Credit card signups
An October 11 article in the Chicago Tribune, "Project targets credit cards on campus," reminds me that some RV friends worked at booths on college campuses signing college kids up for credit cards a few years ago. They had gifts to give students when they completed an application. They, in turn, were paid by the number of applications they turned in. As I recall, they received a couple of dollars per completed application so the money could be good.
While the potential sounded good, in practice our friends did not get paid for all applications turned in. The company found excuses not to count some - usually a piece of information that was left off. Our friends ended up making copies of each application before turning it in. Jerry would spend time on the phone going through all the applications with them because the company wasn't paying them for applications that were in fact complete. They finally decided that this type of work was not worth the hassle.
Many college campuses have banned credit card companies from soliciting students on campus. This is a lucrative business, so credit companies try to find work-arounds.As the above article says, one scheme is to offer coupons for free subs. When the student gets to the sub shop, it is only valid if they sign up for a credit card.
Another couple did credit card signups at golf tournaments. They too, found it not worth the hassle and quit before too long. Be wary of taking this type of job. It hasn't turned out to be as good as it sounds for the RV workers I've talked to.
For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.
While the potential sounded good, in practice our friends did not get paid for all applications turned in. The company found excuses not to count some - usually a piece of information that was left off. Our friends ended up making copies of each application before turning it in. Jerry would spend time on the phone going through all the applications with them because the company wasn't paying them for applications that were in fact complete. They finally decided that this type of work was not worth the hassle.
Many college campuses have banned credit card companies from soliciting students on campus. This is a lucrative business, so credit companies try to find work-arounds.As the above article says, one scheme is to offer coupons for free subs. When the student gets to the sub shop, it is only valid if they sign up for a credit card.
Another couple did credit card signups at golf tournaments. They too, found it not worth the hassle and quit before too long. Be wary of taking this type of job. It hasn't turned out to be as good as it sounds for the RV workers I've talked to.
For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.
posted by Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak at
8:09 PM
6 Comments:
Not only does this sound like a poor job for RVers, I've heard of too many stories of college kids getting in way over their heads in debt through credit cards. Giving a credit card to a 18 year old is like setting a child loose in a candy shop. College students don't usually have jobs to support credit card debt.
By
Anonymous, at October 27, 2007 7:15 AM
Similar situation to our first workamping experience. We were to work 15 hrs per week each for our site (which is quite a bit) and ended up working 22 and 28 hrs each for the 5+weeks we stayed. And it was hard work like building a gazebo (roof and all) rebuilding decks, etc. - the kind of work that would require skilled labor in the private sector! They acted surprised when we told them we were leaving - even then we gave them 2 weeks notic and waited until after an upcoming holiday. I notice periodically that they are still doing this to unsuspecting new Workampers! Anonymous
By
Anonymous, at October 27, 2007 1:53 PM
"Not only does this sound like a poor job for RVers, I've heard of too many stories of college kids getting in way over their heads in debt through credit cards."
I agree and by working for a credit card company, you are encouraging this practice.
By
Jaimie Hall, at October 27, 2007 5:03 PM
"We were to work 15 hrs per week each for our site (which is quite a bit) and ended up working 22 and 28 hrs each for the 5+weeks we stayed... They acted surprised when we told them we were leaving.."
Some employers do try to change things after you've arrived. A written agreement spelling out your hours and duties can help avoid this situation. Jaimie
By
Jaimie Hall, at October 27, 2007 5:07 PM
Not only is this bad for students who get in over their heads, but the person collecting the applications now has access to the students personal information, sounds like a good way for identity theft. The original story even states that the person made copies of applications.
By
Anonymous, at October 28, 2007 7:37 AM
Possible ID theft is a good point. Of course, the keeping personal information was not the motive of our friends - he just wanted to be paid fairly. Jaimie
By
Jaimie Hall, at October 28, 2007 9:15 AM
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