vB Easy Archive - just got a position with corporate..

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just got a position with corporate..
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Posted by: mafiazz

as a sales rep...

my question is about the COU line. i realize that its unlimited yadda yadda voice and data. but does cingular push the employees to use high end data handsets like the blackberry? or treo?

and if so, what sort of discount is being offered? my friend who works for tmobile corporate gets three 60% discounts of the full price of phones a year.

Posted by: Lambert

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

as a sales rep...

my question is about the COU line. i realize that its unlimited yadda yadda voice and data. but does cingular push the employees to use high end data handsets like the blackberry? or treo?

and if so, what sort of discount is being offered? my friend who works for tmobile corporate gets three 60% discounts of the full price of phones a year.

Chances are you will be issued the Samsung D357. You can purchase hardware at 30% off the retail price. I am unaware of any limit on purchases, but I doubt there is any since there is still little appeal of paying $70 of cingular's bloated prices.

Posted by: aaadock

if you know your stuff on the treos and or blackberrys... and they notice,,, yoiu will be given a highend phone.. they want reps that know how to use the high end phones to have em... easier to sell that way..

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaadock

if you know your stuff on the treos and or blackberrys... and they notice,,, yoiu will be given a highend phone.. they want reps that know how to use the high end phones to have em... easier to sell that way..

That also depends on your store and the area. Reps generally go to a site called NEAS and choose a phone from there. The spending limit is roughly $200. The high-end phones are generally saved not only for busy stores but also experienced reps. If you want one, just go get one yourself off of ebay. Your 30% discount is limited to two phones per year. There is a limit but there shouldn't be one. I've always found a friend who has a FAN discount and had him purchase a phone for me at map pricing. I wouldn't recommend doing that because it is a terminable offense if caught.

Posted by: mafiazz

30%?! that kinda sucks. is that off non-contract price?

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

30%?! that kinda sucks. is that off non-contract price?

As far as I know! There should be a better discount in place and a rule against selling your phones...for at least a certain period of time. Cingular wants you to know everything about certain devices and customers want you to know which ones work and which ones don't. Its hard to do that when you have to spend so much money on something...especially when Cingular cuts your commissions! I miss the old days when my manager was able to sell out two of every phone. One for the store demo and one for the employees to take home and learn with.

Posted by: mafiazz

i have more questions; sorry.

1. the dress code - do they give cingular polos? and i supply the khakis? also, is it shoes or sneakers?

2. the COU (?) employee line - what if my cingular deposit as a consumer is astronomical? do i have to pay the $500 for that line or no since it isnt in my name? also, since i am part time, do i still get the line?

3. training - is it usually on site of the location you will be hired into? does it consist of ACTUAL training or just some other employee showing you how to do things here and there?

4. pay/commissions - they told me my hourly wage is $11.96 plus commission. is that good for starting out? also, the commission checks are seperate from the paychecks? are they monthly? how do charge backs affect me?

sorry for so many questions, im kinda nervous for this monday.

Posted by: edmund

I just got hired part time at a Cingular COR as well. Anyone care to answer these questions?

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

i have more questions; sorry.

1. You should be wearing Black casual shoes - dress shoes, boots, but no sneakers. Khakis, slacks, whatever, no jeans

2. COU shouldnt have anything to do with your personal credit. There may be instances where your credit will be considered if you wanted to get a discounted line. I forgot this detail.

3. Depending on the location, some training sessions are held elsewhere. You local COR store may even hold training sessions if they have a training room. It's real training on the use of the POS system and etc..

4. $11.96 is higher than what I use to get, which is @ a rate of $11.10 Per hour. It depends on the location for this as well. I was only there for so long and the hourly checks come first, then the commision checks are second.

Someone will have a better explaination.

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

i have more questions; sorry.

1. Yes, they do supply you with Cingular polos twice a year. You have tons of choices such as Cingular dress shirts and ties, polos and even vests! The shoes should be nice dress shoes but I have found that if you get a really nice sneakers, you can get away with it. It just depends on your manager. I bought a pair of sneakers (Bass) that actually do look like dress shoes.

