Fired My Virtual Assistant
If you remember back a few posts, I was actually quite excited about hiring a virtual assistant. This person or organization was responsible for updating me on forum based domain names which dropped on a daily basis. In addition to that the virtual assistant was also responsible for researching datacenters located within the United States. All information was to be presented in a spreadsheet daily. To my disappointment the organization that I chose to conduct these tasks did not pay attention to detail and never turned in a research task at the scheduled time. Although I had great hopes for a virtual assistant to help me with both my personal and business tasks, this organization was unable to provide me with an effective replacement for an assistant here in the states. The following flaws have lead to this decision:
1. Not being able to effectively track the hours worked by the virtual assistant.
2. Time zone issues with the virtual assistant being based in India.
3. Not being able to effectively communicate the urgency of a set task to the virtual assistant.
4. Being over billed for tasks that would of taken a fourth of the time for me to complete myself.
I will definitely try other (VA) services in the future, but I have decided to delay seeking for one at this time. I actually found a program which could complete the tasks I needed done as far as domain names are concerned called imacros, with a little tweaking this program will be able to search the dropped lists and record all data found into a csv file. Once I get the hang of how to utilize the vast set of features that imacros offers I will describe exactly how I was able to utilize it for domaining and keep from paying someone to do this work for me.
Best Regards,
Jason Thompson
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September 27, 2008 9:23 am
Sorry to hear youve had issues Jason
That sucks – when will many outfits like this learn that the best publicity is FREE recommended publicity
It’s simple
If you’d have liked their service youd have told us – and they would surely have got more business. But now instead youve been overcharged for a poor service so what happens?
They lose your biz and the biz of folks like me
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September 27, 2008 5:39 pm
Was is a company or an individual?
Care to share (maybe in private) which company it was? Judging from your description of the work, it sounds like you gave clear and concise instructions. Hope you find someone that works better for you.
I did the same thing (fire them) with some virtual assistants I had, when they actually once caused a contractor to come to me who ended up billing me for just providing a quote. The virtual assistant company did refund the money, but it also turned out that they weren’t geared at all towards providing business takes but more just simple research and phone calls for things around the house.
So the search continues… I think I may also need to be a bit more clear myself as to what exactly I want my VA to do.
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September 28, 2008 10:08 pm
I am amazed at how many blogs I see about people/companies using VA’s in India. I have seen very few favourable reviews (although complaining is the nature of human’s these days).
When will you lot learn? You get what you pay for. Don’t be cheap. Support local business.
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September 30, 2008 11:43 am
Andy,
I completely agree with you. The company definitely lost out on an opportunity that would of created more business for them.
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September 30, 2008 11:46 am
Frank,
From what I was told they are a company. I think it is important for people to know that this company lacks in the service department, so I will disclose this information publicly:
http://xceedagents.com/
Frank if you do find a company which is able to render services properly, feel free to let me know as I would be willing to consider another (VA).
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September 30, 2008 11:47 am
Niall,
Where are you located? If you are located within the United States, feel free to post a few virtual assistant companies you have had good luck with. I am all ears, thanks!
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September 30, 2008 12:00 pm
I’ve been in the business of admin support for 30 years. I have a PhD and speak English as a native speaker — actually tutor students with English comprehension. Sure I charge more than $5 an hour, but it amazes me at how often I get someone calling about pricing, going somewhere cheaper and then coming back to me to get the job done correctly. Think of the time, energy and money they spent on getting something done improperly when they could have had it done right the first time.
I’m not saying that you can never get work done properly by going overseas, but stop and think. Language — not English as a first language. Time zones — they’re sleeping while you’re awake and vice versa. It is not easy to always discuss needs and activities over the Internet or phone; it is probably almost impossible in such a situation as we have here. It is no wonder that things went wrong.
Please don’t give up on Virtual Assistants. There are some really good ones out there (me included … LOL). If I can be of any help to you — even if you just want to ask some questions and explore possibilities for the future, please send me an email and I’ll give you a call.
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September 30, 2008 4:16 pm
I am in Australia. Only have used Australian (local ones). Admittedly have been burned by some local ones but found a great one now.
I am just a firm believer of you get what you pay for.
The time zones that Niki mentions above can be used to your advantage for quick projects (e-mail the work before you go home and the work is done when you get back in the next morning).
Try an Aussie one. They work for me.
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September 30, 2008 5:52 pm
Niall I’ll definitely look into that! Thanks for the information.
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