Any Dreamers headed for Amazon.com? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Any Dreamers headed for Amazon.com?

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I wish we were ready to hit the road because I think I'd go for the Amazon thing. I'm thinking that 7-10 miles of walking a day would help me lose that 10 lbs I'd like to go away!

But really interested in other Dreamers experience with amazon. Doesnt' seem like too bad of a deal...

karen and al · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're seriously thinking about it when we start,,as we will need to work and to us, compared to what we're doing now, Amazon is no problem at all....working at our dry cleaning plant 11-12 hours a day on our feet in the summer heat...heck, 8 hours is cake

. Especially for only 2-3 months

.

Karen

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

See the thread CLICKY for a review I wrote after working at Amazon Sept-Nov 2009.

In years past, Amazon contracted with employment agencies to manage the xmas seasonal hires for them. In Coffeyville KS. they contracted with Express Employment and Mark Kays (the owner) was an expert at managing all aspects of the workampers.

This year Amazon did not renew the contract with Express and is doing the seasonal hiring in-house. I'd like to find out how the process is running this year as compared to last year.

Ckerr, you should not have any problem losing weight while working at Amazon. They keep you very busy, and, food is not allowed in the work area cry

Karen, the shifts at Amazon start at 10 hours for 4 days. When the work starts backing up you can expect additional days and longer shifts.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Can't Guarantee anything, but I am giving the Amazon a go. I guess it will be O/K for a couple of months starting October 24th. bleh

I will try anything like this once, twice if it feels good and forever if it the best. wink

A person has to do what a person has to do to survive this downed economy. I will be at Green River Marina, don't have a confirmed site # yet. But Ashley McGuffin says it is a go!!!! aww

Pieere

See Ya! Down the Road!!

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hear ya Pieere. Hope you have a great time at Amazon. Sounds like your going to the Kentucky fullfillment center. Keep us posted on your adventure.

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

NorCal Dan wrote:

This year Amazon did not renew the contract with Express and is doing the seasonal hiring in-house. I'd like to find out how the process is running this year as compared to last year.

I applied for a seasonal job with Amazon this year. A job was offered, then withdrawn, then re-offered. A work schedule was set up and then twice changed. After a number of jump-thru-the-hoop experiences, I politely asked them to withdraw my application.

The Amazon reps that are tasked with doing what Express Employment had previously done do not seem practiced in the skill. It appeared that they were learning how to cope as they went along. I got several emails and letters from different departments that did not seem to communicate with each other. They hired a company called Accurate Background, Inc to do background checks. The name of the company is a huge misnomer. It also seemed Amazon has no flexibility with respect to the documents they wish a prospective employee to furnish. It’s their way or the highway. The Proof of Education requirement maybe the biggest complaint among applicants. Amazon not only wants proof of a high school or higher education, but they want transcripts. Finding a 40 year old high school diplomat is one thing; getting transcripts from a school that may no longer exist is not reasonable. A drug test, which they pay for, is required. I am sure that most “seniors” who work camp would not have an issue with that, but then I’d certainly take bets on how few seniors do drugs. That one is probably something their legal department came up with. It is my understanding that once you get to the facility, you still have a few documents to submit for tax and citizenship purposes. With all of the illegal alien issues in this country, that seems like “pressing one for English.”

Amazon is a good company and it is commendable that they extend opportunities to work campers. It is can be understood that there would be problems in the learning process of a DIY hiring program. It is a personal choice to deal with the obstacles put forth by Amazon for a job moving boxes around a warehouse on a part-time seasonal basis. There are enough positive comments from those who enjoy and have done that, but then there are a lot of other work camping opportunities that don’t come with as many obstacles.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

TXRVr, At least They Don't Require One to Be married or not!!!! biggrin

azrving · RV-Dreams Family Member

TXRVr wrote:

Amazon is a good company and it is commendable that they extend opportunities to work campers. It is can be understood that there would be problems in the learning process of a DIY hiring program. It is a personal choice to deal with the obstacles put forth by Amazon for a job moving boxes around a warehouse on a part-time seasonal basis. There are enough positive comments from those who enjoy and have done that, but then there are a lot of other work camping opportunities that don’t come with as many obstacles.

I agree 100%! It's not brain surgery and you are not handling huge sums of money, you are moving boxes around and I'm pretty sure the system is automated with scanners/computers etc. Sounds like more trouble than I would be willing to go through to earn a little extra spending $$. My reason for fulltiming is to have less stress in my life, not just more of the same daily grind.
I used to work for UPS during their busy season and all they asked was that you show up on time and do your job....but that was 20+ years ago too.

I'll scratch Amazon off of my list of possible side jobs. Thanks for the informative post.

Happy Camping

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Express had the same requirements last year for documents and drug testing. I suspect a lot of these requirements are mandated by homeland security. I don't know if Express did background checks, but all the other items were required last year as well. We had no problem providing them the documentation they required. The drug test was simple, just urinate in the cup. The cup had a test strip built-in, not sure what they were testing for, I'm sure they only test for the most common drugs. Express made the requirements known up front so people would have time to find/request the documents.

I found the Amazon workamper experience to be worthwhile. We met a lot of nice people and made some great friends, both workampers and Amazon associates. I recommend the job to anyone who is in good physical shape and wants to make a few bucks around holiday time.

FWIW, theft is a big deal at Amazon. Security is tight. It may not be cash, but those items can be turned into cash fairly easily. Honest people will have no problem working at Amazon.

Thanks for the feedback on the hiring process with Amazon. Sounds like they have more learning to do...

Pinon · RV-Dreams Family Member

TXRVr wrote: A drug test, which they pay for, is required. I am sure that most “seniors” who work camp would not have an issue with that, but then I’d certainly take bets on how few seniors do drugs.

As a nurse who has done some work with seniors, I was very surprised just how common pot is! My wife shocked me the other day saying when she retired she wanted to try pot (we get random drug tested at work.) I told her we would have to go to the Netherlands or somewhere it was legal. First retirement vacation planned - Europe
Pinon

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well! I am giving it the ol' college try!!! I have sent my background/education forms back and have the urine test locations lined up. Going to campbellsville, Ky with my moved up date to start on 11/07/10. I am fortunate to be able to visit my daughter in Michigan. Leaving by the 27th of October. See anyone going to G/R Marina on the 1st of November. PIEERE