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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2006 > July > 10 > Entry
Keeping them honest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Hammond Drive victim called a company in a yellow pages ad. The representative came out and told the victim in order to recover information on the hard drive he would have to take the laptop to his shop.
The man promised return on July 4. He has not returned. The company address is a P.O. box in Marietta. The manager of the mailbox store said five other people came in looking for their laptops.
There is no substitute for being thorough and complete when it comes to checking out references and history on anyone doing important stuff for you. You will save yourself heartbreak and $$. This guy is running a scam out of a P.O. box and his overhead is paying for the mailbox and the yellow-pages ad.
The laptops run a couple of grand each, so you can see he’s making a nice profit.
Don’t just assume things. Check them out. Ask a lot of questions. Look at the answers or lack of answers. Write things down and then verify. Honest business people will gladly give you any information and references that you want.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions, even if you think it is rude. It’s the best up-front gauge to see if you want to cut your line then or go on. Ask questions, require fingerprints and drug screens — whatever. Make sure folks know you want to see some history on their company or service.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Joe Camp
July 10, 2006 9:33 AM | Link to this
That was well said. Fingerprint/background checks and drug screens are also great ideas for new employees. Especially if they are handling your most important asset…your customers.
By Ralph
July 10, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
It is time laptops were equipped with LoJack type and GPS tracking devices factory installed. Or a simple automatic self destruct device wherein the laptop would “blow up” if stolen or missing.
By Elizabeth
July 10, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
That’s a big OUCH!!!
By Hun
July 10, 2006 1:01 PM | Link to this
That wasn’t even funny, you in a bad mood??
By Stephen
July 10, 2006 9:47 PM | Link to this
There is such a thing as shopping around too. With personal information at stake, one must demand references. Ask for them, call them and make sure there are more than one. Call the list, if one is provided radomly. If nothing is given, say bye-bye to that clown and seek another company.