Much of my day is spent browsing the web in search of new information. I usually dedicate an hour or so to trying to catch up on the latest scams in order to better educate myself to pass the knowledge on to you, my lovely readers. Usually when you come across a blog post or forum thread giving astounding praise to a program, they’re almost always promoting a scam. Even though it’s deceitful, it’s just smart business.
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I came across my first ‘West at Home’ discussion in a forum a few days ago and I didn’t think much of it. The original poster had asked if it was a scam, and the follow-up response denied that claim. There wasn’t any substance there so I carried on about my business. A few days later, I discovered an entire subsection of WAHM.com dedicated to West at Home and that’s when I realized that maybe this is something we should be looking at.
The Program
West at Home hires people as customer service representatives to take inbound calls from home. Those working for West at Home are considered independent contractors and are thus not technically employed by the company, but rather you pick up outsourced work. Essentially, you will be running a customer support call center from your home. There are no start-up fees associated with West at Home other than the required equipment. West at Home requires either a VoIP or landline phone and a broadband internet connection in order to work for them. You probably already have both of these items.
West at Home employs people to do a variety of tasks from their home. These tasks range from customer care, live chat and email, and incoming sales calls. You’ll be assisting a number of companies by handling their customer support. An average day could include assisting an individual with resolving a billing inquiry, helping another customer purchase an accessory for their new wireless phone, or providing assistance/troubleshooting on a non-working product. West at Home offers paid training and claims that if you are qualified, you could be assisting your first customer within days of applying.
If you choose to work with West at Home here are some companies you may be dealing with. Technically, you aren’t supposed to talk about West at Home clients, but this is IveTriedThat.com not FollowTheRules.com.
- HSN
- H&R Block
- Office Depot
- ProFlowers
- Sears Home Repair
- ShopNBC
- Toys “R” Us
- Virgin Mobile
- Walgreens
- Whirlpool
- And more…
Getting Paid
In terms of payment, there doesn’t appear to be a set $/hour number anywhere. I’m assuming you’ll be paid more on the quality and quantity of work that you do. After browsing around for a little I’ve seen some people saying they were receiving anywhere between $0.12 and $0.30 per minute. That sounds incredibly low in terms of cents per minute, but that works out to be anywhere between $7.20 and $18.00 an hour. Again, these are just ballpark figures.
There you have it. West at Home is another legitimate way to make money at home in your spare time. Now I know some of you reading this are currently West at Home contractors. I want to hear your comments below. Let us know, first-hand, what it’s like working for West at Home.
Jessica, it appears that’s just how it goes as far as getting hours. If you read further up in the comments, some people have resorted to creating/buying and using bots to take hours. Sure West may threaten, if ever discussed, to fire those who use them but apparently, that’s the only way to get hours. Going even further, I’m certain that those with the best/newest bots have got something stealthy enough to grab hours without getting caught. Sorry.
My husband is working for west at home right now and so far they seem like a horrible company.he keeps looking for hours but there is none. They tell him check all day and he does but there’s nothing!! Isn’t that illegal? I hope it is because this is getting ridiculous. Can someone please tell me the exact time they post up hours or if he’s never really gonna be able to work any hours. Please email me jessyd.b52@gmail.com
@Tamara, I bought the multiline phone (around $30) from Rite Aid and ordered the Plantronics headset on Amazon for about $20 after I was hired.
I also applied recently after reading extensive reviews of various companies. Last week I sent in all of my forms, proof of I.D., tax forms, etc.
So, nothing to report further at this point, but they DO seem to be reputable and will certainly fit into my schedule.
Extra $$$ are always nice.
Wondering if most people hired with West at Home had all the needed equipment (land line phone etc) prior to being hired or got that all together AFTER being hired.
Thanks so much!
I worked thru West for Comcast for 3 yrs. They did get pickier about call handling as time past but I wonder if some of the folks were being rude to customers and we all had to suffer for it … They paid on time, direct deposit. I really had no bad issues with them. Some differences of opinion, but that could happen anywhere. And I have to say, I got sick in Jan of 2012 ~ very sick and wasn’t able to work for over a month. I didn’t get ANY crap about it. I talked to my PAL weekly to let her know what was going on and when I able to start back I did with no issues. No place I know would let that happen.
I am still with them but on a different line group as the Comcast line was done.
