Tap Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 (edited) Without going into too many details.... I hired a professional for a service, paid $350 for a few hours work, part of which was a report for me to keep and possibly pass to another person(s) if I decide to. It was a concise, large font, 2 page report (not a huge report that I am nitpicking). There were several important errors that I absolutely want corrected like our names LOL but what I want to know is... what errors you would have mentioned? What errors would you have mentioned to the person, asked to be corrected? Wrong name of party one 2x Wrong name of party two 1x Incorrect use of the word 'inn' where it should have been 'in'. Missing word that is significant to the answer of a question. Two missing apostrophes. ie examiners opinion What would you say to the person? If I wasn't potentially passing this on, I wouldn't worry about it but I don't want the examiner to seem ignorant either. PS This is a very well regarded specialist in this field, not just a fly-by-night person. Edited October 21, 2010 by Tap, tap, tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Can you just call them and let them know you saw a few errors that you would like to have corrected? At $350 for a few hours of work, I would expect it to be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I think that is a bit much. I don't think it is your job to critique his grammatical/spelling errors. Did he misspell your name....or is it totally wrong? I wouldn't think twice about something like this.....who cares....you didn't write it. I can't imagine it would have any impact on you. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Absolutely tell them. Chances are, they doesn't do their own reports, but dictates them and has them done. they should know that whoever is typing their reports is making them look unprofessional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate CA Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 If it is for legal purposes you will want it corrected and may need it to be. I would contact the person that did the work and list the specific corrections. It is highly unprofessional to get peoples' names wrong! They should not have any issue correcting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I would mark it up in red pen and send it back to him. I would call him and tell him to fix the errors I had indicated, and to send me the new report ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 I think that is a bit much. I don't think it is your job to critique his grammatical/spelling errors. Did he misspell your name....or is it totally wrong? I wouldn't think twice about something like this.....who cares....you didn't write it. I can't imagine it would have any impact on you. . Totally wrong names in both accounts. One would be similar to 'michelle' but he used 'mary'. The other wasn't even the same letter "Mr. Smith" became "Mr. Jones". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMom Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I think that is a bit much. I don't think it is your job to critique his grammatical/spelling errors. Did he misspell your name....or is it totally wrong? I wouldn't think twice about something like this.....who cares....you didn't write it. I can't imagine it would have any impact on you. . Wow. You'd pay $350 for something and not expect it to be professional?:confused: Someone charging me that much better have perfect spelling and grammar on any document they produce for me. I'd insist on perfection, OP.:) This is a service you paid for and it's perfectly acceptable for you to get exactly what you ask for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam L in Mid Tenn Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 If I paid for a report to be written I would expect a professional job with no errors. I would call and ask for the corrections to be made a no charge. When my dh was self employed he did occasionally make errors or typographical mistakes. Corrections were made at no cost when brought to his attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Absolutely tell them. Chances are, they doesn't do their own reports, but dictates them and has them done. they should know that whoever is typing their reports is making them look unprofessional. :iagree:Yup this. Anyone charging that large of a fee more than likely does not do his/her own typing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Totally wrong names in both accounts. One would be similar to 'michelle' but he used 'mary'. The other wasn't even the same letter "Mr. Smith" became "Mr. Jones". Sounds like they did a cut and paste format from a template that they use for other people. If not, I'd really be wondering where those other names came from. I'd definitely ask for the names to be changed. I might point out the typos (which is what they others seem to be), esp the one where the word is missing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I'd expect a perfect report. It's what professionals do. I wouldn't make a huge deal of it--I'd just hand back a marked copy and ask for the corrections by whatever date seems best to you. I would NOT pay for his time to make the corrections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Yep, mark it up in a big old red pen and send it back to be corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertDweller Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I would want it corrected. A professionally prepared report should be just that, professional. And for $350.00, I would expect it to be error free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I'd expect a perfect report. It's what professionals do. I wouldn't make a huge deal of it--I'd just hand back a marked copy and ask for the corrections by whatever date seems best to you. I would NOT pay for his time to make the corrections. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Can you just call them and let them know you saw a few errors that you would like to have corrected? At $350 for a few hours of work, I would expect it to be perfect. Me, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I agree with those who say the report should be perfect. No need to make a big deal, just mark the errors and ask them to fix them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Just from a little different perspective...I was sent some legal work to sign and return. It was sent by someone that I had never heard of with a business card. The business card was marked up with an ink pen, my middle initial was incorrect (this was a big deal b/c there is someone from the same area with the same first and last name and the wrong initial. They sent it Fedex and wanted it returned in 24 hours. Nothing seemed right and it really made us wonder what was going on. We sent the info to a lawyer and several months later it appears they were trying to pull one over on us. They would have gotten it signed and returned within a couple of days had they been professional about it. Being professional and appearing professional go a long way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I was under the impression it was an estimate for services.....I had no idea it was just a 'report'..... I was thinking it was for 'repairs' for your house....or something similar....don't ask me why....LOL! