Your assignment was completely different than mine. Now I get the whole iPad release you had to sign. Mine involved a thumb drive to update the machine's software and nothing else. The patient wasn't even present at my second one.

Ah yes, totally different ones, LisaSTL, but each about helping a patient in one way or another. And while another poster said they won't go to a person's home for a retrieval, I too, won't do that sort of job. You just never know what sort of mood a person is in when they are not happy with a product, or whether or not they will take their dissatisfaction out on you. So while I won't go to a person's home to retrieve a product they are not happy with, I had no hesitation about going to a home where there is someone who needs something done to a medical device. I could do these all day, so I hope some more come open in my area soon.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/2017 03:02PM by guysmom.

My feelings are exactly the same about people who are dissatisfied with a product. Kind of that whole shoot the messenger thing. These people were so sweet and appreciative. I would do the jobs all day.

Well, I did my second one of these today. The Client lives in an assisted living facility, and I met her and her daughter there at the appointed time in her apartment. The Bluetooth upgrade of her device went smoothly, since it was just a Bluetooth pairing of the device with the iPad device sent to me by the MS Company, and did not need an Internet connection. However, the Software in the Client's handheld iPhone device had to be upgraded to the latest version, and DID require an Internet Connection. The Client does not have internet in her assisted living apartment. So her daughter suggested we go ask the Facility Concierge downstairs if we could connect to the Facility's internet in order to upgrade the Software. So I explained the need to the Concierge and asked, "Would it be possible to get a facility password to the dining room, or library or other area?" And she smiled and replied, in what I THOUGHT was a question: "Password?" So I said, "Yes, could we please have a password?" And she replied with a smile, "Yes, Password IS the Password".....and it was!!! So the upgrade went smoothly. But HOW MANY TIMES are people told "NEVER USE PASSWORD AS YOUR PASSWORD!", and here is an entire Assisted Living Facility doing just that! The Concierge even told me, "Any section of our facility that shows up as having an internet connection will use that same password". Oh my!! I was stunned! But........got the job done nevertheless!!! I'm still shaking my head, though!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2017 10:42PM by guysmom.

@The1Sandman wrote:

I know i'm a little late to the game.. but depending on where they are located in regards to where you are.. sometimes it's cheaper to send ground than NDA and you would get it at the same time (just lose the next day promise)

You have to ship using their instructions, sometimes it's a 3rd party account number, sometimes it's bill recipient. You have to ship according to what they tell you, whether it's overnight, next business day, etc. It depends on what they want. Also, they only use UPS and FedEx. I hate it when they want me to ship UPS because UPS sucks in so many ways I could rant for several paragraphs about it. FedEx may be more expensive but they are so much better of a mailing service for items like this, and since it's administrative time I am billing them for, they would save money by using FedEx instead.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

@The1Sandman wrote:

I know i'm a little late to the game.. but depending on where they are located in regards to where you are.. sometimes it's cheaper to send ground than NDA and you would get it at the same time (just lose the next day promise)

You have to ship using their instructions, sometimes it's a 3rd party account number, sometimes it's bill recipient. You have to ship according to what they tell you, whether it's overnight, next business day, etc. It depends on what they want. Also, they only use UPS and FedEx. I hate it when they want me to ship UPS because UPS sucks in so many ways I could rant for several paragraphs about it. FedEx may be more expensive but they are so much better of a mailing service for items like this, and since it's administrative time I am billing them for, they would save money by using FedEx instead.

Hey JAS!

Just wondering if this was posted in the wrong topic....not sure I'm understanding the connection between the topic and your post! Help me!

I saw one of those posted today, but it was gone by the time I got to the site. At this point all the waiting around and back and forth shipping weren't going to work for me. I didn't want to delay the start of what passes as my vacation any longer.

@LisaSTL wrote:

I didn't want to delay the start of what passes as my vacation any longer.

Oooohhhh, that sounds nice, Lisa!! Hope you enjoy it.....I'm sure it's much deserved!!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2017 10:55PM by guysmom.