I do agree that you have to have a thick skin, folks will yell and cuss and call you names. After one of those I may have to put my in call line on “make busy” and take a small break to get it together.
The new line group I am on has barely any hours and that is the only reason I would ever look in to working out of my home again. I need to make some extra $$, just like a lot of people.
Good luck to you all.
They are currently hiring for a couple of line groups.
I have worked for West at Home since 2008. It a great job with lots of opportunity for advancement. The most I have ever made hourly is $12. I have never heard of the pay per minute rate. I did not have to pay for a background check but maybe that part has changed. I have worked for several different companies within West. The great part about them is that they never fire you. You may get removed from a skill for not meeting the minimum weekly hour requirements but you are still employed by the company and they always find you a new skill within a month or two and will email you to begin training. I have worked for other legitimate online agents and I liked West because you make you own schedule in 30 minute instruments. Absolutely love them
Does anyone know what jobs or companies they are offering work for? I heard that hsn is one them? And how long can I wait before picking one, can I take my time? Thank you?
I have worked for west when it was in Louisiana at the call center and I currently do west at home (2 years). I have never had problems with my pay and i’ve worked different line groups. Your pay depends on what type of hours you choose because it could be by the minute or hr and if your weekly pay doesn’t add up to at least min wage they will add on min wage adjustment when time goes in. For ex if its 0.15/min and you are on the phone with custs for 20min and schedule is for an hour then initially your pay will be $3 and before time goes in they will adjust that hr you worked to whatever your min wage is. You do have to pay for the background check and notary to have your identification notarized and also have a landline phone and internet with a hard line. Its convenient and I have another job so its extra money. Hours haven’t been that great lately but if you continue to check the spectrum website for hours you’ll find some. Good luck
What are they looking for on background because I have a pending simple assault charge. Would that prevent me from getting hired? And does you’re computer have to be working on a specific system. I’m using windows 8
One of the worse work at home jobs I have ever had. I only make minimum wage and I can’t leave the house due to a disable parent. This company is horrible and should be shut down for all the illegal crap they pull on customers.
I just applied online and there was something about paying for my own background check. Has anyone else had to do that?
Can anyone tell me how the pay works? I’m curious about the by the minute pay setup. Do they pay you for the time you are clocked in to work, each minute you are clocked in, or just the time you spend talking to customers on the phone?
Does anyone out there know what exactly Direct Reponce agents do for West & how many hours & pay are once in production? Thanks you kindly in advance!
Chris
Thank you, fingers crossed!!!
Not sure but I believe there is open recruitment. Maybe they just pull from pools of applicants and offer employment. It is a pretty lengthy process so patience is a must. I hope you hear back from them soon. I put in my application about 6 months ago and was contacted for employment around Halloween.
Maybe I should put in another application?
Chris,
Great!! Do they seem like they are hiring…I’ve been waiting to hear something from them I just got an email that says I’ve finished everything and it may take awhile..that was acouple of mths ago some people get hired so quick..I guess I’ll keep waiting..
Some jobs are seasonal while others are permanent. I think it depends on what positions are available at the time. I personally am on an assignment that is seasonal. There are usually hours available from around 8am-midnight in my job. You can also work in half hour intervals. I think it is easy to get at least 8 hrs a day but it may or may not be a continuous 8 hr shift. For example, you can sign up for a 3 hr shift in the morning, a 2 hr shift in afternoon, and 3 hr shift in the evening. I really like this flexibility. I have seen some posts where people say there is not enough hours, but I don’t see this in the system. People are always giving up their shifts which you can easily accept.
Chris,
How are the hours…are there enough and all hours of the day..and are the jobs seasonal or permanent? Thank you
Did you click on the register new user link and make sure you’re using Internet Explorer?
I got the congratulations email today, but when I try to login with the username given, I get an error message! I’m going to keep trying. I have also emailed technical support. They say I only have 7 days to submit that info so I hope it works ASAP
@ Evette…my line doesn’t involve telemarketing. Simply answering call, look up information, provide that info to callers. No selling. I guess it depends on the job that you accept.