2. COU has nothing to do with your credit. Don't worry about it!

3. Both. You will most likely start in the store and have someone showing you the basics. Then from there, you will be sent to training. It may just be the opposite. For me, I started with At&t in Seattle and was sent to training in Pittsburgh for 2 weeks before I even started in the store. The company basically gave me a 1 bd, 1bth apartment and a prepaid AMEX ($600) for cab fair and food. The card won't work for anything else. I wasn't even able to go to the grocery store for snacks. My card was refused everytime.

4. They offered you $11.96!!! Wow. I know people that have been with the company for 5 years and they still aren't even close to making that much hourly. I was originally offered $10.25 and thats with sales and management experience. Take it and run. As far as commissions go, the way thats supposed to work is like this. After your 2nd month, you will get your first months check. You should get 100% payout for your first two months whether you sell anything or not. Currently in my area (Pacific Northwest), Commissions are being paid out around the 5 - 8 month mark for new employees. Apparently, there is something going on in the system. Charge-backs will affect you. I believe the charge-back period is 180 days which really sucks. I've heard rumors that the union is trying to fix that and change it to 90 days. If a customer cancels service or anything at all within that 180 day period, it will reflect off of your next commission check.

Good luck!

Posted by: xbox360gamer

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabisdogis

4. They offered you $11.96!!! Wow. I know people that have been with the company for 5 years and they still aren't even close to making that much hourly.

they started my best friend @ 11.23/hour and he's never worked in the cell phone industry before.

now, this really is the pitts for all of the other employees in his same store who normally started at something like $9.50/hour. needless to say that my buddy was tickled pink.

oh well, all for not because my buddy is about to quit the company anyways. he's only been working for them for roughly one month and he's already had too much.

thats bad, really bad.

Posted by: mafiazz

why are people quitting so soon and so much?

is it basically a $ issue? because i honestly cant see how performance/duties can be THAT bad..

also..30 day probationary period. at the end, if they dont like me and my style, they can really let me go?

Posted by: ivwshane

They can actually let you go anytime. There is no 30 day or 90 probationary period, they just call it that so you will work hard.

You would have to be a pretty big screw up to be let go soon after being hired.

Posted by: edmund

So, for the COU Line, are they offering any choice right now or is it more like "here is your samsung."?

They are supposed to be sending me some sort of packet in the mail right now, and I'll have to go through a drug test and extensive background check.

Posted by: Toothless Tommy

People are quitting because of money to but it is actually more the job in general = not even slightly happy not that jobs should be fun but they shouldnt be misery either ?

All the SAM quotas for such little money and white book ,white board ( manager to lazy to do it everyday ) . low life Mystery shop people ( most look like they are barely paying the rent ? ) that dont have a clue about how to buy a cell phone -- eg. lady with 4 KIDS ( pulling the store apart ) is in store for a whole 3-5 minutes to do MS and gives rep 98 - another rep spends 35 minutes with lady and gets 83 - go figure ? .

But mainly dealing with angry customers , pissed ATT ones - I could on all day there !! , Cing custs forced to go from 29.99 to $39.99 plan from TDMA to GSM just because they want a new phone ??? , Cing stealing ( whoops !!!! sorry company men ) adjusting rollover minutes . The guy wants to drop his rate plan by $10.00 bucks and will lose his 2500 RO he built up but we will give him a lousy 450 . well done Cing . Just get rid of rollover if you are going to piss custs off like that. Alot of churn is been caused by the previous examples .

Custs come in want new phone NOW !!! . lost phone want free phone now !! Cust comes in slams phone down -- dropping calls I say L4L = couple of days Mr. Trailer Park ( better known as Toothless Tommy ) before you get a phone (lol ) I am not on their side on the last examples but we are on the floor dealing with it not hiding in our cubicles somewhere ?

most people dont want to deal with this anger on a daily bases and they leave ( most leave for less money What does that tell you ??? - How can one explain that out of 50- 60 reps hired before me and after me that only 2-3 are still left 3 .5 years later ???

