Pricing varies enormously across this industry because the underlying work does. These questions surface the difference before you engage.
About the work
- Is a human analyst reviewing this, or is it an automated export?
- What sources will be used, in general categories?
- What does the deliverable look like — can I see a redacted sample?
- Will findings include source notes and record dates?
- How is confidence in each finding communicated?
About compliance
- Do you review the purpose of a request before accepting it?
- What types of requests do you decline?
- Do you provide consumer reports, and if not, what are the use restrictions?
About expectations
- What happens if the subject is not located?
- How is scope change handled once work is underway?
The answers that should concern you
Guaranteed results. No purpose screening. Claims of access to databases nobody else has. Willingness to obtain phone location or account information. Any of those signals a firm whose work product may create more problems than it solves.
Have a matter that needs this kind of research?
Requests are reviewed for a lawful and authorized purpose before acceptance.
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