Let's talk about Amazon some more...

[AIR-Quarius]

I recently got a post in my email talking about Amazon employment (such as the likes of a warehouse job) I am getting more and more closer to putting my airbrush work on the side and going to work for Amazon. So I looked on youtube and saw some things...one video was about a few couples and families that were RVing and working for Amazon. Are there any better links out there that talk all about Amazon and even the possibility of living in a an RV park next to any of the warehouses. Is any one out there that has done this and will you write and tell me what you all know. Thanks!

[AWCHIEF]

Good information here: got tons of hits using GOOGLE

Amazon Jobs for RVers, Seasonal From October through December

http://money.msn.com/saving-money-ti...00000&_blg=401

http://rvwork.rvtravel.com/2011/12/f...bs-at-big.html

[AIR-Quarius]

Thanks, I just got off of chat with an Indie operator and she said to contact the RENO offices this Monday 775-284-1550.
I am sorry but I just cannot go on with the push and pull of running my own business. Too many corners to turn and the only way out is to get a REAL JOB. (know what I mean Vern?)

[wheel interested]

I have worked at Campbellsville Kentucky in the warehouse as a stower as a holiday temporary during peak season under their seasonal camper program. Work is 40-60 hours a week, 10 hour shifts, extra shift pay for nights, a completion bonus, lots of perks and freebies incentives and contests. Your electric and campsite is provided without charge. As far as I know there are three locations that have the work camper program Coffeville Kansas, Reno Nevada and Campbellsville Kentucky though there are many fufillment centers throughout the US. Workamper.com has their own forum and their own Amazon subforum. That would be a good place to start reading. I will also pm you.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by AIR-Quarius

Thanks, I just got off of chat with an Indie operator and she said to contact the RENO offices this Monday 775-284-1550.
I am sorry but I just cannot go on with the push and pull of running my own business. Too many corners to turn and the only way out is to get a REAL JOB. (know what I mean Vern?)

Very good luck on the job search Billy.....BUT PLEASE don't give up the brush, your way too talented for that!!!!

Bob

[wheel interested]

NEWS FROM EACH SITE
"Campbellsville, KY Corner"
1050 S. Columbia Avenue/Campbellsville, KY 42718/270-849-2604
sdf-camper@amazon.com/fax 270-849-2603
We are glad you are joining our team this peak at the Campbellsville, Kentucky Fulfillment Center! The Campbellsville area has embraced the Seasonal Campers and is an excellent place to call your "temporary home" during Amazon Peak 2011! There are many campgrounds to choose from and you will receive information on all the campsites over the next few weeks so you can book your site early.
Campbellsville is the geographic center of KY and located on Green River Lake which offers a wide range of activities and sights to see. You will have opportunities for tourism during your time off with such sights as Churchill Downs, the Bourbon Trail, the National Corvette Museum, the Coca-Cola Bottling Museum, Mammoth Cave, or Keeneland Racetrack – all within 85 miles of Campbellsville. Take in the races, tour the distilleries, hike Green River Lake State Park trails, and enjoy local restaurants and family farms and traditions during your stay with us. We think you’ll feel right at home with us!
"Coffeyville, KS Chronicle"
2654 N Highway 169/Coffeyville, KS 67337/620-464-2665/
sc-tul-coaches@amazon.com/fax 620-464-2123
There’s no place like home! Temporarily, right? Here at the Kansas Fulfillment Center for Amazon, we are so excited that many of you are returning or starting as new Seasonal Campers here in Coffeyville for Peak Season 2011!
We have many RV Parks to choose from, dining choices are always expanding and a lot of local businesses are already extending discounts to Seasonal Campers in our area! As most of you are aware, we are located in Southeast Kansas where we enjoy river and lake fishing, antiquing and flea marketing and a host of other activities that include local festivals such as NEEWOLLAH (yes, that’s Halloween spelled backwards) and the Dalton Defender Days! Coffeyville is less than an hour from Bartlesville, OK which has a wealth of fine art, dining and Frank Lloyd Wright’s only finished skyscraper, the Price Tower. We strive to have the answers you’re looking for when making the commitment to work and stay in our area and we really look forward to telling you what our area has to offer!
"Fernley, NV Newsflash"
1600 E. Newlands Drive/Fernley, NV 89408/775-575-8440/
rno-camper@amazon.com/Fax 775-575-8058
Living in the Fernley area, you have an opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities and hobbies. The city and surrounding recreation areas offer great casinos for the risk-takers! A short drive away and you can enjoy water activities at the well-known Lake Tahoe and Truckee River, such as fishing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and kayaking. During the winter, the snow covered mountain slopes attract visitors to enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and snowboarding.
This Peak 2011 season, we have a few campsite options for campers to choose from. We are currently still firming up the details on exact locations, more information to future correspondence with our Seasonal Campers this Peak 2011. Safe travels and reach out to the Amazon Fernley, NV team with any questions that you may have!

[nvestysly]

wheel interested,

Did you work at Amazon last year? I know you've described your experiences in the past but it would be good to have an update.

If anyone else has experience with Amazon please take time to post your comments - good and bad.

Thanks

[PaulnGina]

Amazon is closing their warehouse in Coffeyville, KS.

Amazon to close Coffeyville warehouse | The Wichita Eagle

An unfortunate comment from the article, "They have made it clear they are not interested in rural America and that is an unfortunate position by Amazon."

Read more here: Amazon to close Coffeyville warehouse | The Wichita Eagle

[FreshAirStmr]

This blogger has written extensively on Amazon Camperforce:

Back to Amazon and a Change of Tactics | Interstellar Orchard

Joanne

[martin300662]

Can't comment on their business practices but I have bought just about everything for my Argosy rebuild (inverter, wiring, distribution panel, water heater, solar panel, generator, even pots and pans) through Amazon. In every case it was cheaper (and I got free shipping) from Amazon rather than the same item direct from the same supplier direct.

