|
As long as the WAH winds up with you finding a new job, FTW! Get out while you can. Call centers aren't career jobs, even for supervisors. Well, they can be, but -most- supervisors are either bottom feeders or could be making a buttload more if they found real jobs.
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 18:23
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 20, 2024 15:50 |
|
|
So after three weeks of sitting on my rear end doing literally no work, the company got fed up with our IT desk going unutilized, so we have a new temporary project for the next 2-3 weeks. Instead of doing corporate IT, starting Monday I get to take customer calls for a product recall.  This is not something our company normally does but they are doing a favor for one of our biggest contracts so we just get to deal with it.
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 19:03
|
|
|
Wow. Our company branded swag pool runs deep as hell. The boss let me take something from her collection for doing good at answering phones last month. Branded socks, t-shirts, multitools and screw driver kits  I took the tool and screwdriver kit, I figure it may actually come in handy some day in some capacity.
|
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 19:04
|
|
|
100 HOGS AGREE posted:So after three weeks of sitting on my rear end doing literally no work, the company got fed up with our IT desk going unutilized, so we have a new temporary project for the next 2-3 weeks. This would be fun if only because you shouldn't have to follow a script or anything. Go nuts.
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 20:17
|
|
|
cuntvalet posted:I've applied to a poo poo load of jobs both what I studied for and part time retail recently, havent heard poo poo all back. I feel trapped. I feel helpless. And today certainly isn't helping. Fil5000 has the right idea. You really have to learn to detach yourself from this stuff. Most people are just mad at the company while others are crazy and/or assholes and it gets a lot easier to deal with if you just stop giving a poo poo about anything beyond meeting your employer's expectations. I know it's probably not what you want to hear right now but I'm saying this because you'll be dealing with the same kinds of people/situations if you go into retail work, only then it will be in person where they can hear AND see your reactions. It won't be as bad if you're say, going into some kind of stock position that doesn't involve customers as much but most stores love to make employees do multiple jobs so you'll probably end up cashiering or something eventually.
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 20:31
|
|
|
Retail is worse than call centres, because that nut job that is screaming at you is doing it directly into your face and can jump the counter and start punching you. Also you get paid less.
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 20:50
|
|
|
I did retail for 4 years at a gas station kiosk behind bullet proof glass, when someone was freaking out and in a few instances spitting at me, it was like watching a curious zoo exhibit, I dug it. In fact, if it paid the same and had the same benefits, I'd rather work it than this job.
|
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 21:03
|
|
|
Fil5000 posted:Retail is worse than call centres, because that nut job that is screaming at you is doing it directly into your face and can jump the counter and start punching you. Also you get paid less. I actually disagree...not about the pay or whatever, but about retail being worse in general. I find people while they can still be nasty, don't have the same balls because they're face to face. Over the phone gives people a certain type of bravado. That and you're dealing with people only from a certain area. Not nation wide assholes. That said, I don't miss cleaning up explosive diarrhea in the aisles either.
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 21:09
|
|
|
cuntvalet posted:I actually disagree...not about the pay or whatever, but about retail being worse in general. I find people while they can still be nasty, don't have the same balls because they're face to face. Over the phone gives people a certain type of bravado. Eh, YMMV I guess. I went from five years of selling video games into a collections phones role, went from a deputy manager down to a phone drone and was earning more money, got paid for the hours I worked and learned the joys if the "release" button. Oh, and since going into a call centre I've never had to watch a security guard catch a shoplifter and get a needle in the thigh for his trouble, or seen one of my colleagues get punched in the face by a customer that didn't like his attitude.
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 21:16
|
|
|
Yuck. Selling video games must be a special kind of terrible. Maybe rivaled by working in a comic book or hobby shop. I just sold gas and cigs, things people need all the time and always increasing in cost and they already know / don't care. We had a tax increase hit on all cigs on time that raised the average price from like, $4.50 to $5.25 and they didn't even flinch at it.
|
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 21:19
|
|
|
sbaldrick posted:This would be fun if only because you shouldn't have to follow a script or anything. Go nuts. I just like complaining. 
|
|
#
?
