As some of you may have noticed in a previous thread where I asked about the desired features of an essay writing website, I was planning to design a website to help students with their research and writing. I didn't know the essay industry very well, so I decided to do my own research to see what my competition offers.
How I tested?
I went to Google and Bing and selected essay writing sites that offered live chat support. Obviously I didn't test all websites (probably it's only 1-2%). But there was a reason why I didn't test more sites (see below*).
Important Notes:1. In my research I only included the sites that indicated (by the "LIVE" or "ONLINE" status) that the chat support is live and available to talk to me. Interestingly, most sites that had "ONLINE" status had nobody available when I tried to chat ;).
2. I tried to ask similar questions to make my research reliable and unbiased.
2. I didn't focus on the location of the site, I didn't care about it in my research. I only wanted to make sure my project would be completed according to my standards and instructions.
Conclusions:It wasn't my goal to select 'the best' website because in fact I write my essays myself. I just wanted to see how the online chat works on such websites and if it's effective and customer friendly. Let the reader decide (but what is more important - let the reader does his/her own chat before making any financial decision!).
It took some operators a lot of time (more than 30-60 seconds) to answer one simple questions and some of them probably used canned responses. That indicated some of them could not be native English speakers.
* I was seriously anxious and surprised with one thing - I noticed that there are many websites that actually belong to the same company but they are different websites. And these websites rank very well in search engines (by interlinking between each other). To me it is wrong because the client is in a way tricked into buying from one of these sites and the buying experience is poor. I think
these sites should clearly display that they are from one particular company and that they have the same customer service and/or writers. If someone has a list of such sites it would be helpful for the buyer to determine and select only UNIQUE companies, not the same company with different websites.
I hope my research will be useful for the readers.
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Below are (in ALPHABETICAL ORDER) my real and unedited chats with different essay companies. I was "Paul" or "you":
bestessays.com[DND*]Paul:
Hello, I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
Welcome Paul! Your request has been directed to the Quote/Sales department. Please wait for our operator to answer your call.
Call accepted by operator Daniel. Currently in room: Paul, Daniel.
Daniel:
hi
Paul:
hello
Daniel:
Yes, we can help you with your assignment. We use a precise writer matching system to assign the best possible writer to your order. You will have to provide us with detailed instructions, and we will find the appropriate writer for you. After submitting your order, you may start using our interactive web features to upload files, communicate with your writer and customer care representatives using the messaging system.
Paul:
My subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
Paul:
Do you provide discount for over 50 pages?
Paul:
I would also like to receive the completed paper in chapters (would it be possible)?
Daniel:
for 50 pages, you will have 10% off the price
Paul:
How many words does one page contain?
Daniel:
there are 275 words per page
Paul:
What about references/graphics/tables - do I have to pay extra or it's included in the page count?
Daniel:
no extra cost, its for free,
Paul:
Do you have experienced writers in business/IT? Who would be writing my paper when you assign it?
Daniel:
yes
Paul:
How would I communicate with the writer?
Daniel:
In order to start using our interactive features to upload additional files or communicate with your writer on the messaging board, you need to log in to your personal profile on our web site
Paul:
Will I get the writer's email or I will have to login to write to him/her?
Paul:
How often do they respond?
Daniel:
you need to log in on your personal account to send message to the writer
Daniel:
you will be notified via email if you have a new message from writer
Paul:
I would like the paper to be written by a native American or Canadian writer (in American English). How can you assure that? I don't want an ESL writer.
Daniel:
you can indicate your instructions on the order description box once you place the order
Paul:
OK, and how much MINIMUM time would you need to write 50 pages? Will 2 days be enough?
Daniel:
48 pages is allowed for 2 days
Paul:
In case I don't have access to the computer, can I call you (and then will you call my assigned writer)?
Daniel:
yes , you can always give us a call back to check the status of the paper, we are open 24/7
Paul:
and what is exactly "VIP Support"?
Paul:
and do you really have to call my phone when I order the paper?
