The Squeaky Wheel

Have you ever heard the saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease?". This is true for every business, regardless of size, shape or income. If you have an issue, the best way to handle it is by following simple steps.

It is best to try and resolve the issue quietly, with a minimum of hysterics, to preserve your sanity and your relationship with the business if you want to continue a working relationship with them. However, as most of us have seen the last few months (or longer), there are times when quietly doesn't work.

If you have been dealing with a situation such as Geeks On Time, you are not getting anywhere, it is time to step up the pace. Start by posting on blogs, forums, web sites and any other site that has to deal with work at home or contract work. Daily e-mails and/or phone calls remind them that you are not going to go away any time soon. They need to realize that their reputation depends on you. It is amazing the amount of trouble one little ol' me can make for a business that isn't willing to live up to their responsibilities.

Next, and this is the most IMPORTANT step you can take. Contact the Better Business Bureau online. Place your complaint. Include copies of all e-mail and written correspondence, dates and times of calls, and names of the people you spoke with, if you have the information. In a few days, you will receive correspondence from the BBB. Answer it and follow through. This is the biggest mistake we make, by not following through. Companies value their BBB reputation, because people like us check them out before deciding to work with them. 99% of the time, the BBB will be able to resolve your situation.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It is as simple as that. You pay good money for your products, you give companies your hard earned time to help them become successful. Fight for what is rightfully yours.

Geeks On Time - Update

Ladies & Gentlemen, I promised to keep you updated. My husband received his pay from Geeks On Time today, after a month of daily phone calls and e-mails. Amusingly enough, he received a phone call after payment was made, asking that my blog be removed or updated.

Now, for anyone who has read The Ranting Office, you know that I rarely retract a statement or a complaint. Actually, I don't think I have ever retracted one. And I will not start today. I am overjoyed that my time with GOT is now over. However, I am still PISSED about all the other techs out there that are not receiving their payments. In this day and age, it isn't about just listening to myself complain. It is a matter of survival for most to be paid in a timely manner.

I ask that you guys keep me updated. Keep posting comments, updates and status on your own experiences with GOT. If you know of similar paying opportunities (and I stress paying), post them here in the comments section.

I do have to add my thanks to Mike & Sandy Lewis. Mike has been a gem throughout all of this. He answered every phone call, returned every message. He championed our cause, and it is a shame that his association with Venus McNabb and the rest of them cause him to deal with outraged techs on a daily, even hourly basis.

Don't stop fighting! Keep posting on the groups, the blogs and the forums. Visit Single Mom Extra Money and post your comments there as well.

Riddle Of The Day

If you count 20 houses on your right going to the store and 20 houses on your left coming home, how many houses did you count?

Answer: 20.

Joke Of The Day

A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party.

Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice.

After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asked the lawyer, "What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you're out of the office?"

"I give it to them," replied the lawyer, "and then I send them a bill."

The doctor was shocked, but agreed to give it a try.

The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills.

When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer.

Insult Of The Day

You're a habit I'd like to kick; with both feet!!

Yep, The Queen is on a roll today guys and gals!

Quote Of The Day

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception." - Groucho Marx

Need I say anymore? After all, I am The Ranting Queen. The day promises to be "one of those days" so watch for a great rant or three!

Geeks On Time - The Saga Continues

Stories abound right now as to what is going on with this company. If you read the earlier post and comments, you will know that many people who did an honest day's work for GOT are getting screwed out of their payments. The current update is as follows:

According to Geeks On Time, they are having issues due to several banks who had their money going under. Need I say anything more than F.D.I.C. and get a new accountant? They were in negotiation talks until 3:00 A.M. Friday morning attempting to get new financing that will allow them to pay their employees.

To this day, Venus McNabb is not only not returning my calls, but she is not returning calls to her own Vice Presidents. What the hell is up with that? Sounds like a wonderful way of doing business.

It was suggested that subcontractors who have done work for GOT go directly to the company they performed the work for, and let them know what is happening. I do believe that this is a great idea, as companies do not have the ability to risk their reputations at this point on being associated with a non-paying company.

That's your GOT update for today! Only one more thing to say here...

BOYCOTT GEEKS ON TIME!

Bigfoot Again?

'Tis time to fact the facts Bigfoot believers! If this creature really existed, hard proof would have been found by now. As a child, I remember sleepless nights worrying about Bigfoot and the possibility that it might be able to get through my window to grab me and carry me off. Of course, that never happened. I had to worry more about the neighborhood bully more than Bigfoot!

IF these hunters had actually found Bigfoot, do you really think the cloak and dagger stuff would be going on right now? The answer is a resounding HELL NO. They would have had every media agency, Bigfoot fanatic, scientist and more on the scene in less than an hour. They would have already sold the location of the supposed other living creatures to every rag mag in America by now, and it would have been a major focus by 6 a.m. on Friday morning.

The "will not disclose the location" phrase is just a way of saying, "Hey, we're trying to pull the wool over your eyes, do you really believe us?". In a world full of uncertainty these days, do we really need another scandal or false belief? Nope.

If you really found Bigfoot boys, enjoy your money! I'm guessing you'll be held in public shame for a few months, so it might be a good time to go hunt for the big one again!

What's On Your Mind Today?

Disclaimer: This is a paid conversation.

Ever wonder what is topmost in people's minds today? I do. I wonder if they care about the same things as I do, if anyone else is in the same situation as me, or if there is any one who really cares about their fellow man. These surveys that I take part in occasionally, and then rant away about, give me much food for thought.

It seems that the thing that is taking up most of our thought processes these days is the Olympics. Everyone wants to know where their team has placed, who's winning gold and what time the next event starts. It is a great diversion to the problems we face on a daily basis. However, it only gives a place to hide for a short time. We cannot ignore the fact that prices are raising daily, people cannot afford to feed their kids or buy the gas they need to get to work.

What's most important to you today?

Geeks On Time

It would appear that being featured on popular media channels such as Good Morning America and Forbes.com does not matter when it comes to reliability. Amazing to me that a company such as Geeks On Time, who holds contracts for stores such as Michael's, would be so lax in payment. Let's set the stage for my story.

In December, Good Morning America, did a story on work at home companies that were supposedly reliable. I guess the definition of reliable differs for everyone, because shortly thereafter, my husband signed up to do work for Geeks On Time as an independent contractor. 9 months and 4 jobs later, he still has not been paid.

Attempts to contact the CEO/Founder of Geeks On Time, Venus McNabb, have been unsuccessful. Voice mail immediately picks up her phone, without even a ring to go along. Many of their employees are now considering legal council as well, since they also have not been paid. It appears that Venus will not return calls to her vice presidents, service reps, independent contractors or anyone else who attempts to contact her. I wonder...did she take the money and run? Maybe she's home frying up the bacon.

Either way, it is a shame to find that with so many great press references, this company has taken their success and flushed it down the toilet. Beware the scam, IT Techs, you will not be paid. Companies who hold contracts with Geeks On Time should be worried at this point as well, because techs are slowly disappearing from the scene. Soon your IT needs will become the toilet paper in the pot...causing a crisis that you do not need.

As for me, well I am taking action. I am contacting the media sources who have featured Ms. McNabb. I am writing about it on every forum, blog and outlet that I can find. And if you happen to be one of the ones who are getting screwed by GOT, well, hit me with your story! I would love to include your situation in my constant updates to all media outlets. If I can help you and myself, I will!