How to Check Business References
Businesses are judged by the people who purchase their products or utilize their services. Therefore, once someone is interested in using a particular company for any reason, he generally asks for a business reference. These references can offer a first-hand account of how the business operates and what the individual's experience was like with the company's products or services. A reference check usually just involves a phone call or email to get the necessary information.
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Instructions
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Ask for specific names and contact information for customers that have patronized the business before. Make sure it's acceptable for you to contact these customers before doing so, as some customers can react quite unfavorably when called for a reference. When you call, be unfailingly polite and courteous; keep your questions brief so you don't take up too much of the reference's time.
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Request information from other businesses if the one in question is not customer-centric. At times, you may be dealing with a business that deals directly with other organizations. If that's the case, ask for a reference from the human resources division of one of the companies that did business with the company you're considering.
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Be specific when asking questions. Refrain from asking questions that garner one-word answers --- that won't get you the detailed information you're seeking. Ask about the level of customer service, the availability of staff members for customer assistance, how competitive pricing is and anything else that might be pertinent for you to keep in mind during your decision-making process.
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Utilize all reference information to help you make your final decision. While each reference may have had something different to say, the culmination of the different perspectives can help you make a final decision. For example, perhaps you got references for a home improvement contractor and all of them said he does good work but has trouble sticking to a deadline. You might go ahead and hire him because of his good work, but because of the information received from the references, you know to include contract terms regarding adhering to deadlines.
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