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Message |
steph
Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 59
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2008 12:25
Reply
Mustangk,
West is a company that has a few different companies that they offer customer service to, so there are many different skills out there that pay rate is different and you can easily make anywhere from 7- 11 dollars per hr. It just depends. Sometimes, you have to give things I try yourself and find out . Dont just go on third party informations. Dont get me wrong I totally agree with the pay per contact is not fair on vm line because I am currently working it but when I work my other skill I am either paid 7.50 per hr. or 18c per min and can bring in a decent pay. VM if I get the fast and not long calls than I can too make about 8 dollars an hour and have done it but there has been days where I get nothing but problems and do not even make my min wage for state but West makes the adj. However, lately I have not been make my min wage in my state. You win some and you dont. Right, now it is still some pay that is coming in for now and am looking for other avenues of pay. Already starting with selling avon. You can view my website for futher info on that. [Link removed - Admin] I hope that this was of some assistance to you.
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steph
Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 59
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2008 12:32
Reply
In addition, I honestly, think that West is going to rethink this because I am going to start putting at the end of my shift the comments that I getting from customers is that the other reps rush them off the phone and do not take the time to answers their questions to where they understand. This is why AYS gets alot of irate customers lately. I know because I have. I had a gentlemen the other day try to argue me into the ground about the basic pay as you ctd. I explain to him that he needs to tu every 90 days in order to keep acct. current. was told he was not advised this and I didnt know what I was talking about. After three time politely trying to explain to him this, he kept coming back screaming at me. I finally told him, sir I am not going to argue with you, I am sorry that you received some wrong info but this is the correct. Since you have internet access pls go to vm website and you will see what I am telling you. You can also go to the retailers that sell our phone they know this because it is basic info. Cust. still arguing but disc. at that time. He kept me on the line for 35 mins. Guess what I only got paid 75c for that call. That is not fair. Because these types of calls can be stressful. So, I have decided that after every end of the shift that I receive complaints about not being explained properly or rushed I am putting in my end of shift. That is our way of communicating with them.
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2008 12:47
Reply
mustangk,
It depends on what project you will be offered. As mentioned above the VGM PROJECT is really shaky to accept at this time. I would not accept that project right now. However, usually West offers 2-3 projects to select one the first time. So, just keep in mind not to accept VM AT THIS TIME if that happens to be one out of the projects being offered to you.
RO
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RO
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kimberlyddg
Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2008 20:32
Reply
I agree I also work on the VM line and did anyone notice that West raised the rates on Fri, Sat, and Sun during their busy times? I agree with Steph and also do it as well. I also let them know about PALS who are rude and also the ones that are worthless. They sent an email out today begging people to work and I figured for .75 a call is not worth my time. I have received so many complaints from custs about not being informed, rushed off the phone, and agents disconnecting the calls. They want excellent cust service, but when they pay "crap" they get crap. I used to make 11-12 per hour on just about every shift, now I am lucky that I make 9.00. I wander how many people participated in the walkout on Friday. Glad someone had the b*lls to speak up. I too participated, and waiting for the PIN.
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crimmys
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 23 Jun 2008 23:43
Reply
I completely agree with lower pay not being worth your time. Even the higher pay if you get customers who are needy or other reps did not explain things correctly to them it takes time if you are doing your job correctly!! Things with this project need to change! A lot of people are leaving but they just hired on a new bunch of VM reps too. A friend of mine was just hired and going through training for it.
On another note did anyone else hear that cr*cket is back as a w project and they are sending out invitations. I am seriously thinking of dropping the VM project to see if I can get an invite to cr*cket. I converted over to VM when they pulled out of west last year.
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wahdell
Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 25
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 13:52 · Edited by: wahdell
Reply
I've tested this out just a few days ago... I scheduled myself for one hour, and went to taking calls. I wrote down every call that I took, even the ghost calls. I took 10 calls in that hour, should have been 9.00 at .90 cents a call. I only made 5.40, which was 6 calls. I had 2 ghost calls which would have been 8, and 2 where I was on the line for under 45 seconds. I called a PAL and she told me we dont get paid for ghost calls, and calls that last under 45 seconds. I'm not wasting anymore of my time with West.
