Another project (for 2 CA death certificates) went to a low bidder. Who are these people? Let's do the math on this one again. I'm going to shortly start a wall of shame of low bidders...
The bid went for $32!
Whether or not you order the certificates from Fresno County or CA State, the cost would be $12/each = $24.00.
So $32-$8 EC fee = $24 - $24 = $0.00 !
I suppose the only explanations are:
1)The expert may indeed be a robot on Ancestry.com pointing them to vitalchek to get a cut
2)The expert is a robot without calculation abilities
3)The expert charged $32 for the information to order
Any way you look at it, it is highway robbery to those of us trying to actually make money on EC.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Experts Posting Contact Information On Client Message Boards
Several months ago, in response to several experts posting personal contact information on client message boards (phone number, e-mail), EC posted a blog entry stating that we cannot do this anymore. One of the main reasons they sided this way is they feel experts are working off-site with the clients.
My argument is that it allows experts to speak with clients and have them elaborate while at the same time not share posed questions and explanations on the message board. Doing so gives other experts who don't have the sense to ask themselves free information about the project.
I've been told by some that this gives me a "leg-up" on the project. My response is well, wake up we are all bidding against one another! Everyone has the same opportunity to contact the client!
Ever since EC posted the blog, I have obliged them and followed suit. I reported another expert today (yes I feel shame) due to them posting personal contact information on a project.
I received a quick response today - basically added a note to the effect that "What happens when I report these occurrences?"
They responded that:
"Every time we come across the abuse we notify the provider of the breach. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Wow, that is brutal! Here was my response:
Can I suggest a better system? Perhaps you keep a tally on infractions and after 3 times their account is suspended?
It isn't fair I don't get to post my contact information as I'd like to. It allows for better communication with the client.
If the system does not work and people continue to post contact information, I think you should start allowing it again.
PS - another reason this restriction does not work is that many times clients will post their contact information on the project (e-mail or phone) and experts could contact clients directly to discuss.
My argument is that it allows experts to speak with clients and have them elaborate while at the same time not share posed questions and explanations on the message board. Doing so gives other experts who don't have the sense to ask themselves free information about the project.
I've been told by some that this gives me a "leg-up" on the project. My response is well, wake up we are all bidding against one another! Everyone has the same opportunity to contact the client!
Ever since EC posted the blog, I have obliged them and followed suit. I reported another expert today (yes I feel shame) due to them posting personal contact information on a project.
I received a quick response today - basically added a note to the effect that "What happens when I report these occurrences?"
They responded that:
"Every time we come across the abuse we notify the provider of the breach. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Wow, that is brutal! Here was my response:
Can I suggest a better system? Perhaps you keep a tally on infractions and after 3 times their account is suspended?
It isn't fair I don't get to post my contact information as I'd like to. It allows for better communication with the client.
If the system does not work and people continue to post contact information, I think you should start allowing it again.
PS - another reason this restriction does not work is that many times clients will post their contact information on the project (e-mail or phone) and experts could contact clients directly to discuss.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
EC Down
I'd really love to work today but unfortunately EC is down...unscheduled maintenance? Maybe Ancestry needs to give EC one of its 2,000 servers.
10:22: Still down. Well I was going to work on this today.
10:22: Still down. Well I was going to work on this today.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Quick Posting of Links
Nice that EC posted my response to their blog entry today with links to this blog and discussion group. Hopefully this will bring additional fellow ECers!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Project Canceled
They did it...yesterday EC cracked the whip and canceled my project which advertised this blog and the discussion board.
Your recent Record Lookup project titled "Expert Connect Discussion Board and Blog!" has been deleted. You cannot post a project to invite other experts to a blog you've created.
Since they posted my previous message on their blog after a week, perhaps I should re-post with the discussion board link. It doesn't seem like they are up-in-arms with us communicating which is refreshing...but I won't hold my breath.
Your recent Record Lookup project titled "Expert Connect Discussion Board and Blog!" has been deleted. You cannot post a project to invite other experts to a blog you've created.
Since they posted my previous message on their blog after a week, perhaps I should re-post with the discussion board link. It doesn't seem like they are up-in-arms with us communicating which is refreshing...but I won't hold my breath.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Privacy On Expert Discussion Board
FYI if you'd like to join the discussion board, you'll just have to request to do so before viewing. This was done in an effort to protect member privacy.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Kudos to Ancestry.com!
