Amazon Prime

[cichlidfan]

I created a thread about something that I thought was really cool. It turned into a commentary on employment and other topics that I had not intended.

 

Of course, this is the way public discussion evolves.

 

EDIT: I guess this is inevitable when you talk too much.

Edited December 31, 2016 by cichlidfan

[Zimmerdylan]

This is a common argument which is actually false leading. If it would really be that bad, so those guys would change the Job. Most of the kind of work that is to be done there has been evolved in so many places around the online market that it is actually not really a hard thing to change from one employer to another. The issue is actually another, the kind of work is so less payed in general that the amount of work doesnt fit the monthly income, no matter where you work, they simply have no lobby, just like nurses or rescue medics, hard work and less income.

 

 

 

 

While people have the choice to quit or stay if an employer is asking too much, it's not always as easy as people think to just walk away from a job like that. Many people who work in these places cannot afford to quit and are under qualified to do much else. While they do pay competitively for the worker base they hire, they are relentless in the way they treat their employees much of the time. They ask a lot more from them that many of you may think.

I worked in a warehouse for Target's on line stores several years ago as a seasonal worker. It seemed like a great thing at the time. Was extra money for Christmas. Seemed pretty cut and dry, and they said that it was a great opportunity. I had no intention of staying on after the holidays as I didn't need the work. I was just more curious than anything. But I soon realized how demanding and heartless these huge corporations could be.

 

 

To start with, they gave me test to see how well I could handle my tasks. The test in question was not really hard at all, although quite a few applicants failed it. Basic math, spelling, mechanical puzzle stuff. Nothing that any high school kid couldn't pass. After I was tested, I was taken to another waiting room where they weeded out the people they didn't feel were right for them. They had live interviews where you sat at a desk and answered questions about why you wanted to work there (odd for seasonal if you ask me) and what you would be willing to do at your job. And of course they gave you a test questioning your morals and if you were a tattle tale. Needless to say that the whole thing was set up to pick out the people who would make the least amount of waves, work the hardest, do whatever they were asked to do, and report any bad conduct. It was so painfully obvious that they were looking for work horses.

The job itself entailed walking between 18-30 miles every shift. Loading carts, cutting a lot of boxes, and restocking inventory. The warehouse I was in was 2 million square feet, situated on 4 floors of metal grate walkways and shelves. On top of your 18-30 miles of walking, much of it was up and down flights of stairs.

My first 2 weeks were probably the most painful of my whole work career ever. Including my military service where I went through both Air Assault School, and jump school. My feet were covered in blisters that first night. I got home, soaked them in salt, cleaned em up, and went back for more pain the next night. It was truly something. And you did not stop moving no matter what.

The work conditions weren't great. The shifts were set up in 10 hour runs. And yes...you still did 5 days a week. But it was set up so that they divided the work weeks up into odd hours so that they could pull more than 40 hours out of you and not have to give you over time. It was very screwy. And of course, you could protest, or report them but they had a whole line of lawyers right there to smooth it all over for them.

I remember having a 4 hour class at my orientation where they made it very clear that if we got out of line, or if we talked about anything that went on inside the pant to anyone on the outside, or if we even breathed the word “Union”, they'd take legal action against us. And in fact, they made all of us sign gag orders. And I know that it meant nothing, but the average person with no real education doesn't. So people were really scared of them.

Cameras down every isle. You were never alone. They monitored everything you did all of the time. Very 1984.

I quit the job around Thanksgiving when they asked for volunteers to work Thanksgiving day. They told us there would be overtime. So I signed up. The next paycheck I had tallied that I was going to get 16 hours over time. Not so. They rearranged my hours so that I got only 4 hours over time. I was furious. And so was everyone else who worked that Thanksgiving. I went to the office and asked for an explanation and they gave me some ridiculous story about how they put so many hours on last week and the overtime didn't kick in until this that and the other. I was pi$$ed. At the end of the shift, you were suppose to turn in your ID card. I turned mine in in 3 pieces. I had cut it up with scissors. I handed it to the shift boss and asked her how she slept at night knowing how her employer and her exploited people who they knew weren't going to protest. And I left. They followed me to my car and actually asked me to stay. They told me that they were going to hire me full time after the holidays. With a pay raise. I got in my car and told em “My soul isn't for sale”. But the bottom line here is that even though the others knew they were being cheated and it was probably illegal. They were not about the say or do anything. They could not afford to lose the job, and were afraid of Target. I get that.

All I can say is....Thank god I have options in life.

[mvsgas]

I've got Alexa (Echo) as well. Pretty contagious on what you can do.

 

:D:smartass:

 

 

 

XO-KvB9tVPA

Edited December 31, 2016 by mvsgas

[cichlidfan]

I want to retract my complaint about the direction of the thread. After reading everything again I have come to realize that this is valid discussion.

