Problems at Patch.com

I've seen a couple of the Patch sites and I felt really embarrassed for the people who work there. I guarantee you they're busting their asses to put out a D+ product.

 

And if you do your job well, they will notice that, too. It's not like there aren't good Patch sites out there, too. It's kind of a mixed bag.

 

Little birdie tells me that some of the Patch sites outside D.C., in Maryland, are taking a Bunyon-sized ax to their stringer budgets, and these are sites that've started up in the past three months.

 

Is that bad?

 

Are they still invited to the big party? If so, it's not bad.

 

Whenever I have to buy friends of mine beer -- i.e whenever they stop making money -- yes, it is bad.

 

My local Patch outlets have cut their freelance fees, but they seem to be using as many stringers as ever.

 

Really? I recall in my area they offered really nice rates. That is too bad for all those freelancers.

 

They cut it a bit in my area, but it's still halfway decent for a couple hours of work.

 

Heard the sites in my area have eliminated some positions. Don't know any details other than the fact that it happened. Beginning of the end? Feels a little too soon for the bottom to drop out, but wouldn't surprise me.

 

What positions are there to eliminate? Regional managers? I haven't heard of them pulling out of any towns yet, though I don't know what happens if a local editor quits or gets fired - hasn't happened out my way yet.

 

I think there are some editors who, at least temporarily, are doubling up on towns. I could be wrong on this, though.