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DeWitt
USA
1 Posts |
 Posted - 09/18/2003 : 12:08:22
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Sentryclaims
you sound like the kind of people I need to hook up with, not to meny companies are willing to help the new guy get started. I have 35 years experience in construction how do I contact you |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2003 : 13:29:37
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Frank, with all due respect, the "new guy", you or anyone like you, can't sit and wait for the phone to ring or hope for them to tell you "how to hook up".
You have to go after what you want to get established.
Send your resume by email and / or fax - even if you sent it before - call a 1/2 hour later and follow up on that. Tell them person to person what you want to do and that you want to do it now! Tell them about yourself beyond what is in your resume.
"Sell yourself" and your ambition over the phone to one of the managers, that will be an indication of your initiative.
Frank, by edit, I want to add another perspective to what I have said.
You, and all the rest of us are independent contractors operating our own business, no different than an independent plumbing contractor.
Vendors are the same, they are independent business entities that must seek out work from carriers, they have to find their available piece of the claims pie to survive or prosper.
You are no different as an independent business person. I think a lot of new people to this particular niche don't pay enough attention to the importance of seeking out their own work aggressively from vendors. Sending out resumes is far from sufficient.
You as an independent business person, just like the independent plumbing contractor, must find your own work, must search it out steadily from whatever vendors you choose to go after and market yourself and service to.
Only employees in the true sense get their assignments handed to them and grumble at times when the workload gets heavy.
I know I have repeated myself, but understand the importance of this. Do not depend on a vendor sitting back and saying "I think I will call Frank". You will do far better - all other things considered as equal - if you take the initiative and chase down a deployment. |
Edited by - CCarr on 09/18/2003 14:15:17 |
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deleted
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2003 : 13:36:07
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Hi all,
I'm new to this business...I really don't know anything about Sentry...except that when I called Dick Stokes on his cell phone about a job yesterday, he was more than helpful...I'm just glad there is someone out there willing to help us newbies...who doesnt think we should have to pay "tuition" to work...I dont want to make any enemies in here but, I've always helped those new to my previous profession (teaching/coaching)...paid internships are common in the "real" world...I guess waiting a few extra weeks to get paid is quite a bit better than paying someone else to learn the job, plus paying all your own expenses...65% of something is better than 100% of nothing plus expenses...somebody tell me if my math is wrong... |
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RBECKINTEXAS
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 16:50:48
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| Well, Alterative claims called me again. I told them if they want me, I'll need a 1500.oo advance with a gauranteed 100 claims. Have'nt heard back from them yet. But we'll see... |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 17:01:31
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| Amazing, Rbeckintx. I wouldn't do that to any vendor, let alone say that I did it, however if that hypothetical boot was on the other foot - having done that I would clearly consider it a waste of time hanging around the phone for the call back - it just won't happen. |
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RBECKINTEXAS
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 17:33:25
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| You know ccar, I asked for refferances because i never heard of them he wouldnt give me any, because he didnt know if i was another vendor just trying to get his adjusters, at least that is what he told me. CCar, would you work for someone who you dont know, with no refferances without asking for a little assurance? Im just hanging around my cell phone here in NC. Other more known vendors had no problem with the 1500.oo advance to help with expenses. |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 18:01:04
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Advances are not an uncommon phenomenom amongst the larger vendors. It is a sign of good faith and trust with the adjuster. I agree that the traditional 100 files waiting in the basket should be adhered to, also.
I know you don't want to hear it, but these are the kind of issues our CADO Confederation would deal with on your behalf. There, I said it. |
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pilot48
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 18:26:18
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Even Pilot would give everybody a $1,000.00 check when they showed up and signed in, this is very normal, file count of 100 is offered in good faith, but no vendor can insure that they will get enough to warrant such a promise.
Last year Central Claims out of Meterie, La. promised each of us 100 files to start......most of the companies they represented pulled files and moved their own people in from out-of-state. So while they offered in good faith, they didn't have 100% control to honor it. |
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ALANJ
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 18:41:45
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| For all those who laugh at the " paid tuition " just think about this come next Friday. Like my daddy said " the tire has to hit the road." Good Luck to All |
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deleted
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 19:01:27
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| No offense Alan but you sound like a lawyer to me...how much tuition did you pay when you first went out...thanks to those of you who have faithfully answered my numerous emails...I always remember those who help without asking something in return...if you see someone down there looking really pissed, confused and totally lost it'll be me...good luck and God bless... |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 19:40:49
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Hey Richard, no big deal, it's just not my style; that's all.
