Nee job offer info, Roto Rooter

[alcooner]

Well I am a JP, here in Alabama. I have been offered a job from Roto Rooter. I need some input. First I did not know you had to buy or own your own truck, is this standard procedure? They will buy all tools, sewer machines ect. but when a cable needs replacing you have to buy them yourself. Also it will be commission work after about 2-3 weeks. The field manager makes it sound real good, but I turned the first offer down. Now today he calls and says I can have a company truck for awhile until I could get my own. I don't know how long (awhile) is? The sounds like sub contracting to me. I need some input from former people who have worked for this type of setting, any info would be appreicated>
thanks

[ToUtahNow]

Well I am a JP, here in Alabama. I have been offered a job from Roto Rooter. I need some input. First I did not know you had to buy or own your own truck, is this standard procedure? They will buy all tools, sewer machines ect. but when a cable needs replacing you have to buy them yourself. Also it will be commission work after about 2-3 weeks. The field manager makes it sound real good, but I turned the first offer down. Now today he calls and says I can have a company truck for awhile until I could get my own. I don't know how long (awhile) is? The sounds like sub contracting to me. I need some input from former people who have worked for this type of setting, any info would be appreicated>
thanks

These are all franchises and it sounds like you will be liable for all of the jobs and not have any workers comp. The deal is great as long as you are making as much money as any other guy out there trying to break into the business. However, be careful you are not geting paid like an employee yet taking all of the risks.

Good luck-Mark

[NHMaster3015]

buy your own truck, buy your own tools and get your won customers. You'll be glad you did. :banghead:

[Gene Bickford]

Sounds kinda shady to me.
You'd be better off selling vacuums

[gear junkie]

The franchise in DC has a weekly quota of 3 grand per week per technition that they have to bring in. My friend worked there 6 years ago and the stories he told me would never want to work for them. I used to work for a commision based company. If you're a salesman that doesn't mind cheating the customer then commision based sales are the way to go. I worked for 1 company and was making 1k a week part time. I left because I started to hear the stories from other customers about how they got ripped off(5k for a 50 gal electric WH). I now work for a company and get paid hourly which I like much better. Another thing I remember my friend telling me but check into this; roto rooter pays for your gas but only at the end of the year.

[Drain Medic]

The franchise in DC has a weekly quota of 3 grand per week per technition that they have to bring in. My friend worked there 6 years ago and the stories he told me would never want to work for them. I used to work for a commision based company. If you're a salesman that doesn't mind cheating the customer then commision based sales are the way to go. I worked for 1 company and was making 1k a week part time. I left because I started to hear the stories from other customers about how they got ripped off(5k for a 50 gal electric WH). I now work for a company and get paid hourly which I like much better. Another thing I remember my friend telling me but check into this; roto rooter pays for your gas but only at the end of the year.


I agree with Big Ben on this one. :thumbup2:

[alcooner]

Thanks everyone, I passed on the offer. There are enough of people getting riped off as is. I don't work that away.
thanks again

[Tyman]

You can thank your lucky stars you asked about Roto-Hosen. You made the right move imo. I have friends that have worked for them and they get mad even thinking about bad they got screwed.

None of the guys that worked for Roto-Hosen that I went to apprenticeship school with made it past the first year.

[mtnman1100]

Alcooner
did you check with other companies like Mr Rooter or Rescue Rooter?

[alcooner]

mtnman1100 I have put in applications with every plumbing co. in my area, everyone says they are slow or I will get back with you in a couple weeks, (I got a big job coming up) I hope it breaks loose before long. Or I am gonna have to so something outside the trade.

[mtnman1100]

That sucks!!!
yeah we are slow right now in Denver but our shop is still hiring people. They don't even have the trucks to put them in nor do they have drain machines to give them.

[alcooner]

mtnman1100 hey I ain't giving up, I might have to get something else for a while but it will pick up, I HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my sister in law is from Arvada :confused: CO I think. or close to there anyway. She has got about another year at the Univ. of Alabama to get her PHD, in something. Man these kids go to school and have to get loans for undergraduate study, she will own probally close to $80,000 when she gets through, and just starting out. Thats right off the top. They are killing these out of state students.

[MPMGinAL]

alcooner - what part of alabama are you from? I might be hiring. Always looking for the right person.

[MPMGinAL]

alcooner - what part of alabama are you from? I may be hiring! Always looking for the right person to build my business.

[gear junkie]

mtnman1100 I have put in applications with every plumbing co. in my area, everyone says they are slow or I will get back with you in a couple weeks, (I got a big job coming up) I hope it breaks loose before long. Or I am gonna have to so something outside the trade.
If you really want some work, move down to Gulfport, ms. They need every construction trade down there. I understand that's easier said then done.

[alcooner]

MPMGinAL 35 miles south of Tuscaloosa, AL.

Little to old to pick up and move now. Thanks , Gulfsport would be nice.

[alcooner]

MPMGinAL you know anybody in T'town needing a JP? I see you are from Birmingham, I live in Hale county.

[MPMGinAL]

Can't say that i know anyone. Sorry you are having a tough time. Things are pretty slow in birmingham as well. There have been several plumbing companies with shut-downs and lay-offs. Some of those were what i thought pretty stable companies. I guesss the age old story about putting all of your eggs in one basket is holding true. To many people were banking on that check from that all but honest home builder.

[roto man]

I wok for double R in PA. take the job. we work for the company, not a sub.

if someone could not cut it that is why they left.
if we dont work we dont get paid. if we dont open a line we dont get paid.

worked here for 5 years over 60k a year. yeah we have to buy a van and stuff but i would need a car anyways!!!

[MPMGinAL]

roto man -

Tell us a little more. I can't imagine telling my guys that they have to go to ford tom and sign thier name for a new van! Surely thats not whats expected? What about equipment? Is it all on you? I've heard it like auto shops the favorite gets the good stuff (leaking water heater in prominent area of town) Newbee's get the water in tub in slums? Do they Pay to maintain your new "too cool cargo van"?

[mtnman1100]

I wok for double R in PA. take the job. we work for the company, not a sub.

if someone could not cut it that is why they left.
if we dont work we dont get paid. if we dont open a line we dont get paid.

worked here for 5 years over 60k a year. yeah we have to buy a van and stuff but i would need a car anyways!!!

Check the other post about "new to this need help" a guy said he called RR out to clear his culvert drain and after 4 hours the tech could not clear the line and charged $400.00. Some of that time was also spent working on his machines too.

http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16606