Smartech CSI expected me to travel over 200 miles one way for $35 (no mileage) Austin Texas

I recently drove to Laramie from Denver for a service call. I drove over 350 miles, total time over 5 hours and they paid me $15.25. Not per hour, for the whole call.

 I had worked as a contractor for many years.  Smartech is by far the worst of the worst.   I ended up getting about $3.00 an hour ( after gas and expenses) for the 120 hours I worked for them one month. they are above any blame for their mistakes in filing to Dell for money they get.  If they file to Dell incorrectly, then they do not pay you, as happened to me. Better to get your food from a food shelf.  That has more dignity than to put Smartech on your resume. I agree with the original report 100%.   The work is good but the pay is nothing; you are working for free.

Well, talk about a change.  

Not long after I posted this report and declined further work from Smartech, I received an email from the hiring manager offering me a position as a full time employee rather than as a contractor.  Hourly pay, W2, plus mileage and benefits after 90 days.  Not only that, but the CEO found that I had posted a report on this site and called me to discuss it--he said he wanted to make sure I would be happy as an employee.

I'm impressed and humbled.  I had done some research both on this site and others, and was rather upset at the several contractors who said they had been wronged by Smartech; feeling that I was getting the same treatment, I posted this report.  I never in a million years expected this kind of negotiation and attention.

For contractors who are unhappy with the way things are handled, I urge you to call and try to work something out.  I can honestly say I haven't been treated this way before by a company for whom I was only doing contract work (usually we're considered a dime a dozen).

Now I'm looking forward to getting started!  :)