I am a former employee of the company. I have been in the industry for 10 years plus. Recently started working for Multiband Inc a Contractor of DirecTV. During my employment, Multiband held meetings with the technicians. During these meetings we where asked to lie to customers on several products. The first being that of the "directv protection plan". An insurance type plan that as an installer, we could sell to make a commission. The plan consisted of 3 plans ranging 7.99 to 24.98. The plans where to cover wiring issues, service calls, etc. Most installations and upgrades are already warrantied for the first 30 days of installation. We as techs did not "push" the plan in those situations. Most customers did not want it due to the price and because of the latter of being covered. During the tech meetings we were forced to sell this plan regardless. Management told us on several occasions to "do what ever it takes". We where told to lie to the customer, making false claims of coverage. Management went as far as telling us to add the plan to our initial order and have the customer sign off without explaining to them what they where signing. The reason behind the push of selling this plan was due to company bonuses with DirecTv. Other products that we where told to lie to the customer about ranged from equipment functionality, equipment requiring a LAN Line and Broad Band connection. I am not a disgruntle employee and cut ties due to other issues. Most technicians fought with the morality of what we where forced to do. We where also written up and reprimanded if we did not meet their "goals". Write-ups being called "coaches" .
Multiband is an all around bad company. They prey off the customer and get the technician to do their dirty work. Techs are disposable. They lie and make false promises to satisfy those who cant think for themselves. They hire anyone and everyone.Send them through a halfassed class and get them their SBCA Certification. I have personally witnessed trainers helping trainees cheat in order to pass and put into production. Do you really want a technician in your home with out the knowledge of a system he is suppose to understand? That is fraud. That is the same as hiring me to be president of the company. They should not be allowed to operate.
Here is an email I sent to corporate.
I have been in this industry a long time and have worked for many different HSP, Contract groups, etc etc. I have been disappointed from the day I started training in the issues I have seen since. I believe in order to be productive, there has to be some sort of motivation and happiness in what they do. I have never felt this disappointed and unhappy in my life with a career. I have lived my life by simple rule. Enjoy your job, be happy with what you do and the money will follow. Never work for money, but work for happiness, the rest will follow. I have tried and tried to keep motivated and positive but every man and woman has a line in the sand. I have reached mine. You may ask, "why dont you just quit?" I dont want to, I enjoy this industry, I enjoy every aspect of what Directv offers and have been very knowledgeable and dedicated to that. Let me go on to the issues at hand but first let me say, the issues I bring up may not mean much to anyone else, we as technicians may not be taken serious and may be looked at as disposable and that mentally of "theres someone else to replace you". That exact mentality is the reason why this particular DMA will never be on top, it will be this DMA's downfall and possible O/O take over.
First let me start with Training. I have been through many different training programs for many different HSP's. This was by far the worse. There was no structure, no training, no seriousness and a lack of knowledgeable trainers. Training is the foundation for a productive employee. Training consisted of coming to class in an environment that seemed to be that of placing a few chairs out and listening to a trainer and students sway off the material into a chaotic rant of personal subjects. I among those who where in my class, felt cheated. It seemed that hiring as many trainees as possible and seeing who will stay. One other issue in training is riding out. I understand that it saves money to place a trainee out with a technician and not have to pay the tech to train. It does help the technician, it slows them down and when there is no compensation or incentive for this, techs do not want to deal with a trainee. That is the grist of training
I will lightly touch on a combination of other issues I see. Equipment issues hurt techs! If we cant get equipment for every job we are expected to do, then it becomes pointless and discouraging. A well supplied Tech is a productive and happy tech.It hurts the reputation of Multiband and Directv to show up at a a customers home unprepared. Its questioned why our NPS scores are low, that is the number one reason. We as techs lose money when we have to ride around looking for equipment. Not only do we lose money, but so does Directv and Multiband. For every hours spent looking for equipment, that is several jobs lost a day.Imagine the jobs lost in a year.. It has become a choir to ask for equipment in our warehouse. It has become a feeling that we are asking someone to donate blood, a hassle and as if we are bothering the warehouse.
On to other issues.
