I have done some work on odesk and other similar sites. The big problem for me is that almost none of them have real budgets and I live in the United States. Real meaning, money that will pay for people to live in the United States. While working for someone on odesk or vworker or something, at those times, I was barely able to pay my half of the rent.
We've had different experiences, then. I've done work through vworker -- now freelancer -- for the last couple years, and at no time have I had trouble getting work at my target rate.
Sure, I pass a lot of projects that can't afford my work on the way to the ones that can. It's only the ones you say 'yes' to that matter, though.
