gas station shops: are they worth the money?
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Gas shops used to get me all over rural Kentucky to pick up the bonused orphan shops that were always out there. Then the MSC I was doing them for started assigning "routes" to individual shoppers in blocks of 80-100 gas stations and it got too tough. We did pick up some by CRI in Cincinnati the other day. I liked doing some Circle K shops for another MSC the other day that only included pictures if there were issues and didn't require a gas purchase. Also got to get a lottery ticket. That could have been the biggest bonused shop ever. lolol I can't ever seem to get any of those closer to home. The only ones I ever get are the ones no one else wants in southern Indiana Boonievilles.
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
I do a lot of gas stations. Some are easy and require very little time. Other require lots of pictures, but after you do a few you know what to look for and the pictures are routine. You would have to drive you car because of the 3 brand stations I do routinely, only 1 does not require gasoline purchases. One is a mimium of $5.00 and the other you have to by at least 2 gallons.
are you able to do 10 gas stations shops in a single day? or does your fuel tank fill up too fast? you can't put gas in your tank if it is full.
Around here there are no traditional gas mystery shops, they've all gone to audits. When they were mystery shops, 10 in a day was a total piece of cake. Assuming I could find enough with commissions high enough to get me to take them, about 6 would be my max.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Yes, gas stations are worth your consideration when fees are appropriate. If you are doing stations that require a $1.00 gas purchase, it will take a lot of stations to fill up your tank. For example, with gas at $3.00 per gallon, you can do three stations per gallon, or 30 on a 10 gallon tank if you start on empty. If you have to pump two gallons per station, your tank will fill up with five stations if you start on empty. Some station audits do not require a purchase at the pump. How many you can do in a day depends on how much driving time is involved in the route and how long it takes you to do a station.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I love the gas station shops...and the bank shops. I do 3 gas stations. I put them on rotations, I do about 8-10 a day and start off with a low tank of gas. I also bring a 5 gal gas can just in case (but never have had to use it yet). Like barbage said, I do the 3, only 2 require gas. Once you get into the swing of things they are great.
Tip that works for me, I don't mix the stations in a day. They all have similar requirements, but with a tweek. I don't want to chance missing that tweak. I like to get in "x" gas station mode one day and "y" the next.
Tip that works for me, I don't mix the stations in a day. They all have similar requirements, but with a tweek. I don't want to chance missing that tweak. I like to get in "x" gas station mode one day and "y" the next.
LisaSTL Wrote:
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> Around here there are no traditional gas mystery
> shops, they've all gone to audits. When they were
> mystery shops, 10 in a day was a total piece of
> cake. Assuming I could find enough with
> commissions high enough to get me to take them,
> about 6 would be my max.
what's the difference between a traditional gas station shop and an 'audit'? what exactly is an 'audit'?
-------------------------------------------------------
> Around here there are no traditional gas mystery
> shops, they've all gone to audits. When they were
> mystery shops, 10 in a day was a total piece of
> cake. Assuming I could find enough with
> commissions high enough to get me to take them,
> about 6 would be my max.
what's the difference between a traditional gas station shop and an 'audit'? what exactly is an 'audit'?
Vince - there are gas station shops that are complete mystery shops - you never tell them about yourself. There are others that have a mystery portion, and then you introduce yourself and complete the rest of the shop like an audit. Then there are the pure audits - you introduce yourself at the start and do the audit.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
The mystery shop only usually required 2 to 4 covert pics and could be done in about 10 minutes. Plus, with having so few pics to upload the reports were in the 5 to 10 minute range. The audits require photos of every single pump and take 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the station and the report time is increased as well. MS only I've easily done 15 in one day.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I enjoy the audits. Quick, Easy Money...
Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I like doing the gas shops. I can wear my divine orange vest and just look ever so chic, and my strategy is to always take my photos first and not dawdle about it just in case someone decides to get stupid and run me off. It happened with a couple of stations and I had to sneak back and take the photos I was missing. I have a clipboard with my forms on it plus a 5 x 7 tablet with my list of photos and notes like "$1/$6" clearly written on it just to make sure I forget nothing. Yes, I'm not forgetful of these things while I'm just sitting here but try to remember something when you're being chased across a parking lot by an irate manager who wants to shoot you.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
LisaSTL Wrote:
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> The mystery shop only usually required 2 to 4
> covert pics and could be done in about 10 minutes.
> Plus, with having so few pics to upload the
> reports were in the 5 to 10 minute range. The
> audits require photos of every single pump and
> take 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the
> station and the report time is increased as well.
> MS only I've easily done 15 in one day.
the shops that i see advertised are combination shops. they start out covert and then require a reveal. for $11.
