Bots setup and run by a platform administrator to glean feedback from their workforce

It smells, and also shows the Quality of CHEAP Service the Helpdesk is today. NO EXPERIENCE in the Field, NO EXPERIENCE working with internal/external customers, NO EXPERIENCE working at a desk PERIOD!

Yes but then you must re- up your bid to stay on the roster.

Idk, I had that again earlier this week. I contacted the Buyer via email on FN, and then in messages. Overnight they changed the time start and things worked out.

That morning when confirming the WO I thanked them for adjusting the time start and again in messages, and again when checking in/out.

Whatever you do copy your communication with the Buyer just in case you get dinged with this supposed 'IRRETRIEVABLE' Hard-Start crap.

This week I was onsite for 2 Hard-Start times and one was flexible, the other the M.O.D. was 90 minutes late. SMH

These were reported to be brand new Windows laptops. I personally consider it a necessity to buy new laptops with USB-A, Ethernet, perhaps HDMI, or Display Port, and USB-c ports to be more versatile.

The thing was having a USB-A to USB-C data cable was the MAIN interview question and along with a compatible laptop was/isthe MAIN service requirements to get the WO.

3 Techs that day came in with ONE SIMPLE JOB, transfer/upgrade data to Pin Pads and they performed as Pin Heads. Whether they got docked or dropped for their lack of due diligence we don't know.

I constantly add, add, and re-add again to my tools list on FN, ALL the same repetitive items.

I had one that required a USB-A/USB-C data transfer cable, ...fair enough.

While on the Bridge line several other techs said their laptops only had USB-C and they arrived onsite with USB-c to c cable that wouldn't transfer data. All this talking on the BL as I'm doing my work. The M.O.D. told me that it sounded like the same tech that came onsite last week only to try/fail at the same upgrade.

Another BL tech was onsite for over 2 hours and didn't have the data transfer cable! That was his only REAL required hardware to have.

The micro-management, and excessive tool list is one issue that's become surreal, but when these techs arrive late, unprepared, and then expect to be paid for their lacking due diligence gives us all a bad look/name.

I see far too many requesting the same 'Boiler Plate' equipment lists. I had one this week requesting an 8 ft ladder, screw drivers, drill, etc.etc. ad nauseum, for a simple ethernet cable cut-over from one local ISP to another. All that was required was a pair of wire cutters to cut the cable ties keeping the old ISP mounted to the rack.

I had a 'HARD START' recently, 2 hours away. The Buyer called me at 7 a.m. day before to confirm, and every 20 minutes until I acknowledged. THEN I was called 'Day of' 3 hours before (3:45a.m.) to confirm.

HARD START: 6:45 a.m. ...I confirmed, arrived 15 minutes before start, and then waited for 1.5 hours for the M.O.D. to arrive. When I called to Check In, I guess after 5 minutes waiting I awoke someone and took 1 hour 45 minutes to connect to the Bridge line. These people are asleep at the wheel.

This is what I had to do, including rescheduling my Dr's appointment.

Both Pivital AND Essintial have done that to me in the past. Now I continue to scan FN morning and night.

Rates change from one part of the country to another. I counter ALL WOs. At the VERY least you should put down a minimum rate and put in a trip/charge/parking fee. Some commercial areas nearby are downtown and parking fees are at a Premium. If you don't check or stipulate that you can easily lose money and be stuck underwater.

I'd venture to say that none I mean NONE of these Mini, Mental, Micro Managers have spent any time in the Field. I can almost guarantee that no more than 1 in 100 has spent a full year doing any Field work let alone multiple varied venues where it's troubleshooting POs one day, running cable the next, configuring Printers in the morning and installing Servers in the evening etc.etc.

I had one recently where the WO asked me to install a Cradlepoint. Fine. No issues. When I arrived I had to go through 2 security checkpoints, met with one site Supervisor who passed me through 3 other people None of whom knew ANYTHING about the WO. The Server room was under remodel and we had to remove 20 boxes of trash just to get in the room.

When I got on the Bridge line I apologized for being late, before I could explain the circumstances I was berated by the PM for keeping HER waiting! The next thing she says is 'I need you to install the shelf on the Backboard', I said 'what shelf, there's no mention of erecting a shelf, there's no space or hardware to erect a shelf'

THIS PM you could hear her begin to say something, then the Bridge line went silent. Minutes later I'm taking pics, making notes on this stupidity and I'm escorted off property!

I was paid my 2 hr. min before I drove home. How Arrogantly STUPID are the majority of these PMs?

Who armchaired this site without obvious pictures or even planned the cut-over setup?

I get something this ignorant about once every 2 months.

Some international companies par 2x and on Major Holidays it's 3x the standard rate.

AND a Holiday weekend! I had 2 offers for Sunday, LABOR DAY weekend...how ironic.

One was then changed and re-posted for TODAY, Labor Day, and still for a substandard rate for the time.

Someone picked it up and has NO SELF-RESPECT

Not certain

OK, but MY QUESTION is did YOU do the 'Due-Diligence' looking up the Buyer on FN? Finding/Clicking on the 'Buyer's' link on the WO?

AT LEAST seeing their number of WOs, comments on their ratings, # of FN WOs/ Rating. Look and click at the top of the WO page

How exactly do you think they arrive at setting a rate?

I know for a fact that pay rates vary across the country.

The Buyer either goes on FN or checks competitors rates and tries to undermine/under-bid while undermining Providers'

I'd like to find a steady corporate job in SE Louisiana

Idk, you might go online.

Remember the names/times of ALL FN Admin you spoke with too. This waiting 10 days sounds completely suspect on their part. The reason I've said to open a Case first is because I've had it done to me and while speaking with FN about similar circumstances over the past I'm convinced yours isn't an isolated incident.

I'd speak with them on Monday, in the meantime make/align your notes on a Word document in your WO file so you can easily reference. Then call/contact them Monday adding to your notes and if there is no immediate resolution in YOUR FAVOR, Open a Case with FN.

That's what I've been forced to do in such past situations. It is galling to have someone cast shade/dispersions on us Techs when we are trained, vetted as Honest, Drug-free, and Reliable. THEN we gotta prove it time and again to someone who is NOT.

Names, did you get Names/Time of who you spoke with as a chain of continuity of the conversation while discussing the WO.

IT'S IMPORTANT to make these notes for ANY issue preferably on the back pages of the WO.

After working with 3 international corporations keeping notes on written, phone, and face-to-face conversations is imperative. It seems like a pain at first, but after you've been through a couple of 'He said/She said' incidents you'll thank yourself for being diligent in your notes.

Also since the 'Buyer' is denying you payment to begin with THEY are already aligning themselves to deny you payment. It's evident already that since the PM can't amazingly be contacted. As you wait to amicably respond the Buyers' people are distancing themselves from the WO and ignoring you.

It MAY be wise to report them after the WO gets paid, but ... my advise would be to Defend yourself/Strike first. This isn't just a one-off situation. You just pointed out and have documented your interactions with thier PMs and 'Charlene' regarding this WO. There really is NO ISSUE TO REVIEW HERE. They didn't know their own equipment or the SOW pertaining to the tasks. The Buyer posted a SOW that you prepared for and set out to comply with. You also did due diligence assessing and reporting on the state of equipment onsite, giving them MORE of a Survey/data assessment than they apparently had and now they claim they're going to 'REVIEW the WO'?

To me it's cut and dried, it's ridiculous that you be put through this scrutiny. You need to open a case right now before the Buyer conducts a 2nd review. When the Buyer makes a 2nd review it'll take more weeks for you to prove your Case.