I feel like a cheap @#$%&

/rant

How can a company that has paid on average $20 a shop for gas stations and home improvement stores drop commission down to $8? I do this to make money, not lose money and waste my time. I dare a newbie to take this route I do every two weeks for $8 a station.

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Rucker13 Wrote:
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> /rant
>
> How can a company that has paid on average $20 a
> shop for gas stations and home improvement stores
> drop commission down to $8? I do this to make
> money, not lose money and waste my time. I dare a
> newbie to take this route I do every two weeks for
> $8 a station.

Actually, @#$%& charge more like $100

Yeah what is with that - I have been doing this almost 2 years and the pay rate for shops keeps getting lower. I do not understand!

Yeah, usually the prices creep down only a buck or two at a time. I guess they figure if you were hooked at the old price doing the shops you will just keep on from force of habit when they pay less. Of course they need to pay their employees more and it has to come from somewhere and heaven forbid they upset the client by asking for more!

I agree, just don't take the reduced fee shops.

Agree. Just don't take them and eventually the price should go up. If not, save yourself the hassle and let someone else do them.

Trust me, I will not be doing them unless they go up in commission. I don't just give away my services for nothing unless you put a ring on it.

Ya know, you kinda look like a cheap @#$%& too.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Ha, I just got an e-mail. The cell phone shops that used to pay $11 now are only $9. I wouldn't do them for less than $15.

God knows I hate cell phone shops.

C

---
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind..." - Henry Ford

SunnyDays2 Wrote:
> Actually, @#$%& charge more like $100

And you know this how....?

Yeah I noticed the BV's that used to pay $17 are now down to $10. No way would I do one for that.

none

bgriffin Wrote:
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> Ya know, you kinda look like a cheap @#$%& too.
>

Forgive my blond showing through but huh? I look like a cheap @#$%&? I prefer to be called an escort thank you very much.

And he got a real pretty mouth, ain't he?

We have fast food shops that I think are reveal around here that just dropped to reimbursement only. They hit a pretty good price the last round and I almost took one but decided not too. Someone IS taking them I think because they are disappearing. They starting lower and taking a long time to go up with everything.

Where are you seeing these fees? I haven't seen anything posted recently, which matches those descriptions.

(heart)

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

As this is a "supply and demand" business, fees, which have been dropping since I completed my first assignment in the Spring of 2003, will continue to fall until they isn't anyone willing to complete the jobs. In another thread, a few shoppers posted they would accept an assignment for 1/2 reimbursement and one stated that could be in the form of a gift card for their next visit. Folks, those who toil for money can't compete with people for whom payment isn't their primary reason to work. That's why I shifted from full to part time shopper, and, where the former was a dismal failure, the latter has been a resounding success. My average fee to date for March stands at $54 for 7 completions, with a high of $95 and a low of $20. The following are a few tips that have worked for me:

1-I NEVER negotiate fees. I decide what I require for the job and it's cast in stone.
2-If, in my opinion, I've been mis-treated, I don't hesitate to "burn a bridge." Life has taught me that accepting abuse is a lifelong subscription and definitely affects one's attitude.
3-Under no circumstances will I agree to complete work to "help" anyone as a favor.
4-Being "next door" has no bearing upon my fee; I treat each assignment as if it's the only work available.

Bob, I couldn't agree with you more. I only do this when it is convenient and well worth it for me. I know what I'm willing to accept, and anything less is...................well, unacceptable. Please don't beg me and tell me how bad you need a favor. I actually did that last month and was mad the whole time. I will not do it again. You will pay me what my time is worth, or I will not complete the job. Period. I'm ok if I don't get the job.

They key here I believe is so many people willing to take shops for the much lower fees. Let them have them! The money I make MSing goes in my Vegas stash, so if I don't add that $15 you are trying to pay me when I want $25 I think I can deal with it. My average is not nearly as high as yours (mine was $35 last month), but I'm happy with it.