Aug 17, 2013 22:09
|
|
|
I sure hope I don't fail my background check or anything with my new job, because I've just quit giving any fucks. Customer sasses me? I sass them right back. Customer's doing the bullshit "Waaaaah, I dunno if I wanna file a claim or not?" thing? I tell them to think on it and call us back later.
|
|
#
?
Aug 18, 2013 04:53
|
|
|
Fil5000 posted:Eh, YMMV I guess. I went from five years of selling video games into a collections phones role, went from a deputy manager down to a phone drone and was earning more money, got paid for the hours I worked and learned the joys if the "release" button. I can only imagine the special kind of terrible that working in a video game retail store brings. From the whiny self-important children wanting mommy to buy their video game, to fanboys and other retardation. quote:Oh, and since going into a call centre I've never had to watch a security guard catch a shoplifter and get a needle in the thigh for his trouble, or seen one of my colleagues get punched in the face by a customer that didn't like his attitude. 
|
|
#
?
Aug 18, 2013 14:05
|
|
|
TODAY marks one year since I was released from hell! Happy times!
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 00:51
|
|
|
I put in my 2 weeks notice on Monday, and it's kinda awesome. Too bad there's a client visit between now and the end, though.
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 04:42
|
|
|
Well I'm officially slated for work at home. Got one of the crappier shifts, but if things go well, I might have another job lined up. It'll suck for them if I leave a bit after getting it, but oh well.
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 05:32
|
|
|
Good to know I'm not the only one miserable in a call center, though I feel bad for everyone else stuck there too. I work for a vision insurance company, and I'm about 50-50 on feeling bad for myself and other employees, and for feeling bad for customers. Constantly having people transferred over from medical insurance or lower ranks in the company since they don't train anyone in the business, and dealing with whatever the last rep told them before pushing them on. Those people I feel sorry for, but the ones who haven't done any research on their plan, then call up pissed that (insert company) doesn't except their plan and they demand we take care of everything for them. The best still though are the people that call up cussing the moment they get on the phone. Had an old man the other day call up with "You need to get rid of that drat phone system. It's a waste of my loving time, and let me tell you," before I disconnected on him. I hate my job, but I can work from home, which is a necessity since the fiance and I only have one car. Maybe one day I'll be able to escape!
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 08:12
|
|
|
Boomer The Cannon posted:I put in my 2 weeks notice on Monday, and it's kinda awesome. Show up in a g-string and fishnets, say nothing about it.
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 15:36
|
|
|
I quit and left the same day. I was starting at my job the next week anyway, and I just couldn't stomach another minute of that work. I can't believe I'm actually out. I thought I was going to be there forever, no joke.
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 16:38
|
|
|
legsarerequired posted:I quit and left the same day. I was starting at my job the next week anyway, and I just couldn't stomach another minute of that work. Congratulations!  I actually just finished reading this entire thread. Pretty interesting, and I've been rooting to hear that you managed to get out!
|
|
#
?
Aug 21, 2013 17:58
|
|
|
legsarerequired posted:I quit and left the same day. I was starting at my job the next week anyway, and I just couldn't stomach another minute of that work. I've found now that I know I'm getting out, work is almost enjoyable.
|
|
#
?
Aug 22, 2013 01:31
|
|
|
After reading this thread a bit, I'm a little afraid to post this... But anyways, I had an interview earlier this week for what is essentially an inbound call center dealing with FMLA benefits. I have never worked in a call center before, and am honestly just trying to better my financial situation and earn more money. The benefits and pay are already better than my current job (along with better hours M-F 830-5) so on paper it looks good, but basically how hosed am I? Am I going to completely hate this? There's no guarantee I'd even get the job, but its hard to say no to something that is seemingly better than my current position (Teller).
|
|
#
?
