.~.

That really does sound odd. Basic questions on a topic of which they should be very familiar? Definitely bring this up at the arbitration. Perhaps they will claim to have to research YOUR particular situation, but hammer home the fact that your situation wasn't special and that the answers should have been easily determined by those "experts."


Arbitration isn't bad. It is much less formal than a civil trial and they will give you every opportunity to explain your side of things.

Just make sure you present a sound, reasonable reason for being in arbitration. Do NOT just say that you think the information and answers were too expensive. Explain why you think you are being over-billed. Make sure to ask if they do the exact same research each time the same question is asked or if they become more efficient with their research over time. Also ask them what was so "unusual" about your questions that required so much "research."

Tell them that you will be happy to pay for their services, but you aren't willing to pay for unreasonable time spent on issues on which they should be familiar (without extensive research).

Good luck!