Frequently asked questions
What constitutes an Expert?
A person who has demonstrated their skill within a certain field and proven excellent delivery.
We do not measure expertise in years, but rather in subject matter mastery.
CLIENTS
How it works (Clients)
- Register as a client
- Search for the expertise or product you need
- Engage with the relevant experts directly to secure a quote
- Sign the Client Contract with the terms of service
- The Abstract Club will invoice for the booking fees
- The expert will invoice for their services directly, where applicable
How do I search for experts?
Register as a client. After you have registered you will receive a verification email. Click on the link to log in to search the database, post an assignment or book a virtual forum.
What is a Booking Fee?
A booking fee of ZAR3000 (Excl VAT), is an administrative fee payable to The Abstract Club when an expert member is booked/contracted.
Why do I pay a booking fee?
All booking fees go towards the marketing and administrative costs of The Abstract Club. Booking fees are paid by the company retaining the services and not paid by the expert.
How many people are in the database?
Our database is growing on a daily basis.
If you don’t see what you are looking for, please get in touch and we will do our best to source the expertise you require.
MEMBERS
How it works (Members)
- Existing members register on the website
- Upload your profile, detailing your expertise. This is important to showcase your unique services
- Accept the Code of Conduct
- The Abstract Club will invoice membership fees for payment, either upfront (discount applicable) or monthly.
- Respond within 24 hours to any client requests (notify The Abstract Club of availability)
- Negotiate your contract with the client
- Deliver on the assignment
- For each month of a TAC secured assignment, a monthly securement fee will be payable – irrespective of the number of assignments.
- Keep your profile up to date
How do I join as an expert?
Complete the online registration form, upload two contactable references and submit the registration.
When will I know if my application to join as an expert has been approved?
We strive to have applications approved within 5-10 working days. Checking references may delay the process, depending on reference availability.
How do I pay?
Fees are payable as one lump sum or monthly on the 1st of the month. You may pay via debit order or EFT. Bank details are available in the member section.
How much do I pay?
Membership fees for 2023 are 12 monthly payments of ZAR100 (Excl VAT) per month if paid monthly, or ZAR1,000 (Excl VAT) for 12 months if paid up front.
For assignments referred to members via The Abstract Club, members pay a nominal securement fee of ZAR430 per month, regardless of the number of assignments referred in a particular month.
Who will pay me?
Experts are paid by the company retaining the service. Your contract will be directly with the company.
Can I work for International clients?
Yes you can. Consult your tax advisor to ensure that you are compliant with tax laws. You will need a SWIFT code provided by your bank to ensure payment from overseas companies.
What do I do when I am unavailable for projects?
You do not need to delete your account. You can hide your member profile from the Expert Directory as well as all search engines.
How do I hide my member profile?
- Login to your account
- On your member profile page (MemberZone), click on the Settings Wheel on the top right of your screen
- Select “My Account” from the Dropdown Menu
- Select the “Privacy” tab
- For the action: “Hide my profile from directory” – Select the “Yes” radio button
- Then click on the orange “Update Privacy” button
- You will receive an email notification that your account has been updated
- When you have availability again, repeat this process and select “No” to hiding your profile.