I've been in another service business for myself -
Posted By: BeenThere on 2009-02-12
In Reply to: Is that how it works? - LK
in the past. When the time comes to raise prices, everyone gripes. But if your skill is above that of the competition (in MT case, US vs India), it's worth asking more money for.
Will you lose clients? Of course. Some, anyway. I did. But you know what? The ones I lost were always the worst clients - the ones who wanted everything yesterday, and wanted a special low fee on top of that. They were the hardest to deal with, and often ended up costing me money to work for. Losing them was a blessing, because then I had openings to take on better clients.
Not only that, but the truly GOOD clients, when told I were raising my prices, sometimes actually said, 'You're still not charging enough,' and even tipped on top of my fee for service.
So this fear people have that you can only stay in business (ANY kind of business) by undercutting the competition and cutting corners is unfounded, and does nothing but hold them back.
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
If you have ever owned a service business you wound understand that you cannot
budget for this type of fluctation in scheduling. That is why we are paid by by the line and not the hour. It is not that different from other industries. I worked in a temporary RN agency and if they no longer needed that RN for the rest of the shift they were sent home. We only required a 4-hour minimum, and if they got to work and were sent home they got 1 hour of travel time. A business cannot succeed by paying employees for not working.
I've had my own non-MT business, before, and when -
penny-pinching clients (most of whom were wealthy, I might add!) tried to intimidate me into lowering my rates or else they'd go to another source, I told them to do whatever they felt they needed to do, because what they WANTED to pay for my services still did not affect what I HAD to pay for my overhead. What I WANTED to pay, and what I HAD to pay, were two different things. (Some of these clients, even though my biz was not MT, were DOCTORS, too, I might add.)
Meanwhile, I had clients who knew my work was worth what I charged, and in addition to being the best to work for, they were also the most likely to tip. So whenever price-raising became a necessity, I knew the drop-outs that wanted to search for a better deal were usually the problem clients I didn't have time nor energy to deal with, anyway. Give 'em a deal, and you always end up losing money. They usually require more time, more hand-holding, more explaining, more effort to collect from, and they usually want the sun and the moon, and they want it YESTERDAY.
I also had some clients leave and go with someone cheaper, only to come crawling back on their hands and knees when they tried the competitor's service and realized it wasn't such a good deal, after all. There is a lot of bluffing and posturing that goes on in business, and those who are willing to lose a little initially in order to stick to their principles, usually come out the winners in the end. Those who allow their clients to call all the shots end up trying to please everyone, but in the long run please no one.
I've been in this business 12+ years
now - worked for five companies before this one - never been happier. Work is steady. Pay is above average and always correct and on time. Lots of communication and feedback. It is a good place for me - I plan on retiring from here.
Well DUH - I've had a successful business for many
people who don't want to deal with the headaches of having their own accounts, one of those headaches being not being paid for an extended period of time, come here and complain about the difference between what the company makes and what they are paid.
I've been in the business 20 years and it is
NEVER slow this time of the year, especially when the beds are full because of the flu. I think maybe some MTs are working extra to pay off Christmas bills so that there may be less work for others.
I've been in this business 20+ years and never
been asked for a background check and if they want to run one they can pay for it. It is a scam.
I've been in this business since 1978, sweetie
x
GREAT post. So true. I've been in this business
for 30 years, and never ever had more than an hour or 2 with no work. Not acceptable and doesn't happen to me. I work my behind off, am fantastic at this, and not 1 employer has ever done that to me, and probably never will. Just like you said, if I hit no work, I call and straighten the situation out. Don't ask questions about the account, about what MT can or can't transcribe it, just state that no work is not gonna fly with me, and I am always treated with respect and instantly given work, which I also thank my bosses for. Give and take - it goes both ways. I'm there when they expect me, and I'm there when they need me, and we're all happy. Can you imagine some MTs getting ANGRY at you? Again, another scream or throw up reaction from me. Some of you MTs really need some psychoanalysis, if you know what that is...obviously your income is NOT a necessity, and this is probably a job for you and not a career. You get out of MTing what you give and what you expect, nothing more, nothing less. Expect to be treated like garbage, expect slave wages, expect no work, expect disrespect, and you'll get it, and it seems like many MTs are looking for this! Thus the continual postings asking about companies we all know STINK. There is no other explanation - you want to be kicked to the curb and probably put little effort into your life across the board. Such a shame.