-------------------------------------------------------
> The mystery shop only usually required 2 to 4
> covert pics and could be done in about 10 minutes.
> Plus, with having so few pics to upload the
> reports were in the 5 to 10 minute range. The
> audits require photos of every single pump and
> take 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the
> station and the report time is increased as well.
> MS only I've easily done 15 in one day.
the shops that i see advertised are combination shops. they start out covert and then require a reveal. for $11.
Cettie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like doing the gas shops. I can wear my divine
> orange vest and just look ever so chic, and my
> strategy is to always take my photos first and not
> dawdle about it just in case someone decides to
> get stupid and run me off. It happened with a
> couple of stations and I had to sneak back and
> take the photos I was missing. I have a clipboard
> with my forms on it plus a 5 x 7 tablet with my
> list of photos and notes like "$1/$6" clearly
> written on it just to make sure I forget nothing.
> Yes, I'm not forgetful of these things while I'm
> just sitting here but try to remember something
> when you're being chased across a parking lot by
> an irate manager who wants to shoot you.
i've heard from people that they get chased. for the combination shops, i would first start out covert and then reveal myself. for $11. i'm just concerned that i might get chased.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like doing the gas shops. I can wear my divine
> orange vest and just look ever so chic, and my
> strategy is to always take my photos first and not
> dawdle about it just in case someone decides to
> get stupid and run me off. It happened with a
> couple of stations and I had to sneak back and
> take the photos I was missing. I have a clipboard
> with my forms on it plus a 5 x 7 tablet with my
> list of photos and notes like "$1/$6" clearly
> written on it just to make sure I forget nothing.
> Yes, I'm not forgetful of these things while I'm
> just sitting here but try to remember something
> when you're being chased across a parking lot by
> an irate manager who wants to shoot you.
i've heard from people that they get chased. for the combination shops, i would first start out covert and then reveal myself. for $11. i'm just concerned that i might get chased.
Based on the price and the orange vest we are talking about different companies. The ones for CORI don't get much higher in commission than they did before changing over to the audit format. While I'm not adverse to $10 for 10 minutes, the same money for closer to 30 minutes doesn't cut it.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Based on the price and the orange vest we are
> talking about different companies. The ones for
> CORI don't get much higher in commission than they
> did before changing over to the audit format.
> While I'm not adverse to $10 for 10 minutes, the
> same money for closer to 30 minutes doesn't cut
> it.
they are for maritz, but they don't display the guidelines. i don't even know how many photos are involved.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Based on the price and the orange vest we are
> talking about different companies. The ones for
> CORI don't get much higher in commission than they
> did before changing over to the audit format.
> While I'm not adverse to $10 for 10 minutes, the
> same money for closer to 30 minutes doesn't cut
> it.
they are for maritz, but they don't display the guidelines. i don't even know how many photos are involved.
Audits for Maritz are easy. Average 14 pics.
Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm curious. How is the photo upload for Maritz gas stations. I find the CORI uploads to be tedious and clunky.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Easy. The photo upload is at the end of the report. Just keep clicking...
Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
I'm still learning 24/7.
Thanks!
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I just started doing the Maritz gas shops and they have been taking me a while, but I think once I've done some more, they will be faster. I absolutely love their bank shops! There's a million of them here and shoppers are scarce. It's a guaranteed couple hundred every paycheck, especially now that I'm on rotation with a bunch of them.
On another note has anyone ever failed a test where it locked them out? I had this happen at Matitz and I'm super embarrassed. Do they let you try again or is it just over?
On another note has anyone ever failed a test where it locked them out? I had this happen at Matitz and I'm super embarrassed. Do they let you try again or is it just over?
ctobolsk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just started doing the Maritz gas shops and they
> have been taking me a while, but I think once I've
> done some more, they will be faster. I absolutely
> love their bank shops! There's a million of them
> here and shoppers are scarce. It's a guaranteed
> couple hundred every paycheck, especially now that
> I'm on rotation with a bunch of them.
> On another note has anyone ever failed a test
> where it locked them out? I had this happen at
> Matitz and I'm super embarrassed. Do they let you
> try again or is it just over?
________________
Hi Ctobolsk,
Maritz are real cool about the tests. It happened to me once and when a gas station assignment came up, I applied online but it would not let me check out the instruction sheet. I called Maritz and Cheryll found that my test was not completed. She walked me through the test and found one question (pretty confusing) was the problem. She then rectified my answers and I was good to go. I did many gas stations after that and have always found Maritz very co-operative about everything. Do give it a go...
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just started doing the Maritz gas shops and they
> have been taking me a while, but I think once I've
> done some more, they will be faster. I absolutely
> love their bank shops! There's a million of them
> here and shoppers are scarce. It's a guaranteed
> couple hundred every paycheck, especially now that
> I'm on rotation with a bunch of them.
