OT: ChaCha

[Mouseless2Long]

I'm all for pay for performance, but this is ridiculous!! I work really hard to make sure my answers are correct and am sick to death of the stupid, incomplete, misspelled, and grammatically incorrect answers given by some guides. I could never do as many searches as some of them unless I too was giving a bad or improperly researched answer. And don't get me started on how many times the system has been slow or down which seriously impacts the number of searches I can complete.

ChaCha has no business cutting my pay without informing me first of my performance. If I recall correctly, this change goes into effect August 14th. I for one, intend to get in as much time as I can before then and after that, I don't think I'll be doing this anymore. Sounds like alot of the good guides are feeling the same way. Let's see how well ChaCha does when the quality of their responses as well as customer satisfaction decreases after August 14th.

 

[Mikelly1221]

I tell you, I am really steamed about this decision, and I KNOW there's no way I can get 300 questions in a week on a consistent basis.

I'm a good guide. I give a little extra to the answer every time (not just "ChaCha on!", I give a little bit more info about the subject). I've been a ChaCha guide since mid-June & I've even been top guide once. To get my "quota" of 300 questions (let's call it what it is-we've just been handed a quota) in the small bit of time I have to do it in...well the little extras are going out the window. The IS will get bare bones...ACCURATE bare bones, but no more "going the extra mile". $.10 is not worth more than that.

School starts back soon here and I homeschool my son. My time is about to become extra precious and $.10 I don't think is going to cut it!

 

[Daydreamer64]

OK- I am waiting to hear if my account is verified for pay me monthly. I haven't heard from ChaCha yet and the fax was sent a week ago on Monday. I wasn't worried until today's announcement. I am now worried that I won't get my money that I EARNED - well over $400.00.

What happens if people quit, the system is overloaded and goes down. Do we even get paid? Do we have recourses to get our due pay? If I had a pay me now, my money would have left their bank an hour ago!

Think about this, if we don't work any more after today, will we be labeled a trouble maker, be deactivated and put on the bottom of verification list?

Am I correct, that we don't know the guides of the week until the NEXT week- we if we miss the cut off of 300, even with great answers, does that mean we work a week in the dark at .10 cents before we even know the score?

How about the fact that I signed on at .20 cents per question, but this was a perfect job as I could work when I wanted 24/7, so I have to take care of a sick kid, volunteer at school, go out of town - does that mean if I didn't make my 300, I work for .10?

No fair ChaCha- you changed the rules in the middle of the game and instead of rewarding the best, you decided to treat at least 95% of the rest of us, like we are all gaming the system and punishing us, particularly with the 300 minimum questions rule?

I am so disappointed, I finally found a job that I could stay at home and work, while raising my three SPECIAL needs kids and ChaCha went and pulled the rug out from under me.

The problem is that the ball is not in my field, I always do my best and yet don't know why I'm not in the top guides- I was on the top guides list one time out of 7 weeks, another week we were out of town, so one time in six weeks?

I've done over 100 searches today before the announcement, so I'll make my 300 but I keep getting questions about sports, I hate these as I don't even understand the terminology/ three letter short cuts, yet I have to answer, so I do my best but I know the exact answers are not always given - I don't know where or how to look for them. I have no control if I accept a question but to answer it.

Our money situation is very tight DH works 2 jobs, this was a great solution to helping with the bills.

I'm just feel so taken advantage of and cheated- this was to be our kid's Christmas money and electric bill payment this winter.

I hope the people behind this decision sleep well tonight, I won't.

 

[Daydreamer64]

I give a little extra to the answer every time (not just "ChaCha on!", I give a little bit more info about the subject). :

I gave extra facts, as well as ChaCha on!, too- I filled the answer box consistently.

I'm right there with you on the bare bones answers!

 

[Bopsmom]

I gave extra facts, as well as ChaCha on!, too- I filled the answer box consistently.

I'm right there with you on the bare bones answers!

