Why Freelance Web Sites Suck.
Creative Moonlighter
Guru <-- Now defunct
Solo Gig
Freelancers
All Freelance Work
Imagine, for a freelancer there is one shot to make a connection. Miss it and there is another person right behind (unless you're behind). For an employer a project goes into this imaginary pit and they must wait for a package to be coughed up. They're likely very interested to get their job done and cautious about who they can trust. A lot of if. Not exactly a grand solution we are all hoping for. I believe this is an issue intrinsic to using the internet to conduct business. It consistently is a leap of faith to get any work. Like any internet community, the possibilities are limited only by the quality of the participants and what they give back. But, when a freelancer is thinking of getting a new job, giving is the last thing on their mind.

Creative Moon Lighter added a discussion panel. This seems to have added to the experience; however, I have participated in several of these discussions in a preemptive manner (asking questions befor I submitt a proposal) and often employers do not participate or never return later to answer questions. Days may go before a response. One user added a discussion question so involved and detailed I was humbeld by the sheer scope of it's interrogation. It was sad to never see the employer take advantage of the forum and respond to what were very good questions. This is not a fault of the service, they can't force a user to use it the way it's intended.
-xtian