OT: ChaCha

[Dr. L]

For those of you who had technical problems when taking your tests, what email address did you send to chacha to let them know? Thanks!

A friend who is trying to get in (and yes, I told her about the 10 cent controversy!) tried to submit her test and got the 500 server error...and when she went in to go back it said her acct was disabled? Anyone have this problem??

Hi, I had the exact same problem. I sent them an email via this page:
answers.cha cha.com/?page_id=43 (remove the space between chacha, apparently I can't post a full link until I have 10 posts on this board)

I also called this number - 1-800-820-0827

... in hopes of speeding up the process, but I got no answer so I left a voicemail with my number.

I really hope they get this fixed.

 

[GoofyBaby]

Well, ChaCha crashed again. It was so @#$% slow tonight that I only was able to answer about 7 queries in an hour! It kept locking up, kicking me out and what not. How can they expect us to do 300 queries a week if this keeps happening? It's not our fault!

UGH. . .just had to vent! I know I'm not alone.

 

[kasdancer]

Ok, I hope it is not just me, but ChaCha will not even load. Keeps giving me the message that servers are down. Anyone else get that message?

 

[Tink561]

It is ridiculous! Tonight is my 3 week anniversary and I didn't meet the goal I wanted because it has been so slow. Oh well, I guess I will try again tomorrow. 300 a week isn't going to happen like this.

 

[pipervali]

I actually didn't think it was that slow. I was only on for about an hour and I was getting continuous questions. Maybe I was the odd one out though.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

These changes aren't a surprise to me as I been somewhat skeptical, and I suspected Chacha had to make major changes and soon. I couldn't figure out how their business was viable the way it was going! Just reading this thread, it seems half of the DIS became guides in the last few weeks! If users aren't charged for asking questions, and every last person is becoming a paid guide, how could it be sustained?

And this money that people on this thread reported earning on Chacha was (I think) the pre-tax amount, so while it sounded so great, the take home would be far less.

Just sort of sad to read here about many people taking the test and becoming guides, and expecting and counting on so much money to come in. With all these changes, Chacha's future isn't looking so rosy.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I never even thought about taxes...what was I thinking? LOL. So, if my "earnings" are at $200.00, what will I actually see go into my bank account?

 

[Jennifer823]

You will actually see that $200 - ChaCha doesn't take out taxes because you're not an employee. Your income will be reported to the IRS though, and you'll have to pay taxes on it when you do your return. You'll also be responsible for self-employment tax.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Well, ChaCha doesn't actually take out the taxes for you, since we are not employees of theirs. (They are not required to take taxes out for independent contractors.)

So, you will get the amount that you have in your account (minus any transfer fees.) Then you will have to file your income on your taxes next year, and pay then. I usually sit about 30% aside in a separate account to be on the safe side once tax time rolls around.

 

[Dr. L]

For whoever else had the "internal error 500 etc." problem during the assessment testing, have you heard anything back from anyone at ChaCha?

This deactivated my account and I cannot continue registering, but since many people had problems last night I assume it's their fault, and hopefully they reset my account or something... I know I got all of the part 1 questions right.

I really want to get this started!

 

[Cinerbelle]

I actually didn't think it was that slow. I was only on for about an hour and I was getting continuous questions. Maybe I was the odd one out though.

Nope, it was busy for me last night too. I was on for a little under 2 hours and did 50 questions.

 

[MushyMushy]

My husband was having all kinds of issues with it last night. He was up until after 1 a.m. and said everything got faster just as he was ready to go to bed.

 

[momof1princess]

i had issues with it too...every time i tried to log on it was so slow i just gave up. i'm not spending 5+ minutes waiting on a <1 minute question to submit.

 

[AUDramaQueen]

Hi, I had the exact same problem. I sent them an email via this page:
answers.cha cha.com/?page_id=43 (remove the space between chacha, apparently I can't post a full link until I have 10 posts on this board)

I also called this number - 1-800-820-0827

... in hopes of speeding up the process, but I got no answer so I left a voicemail with my number.

I really hope they get this fixed.

You guys just got a bad time to start. Their servers and phones at HQ got slammed with feedback, posts, and calls regarding the new pay policy.

They'll get things straightened out and up and running soon. Just keep trying!

 

[Dr. L]

^Thanks, I was kinda starting to lose confidence in this program, but overall it's still looking promising if I can just get accepted to be a guide without any more problems.

Would you suggest I resubmit an application (with a different email) and start from scratch, and just wait a few days until HQ slows down a bit, before I start the testing? I'm deactivated anyway and I see no other way of fixing this, since they probably won't call/email me back..

Sorry for all the long posts, lol.

 

[dawz1026]

Ive been on since 8am and no queries again.I get them at night though..what the

 

[momof1princess]

i'm on and getting them. not constantly, but i'm getting them.

 

[AUDramaQueen]

^Thanks, I was kinda starting to lose confidence in this program, but overall it's still looking promising if I can just get accepted to be a guide without any more problems.

Would you suggest I resubmit an application (with a different email) and start from scratch, and just wait a few days until HQ slows down a bit, before I start the testing? I'm deactivated anyway and I see no other way of fixing this, since they probably won't call/email me back..

Sorry for all the long posts, lol.

How far did you get on your tests?

Don't worry about the posts. We're hear to help!

ETA: I logged and for a few minutes this morning and got a couple of questions. I'm torn about whether to rack up my total before next week or just give it up....

 

[Dr. L]

How far did you get on your tests?

Don't worry about the posts. We're hear to help!

ETA: I logged and for a few minutes this morning and got a couple of questions. I'm torn about whether to rack up my total before next week or just give it up....

I was on the 5th page of Assessment Test Part 1 (knowledge about ChaCha) and I'm sure I got all 15 questions right because I studied up, but then as I submitted the 5th page I kept getting the error, and the eventually it says my account is suspended for some reason. :-/

Also, about the ETA part of your post, what's happening next week? Is the pay rate really changing?

 

[AUDramaQueen]

I was on the 5th page of Assessment Test Part 1 (knowledge about ChaCha) and I'm sure I got all 15 questions right because I studied up, but then as I submitted the 5th page I kept getting the error, and the eventually it says my account is suspended for some reason. :-/

Also, about the ETA part of your post, what's happening next week? Is the pay rate really changing?

Yeah, the pay is potentially decreasing. In order to make the 20 cents most of us signed up for, we now have to be "top guides" or we will only get 10 cents. To be a top guide you have to have 300 queries in a week with 95% accuracy. While I do not have a problem with ChaCha wanting accuracy, I have a problem with the 300 queries a week. I'm not sure how that affects new guides who were told they would get 15 cents during their initial queries.

Anyway, I am not able to log on to the underground either. I get the 502 server error or whatever it is. Again, it's probably messed up since they are doing some changes as well as the backlash on the forums.

Anyway, whenever you can get back on, go to "feedback" and explain your situation. In the past they have been reasonable about technical difficulties.

Had you submitted your W-9 yet? If you have you won't be able to sign up again. Just wait it out is all I can say. I know that stinks though!