Under normal circumstances, we would wait until the end of the season before posting about our experience at Amazon or any changes and information you need to be aware of. Having said that, none of the information in this post would be different if we did wait, and since there’s a lot you need to know, why should we? So, we’ll get right to the point! Amazon took a turn for the worse this year, compared to last, in our opinion. We recommend reading “Work Camping At Amazon” so you have a point of reference as we discuss these changes and how they impacted the Campers. “Work Camping At Amazon” is also where you’ll find information on how to access the application, the online process, hourly wage, overtime, and jobs and specific duties, as these things have not changed.

 

Major Changes

Below is a list of the most notable changes implemented by Amazon for Camperforce 2019. They affected the hire-on process, campground fees, end of season bonus, and the ability to choose shifts and jobs (duties).

 

New-Hire Events

In 2018, everything was completed online or at orientation with the exception of the drug test. For that, Campers were sent to a Quest facility for the test and the results were forwarded to Amazon. It was very simple.

This year, Amazon’s preferred method was for everyone to attend a New-Hire Event in a state closest to their current location. Here you would complete the drug test and provide your I9 documents (ID and SS Card). The problem with this was… they didn’t have an event located anywhere near us at that time. The closest was around two to three-hundred miles away.

We reached out to the Amazon Camperforce Rep. and advised of the lack of locations. We also advised that once we left the area we were in, which was only days away, we were on a tight schedule to get to the Beet Harvest and there wouldn’t be time to detour. None of this information seemed to register with whomever we were communicating, and we were simply instructed to keep calling the New-Hire Event line.

Long story short… after several more calls, only to be told there still weren’t any locations near us, and emails to the Amazon Rep., we were finally sent to a Quest facility for our drug tests. We were then scheduled to come into Amazon a day early to provide our I9 documents.

According to Amazon, the New-Hire Event was implemented to make the hire-on process more convenient. We found it to be anything but.

Campground Stipend

OK, so we knew the campground stipend was going into effect this year. We actually included this information in the Work Camping at Amazon post. And, if this were the only change put into effect, we probably wouldn’t even mention it. But it’s not! So… do keep in mind that Amazon is only offering a $550.00 campground stipend toward camping fees at any of their pre-designated campgrounds during the season.

We’re staying at Tennessee Hills Campground. The monthly cost is $600.00, so our out-of-pocket expense, after the stipend is applied, is $50.00 per month. Not bad. I believe this is the cheapest campground offered, as there are several others that cost much more.

Shifts

This is where things really took a turn for the worse. Last year, Campers got to choose which shifts they wanted to work. Meaning… days or nights. We chose opposite shifts so one of us would always be home with Richey (our dog). The shifts at Amazon are 10 ½ hours long (11 ½ – 12 counting the drive to and from). We would not leave Richey alone in the Airstream for that amount time. He has to be fed and walked. And since the temperatures in Tennessee frequently drop into the 40’s and 30’s, we would also have to leave the propane on so he could stay warm. If you read “RV Tips That Save Lives And Money”, then you know we don’t do that, and why.

As a result, we reached out to Amazon about this. The best they could do was switch one of us to the opposite half of the week. In other words, one of us works Sunday through Wednesday, and the other works Wednesday through Saturday. Our over-time days are Tuesday and Thursday. In short, we are still working the same shift and hours three days a week. This wasn’t much of a fix!

Not only are we driving the truck into work seven days a week, since one or both of us is scheduled every day, but Richey now goes to Doggy Day Camp on the days we overlap, too. This is, obviously, another expense. Additionally, and to make the situation even more frustrating, there are Campers on both day and night shifts that would prefer the opposite, but Amazon never offered an opportunity for interested parties to swap!

We find the lack of clear communication regarding this, during the application process, unacceptable and a little misleading. Had we been advised from the beginning that we would have no choice in shift or job assignments, we most likely wouldn’t have committed ourselves to the season.

Jobs

Last year, Camper applicants were able to request their preferred job assignment: Stower, Picker or Packer. This is important because the physical requirements for each position differ. This year, Campers had no say in their job assignment. If I’m not mistaken, I believe Amazon assigned ALL Campers as Pickers. Although we would have chosen to be Pickers, anyway, this was not first choice for many.

If things remain the same next year, the shift and job assignments are something you’ll need to seriously consider before submitting an application. At the very least, you’ll need to inquire about this at your earliest opportunity, and insist on a very clear and direct response.

End-of-Season Bonus

Last year, Campers were paid $1.00 for every regular-hour worked and $1.50 for every over-time hour. This year, we are being paid $.50 for every regular-hour and $1.00 for every over-time hour. Again, if this were the only change, it wouldn’t be included in the post, as a bonus is just free money!

However, the bonus becomes more important when your expenses are increased through campground stipends, doggy day care and the cost of fuel from having to drive to and from work seven days a week. These additional expenses are a direct result of the changes made by Amazon. At the end of the day, even though this season was slightly longer than last, we made much less money. And finally…

The Little Things

Last year, Amazon provided a clear water bottle, clear fanny pack and clear lunch box. “Clear” is key, as all water containers taken into the warehouse must be clear (otherwise you can’t have one), and fanny packs and lunch bags that aren’t are searched (since the contents are visible). This makes a big difference in time when you’re going through security to get to the main break room or are leaving for the day.

We were advised during orientation, which was the day before our scheduled shift started, that we were getting none of these items. The frustrating part isn’t that it wasn’t free, it’s that they waited until the last minute to advise us. We were running around the night before piecing together what we needed, and still came up short on the fanny pack and lunch box. Needless to say, I’m subjected to the “Search” every time I go through security because my fanny pack is not clear. A heads-up from Amazon would have been nice!

Will We Work For Amazon Again?

Well, it’s doubtful. Having said that, if we decide to, at least we now know what to expect and will be able to plan for it. We won’t be caught off-guard again like we were this year. And the same goes for you… now you know what to expect or at least what questions to ask!

 

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