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How To Avoid Getting Swindled By Deadbeat Companies
By David Coyne
By David Coyne
Recently, I was contacted by a Florida company that had visited my website. They were looking to hire a full-time employee to write copy from home. While it seemed like an interesting opportunity, suspicion crept into my mind. Why hadn’t they hired someone local? I live 2,800 miles from Florida. I told them I’d consider the offer. I first wanted to do some research.
I ran an inquiry on the company at the Better Business Bureau website. In the last three years, this corporation had 25 complaints registered with the BBB, and they only resolved two of them. They had ignored the remaining 23. (The BBB will always contact the company to get their side of the story.) And the business had three unresolved complaints related to billing and collection. Had they swindled other copywriters out of money?
I wasn’t going to risk it, so I declined this “opportunity.”
Here’s some things to consider before working with a new business, especially if it’s not local.
* Check them out with the Better Business Bureau. Go to http://www.bbb.org. Did they resolve any outstanding complaints? A company that screws over customers won’t treat contractors or suppliers any better.
* You can also confirm a company’s credit worthiness with D&B’s Credit eValuator Report. Late bill payment, lawsuits and credit risk info are all included. If you plan on doing a long term or high fee project with a company, you might find the $30 report a worthwhile investment. For more info, visit http://www.dnb.com.
* Be cautious of an out-of-state/country company that wants to hire you as an employee who works from home. If they don’t pay, you don’t have much recourse to collect other than expensive legal action. Instead, ask the company if they’d be willing to hire you as a contractor. Then get them to sign a letter of agreement and require 50 percent payment upfront. If they refuse, decline the assignment.
Most companies are ethical. But the best way to protect yourself is before you start a project. Never rely on verbal agreements, no matter how good the client. It can lead to misunderstandings. Always put the details of the project in writing and get the client to sign off.
I wasn’t going to risk it, so I declined this “opportunity.”
Here’s some things to consider before working with a new business, especially if it’s not local.
* Check them out with the Better Business Bureau. Go to http://www.bbb.org. Did they resolve any outstanding complaints? A company that screws over customers won’t treat contractors or suppliers any better.
* You can also confirm a company’s credit worthiness with D&B’s Credit eValuator Report. Late bill payment, lawsuits and credit risk info are all included. If you plan on doing a long term or high fee project with a company, you might find the $30 report a worthwhile investment. For more info, visit http://www.dnb.com.
* Be cautious of an out-of-state/country company that wants to hire you as an employee who works from home. If they don’t pay, you don’t have much recourse to collect other than expensive legal action. Instead, ask the company if they’d be willing to hire you as a contractor. Then get them to sign a letter of agreement and require 50 percent payment upfront. If they refuse, decline the assignment.
Most companies are ethical. But the best way to protect yourself is before you start a project. Never rely on verbal agreements, no matter how good the client. It can lead to misunderstandings. Always put the details of the project in writing and get the client to sign off.
David Coyne is a copywriter and consultant specializing in business-to-business and alternative health. http://www.b2bcopywriter.net
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http://www.healthcopywriter.net