Do you feel better now? !! Business is business, most of it should be confidential. Why post on a
x
Trying to build his business? He's been in business over 15 years!!!!!! sm
I also had a hard time, nearly impossible actually, getting paid. The owner does this on the side; he is very involved with other things.
If you don't know what is confidential, you have no business being in any business.
This is confidential information and should not be divulged. It is one of the biggest problems a co can have. If you have to ask...well I won't be able to explain it to you
What good does it do? They've lied, they've betrayed us.
They've taken all they are going to take from me. I am not going to waste any more time being angry. I hate the way things ended, but I refuse to accept the blame for any part of it because I know that was a lie too, even though they did try to blame the MTs. I know part of the problem was quality issues, but QA wasn't to blame for that either, although they have been.
It is time to pick up and move on. I think mgmt will reap what they sow. For those who worked on the main account Webmedx is still hiring, though the best time slots have already been taken.
What the heck? I've never heard that in the 8 yrs I've worked here. sm
Go back to your STM or over his or her head.
Since you've brought it up, I've stopped SM
giving the negative info because every time I have in the past I am called a disgruntled ex-employee or told that my experience has no relation to what the company is like today.
I won't repeat the information I've given in the past, anyone can find it on searches. I've decided to just let the people have their experience with the company and that experience will validate everything I've ever said about those people.
The same people own and run that company--they may have new names doing the management, but it still runs the same way.
You've got it ~ you've hit the nail on the head....
I can Google until dawn and still not find John Smith in NY - you know the neurologist... Cut me a break! I've now learned to ask my online company for a list of referring physicians (since none of the accounts are in my state) and also ask for websites for the hospitals, but I still don't take more than 5 min of my own time to find referring physicians. I send it right through with a verify cc:...
As far as making an educated guess, I would only do that if it was my own account and I know the dictator well. For the online company, it is their responsibility to make that educated guess as it is their client, not mine. I leave that up to the company to make assumptions; this way it is on their back, not mine when it comes to the legality of the report. Ultimately, the physician is responsible when signing that report or there should be clause on those reports that state dictated but not read. If that clause is not there, then it is the physician's responsibility to know the content, not the MT. An MT can only transcribe what they hear and really should not be making educated guesses on anyone since we live in a world of sue-happy patients and their malpractice insurance is so high. If there is a question, it needs to go the dictator to resolve.
JMO - been doing this for over 20 years. 
I've been a QA 15 years and I've never heard
of any company only paying for the actual Keystrokes of the blank. You would literally make less than minimum wage that way. Waaay less.
FTP service
can anyone explain the difference of using an FTP and that of a company that expects one to have cable or high speed internet? I have been doing this for little over a year and hope this does not sound like a dumb question. Thank you for your help.
Another service
Please put your money where your mouth is, give initials or some relevant information, or please stop spreading innuendo. Thank you.
What service?
What service is she offering exactly? The service of placing yet another ad on the job board making us believe it is a completely different job only to be hired for the same account that Superior has listed right below it? Are you flipping serious? You honestly think we need this service? What a nice gig she has. I would love to place a bunch of ads and get people to work for a company and take a couple cents for each person I find. She must be exausted working so hard for us needy MTs. Thanks bunches TTD!!! What would we ever do without you? Go jump in a lake, fly a kite and kiss my butt.
At my very first outside service
job back in 1990 I was paid 7.5 cents per line based on a 55 character line for clinic work and a line was a line was a line. If I typed Sincerely, it was considered a line. None of this BS about characters only or black characters or no spaces or some other tomfoolery to rip off the MT. A large employer who has settled recently in a class action used to make us work on a 90-character line and then convert it to 55 when sent to the hospital and pocket the difference. Outrageous!
While I realize we will never have a line is a line again, unless you strike a good deal with a private doctor, I agree that a minumum 10 cpl (probably one of those tomfoolery lines to boot) in this day and age is not an obscene amount to ask for.
What other service do you mean? nm
z
What do they charge for their service?
I would be curious to know the cost of such a wonderful service and the success rate of placement.