The same company has product retrievals of various sorts. It has nothing to do with your project. I am sorry, but I had to respond to Sandman since he posted incorrect information about product retrievals.

Oh, OK, I see! Thanks, JAS!

I'm hoping to carve some me time between getting my yard in shape and preparing for a family reunion/birthday party on the 27th. It all depends on how much I can get away with delegating

Yes, Lisa, it can be really inconvenient if you are counting on the consumer to be home at the time you make the appointment. It depends on what product you are picking up and the kind of person you are picking up from. Did they indeed really have a legitimate issue with a product, such as the foreign object that the found in the product, was it really in the product when they opened the package or did they plant it there? That type of person tends to not be home when you go to pick it up, and then when you call them (sometimes repeatedly) to reschedule, if you are able to get a hold of them, they say something like, "'Nevermind, I don't want to have nuthin' to do with that no more and just ferget about it". Or, the consumer is a busy person and forgot about the appointment. I have had some really interesting experiences, LOL.

These are not product recalls. It is updating the software for various medical devices. So instead of someone with a complaint, I found them to be appreciative.

@LisaSTL wrote:

These are not product recalls. It is updating the software for various medical devices. So instead of someone with a complaint, I found them to be appreciative.

Totally true, Lisa....SO different from product recalls! JAS makes some great points, though, which is exactly WHY I won't do those sorts of retrievals or recalls. But these medical device upgrades are GREAT!! The little lady I met today, and her daughter, were both so kind and grateful! Makes me happy that I can do something for them that benefits them. In this case, the Client already has an implanted device that controls pain, and is regulated with an app on an iPhone that they have. They also have this small, horseshoe-shaped magnet that they keep on hand. The MSC sent me out an iPad with an app on it, and I have to hold the magnet over their implanted device, and it "pairs" via Bluetooth with the app on my iPad, and does whatever upgrade needs to be done! Then I have to check their iPhone to see what version of the app is on it....anything 3.2 or less needed upgrading from the App Store. In this case, today, that's what needed an Internet connection, and what prompted the daughter & I to get it from the Facility Concierge by using the password "PASSWORD" Oye Vey!!!

Oh well, I've ranted and apologize!!

Yes, Lisa, I knew that. I have been offered them but don't do them, though it sounds awesome.

@LisaSTL wrote:

I saw one of those posted today, but it was gone by the time I got to the site. At this point all the waiting around and back and forth shipping weren't going to work for me. I didn't want to delay the start of what passes as my vacation any longer.

Lisa, it's the above that threw me off, as it sounded like a product retrieval...often I have to wait for shipment of a cooler, then pack a product and ship it. It didn't occur to me that you have to do any back and forth shipment with the other project, just maybe receiving something but not having to ship it back. Like I said, I don't do that project so I didn't know.

The product retrievals aren't bad. Customers understand that I don't work for the parent company of the product that they were dissatisfied with and they are pretty nice to me, they know I am third party. I meet them at the door with an insulated bag that has a large ziplock inside, I hand them a chain of custody document, maybe have them sign something, and off I go.

Also, I really like the product recalls (involves going to stores to check for product) even more than the consumer complaints where I have to go to people's homes. In the past, I have had many a round of product recalls where the stores did not have any of the product at all. I just walk in, speak the manager, look at the shelves and in the backroom for the product, get them to sign my paperwork and get a store stamp, and I leave to go to the next one. Love collecting stamps and getting paid mileage and an hourly wage to do it!

Okay I am done with my addendums, sorry about that!

JAS, the ones I've done before involved sending me just a thumb drive. They did not request it be returned and there was no need for me to sign for anything. I would think with the iPad involved there may be the need for a signature and a quick return after the client visit. I didn't realize it does sound like product retrieval. After your stories about consumer product retrieval, it will not be something I'm doing any time soon

Oh I've got some doozies, LOL. Probably not allowed to divulge the details in an open forum, though.

