Undisclosed training call

There was another thread about this topic, but I can't find it.

I signed up for a shop. I requested a location local to me (a few miles away). The shop would take an hour on-site and then likely two or more hours to complete the report. The shop is an area that interests me and in which I have expertise, so I was okay with it. The shop was paying $100.

Now, after I was assigned, I received a message about a mandatory 20 minute training call. I wrote and said that this requirement was not disclosed and I would need to be compensated accordingly.

On top of it, I was assigned to a location almost an hour away, which would require two additional hours, plus gas. It was also assigned for a date I did not request and I would not be able to complete.

(1) Would you agree to an unpaid 20 minute call?

(2) Would you spend an hour at a location, 2-3 (maybe more) hours writing a report, and 20 minutes on the phone?

I asked to be removed. Am I being unreasonable here?

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Not at all unreasonable. I would also escalate by sending an email to someone higher-up at the MSC with a professional, mannerly, explanation and a request that the assignment be canceled WITHOUT penalty to you. While I would probably not minded the training call I certainly draw the line at being assigned an unacceptable, un-requested, location !!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I have never worked with them before, so I'm not concerned. I just signed up for two bonused five or so minute shops with another MSC for $54 total that are easy (the reports are maybe 20 minutes each). I would rather get paid half the amount rather than have training calls and hour long shops

Niner inquires--I asked to be removed. Am I being unreasonable here?

Bob opines-Absolutely not. I do not permit any alterations of an agreement, unless they directly benefit and/or do not adversely affect me.

I have found in the small print -- and not in the guidelines, but in the MSC's overall info -- the phrasing "some assignments may require an unpaid training call". You know, in that multi-page document we all signed that we read, but we didn't REALLY read it?

I recently wasted an hour and a half on a "training call" for a shop it turned out I would never do. As soon as I learned that, I hung up the phone -- I was an hour and a half into the call, and the call was still going strong when I hung up.

So the training wouldn't have fazed me. But being assigned an unrequested location an hour away? Yeppers.

Perhaps not even JUST remove me, but take me off your list of shoppers!!!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/2020 05:45AM by ceasesmith.

No, no and no.

I am not a fan of the "unexpected training call." Sometimes, I'll do it - it's generally a matter of how much time I have and how long the call is expected to be. Other times, I'll decline the assignment. I plan my time carefully, based on the stated expectations of an assignment when I accept it. If the rules are changed on me after I agree to the work, I no longer have an agreement with the MSC and I am not obligated to complete the assignment. I will simply email the scheduler and respectfully state that said call was not a known part of the assignment when I accepted it and will decline.

The change in location is completely unacceptable. Period. When that happens, unless the location is better for me than what I agreed to do, I will send the shop back. Even if it is better, I'll send a polite note to the scheduler stating I did not like the fact that the location was changed as I run routes, but that I was able to take care of it this time.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/2020 01:52PM by MFJohnston.

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Undisclosed training call

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