 

My apologies to Memphis Bell. I was out of line.

[cichlidfan]

All I can say is....Thank god I have options in life.

 

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

I suspect most of the members of this forum are doing well in life. There are others out there who are not as lucky as we are, whether by choice or circumstance.

 

I consider myself extraordinarily lucky. A college education in a field I never pursued, and the fact that I learned most of what I know about a PC as the result of On-the-job training.

 

I intended to be a Mechanical Engineer. I ended up as a computer tech nerd. Life can be funny that way.

 

Though I did have the chance to design some really cool looking things. Unfortunately, since the equipment went to very classified environments, there are only an handful of people that saw my work. *sigh*

 

I actually designed one box, for the U.S. Navy, that they only wanted 12 units. I don't know where they went but I can imagine that they are/were in closets in the back corner of the computer rooms.

Edited January 1, 2017 by cichlidfan

[zaelu]

In the future I hope people will become more and more self sustained so they will depend less and less on a job. There are some things that might get us to there in the future so I don't fear Amazon even if I don't agree on their practices.

[cichlidfan]

Depending less and less on a job??? I am retired and don't depend on a job. However, 30 years ago, a job was my source of income. WTF over.

[zaelu]

I don't get your amazement.

 

I don't say not to be useful, but not to be dependent on someone offering to work for food etc. A while ago there were old people that were afraid of "jobs" getting cut from agriculture and saw no future.

 

Food although a big business is technologically not a problem (unless a big business is behind it). Imho... having people independent in shelter/energy department and with the new wave of automation... I see a new chance of a big revolution in human life. A change most of people does not foresee or comprehend.

[BFBunny]

I just had to post about this. I have been an Amazon Prime member for many years and I live in one of the areas where they now offer same day service on certain items.

 

This evening I ordered my usual dog food while feeding the dogs, via my Alexa (that means I just told the air to order dog food), at 6:22PM, and it was just delivered at 9:07PM. The price is within a dollar of my local pet store. I never even touched the computer, left the house, or carried it farther than from the front door to the kitchen.

 

This is why I own stock in Amazon and will be a customer for life.

 

Note: I am not promoting the program, just pointing out how well it works.

 

It's funny to think this comapny started in a bedroom. Look it now.

 

I like the idea of getting groceries online via amazon or other supermarket chain and being able to pre-order a set amount of things I want each month. I hate going to a store because it's usually after work and I'm really hungry so I buy quick to eat rubbish and even then I use the self chechout rather than the cashier even if free because sometimes I'm not in the mood for small talk especially when some of them are blank icons who won't give you the time of day anyway.

 

Most stuff I buy online I get from amazon even if it's second hand such as decent second hand films or books they're sometimes cheaper on amazon than ebay. Ebays fees are too large so selling dirt cheap stuff your basically giving for free one you pay paypal and ebay and buy postage stuffs you may even loose money for a super low priced item.

 

I do, however enjoy browsing shops and clothes I like to try on, but shoes being UK 13 can sometimes be hard to find and being 6ft7 long legged jeans are tough in my area.

 

I expect in the long future we will have digital clothes shops or digital tokens which show virtually how something will look on you without needing to go to the store. I find the issue of leaving the home not that I'm fat and don't do anything, that I do too much and my free time is THAT limited that going to a store can really burn out a day where I coud be doing things I actually want to do.

 

I recally over xmas. I went to the stores. It was cool, a really good vibe with everyone rushing aroud making plans for their own lives. I was with a friend at the time and we were hunting for gifts. Because of the location the fuel cost about $30 and then it was a day wondering round and looking for things.

I did not find 'that special gift' for a family member because I didn't want to buy standard trash item and what I knew they would like I found it not. I went online later and found exaclt the thing I was after and they liked it very much.

Going to the shops, while a fun day out looking around was a waste of time since I just spent money on fuel and 'lost' a day. I noticed also that the supermarkets for food seemed to have mostly the same christmas food items with nothing that exciting or different from store to store.

But, maybe I'm just picky.

Edited January 3, 2017 by BFBunny

[cichlidfan]

I certainly am not a fan of Amazon's business practices. However, they provide services that I find valuable. My group of Echo's are incredibly useful.

 

I also have a bit of a mercenary view about some companies. If owning their stock can make me a profit, I don't really care about how they did it.

[agrasyuk]

Interesting discussion, good points brought up (even though I disagree with some ).

Cich, the only thing I can question here is you feeling the need to apologise at some point. why ? The conversation is perfectly civil and respectful, in appropriate section of the forum. Everyone is an adult here. One should not be afraid to speak his mind (while staying appropriate) .

[cichlidfan]

The apology was retracted. I operate in idiot mode some days. ;)

Edited January 3, 2017 by cichlidfan