Can someone tell me about JLG transcription service. Thank you.
:
try D&L typing service
I worked for them and they are closed on weekends so what they send you on Friday gives you all weekend to toggle it. Some of their work is also 48 hour turnaround time but depends on account. They pay on time also but no direct deposit.
DIT Service-please read
Has anyone in NC/SC heard or have knowledge of DIT Transcription Service out of Rock Hill SC. It is my understanding that they are outsourcing to India. Thanks in advance.
R&S transcription service
Hi, has anybody out there heard of R&S transcription service? What was your experience? Do they pay on time and are they friendly and fair? I am considering a radiology position with them.
Thanks in advance Thalia.
A to Z Transcription Service
Just wondering if anyone has any info to share on this company. I do not think that I have ever seen anything about them on this site, but I'm hoping someone here is in the know.
Thanks, and Happy Memorial Day everyone! 
D&L Typing Service
Looks like they are having problems again keeping their staff - they also have ads on other sites for recruiters - they just hired one a couple of months ago and they left - I here their tech staff is dwindling down too. Makes you wonder why they have the high TAT - I heard they had problems paying, hope all is well with MTs still there. We all know when a company is having problems it is our bottom line that hurts.
Working for an MT service...
9 cpl is about the highest I've seen.
Never rely on just one MT service...sm
In my 13 years as an MT, I have been nearly evicted because I relied on only 1 company to make ends meet. After that experience, I vowed to always keep at least two companies to work for. It takes about that many or more just to make job security in this industry, depending on who you work for.
I'm really hearing good things about Transtech and Keystrokes, though I've never been involved with either one. They are saying these companies give you back-up accounts with plenty of work. Again, this is hearsay from this forum. Sounds like it is worth a shot, though.
The PTO is according to your length of service
I work there and get 7.08 hours per check. I haven't noticed less PTO. My complaint is the HEALTH INSURANCE for MTs (NOT Management). Ours stinks this year. NO RAISES. Any extra money we make will go to paying medical bills the INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER and RX which is NOT covered anymore. They give us $500 to spend for the whole year and that's it. Then the deductible kicks in and it is $5000!!!! I am checking other companies.
D&L Typing Service Inc.
Any info on this company?
Does anybody know anything about D&L Typing Service? TIA. nm
nm
Same happened to me with a different service sm
Priority Transcription out of Ohio. And I was not the only one who did not get paid. I guess that owner's priority is to stiff her MTs and keep the money herself. All I can say is karma. 
D & L Typing Service
Has anyone ever worked for D & L Typing Service? Good or bad??
D&L Typing Service ??
Does anybody know about this company? It may be one of the unknowns that is a good place to work. I did a search but found nothing on the boards. Any information would be appreciated! Thank you 
Has anyone used a service called
Transcription Matchmaker? Seems like a good idea but don't have time to waste my time right now. Thanks.
D&L Typing Service
It seems like every time (prior to the most recent fun going on there) when someone spoke of the BAD THINGS there, there ws that one MT that knew it all and said how great it was, and even called out one poster saying she knew why and when she was let go. I recall someone tried to call them out as a manager, seems like it must be true. No one has anything nice to say now. Did she not get paid too, is that why she is so quiet now?
I think if you get a check and it bounces you need to press charges. I guarantee you if D&L is paid by a bad check they would raise the roof. Unfortunately, the roof is pretty much falling in on them now. Not so many more stories can be told by them - they are running out of excuses.
I hope the Transcriptionist keep up the good fight and get what is theirs, and of course - I hope any company that would do this to others gets what they deserve as well.
D&L Typing Service
Unfortunately D&L is not out of business - wishful thinking perhaps on your part (and mine). Also, they did have a manager for three years who quit last year amid some storm and controversy - possibly she knew and got out quick - or was there another scandal not mentioned - who knows? And the post referred to was probably posted by the owner sticking up for D&L posing as IC, if you search back through the pages you will know which one was discussed. You are right, not one old or current IC will stick up for any owner of D&L, but their employees were great people. I wish them and the IC well, and hope they get their money.
It depends a lot on the service that has sm
your hospital's account.
Maybe the MTs should get finagle some kind of severance benefits package from the hospital--I believe it's been done by others.