Daniel:
Since our company is oriented on high quality service and customer satisfaction, we have developed a unique service feature for customers that would like to have special attention to their purchase. With our new VIP service feature you do not have to wait on the line to speak to someone from customer service, your calls are forwarded to an agent right away. Your inquiries are handled by most skilled and experienced staff that is ready to resolve any issue you have with your order.
Daniel:
we need to reach you by phone to inform you the updates of the order
Paul:
Ok, thanks for now, I'll contact you when I decide to plane an order.
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BestEssay4u.comThanks for contacting us. An operator will be with you shortly...
[Paul] Hello (if you are Alex then you can skip it ;)
// NO REPLY //
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CustomPapers.comPaul:
Hello
Call accepted by operator Miriam [CustomPapers]. Currently in room: Miriam [CustomPapers], Paul.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Greetings, Paul. How can I assist you today?
Paul:
Hello, I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Excellent! I assume you are writing for assistance with your thesis?
Paul:
Yes, my subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
That's great; we have access to many experienced writers who can assist you with your topic.
Paul:
I will need 50 pages, do you provide a discount for large volume?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
We do indeed! For our clients who pay via money order or bank transfer, we offer a 5% discount, which can represent a considerable savings. In addition, we offer the best quality which money can buy, which, as you know, is priceless.
Paul:
How many words per page do you offer?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
We write 300 words per page, which is about 50 more words than many other services offer.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Do you have a word count, or a page count, from your university?
Paul:
No, I just have to write 50 pages, I'll have to find out about the exact word count. But does it include reference pages?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Yes, if you find out the exact word count, that is another way to possibly save a little money. We provide the reference page free of charge.
Paul:
How could I communicate with the writer?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
You will have direct email access to your writer. You can ask him or her for updates, pass along important information, and generally keep in touch through the writing process.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
In addition, we may send you the comments of one or two writers who agree to review your request even before you make your payment, so you can have a sense of who will be working on your project.
Paul:
I don't have a lot of materials, do I have to send any materials to the writer?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
No indeed! If you have specific sources which we should use, you will want to let us know the author's names as well as the titles, so we can make sure we have access to them. If not, the writers we work with are experienced researchers, and can find as many relevant, scholarly sources as you will need.
Paul:
How do I know my writer is an expert in the IT/business field?
Paul:
and that the paper is not plagiarized?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Partly, you will know because of the comments you will have read about him or her. You can always tell when someone knows what they are talking about! Partly, you will also know because our reputation is superb; and a writing company simply does not get a good reputation by hiring sub-standard freelance writers. We only work with the best in the business.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Another good question! We never, EVER plagiarize. Every single project is 100% custom-written for each individual client.
Paul:
What is the MINIMUM amount of time you need to complete 50 pages?
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Well, that varies, based upon a few factors like whether or not you will need statistical analysis, how many references you will want, and so forth. It also depends in part upon the payment method you choose (for example, bank transfers take a week to ten days to process). Having said that, we can generally complete a project of that length within two weeks, sometimes even less.
Paul:
OK, thanks for now. I should make a decision within a couple of days.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Thank you also! Now, do you have the link to our contact form? If not, here is one for you: https://CustomPapers.com/contact/
Paul:
thanks, bye
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
And remember, we will send you a quote for the work that contains NO OBLIGATION to purchase anything.
Miriam [CustomPapers]:
Thank you also! Have a good day!
Paul:
OK
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Custom-Writing.orgThanks for contacting us. An operator will be with you shortly...
[Paul] Hello, I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
[Alex Toll] Hello
[Paul] sorry, I think I've just talked to you (still shopping around ;)
[Alex Toll] Yes, you did - our comany provides customer support for a number of sites in the field.
[Paul] OK, thanks for now :)
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EssayCapital.comThanks for contacting us. An operator will be with you shortly...
[Paul] Hello
[Rachael] hello
[Rachael] how can I help you?
