Not all states require a license to do business (depending on the type of
business), nor does one have to be a member of the chamber of commerce or
the BBB.  Also, he could be doing business under a trade name, which he may
not be required to register, but still be a sole proprietor in which case
the dept. of Revenue would not have any records.

So, as long as he seems professional and is willing to put up a reasonable
deposit, I wouldn't worry about it.  I've done business with several people
out of state, and haven't had any problems.  Some customers find your name
online and don't care where you're located, as long as you can do the work

Micah


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org
[mailto:owner-hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org]On Behalf Of Brandon Coughlin
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 6:43 PM
To: hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org
Subject: Business Question


Okay, this may be off-topic.  If so, please let me know.  I have a question
to ask you all and get your opinion.

For the most part I only serve the local area around our part of the state.
I have never had any customers out of state.  Recently I got a customer on
the East Coast that wants me to design a site for his company.  With it
being out of state, I wanted to confirm that this guy was for real and that
his business really existed.  So I contacted the Dept of Revenue for the
state to confirm his existence.  They do not have any record for him or his
business.

To make a long story short, I contacted City Hall to find out if he has a
license - they aren't in until tomorrow.  I contacted the Chamber of
Commerce and Better Business Bureau, they don't have any records on him
either.

My question to you is this:  I guess a couple of questions actually....

1.  When you get a potential customer, do you check to make sure they are
actually registered with the State as a business?

2.  Is there any reason to care whether they are licensed?

It seems to me that a web designer has an ethical responsibility to be
concerned whether or not a business is legitimate, and that they aren't
conducting business illegally.

Please give me your opinions on this.
Brandon

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