Your thoughts please...

[joannatubbs]

Hi everyone
I'm pretty new to the transcription world and I've been working with a transcription company for a few months now and have come across a few things that I'm not sure about. The client uploaded the wrong files to them and I dutifully typed them up and had finished when the call came through to stop as they were not the correct files. I had done my side of things but as the client wasn't going to pay them they didn't pay me. That wasn't a particularly large file so I let it go this time. A few times now I've had files that were say 60 minutes long but the recording was either so bad that I couldn't hear anything for the last 20 minutes or they just didn't have anything recorded at the end of the audio and I've only been paid for the amount of actual transcription and not the whole audio even though I've listened right through to the end ie used my time. Is this something anyone else has come across? Is this normal or am I maybe letting them get away with this. They are a relatively new company themselves so maybe this is just the way that work. I would really appreciate any thoughts as this is now beginning to get to be a pattern. Best wishes, Jo

[bridiej]

To be honest I would pull the plug. Never in all the time that I've worked with transcription agencies (8 years now) have I heard of such shonky goings on.

If they sent the wrong files you should get paid, end of. How are you to know they are incorrect?

Google for alternatives, there are loads of companies out there that outsource work to transcribers.

[joannatubbs]

Thanks Bridie. I had a feeling that's what people would say. I won't pull the plug for the moment as they are the only company I'm working for but I'm definitely going to start looking for something else.

[bridiej]

Start looking today, like I said there are loads of transcription companies out there

Good luck

[debw241]

It would have been easier if when beginning work with the Transcription Company there had been a contract or agreement setting forth what would happen under these circumstances (after all, none of these would be considered unheard of)

Actually, if you want to give them the benefit of the doubt as they are new and your only client -- take the lead. Email them or note it on their statement that you charge _____/audio minute (or however you charge). You noted they had a problem with the wrong file previously. You did not charge them as you extended a one-time professional courtesy, but from now on ALL work will be charged at _____/audio minute. I do sympathize it was the client not the transcription company's error...

ALSO note that each audio minute is charged -- whether there is anything on it or not.

I would also note that any transcription that is difficult to understand i.e. accent, bad recording etc is charged at a higher rate. (you may want to contact them to notify them of such recording prior to transcription) I use email so I have a written record. I often call and leave msg that I have emailed them -- or if I end up talking with them, I follow up with an email summarizing our conversation i.e. per our conversation this a.m....

[Just Delegate]

This sort of thing really does underpin the requirement to have a contract in place before commencement of any work.

[joannatubbs]

Thanks for all you responses. Just to clarify I do have a contract with the company but it doesn't mention any of this. I guess I'm going to be looking for someone else to work with..... thanks again.

[The Perfect Word]

I've never worked for a transcription company, just on my own. I did have a situation just last week...my contact at one of my clients uses my company and another one for backup. She was getting ready to go on vacation and she sent me a file to transcribe after her assistant had sent the same file to the other person (which my contact obviously didn't know). Since they couldn't bill the same claim file twice for the transcript, she paid me out of her own pocket. I hated for her to do that, so since it wasn't a large amount, I offered to pay her half of it back. She wouldn't hear of it, said I did the work and should be paid.

If you do the work, you should get paid, even if it's they sent you the wrong file.

[eXPERT Business Support]

Jo, definitely leave this company. I have worked with two transcription companies -- one I am still with. They are a great company. The other -- NIGHTMARE. It became very apparent to me after a few weeks working with them that their style of working didn't come close to mine. I know it's hard to leave any company. There's always a sort of attachment, however small. But this company that you're referring to just screams out, "RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK." Signing up with transcription companies is a great way to supplement your virtual business. So don't give up on all of them. There are great ones out there.

[joannatubbs]

I have looked for another company but am finding it hard to even get a response from them. I guess that there is a lot of competition out there however good you are! If anyone has any suggestions of companies that may be looking for transcribers I would really appreciate it. I mainly look at UK companies as this is my first language.

Again, thanks to everyone for your feedback and I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone on the forum a very MERRY CHRISTMAS...