| Contact us | Help
Please Sign In
 
To avoid navigation issues, please see System Requirements.
IE users: Please display blocked content from the info-bar.
Click here if you are having trouble signing in.
Sign Up
It's fast and easy. You're done in minutes.

I want to hire professionals
  • Post your projects
  • Connect with service providers
  • Manage and pay for your work online

I want to find work on Elance
  • Get an Elance profile
  • Connect with employers & bid on projects
  • Receive new postings daily

Forgot Username?
Enter your registered email address, and we will send your username to you.
Email:
Forgot Password?
Enter your information below, and we will send you instructions to change your password.
Username:
Email:
Find Professionals
Find Work
Skills Central
MyElance
Water Cooler
search
> Elance Home > Main Help > Buyer Help > Can Service Providers open a Private Message Board (PMB)?
Still need help? Go back and look up other answers or send us a help request.
 Search Help
 
search
Resources

Questions/FAQs

Water Cooler

Employer Guide

Provider Guide

Elance University

Request Help

See Help Topics About

Help Overview
Buyer
Service Provider
MyElance
Billing and Payment
Terms of Service

Can Service Providers open a Private Message Board (PMB)?

Service providers can initiate the PMB on Elance if only if the employer selects the option 'Set communication preferences' during the job posting and bidding phase.

If the employer does not select this option prior to posting their job, service providers cannot initiate the PMB.  A employer would be the only party who can initiate a PMB.

If the job has already been awarded, either party can open the PMB to initiate a discussion.

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