The Long calls were the most stressful for me, I've been on the line with a customer for 40 minutes trying to help them understand our service a little better, but I only got paid .80 cents for that call. That's outrageous. Plus, talking to all the PALS who had no clue what to do or say about some of the questions I had, and the Assist agent's as well have become the least bit helpful since we changed the pay rate. I was reading through the forum and found a post where someone saw an AD in their newspaper for 8.25 on weekdays and 10.25 an hour for Weekends? Hah! You'll be lucky if you get that on VM
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bookwurmee
Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 47
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 16:23
Reply
I also work the vm line. I understand that those of you who are used to making the per min rate are upset at the per call rate, you're losing money that you were counting on making. I am new and have not had the per min rate except my first shift.
That said, I want to say that vm is an excellent line to work. The customers are friendly, the calls are consistent, and there are hours to be had. I think making either min wage ($7.50 in my area) or more for sitting in my home on the phone is a pretty sweet deal. IMO, walking out on shifts will only get you fired.
For those of you who are new and offered vm, it is a good skill, at least I think so. Don't let all the negativity get you down. As Steph said, try it out and form your own opinion.
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wahdell
Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 25
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 17:10
Reply
Yeah everyone has their own opinion, that was just mine. some of us have kids, some of us have bills to pay, 8.00 an hour for sitting in my home just isn't going to cut it for me though, I could agree to around 10.00 an hour for AYS since the cost of living has gone up so much, but nothing less than that.
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crimmys
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 17:47
Reply
wahdell: Yeah everyone has their own opinion, that was just mine. some of us have kids, some of us have bills to pay, 8.00 an hour for sitting in my home just isn't going to cut it for me though, I could agree to around 10.00 an hour for AYS since the cost of living has gone up so much, but nothing less than that.
I am with you. Even though what the unfair part is.... W*st is not getting any less for the calls we take. Only we are getting less pay. There contract was not up for renewal and so it's just us who are getting paid less now. I understand if you just want to work a mw job and not have the cost of gas for driving but when you depend on this to support your entire family it's a different story when your wages are dramatically dropped! It effects the bills we have to pay and the way our family lives. We were given no warning that pay was going to be dropped. If I was working outside the home and came into work one day and they announced to the employees that all their pay was being cut. No one would think anything about holding a "strike"(missing shifts) so to speak. I was sitting in my home before making more money now I am sitting here making a lot less is the point. With no warning my income was cut. Which means I can't pay all the bills the way I was paying them. So I am not knocking the project just the company for cutting our pay unfairly. There is always someone else who will step in and work for less and not complain. That is why companies get away with it all the time. Employees not standing up and banding together and demanding better pay and other people walking in and working for less. I understand people walking in working for less because sometimes any job is better than no job or no income! So don't think I am knocking people for walking in and making less and being content. I'm not. I am just saying in my opinion its how companies get away with paying less and less while the cost of living goes up and up! People being afraid of their employers is what drives us to work for cheaper and cheaper. If I want to sit in my home and make MW I can work DR where I dont have to fight with S**ble going up and down and the call volume is often times slow. That's just my opinion though.
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kimberlyddg
Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 18:46
Reply
I am not knocking the line what so ever or for other people being content with working your butt off for a little bit of nothing. Most of the custs are not nice and they yell and scream and threaten to sue you because vm stole their money or because they were not informed or they are being disconnected not just once. I've heard a lot of complaints about the foreign workers as well. I can only imagine what West pays them. Like I said previously I have worked for West for 2 years and I always liked the line - steady hours, steady calls and steady PAY. Now I have to work 5-6 more hours per week just to make what I made before, not because I want to, but because I have to and my family has to suffer. I get the whole gas thing, but if I worked at the local L*wes I start out making $11.00 and it is only 2 mins from my house, so gas isn't really an issue.
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bookwurmee
Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 47
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 19:35
Reply
I think my point was misunderstood, and I'm sorry for that. I understand that the agents who were used to making several dollars more an hour are upset and angry about the pay rate. I would be too! As a new agent, unused to making money from home, I'm thankful to have a steady paycheck without having to leave the house. Would I like to make more than mw? Absolutely! Is it unfair that you have lost money? Absolutely!
