How far would you drive for a $100 shop
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dspeakes Wrote:
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> And we had alligators under the bed when I was
> growing up. I used to scare my little sister with
> that, and then I started imagining there really
> were alligators under the bed to the point that
> *I* was afraid to get out of bed too. Snakes
> don't bother me; we had some for pets.
The only snake I'll handle is the one I use when the toilet's plugged up.
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> And we had alligators under the bed when I was
> growing up. I used to scare my little sister with
> that, and then I started imagining there really
> were alligators under the bed to the point that
> *I* was afraid to get out of bed too. Snakes
> don't bother me; we had some for pets.
The only snake I'll handle is the one I use when the toilet's plugged up.
My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me.
Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli
It would be very tempting to me, but I'd have to consider the msc's reputation. What if you did all that
driving, spent all that time, and the shop got rejected?
driving, spent all that time, and the shop got rejected?
*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
That's definitely a factor to consider. All the long distance, high pay shops I've done have been for known entities that I have worked for before.
(I think I would rather handle a nice, clean live snake than the one that goes down a toilet! I've got a few garter snakes on my property that don't bother me at all but I hate unclogging toilets!)
(I think I would rather handle a nice, clean live snake than the one that goes down a toilet! I've got a few garter snakes on my property that don't bother me at all but I hate unclogging toilets!)
I routinely do a shop for a hundred bucks that is a 182 mile round trip from home. Sometimes I can get another few shops along the way (like yesterday, for a total of $200 in fees plus small reimbursements) but sometimes I do it all by itself. Two things: It is a shop I can take the kids to. We take along a couple of containers and a plastic knife, order a double burger and I cut it in half after taking its photo. They like to go for a drive and once in a blue moon get a fast food burger. The other thing: If I am by myself on Saturday morning for a nice drive, listening to NPR, earning a hundred bucks and a cup of coffee at the end of the day is not bad.
I would not shop the miles for $100. I can shop within 10 minutes of my house for $60.
I just did a route along the coast that took about 3 hours round trip for $93. (all bonus) Stopped had dinner, stopped at a few antique shops and enjoyed the day with my husband. These were all banks (6), 5 minute shops, 15 minute reports the next day. I always make a route. I usually get a free lunch or dinner if I can find a restaurant shop along the way.
I just did a route along the coast that took about 3 hours round trip for $93. (all bonus) Stopped had dinner, stopped at a few antique shops and enjoyed the day with my husband. These were all banks (6), 5 minute shops, 15 minute reports the next day. I always make a route. I usually get a free lunch or dinner if I can find a restaurant shop along the way.
dspeakes Wrote:
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> the IRS rate includes expenses you would incur
> even if your car stayed in the garage, such as
> insurance and depreciation.
On the contrary, depreciation is not a fixed cost. It's a very real cost that varies based on how much you use your vehicle. To see what I mean, pull up Edmunds or KBB and see what your car is worth at current mileage versus 10,000 additional miles on the odometer. Adding miles to your car is what makes it depreciate so fast, more so than age.
And second, maybe it's different in your state, but everywhere I have lived, the insurance rate I pay is based on the miles I tell the insurance company I am driving. Unless you are fibbing, you are paying more for insurance when you put more miles on your car.
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> the IRS rate includes expenses you would incur
> even if your car stayed in the garage, such as
> insurance and depreciation.
On the contrary, depreciation is not a fixed cost. It's a very real cost that varies based on how much you use your vehicle. To see what I mean, pull up Edmunds or KBB and see what your car is worth at current mileage versus 10,000 additional miles on the odometer. Adding miles to your car is what makes it depreciate so fast, more so than age.
And second, maybe it's different in your state, but everywhere I have lived, the insurance rate I pay is based on the miles I tell the insurance company I am driving. Unless you are fibbing, you are paying more for insurance when you put more miles on your car.
Shopping since 1995; full-time since 2009. Blogging about shopping on www.myfrugalmiser.com.
It might not be fixed in reality, but it is fixed for IRS purposes if you choose to use the standard mileage rate. The other expenses, like the price of gasoline, are not fixed, either. You CAN choose to write off gasoline, depreciation, repairs, and insurance separately but gets complicated if you use your vehicle for personal purposes as well.
My insurance company only asks me how many miles
I commute to work each day. Since I don't commute
the answer is less than 10.
I commute to work each day. Since I don't commute
the answer is less than 10.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
efuture1973 Wrote:
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> The other day I was offered a shop that paid $100
> but it was 80 miles round trip and I had to make
> two trips because it required that I purchase an
> item and then had to return it the next day so I
> would be traveling a total 0f 160 miles. Would you
> take the shop?
160 miles is a good 2+ hours of driving in total, plus time to do both parts of the shop would probably push that to 3 hours and change or maybe just north of the 4-hour mark. It seems like a good deal if you don't mind doing purchase/return shops, which I have yet to do. I would still try to stack other shops onto the trip to make more money as it just feels like that's a long way to drive for one shop.