You may end up making a lot more money at the service once you get your production up. Consider giving the service a shot as at least you know the account! As you said, your radiology dept might be outsourced, so if you hopped over to rads, you'd probably face this situation again.
I'd also check out the little hospital (you'd probably take a pay cut there) and see what it has to offer.
Play your cards close to your chest, hang onto a positive attitude(sure makes it easier!!!) and make the most of this new situation. This might be a very good change for you--make it one, anyway!
Best of luck!
Is this a service with an ad somewhere? Never heard of them. nm
s
ANP Transcription Service
Anyone hear of this company? I have been sending out resumes and today this came up in my bulk mail. I do not see where I sent them a resume. This is a mystery to me. Anyway, they do kinds of audio transcription, not just medical. I am looking for any information you can give me. TIA
What small service?
are you talking about? How do you know this?
It is possible to outsource to another service without
nm
THIS SERVICE OWNER DOES NOT PAY
A friend of mine has been working for this service owner, located in Arizona, and has received only one paycheck and that was late. She is now working without being paid, caught up in the I need the job and I need paid.
How do service owners get away with this? I wonder if contacting the contracted hospital would get her attention since multiple emails from multiple MTs are ignored, voice mails unanswered.
People wonder what happened to transcription? People like Philis Kortland happened to transcription.
What recourse does an MT truly have other than to quit? NONE.
Service Pack 3
I tried to download it on my computer and it messed up my computer, I had to call Dell and try to fix things. I ended up doing a systems restore and thank goodness everything was fine after that. I am not trying to downloaded it again!
Service Pack 3
My gosh i installed this and my network went down and couldnt even get online on my main computer. Had to uninstall and then everything worked fine.
How many of you actually work for more than one service
and would you recommend doing so to others? I am very seriously considering working for two separate MTSOs PT. One would be day shift and the other evenings. I am wondering if others do this and find that they have better paychecks than when working for one MTSO full-time.
It is the service's right not to employ PT
employees. My employer does not as they have to pay licensing fees for programs, and do not feel the fee is worth it for PT employees.
Google has a new service
coming out I heard that is very much like MJ but free. I too had MJ but got really bad connections. I liked the email voice mail but not the quality of my connections. My boss absolutely hated it and asked me to please not use it when I called her. I ended up back on Vonage. I had platform issues too when a call came in. I was at a standstill every time the phone rang.
Why does a service outsource?
Hi - I also am an American citizen and live in a rural area of Florida where the unemployment rate is 20%. I have taught hundreds of people to become MTs and they are some of the best I know, and still working for Transcend.
I have to tell you, when I owned MDI-FL, we did not outsource any work to India. But you know as well as I do, times have really changed. I am not thrilled with this. I never thought I'd see the day when we would have to go outside of the US. I always felt like most of us do, that I would definitely rather have US MTs.
Then, a hospital comes along and says - OK, we expect you to credit us $6,000 a month or we are going to outsource our work to India. For the first few years of this, we stick it out, but then you find out you are being undercut by so many other services because they can afford to charge a lot less than us because they outsource.
We still tried to hold out. Then it becomes a choice to either lower your MTs pay or outsource. I know how hard we work - don't forget I have been a MT for 35 years. So do we lose the work, lower our fees to the hospitals, have to lay off our MTs, lower our MTs pay, train additional MTs who work for less money, but then hurt our quality? You don't know how hard this decision is unless you are directly up against it.
Today, Transcend purchased and merged with a transcription company with a great reputation, who has 500 U.S. based, extremely experienced MTs who know their accounts inside out, who know what the doctors are going to say before they say it. I sincerely hope you all decide to stay with us, actually helping to lower the amount we outsource.
And yes, there are many hospitals who request please do not send our work overseas -- and WE DON'T. I am happy to say this is happening more and more.
It might be safe to say that I don't think there is a transcription service around that does not outsource. It is a sorry statement to make, but I think that is the case. And yes, it does come down to MONEY... We just can't continue to lower our rates, year after year.
We hold lunch time conferences each week with the entire company joining and I am going to suggest that the next subject be Why does a Service Outsource to India. I am sure Sue and Larry can answer this a lot better than I did.
Take care, and hang in there. Please e-mail me and if you want I can give you my number.
Liz
|