Hi everyone. I just started working for WestatHome a couple of weeks ago for the Xmas season. I applied sometime during the summer. In fact, I didn’t think I’d ever be contacted but one day, surprise, there was an email offering employment. I was offered 2 different jobs-one I accepted. I did get paid minimum wage for training (even for the training that I did not pass final exam!) and make a little more for my shifts. I work a full time job so this is just extra income for me to pay off student loans. I love that I can pick my own hours. The first shift was hard but I really like it now that I’m used to the system. One thing that I had terrible trouble with was that some of the correspondence came to my inbox, others into my junk mail box. Even if you add westathome as a “safe sender” I really advise you to check your spam mail regularly. Hope this is helpful.
Janet,
It wasn’t long at all. I originally applied on Nov. 20 and I started getting emails from them on the 26th of Nov. They sent me email with next steps and they responded usually within 24 hours after I had completed each step.
Evette
Evette,
Hi,how long after you applied did wait for a response?
Officially started my training with West At Home on last night. Background check came back very quickly.
Kendra,
Got email today saying congratulations I was hired. I also had to resend info and it didn’t take long to hear back, so hopefully you will hear soon. The email gave detail info about setting up on the website, sending in call in number and checking comptuter.
Have you heard anyone say that this is more of a telemarketing job? Just curious.
I hope this works out for us all
Evette
Evette, that’s great!
I got an email saying my document was illegible, so I resent it again! Hopefully, this time it will get processed.
Well I got a congratulations email today saying that my paperwork had been successfully processed and that I would get an email in the next 24-42 hours with the next step in the process.
Well, I got a call on yesterday from Kelly from HR wanting to verify some information in order to be processed. Got the message this morning so I just left her a message. We will see what happens.
Krista, Evette – I sent then my documentation on This past Thursday, and today I got an email saying it wasn’t filled out correctly, so I’m about to resend it today. The email came from someone in HR … Here’s the email address
CDHipnar@west.com. Maybe you could contact her for status. Her name is Carla. Someone also called me telling me to send the papers ASAP! I hope everything works out for all of us. I too got a phone line installed and it’s ready to go. I hope I didn’t waste money for nothing!
Same thing over here. I sent them my I-9 and other information on Thursday, did get an email stating that it was a lengthy process, but other than that nothing as of yet.
I was thinking that the next process would be the background check so was ready to do that but the consent that I electronically signed did not take me to where I needed to pay or anything, so not sure what that means.
@Kendra, I have never heard anything back from them since they told me I was hired and then apparently changed their mind. I tried to contact HR through the online form that’s on their website because none of the email addresses I have will accept incoming email, but it wouldn’t work either. Server glitch on it.
I just don’t understand why they would tell me I was hired and ask for my I-9 and W-4 and all if I wasn’t hired. The worst part is we don’t have a landline here because we use cell phones, so the minute I got that email saying they were hiring me, we had a landline installed. SO, in addition to the huge letdown, I also got to pay to have a phone that I apparently don’t need installed. Fortunately there wasn’t a contract so I’m only out the installation fee but I would have preferred to buy groceries with that money. :(
Sherry, idk about the credit thing but gosh, I sure hope not! Lol
Will bad credit be a negative in getting hired?… and what will be bad on a background check?
I am also hopefully, a new contractor for West At Home, my mom has a friend that does it and she loves the extra income!! I have a full-time job but looking to go part-time there as well.
I received the offer letter and the link to complete the paperwork on yesterday so I am on the way as we speak to get my I-9 notarized and sent in and do my background check.
Will keep everyone posted on how it goes, and Good Luck to everyone!
Tiff,
You have the most recent post so I figure it’s probably best to ask you. When did you first apply with WAH? I applied on 11/24/12 and I got an email yesterday 11/26 to accept offer. I did so now I am waiting on email to complete paperwork. I was wondering how long the process took for you.
Also Krista, have you heard anything else from WAh? I think that’s really weird. Like what’s the point of sending in your personal info for a job when you really don’t have the job? I’m confused too
Getting hired with West is a very lengthy process. Lots of waiting. But I’ve finally finished my training (and YES, I got paid minimum wage for it). I am scheduled to start work tomorrow. Hopefully all goes well. But, YES WEST AT HOME is a legitimate work from home position!
I have worked for West for over 2.5 yrs. I work 20 -24 hrs/ weekly, make $8.50 an hour. Not getting rich, but it helps and I get to be at home without having to buy work clothes, gas, wear and tear on car.
It is a legitimate company.
