Interested in quoting on a custom lookup request but not sure where to begin? Looking for advice on how much to quote for what types of research? Wondering how to get alerts for custom requests in your localities? We answer some common questions providers ask about the custom lookup request process below.
You can:
Here are the basic steps in the process:
The deadline is the date by which the client wants to receive the document they ask for in their custom request. This date helps you decide whether you can track down the document they want in the timeframe they specify. It also helps you determine an appropriate amount to quote. Additionally, if the client doesn't receive and accept a quote by the deadline, their request will expire and will no longer be open for quotes. They can choose to extend the deadline if they'd like.
Yes you can. In fact, we would encourage you to if you feel the target price is unrealistically low. In such cases, if you take the time to accompany your quote with a research proposal explaining why your higher quote is appropriate, you will likely win both the respect and gratitude of potential clients.
Yes, you do. You're free to set your prices as you see fit, just as for standard lookup offerings. But our payment and fulfillment processes are structured around the two-tier price model, and it's a key component of the value we promise to lookup clients, so we do require two prices for custom lookup quotes.
We keep providers' quotes private in an attempt to minimize the potential for a "race to the bottom" in lookup pricing. This admittedly helps us, but we also think it benefits both clients (who will likely see a wider range of providers submitting quotes than would otherwise be the case) and providers (who will hopefully have greater opportunities to compete on value, instead of merely on price.)
Click on the "Account" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page you're on. [If it doesn't appear, you'll need to log in to see it.] Next, click on the "Localities" tab. Using the drop-down menus under "Add a new locality to your favorites", select a locality and click on the "Save" button. Now look for the "Settings" tab. Click on it, and you should see a list of e-mail and lookup feed notification options. Make sure that the box next to "A new custom lookup request is posted for one of my favorite localities" is checked. You can choose to be alerted via Email, via Lookup Feed notifications, or via both methods.
Here are some issues we would encourage you to think about as you formulate a proposal and decide how much to quote:
In such cases, we would encourage you to post a polite message to the client pointing out why you believe that the document they've asked for does not exist or can not be retrieved. You'll obviously be doing them a huge service. You may also help establish your credibility and integrity in the process.
No. When the client accepts your quote and authorizes payment, their lookup request is placed directly into your "Track Orders" queue with a status code of "In Progress". We skip the "accept" step for providers since you've already had a chance to review the client's request in detail before submitting a quote.