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooblink Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I would mark it up in red pen and send it back to him. I would call him and tell him to fix the errors I had indicated, and to send me the new report ASAP. :iagree:Absolutely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Goldwater Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I would demonstrate the same attention to detail when writing the check...put in the wrong company on the 'pay to the order of', and leave the zero off after the "$35" :) When I did industrial on-site service/sales, every visit had a service report, detailing all activities performed on site. We FIRED PEOPLE for careless/sloppy reports. And the president (small company, 25 people) read an electronic copy of EVERY SINGLE REPORT written (I don't know how she did it! Fast reader?) and would make suggestions on improving communication skills through writing. I say, demand a re-write...withhold payment till satisfied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catalinakel Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I would mark it up in red pen and send it back to him. I would call him and tell him to fix the errors I had indicated, and to send me the new report ASAP. I agree(although I would send it through the mail and I would not call, but include a short note), and I would indicate in writing that, based on what their service advertised, the product delivered was unacceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Well my brilliant husband worked for years as a home inspector and was excellent at his job. His spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills stink (likely an LD issue). He was paid $300ish for an inspection and had to provide a written report that could be used to negotiate with the sellers, so it's basically the same situation. It doesn't sound like the content of the report is in question, but the presentation. It may be that it was transcribed using voice-recognition software, or it could be that the professional is not a great writer. If it is really important that the document is perfect, I would call and gently ask that the grammatical & name errors be fixed and the report sent back to you. Ultimately you want a professional-looking report, and the person you hired should understand that. It may also nudge him to do better editing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 They probably went to one of those "who cares if a kid can spell' schools. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Yep, mark it up in a big old red pen and send it back to be corrected. I did this on a doctor's report once! On top of many errors in the content, it arrived late in an unsealed envelope. :mad: I let them know and they had a corrected version to me in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fhjmom Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I handle much of the business for the HOA for my father;s development business. The title companies send us copies of the closing paperwork so we have record of ownership on the properties. One time the name of the new owners that was listed at the top of the paperwork (just at note of where to send to) was not the same as the persons named in the body of the deed. Legally, they deeded the property to the wrong persons!! :001_huh: And this came from the lawyer/title company. I caught in when I was inputting the new owner information in our records and called the title company to clarify which one was correct. Apparently the new owners didn't even catch it. Talk about an oops! I would politely call attention to the mistakes and ask that they be corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I would demonstrate the same attention to detail when writing the check...put in the wrong company on the 'pay to the order of', and leave the zero off after the "$35" :) :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I agree with those who said ask to have it corrected. A professional should not get upset over being asked to fix errors in a report he/she was paid to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 (edited) So, I left him a voice mail. I asked him to fix the names, the missing word, and the 'inn' vs 'in'. I said "I wouldn't even mention it if you weren't fixing the other parts anyways". I laughed and said...something to the tune of "there are a few missing apostrophes, but not that important. I am aware that I am paying you $350 for the service you provided and not necessarily the report, but maybe you need to find someone to proof read for you.....(laughing)". Thanks for you help...blah, blah. blah. I really tried to keep the message light hearted and nice, here is his response.... C (the wrong name), I mean C (the correct name) the English teacher has shown me the error of my ways.... I don't blame her. I don't have a secretary anymore to handle my proofing. I hope this makes the grade . Either way the result hasn't changed... I sent him back "LOL A+ Thanks for the corrections and your help in this matter." C. I don't know how to read his reply... I am going to hope and assume he was being funny and not an @ss. Thanks for your help. At least it is fixed. Edited October 21, 2010 by Tap, tap, tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 You can't control how he intends things, only your reaction. He should be more attentive to his reports, period. I'm sure I come off as being hard a**ed about this, but when someone is charging $350 a whack, it should be letter perfect. $350 is more than a number of people make a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 So, I left him a voice mail. I asked him to fix the names, the missing word, and the 'inn' vs 'in'. I said "I wouldn't even mention it if you weren't fixing the other parts anyways". I laughed and said...something to the tune of "there are a few missing apostrophes, but not that important. I am aware that I am paying you $350 for the service you provided and not necessarily the report, but maybe you need to find someone to proof read for you.....(laughing)". Thanks for you help...blah, blah. blah. I really tried to keep the message light hearted and nice, here is his response.... C (the wrong name), I mean C (the correct name) the English teacher has shown me the error of my ways.... I don't blame her. I don't have a secretary anymore to handle my proofing. I hope this makes the grade . Either way the result hasn't changed... I sent him back "LOL A+ Thanks for the corrections and your help in this matter." C. I don't know how to read his reply... I am going to hope and assume he was being funny and not an @ss. Thanks for your help. At least it is fixed. Sounds like he was replying to what you said with humor in kind. You said maybe he needs a proof-reader, his reply sort of implies he can't afford one anymore. It smacks of a sort of apology to me. I don't think he's being an @ss. BUT, I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt and sometimes that bites ME in the @ss. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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