Airtasker Connection Fee

[Deactivated] on 12/10/2023 - 23:13

I am currently looking at Airtasker for a general handyman to do a minor roofing job.
According to the website, Airtasker charges a connection fee of $2.90 to $34.90 to the poster of the task.
It states that higher value tasks are charged the maximum amount of $34.90.
Curiously, it doesn't show a schedule of fees and you don't know what the connection fee is until you assign the task.
How is that even legal?
If you decide that you don't want to proceed based on the amount of the connection fee, you are required to cancel the task. Hopefully that occurs before you have handed over your credit card details. 🤔

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Comments

  • Hybroid on 13/10/2023 - 00:07
    +2

    Guess just assume the price includes an additional $34.90 fee.

    Try these for a comparison quote: https://hireahubby.com.au

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2023 - 11:19

      Thanks! I forgot about hire a hubby. Will have a look now. 😊

  • markathome on 13/10/2023 - 01:04
    +1

    Here is the ACCC website on the matter: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/pricing/price-displays

    I'm guessing they'd argue the connection fee is based on overall cost for the task which is probably based on duration and distance to the worksite.

    Hence it can only be calculated once assigned and a credit card is required to assign a task. They might get away with this with the ACCC: although the ACCC takes a very narrow view when it comes to compliance. If they're charging the card before the connection fee is known, it's a bit more suss; if they're charging and refusing to refund the card in full it's outrageous and IMHO illegal.

    • markathome on 13/10/2023 - 01:08
      +1

      Although IMHO lucky dip credit-card foreign transaction fees are illegal too - and the ACCC has never prosecuted the Big 4 over them. So I guess I'm not a lawyer yet. American Express says if it's charged in a foreign currency - it's a foreign transaction otherwise it's not - and I'd like to see everyone follow this rule.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2023 - 11:23

      @markathome
      I think it's outrageous anyway
      considering that the tasker is also charged a fee. 🙁

  • Mechz on 13/10/2023 - 08:45
    +1

    Use hipages instead?

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2023 - 11:29
      +1

      I tried hipages first but not a single tradie responded.
      I guess that the job is too small for them and they are too busy. 🤔

  • donga100 on 13/10/2023 - 10:19
    +1

    You can see the fee before you assign the task. It will be in the price breakdown of each quote you receive.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2023 - 11:31

      Thanks I wasn't aware of that. The website says that you will be shown a breakdown of fees WHEN you assign a task. Not BEFORE.

  • Aussiebargainer on 13/10/2023 - 10:58
    +1

    It does show the fee in the app before you assign the task. I believe the 'connection fee' is around 10% of the job cost capped at the amount you mentioned.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2023 - 11:32

    Thanks I wasn't aware of that. 👍

  • Mechz on 13/10/2023 - 11:37
    +2

    I guess they implemented this to claw money back from people that were circumventing Airtasker by getting the contact to do a job, then cancelling and managing payments outside the app.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 13/10/2023 - 16:15
    +1

    The last couple of people I’ve used off Airtasker have asked if I wanted to pay cash instead of go through Airtasker. So once they’ve completed the job they just ask you to cancel the job, they accept the cancellation, then pay them the cash price which is less. Win win.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2023 - 18:22

      That's interesting because from what I read, the poster could forfeit the connection fee if they cancel a job after accepting a quote.

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