The Start of a Headache
Since July, I’ve been dealing with a mess involving Payoneer. Now, for those unfamiliar with Payoneer, it’s a service that lets you receive payments internationally, often used by freelancers like me. But, let me tell you, my experience has been anything but smooth. It started when Payoneer asked me to provide more info about my account. Fair enough, right? So, I sent them the documents they needed, and guess what happened a few days later? They paused my account! Yes, just like that, no warning, no explanation.
After a few weeks of radio silence from their side, I asked them why they paused it. Then came another request, this time for even more documents. Sure, I thought, maybe this will finally resolve things. I sent the new documents and waited. And waited. And, well, waited some more. A few months of nothing. Finally, a short message arrived – my account was closed.
Ocus and the Payoneer Situation
Honestly, I wouldn’t have cared much if my Payoneer account was gone. In fact, it would have been a relief. But there’s one small problem: a photo agency I worked for, named Ocus, insists that photographers MUST have a Payoneer account. Here’s where things get a bit fishy. Ocus is based in France. I live in Belgium, so we’re both in the European Union (EU). Payoneer, on the other hand, is based in Delaware, USA.
You’ve heard of Delaware, right? It’s famous – or should I say, infamous – for being a tax haven. Rich people love it because Delaware doesn’t have a state sales tax. So, a lot of companies register there, taking advantage of its friendly tax laws. But it doesn’t just benefit businesses; the wealthy have been using Delaware’s legal system to hide profits and avoid paying taxes. It’s like a playground for the rich while the rest of us, the hard-working freelancers, get stuck dealing with the consequences.
Why Does an EU Photo Agency Want Me to Use a U.S. Payment Service?
This is the million-dollar question. Why would a photo agency in France, a country in the EU, insist on using a U.S.-based payment service like Payoneer? It doesn’t make sense. We have plenty of reliable banking systems in Europe. So, why Payoneer? Is this legal? Probably not, at least not by the standards of common sense. But when you’re rich or a big company, there’s always a loophole, right?
Let’s be real here: the rich play by a different set of rules. For companies and wealthy individuals, Delaware is a financial loophole heaven. For freelancers like me, it’s just another obstacle. So, there I was, forced into this situation.
The Freelancer Struggle: Why I Stuck with Ocus
Here’s the part where I tell you how I got stuck in this messy situation. I grew up with the idea that if someone offers you a job, you take it. No questions asked. Turning down work felt shameful. I know, it sounds a bit crazy, but that’s how my brain is wired. So, when Ocus, a photo agency, reached out to me years ago for photoshoots, I accepted the offer, despite it being low-paid. The idea of saying no wasn’t an option for me, even though I should have.
The job was frustrating. It didn’t pay well, and I felt undervalued. I tried quitting several times, and being a freelancer, I could technically just refuse any offers they sent me. However, my workaholic side kicked in, and I accepted most of them, even when I didn’t want to. It became a cycle. I wasn’t happy doing the work, but saying no felt even worse. So, I stuck with it for four long years.
Payoneer and Ocus: The Final Straw
In a weird way, Payoneer shutting down my account was a relief. It ended my relationship with Ocus, a job I could never bring myself to quit. It’s almost like Payoneer and Ocus finished it for me, putting an end to this almost Stockholm syndrome-like situation. But at the same time, I feel angry and upset about how unfair the whole thing was.
Think about it: here I am, a freelancer just trying to make a living, and I get punished with no explanation. Meanwhile, the “fat cats” of the world, flying around in private jets, get away with whatever they want, no questions asked. It’s a reminder that no matter where you are, which country you’re in, the game is rigged for the rich and powerful. And we, the freelancers, the hustlers trying to make ends meet, are left to deal with the fallout.
The Bigger Picture: Freelancers vs. The System
This whole experience has made me reflect on the bigger picture. Freelancers are often at the mercy of the systems set up by bigger companies and corporations. Whether it’s photo agencies or payment platforms, we’re just tiny pieces in their giant puzzle. But what happens when things go wrong? Well, as I’ve learned, it’s often the freelancers who pay the price.
We’re expected to navigate these complex systems, deal with issues like payment problems, and keep working without any of the security or support that comes with a traditional job. It’s exhausting, and it makes you wonder: why do we put up with it? Is it because we love what we do? Or is it because, like me, we’ve been conditioned to accept whatever scraps are thrown our way?
Moving Forward: A New Chapter Begins
So, that’s it. Another chapter closed. My Payoneer account is gone, and my relationship with Ocus is over. In a way, I feel free. Free from the low-paid gigs, free from the frustrating back-and-forth with Payoneer, free from a situation I never should have been in, to begin with.
What’s next? Who knows? I’ve learned my lesson. And as I move forward, I’ll be focusing on finding work that values me as a photographer and as a person.
Conclusion: A Lesson for Fellow Freelancers
To all the fellow freelancers out there: don’t be like me. Don’t accept jobs that don’t value your work. Don’t let payment platforms push you around. And most importantly, don’t let the fear of saying no hold you back. Your time, your skills, and your well-being are worth more than that.
The world of freelancing can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be unfair. We just need to stand up for ourselves and recognize when it’s time to walk away from situations that don’t serve us.