Every single week at every tech meeting, we as techs huddle before work and every single tech has something negative to say about their week. Its not about surrounding yourself with negative techs because what is being said is the truth. Its unavoidable. The techs talk because its the only time we can vent to someone who can relate. Its been proven in the turnover rate and the amount of good technicians who are resigning. Every week, its being said that techs are trying to come together and all quit on the same day or refuse to go to their jobs until issues are resolved. They are all waiting for someone to lead them.
There are many other issues and could spend all day writing this but it seems almost pointless. These issue are not just my issues but all techs, others are too scared to speak out. My personal issues are also there as well, for example, I was hurt on the job and told my supervisor several times, reported to others in the company. I lost 2 weeks of work and out of pocket to my doctor. I was not helped by anyone. I was treated as if I needed to take care of it on my own. I went to the hospital and reported that the incident happened at work, as well as my personal doctor. Even though my injury still exist and is giving me trouble, I had my doctor release me, so I could work being that I was in the hole and offered no compensation. It was an injury that happen while on the job. I have recorded emails and text to supervisors showing this as well as hospital and doctor records. I am currently released to work and tried to go back to work on release date but was unable too. I am currently back out, taking off each day until I am forced out or the issues are resolved. I deeply appreciate the time it has taken to read this but these issues need to be looked into. The Lafayette DMA need to be looked into from Management down. Technicians are not at fault, we only do as well as the people leading us.
Since writing this and waiting to send, I have resigned. I am in now way trying to hurt anyone or speak out of anger from a "disgruntled employee". I am writing because what has happened is wrong. It goes against the very policies that are suppose to be enforced. I tried to talk to local management and felt that I was blown off. My biggest concern was the fact that I was hurt on a job and reported to my immediate supervisor and he failed to report it. After being off work for that injury for almost 2 weeks with no help, no communication from my supervisor, I lost all faith in my local management. I was told many times, please go through local management first and was advised not to go further up thru corporate. Again I am not trying to cause a problem, I just think there is alot of problems and even with me gone, they will continue.
Multiband Corporation Reviews
I am a former employee of the company. I have been in the industry for 10 years plus. Recently started working for Multiband Inc a Contractor of DirecTV. During my employment, Multiband held meetings with the technicians. During these meetings we where asked to lie to customers on several products. The first being that of the "directv protection plan". An insurance type plan that as an installer, we could sell to make a commission. The plan consisted of 3 plans ranging 7.99 to 24.98. The plans where to cover wiring issues, service calls, etc. Most installations and upgrades are already warrantied for the first 30 days of installation. We as techs did not "push" the plan in those situations. Most customers did not want it due to the price and because of the latter of being covered. During the tech meetings we were forced to sell this plan regardless. Management told us on several occasions to "do what ever it takes". We where told to lie to the customer, making false claims of coverage. Management went as far as telling us to add the plan to our initial order and have the customer sign off without explaining to them what they where signing. The reason behind the push of selling this plan was due to company bonuses with DirecTv. Other products that we where told to lie to the customer about ranged from equipment functionality, equipment requiring a LAN Line and Broad Band connection. I am not a disgruntle employee and cut ties due to other issues. Most technicians fought with the morality of what we where forced to do. We where also written up and reprimanded if we did not meet their "goals". Write-ups being called "coaches" .
Multiband is an all around bad company. They prey off the customer and get the technician to do their dirty work. Techs are disposable. They lie and make false promises to satisfy those who cant think for themselves. They hire anyone and everyone.Send them through a halfassed class and get them their SBCA Certification. I have personally witnessed trainers helping trainees cheat in order to pass and put into production. Do you really want a technician in your home with out the knowledge of a system he is suppose to understand? That is fraud. That is the same as hiring me to be president of the company. They should not be allowed to operate.
Here is an email I sent to corporate.