@LisaSTL wrote:

I would think with the iPad involved there may be the need for a signature and a quick return after the client visit.

Yes, Lisa, you're partially right. Once I received my iPAD, I had to sign that I received it and send the paper back in. But the NEAT THING about this is that while the Updates are still open, and apparently will be for some time, we are allowed to hold on to the iPAD until the project is complete. So there is no need to keep sending one back and waiting for another one....very nice! And the Company even sent a return label so that when the project is over, all I have to do is pack it up and send it back to them!! Very handy indeed! Neat Company to work for!

I did one of these so far. I didn't realize we could keep the ipad until the project closes. Mine was a little more difficult because the customers ipod would not update on its own. After talking to tech support, the app had to be removed and re-installed before it would accept the update. The customer didn't realize there were more apps on her ipod than just the medical device app. I enjoyed learning something new.

I do any projects they have. I love this company. Their pay is fair and quick. I have never had a bad experience going to a customer's house. I live in a large metro area and have been to some low income neighborhoods and the customers have always been nice. If they want to give me details, I just smile and let them know I am basically just the courier and I will ship this off to the lab for them the same day. The receipt provides their reference number and a phone number if they want to follow up.

The problem customers never answer the phone or refuse to make an appointment because they have to call their lawyer.

I need to revise one thing - one customer made an appointment. When I got there, there was no answer at the door. I called and she claimed she was at the doctor and the product was in the trash. I had to retrieve the product from the trash and it was not pleasant. She lived in a pretty nice neighborhood.

As for recalls, I love those projects, too. I found that waiting for the manager was usually the longest time it took during the whole process. But since I get paid by the hour, i'm not going to complain. I have driven at the most 2 hours from my city in all directions to do these projects. I have seen so much beautiful scenery and been in so many little towns - it has been an enjoyable experience.

@guysmom wrote:

Well, the gal who told me it would take 5-10 business days was wrong, wrong wrong!! It was here is TWO business days! Phew! Anyhow, got it done yesterday...........after a bit of EMBARRASSMENT!! Here's what happened: (this being my very first one!) (Those of you who have done one will understand this):

The instructions say to position the magnet that comes with the patient's controller over the IPG...well, I DIDN'T CAREFULLY READ that last little word "IPG" and saw the photo of the iPAD they send, so here I am telling the patient's daughter to hold the magnet over the iPAD....oh brother! Of course nothing happened!! Well, after a try or two, the patient's daughter says, "I wonder if they mean to hold the magnet over the IPG implanted in my mom's hip"....Well, DUH!!! Of course that's what it meant!!! So once that was done, the rest went off smoothly!!! But boy oh boy, did I feel D-U-M-B!!! Anyhow, so now I feel like I'd like to redeem myself and do a few more, just to show myself that I finally know how to do all the steps without embarrassing myself...lol! Plus, I enjoyed it so much that when I got home, I called the MSC and asked if they had any more in my area before I went and sent the iPAD back. The person on the other end said no, but to hold on to the iPAD because it looks like more will be released soon, so I've still got it for a few days, in case some more show up in my area soon. And NEXT time, I'll KNOW where to hover that magnet!!!

I talked to Breyana and she said we cannot hold onto the ipads since they have a limited supply.

@frodosdojo wrote:

I talked to Breyana and she said we cannot hold onto the ipads since they have a limited supply.

Well, they haven't asked for mine back yet, and every single time I've asked about it, I've been told to hold on to it because the project is still open. It wasn't Breyana I spoke with.....for the life of me, I can't recall her name, but it's on the tip of my tongue!! I'll come back and update it later if I think of it....but she has even gone and asked her supervisor, and came back on the phone and told me to hold on to it. So I'm holding on to it until I'm advised to send it back, or until the project closes.

@guysmom wrote:

@frodosdojo wrote:

I talked to Breyana and she said we cannot hold onto the ipads since they have a limited supply.

