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mlhatl
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Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 23
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#161 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 08:46
Quoting: firsttimemother want to know if westathome.com is not a scam or fraud
Hi firsttimemother. West at home is a legitimate company. I was hesitant at first and before I applied I did a lot of research. My mother-in-law and brother-in-law both work for West. I also researched the company of the BBB website. All good remarks for this company. I've just finished my training and hope to start working by this weekend.
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rsoler
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Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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#162 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 11:34
hi candlesms,
you sure you are not forgetting that during this time you missing is because you were working as an independent contractor before the hiring process? if so, then the calculations you made could be wrong I would double check that first
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rsoler
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#163 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 12:25
Hi Mlhati,
yes do let me know how it goes don't worry just dived into it and everything will fall into place..don't hesitate if you have any questions k...till later
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candlesms
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Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 29
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#164 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 13:39
Rsoler,
Thank you! Actually I was not counting that income, lol. BUT I did figure it out. I was living in another state for part of 2007. Then moved to Alabama. My tax ID number changed. Thence, I will receive a 1099 and not one but 2 W-2's. Oy... I don't know why I didn't figure that out for myself until after I posted that post.
Melissa
To everyone else,
How is everyone today? Anyone else notice we are on a 40 hour limit now? I am completely disturbed by this. But I will get over it. I had an issue in the past where I could not work for a week. I had no internet. I moved and had to wait for service. My friend who told me I could work at her house then did not let me work there. It ended up that I went from rank 1 to rank 2. Which now means that I am not getting the call volume that I would get because I lost my ranking and am working hard to get it back up. But with the shortened hours and the less call volume I am not getting there quick enough. I would toggle once in awhile between 1 and 2 but I was never at 2 for more then a day or two. Being that I am Direct Response and getting OH SO many Biotech/Eden Pure calls (OMG! is there ever a bigger piece of overpriced garbage made??) I don't see myself making the big bucks (if you want to call it that) for a few weeks yet. I have made almost half what I usually do with the same amount of talk time. However, to be honest... I probably will never do anything else. I love the lifestyle that it affords me. Not the money to do WHATEVER I want... but the time to do things WHENEVER I want.
To the new applicants! West is completely legit... and YES it does take some time in the hiring process. My advice to you, WRITE everything down! No matter how simple or easy it seems. Due to the wording used, it is very easy to get confused! Best of luck to you all!
Keep in mind something else. West will let you work as many other jobs as you want outside of WEST. BUT in the FAQ's it specifically says that WEST is your primary employer. They want to be first and it is a TERM of their employee manual.
As far as Vonage goes, in the FAQ's it is said plainly that they DISCOURAGE Vonage. But it is not a condition of employment that you not use vonage. I use a USB Flash drive phone. I can take my phone anywhere and plug it in as long as I have high speed internet. I can discontinue the included services at anytime, by just deactivating those features while I work. I have a landline phone, BUT my vonage is strictly for work. My phone battery never goes dead and I can even use blue tooth if I want to be wireless.
If anyone is interested in vonage, send me a message and I will give you a direct link where you and I can both get 2 months free just for signing up.
Talk to you soon. Best of luck in your upsells. And have a great day!
Melissa
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tweb
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Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 26
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#165 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 16:23
To all of the new applicants waiting to hear from West. I looked online and my applicaton status has changed. It now says 'You are in hired status. Expect a 'Welcome' email in 1 business day.' Hopefully it will be 1 business day and not 2 weeks. I will keep you posted.
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tressasmith7654
Forums Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2008
Posts: 11
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#166 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 16:41
Hey Tweb,
Congratulations!!! I am still waiting mine hasn't changed.
You are on your way; Good Luck!!!
Tressa
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rsoler
Forums Member
Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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#167 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 17:04
Hi Candlesms,
can you give some advice regarding working the Direct Response skill I will be working that skill starting this Saturday I was going to last week but posted out cause I needed to do something else. anyway, whatever you can give heads up will appreciate it. I hear is harder than Sears Repair...which is the only skill I have had since I started until now.
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workinghome
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 4
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#168 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 17:20
tweb, thank you for the update and congrats. My status hasnt changed yet, but we'll see.
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MckenzieR
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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#169 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 18:21
Hey Guys...I'm glad I found this forum. I am new to West at Home and have just finished my webinar. My skill is DR. The training was so intense even after all the training and me passing each test, I still feel I needed more training but they said to just schedule yourself and go on. Are the screens easy and when you started in DR were the calls rapid? Also, when you first start do they penalize you for making mistakes? I'm scared to log on and schedule because I forgot how to go from screen to screen and take the customer information. I think I need some help. Could anyone advise on DR and the screens and calls. I really would appreciate it.
