What is the Private Message Board or PMB and how do I use it?

Elance encourages open, complete and professional communication between buyers and service providers. Buyers and service providers can use MyElance, the Private Message Boards (PMB), as well as email and telephone to clarify project descriptions, scope or any specific requirements. Open communication helps Service Providers develop relevant proposals and Buyers make informed award decisions.

You are required to use MyElance to manage projects and packages, and are required to use the Elance Private Message Board (PMB) to maintain an electronic record of all written communication including clarifications and agreements around scope, deliverables, milestones, timeframes, price, feedback on deliverables, requests for revisions, acceptance of deliverables and completion of milestones. Also, transcribe relevant emails, instant messages, telephone or in-person conversations between the buyer and the service provider on the PMB to maintain a record of what is agreed.

In the event of an Elance Escrow dispute, all written communication on Elance, including project posting, proposals and bids, business terms and PMB communication will serve as the record for resolution of the dispute. A communication that is not referenced on the PMB cannot be submitted as evidence in non-judicial dispute resolution after a dispute is reported.

The PMB is available for each individual bid on a project. Once a project is awarded, the PMB will remain available throughout the project so that the buyer and the service provider can keep a record of communication.

NOTE: If a project is not awarded, Elance will delete uploaded files attached to Project Descriptions, Bid Comments, PMB and Work Space after 6 months. If a project is awarded, uploaded files will not be deleted.

Email PMB system:

The Elance system will also send an automated email to you when another party sends you a PMB message.  You have the option of replying to that other party through that automated email message.

When you receive the notification via email that a message has been sent to you to reply via email:

Respond to the PMB email and include a message with your reply. The message will be recorded on your PMB and a notification will be sent to the other person in the project.

IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT alter the subject line of this email. If it is altered the message will not be recorded in our system.  Also, make sure the email you send your reply FROM matches the email address you have registered to your Elance username account (not a forwarded email address).  If it does not match, our system will not be able to send.