I want to be clear on why I started the blog and discussion boards. I like the ability to collaborate with others to make something better. That being said, I did not feel the need to bash Ancestry.com. In fact, due to my new "side" job on EC, it has really helped me financially while allowing me to commit to a job I love doing every day! Kudos to Ancestry.com.
I look forward to hearing suggestions, bugs and more. Great place to vent too - let's hear it! Have a great weekend.
I look forward to hearing suggestions, bugs and more. Great place to vent too - let's hear it! Have a great weekend.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Ask An Expert
Generally I don't do these. Why? About 90% of my answers were either never approved by the clients or the projects were simply left in limbo. It is like giving clients free information. Huge waste of time.
What should happen is that Ancestry EC staff review answers after 30 days if the client has not selected an expert's answer and award it to the expert with the best answer.
What should happen is that Ancestry EC staff review answers after 30 days if the client has not selected an expert's answer and award it to the expert with the best answer.
SERIOUS Bug
Have any of you guys encountered any serious bugs? Had one a few weeks ago.
I basically had bid on a project and the client accepted. I tried to accept on my end and begin the project, but it would not go through (usually indicates the client has a credit card issue). But I was then e-mailed by another Expert who sent me a screenshot and stated that my bid was on her screen - and she hadn't even bid on the project! I was extremely upset, not only because it is embarrassing for me to have this happen with a client...but it also shared my proprietary bidding scheme to another expert.
All EC did was cancel the project and create a new one that did not have a glitch in it. They did apologize. Wow.
I basically had bid on a project and the client accepted. I tried to accept on my end and begin the project, but it would not go through (usually indicates the client has a credit card issue). But I was then e-mailed by another Expert who sent me a screenshot and stated that my bid was on her screen - and she hadn't even bid on the project! I was extremely upset, not only because it is embarrassing for me to have this happen with a client...but it also shared my proprietary bidding scheme to another expert.
All EC did was cancel the project and create a new one that did not have a glitch in it. They did apologize. Wow.
Totals Page / Finances
It is a certainty that all experts will have to tally their project amounts for taxes and run different reports at the end of the year. It would be nice if Ancestry.com created a rather simple dashboard type product which would take data they already have stored and let us create graphs, totals and more financial tools that will allow us to better keep track of our projects.
Flexibility and Organization With Projects
I have suggested to EC that we as experts are offered more flexibility in moving projects around. As an example, we have all of our non-bid invitation projects grouped together with potential projects. What if I don't even want to reject a project and dump it? Another example is we have "Archived Projects" which include our old projects as well as projects that were won by other experts!?!?! Does that make sense to anyone?
Another think I'd like to see is for us to be able to add custom fields to the project lists so we can choose what information we want to see on projects.
What do you think?
Another think I'd like to see is for us to be able to add custom fields to the project lists so we can choose what information we want to see on projects.
What do you think?
Free Subscription to Ancestry.com
One of my early suggestions to those at Expert Connect is that I receive a free annual World Deluxe Ancestry.com subscription. Both Ancestry.com and their EC division have stated "They don't currently offer that, but have forwarded it to their staff blah blah..."
I tried to explain to the folks at Ancestry.com and EC that, to make an analogy, when a farmer hires farm hands, he does not make them pay for their spades and shovels, let alone their drinking water. Furthermore, I estimate to make Ancestry.com about $7,000 over their current annual subscription price! What is a mere $249???
They seriously need to get their stuff together!
I tried to explain to the folks at Ancestry.com and EC that, to make an analogy, when a farmer hires farm hands, he does not make them pay for their spades and shovels, let alone their drinking water. Furthermore, I estimate to make Ancestry.com about $7,000 over their current annual subscription price! What is a mere $249???
They seriously need to get their stuff together!
Expert Connect (Ancestry.com)
Welcome! I have created this blog so Experts that use Expert Connect through Ancestry.com will have an outlet for new ideas, issues or just venting. I have asked for this type of capability for the current system on Ancestry.com but all I get is "It has been forwarded to our developers"...
I ask that you keep on topic. I will keep moderation of posts to a minimum, with exception given to vulgar, off-topic or mean-spirited comments.
Let me hear from you! I know I have a lot to say,
Josh, AncestorStalker.com
I ask that you keep on topic. I will keep moderation of posts to a minimum, with exception given to vulgar, off-topic or mean-spirited comments.
Let me hear from you! I know I have a lot to say,
Josh, AncestorStalker.com
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