That's awful. I've recently applied to Contentfly. They've accepted me and I've got to write a test piece, for which they'll pay $37. At the moment, they want it in 3 days, over the Christmas holidays. I've just rejected it, because it's a topic I know nothing about. I wouldn't normally write 750 words for 37 dollars, much less under time pressure, on a topic that's going to be research heavy, during the holidays! Apart from that, so far they seem to be much better than the one you worked for, because at least the rate isn't that bad, just to get me into a position where I can choose my own rates and topics, from what's available on their site. And they don't put them out to other people either. So once I get the job, only I have got that job... at least I believe that's how it works.