Well, they haven't asked for mine back yet, and every single time I've asked about it, I've been told to hold on to it because the project is still open. It wasn't Breyana I spoke with.....for the life of me, I can't recall her name, but it's on the tip of my tongue!! I'll come back and update it later if I think of it....but she has even gone and asked her supervisor, and came back on the phone and told me to hold on to it. So I'm holding on to it until I'm advised to send it back, or until the project closes.

If I were you, it would not hurt to double check since you don't remember whom you spoke to. Just shoot an email to stjm2017@company.com (the same email you sent your agreement to).

To me, it makes no sense to allow reps to keep the ipad when there is no guarantee you will ever get another assignment in your area. You know how this company works - projects are first come, first serve.

According to Breyanna, they are short on ipads. I have 2 patients waiting an update and no ipad. You are hurting the patients by not returning the ipad. They are entitled to that update and the first one I did was scheduled for surgery the next day. I don't know why you think it's okay to just hold onto it like that and not at least get approval in writing.

She doesn't think it is okay, she was told it was okay by the MSC. I don't know why you think it is okay to blame her for the MSCs decision.

@LisaSTL wrote:

She doesn't think it is okay, she was told it was okay by the MSC. I don't know why you think it is okay to blame her for the MSCs decision.

I just gave her information that whatever policy SHE believed had changed or never existed. I have done the same assignment and it clearly states in the agreement that we won't be paid until it's returned. After i signed my agreement, i never believed i could keep the ipad and never thought that was policy and that's why I asked the company.

Now she knows the policy has changed and still wants to keep it and you're defending her ? Okay.

"every single time I've asked about it, I've been told to hold on to it"

She needs to go by what the MSC is telling her about their policy, not what a stranger on the Internet is claiming is their policy. Meanwhile, you really need to stop insinuating she is liar.

@LisaSTL wrote:

"every single time I've asked about it, I've been told to hold on to it"

She needs to go by what the MSC is telling her about their policy, not what a stranger on the Internet is claiming is their policy. Meanwhile, you really need to stop insinuating she is liar.

She can do whatever she wants with it. I suggested she double check and what is the harm in that ? Why do you feel she should keep something that doesn’t beling to her and otber reps need for patients that are waiting ?

I didn't call her a liar but her story sounds fishy to me. Please don't EVER tell me i can't state my opinion.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2017 04:34AM by frodosdojo.

@frodosdojo wrote:

I have done the same assignment and it clearly states in the agreement that we won't be paid until it's returned. After i signed my agreement, i never believed i could keep the ipad and never thought that was policy and that's why I asked the company.

Frodo, you are correct in that the agreement does indeed state that....but for whatever reason, I have been told...TWICE...to hang on to the iPad. After my first assignment, when I called and asked about returning it, I was told to hold on to it because more locations would be opening up in my area. So I asked....because I read in the guidelines just what you did....that no payment would be given until the iPad was returned....about returning the iPad so I could get paid, and then having another sent to me if I wanted to do another one. I was told, NO, hold on to it....and I was PAID!! And then about a week later, another location came available in my area, and I applied for and received it. I did the job about a week ago, now. I asked if I should still hold on to the iPad or return it, and was told....AGAIN....to hold on to it while the project is open. And this second job I did was approved, and I got my check yesterday. So I've been paid TWICE and still have the iPad, and have been told NOT to return it until the program closes. If they need it sooner, they will let me know, and I'll be GLAD to return it to them. But I enjoy these, and as long as locations come up in my area, will continue to apply for and hopefully do them. And this is what I've been told....TWICE....in the past month. I have offered to send it back, and have been told to hang on to it, so that's what I'm doing. Sorry you have a hard time believing that.

This is my last comment on this topic because obviously you don't see how selfish, harmful and wrong your decision is. If the company decided to sue you for keeping their property and your defense is, well, someone told me twice to keep it but i don't know who, you would lose because you signed an agreement that states you must return the device.

I hope they read this and figure out who you are.