Clients obviously want a cost effective service, but we hope that professionalism, reliability and meticulous, accurate transcripts are equally important. If someone offers transcription services at a ridiculously cheap rate, it's unlikely they have much experience. We've heard numerous horror stories from clients who've used transcriptionists who charged a very low rate. Clients have received what amounts to nothing more than a draft transcript, with inappropriate punctuation or incorrect words, or they've had to wait several weeks for their transcripts. The client has then wasted time checking and correcting the transcripts themselves; so the cheap price ended up being a false economy.
To help you choose a transcriber, it may be worth examining other aspects of their business to help you make your choice. Look at the number of years they've been in business, not just the years they've worked in an office. Judge them on amount of time they've been running their own independent, self employed business. Check their confidentiality statement and their willingness to sign non-disclosure agreements. Ask them if they operate only during normal office hours or will they go that extra mile to cover your urgent evening or weekend transcripts? interview transcription services companies should offer a flexible service to meet the needs of their clients, not their own convenience.
And finally, look at their testimonial page on the website. If it isn't there, ask yourself why and perhaps request past client contact information. If there are testimonials, reflect on the quality of them, the range of clients served and the content. The glowing ones will soon stand out and in today's busy world, if a client has taken the time to compose more than a standard sentence, then that should give you confidence in the quality of the service on offer. In short, you get what you pay for and cheapest doesn't necessarily mean best. If you approach a professional business, you will receive a professional service.