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmund

So, for the COU Line, are they offering any choice right now or is it more like "here is your samsung."?

They are supposed to be sending me some sort of packet in the mail right now, and I'll have to go through a drug test and extensive background check.

They are going to give you the samsung. The phone looks and feels cool (I think) but the reception is horrible. I've been experiencing a green screen and its been freezing a lot. Most reps have two phones though. You can ask your manager...its at their discretion. You'll most likely have to carry both of them on you. If they do give you a choice, theres a $200 or so dollar limit. Most managers will make you get the V551, some won't. Good luck on that one.

Posted by: mafiazz

news update:

i have just received the INFO packet from DHL on my door today.

inside this packet i got:

-paperwork on Cingular's Code of business Conduct
-welcome letter from the staffing manager
-employment verification paperwork (I9?)
-invitation for voluntary self identification
-quest diagnostics drug screen exam information

phew. this is alot to hit me with at once lol.

does anyone know how much longer the process takes? the paperwork says "Your employment is scheduled to commence on 1/16/2006 at (location), provided the contingencies listed below are first satisifed"

question is, how do i show up on the first day as far as uniform? will they have stuff for me to wear or do i wear my own things until its ordered?

and im so excited lol

Posted by: kilowatt

just show up looking nice with some nice pants and nice shoes and a nice shirt.

Posted by: mafiazz

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilowatt

just show up looking nice with some nice pants and nice shoes and a nice shirt.

they dont give me a polo or anything?

Posted by: kilowatt

even if they do, show up dressed to impress. it's your first day on the job for gods sake.

Posted by: rabisdogis

Wear dress shoes, nice pants (dockers or slacks), and either a polo or dress shirt. A tie is optional. You should be able to order all of your polos sometime within your first week or so. Don't worry about it and congrats on the job!

Posted by: edmund

I'm currently waiting on my packet to arrive, should be here soon.

Posted by: mafiazz

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilowatt

even if they do, show up dressed to impress. it's your first day on the job for gods sake.

just asking..christ..

i didnt know if it was okay to come in too dressed up and show up the damn manager...

you know, i came in here asking for help/opinions. i do realize its the first day at a new job, but each job consisits of and is comprised of different standards.

would you dress in a suit and tie for your first day working for Honda Mechanics?

dont think so

Posted by: kilowatt

that may have come off the wrong way...i didn't mean any harm. good luck with the new position.

it would be very difficult to show up wearing the 'wrong' thing. just use your best judgement.

Posted by: Lambert

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

Considering they get paid more than retail sales, yes.. I would.

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

I think kilowatt was using a little bit of sacastic humor on ya. He didn't mean any harm.

Posted by: PIMP.JUICE

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

i have more questions; sorry.

I get pay 8.00 dollars an hour plus commission. That suck! I don't work for a corp. store but i work in an exclusive Cingular Store. I deal with a lot of spanish customer and i get alot of sales. I'm going to apply for a corp. store. and quite my job/!

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by PIMP.JUICE

Are you still toothless?

Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal91302

Are you still toothless?

LMAO...thats hilarious!

Posted by: edmund

New update for me: I just received my employment packet from FedEx. I'm going to go get drug tested today hopefully. The HireRight people called me yesterday and made me fax them a pay stub from my current job to verify employment or some such thing.

Posted by: mafiazz

hire right is not able to verify one of my jobs listed because the company went out of business and i did not file a 1099.

does that mean cingular will not hire me? or what?

Posted by: kilowatt

not necessarily...

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

hire right is not able to verify one of my jobs listed because the company went out of business and i did not file a 1099.

does that mean cingular will not hire me? or what?

What is a 1099?

Posted by: digitalslurp

A form with the IRS I believe.