I just think that when we start looking more toward the negative aspect of things then after a while that is all we can see. On the positive side, we are making money from home, no gas to pay, we can wear our jammies if we want, no getting ready for work, driving there, driving home, dealing with supervisors or coworkers, paying a babysitter, etc. I know this pay rate is not ideal, I totally agree with that. But it's not all bad. 
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steph
Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 59
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 22:17
Reply
I have to agree with Bookwurmee as hard as it is sometimes we have to look at the bright side of things. Just keep the faith. For right now you are getting paid to work from home, continue to look for other avenues of pay, maybe another skill offering may come your way. Just hang in tight. Do not do things that may hurt your work reputation because other companies you want employment with may contact West for reference. Log cust. complaints regarding reps that are not taking the time to answer questions, cust. getting disc. such on. also put in your comments. They do listen. Also, if you want to be invited to do other skills you need to continue to strive to keep your stats, monitors and etc where they need to be so they will offer you another skill. They will not if they are not happy with u on the current skill. It is not that we do not want to stand up and fight for what is right because we do but we need to think what is in the best interests of ourselves. You cant make judgements on people you do not know because they do not want to do this boycott thing. It may simply be, because they are in desperate need of income to keep the household going and they do whatever it takes to keep employment but maybe look elsewhere for employment that may bring in more money. I make a point to let a pal know every now and than that the new way of pay rate is not all that great. We are all in the same shoes here and lets be considerate of everyone's point of view. Not everyone is going to agree on the proper method of handling this issue. All I am going to say is think before you make any harsh decisions. In my eyes, I think things are going to have to change. Lets all continue to give each other more on the positive support than negative. Negative will just raise your blood pressure. Do as others have done and seeked secondary or employment elsewhere such as voicelog, verafast, alpine access. Anyway that is it for me.
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Interested in Avon! Now you can shop online and get shipped directly or delivered by Representative and you can also become an Independant Avon Representative for further details please check out www.youravon.com/snovo.
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Romeu
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 25 Jun 2008 01:21
Reply
Has anyone ever had West give a Training Extension after their session ended?
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steph
Member
Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Posts: 59
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# Posted: 25 Jun 2008 10:02
Reply
Not sure never had to request one but contact a pal for the skill you are training for and they will advise what to do. Or go to employee site and under faq type training extension and see what it tells you on how to ask for an extension on training. Sorry could not be of more help. Wish you the best. 
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 25 Jun 2008 12:10
Reply
Is anyone working for lenscrafters skill at west? if so, let me know how is going for you. I just completed the training/webinar am waiting for my logins/pswrd...To start working. I will be working this line by next week part time. Is new with west so, maybe some of you will get this skill as well. let me know if anyone has it?
RO
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WorkAtHomePro
Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 25 Jun 2008 18:12
Reply
Geez. I had no idea there was so much controversy surrounding the VM skill with W*st! Wish I'd looked here before I signed up for VM VMU! But then again, the only other skill offered to me was DR, and it seems to have its share of problems as well.
Kinda makes the $9/hr paid by Alpine seem a lot more ...decent, somehow!
WorkAtHomePro
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2008 13:40
Reply
ROMEU,
I got an extension back when I was offered sears skill 2yrs ago. I called a pal and requested it and she send out the email for me. but I know you can do this by emailing HR and requesting for an ext.. try it.
RO
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2008 13:43
Reply
Heads up!
If anyone is offered the lenscrafters skill take it! they are paying by the hr for now...and is easy just making eye DR. APPOINTS! HRS WILL BE FROM 6AM-3AM STARTING NEXT MONTH now is just 7am-10pm but it looks like they have plenty hrs especially coming soon. Grab it if you get the offer.
RO
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wahdell
Member
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 25
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# Posted: 28 Jun 2008 17:11
Reply
I wish i could get the lenscrafter skill!!! The Hampton PALS pinned me to death so now they won't offer me anything. I would like to do cricket as well, but im stuck on VM
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 30 Jun 2008 12:15
Reply
For everyone that has DR!
