Where are those affodable virtual assistants?

[Zilla]

I have been posting projects on elance, and boy, they are coming up with ridiculous fees even for the simple few hour tasks. One Indian company tried to talk me into buying a 20 hour package deal for $8 an hour. Proffessional VA companies bid ridiculous amounts for even the smallest, simplest little projects. The rates probably went way up after all this media hype about outsourcing, I am yet to see the kind of rates mentioned in 4hww! I think it's quite logical that I am not willing to commit to buying 20 hour package for $8/hr from someone I never worked with. I'd rather test them out before making any such commitments. Funny thing is, hourly rates are lower for US based virtual assistants than India. One India company was advertising $5/hr minimum on elance but they told me $6.5 on the conference call (false advertising)

I think some of those Indian outsourcing businesses assign overqualified people to simple tasks and then charge an arm and a leg.

[webgal]

I would bet it's a newly emerging scam, too.

[Zilla]

it's best to check their feedbacks thoroughly, and make it very clear that you will not make any big commitments until you get familiar with their service. Handing out a few small things and testing the waters is the strategy I'm applying. Though elance features an escrow system, so it's best to go 'per task' and pay when they complete the task using the escrow, than pre-purchasing a bunch of hours from anyone you haven't worked with.

[nghs22]

honestly you get what you pay for. There is more demand for VA's now and that equals higher price.

[jackson]

I have a really good one for $4/hour. What rate are you all expecting?

[vandu]

Jackson, around that rate..$4/hr sounds right.

How long have you been using this VA? Is it an individual or large company? US Based or abroad?

Sounds like you're happy. Can you tell us where you found your VA?