10EQS Received urgent invite to be expert on project. Waited weeks for VERY late payment for services provided. NOT acceptable! NYC New York

Earlier this year I was a subject matter expert for 10EQS on one of their consulting cases. Their initial invite seemed fine.

From: Jennifer Roberts <hit-reply@linkedin.com>
To: _____
Sent: _____
Subject: Interview for a project on _____

Dear _____,

I am writing to you on behalf of 10EQS (http://www.10eqs.com/), an on-line knowledge market founded by ex-McKinsey & Company partners in 2008. We connect top organizations with industry experts worldwide to solve their most pressing challenges. For a current project we are _____.

We are looking to understand _____.

In a search for people in the industry with relevant background and expertise, your name came up, and we would very much appreciate if you would be able to help us understand these issues. Please let me know whether you would be interested in participating, and if so, please pass along your contact details (e-mail/phone), and I will put you in touch with the Engagement Manager. As we have a tight deadline, we are looking to schedule an interview today, if that would fit with your schedule. If you wish, you will be compensated for your time.

In case you are not available for this effort, we also highly appreciate referrals to other experts. More information about how to contribute as an Expert on this and future projects can be found on our platform: http://10eqs.com/experts. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Disclaimer: We adhere to strict compliance standards, policies and procedures regarding moonlighting activity. We will only be able to compensate you if this does not violate any current employment contract. We are not seeking any proprietary or trade secret information.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Roberts


I accepted quickly since Jennifer was seeking someone for same day. I spent a few hours lending my expertise both written and verbal. The agreement was payment of a few hundred dollars.

As of a week ago I honestly felt scammed and very frustrated.

10EQS requires your expertise ASAP. It DOESN'T pay ASAP.....at least not to me. Last week I'm still in the ridiculous position of asking where my payment is. That is several months in!!!!!

During this time I got the run-around.

Jennifer told me to track my payment on-line and read the website faq. Hindsight says I shouldn't be surprised as the emails I got from her nearly always sounded to me just one-step above automated replies.

Melanie thanked me and gave me some kind of explanation on processed and invoiced when all I wanted was to get paid.

Their website shows alot of big clients like GE and American Express so why don't they have better customer service?????

I lucked out at a conference and ran into someone who was an expert for 10EQS before. He CALLED their offices in order to get paid. I decided to first try for a painfully blunt email and it worked..... informed that my payment would be processed. If I hadn't pursued what was owed me I'd probably still be waiting for word for a late payment from 10EQS.

After experiencing how long it takes 10EQS to pay up? I certainly wouldn't have it on my reputation to refer or suggest anyone in my network to 10EQS and have them experience the long wait.

Why'd I work with them to begin with? I THOUGHT I did my homework after receiving the invite. I searched 10EQS and found it's been featured in Bloomberg and else-where.


http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20110128/twelve-sites-that-will-put-you-to-work-now/slides/2
10EQS
www.10eqs.com
This virtual consulting firm started by a former McKinsey executive uses crowdsourced experts to create research reports for clients in banking, media, telecom, and other industries. For example, one project looked at the price elasticity of a key raw material in petrochemical products. The client paid $10,000 for a report that took two weeks. The team that delivered that report was an engagement manager with 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, along with 11 other experts.


No red flags with such media coverage.

I also searched for Jennifer since she was the one to invite me at the beginning.


Jennifer Roberts
Delivery Operations & Expert Network Development
Jennifer brings practical experience in direct marketing, non-profit sector event and campaign planning, and an international background having worked and studied in five countries. She holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh with a focus on corporate social responsibility, and a BA in Economics and International Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder.


No red flags after reading that.

Finally I read the website.

Connect with top clients. Solve important problems.
Leverage your skills and expertise.
Anytime. Anywhere.

Whether you are a deep subject matter expert, seasoned consultant or motivated young professional, there's a role for you at 10EQS. Join the Knowledge Revolution.

No red flags after reading that.

So I went ahead with working with 10EQS.

I can only give this advice..... that if you're getting the run-around on getting paid by 10EQS, don't be afraid to drop the politeness and DIRECTLY ask where your payment is. It sounds like calling their offices is another way to let 10EQS know you're not going to put up with waiting months at a time but I was lucky to not have to do that. Here are their locations from their website. I hope no one has to use these #s because otherwise that can only mean people are still in the same situation!!!!!


http://www.10eqs.com/about10eqs/our_locations/
USA
 
New York
750 Third Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10017
Phone: +1.855.461.0377

San Francisco
100 Pine Street
Suite 1550
San Francisco, California 94111
Phone: +1.855.461.0377
 
Europe
 
London
Office 135, Princess Street
Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL12 0HA
United Kingdom
Phone: +800.10377.539
 
Lugano
Via Molinazzo 2
CH-6900 Lugano
Switzerland
Phone: +800.10377.539
 
Asia/Pacific
 
Singapore
9 Raffles Place
#58-11 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Telephone +65.8157.3522
 

Latin America
Mexico City
P. De La Reforma #381 - 4 Piso
C.P. 06500
Mexico D.F.
Phone: +52.55.5510.3104