Word of CAUTION before accepting work

[Tricia McLaughlin]

After experiencing a very unpleasant event, I feel compelled to post this. If you take a job from someone on CSRNation, even if you have spoken to them on the phone and all the terms are delineated, make sure you have them sign a contract with all terms explicitly set out.

E-mail me if you want the details @ [e-mail].

Tricia

[Judy]

I agree with Tricia. There are very few instances where an independent contractor reporter can/should COD a CR firm. You should have a huge red flag go up before you attempt that one.

[Tricia McLaughlin]

In response to National Court Reporter Guide, I wish it were that easy. I don't know of any agency that will do that. The only time I have ever done it myself, or heard of it being done, is to a deadbeat client that you know is a DB or have never done business with before.

Thanks for the input, Tricia

[National Court Reporter Guide.Com]

Always get your $$ upfront or C.O.D.

[Deborah M.]

Wendy, I would write a letter to the CSR board and cc her on it. That is so far beyond unacceptable I have no words! She is putting YOUR license in jeopardy. Would love to know who it was so I can stay far, far away. Don't agencies realize court reporters talk to each other?

[Janet]

Whatever happened to ethics? Reformatting a reporter's work to get more pages is unethical. I'm so careful about transcripts, the number of paragraphs, BY lines, etc., so that it doesn't look like I'm trying to pad the transcript. I actually really care about the final product the client receives. People reformatting transcripts to make more money really cheapens our profession.

Janet

[Tricia McLaughlin]

Judy and Wendy,

I agree with you both on this. It's not Monti's (CSRNation)'s fault. This profession has become so cut throat that we have to protect ourselves.
In years gone by, it was more the attys we had to be on guard with and whether they were going to give away our copy. NOW, I am not a mumaluke (sp?) that will just trust an agency until they prove their worth to me, and part of "their worth" means treating me with respect, which in turns says don't screw with my money.

Wendy, I just reread your post. How did she put timestamping on the tript? Did you send her a time-stamped ASCII? Just curious.

Tricia

[Judy]

So just be aware that not all agencies through csrnation are trustworthy.

I think you can take out the words "through csrnation" and it'll still be extremely accurate. No use blaming it on CSRnation. Everybody just has to be careful and do some due diligence before accepting jobs... from anybody... anywhere.

[Judy]

Well said, Tricia and Jennie. Totally agree that everything should be discussed before you accept the job assignment. And, if they start to change the terms of what's been discussed and put in writing, don't be afraid to call them on it! It's NOT okay to change payment terms after you've accepted the job! It's NOT okay for a firm to treaten deductions in payment if the deduction arrangement hasn't been put out in black and white before you accepted the job!

Yes, unfortunately there are some agencies out there that are preying on reporters (the same can be said of a reporter/scopist/proofreader relationship). Don't let it happen to you!

[Tricia McLaughlin]

Jennie, Jennie,
No, I didn't take any offense at all. I'm ticked off at myself. That's what I was talking about, that I should have known better.
You are in my mode of thinking. I put the blog up so others would be up front about the money also. People are afraid to open their mouths because of the economy, but that is the reason we have to. Otherwise, there will be no money coming in.
Be well,
Tricia

[Jennie Ann]

Tricia, I did not mean to hint that you were a newbie. I guess I should have been more clear. I was really trying to suggest to others who may not be comfortable talking about money issues to be firm about it. Hope I did not offend you. That was not my intention at all. :>(