quote:

---

Originally posted by andrew.carwithen
'Evening all.
Shot in the dark, really, but thought I'd ask anyway, if anyone has worked for/has experience of a company called Plan-4-IT?
They install EPOS (chip and pin) machines in all types of retail outlets nationally.
I have an interview with them tomorrow as a 'customer service technician' on a self-employed basis and am trying to get some background/info etc. beforehand.
I work for BT at mo' and am trying to assess whether its worth the risk of giving up relatively secure employment in a job I loathe to do the above.

Andy.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bream

quote:

---

Originally posted by andrew.carwithen
'Evening all.
Shot in the dark, really, but thought I'd ask anyway, if anyone has worked for/has experience of a company called Plan-4-IT?
They install EPOS (chip and pin) machines in all types of retail outlets nationally.
I have an interview with them tomorrow as a 'customer service technician' on a self-employed basis and am trying to get some background/info etc. beforehand.
I work for BT at mo' and am trying to assess whether its worth the risk of giving up relatively secure employment in a job I loathe to do the above.

Andy.

---

Hi Andy. I've been looking for info on them too due to lack of info elsewhere (hence my new registration on this forum after I googled-up this post).
I'd love to know how you got on.
I saw the job description at the job centre website and when I asked about it I was given an email address to send a CV to (a Human Resources/consultancy) and I didn't know who the actual employer was until the HR firm replied to my CV email asking me to phone them for a short telephone interview. At the end of the interview, which they said I passed, they told me they were putting me forward for selection for a face-to-face interview (presumably when the Plan4IT would be there). So, if you can post an update with any useful info about your interview then it would help me greatly in case I get an interview.

I thought it might be one of those cons where they get you all excited before finally disclosing that it is merely a franchise thing where they expect *you* to pay them to get work. However, with it being on the government jobcentre website I kinda doubted they'd do that.

My initial impressions after talking to the HR/consultancy firm on the phone were that if you are already in a full time job getting a regular wage then this kind of "self-employed" thing might be a bit of a risk. For someone like me who is already self-employed and involved in computers then it *could* be OK. I'll only say "could be" because after talking to the HR/Consultancy there were a few grey areas which could end up costing you. For a start you have to use your own car and the petrol exenses were a muddy area (not very good if you end up going out on one-off jobs at the extreme distances of your region). At only £15 per install it would really have to be very local work (or if you were going to drive 30 miles then you'd need a few jobs at the end of that trip in that immediate locale to make it worthwhile otherwise it could end up actually costing you).
They suggested that coverage was a maximum of 50-70 miles but I got distracted and didn't find out f they meant in total or radius (if the latter then I don't see out that is going to work out at a mere £15 a job).
They say that a typical EPOS install takes on average 20-30 minutes but can be up to 1 hour for systems that include features such as cellphone top-up facilities (and they sort of suggested that you get paid more for those but gave no amount).
Generally, it sounds a bit like a "plug-in and go" job at the technical ability level of "cable TV installer". They say there is a 1 day induction then you go out with a "senior technician" to do installs/support calls until he's happy you are competent.
They reckon on 4-5 jobs a day, Mon-Fri, which would earn you £300 - £375 per week which is not fantastic but if one is already doing other work and if there is plenty of time in the day/evening to do my other self-employed work (most of which I can do outside of normal hours) then its not bad as a good bonus for me personally. There is no guarantee of earnings because you are self-employed (which is the same situation I'm already in). You could get no work for days or you could be run off your feet Mon-Fri and weekends.
They say you work 4 weeks in hand and then you invoice them (so you'd expect another 30 days on top of that before you actually get paid). Then you have to do your own accounts or hire an accountant/bookeeper, pay your own tax/N.I (which is fine if you are already self-employed like I am).
At a mere £15 per install there is little room for manouvre and you'd have to hope that every install goes prettymuch perfectly (especially if you have travelled more than 20 minutes to get there).

There are unanswered questions such as what happens if there is logistic error and the equipment or install booking is wrong, which is not your fault, yet you've spent time travelling there i.e. would you get paid for the extra visit too or just the completed job?

Also, what about liability? If there was damage, injury or financial loss as a direct or indirect result of your work then who is liable (similar concerns if you break the equipment or it gets nicked from your house/car)? Without cover then it might only take one big problem or a few small ones before you are out of business and possibly in court.

Anyway, I expect to know more myself later in the week if I get a face-to-face interview but if you or anyone else has any previous insights then please post.

[Edited on 10/9/07 by Bream]

[Edited on 10/9/07 by Bream]

---