Those that do merchandsing jobs, what is it about those jobs that you really like. I have never done merchandising. It seems like a lot of work. Is that true?

I haven't done merchandising sella for that very reason. They want you to have a portable microwave, card table, dress in a type of uniform dress, then pay you $4-6/hour while you stand on your feet for 6 hours cooking pizza or something along those lines.
If you want to merchandise Wal Mart and Sams hire their own. I know a gal who merchandises for Wal Mart and Sams and Krogers. She merchandises their brands and they provide everything. I can't be sure (my memory isn't too good) but I think she told me she started out at $8/hr and went to $10. And I think she just works 4 hours at a stretch.

What you describe, Billiencolosi, is demonstrating. I have never done that, but I find demonstrators who are happy with it. Merchandising does not require any of the above, although there may be a uniform. I did a reset in a grocery store a few weeks ago as a part of a team. Every aisle had merchandisers and multiple companies were represented. None of us had a "uniform", but we all had nametags, usually on lanyards. Most have a dress code of "business casual", which consists of something like slacks, a polo shirt, and non-sneaker closed shoes. Eventually, we acquire supplies, but sometimes the companies give them to us. A box cutter is the most useful. I have been sent two screwdrivers with multiple tips, among other things. There are many skills a merchandiser needs, but independent merchandisers can pick and choose assignments and get experience. Some assignments are very short and some last hours. The pay varies by company and by assignment. The advantage over mystery shopping is that there is no up-front expense and the reports are usually accepted without question. As in mystery shopping, instructions can be very confusing and even not apply to the specific store or fixture. Other than not liking the music the store plays or the occasional nuisance situation, merchandising is very peaceful. It is nice, too, for people who like to work alone but can work well with others.

I have been merchandising for over 5 years and like the work. It is not all easy work. I am now able to pick and choose the jobs that I want to do. The pay cay range anywhere from about $8.00 per hour to about $20.00 per hour depending upon the project and experience. Many of the jobs are auditing for different companies. These are quite easy and do not require to much other than computer input. Re-sets are a bit more complicated because of all of the instructions that many times are wrong for the project. A lot of the jobs require lifting and moving heavy items. I am doing books and magazines for my base job. This requires a lot of lifting and also a lot of paperwork. Every job is different and this is part of the challenge. I do have a lot of flexibility as far as hours and days I have to get the job completed.

Demonstrating is also something that I have been doing for 5 years. I have never done a job for under $10.00 per hour but have made up to $18.00 per hour. Walmart is the store I do more frequently and it is usually two or three times a month. I work for 4 to 6 hours at a stretch. I have never had to use a microwave but have had to use an electric frying pan. This is also a lot of fun and gets me out of the house. As with mystery shopping, this is not for everyone but I have found that it works for me.

Sella, there's a merchandising section at the other forum www. msfreedom.org.

I've been trying to get a merchandising job at NARMS for 5 months, SS. So far I haven't been offered anything flexible enough to fit around my primary business.
A disadvantage of merch is that it's not as flexible as MSing. But another advantage is that it's steady work. You're not scrambling to get jobs every week.

True, and it can be a lot of fun.

I would just like to restock light stuff into displays.

If you like demos for a really nice company, I hear Trader Joe's has their own demonstrators. I've spoken to a few, and they're very happy.

Those that do merchandsing jobs, what is it about those jobs that you really like. I have never done merchandising. It seems like a lot of work. Is that true?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi sella

Certified is the company I work with. The last 2 month I did over 40 assignments.
My daughter and I had a lot of fun. Some jobs are a lot of work - some not.
They even gave me a weekly assignment on permanent base, which is very easy.

We did

phone card replacement very easy 10 minutes for $8
phone retun shipment easy
hang promo material easy
place or straighten out shorts very easy
attach coupons on merchandise very easy
reset pet section easy but a little more work
set up wall for jeweleries medium - more time more $
set movie standee a lot of work but fun

The good thing about merchandising with this company is, that most of the time you have 3 or more days to do it, and the reports are very short mostly yes/no.

The bad thing: sometimes jobs will be delayed which can give you problems with your scheduling.

I came to the point, that I accept a job, if they delay it, then I do it when it fits in my schedule. I didn't have a problem yet.

When you start out and you see some paperwork, you think OH NO NO, but it looks more worth than it is.
It is like you buy a book shelf at Wal-Mart or Ikea and you read the instruction.
The best is you throw it away, and you install it/build it together on your own.

Try it, you will have fun, and they have a lot of work.