I was intrigued by your experience- I use freelancers all the time on numerous platform's. I have had great experiences on most of them. The only way forward to clear communication from the start to finish with also an understanding freelancers ARE not your employee - treat them as colleagues who are trying to do their best but life may be in the way sometimes.

I have ended projects and paid the freelancer the fee without issue because I get it, not every experience works out but that freelancer is making a living and its ok if some fail.