An example is I am looking at a Atwood Excalibur 8500 furnace; the smallest one lists at $781 plus tax and shipping, I have found PPL were the cheapest direct suppliers and have it on offer at $578 plus shipping, but PPL via Amazon is $518 including shipping.

If I know what I want, I would never go to a store anymore.

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Can't comment on their business practices but I have bought just about everything for my Argosy rebuild (inverter, wiring, distribution panel, water heater, solar panel, generator, even pots and pans) through Amazon. In every case it was cheaper (and I got free shipping) from Amazon rather than the same item direct from the same supplier direct.

An example is I am looking at a Atwood Excalibur 8500 furnace; the smallest one lists at $781 plus tax and shipping, I have found PPL were the cheapest direct suppliers and have it on offer at $578 plus shipping, but PPL via Amazon is $518 including shipping.

If I know what I want, I would never go to a store anymore.

I'm the same way. I ALWAYS check Amazon first, and rarely have to go anywhere else if they list what I'm looking for. The only thing I can remember getting elsewhere was the new shocks I installed on our Avion 34W. ( I got them from Stengle Bros.... 555001 Monroe Gas Magnum 5th Wheel Camper Shock still the lowest price I've seen.)

[badkat]

I have been a picker at AMZN for the past 2 yrs. Sometimes I feel like I am rebuilding someone's car..hehe.

My experience at AMZN is a very positive one. My husband for health reasons does not work there..but makes me the worker very comfortable.

Enough said ..HR at AMZN never says it is easy. Picking is pretty physical..lift 30 lbs and walk from 10-14 miles per day. You get paid to get in shape..it does happen.

You get paid at Campbellville $10 hr/time and a half o/t and a $1 per hr worked bonus to stay til the end of contract which is Dec 23 and CG fees included. My release day yr 1 was 12/19 and this yr 12/22. Groups are released on need for orders.

AMZN stated that there would be no more locations on my first yr for workkampers. That has drastically changed. It will be announced very soon..mid January of all the new and existing locations. Rumor is Campbellsville KY, Murfressboro TN, Indiana (cross the bridge from Louisville KY) and maybe Ft Worth TX and maybe Tracey CA and another CA.

You are not expected to be at AMZN rate but maybe 85%. This yr was the first I ever saw a workkamper fired. He was a pit driver and had 3 infractions that were dangerous.

I plan on returning to AMZN. Dates are pretty fluid. They start last week of August and were about 12 groups this yr. Just let them know when you are available. Ask away..I enjoyed my experience!

[nvestysly]

Thanks for the information badkat.

When you have a moment please provide more details about 1) groups, 2) fluidity of dates - can I work one month early in the season? for example or one month late in the season? 3) what is the AMZN rate and what is the 85% factor? 4) how are couple handled? Is it easy to be on the same shift? 5) How are the work days assigned? Is it a rotating schedule like 4-on, 3-off or something like that?

I'm sure I'll have more questions later but this will get the discussion started.

Thanks again.

[F450Harley]

When you have a moment please provide more details about 1) groups, 2) fluidity of dates - can I work one month early in the season? for example or one month late in the season? 3) what is the AMZN rate and what is the 85% factor? 4) how are couple handled? Is it easy to be on the same shift? 5) How are the work days assigned? Is it a rotating schedule like 4-on, 3-off or something like that?

"Group" : different shifts like A, B & C

"Fluidity of dates" : you can't work outside the August - December time frame unless badly needed. They need campers for peak season and need to orient you in a group setting prior to sending you out to the floor on your own. You let them know your availability during interview but you can depart anytime with proper notification if you don't care for the ( up to $900) bonus.

"Rate" : $10/hr. base, night shift differential applies & 1.5 $/hr for O/T

"85% factor" : 85% productivity expected of Camperforce compared to 100% for full time employees. Rates get posted 3 times per shift so that you can monitor your own progress and address your own lapses before someone else point out the obvious to you. That's smart thing to do anyway .


"Couple" : couple are put together in same shift and same department for easy commuting, lunch break together & social time when off duty.

"Work days" : different shifts have different days off, some had 5 days straight work days and 2 days off and some have off in btw work days. No group had Sat & Sun off. If you work both Sat & Sun, pay differential also applies.

Great HR & OPS team, a lot of praises & respect for CamperForce team daily but you also have to conduct yourself in a respectable manner all the time in the parking lot, warehouse , break time and in your conversations with all, even the disgruntled ones. Always ask for help or take up help when being offered by the OPS ambassadors / trainer. Avoid being defensive when corrected, they know the job better and have data to prove their case/s most of the time. Rules of engagement are no different from any productive and progressive warehouse that are customer focused. Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[nvestysly]

That's very helpful information F450Harley. If others have 2 more cents to add to the pot please go ahead and chime in.

I'd like to hear more about the Amazon program - pro and con. Let's lean toward the pro if possible... the con is available in relative abundance on the internet.

[badkat]

I started in the first group..max bonus was $750 announced by HR. In picking they expect your best but really not a whole lot of pressure to reach 85%. I was daytime so cannot speak for nights.

As far as Coffeyville and any other closings..I think we have all been there with corporate America. It is about business. Coffeyville was not a good place to ship from. We all feel for those guys but it is what it is.

AMZN has been good to CamperForce and seems it will continue. Many smiling faces when we come in.

Let's have a great 2015!

[badkat]

Just FYI though..check AMZN CamperForce this month on their website for info direct from them. Will be posting before the end of January.