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The Initial Interview
The initial interview following the request for research
on a topic is very important. During this interview, we ask you questions
to make sure that we understand exactly what information you need and in
what depth, how soon you need the results, and level of
detail you need the information reported to you. We also need to know what
the cost limits for
our time and other resources you want to apply. It is very important to
define the scope, time frame, and other aspects of a search to ensure the
project results meet your expectations.
At this time we will also
establish how you wish to receive the results of our research. Unless you
tell us otherwise, we will send the results to you as an email attachment
formatted as a Word document. We can also provide the report in printed
form, delivered via US mail or express carrier.
A typical report might
include some or all of
the following items:
The Agreement
Once we understand your exact needs, we
assess the estimated time and costs of the project and submit a preliminary
agreement to you. If the agreement is in accord with your budget and what
the project entails, you sign and return the agreement to us via U.S. Mail or fax. Unless
other arrangements are in effect, such as a long-term retainer agreement,
we require that you pay 50% of the estimated cost of the project in
advance, via check or electronic funds transfer. Balance is due upon
completion of the project.
The Research Phase
Once we have established a working agreement, we get to
work on your project. Unless we have further questions or you have
additional information for us, we will not bother you. For long term or
on-going projects, we will be in touch with you as needed.
Billing
We
offer project, hourly and
not-to-exceed billing rates, with discounts available on
long-term projects. We
require a retainer of 50% of the estimated total project charges be paid
in advance via check or electronic funds transfer. Database charges are
billed as incurred according to the cost of connecting to, searching,
and/or displaying results for the databases used. Charges for express
service, purchasing documents, subcontracting, and so on, are charged as
incurred. Long distance telephone calls are charged at a flat rate of
$0.25 per minute for domestic calls and $0.75 per minute for foreign
calls.
Rush Service
Depending
on our schedule, we can sometimes provide next-business-day,
same-business-day, or weekend/holiday service. Next-business-day service
is billed at 150% of standard rates. Same-business-day and weekend/holiday
service is billed at 200% of standard rates.
Manuscript Review Service
We provide this service
primarily to novelists, particularly those who write techno-thrillers,
mysteries, and adventure novels. As a novelist, you create an imaginary
world in which the reader can immerse himself. Technical errors reduce the
credibility of your work. We will review your
manuscript for factual and technical errors relating to subjects which you
may have little or no expertise--computers, the Internet, firearms,
poisons, explosives, police procedures, context of historical events, and
so on. You may send us your manuscript for review in electronic or printed
form. We prefer electronic format, which makes it easier for us to refer
small portions of your manuscript as necessary to our own experts. The
cost of this service depends on the topic, size, and complexity of your
manuscript, and the level of detailed fact checking that you require.
Updated: Friday, 04 May 2001
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