I have been in this industry a long time and have worked for many different HSP, Contract groups, etc etc. I have been disappointed from the day I started training in the issues I have seen since. I believe in order to be productive, there has to be some sort of motivation and happiness in what they do. I have never felt this disappointed and unhappy in my life with a career. I have lived my life by simple rule. Enjoy your job, be happy with what you do and the money will follow. Never work for money, but work for happiness, the rest will follow. I have tried and tried to keep motivated and positive but every man and woman has a line in the sand. I have reached mine. You may ask, "why dont you just quit?" I dont want to, I enjoy this industry, I enjoy every aspect of what Directv offers and have been very knowledgeable and dedicated to that. Let me go on to the issues at hand but first let me say, the issues I bring up may not mean much to anyone else, we as technicians may not be taken serious and may be looked at as disposable and that mentally of "theres someone else to replace you". That exact mentality is the reason why this particular DMA will never be on top, it will be this DMA's downfall and possible O/O take over.
First let me start with Training. I have been through many different training programs for many different HSP's. This was by far the worse. There was no structure, no training, no seriousness and a lack of knowledgeable trainers. Training is the foundation for a productive employee. Training consisted of coming to class in an environment that seemed to be that of placing a few chairs out and listening to a trainer and students sway off the material into a chaotic rant of personal subjects. I among those who where in my class, felt cheated. It seemed that hiring as many trainees as possible and seeing who will stay. One other issue in training is riding out. I understand that it saves money to place a trainee out with a technician and not have to pay the tech to train. It does help the technician, it slows them down and when there is no compensation or incentive for this, techs do not want to deal with a trainee. That is the grist of training
I will lightly touch on a combination of other issues I see. Equipment issues hurt techs! If we cant get equipment for every job we are expected to do, then it becomes pointless and discouraging. A well supplied Tech is a productive and happy tech.It hurts the reputation of Multiband and Directv to show up at a a customers home unprepared. Its questioned why our NPS scores are low, that is the number one reason. We as techs lose money when we have to ride around looking for equipment. Not only do we lose money, but so does Directv and Multiband. For every hours spent looking for equipment, that is several jobs lost a day.Imagine the jobs lost in a year.. It has become a choir to ask for equipment in our warehouse. It has become a feeling that we are asking someone to donate blood, a hassle and as if we are bothering the warehouse.
On to other issues.
Every single week at every tech meeting, we as techs huddle before work and every single tech has something negative to say about their week. Its not about surrounding yourself with negative techs because what is being said is the truth. Its unavoidable. The techs talk because its the only time we can vent to someone who can relate. Its been proven in the turnover rate and the amount of good technicians who are resigning. Every week, its being said that techs are trying to come together and all quit on the same day or refuse to go to their jobs until issues are resolved. They are all waiting for someone to lead them.
There are many other issues and could spend all day writing this but it seems almost pointless. These issue are not just my issues but all techs, others are too scared to speak out. My personal issues are also there as well, for example, I was hurt on the job and told my supervisor several times, reported to others in the company. I lost 2 weeks of work and out of pocket to my doctor. I was not helped by anyone. I was treated as if I needed to take care of it on my own. I went to the hospital and reported that the incident happened at work, as well as my personal doctor. Even though my injury still exist and is giving me trouble, I had my doctor release me, so I could work being that I was in the hole and offered no compensation. It was an injury that happen while on the job. I have recorded emails and text to supervisors showing this as well as hospital and doctor records. I am currently released to work and tried to go back to work on release date but was unable too. I am currently back out, taking off each day until I am forced out or the issues are resolved. I deeply appreciate the time it has taken to read this but these issues need to be looked into. The Lafayette DMA need to be looked into from Management down. Technicians are not at fault, we only do as well as the people leading us.
Since writing this and waiting to send, I have resigned. I am in now way trying to hurt anyone or speak out of anger from a "disgruntled employee". I am writing because what has happened is wrong. It goes against the very policies that are suppose to be enforced. I tried to talk to local management and felt that I was blown off. My biggest concern was the fact that I was hurt on a job and reported to my immediate supervisor and he failed to report it. After being off work for that injury for almost 2 weeks with no help, no communication from my supervisor, I lost all faith in my local management. I was told many times, please go through local management first and was advised not to go further up thru corporate. Again I am not trying to cause a problem, I just think there is alot of problems and even with me gone, they will continue.