just wondered? what u think of it if you have /did/do work there

I worked on Orderline at Freemans a few months ago - I didn't even last 3 weeks! Having worked in crappy call centres before I was hardly expecting a bed of roses, but Freemans really was the eighth circle of hell!

The training is shambolic, the operating systems archaic and the staff (apart from fellow newbies on my training course - sound) are just plain crap. Trainers would argue amongst themselves as to what we should be taught, try to get off with new starters and worst of all, declare that mail order business now relies on "Friday night slappers and single mothers who can't afford anything". Needless to say I reported that particular individual but don't hold out any hope that anything was done about it.

On the plus side, they do yummy and cheap breakfasts in their subsidised cafe.

Do you work there?

Yes, I work there on orderline - and am trying to escape!

I used to work there & i loved it!

Mind you that was in 1999..... looks like things have definetly gone downhill :o

No I still work here and I still love it! think someone has an axe to grind maybe!

just wondered? what u think of it if you have /did/do work there
My friend works there and has done for about 10 years! She moans about it all time but pay isn't bad so she stays put. She mainly moans about how strict they are about time keeping, hols and stuff like that. I think she does a bit of swapping around with her days with collegues so that she gets any time off that she needs to do with kids school hols etc.

does anyone know the number for the freemans recruitment line?

Recruitment line number is 0114 2635555. It is usually an answerphone and then they will call you back to do a telephone interview.

A lot of people do moan about the strictness of timekeeping and breaks etc, but the lengths of breaks are quite generous and any call centre is basically the same with regards to timing. Compared to others Freemans is not so bad on this score. Lots of staff who leave to work in other call centres return after several months! Plus we do get free parking and on site gym and pool.

hi just wondering where this call centre is?

freemans is on attercliffe. Its just before the round about turn off to the sheffield arena. thats if you are coming towards it from town center.

I used to work at Freemans on Orderline too! It was the easiest crust I have ever earnt! So why did I leave I hear you ask? I moved away to complete my studies! If not I would still be there.

The training was intense but the trainers made it fun & enjoyable! I've worked for many call centres and by far Freemans was the only one I would say I'd go back and work for.

I've just joined Freeman's and completed 3 weeks training! So far so good. Good informal atmosphere, easy money the swimming pool is a bonus and so is the free parking! As a fashion-olic the discount on designer brands is wicked too. They also have small businesses come to visit selling everything from cheap brand perfumes / aftersaves to discounted brand chocolates. I will be saving some money this xmas on pressies! Staff are friendly and always helpful. All you have to do is ask.

Yeah the systems are abit dated but easy to follow when you remember to press the right buttons. lol!

I work at Freeman's and it's sound. Money for old rope.

I work at Freeman's and it's sound. Money for old rope.

are you on orderline or answerline.

I have been there four years now,
PS check my website for cards and crystal jewellery . link below.
oh dont forget to sign my guestbook.



http://www.freewebs.com/cardsncrystals/

any ideas what an hourly rate would be for a new starter

:thumbsup:

Not enough, thats for sure! Haven't had a pay rise since April 2005

I worked for Freemans Orderline for just over 2 years, 2002 - 2004. Only reason I moved away, was because I got offered a job with better money, plus twice yearly bonus. Plus, just before I left, we had "financial services" training, which meant we had to push the extended warranties and guarantees for the electrical items etc. That kind of bugged me, because from the training I had, I felt we had to push and push it, until the client said yes. If the client doesn't want it, then it's up to them.

Cafe did good food. Gym and swimming pool facilities were good. Not many places have that for their staff, and at a reasonable price as well.

Like I say, it pay had have been better I perhaps would have stayed. Plus hours didn't really suit me. I worked 7am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

can anyone tell me what the rate of pay is for this call center and if they are wanting staff at the moment?

wots minimum wage, its bit more just. lol. hey and we getting new systems soon.

Last I heard pay was about £5.80
There was an ad in Sheffield Star a couple of weeks ago recruiting for Freemans. There's a banner hanging outside the building with the recruitment number on - or at least there used to be.

does anyone know a website where i can go to see their recruiting offers etc. x

i worked on answerline for 3 years very intense training alot to take in but i loved it, left to venture out on my own..jo.

does anyone know a website where i can go to see their recruiting offers etc. x

only website I've found for Freemans is www.freemans.co.uk

no mention of recruitment from what I found.
Worked on Orderline for 2 years, was okay. Systems were a bit outdated when I was there.

i worked there years ago and hated every minute of it, the best thing about it was the cheap shop. i even took a pay decrease to get out. i now work at norwich union.

