When the time comes to hire a shredding company to handle your document destruction, there are some things to ask them first. It’s vital that you know exactly who you are hiring, the methods they use, and how they qualify staff and maintain security for your documents.
Here are some of the things to consider before hiring your next paper shredding service provider.
Do They Shred On-Site?
On-site shredding is the most secure and effective form of shredding currently available because it ensures the employees never handle your documents directly and that you can witness both pickup and destruction, maintaining chain of custody.
If the company you contact does not offer on-site shredding, there is no way to know that your documents will be handled properly and destroyed thoroughly.
Are Employees Trustworthy?
Employees should be thoroughly screened, have experience in the field, and have been subjected to an FBI background check and independent verification and certification before they work with your documents.
Additional safeguards like random drug testing, frequent evaluation and strict codes of conduct are also needed to ensure the data security specialists working with your documents can be trusted.
Can They Destroy Hard Drives and Other Materials?
While the vast majority of on-site shredding will be performed with paper, you want to know that your company of choice can destroy other materials like hard drives, CD-ROMS, DVDs, packets, and binders.
Are There Hidden Charges or Fees?
Some shredding companies will charge additional fees like security and pickup fees, fuel fees and more to make up for their low upfront costs. Find a company that promises no additional fees beyond what they quote up front.
Do They Require a Contract?
Contracts are not always in the best interest of your company. Don’t get locked into a long term contract for a service you are unfamiliar with. Choose a shredding company that doesn’t require these kinds of contracts and that will work with you to provide exceptional service first, working to keep your business over time.
Does your contract Auto-Renew?
Many of today’s national shredding companies require you to sign a two year contract that automatically renews after the initial term of the contract. Once that initial two year term expires, you will automatically renew into another year, unable to get out of the contract without paying penalties.
What Extra Services Do They Offer?
Does your shredding company offer additional services like free locked bins and consoles? Do they show up on time or are they missing appointments? Is the staff friendly and courteous? Do they offer 24 hour turnaround between your scheduled pick ups? Do they add additional value by providing complimentary services such as hard drive destruction? These are the added services that can set your document destruction company apart from their competitors.
The right paper shredding company will be the one that strives to earn and keep your business by providing exceptional customer service. Strongbox is a local and family owned business that has been providing such service for its customers throughout Milwaukee and Madison since its founding and can do the same for you. Call us today to learn more about all of our paper shredding and document destruction service options.