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sarahb2007
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Joined: 5 Jan 2008
Posts: 10
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#170 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 19:32
For those of you working the Sears account, how are the hours? I was wondering if it would be difficult for me to be able to find the hours that I need and want.
Thanks
SB
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candlesms
Forums Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 29
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#171 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 20:54
RSoler,
Hi Thank you for asking. 
I think the best way to handle Direct Response is that treat each call as a new call (which is exactly what it is). When you are doing the APO's, Read them upbeat. When I get to the last line I always say " and the free ($$) Walmart gift card is yours to claim just for trying the program, OKAY?? In completely different inflection, almost sing songy with a little bit of emphasis on OK. kinda like Okaaay? Works often and I swear by it. I was told once by PAL that alot of agents struggle to get 5% when 15% is required. I swear its the truth that I run anywhere consistently between 24-40%. I am not saying that I am better then anyone else. Just have experience with upsell APO's. (From other jobs I've had training to do just that). Hard to explain here without actually hearing how I say it. But we can talk sometime if you want. I don't mind. The other thing is this and its very important. IF the customer interrupts you MAKE sure you let them know that you must finish that statement with a clear concise answer at the end. They don't want to miss out on a wonderful oportunity. ALSO, "I just need to tell you about the offers, you are not obligated to accept them." or something like its for their protection as well as yours that you get a clear concise answer AFTER the offer. They seldom then interrupt again, and sometimes if they say no, that REBUTTEL.. "now keep in mind the blah blah blah etc they OKAAY??" Its not as long and less boring and the keywords are stressed and then the customer says OK. More times then not. I am only on one skill. Pal told me that happens when you do well with one that they dont want to change you up. Sometimes it is frustrating. It's not always when you do well that they ask you to change. They really have people who get DR stay there if they do well because DR really is one of the hardest programs. I know someone who failed Virgin Mobile, then they offered her Pro Flowers. Then they sent her an invite for VMU because she had already started VM. Then someone else I know was DR and failed. Passed HSN and within a week offered her to finish DR training. And my sister is HSN just finished training and failed DR. I figure she is going to be DR again soon to finish her testing. That is just an opinion but I think it is close to accurate. It can mean it both ways. Maybe someone has great work ethic and tries hard but there is an easier program and they will still work hard for West so they offer new skills.
Direct Response will be fine for you RSOler, the challenge really was to get thru the testing. CONGRATS! If I haven't answered your question because the question wasn't specific, then I'm sorry Ask away and I will try my best to help any way that I can!
OH and a tip for excellent show up rate and adherance is this...
If at all possible try to schedule like a half hour or an hour on and a half hour off. You don't waste any of your schedule on lunch breaks for one thing. And second of all, WHO ever gets off at exactly the half hour? If you log on for 30 minutes for example and then say talk 35, you are over 100 % SA and 100 % SU Rates. And have a small break so in case you have to go BRB, you dont have too much make busy time! Plus I do that cuz I don't smoke in the house. Seriously, how many of us talk a whole 60 minutes anyway?? So we might get 30-45 minutes total in an hour anyway. So if you get 20-25 minutes out of every 30 minutes PLUS over adherance time... then we make more in half hour increments. Dont have to take a lunch which makes our schedule more work time then break time... Does that make sense?
Maybe it does or I am not explaining it right. Let me know!
Melissa
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rsoler
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Joined: 7 Jan 2008
Posts: 305
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#172 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 21:43
Hi candlesms,
thanks so much for the info...great advice sounds good I do have another ? Is the software relatively userfreindly? And do they offer high rate per min on weekends all the time? or sometimes? oh well, I GUESS MORE THAN ONE QUESTION LOL....is it always busy do you really get calls coming in I'M RANKING 1 so I'M guessing I will be recieving calls one to next but from your experience can you tell me if is always busy? I DO want to earn the rate per min versus minimum wage? lol
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candlesms
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#173 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 21:54
Rsoler,
The software is user friendly. On weekends it runs between 25 and 35 cents per minute BUT lately its been 17-22 and 25.
Also, I wanted to clarify something earlier that I said. You DO get to take a lunch break, but since it is unpaid anyway, why waste your 40-60 hours with that half hour included. If you schedule your own breaks then you get more talk time versus break time. If that is a little more clear. When I was a rank one, the calls do come back to back. Most times exceot down time. Take advantage of downtime to shorten your schedule where you might be able to pick up a busier shift. If you need to trade click on -hours first before you do the trade. It just may be in red. Makes it easier. Then you don't have to pick up or worry about minimum wage in that half hour.
