03.14 - Scoping Topics: Why should I hire you when I've been offered a free migration?

03.14 - Scoping Topics: Why should I hire you when I've been offered a free migration?

Some companies offer free migrations when moving into their platform but these "free" services often have a number of caveats that make them less-than-optimal for most firms.  In most situations, the "free" option is really a "do it yourself" option.

When talking with your client, you should stress a few things:
1.  You deliver a white-glove experience
2.  You can operate on the firm's timeline; they won't be down for days/weeks while the migration happens.
3.  You can migrate more data.
4.  All the firm has to do is write and check and you'll handle it.

You should also encourage your client to send an email similar to the following to the company offering the free migration:
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Hi Company:
I am considering hiring a consultant who uses Universal Migrator to migrate me from <Source> into your platform.
They are quoting me a fee to perform the migration and I notice that you are offering a free migration.
A free migration sounds pretty good but before deciding, I want to make sure you are delivering the exact same experience I will receive if I hire the consultant.

Can you answer the following questions for me?
1.  Can you confirm that you will transfer all this data [link the client to the appropriate page on UniversalMigrator.com] to your system? 
2.  If there is any data that you won't transfer, what is it?
3.  Will you log into my old system and export all the data for me?
4.  Will you fill out/prepare any spreadsheets/CSVs and import them for me?
5.  I want to ensure minimal downtime: once you start the migration, can you have me operational in less than 12 hours?  
6.  Will you handle transferring documents for me?
7.  Can you ensure that you will log into my old system, download all my documents, and transfer them for me?

My consultant is offering a completely white-glove experience where all I have to do is provide a login and they handle everything; I want to make sure I'll have a similar experience with your free offering.
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