Buyer FAQ

General FAQ | Seller FAQ

Why become a Buyer?

Buyers on 4FMV can take advantage of a huge database of contractors and consultants (Sellers) with skills in all industries and sectors. Instead of using multiple agencies to manage your contracts, 4FMV can supply all your contractors on one easy-to-use website.

All the hourly rates you see on 4FMV include our low 12% management fee, which is added on to Sellers’ chosen rates. As a result, 4FMV is very competitive with any other source of contractors in the market. We’ve also given you the flexibility to set your own criteria for selecting your Sellers. If you need someone in a hurry, you can search by availability. If you’re more interested in price or location, you can search by those too.

How do I become a Buyer?

Registration is free! Any business can be a Buyer on 4FMV. You simply provide us with a few details about you and your company and you can then begin to search through our database of Sellers. For more information, see how to register.

I’m a sole proprietor, can I still be a Buyer?

Yes! 4FMV has a commitment to pay Sellers for every contract gained through the website. As a consequence of this, a credit-checking process takes place, for all our registered Buyers, before we are able to offer payment in arrears. Where we are not able to offer payment terms to Buyers, up-front payments will be required.

NOTE: All fixed-price contracts must be pre-paid.

How do I find a Seller?

Please see our how to find a Seller page, for full details of our four-step process:

Describe the opportunity: provide brief details of the task you want the Seller to do and the dates you need them.

Search for Sellers: search our database to find and select Sellers with the skills you need.

Contact Sellers: once you have chosen a final shortlist of 5 Sellers, you can access their contact details to set up interviews.

Award contract: you agree to the final contract terms with your chosen Seller and the work can begin.

How do I invite bids?

Please see our how to invite bids page, for full details of our four-step process:

Describe the opportunity: provide brief details of the task you want the Seller to do and the delivery date.

Review bids: Sellers will submit fixed-price bids. Review the Seller’s bids and skills to select a shortlist.

Contact Sellers: once you have chosen a shortlist of Sellers, you can set up interviews.

Award contract: you agree to the final contract terms with your chosen Seller and the work can begin.

Can I have more than one Opportunity at a time?

Yes! You can manage as many opportunities as you want at one time. All your contract opportunities are listed on your homepage, from where you can easily continue to the next stage of the process of finding a Seller.

How can Sellers see my Hourly Opportunity?

Any hourly contract opportunity for which you have not chosen a final shortlist of Sellers can be posted on our open Opportunity Listings. Sellers with the relevant skills are invited to express their interest in the opportunity. Note that 4FMV reviews all Buyer opportunities before placing them on the list.

How can Sellers see my Fixed-Price Opportunity?

All fixed-price opportunities are posted our open Opportunity Listings. Sellers with the relevant skills are invited to submit a fixed-price bid. Note that 4FMV reviews all Buyer opportunities before placing them on the list.

Is the hourly rate fixed?

Sellers set their own hourly rates, to which we add our 12% management fee: so the price you see on 4FMV is the price you will pay (unless you negotiate a different rate with the Seller).

You are free to negotiate rates with the Seller, but you need to remember to include our management fee. The price you enter on the contract is the Buyer price (including our fee); so the Seller will receive this sum less 12%.

For ease of use, when you enter the contract price on 4FMV, the Seller rate is automatically calculated: so that you are always aware of the Buyer price and Seller rate.

How can I find out where the Sellers are?

Once you have registered as a Buyer, you are able to use our location functionality.

You will be able to sort your chosen Sellers by location, to see a list of Sellers from the closest to the farthest away from you.

I want to contact more than 5 Sellers?

We set a limit of 5 Sellers per opportunity. However, if you have contacted a Seller on your shortlist and decided that they are not suitable, you can remove them from your shortlist. After 24 hours you are then able to add another Seller to your shortlist – and access their contact details.

You can also add another Seller to your final shortlist immediately if a Seller removes themselves from your shortlist.

No one on my shortlist has responded?

Remember that it is up to you to get in touch with the Sellers on your shortlist. The shortlisted Sellers have seen details of the opportunity but they do not have your contact details.

Can I extend the contract for a longer period?

Yes! You can edit the existing contract to reflect the extended time. This generates an amended contract, to which the Seller must agree in the usual way.

How do I use the same Seller again?

If some time has elapsed since the Seller finished the previous contract, you will have to set up a new opportunity.

Remember that if you already know the Seller you want to use, the process is quick and easy, as you only have to provide sufficient detail to create the new contract.

Who do I pay? You or the Seller?

4FMV will invoice you. You pay 4FMV and we then pay your Seller.

Can I negotiate a Fixed-Price for an Opportunity?

Yes. You can create a fixed-price opportunity and invite Sellers to submit fixed-price bids.

Can I employ Sellers on a commission-only basis?

No. Sellers need to be paid an hourly or daily rate that is equivalent to at least the mimimum wage.

How do you make your money?

All our Sellers’ rates include our 12% management fee. This is far leaner than most agency margins, and ensures that you are still paying the most competitive rates for your Sellers.

My question hasn’t been answered?

Please contact us with your question and we’ll answer it, and add it to our FAQ list: buyers@4fmv.ca

 

Last updated 26-Aug-2011