unreliable freelancers costs more in the long run than paying fairly for experienced professionals from the start.

Why Valuing Skilled Freelancers Matters

Businesses need to rethink their hiring approach. If you’re constantly dealing with unreliable workers, the issue might not be them—it might be your hiring strategy. Choosing a freelancer isn’t just about finding the lowest price; it’s about finding someone with the right expertise, equipment, and reliability.

Freelancers, have you ever been underpaid or ignored by a potential client? Business owners, have you been burned by unreliable hires? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.