[Paul] I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
[Paul] Do you have discount for 50 pages?
[Rachael] sure
[Rachael] we will be happy to help you
[Paul] My subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises".
[Paul] How much discount do you offer?
[Paul] And how many words per page?
[Paul] Are you still online?
[Paul] ok, I'm off too, bye.
[Rachael] 15% discount
[Rachael] thanks for waiting
[Paul] How many words per page?
[Rachael] 250 words
[Rachael] double spaced
[Paul] How do I know the writer is a good IT/business writer with excellent English?
[Rachael] we have qualified writer in this field
[Paul] How much minimum time is needed to write 50 pages, will 2 days be enough?
[Rachael] essaycapital.com/order.php please follow the link
[Paul] Would I have to pay everything at once or could pay in installments?
[Rachael] you can pay for 15 pages firstly then we will send you the paylink to pay for more
[Paul] ok, I should get serious about ordering tomorrow, thank you for now.
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*********.comWe apologize, but all operators are assisting other clients.
We will respond within 24 hours if you use our Question Form:
*********/question_form.html
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essay-911.com10:55:20 Thomas: Hello
10:55:31 Visitor: Hello, my subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
10:55:46 Visitor: Do you have discount for over 50 pages?
10:56:04 Thomas: I see... We can help you with this assignment.
10:56:25 Thomas: How many pages do you need and what is the due date?
10:56:45 Visitor: 50 pages, due date would be in 2 weeks.
10:58:21 Thomas: Wait a moment ok? I need to talk with the writers, because it is unusual order :) Usually we have from 1 to 10 pages orders.
10:58:29 Visitor: ok..
11:00:02 Thomas: one moment
11:02:17 Thomas: Yes, we can help you with this work. It will cost 480$, this is with discount, ok?
11:02:42 Visitor: How many words per page do you have?
11:02:54 Thomas: 250
11:03:16 Visitor: What about communication with the writer, would I be able to correspond with them?
11:03:49 Thomas: You can send all information to me and I`ll forward it to the writer.
11:04:22 Visitor: How do I know the writer is an expert in the IT/business field?
11:05:33 Thomas: You can trust our company. We are in this field since 2004 and we have huge experience. You can check our domain with Whois service.
11:06:11 Visitor: What about materials, I don't have many of them, would the writer use their own?
11:07:14 Thomas: Yes, he will find info for this assignment.
11:08:01 Visitor: What if I don't like the paper?
11:08:15 Thomas: We will make a revision.
11:08:25 Visitor: for free?
11:09:10 Thomas: Sure. This is one of our feature. Unlimited revisions.
11:09:35 Visitor: OK, thanks for now. I should make a decision within a couple of days.
11:09:55 Thomas: Ok. We will wait.
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GPALabs.comPlease wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Lola'
Lola: Hello!
Paul: My subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
Paul: How many words per page do you offer?
Lola: We will gladly help you to complete the paper with such a topic.
Lola: We offer 275 words per page.
Paul: How soon can you do 50 pages, would 2 days be enough?
Lola: I am sorry, but physically it is not possible to complete 50pages within 2 days.
Paul: I have more time..
Paul: Will you give me the writer's email or phone number?
Lola: unfortunatelly no, due to our privacy pollicy.
Paul: How would I check the status of the project?
Lola: can you please tell how much time exavtly can you give us?
Lola: you will be receibing the confirmation e-mails
Paul: 2 weeks
Lola: ang check your personal order page for the updates.
Paul: Is there a discount for 50 pages?
Lola: yes, we do have a discount 10%
Lola: 2 weeks is good.
Lola: for the start you can place a free inquiry.
Paul: How would I know you have a qualified business/iT writer?
Paul: But you have good business writers?
Lola: yes, we do have gualified writers for such topic
Paul: ok, I should be filling the form tomorrow, thanks.
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MasterPapers.comThanks for contacting us. An operator will be with you shortly...