Posted by: edmund

I talked to the manager at the store that I was hired at today and apparently my background check has come back and I'm approved to start. I'm going to start sometime next week.

Posted by: edmund

update: I start on Thursday.

Posted by: gregsmith59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal91302

What is a 1099?

If you are an employee of a company you get a W-2. If you receive money from a company, e.g. a contract position, you get a 1099 instead.

There are many different types of 1099 forms, e.g. 1099-DIV and 1099-INT, but they're probably talking about the one which must be issued to anyone paid more than $600 in the year without a W-2.

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregsmith59

Thanks Greg

Posted by: mafiazz

now im kinda worried because....

during my interview, i was asked if anything would interfer with my work schedule..and i said no..i am taking college courses, but they are both online etc..

and i got the job.

now, my school is requiring me to mix-up my schedule and i actually have to be in class about 2 days out of the week.

if i talk to the manager about this, do you think he will feel like i lied in my interview and fire me for lack of availability? im just trying to think because i was hired as a part-time sales rep and i figured about 30 hours per week spread over the OTHER 5 days that i am not in class..

anyone have any ideas on what to do? or opinions?

Posted by: mafiazz

update:

just got back from my first official day of training/work, and i love it!

the people are great, the atmosphere is awesome, and the perks/benefits are sweet...

i actually got my PTT line TODAY, meanwhile most people at that location wait a few weeks to get that and their CUID.

i got all my stuff the same day..sweeet..

and oh yea, i love having a phone that i dont have to keep track of the minutes..haha and my PTT line is the d357, which i must say, is a pretty decent lil phone..

edge..bluetooth..mp3s..i likey

Posted by: cingularkelly

1. the dress code - do they give cingular polos? and i supply the khakis? also, is it shoes or sneakers? In our store, We get $125 at spring for work shirts (they are nice clothes) and $175.00 in the winter, We supply our own pants, No Jeans etc..NO sneakers what so ever, Open toed shoes in the summer allowed.

2. the COU (?) employee line - what if my cingular deposit as a consumer is astronomical? do i have to pay the $500 for that line or no since it isnt in my name? also, since i am part time, do i still get the line?
No Credit check for cou lines, but if you get an ERP line make sure to pay it...If you dont pay the bill they can and will fire you.

3. training - is it usually on site of the location you will be hired into? does it consist of ACTUAL training or just some other employee showing you how to do things here and there?
I got both, Instore training and then I was sent to Buffalo NY, For 12 days..to Cinguniversity!!

4. pay/commissions - they told me my hourly wage is $11.96 plus commission. is that good for starting out? also, the commission checks are seperate from the paychecks? are they monthly? how do charge backs affect me?

[B][I] Wow you were started at a great rate! I have been with Cingular two years and I make less than that an hour! I started as a ssr and then moved to Sales last year. 2 paychecks and then a commision check the last fri of the month.

Dont be nervous!!

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

update:

just got back from my first official day of training/work, and i love it!

the people are great, the atmosphere is awesome, and the perks/benefits are sweet...

i actually got my PTT line TODAY, meanwhile most people at that location wait a few weeks to get that and their CUID.

i got all my stuff the same day..sweeet..

and oh yea, i love having a phone that i dont have to keep track of the minutes..haha and my PTT line is the d357, which i must say, is a pretty decent lil phone..

edge..bluetooth..mp3s..i likey

It's a pretty good phone. The only think it really needs is a camera. The speaker (not the speaker-phone one) could use some improving. Great battery life.

Posted by: edmund

I got my CUID and my COU line today (samsung d357)

The d357 has EDGE right? Is there anyway to set it up to use EDGE while browsing media net on my COU line?

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmund

I got my CUID and my COU line today (samsung d357)

The d357 has EDGE right? Is there anyway to set it up to use EDGE while browsing media net on my COU line?

Congrats.

Yes, it is already set up to use edge.

Posted by: edmund

oh ok, thanks. I was looking at one of the settings under media net and it said GPRS. Also, this phone wont let you know the difference if you're connected to GPRS or EDGE as far as a different icon right?

