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A doctor called and left a message on my voice mail stating that she needed help with transcription.  I mailed out letters about a year or so ago.  Evidently, she kept my letter after all of this time. 

I'm a little nervous since I wasn't expecting this.  I plan to call her back within the next couple of hours.  How should I handle the call?  Should I give a price over the phone?  Or, should I find out what she is looking for and what type of services she needs and then send her a letter with a quote, what services I offer, etc.?

Thanks!

It was delivered to their porch according to UPS but she did not get it.  It contained gifts for her children.  Because we did not put insurance on the package, UPS will do nothing to assist.  The box alone to ship had cost $45.00 and insurance would have cost another $25.00.  It is a sad story, but what it boils down to is that the kids won't have a Christmas.  All monies in the Santa's House for Christmas Angels fund have been dispersed through the Christmas Angel program.

So, I am here to ask for help.  I would like to raise $150 to $200 today if at all possible and for anyone who donates $10.00 or more to this special cause, I will give a software package that contains a word Expander and spellchecker that is worth over $100.00 for your trouble.  Donations can be made to sales@mtstars.com via Paypal.

Again, thank you for your consideration.

I am an independent contractor.  I have always done my line count with my Instant Text Pro V line counter that works within my expander.  Recently, my MTSO told me that I am doing my line count "wrong" and are therefore billing her "wrong". She said that she pays by characters and spaces / 65 = lines and that I am to figure that by going into MS Word Tools and using their Word Count tool and looking up characters and spacesand then dividing by 65. (I am NOT to use "line count", I am to use characters = spaces / 65 = lines) 

Well, I have a little problem with that.  First of all, that ONLY counts characters and spaces.  What about hard page breaks?  Indents?  Returns?  Why should I not be paid for a return just like I would be for the letter "k"?  That's why I use a professional line counter. 

Just to show you how it adds up, I just did one small document using the different approaches:

Line Counter: 5167 characters = 79 lines

Word Tool: 4763 characters = 73 lines. 

At my current cpl rate, sure...  That (as she pointed out) "only" adds up to .48 cents.  For that ONE document.  Over 20 documents in a day?  That's $9.60 for the day.  For the pay period, that's $96.  That matters to me. 

What should I do?  I have done it this way for years.  I know that doing it her way means she pays me less because I am giving away "free" work, but I am going to stick to my guns on this one.  What would you say? 

( I am asking for opinions, whether you agree with me or not.  I truly want your opinion.  However....  Flames?  I discount flames as coming from an unstable mind, so please save your time if you're just looking to flame.  Sorry, I hate to have to say that "disclaimer", but too many of these boards have gotten to be like high school catfights over nothing, and I graduated from high school 17 years ago and am SO over it...)

.

Hi all. I am new to this board. I have a home based secretarial service and do both medical and legal. I have never worked for a big company, just attorneys and docs as well as sales profesionals with no secretary. I have always charged by the page, but I have a possible new client that wants me to bill her by the line. Is .12 per line reasonable or too little for medical? Are there any other home based self employed individuals who can offer advice on per line charges?

Thanks!

Happy Memorial Day to all!!! 

I am thinking about purchasing a C-phone.  I have never had/used one before, but a possible job opportunity has presented and I would like to get one just in case.  I am considering a refurbished model.  Can anyone suggest which make/model is best to get?  Do they use a tape or are the voice dictations stored digitally?  I need any and all advice on this one.  Thanks!

I am not an IC, but work from home and use my own laser printer and computer. I currently work for one doctor only. I have been with this doctor for 7 years and was an IC up until a year ago. I have been purchasing paper and ink for laser printer and drive to his office once a week to deliver reports.

Should I bill him for paper and ink? Paper and especially ink for printer is very expensive.

My keyboard is getting nasty down under the keys.  The vacuum used to do the trick, but now some dust, crumbs, and Lord knows what else remains in the bottom of the tray.  If I unscrew the screws on the bottom, will that allow me to lift the top off?

I figured I would ask, because I often do things like that only to end up with the wrong part coming off or nothing at all happens.  (I hate that.) 

Any tips appreciated!

My dog Snoopy is scared of my father. We ahve had her for almost two years now and whenever my father comes into the room, she cowers and runs into my room. She stays in here all day long while my sister and I are at school, and my mother is at work. But the wierd thing is, that at night, she is his best friend. She doesn't show any signs of nervousness or anything. Any suggestions? Does she have some sort of a mental problem?

can anyone tell me average rate per line for the north east area? I was thinking 14-18 cpl?

I have a couple of accounts that I go daily and pick up tapes/deliver.  One of the docs wants to start sending me dictation via computer but does not know how to go about it.  I must admit I have no clue.  Can anybody point me in the right direction?  Thanks in advance.

Is it possible to use Instant Text with Dictaphone?  How is Dictaphone to work with?  Thank you! 

Do you send Christmas cards or other holiday cards?  About how many do you send out?

I am feeling totally frustrated. 

I was using Vonage with little problems, but switched back to AT&T Call Vantage 'cause is was $20 less and I was supposed to get a second phone line. Well, never got the second line and I've had problem after problem. The main problem is with the Express Enterprise system that I call into "communicating" with my C-phone. Sometimes the call is disconnected. Sometimes it doesn't "hear" the key pad when I press the numbers (i.e. to sign off on a report). Sometimes it will suddenly rewind to the beginning of a report.

I thought the problem was on my end, so I shelled out $$$ to replace the foot pedal, headset, and C-phone ... nope, that didn't solve the problem. Called AT&T and they said the problem was with the DSL line. Had that tested and was told it was working correctly. Purchased another DSL modem (another $100) and that didn't solve the problem.

Called AT&T for tech support and they said "The C-phone is not supported." Well, gee, it was before!!!

Anyway, you can see why I'm grumping.

Is there *ANY* service out there which won't kill my wallet but won't give me the problems I'm having. Again, Vonage was pretty good, but it still was quirkly, and it cost $65/month. A dial-up service (www.onesuite.com) is terrific (no problems), but it's 2.9 cents per minute, which will be $200-300 per month. Don't want to spend that. And AT&T .... yuk!!!

I'm open to any and all suggestions. What's reliable without breaking the budget?

Go to www.whitehouse.gov and on the right hand side there is a like to the BarneyCam.  It's a very cute video Mrs. Bush made to take to the Children's Hospital in DC when she visited the kids.  No matter your political persuasion, it's just too cute and you also get to see the holiday decorations.  My grandkids have had a ball watching it tonight.

This ad on the Main board has been removed.  The ISP is overseas.