[Paul] Hello, I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
[Paul] My subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
[Paul] Hello, is somebody online? (the chat icon indicated someone is online)?
// I TRIED TO CHAT TWO DIFFERENT DAYS WITH THE SAME RESULT //
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StandOutEssay.comThanks for contacting us. An operator will be with you shortly...
[Paul] Hello, I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
[Alex Toll] Hello
[Alex Toll] Ok, we can help you with that.
[Paul] My subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
[Paul] Do you have discount for 50 pages?
[Alex Toll] 10%
[Paul] How many words per page?
[Alex Toll] 275
[Paul] What is the minimum time you need to write 50 pages?
[Alex Toll] 20 days should be sufficient.
[Paul] 10 days wouldn't be enough..?
[Alex Toll] Dear Customer, please note - we are talking about the quality of YOUR paper, the more time you give - there better this for the paper, research on the paper, etc.
[Paul] How would I communicate with the writer, do I get his or her email or phone number?
[Alex Toll] There is a messaging system that is available at the site, you will have access to it after your order will be placed.
[Paul] Do I have to pay the whole amount at once or I could pay in installments?
[Alex Toll] Given the deadline - at once.
[Paul] But for 20 days deadline?
[Alex Toll] Yes, I was talking about 20 days.
[Paul] Do you have experienced and native IT/business writers?
[Alex Toll] yes, we do have a couple of them. What we can do, if we can place an inquiry order - this will not require payment and in 2-3 days you will be able to know if we can do the job. We will have a couple of writers take a look at the paper description and details.
[Paul] would I have to send you any materials?
[Alex Toll] Yes, that will be necessary.
[Paul] ok, thanks for now, I'll start getting serious about ordering tomorrow.
[Alex Toll] Ok, sure, please take your time, feel free to come back for further assistance.
[Paul] ok, bye.
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TheEssay.co.ukPlease wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Steve Harvey'
Steve Harvey: How may I help you today?
you: Hello, I am a student of international business on the department of management and my task is to prepare the Bachelor's thesis.
you: My subject is: "Determinants of the growth of the small enterprises"
Please wait while I transfer the chat to 'Chris Reed'.
You are now chatting with 'Chris Reed'
Chris Reed: May I know the word count?
you: I will need 50 pages - how many words per page do you offer?
Chris Reed: 225 words per page
you: Does it include the references/bibliography pages?
Chris Reed: That is correct
Chris Reed: And it will be done in Harvard
you: So I would have to order more than 50 pages because some pages will go for the reference pages?
Chris Reed: I can manage that for you
Chris Reed: And can give you some free pages
Chris Reed: If you order now
Chris Reed: Can I have your contact number so that we can discuss this in a better manner?
you: How would I be able to communicate with the writer?
you: I would prefer to talk online first, I"m still shopping around..
Chris Reed: I do not want you to shop around
Chris Reed: I can give you a reasonable price
Chris Reed: plus high quality work
you: I mean I want to check that when I order I won't have problems communicating with the writer etc. What if I don't like the paper?
Chris Reed: You can always communicate with your assigned writing consultant on the free number
Chris Reed: You can have the work revised
you: Would I have to send any materials or the writer would find them for me?
Chris Reed: We will do the complete research for you
you: it won't be plagiarized from other sources?
Chris Reed: But if you would like to send any information
Chris Reed: You can e-mail us
Chris Reed: We scan the work through a plagiarism software
you: Ok, let me think about it and I should get back to you today (I can email you, right?)
Chris Reed: scott @theacademic.co.uk
Chris Reed: sure
Chris Reed: Can I have your contact number?
you: should it be @theessay.co.uk?
Chris Reed: scott @theacademic.co.uk
you: OK, I will send you my phone number in the email (I'm in the US). Thanks.
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TheEssayWriting.comAfter filling out the "Name", "Address", and "Message" fields the window was closed (and apparently my email and message was sent to them).
// I TRIED TO CHAT TWO DIFFERENT DAYS WITH THE SAME RESULT //