£7.03 on Answerline
£6.05 on orderline
£8.45 business process
OLI is their new catalogue (checkout OLI.co.uk) they are recruiting at the moment fully flexible hours from 20hrs upto 37.5hrs depending on which contract you want, training is 6 weeks. 9am-3pm or 3pm to 9pm paid at £7.03 an hr
Recruitment line number is 0844 5565111 no previous experience necessary
£7.50 a month gets you unlimited swimming
£10 a month gets you unlimited swimming, classes, gym (Although opening times vary)
Negotiations are taking place at the moment to discuss this years pay rise

£8.45 business process

What exactly does the business process entail? Never really heard of that whilst I was there.

I know when I was there orderline was £5.80 / hour and I left in December 2004.

They work upstairs you can't miss them, they deal with all the post, cheques, payments, orders which can't be processed on accounts, correspondence, offline work.
How long did you work there? Strange you never noticed anyone above you

I have an interview with freemans on tuesday, anyone got any tips?

Are they into asking those "Give me and example of a time when..." questions? Been asked them at a couple of interviews when I wasn't expecting it (been a while since I did a formal interview) and keep messing them up cos I haven't prepared examples.

:help: :help: I really need the money :)

Yes they do ask you those sort of questions
They mainly want to see if you are capable & confident enough to handle customers over the phone in an appropriate manner
Is it for the new Oli catalogue?
You are shown around the call centre first to get to relaxed cause obviously they know you will be nervous.
Have you done this type of work before?
Good luck I'm sure you will do well

Nope haven't done call centre work before. Not sure if it's for the new catalogue, I'd assume so?

If i know that sort of stuff is coming up I can prepare for it. I do customer service and a little bit of sales in my job atm every day, i think it makes it hard to think of a particular example when you just do it all the time!

I'm good at being reasonable with drunk ppl so can't be much more work than that.

Thanks for the tips :)
Sam

Try this website it lists most of the questions they ask you
good luck for Tues let us know how you go on

http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk/int_art11.htm

They work upstairs you can't miss them, they deal with all the post, cheques, payments, orders which can't be processed on accounts, correspondence, offline work.
How long did you work there? Strange you never noticed anyone above you

Ah I know who you're talking about now, never realised that was the name for them. Only worked at weekends, so hardly ever saw anyone working upstairs

More questions! How do you find the building from the Attercliffe tram stop?

....................................

More questions! How do you find the building from the Attercliffe tram stop?

Its a bit of a hike, and i'm not sure if there is a better way than this, but if you get off at the tram stop (DonValley Stadium/Arena). You will see the Arena on your right, and a playing field belonging to Don valley bowl (I think) on your left. Go down the path to the left of the playing field and follow it right round. It will lead you to a little road which leads onto Attercliffe Road, directly opposite the hotel. Cross over Attercliffe road and then either go left down Amberley Street, or right down Hawke Jenson Street (possibly the shorter option). When you pass the duckpond, there is a little gate to go in to the carpark. the door is a few metres along.

Sorry cant be more precise, but not been on tram to work for ages, I found that the bus was more convenient, and now I have the car!

Good Luck!

it's £6.15 per hour £230ish p/w for full time 37.5 hours a week i looked on thier recruitment website just yesterday.

Thanks for the info MonkeyLover, but now left this job as it was horrible!!!

I suppose it's there for anyone else who might want to get there....I'd advise though...stay away!!!

What was so bad about it Sammeh86?

My Mum Used To Work For Freemans Years Ago Anyone Remember Her Kay Ashton

Anyone know what the recruitment website is? I can't seem to find it :huh:

I think it comes under the Otto Website. Take a look here. Otto Recruitment (http://www.ottocareers.com/page_dispenser.php?id=home)

What was so bad about it Sammeh86?

So many problems with the service, and nothing we could do about it. :( The amount of complaints just got to me in the end.

just wondered? what u think of it if you have /did/do work there

i worked there for about 6 months and i bloody hated it
they time you going to tiolet
on your case for calls per hour if you dint get enough in they had a go and if you get some old dear who takes ages what do you do
the gym and swimming pool and staff shop was great but the rest a nightmare
when i was there dont know if its same now but you had to turn up at least 20 mins before your shift starts to actually get sat down at a pc that worked, on a few occasions i was told off for being late but i wasent ,as i say it was hard to find a station to sit at
HATED IT BORING AS HELL XXXXXXXX

still in training phase myself.

in training for Answer Line, 7.28 an hour on there at the minute. i am enjoying the training. the shop has long gone now, but the gym is still great and so is the canteen!

what do they pay on Order Line Advisors ?

what do they pay on Order Line Advisors ?

It's £6.15 per hour - not enough for the work involved!

ok thanx for that info monkeylover x