As a buyer of security services, why should I use SpyTerra?
SpyTerra simplifies the process of finding and selecting security professionals who are able to complete your project, saving you time, effort and money. It enables you to receive competitive bids for your project from a large number of consultants meaning you can make sure you get the best combination of quality and value from a single source. It provides a means of checking other customers' feedback on consultants giving you an easy source of references, meaning that by simply posting your project online you'll be obtaining all the details you need without hours of telephone or e-mail communication.
What does SpyTerra cost to use for Customer?
Use of SpyTerra is completely free for customers, meaning you have nothing to lose by posting your project for Consultants to browse and bid on. Optionally you may choose to pay a $10 'Featured Project' fee and your project will be 'Featured' giving it maximum exposure throughout the site, but this is completely optional
Are all Consultants appropriately licensed?
SpyTerra is an internet marketplace for buyers of security and investigation services to meet providers of such. The types of services provided by Consultants on SpyTerra vary greatly, and the site features Consultants from around the globe. Due to the differing nature of licensing requirements around the world, and even in the U.S., for private investigators, bodyguards and security consultants, it is not possible for SpyTerra to confirm the type of license required for each project and then verify that all bidders are qualified. Therefore it is up to the Customer to confirm that a Consultant is, where necessary, licensed according to the location and nature of the service required, before using the Consultant's services.
When posting a project, how much detail should I provide?
We encourage you to post as much detail on your proposed project as you can, to ensure that the full scope and detail of the project is understood by both parties. Details can be entered directly into the project. However, please do not post any personal information in the project description as such will be public to other users and search engines. Keep personal information for your selected consultant only.
Can't I contact the Consultant directly?
Once bidding has been concluded and you have chosen a Consultant and he/she has accepted the project, you will be put in touch with your Consultant directly. During the bidding, you may use the message board and private messaging functions on the site to discuss the project and provide any further details or clarification that is required. Any attempts to bypass this and allow contact with the Consultant directly by posting phone numbers, web site addresses or other contact information may result in the suspension of your account. Please help support the concept behind SpyTerra to ensure it remains a worthwhile and productive venture for all involved by respecting the Terms and Conditions.
I have a number of bids on my project, so how do I choose a Consultant?
If you have decided which Consultant to choose, you can log into your account by clicking on 'Manage Account'. On your account page you will see your current project listed together with a link to 'Pick a Consultant'. Click on this link and you will be presented with a list of bidders from which you can choose the Consultant that you would like to work on your project. After you have chosen a Consultant, an email will be sent to that Consultant asking them to confirm that they accept the project. Once they have accepted the project, you will be provided with each others' email addresses so that you can communicate directly. Once you are in touch with your Consultant you are advised to obtain all your Consultant's contact details and confirmation of required licenses if applicable.
How should I make payment to my chosen Consultant?
The method of payment should be arranged with your chosen Consultant and does not have to be conducted via SpyTerra service. However Customers do also have the option to easily pay their Consultant through the site. Each user on SpyTerra maintains a running balance of funds which can be added to using either a credit card, PayPal or WebMoney account. Funds may then be transferred either directly to the account of the chosen Consultant, or via an escrow account which holds the funds securely while the project is completed to both parties satisfaction.
How does 'Escrow' payments work?
By paying all or part of the agreed fees via an escrow account for the Consultant, the money is held securely and independently by SpyTerra until all parties are satisfied that the project has been completed, at that time the Customer releases the funds. Should any dispute or problem arise, either SpyTerra or the Consultant can release the funds back to the Customer, and in the event of a disagreement SpyTerra will mediate. By using escrow, the Consultant knows that funds have been committed for his benefit, but he/she doesn't have access to the money until the completion of the project. So all parties to the agreement can be confident that payment will be made and the project will be completed to everyone's satisfaction. The escrow payment functionality can be accessed via the "Account" section.
What if my chosen consultant does not complete the project to my satisfaction?
As in any cases when you enter a new contractual relationship with a service provider, you can never be sure that the service you will receive is exactly what your looking for. We therefore encourage you to the check the Consultant ratings and references available at our site. However should your chosen Consultant not live up to expectations, please remember that SpyTerra is not a party to the contract reached and only acts as a facilitator. Any action to enforce your contractual rights should be with the Consultant directly. For further information please refer to the Terms and Conditions.
How do I rate another user?
You are able to rate any Consultant or Buyer that you have concluded a project with. To do so, log into your account , following which your account page will contain a list of the members which you may rate. Click on the relevant user's name to reach the rating page, where you may enter a mark out of 10 plus a comment. Please ensure that your ratings are accurate and report any attempt to improperly influence your rating to our support team.
How do I send a message to Consultants?
To send a message to Consultants, log in, click on 'View Message Board' from the relevant project. Once on the message board, click 'Reply', select usermane you want contact and type your message. Alternately, you can contact Consultant with special status (
) directly from consultant's profile page.
How can I extend the period for which my project is open for bidding?
To extend your project, please log into your account and look for the name of your project listed under 'Project Name', and to the right of that you will see the 'Extend' option. Please click on 'Extend', enter the number of days you wish to extend the project for and click the 'Extend' button to submit.
I posted a project but it was closed or disappeared. What happened?
SpyTerra does not allow projects to be posted which request illegal services. If a project does request a service which to SpyTerra appears to be possible only by illegal means, the project will be closed or deleted.