Wait till the producers of the shows and websites that promoted ChaCha about making $10.00 an hour resend the story when they hear about the way the Guides are being paid sub standard pay. Maybe it could time out at about the time of the Olympics.
What made ChaCha good was that they were paying for quality Guides to promote a quality product.

If there were bad guides than get rid of them but they are punishing the rest that give that "WOW" experience with the "new wonderful policy".

 

[Nanu57v]

I'd see an accountant. I've been an independent contractor before, and I never had to pay the SE tax.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I'm sorry but this is nuts. FINALLY there was a way for at home mom's (and others) to make some extra cash for their families and they do this? I should be able to hit 300 per week now that Ry is back in school, but what happens if we go on vacation or have a sickness or emergency? So when we goto WDW I will miss about more than a week of ChaCha-ing. When I come back I drop to .10 even if I made top guide before I left? And the other thing that bothers me, is if I bust butt and reach 300 searches, how do I know how they grade the queries I answer? It all seems a bit odd. I will continue on, but if it dops me to .10 without real good reason I will have to quit. Such a shame!!
I tried reading the FAQs and log into the forums and both were down of course.

 

[Mikelly1221]

And another thing (as long as I'm venting to my friends on the DIS )...

If they are going to cut our pay, the least they could do is GET THE BUGS OUT OF THEIR SYSTEM!!! So, not only are we getting our pay cut, we get to try to earn our $.10 on a system that takes forever to load, that kicks us out, etc., etc.!!!!

 

[Mouseless2Long]

We are all raising very valid points. I wonder if ChaCha ever lurks on these boards? Can't wait to read the posts when the forum finally does come back up!

 

[megthewonderful]

Argh! I can't get into ChaCha! Someone please explain the new pay system to me. I can't access the page to read about it. What this about 300 searches or 15 hours a week and 10 cents per question instead of 20? That sounds to me like ChaCha is going to loose a lot of good employees and be stuck with yucky ones who don't care what they answer for 10 cents a question.

 

[momejay]

Can anyone else log in to ChaCha?
What the heck is with this $.10 thing? I was still making $.20 this morning. We have to answer 300 questions with accuracy? So who judges our accuracy? What if we take a vacation? I think if they put a quota in then they should let us make it up the next week. At very least say we need to complete X amount in lets say a month. That way if we have a sick child or a vacation we can do a little extra the weeks before & after.
I don't understand how they can cut our pay in half. (Not that I have actually been paid yet!!!) I have an account, debit card & a PIN, but still no pay me now button after 3 weeks. Wasn't that in our aggreement to work for $.20 a question?
There has to be a law around somewhere to help us. If I hire a guy to do work on my house & tell him I will pay this amount. I can't change my mind the next day or the next month & pay him half.
I don't understand why they ask us to work over the weekend for incentive & the system does nothing but crash too. They need to fix things before they go cutting our pay. Maybe half those silly or incomplete answers weren't just bad guides but, their system? My whole computer froze & so I went to put my children to bed. I came back & it looked like I had spend 11 minutes answering a simple question. (running time of Dark Knight, easy right?)
OK enough venting...Sorry!

 

[What are we doing?]

I just thought of something.

IF you're doomed to .10 per answer, may as well give 10-cent answers. I bet I could give 3 times as many answers if they were low quality.

 

[Bopsmom]

Love how they toss out the 10 cent pay and shut downn the forum.

 

[Cinerbelle]

I can get into ChaCha, but I am looking for the "top guide" listing for last week and can not find it anywhere. Does anyone know where they hide the list?

 

[AUDramaQueen]

I'm logged in now finally. Basically you have to have 95% accuracy (I'm fine with this) BUT you also have to have 300 queries in a week or you will only get 10 cents a query. If you are able to meet the criteria you will get the 20 cents.

The forums are saying the same thing we are for the most part. No one really likes it except those that log tons of queries and are always top guides anyway. They think it will weed out the gamers. A ChaCha employee posted that it is trying to up the quality and they are working on new links to help us get our 300 queries faster. Whatever. I'll be done if it doesn't change.