Aug 22, 2013 17:05
|
|
|
liz posted:After reading this thread a bit, I'm a little afraid to post this... But anyways, I had an interview earlier this week for what is essentially an inbound call center dealing with FMLA benefits. I have never worked in a call center before, and am honestly just trying to better my financial situation and earn more money. The benefits and pay are already better than my current job (along with better hours M-F 830-5) so on paper it looks good, but basically how hosed am I? Am I going to completely hate this? There's no guarantee I'd even get the job, but its hard to say no to something that is seemingly better than my current position (Teller). WFH would be the only type of call center work I would consider again, and it pays too low, in general/all that I've seen ads for.
|
|
#
?
Aug 22, 2013 19:41
|
|
|
SiGmA_X posted:TODAY marks one year since I was released from hell! Happy times! It'll be 10 months for me this week. I've counted every day. liz posted:After reading this thread a bit, I'm a little afraid to post this... But anyways, I had an interview earlier this week for what is essentially an inbound call center dealing with FMLA benefits. I have never worked in a call center before, and am honestly just trying to better my financial situation and earn more money. The benefits and pay are already better than my current job (along with better hours M-F 830-5) so on paper it looks good, but basically how hosed am I? Am I going to completely hate this? There's no guarantee I'd even get the job, but its hard to say no to something that is seemingly better than my current position (Teller). You should just let them train you for however many weeks and then cash out before you ever pick up a phone.
|
|
#
?
Aug 22, 2013 20:13
|
|
|
liz posted:After reading this thread a bit, I'm a little afraid to post this... But anyways, I had an interview earlier this week for what is essentially an inbound call center dealing with FMLA benefits. I have never worked in a call center before, and am honestly just trying to better my financial situation and earn more money. The benefits and pay are already better than my current job (along with better hours M-F 830-5) so on paper it looks good, but basically how hosed am I? Am I going to completely hate this? There's no guarantee I'd even get the job, but its hard to say no to something that is seemingly better than my current position (Teller).
|
|
#
?
Aug 22, 2013 20:22
|
|
|
Generally too, a job is better than no job. Just don't get complacent and stop looking for work if you feel you are qualified to work elsewhere for better pay. I do this nearly every job I have, which is why I've been trying hard to work on my credentials in all the down-time I have at my desk currently. BTW, recall update. Calls have dropped exponentially every day since Monday. I had like a hundred on Monday, about 40 Tuesday, like 18 yesterday and so far today I've taken four. I'm so goddamn sick of doing web training and studying.
|
|
#
?
Aug 22, 2013 20:29
|
|
|
I just had the best experience with a rep over at Progressive. He said he was a supervisor that was doing some overtime taking calls because he likes to stay fresh on speaking to customers so that the people he is in charge of know he's not talking out of his rear end and can empathize with them when they're having trouble. After I told him I worked in a similar place we laughed about reading customer survey comments that were over the top.  I hope I gave him a break from some other dickish customers that night. Dryer Lint posted:You should just let them train you for however many weeks and then cash out before you ever pick up a phone. This.
|
|
#
?
Aug 23, 2013 04:27
|
|
|
100 HOGS AGREE posted:Just don't get complacent and stop looking for work if you feel you are qualified to work elsewhere for better pay.
|
|
#
?
Aug 23, 2013 04:54
|
|
|
SiGmA_X posted:This is the problem where I was last. 37k a year for CSR1's, and 2/3+ of the CSR's had bachelors degrees from reputable colleges!! I'd go so far as to say more CSR's vs supes had degrees %wise. And those CSR's all hated it and knew they were losing career opportunities with their degrees, but couldn't turn down the money... Especially in Oregon's economy. That's a case where you have to do outside things to keep up your skills/hid call centre on resume. I did a poo poo ton of volunteer work when I worked at a call centre.
|
|
#
?
Aug 23, 2013 18:15
|
|
|
I'm done with call center work! Never realized how much I hated that place until I left
|
|
#
?