I don't pay the plumber an advance when he accepts to do a job we agreed on in my home. I don't pay for my groceries in advance when I go shopping.
You get the picture, I'm an independent business person, if I and someone agree on the terms of my engagement and its value (fee schedule & payment terms) - then give me the work, I'll do it then I'll expect to be paid. Maybe it's just because I'm old or old fashioned.
If I was negative on the vendor, as it seems with your previous comments, a $1500 advance is not going to make me cuddle up. And, I do know for a fact that little reliance should be put on a 'promise' by a vendor of 100 files each - less than 24 hours after a storm landing - far too many variables well out of the vendor's control on that issue.
Anyway, I do hope you find a good stable to join up with. |
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ALANJ
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 20:01:25
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T |
Edited by - ALANJ on 09/20/2003 02:23:18 |
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TedPasan
82 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 20:30:14
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Many vendors do in fact offer or make available advances to adjusters, whether by request or as a courtesy of habit. Whether one is fortunate not to need that due to personal financial circumstances or not, it does indicate to the adjuster, most especially with a new vendor that the adjuster is working with, that the vendor (1) cares about their adjusters and the circumstances of their employment and (2) it indicates that the vendor is not marginally or thinly capitalized. As an adjunct of the later, those vendors offering an advance are generally the same vendors who do not have to wait for payment from the carriers before being able to pay their adjusters. Posts from adjusters describing the circumstances of those who were burned by Boyle are indicative of the risk of working for thinly capitalized vendors as well as other vendors who slow pay, with the excuse that they are going through some lean times.
The problem with the example of not having to pay a grocer or plumber in advance, is that one generally is not asking the plumber or grocer to deliver their goods and services halfway across the continent or even all the way across the country, and generally under the most adverse of travel conditions (did anyone read how many airline flights were cancelled yesterday and today?)
Doubtless if any service provider was asked to incur the greater expense of travel involving hundreds if not thousands of dollars even before arriving at one's home, the request or demand for those services would require a retainer or advance as well. How many lawyers do any of of us know who work without a retainer?
Stories are legend of vendors slow paying their adjusters, and personally I have seen and been party to not receiving that very first paycheck until the 9th week of a storm. Beyond the issue of the morality of having to finance the storm for a vendor, how many of you could afford to carry yourselves in a strange new location, with travel costs, room, meals, gasoline and incidentals for that long? Those with the personal financial stamina who can, are truly blessed. For the rest of us, it may be impossible but at the least, a method which truly does nothing to impart good feelings towards our employment nor our employers. (And we wonder sometimes why some adjusters fall prey to insurance fraud?)
There are two sides to even the thinnest pancake, and I just wanted to present another side.
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Edited by - TedPasan on 09/19/2003 20:32:57 |
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scottposton
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 20:32:45
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Well the way I see it if a rookie wanted to tag along with me I'd be willing to cut him in. He might be new but he can sure as heck help me map out the claims, process files and in return help me get more claims looked and closed.
Thats just my opinion. Somebody helped me out when I got started so I look at it as paying back what I wasn't charged. |
Edited by - scottposton on 09/19/2003 21:18:18 |
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deleted
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2003 : 20:33:31
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| Alan, I think you've missed the point...I've said I'm a newbie...and I don't remember my drill instructors asking me for my first born child either when they shared their knowledge with me...you sound rather bitter, especially with the all caps thing...I don't have a JD...I do have an MA, not that classroom education matters in this situation...my whole point through this has been that you, Alan, received help at some point to learn the ropes of this business--correct?...did you pay anyone for their knowledge and experience?...or were you compensated in some way when you did your first "CANE"?...not one of us newbies is asking for a hand out, just a hand up...I might have to work for nothing to learn this trade but, I not paying squat to anyone...the old saying "what goes around, comes around" is very true in this case...finally, Hugo and Andrew walk into a bar... |
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Know Before You Go - The Questions To Ask
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