I've been a 2 for nearly 2 weeks. I never stayed a 2 before. But I will be a 1 again. Shortly I'm sure. just take my advice on that too. If you have to take any reasonable amount of time off. Work a half hour that day or an hour before you take off. To make sure you don't blow your ranking. Top 10% is rank 1. Next 80 % is rank 2 (whether you are 11% or 90 %) and lastly rank 3 is bottom 10%.
Let's hope none of us go there!
35 cents is 21 dollars an hour. But if there is down time, it is not 21 dollars! it is minimum wage. And where I live now in Alabama it is soooo much lower then Florida where I previously lived. I have seldom had that problem, for more then 1 day. Just when calls are slow. Even when I was a 1. If it's slow it's slow.
Imagine a rank 1 and a 2 hanging up the phone the exact same time. The rank 1 will get the next call.
Hope that helps!
Melissa
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rsoler
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Posts: 305
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#174 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:16
candlesms,
ok then one more question I HOPE I'm nt being a pest by now lol..anyway, what are the best hrs during the day on weekends were calls are most busy? I mean do we really get that high min per rate earned most of the time? or is it relatively slow throughout daytime versus nightime? thanks for your response you have been so helpful and I appreciate so much
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rsoler
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#175 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:18
candlesms,
oh and what about the commissions do we really get extra money on those can you give me short info on that too
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candlesms
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#176 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:23
LOL you mean I'm making sense??? LOL (tell that to my 15 year old daughter, LOL) I work during the day EVERYDAY, but I also work weekends. At night you get more pervs that are too cheap to dial 900 numbers (which Ive had the joy of working as well...UGH) YOU are not being a pest! I am happy to help. My way is not the BE-all END-all of West, just some things Ive learned that have helped me along the way. As I said, I live in Alabama now and the income I made in Florida (5 kids no child support) I wasnt making it in Florida. What I make now same income I have an abundance of and I am making it with money left over! Weekends calls are busier and at night they are more time life (CANT STAND THEM!) daytime I have more Eden, and AARP calls. Cinergy the health calls etc. Nights and weekends I have Time Life and the Lypozene and the Slim and Lift and etc. I make more on weekends I work 12 hours both weekend days. and about 5-8 hours most if not every day during the week while kids are at school.
Melissa
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candlesms
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Posts: 29
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#177 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:25 · Edited by: candlesms
Commissions are slim. If you sell Tobi Steamers and upsell there are some bonus' But mostly its Guar. rate and upsells on specific product orders. I havent seen a guar rate in 2 weeks in DR. and it looks like next weekend only pays 17 cents, so I may take a weekend off for a change. I work almost always 7 days a week. Even if I only work 1 hour that day. By the way, I forgot to mention, If you are a rank 1 on one skill, you may be a different rank on a different skill.
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rsoler
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Posts: 305
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#178 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:29
sarahb2007,
sears schedule is flexible there are always hrs available...from 6am-11pm always check trade hrs I'M one to give up hrs throughout the week You are not going to have problems at all selecting hrs Sears skill pay more on Monday, Friday mrn/aft and Sat mrn/aft (current rate per min on those days ranges from 19-22) I always grab those hrs first. other days is 17 rate per min equals only 10hr is not easy to make descent salary with sears skill until you rank number 1 were calls come in one after the next. So, it does varies I AM NOW a little more content cause I HAVE another skill which will give me the privilege to shedule hrs only based on those days that pay the most. So, you do pay your dues with West but don't give up it gets better and better any questions please ask I'M happy to assist you in anyway I know how it feels to be out in the dark
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rsoler
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#179 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:37
Candlesms,
yes I SAW that next weekend rate is low but I THOUGHT they would change the rate later that week I GUESS I was wrong so I WON'T TAKE to many hrs next weekend either Funny you said you lived in Florida I ACTUALLY LIVE there now and well I DON'T CARE finally I ENJOY AND LOVE BEING AT HOME SO MUCH THAT I DON'T SEE MYSELF WORKING OUT THERE ANYMORE EVER! IS THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD IT ALSO makes it easy to work more hrs cause we are home well guess I'LL CHAT LATER KIND OF SLEEPY GOODNIGHT TO ALL AND thanks again candlesms for all your help
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candlesms
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#180 · Posted: 24 Jan 2008 22:40 · Edited by: candlesms
I lived in Clearwater. And you are very welcome! ANYTIME! I hoped it helped!
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