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beccala
Forums Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 16
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#1 · Posted: 7 Feb 2006 03:24
I am interested in this - but have not been able to find any reviews, postive or negative... anyone out there familiar?
There is a fee for the tests to qualify and they offer a ebook of sorts as a skills guide/handbook... ????
Thnx so much!! 
Smooches!
Rebecca[b][/b]
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WhitePhoenix
Forums Member
Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 168
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#2 · Posted: 7 Feb 2006 21:27
Hi Rebecca,
While I have not had experience with that particular company, I did at one time respond to a call for proofreaders. Since writing is my main source of income, and I thought myself particularly well versed in the use of the English language, I sent off for the 'test' materials.
What I got was a four or five page series of 'tests' and a very intimidating letter that stated that something like only 5% of their applicants ever succeeded in becoming proofreaders. And I can see why!
The 'tests' were ambiguous at best. Rare language issues were tested, not your 'normal' every day usage. The tests took longer than I anticipated to complete and found that many of the questions had more than one correct answer.
At any rate, I completed the tests, sent them in and then never heard from the place again! But I would never pay to take the tests. That's how some of these places make most of their money.
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beccala
Forums Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 16
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#3 · Posted: 7 Feb 2006 22:37
Thank you so much!!! 
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Hagrid
Forums Member
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 2
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#4 · Posted: 15 Feb 2006 15:48
I recently had a very bad experience with onlineproofreaders.com . They require a fee UP FRONT for "testing" before you even set up a user account with them. This is really bad web design & business practice, and if they are legit, they are driving away potential customers by this practice. It doesn't inspire confidnce in them at all.
I checked the Better Business Bureau website ( bbb.org ) and did a search for them using the URL search - DON'T do a search by business name, or you won't find them; DO do a search under URL search - and they are listed as being owned by Makeke, Inc., a business out of Ontario, Canada, and yes there are complaints about them registered with the BBB.
I have yet to find anyone who has successfully used their services, though I have seen a couple of what I suspect are "shills" posting out there on the net giving testimonials.
One thing that doesn't inspire confidence in me is the fact that, on their site, one of the "testimonials" about how well this service has worked for them is written by the same person who wrote all of their help files online, ie., an employee.
Since I have already foolishly shelled out the money for this service, I'm going to keep investigating, but so far, I am not convinced it's legitimate. Caveat emptor on onlineproofreaders.com
Hagrid
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Vishal P. Rao
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 1181
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#5 · Posted: 15 Feb 2006 23:36
Thanks for sharing your experience Hagrid. It's much appreciated here 
__________________
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eclair
Forums Member
Joined: 7 Dec 2005
Posts: 24
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#6 · Posted: 21 Feb 2006 03:00
Quoting: Hagrid Since I have already foolishly shelled out the money for this service, I'm going to keep investigating, but so far, I am not convinced it's legitimate. Caveat emptor on onlineproofreaders.com
Keep us updated on this. It's not good that people are taking advantage of others who are seriously trying their best to work and find employment online.
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beccala
Forums Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 16
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#7 · Posted: 27 Feb 2006 16:11 · Edited by: beccala
White Phoenix & Hagrid - THNX So Much on your response.
I wrote to them (onlineproofreaders.com) a few times w/ legitimate questions and got only one response saying I can get sample questions from their test by "purchasing" their test guide. I wrote back stating that was unacceptable and that surely one or two samples could be provided free. Well no response. I wrote again - no response, again... no response.
This is clearly not a good business practice, so I am steering clear and would advise everyone to do so as well.
THNX!
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Hagrid
Forums Member
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 2
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#8 · Posted: 23 Apr 2006 15:00
More info on my problems with onlineproofreaders.com:
So I wrote to them to complain that I had paid the fee, but couldn't get in to take the test. They sent me back a link to take the test - which I took and they said I passed - but then I couldn't get in again. It kept saying "username not found."
So I've written them again.
I swear, they have the WORST user interface of any online site I have ever done business with. I'm so frustrated, I'm starting to tell people to stay away - this company is bad news.
-Hagrid
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