> On another note has anyone ever failed a test
> where it locked them out? I had this happen at
> Matitz and I'm super embarrassed. Do they let you
> try again or is it just over?
________________
Hi Ctobolsk,
Maritz are real cool about the tests. It happened to me once and when a gas station assignment came up, I applied online but it would not let me check out the instruction sheet. I called Maritz and Cheryll found that my test was not completed. She walked me through the test and found one question (pretty confusing) was the problem. She then rectified my answers and I was good to go. I did many gas stations after that and have always found Maritz very co-operative about everything. Do give it a go...
- Dee
Shopping Toronto & GTA, Ontario, Canada
Shopping Toronto & GTA, Ontario, Canada
They've told me in the past that if you fail it just once to call them before you go any farther because it's easier for them to help before you get locked out. They're good people.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
Cettie Wrote:
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> They've told me in the past that if you fail it
> just once to call them before you go any farther
> because it's easier for them to help before you
> get locked out. They're good people.
I agree they are great to work for. I call on my second attempt at the quiz with teeny tiny pics. LOL. They prefer to you to call and have even told me they are always there to help us.
-------------------------------------------------------
> They've told me in the past that if you fail it
> just once to call them before you go any farther
> because it's easier for them to help before you
> get locked out. They're good people.
I agree they are great to work for. I call on my second attempt at the quiz with teeny tiny pics. LOL. They prefer to you to call and have even told me they are always there to help us.
I love gas station shops but usually wait until they're bonused. I have a small car and really can't do the gas shops with that so I take my husband's truck which usually costs around $80 to fill. I usually only put in $5 at a time. It depends on how long it takes to do a gas station. I usually start at 6am in the summer and get 10-15 done in a day. I can't do Maritz anymore because my husband works for a gas station but another company that I do gas stations for doesn't care unless he works for the same company I do the shops for.
I have 5 of these shops scheduled and I am finding the instructions to be tedious and confusing. How are you supposed to only put 2 gallons of gas in your car and not flag yourself as a MS? And I really don't understand the flow test thing. Am I supposed to go into the store, ask for only 2 gallons of gas, go back outside, perform the flow test, then go back inside and pay and get a receipt?
Also, I have a Shell gas card and I can't seem to find anywhere if I am allowed to use it to pay for my gas. The Maritz office is already closed for the day. Any help would be appreciated.
Also, I have a Shell gas card and I can't seem to find anywhere if I am allowed to use it to pay for my gas. The Maritz office is already closed for the day. Any help would be appreciated.
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“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Realize that many of the gas stations do not allow you to pay at the pump. That the instructions should be clear on. It is somewhat awkward to pay inside with a credit card when you could have paid at the pump. As for 2 gallons, back when I was doing a lot of these I used a gas can with a small one where I was required to purchase $1 worth of gas and a 5 gallon can when I needed to purchase more. At my next stop (if it was not a gas station) I would dump the gas can into the gas tank of the truck and be ready for my next gas station. I never got outed.
I just did a gas station shop for them. I put the gas in a can for later. I was suppose to use a card at pump & get receipt because it has two numbers they needed. Well, no receipt at pump so went inside & got it but it did not have both numbers on it.This is the first time I have done a gas station. I have another one coming up soon. The inside was not bad but the pop/ice machine was not working. Just a bag of ice in the sink! Coffee did not look too good. No photos on this one. Very lenient on report. It kept saying -give them the beneift of the doubt. Hard to report not so good things when it keeps coming back to fix. No way to put narratives in to explain. No, clerk did not smile but was friendly. It came back to fix answer. Grr
I did gas station yesterday. Go in, ask for 2 gallons of gas (which is weird!), get your receipt and go pump it. Do your first half gallon, start flow test, end time at 1.5 gallons. Finish off your tank or can with the rest of the 2 gallons. You can pay with credit/debit/cash. The yellow station doesn't care and you must go in to prepay. The green stations you have to use a credit or gift card at the pump.
They go smoothly from there. Frankly, the yellow stations need to reconsider the 2 gallon thing, no one ever goes into a gas station and asks for 2 gallons of gas..$6 yes...but not 2 gallons. Might as well flag me with a "Yes, I am a mystery shopper and I am auditing your station right now!"
They go smoothly from there. Frankly, the yellow stations need to reconsider the 2 gallon thing, no one ever goes into a gas station and asks for 2 gallons of gas..$6 yes...but not 2 gallons. Might as well flag me with a "Yes, I am a mystery shopper and I am auditing your station right now!"
I ask for a dollar amount that will cover 2 gallons but not exactly. For example, if gas is $3.39, I'll ask for $7.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
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