Posted by: Gman-2006

The D357 is not a EDGE device.....one of it's many shortcomings.....great looking phone but regular cell calls and some PTT calls sound crappy.

I prefer the LG7200 since for some reason it connects faster on the Nortel and Lucent switches in our market.

Congrats on joining the family!!!!!

Posted by: mafiazz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman-2006

The D357 is not a EDGE device.....one of it's many shortcomings.....great looking phone but regular cell calls and some PTT calls sound crappy.

I prefer the LG7200 since for some reason it connects faster on the Nortel and Lucent switches in our market.

Congrats on joining the family!!!!!

says edge right on the boxlol

Posted by: Gman-2006

It is a Class 6 device which is as fast as Class 10 GPRS. Not very fast

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman-2006

http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/ce...083&WT.svl=img3

Then Cingular, Samsung, and the fact I get EDGE speeds on it are misleading?

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman-2006

It is a Class 6 device which is as fast as Class 10 GPRS. Not very fast

But you just said it wasn't EDGE.

Posted by: Gman-2006

I apologize for saying it wasn't EDGE... With those speeds it isn't EDGE to ME.

Posted by: edmund

Quote:

Congrats on joining the family!!!!!

Thank you. I have to go to Charlotte 3 Saturdays in a row for my official Cingular part-time training next month. As for the d357, I haven't used it that much, but this phone seems fine. I was trying to view Howard Forums on it a little while ago, but it told me the file size was too large. oh well

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmund

The Samsung's browser is ok (10x better than moto) but try out http://mini.opera.com. Full screen HTML browsing.

Posted by: edmund

^I downloaded it but now I can't find it to use it again after I closed it. Where would it be? I tried downloading the low-memory one if that helps.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it, it was in the games section. Is there anyway to move it?

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmund

^I downloaded it but now I can't find it to use it again after I closed it. Where would it be? I tried downloading the low-memory one if that helps.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it, it was in the games section. Is there anyway to move it?

Not that I am aware of. That is the default location for some reason. I didn't see a low memorty version, I will have to check that out.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

welcome to hell buddy

remember the 4R's, secreat shops and keeping feature attachments high up there.

just do good in those and hope traffic picks up and you'll last past the soon to be firing of reps.

Posted by: CingularZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

30%?! that kinda sucks. is that off non-contract price?

You get at least 2 phones paid by company usually 1 handset, and 1 data (blackberry)

How many phones do you really need? Or are you just joining the company trying to buy phones and ebay them...

Posted by: mafiazz

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularZ

You get at least 2 phones paid by company usually 1 handset, and 1 data (blackberry)

How many phones do you really need? Or are you just joining the company trying to buy phones and ebay them...

yea thats it..i went through 4 interviews and aggravation to get a measely % off of the full price of phones..

are you serious? come on.

its just the fact that the discount sucks is what i was making.. and no, stores like mine do not just give you a blackberry..more like a d357 and v557..

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

I have never seen anyone that was given a blackberry for free

So far the only COU phones I have seen are, like you said, the V557 and D357. Maybe they do this in some fortunate markets.

Posted by: edmund

The ONLY line and phone I was given is my COU line with my Samsun d357

Posted by: CingularZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafiazz

It never cease to amaze me whats most important to new hires..

If its not vacation time , its discounts and freebies

You are getting more than you really think, but hey thats just me.. Health, Medical , 401k are actually more important to my life and family.

Good luck with your new job.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

ha! i have a v551 and a d357 cou lines, each their own.

Posted by: Demetrius

I just got hired as well. I start February 1st. Do I work a full week my first week (I'm PT), because I am jumping from one job over to another.

Posted by: kilowatt

it's probably up to your manager.

Posted by: mafiazz

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularZ

yea..well..im 22...i really dont care about 401k and what not..

should i? probably.. am i? negative.

i dont have a family or kids to support..