Telephone Survey Work with Optimum Contact

Paul_Varjak

Go for the essentials package and add unlimited calls for £4. The Plus package already includes unlimited calls and also cheaper rates to mobiles.

SimIsOnTheUp

Thanks Paul.

I'm going to start on my surveys today.

Bit nervous!

I'm just going to use my BT line for today, and see how it goes.

I realise that I'll run up a bit of a bill, but I still can't decide between TalkTalk and Plusnet for my phone package :-/

Do you have to take out TalkTalk\'s Broadband, if you want their phone service?

I'm assuming you can't just have TalkTalk for their free phone calls?

Thanks,

Sim.

SimIsOnTheUp

I decided not to go for Skype, as it'll be too much hassle / too expensive getting the calls recorded that way.

So, I'm looking for a landline provider, for the free 0845 calls.

Ideally, I'd like to stay with Plusnet, but it looks like (in their T&C's) that they would class Optimum Contact's 0845 number, as a 'indirect access' number :-/

I just want to crack on and earn some money!

Need to research the phone packages a bit more though.

Paul_Varjak

SimIsOnTheUp...

Try making a few trial 0845 calls and view your online statement - hopefully it is updated daily, so you will know if you are being charged.

SimIsOnTheUp

About to start the surveys in the next hour Paul.

Am still on BT Basic at the moment - only costs me £4.50 a month for the line rental!

The 0845 calls will definitely be chargeable as I've called a few last month (DWP etc) and they were charged.

Really don't know the best phone package to go for, as I'd like to keep my Plusnet for Brodband.

Am going to email Plusnet now, as find out re the 0845 calls as part of their package.

SimIsOnTheUp

Checked out "Truecall' too - thanks for the link.

Can't use it, as I've got an Apple Mac!

So, I'm going to have to use OC's 0845 number, and their recording facility.

Paul_Varjak

If you are charged for calling 0845 numbers then you MUST NOT use the 0845 facility as you will simply not make any money! In fact, there is a fair chance you will spend more on calls than you actually earn!

The only way you will ever earn money is to get an inclusive calls package (for 0845 numbers if you use OC's recording facility or for 01/02 numbers if you use your own recording facility).

SimIsOnTheUp

Fair point. Thanks.

However, I've already promised OC that I'd be starting today! (Will probably only do a few over lunchtime just for practice)

Surely, if I can get even a couple of surveys done per hour, I'll at least be in profit, even if the 0845 calls on BT cos me around £1 - 2 per hour? (Obviously, this is only temporary until I get set up with TalkTalk)

So..I need to get a move on, and get my phone package ordered.

Having looked at both Plusnet and TalkTalk -

Plusnet = £28.24 (for line rental / phone / broadband)

TalkTalk = £23.03 (for line rental / phone / broadband / free 0845 calls)

Looks like a no brainer to me!

I'm just nervous starting, having been on ESA (mental health problems) for the past 12 months, and so there's just a worry that if I come off ESA / Housing Benefit, that I won't earn enough money, even after my free calls deal is set up. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and commit to something which won't pay :-/

Can you confirm Paul, that the surveys will pay me at least a living wage?

Many Thanks,

Sim.

SimIsOnTheUp

PS - Did you say earlier on this thread, that you are able to claim 50% of your phone / broadband costs back?

ie - Because you're self - employed.

How do you go about getting the costs back?

Also, can you confirm that you're eligible for Working Tax Credit, even though the work is self -employed, and it fluctuates?

Sorry for all the questions.

I just want to be 100%!

Thanks again,

Sim.

System

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

PS - Did you say earlier on this thread, that you are able to claim 50% of your phone / broadband costs back?

ie - Because you're self - employed.

How do you go about getting the costs back?

Also, can you confirm that you're eligible for Working Tax Credit, even though the work is self -employed, and it fluctuates?

Sorry for all the questions.

I just want to be 100%!

Thanks again,

Sim.

Hi Sim. I get wtc, I am self employed and work 16 hours a week, but I have kids so don't know if this would apply to you? Have you tried the free benefits check? It is worth double checking everything before you start....I do lots of different work on a SE basis and don't rely on just the one company.