Electronic Signatures On Contracts

[Steve W.]

OK First off I have a gripe I need to take up with the board. I will do it in a poll but I just want to say Jim from Buffalo started this topic in the Blog Section and I think it is great! What I am worried about is good topics getting lost in the new "Blogs" Section. I see it already in another board with the same board software, and I do not really want to check two areas on this board everyday for good stuff. I do not know if getting rid of the Blog feature is even possible but I for one would vote to banish it. Look for another thread on that subject. But until then if you do write a Blog and have a topic of interest to everyone please copy it into the message board, even if it's kinda useless post it in the Limo Lounge anything goes there! LOL

Anyway Jim brought up the idea of getting electronic signatures on documents and contracts. I just completed a move and the moving company sent over my $400.00 contract electronically via email and I reviewed it and signed it and it was as slick as a slug!! Reading a little on electronic signatures seems there was a law passed in 2000 that now treats them the same as written signatures so I am unaware of any legal pitfalls.

Below are a few vendors that offer the service and they really have a wide range in terms of price, ease of use, platforms (some are web based others download a program). Most all have a tracking feature where you can view the status on all sent contracts and if the person has opened them signed them or rejected them. Some have a mobile feature for you road warriors.
　
www.gopaperless.com - Jim Was looking onto, anything to report? Found they do also have a free account with the ability to send out 5 per month. You can regester for a trial here: http://www.gopaperless.com/EsignOnline-Signup-Free.aspx
Can only send standard document formats, nothing obscure.

www.sertifi.com - This one was able to handle a MHT web Archive file and an HTML file 2 formats Limoanywhere saves it's printed documents in. So any confirmation or trip sheet comes out looking great. If you can fit your contract at the bottom of limoanywheres Customer Trip sheets (and even if you can't the programs converts it to multiple pages if needed) this would be a slick option for getting a contract signed. You could also bundle in the same email a standard Credit Card authorization charge contract as well and have them sign and return that. You can try for free just upload a contract or confirmation and sent to yourself. Good Stuff!

www.echosign.com - Only could handle standard Document files - Word, Excel;, PDF, (did handle a .RTF file format that LMS Gold Outputs) the basics has a free option of 5 documents a month. Did have a nice feature where you could upload a standard contract and have an HTML link to copy and paste or embedded HTML Widget (Java Script) into your site for people to click on and sign. And this one you could even dray out your signature with your mouse. Also has a fax back feature where your customer can print out document, sign, then fax back to the service then it's comes up as signed in your document tracker. Even has frequently used IRS documents ready to send out. Send yourself a W9 Form to see the capabilities of this technology. May have to sign up for an account to try, it's free to try. Or use my referral code here: http://www.echosign.com/ref/X6X2G4S272B7E

www.elock.com - kinda confused me Think this is more for developers to add the Features in to websites. Has a web option but was not able to figure out. Some more digging found they offer a 10 day trial on a few of thier products. Go to the download section here to get "Pro Signer": http://www.elock.com/download.html (Tried it, way to advanced and not user friendly, creates like 5 seperate programs on your start menu, not for the faint of heart)

www.docusign.com - Looks pretty slick was not able to play with it as only had video demos. Contact them for full feature demo. Can send yourself a test here: http://www.docusign.com/interactive-demo/

Is anyone already using something like this on a daily basis? Any Downside?