Basically it's work harder and longer and we might pay you what we told you we would pay you to begin with.

 

[Jennifer823]

OK, I STILL haven't been able to read this for myself. When I log onto the knowledge base, every category of question is empty! There's nothing there! Am I doing something wrong??

 

[Nanu57v]

Really, it sucks about the paycut, but its still going to work. People are still going to work for 10 cents. Maybe not the same people, but some people.

 

[AUDramaQueen]

OK, I STILL haven't been able to read this for myself. When I log onto the knowledge base, every category of question is empty! There's nothing there! Am I doing something wrong??

Nope. I can't see anything either. I saw the video and am reading the 750+ (and growing every second) posts on the forum about the pay decrease.

 

[What are we doing?]

OK, I STILL haven't been able to read this for myself. When I log onto the knowledge base, every category of question is empty! There's nothing there! Am I doing something wrong??

It's on the blog. AFIK, the KB is still empty. (which is interesting in itself)

 

[Avonlady1001]

I know there's some rule about copying chacha stuff & putting it in other forums...so no one report me! LOL Here's the info from the Knowledgebase that I was able to see:

Pay for Performance FAQs
[Updated: 4 August 2008]

Why is ChaCha going with a pay-for-performance structure?
As the ChaCha Guide community grows with the incoming traffic ChaCha receives, we decided to create a more rewards-based way of compensating Guides to better align with the way value is brought to customers. By paying a higher rate to Guides that handle more queries and perform at the highest levels of quality, we are rewarding their dedication to ChaCha. High quality answers create loyal customers who help our company grow by spreading the word about our service. Meanwhile, we continue to recognize and pay Guides for their hard work, even for Guides who answer fewer questions each week or are still striving to attain the highest levels of performance. We do this at a lesser rate, but with the hope that all Guides will achieve top performance and productivity.

How does the new pay system work?
Each week, a Guide’s performance is tallied against the Top Guide requirements. Guides who achieve Top Guide status will be paid at $0.20 per answer for the following week (Sunday-Saturday). The balance of Guides will continue to be paid at $0.10 per answer, until the following week when performance is evaluated again.

If Susan logs in on Sunday of Week 1 and completes 350 answers with 97% accuracy by that Saturday, she will achieve Top Guide status, so for all questions she answers during Week 2, she will be paid $0.20.

John, meanwhile, does not meet the Top Guide performance level in Week 1, because he didn’t complete enough searches or attain a high-enough accuracy percentage. He will continue to be paid at the $0.10 rate in Week 2, though his performance improves that week to Top Guide level, so for Week 3, he will receive the $0.20 pay rate.
Please see the chart below for more examples. Note that this example is atypical, since most Guides are more consistent in their activity levels and quality.


Searches Completion
Quality
Results Published
Pay
Week Rate Applies
Week 1
8/3-8/9 175 84% 97%
Wed. 8/13
0.10
Thurs 8/14-Wed 8/20
Week 2
8/10-8/16 355 96% 95.5% Wed. 8/20
0.20
Thurs 8/21-Wed 8/27
Week 3
8/17-8/23 128 82% 92% Wed. 8/27
0.10
Thurs 8/28-Wed 9/3
Week 4
8/24-8/30 320 96% 95% Wed. 9/3
0.20 Thurs 9/4-Wed 9/10
Week 5
8/31-9/6 368 87%
91% Wed. 9/10
0.10
Thurs 9/11-Wed 9/17



Will this pay change affect Voice Transcribers?
ChaCha Voice Transcribers will not be affected by this change. Voice Transcribers will continue to be paid at $0.04 per transaction.

What does it take to make it as a Top Guide?
For a detailed list of the requirements necessary to achieve Top Guide status, please see here.