Aug 26, 2013 07:10
|
|
|
It's been a month since I've left my call center job for one in retail management, and I will gladly say I will take all the bullshit in this new job any day over the life in hell call center working is. Yeah, people are terrible sometimes, but it doesn't stick with you and repeat over and over and over again. I'd rather have several minutes a day dealing with irate customers than a non stop slew of them ad nauseum, trapped at a desk and hooked to a phone. I've also lost the 5 pounds I had gained because I'm not on my rear end all day. The only aspect I miss is having weekends off, but I get at least one a month and I can live with it right now.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 18:17
|
|
|
A bunch of managers have moved on to other locations within the company recently, and I got to thinking... I do a lot of other tasks than my job now and they're admin related (sending out reports, etc). Management doesn't nearly have the same level of contact with the clients, but then I'd have to deal with agents. I don't want to stay on the phones forever, just with the company. I'd love to hear from any of you with managerial center experience.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 18:27
|
|
|
I do a lot of lead assist right now (I think more than half of them want me as a lead, but I doubt I'd take it). Dealing with agents can sometimes be just as frustrating as dealing with customers.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 20:53
|
|
|
My centre is now doing tech support for another cellular carrier so I have to work with two carriers now and they think we can do stuff that we can't and then we get in trouble for "refusing calls" from them but it's just that their client care is useless and transfer to us all the time. So. Now not only is our client care loving useless but we have to deal with them now too and it's getting ridiculous. I've sent coaching for 5 agents today alone. Five! How is it that client care is ignorant to their own damned jobs and what they're supposed to be doing and expect tech to fix everything?! Also, our OM is still a bag of dicks. But speaking to my TL he basically confirmed that the OM is a useless bag of dicks and the TLs combined make one OM pretty much. Holy shiiiiiiiit.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 21:03
|
|
|
Because people are idiots and get set in their ways. The guy that trained me absolutely insisted that every issue with MS Outlook was supposed to get escalated up to the Exchange server team and would not believe otherwise, even when the Exchange team would bounce nearly every ticket back to him saying that it wasn't a server issue but a client issue. When he quit to take a different job I glanced over at his ticket queue. He had over 200 unresolved tickets in his personal queue, most of which were Outlook issues, and some of which were over 8 months old. I don't even understand how he got away with that.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 21:08
|
|
|
cuntvalet posted:How is it that client care is ignorant to their own damned jobs and what they're supposed to be doing and expect tech to fix everything?! It's possible that they aren't. The help desk job I had required me to interface with a number of vendors with which we worked. They would really often just say something was our software's problem when it wasn't so they could get out of work and they knew we, not being a poo poo company, would fix it if the customer came to us pissed off. They could certainly be dumb though, too. Probably a little of Column A, little of Column B.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 21:30
|
|
|
Chicken Doodle posted:A bunch of managers have moved on to other locations within the company recently, and I got to thinking... I do a lot of other tasks than my job now and they're admin related (sending out reports, etc). Management doesn't nearly have the same level of contact with the clients, but then I'd have to deal with agents. I don't want to stay on the phones forever, just with the company. I'd love to hear from any of you with managerial center experience. Don't fool yourself, it isn't any better. Instead of just dealing with your own lovely customers all day, you get to deal with everyone's.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 21:58
|
|
|
My work at home is finally moving along. It's going to be so nice to save $300 a month and two loving hours a day driving.
|
|
#
?
Aug 28, 2013 22:25
|
|
|
I was wondering were this thread went. I used to work for a call center that contracted out to various companies. I got stuck working for Keurig. My callers were all caffeine junkies who hadn't gotten their morning fix because they decided not to clean their $200 dollar brewer. I got lucky in terms of truley stupid callers though, we had someone get a call from a guy who was complaining that the coffee from his machine was making everyone sick. Turns out he cleaned it with CLR 
|
|
#
?
Aug 29, 2013 00:51
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 20, 2024 15:50 |
|
|
I had a TSR tell a customer that 'It looks like you pay quarterly, so you only have to pay 3 times per year.' I've had many, many customers that think their water service line and sewer septic lines are the same thing, and that you can take out a HELOC on a property that you're renting from someone else.
|
|
#
?
Aug 29, 2013 05:25
|
|