I applied to West to work as an at-home agent. Two weeks ago they sent me an email that said “In addition, we are excited to extend you an offer of employment with West At Home! Please click on the below link to view your offer letter AND accept. ” I clicked the link and accepted, and then received another email from them stating “We are excited you have accepted our offer of employment with West At Home!”. The next email detailed how to send them my W-4, I-9, copies of my id, etc. I supplied everything as requested. Two days later I got an email saying “Prior to employment with West, you are required to fill out the forms provided within the link below:”
PRIOR? Wait, I thought they gave me the job already? Now I was confused, but ok I went to the provided link and filled out all the forms.
The next email? “Thank you for your interest in employment with West At Home. We appreciate the time and effort you spent on our behalf. However, we have determined that there are other candidates whose experience more closely match the position.
We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.”
WHAT? So they offered me employment, thanked me for accepting the offer, asked for my W-4 and I-9 (which is what you give employers after you’re hired, not before), and then tell me thanks but no thanks? Fortunately I was able to cancel my order to have a phone line installed at the house, and that email came about 5 minutes before I ordered a headset.
I’m really confused.
I have been working for West at Home for over 6 years; I am not an independant contractor, I work for the company. I get paid every two weeks and state and federal taxes are deducted from my check. You schedule your own hours at your leisure. The only requirement is to work fours a month to stay on the payroll.
I think it is a very good company to work for , the requirements are minimal. I have an extensive customer service background and was hired quickly. Some of the information in this article is not correct, that is why I am submitting this!
i just applied and the email said they do do business in wisconsin, does anyone know any other at home companies.
I have worked at West at Home since 11/2008. You do have to pay for the background check and credit check. I have a dedicated phone line with no features on it. You can’t have background noise so no kids in background or dogs barking etc. I love making the extra money. It’s not a lot but it’s something. You can either get paid by the min but if it comes out to be less than your states min wage they have to pay you that. I live in NJ and the min wage is 7.25/ hr so I know anytime I work I will at least get that. It is sometimes hard to get hrs. Sometime I just sit and keep hitting the refresh button and wait for people to trade their hrs in and pick up hrs like that. I wish I could do it full time but it is not consistant enough to get hrs so I have a fulltime job and do this after work or on weekend only. I work Direct Response and I am surprised since I’ve been with the company for so long that they have not offered me other lines to work. My money is always direct deposited in my bank account on time every two weeks and I’ve never had any problems. This is the best part-time job..I don’t have to get dressed or commute so it is worth it for me.
I just finish the skill training for GE home delivery, am just waiting on them to schdule me for the webnair.
Hey Im about to start working for WAH. But can somebody est. How much your bi-weekly checks going to be working DR Full time or Part Time. Email me ehooper2714@yahoo.com? Also how long does it take to move up. I want to do what Samantha that work for Citi Cardmember Services and making that get pay rate.
WAH is a great company to work with. It is hard to get support from them when you have a tech issue. Sometimes you get one answer from someone and a different version from somebody else. I guess there is a lot of info involved on a skill. I worked for siriuxm but I could barely work because the system was always down. But I have to say if you do your job right and the way they tell you to do, you will have job with them forever and many other opportunities. My paychek was always deposit on time. There are a little disorganized sometimes. I’m assuming because they are always busy with agents and multiple things at the same time. That is why is better to work with no problem to be succesful with them.
I have worked for West At Home for years. I have always had my money deposited on the correct date or a day before. I have done many differant lines. I have made anywhere from 7.40 an hour to 15.35 an hour. It is a nice flexiable job if your schedule is irregular.
West At Home is a sorry mess. The Sprint cell phone campaign training is totally disorganized and then they wonder why your not learning anything. And I’ve heard of several people that were not paid on time so keep that iin mind when you consider doing business with these people.
I used to work for WestAtHome and I can say they are a legitimate work at home company. I am in Houston and my payroll checks came out of Dallas. I have a friend right now who I recommended with their company and she is working with Serius through them. She likes the flexibility and the particular project she is working under. WestAtHome, just like any other place of business needs to collect your information for pre-empolyment and hiring purposes. If you don’t hear from then that means you’re not hired, if you do hear from them then of course you are. If you feel they may do something with your information, pull your credit score and check it out. I have never had an issue with them at all and since i am between jobs, I am about to apply with them again.