I will not do reimbursement only shops. For no fee, I'd rather just pay for my dinner and enjoy it. 1/2 reimbursements are laughable, but as we have seen, people are willing to do them.

To each his own!!!!!!

Phoebe70 Wrote:
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> SunnyDays2 Wrote:
> > Actually, @#$%& charge more like $100

>
>
> And you know this how....?

Visiting Sin-City baby!

I am *sometimes* happy to do reimbursement only shops....
To each his own....

I sort of agree with the OP.

But I'm not cheap.

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut

Lindazane Wrote:
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> Yeah I noticed the BV's that used to pay $17 are
> now down to $10. No way would I do one for that.

Wow, really? I hadn't noticed that yet. $17 is hardly worth it.
I used to make $50 when I went downtown!!

*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!

Chix Wrote:
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> I am *sometimes* happy to do reimbursement only
> shops....
> To each his own....

Yes... depends on what the reimbursement is for! If it's for necessities I'd have to be spending good money on anyway, like food or gas or oil changes or pet supplies, I'm in. If it's for a place I really enjoy eating at, I'll consider it based on the intensity of the report and whatever else I'm doing during the time frame they want it done in.

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

Unfortunately, I've noticed that in this area, the fees are dropping because the local jobs tend to get snatched up fairly quickly. Haven't seen a Sonic or a Five guys bonus in a couple months, and they have lengthened the rotation period here too (I can only do the same 5 guys twice a month, where before I could do 3-4 a week) which all tells me that, since the economy is still in the tank, we are getting a lot more shoppers out there, and they are so desperate for the cash that they snatch up whatever they can get.

The nice part for me is that when they flake on a job, or their report gets rejected because the reason they are unemployed is that they didn't get past the 7th grade, the scheduler calls me and tacks on a tidy little sum, which cuts the amount of work I have to do to make the same money.

************************
Some times you just have to turn around, give a little smile, toss the match, set the bridge ablaze, and walk away.

Silver Certified on the Carolina Coast. You want fries with that?

I'd do a reimbursement only shop if it was my favorite restaurant or something I was definately going to get anyhow AND the report has no narritive AND it is only a few questions. The 1/2 reimbursement is silly, I would not do it at all. I can extreme coupon if I want a discount! And that doesn't make me fill out a report or time anything.

I do agree with that ~ no half-reimbursements, especially for restaurants. If they want a report, it had better be full reimbursement, or at least a reasonably-set flat fee.

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

I got a phone call the other day to do a 5 guys and I asked for $40 fee and got it. I didn't think they would pay that, but they did.

I guess I'm lucky I'm in the boonies where there aren't that many shoppers. I can't imagine what it's like to be in a big city with a ton of competition, especially shoppers that take the low fees.

I was really surprised to see the hardware store jobs at a different MSC, that's never ever before had these kinds of jobs, and they're not known for increasing the commissions a lot

I was in Vegas for the MS convention in Vegas in November the the best price I could get on a "cheap @#$%&" was $180! Don't sell yourself short...ha ha

The fees drop as we continue to refer others into the business. The supply of shops is limited in most areas, and referrals only drive prices lower. I no longer refer anyone. I do this as a business too, and competition is tough. So, I prefer assignments that most people just do not do for the fun of it.

Of course, I love my work. But, I have to profit too. I started out doing favors for low prices, and I never benefited at anything profitable for it.

Now, like most professionals, I set a price and that is it. And, I have noticed that my prices are going up. I am in a remote area, and most of my assignments require a minimum or 45 minutes travel, one way. I now demand to get paid for my travel time. The companies that do not pay bonuses are many. I guess there are too many shoppers available. So, I let them have it gladly.

David Hall, CHFC

MSPA Gold & "UE" certified Shopping since April 2012 Arkansas, and southern half of United States.

I live in Houston where there are so many shoppers, especially in the part of the city that I live in. Fees are low as someone will take it.

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