Can I change Guide roles?
Yes, with limitations. Any new or existing Guide can test to be an Expeditor. But Specialist/Generalists must give up their existing Guide role to become an Expeditor due to traffic management functionality. We will provide information soon regarding how you can train and test for the Expeditor role. Transcribers can perform both roles, please see the Enhanced Matching FAQs in the KB. Click to view

Can I switch back if I don’t like the new role?
Yes, with limitations. Because switching roles puts excess demands on the Guide Support team and the system, there is a 30 day waiting period to switch back to a different role. Please consider carefully whether you want to make a switch.

How do I know what my quality is?
We are working to improve quality indicators every day. Soon we will be able to offer you a much better picture of how you are performing and whether you are meeting the Top Guide criteria.

In the meantime, your primary indicator will be weekly updates on who achieved Top Guide status. If a Guide’s accuracy is above 95%, and they have met the other Top Guide criteria, their name will be posted on Esther’s Guide Blog on Wednesday afternoon of each week.

Remember, a Guide’s quality is based on the accuracy, content, grammar, and source of a Guide’s answer to a given question. These factors all go into determining a Guide’s overall quality. Guides can contact ChaCha through feedback with any concerns regarding the QC process. 



I did not receive any feedback from the QC team and I am not on the Top Guide list. Why?
We cannot currently provide real-time feedback as to a Guide’s accuracy rating; to ensure statistical accuracy, this is calculated on a weekly basis. 

Please use the abundant resources available in the KnowledgeBase, Esther’s blog, and the Forum to familiarize yourself with searching best practices. If you can consistently provide accurate, timely, and clearly presented answers, you should have no problem achieving Top Guide status provided you attain the 300 questions minimum.

How many Guides can make the Top Guide List each week?
There is no limit to the number of Guides who can make the Top Guide list and we encourage all Guides to strive to make the Top Guide list.

I feel that I was erroneously omitted from the Top Guide list. How do I appeal?
An appeal can be submitted through Feedback in the Knowledgebase under the topic “Quality Feedback Request.” Prior to submitting, please read through the Top Guide criteria and include specific details in the appeal.

What is the period on which Guide Quality is reviewed?
The timeframe for pay runs week to week, Sunday to Saturday, with the pay rate applicable for the Thursday to Wednesday of the following week.

What if system issues resulted in my inability to complete sessions?
ChaCha employs detailed reporting on a system-wide basis to ensure that technical problems do not impact Guide performance calculations. Please note that adjustments will not be made based on individual Guide’s PC functionality (for example, losing the browser session due to bandwidth or a dropped internet connection).

Where do I go for Tips to make the Top Guide list? –
Top Guide Requirements

Why should I remain as a Guide even though I cannot meet the requirements?
We think there are many reasons.... the first being your excitement and interest in joining ChaCha as a Guide and helping people find the answers they need! That’s what being a ChaCha Guide is all about. We’re also thrilled to have you as part of our growing team, and value your daily contributions to ChaCha.

We have seen many Guides train and practice and consistently achieve Top Guide status, if not instantly, then within a few weeks of being a Guide. It takes longer for others to get the hang of the system. But the way that we’ve organized our system, everyone should have a chance to earn! Soon, a brand new training program from Search University will give you additional help in becoming a Top Guide!

What are other ways I can earn with ChaCha?
Contests: ChaCha’s contest squad is rolling out new contests focused on engaging ChaCha Guides in new ways. Watch your e-mail and Esther’s blog for new contest opportunities!
Network: Many high-earning Guides leverage the ChaCha network pay system. Did you know that when your Guide candidate referral is accepted as a Guide, you receive a bonus of 10% of what they earn (this is additive, not subtracted from the other Guides’ pay)!



I am as livid as anyone! But, I can't say I'm surprised. Every time I got an email from ChaCha I was waiting to read about a pay decrease....just because of the sheer # of queries they've getting....Wish they'd make up their minds though...not even a month ago they change the starting pay by adding "apprentice", now this....what will next month bring??