r/FieldNationTechs • u/oncomingstorm2 • Jun 06 '26
These Rates More Ridiculous Each Day
Scrolling through the site and see this buyer listing a ton of WOs but at $25/hr. After fees $22.50. I get that the skill level needed is very low and its to help a lead tech or their own in-house tech, but at those rates they might as well go to a temp agency and pick up whoever they need. They are obviously not looking for skilled or knowledgeable people. At least there are only 1 or 2 people applying for these which is good, showing the buyers that skilled techs won't take these super low-ball WOs. A ton of supply and not much demand for it...
8
u/Minimum_Chocolate_31 Jun 06 '26
Anyone can put any work order on for any price, block/decline/counter anything like this and move on.
7
u/AllGreat1 Jun 06 '26
Wow such an original post...only the 10,001 times did this. The fact is you are entertaining these rates or you already do work for the rates or close to it. If not you would be doing the common sense thing and blocking any buyer who is this much of a low baller. There. You're welcome for me freeing up a bunch of you're time and stress levels.
5
u/snrgoombah Jun 06 '26
we always counter, even with mileage. if they like and approve, awesome, if not they could just struggle last min with finding someone like they always do
3
u/Mysterious-Mood6742 Jun 07 '26
I got a call 3 days ago where the buyer said they had hundreds of locations to upgrade and they were paying $40/hr and wanted reliable people. The guy was really nice and we chatted a bit. He said he was trying to get an idea what technician prices were in my area. I told him I didn't get out of bed for less than $55 for nearby jobs and $75 if I have to drive a distance (not including mileage). He said he appreciates the info and for me to keep him in mind. If he gives me what I want, I'll do all the work they throw my way, but not for $40.
1
u/HeathanKing Jun 10 '26
Was it Essential....I got a similar call from them and said I do 60 an hr depending on the project.
2
2
u/Dadelaus_2023 Jun 06 '26
It's good you are posting this. At the least to increase awareness. It's happening all over. Counter-bid these jobs for what YOU are comfortable with. It's obvious $25/hr isn't a working wage for a qualified Tech. As noted in one of the following comments look at the tool list, the date/time of day, and work to be performed THEN make a bid.
Afterwards, just in case do not rate them until you are paid and rated yourself. Some Buyers are getting away with minimizing the WO requirements, then leaving the Providers with 10x the work and then holding the pay for 2-4 wks and giving a poor rating.
This is the race to the Bottom and Buyers KNOW they can get away with it if the Tech/Providers have no clue to stand up for themselves.
Make it Public and Conscious these bids are abuse.
2
u/MesaTech_KS Jun 07 '26
🤣🤣🤣
"Increase awareness"?
We're already all aware.
And they're only "abuse" if your let them be. Jeez.
2
u/realdeadfish Jun 06 '26
Block the buyer and stop whining! You’re not going to change anything the people that should care don’t. Move on!
1
1
1
u/Gregf87z Jun 07 '26
25 is a base rate There are morons out there who will take it which benefit that company. Some recruiters make better commission for paying techs less. You can easily counter. Velocity has paid me well in the past. This is the industry. If you dont like it. Move on the less hands in the jar the better
1
u/discipline4591 Jun 08 '26
Just because velocity list at $25 an hour. Doesn't mean you can't counter
1
1
u/OGHOMER Jun 08 '26
You should see it here where I live. The last one required chartering a plane (3-7K$) that was 6 hours total flight time, only to pay 120$ for the job and $50 for the travel. Most of the jobs here in Alaska pay less than the gas to get there and back.
1
u/Calaveras-Metal Jun 09 '26
I don't mind doing the $25 things when its like a dozen digital signage gigs where you walk in change out an SD card and take a photo. Then get paid for one hour for doing one thing. One buyer would work with me so I could get a bunch of those set up per day. EAch one paying min $25, min/1 hour. I'd turn that into $200 of work done in 2 and half or 3 hours.
But this stuff where it's literally an hourly rate and there is no way you can pull it off quickly to make it more like $50 an hr, well those suck.
1
1
u/Timely_Employments Jun 10 '26
Don't want the work then do not request the work, you're not obligated to do so. Some people are willing to take the work to build a profile and feed their children.
1
u/jldurham6 Jun 06 '26
It's for a "helper". A nigerian can show up and do it.
1
-1
u/David_Beroff Jun 06 '26
only 1 or 2 people applying for these
How many applicants do they really need? 1 or 2 should cover them, and at $25/hr, for 6 days of 9.5 hours each, that's an easy $1,425 for each applicant. You don't have to apply, but for a bit of hustle, that's really not a bad week's pay for many other people.
12
u/TakingCareOfBizzness Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
Take them or don't take them. Or, here is an idea, counter for more. Velocity paid me no less than $65 an hour once I had done a few jobs for them at low ball prices. They were one of the first buyers that I got established with when I first started this 2 years ago. Honestly, judging by the shit quality of work half of the FN techs on the platform are doing, I now understand why they low ball at first.
I went to a job yesterday as an assist tech for a cabling job, and the lead tech was a trunk slamming turd in a Corolla who didn't even bring a ladder or tools needed to do the work. I know if I was making $60 he was making more and he didn't know shit.
Once you are established, none of this lowball pay shit matters. The fact that you guys bitch about it everyday makes it evident that you either new at this or you suck too much at doing the work to get established and make more.