I don't think that the pay wst offers for the DR/VM SKILL is really there decision entirely. The reason why I said this is simply because Ijust got the lenscrafters skill and got an email from wst telling me that the decision was made to always pay by the hr on the lenscrafters skill. So, we will never get paid by the per min rate etc...and in addition they said the decision was made to protect us when call volume is low and that we will always know what to expect from our paychecks. So, I think that is wonderful news. Hopefully, they will implement changes on the other lines and if not, than I believe that the decision was made by the lenscrafters MNG ETC...because remember Wst pals don't even know when the schedules are posted and many times pals have told me that they don't know if the pay min rate will change and so forth. this really indicates for us to read between the lines and come down to the conclusion that when it comes to pay WST HAS GUIDELINES in reference to the minimum but depending on the line the ultimate decision in regards to pay offer is decided by the particular line we work for...don't you think this makes sense. Otherwise, we would have more stability offered on all skills not just on some? I think is worth thinking about it don't you? Anyway, if anyone gets lenscrafters skill they will know exactly what to expect from now on.
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florida
Member
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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# Posted: 30 Jun 2008 15:30
Reply
Could someone tell me alittle about the application. I am reading that it takes about 35 min. Is application like any other job app. asking about past jobs etc? Is ones skills tested during this time? Are you able to leave the application and return to finish or does it need to be all at one time? Just wondering what to expect.
Thanks in advance. I have enjoyed reading through your posts.
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bookwurmee
Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 47
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# Posted: 30 Jun 2008 22:38
Reply
RO,
Thanks for bringing this up. That does makes complete sense. Why would West pay such different pay scales for everything if they had all the control over it? Good point.
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Romeu
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 30 Jun 2008 23:09 · Edited by: Romeu
Reply
Thanks for the advice regarding Training Extension. I requested it via the support site and a few days later they granted it. I'm finished and Passed. I'm supposed to call now for the Webinar--I'm a bit nervous about this. I wonder how long after that can you go in and schedule your hours and also, are we required to work any specific amount of hours per month?
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 1 Jul 2008 12:58
Reply
Romeu,
It all depends on the skill you have...usually WST pals will tell you it takes up to 3days to acivate the skill. However, I have numerous skills in which the skill was activated the same day. especially if is not your first time with WST. Once the skill is on active you will be able to schedule hrs. Congrats on PASSING!...WHICH SKILL DO YOU HAVE?
RO
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mustangk
Member
Joined: 20 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 1 Jul 2008 13:34
Reply
I just realized Westat is not West at Home. Westat does research surveys. Does anyone out there work for Westat??
Thanks!
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Romeu
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 1 Jul 2008 23:34
Reply
RO:
Thanks for responding! I'd be starting my first-time skill--Billingual DR; so, any tips for that first day, week... would be really appreciated.
Romeu
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rsoler
Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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# Posted: 2 Jul 2008 10:58
Reply
Romeu,
I don't have that skill but many on this forum do..hopefully, someone will give you some info. I think that you should read all threads on this forum so you can get the information already posted regarding DR.
RO
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muffinlou
Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 32
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# Posted: 29 Aug 2008 10:18
Reply
also work for west and VM,, i think some of the pay reflects how well you perform and the part of the country you live in.? NOt sure on that but just my evaluation from what i'm reading. yes the pay per contact and per per min was a big hurt,,but i'm now making on a per work hour pay..which is sometimes better,,,sometimes worse. but mainly for the better becuase I do make better than min. wage and never work over 10-12 hours a week. it pays for my internet and xtra$$ to spend. I do agree some of the pals are terrible and don't seem to have the training they need to be considered our comand to reach out to...i've only worked with the companysince december 07 but have told many pals tips and tricks and how something needs to be done whenthey post the wrong info on the board. Better managmeent is something i think west needs to concentrate on.
I don't like having to send in questions because most of the times they are never answered & it is always a pal that answer not HR or anyone of help. but it is an easy, flexible way to earn a little.
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muffinlou
Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 32
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# Posted: 29 Aug 2008 10:42
Reply
someone mentioned working for CRICKET,,,how do you get to be at home agent with them?
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cropchick
Member
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 10 Oct 2008 13:51
Reply
rosielopey: Try Tele Tech, I just got hired on with them. I know they are looking for 80 agents to fill a contract. Permanent Part time.
Do you have their web site?
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