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You might be wondering about whether or not there are any legit home assembly jobs. After all, this type of work could be perfect for a lot of people.
Maybe you like putting things together but have to – or want to – find some work at home opportunities. Product assembly jobs can be great work – you’re doing something creative and making something while actually getting paid for it.
If you search online, you’ll find several offers for work-from-home assembly jobs. But are they legit or are they just a scam?
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Craft Assembly Jobs
The majority of what you will find for home assembly jobs will consist of assembling craft items such as bracelets.
Here’s how these businesses generally work:
- You send the company money in order to get a craft-making kit, instructions and supplies.
- Then you assemble your first piece and send it in for assessment.
- If your first piece passes inspection, you’re accepted and sent work. If not, the company sends the piece back and has you try again.
Sounds easy enough, right? And if you like assembling things this could be an interesting money-making opportunity.
The problem is that online reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings all say it’s not as easy as it looks.
Most of the reviews and ratings I found sound off huge alarm bells for these types of companies.
Although there were some positive reviews, most were negative and left workers feeling ripped off.
I can’t mention the specific companies here, but I can tell you that the complaints centered around two main issues.
The first issue was that workers kept getting their sample craft rejected no matter how perfect it was.
The sample craft would be sent back over and over again as the workers tried to assemble it up to the company’s expectations.
The second issue was that assembly took much, much longer that the company said it would. The problem with this is that the longer assemble time highly diminishes your hourly pay rate.
When you’re only making $3 or $4 an hour assembly a craft, you might earn more cash by answering surveys. Time is money, so you want to have a work-at-home job that is worth your efforts.
Legit Home Assembly Jobs
That being said, there are some legit home opportunities that you can make extra money by assembling things. Here are some options for you.
1. Start Your Own Crafting Business
If you’re good at putting things together, why not just start your own crafting business? Depending on what you like to do and what you’re good at, this could encompass a number of ideas.
Here are a few:
- Make your own jewelry using designs and materials you love
- Knit, crochet or sew clothing or baby items such as bibs or blankets
- Take a pre-made product and customize it, such as making tennis shoes sparkle
The great thing about starting your own crafting business is that you have a lot of control over your work.
You get to choose your hourly wage in how you set your prices. You can even choose to be full-time or part-time.
And you get to choose which types of products you’ll offer clients. This means you can focus on products that are easiest or most entertaining for you to make.
Luckily, there are several sites you can use to sell crafts online. Sites such as Etsy, Artfire and Handmade at Amazon are three popular sites that crafters use to promote their products.
Here’s how they work, in a nutshell. First, you sign up for an account. Second, you upload quality photographs of the products you sell. Third, you make your product and ship it when orders come in.
Now, it’s important to know that running your own business does take work and organization. You’ll have to keep track of all income, expenses and orders. Providing great customer service is paramount for business owners too.
Managing your online profile is important so that your buyers have no red flags. Professional-looking photos of your products are a must, as is timely response to orders and inquiries.
And then there’s the tax stuff; all self-employed persons must report their income and pay taxes due on the income. For that reason, you’ll want to save a portion of your profits for paying taxes.
Business ownership takes work, but it can be a well-paying road to a home assembly job.
2. Work for Legitimate Companies that Hire Home Assemblers
Some companies, such as Amazon, look for independent contractors who will assemble items for customers.
Amazon Selling Services will help you spread the word if you assemble products from home.
When customers purchase bikes or other items that need to be assembled, they can hire you to do it. But while this is technically legit home assembly work, it’s still a business ownership.
You’ll be an independent contractor that is responsible for keeping track of income and expenses. However, if you like the idea of doing this type of work it could be a good business opportunity for you.
3. Check Job Websites in Your Area
You could also check reputable job websites in your area to see if there are manufacturing companies offering at-home assembly jobs.
When I looked in my major metropolitan area there were several assembly jobs available.
Unfortunately, they all required you go to a work-site for the job. None of them allowed people to work at home.
But your area might be different, so I encourage you to check sites such as Monster and Indeed to see available assembly jobs.
This leads me to another topic you should be aware of: at-home assembly and other jobs that are a scam.
Work at Home Scams
Unfortunately, there are unsavory people out there who will prey on your desire for wanting to work from home. Here are some tips that may help you spot a scam job vs. a real job.
Asking for Money Up Front
Most legit jobs won’t ask you to pay anything to start working there. There are exceptions, such as transcription jobs. Before you send any company money to start working there, do thorough research.
Look for online reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings. Check thoroughly before sending anyone any money at all. If you can’t find proof that it’s a reputable company, it’s probably best to stay away.
No Concrete Contact or Location Information
Many online assembly and other job companies that are scam artists will have vague location information. For instance, they won’t have an actual street address listed.
Check websites thoroughly for addresses and phone numbers. Then do an Internet search on those addresses/phone numbers to see if they’re legit.
If you’re having trouble verifying that information, move on.
Beware of Giving Out Personal Information
Both scam companies and legit companies will ask you for personal information such as your Social Security number.
Other companies might ask for a driver’s license number or credit card number. Please be very careful about giving out such information. Most of the time, I staunchly warn against giving out that type of information to online companies.
Unless you know for a fact that you’re dealing with a reputable company, keep your private information to yourself.
There are Many Legit Work-at-Home Jobs
Although you may have trouble finding work-at-home assembly jobs, there are many other legit work-at-home jobs out there. Here are a few options.
Work as a Customer Service Rep from Home
Many companies, such as U-Haul, hire customer service reps to work from home. If you have the proper equipment (such as a personal computer and a headset) you can help customers from home.
The companies provide all of the training and connect you with their phone system so you can get routed calls. When the calls come in you use your training to help them and answer their questions.
Do an Internet search on work-from-home customer service jobs to find available opportunities.
Do Data Entry from Home
There are also companies that will hire you to work doing data entry from home. If you click on the link for legit work-at-home jobs listed above, you’ll find information about legit data entry jobs.
While data entry work can be a bit boring, some people find it to be the perfect at-home job.
Freelance from Home
Depending on your skill set, you could find freelancing jobs that you can work at home. The opportunities for freelancing jobs you can work from home are expansive.
For instance, if you’re a writer, editor, photographer or graphic designer, there are jobs available for you to apply for. We recommend looking on sites such as Upwork to find freelancing jobs.
You could also advertise your services on social media accounts or contact sites directly to ask if they need help.
Summary
In conclusion, while legit home assembly job opportunities are limited, there are many other ways to make money at home. In fact, if you do a search on Well Kept Wallet for “make money at home”, you’ll find hundreds of job opportunities.
Don’t get taken by scam companies that promise home assembly jobs. While some are legit, many are simply looking for some easy cash – for themselves.
Do your research and don’t fall for the hype. Instead, work to find a legit work from home job that fits your skills and interests. It really is very possible to make money from home.