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> The other day I was offered a shop that paid $100
> but it was 80 miles round trip and I had to make
> two trips because it required that I purchase an
> item and then had to return it the next day so I
> would be traveling a total 0f 160 miles. Would you
> take the shop?
160 miles is a good 2+ hours of driving in total, plus time to do both parts of the shop would probably push that to 3 hours and change or maybe just north of the 4-hour mark. It seems like a good deal if you don't mind doing purchase/return shops, which I have yet to do. I would still try to stack other shops onto the trip to make more money as it just feels like that's a long way to drive for one shop.
I would do it but not purchase/return, I did not see that in your original post.....no way Jose.
Live consciously....
I'm waiting for the OP to check back in to see what he/she has decided to do. I have a confirmed 10-shop bonused route with pending applications for additional shops but no purchase and return so far. Booked the hotel at a discounted rate, received a 2% cash back for using ebates and then points on my credit card. Now I just have to wait and see if the dinner and entertainment shops get assigned to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“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
Why are you waiting instead of contacting the companies?
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 never have applications for shops. I email
or call and tell them this is the shop I want,
for how much and get it assigned. I wait at
the dmv every 8 years, that is enough.
or call and tell them this is the shop I want,
for how much and get it assigned. I wait at
the dmv every 8 years, that is enough.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
Because...
1) It was the weekend and they were not open.
2) The entertainment one is handled by an outside scheduler/scheduling company so there is no direct phone number or e-mail to contact anyone. THE MSC itself frowns on shoppers calling them directly. I added a special note to my application. And it would not be a bonused shop either way. It is one of those shops that get snatched up quickly. It is primarily a July shop but they are starting it a bit early this round because it can not be shopped during the 4th of July weekend.
3) The dining shop is being negotiated between the scheduler and the client because the client wanted it performed specifically on a Wednesday evening but I won't be there until Friday. So it is really up to the client.
This trip is for business and pleasure so if the dinner shop doesn't work out, no biggie. So negotiations are in the works but I still have to wait for now. The route itself is covering most of the expenses. And the dining and entertainment shops are just gravy.
1) It was the weekend and they were not open.
2) The entertainment one is handled by an outside scheduler/scheduling company so there is no direct phone number or e-mail to contact anyone. THE MSC itself frowns on shoppers calling them directly. I added a special note to my application. And it would not be a bonused shop either way. It is one of those shops that get snatched up quickly. It is primarily a July shop but they are starting it a bit early this round because it can not be shopped during the 4th of July weekend.
3) The dining shop is being negotiated between the scheduler and the client because the client wanted it performed specifically on a Wednesday evening but I won't be there until Friday. So it is really up to the client.
This trip is for business and pleasure so if the dinner shop doesn't work out, no biggie. So negotiations are in the works but I still have to wait for now. The route itself is covering most of the expenses. And the dining and entertainment shops are just gravy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“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
Don't care if it was the weekend, aliens landed or
they were hit by a meteorite.
Once they send me an email I expect a response within
24 minutes if I am replying by email. If I'm calling
they need to make a decision within 24 seconds.
they were hit by a meteorite.
Once they send me an email I expect a response within
24 minutes if I am replying by email. If I'm calling
they need to make a decision within 24 seconds.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
techman01 Wrote:
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> Don't care if it was the weekend, aliens landed
> or
> they were hit by a meteorite.
>
> Once they send me an email I expect a response
> within
> 24 minutes if I am replying by email. If I'm
> calling
> they need to make a decision within 24 seconds.
And what if, after you accepted the shops, you found a GIANT Asteroid was going to hit the earth the next day, would you continue the shops or go spend time with your family?
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> Don't care if it was the weekend, aliens landed
> or
> they were hit by a meteorite.
>
> Once they send me an email I expect a response
> within
> 24 minutes if I am replying by email. If I'm
> calling
> they need to make a decision within 24 seconds.
And what if, after you accepted the shops, you found a GIANT Asteroid was going to hit the earth the next day, would you continue the shops or go spend time with your family?
I typically like to get at least $1 for every mile that I travel. So, I would need at least $100 for 100 miles round trip. Tomorrow I'm traveling 208 miles and making $224.
Shop2LiveinFL Wrote:
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> Why are you quoting rates from 2012?
>
> "Beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, the standard mileage
> rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or
> panel trucks) will be:
> 56 cents per mile for business miles driven
> 23.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving
> purposes
> 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable
> organizations"
I was under the impression that many of the msc considered us charity workers so in that case you should only figure 14 cents per mile and the donation of your time. Where I live my car gets 30 mp hour on the "open" road.
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> Why are you quoting rates from 2012?
>
> "Beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, the standard mileage
> rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or
> panel trucks) will be:
> 56 cents per mile for business miles driven
> 23.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving
> purposes
> 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable
> organizations"
I was under the impression that many of the msc considered us charity workers so in that case you should only figure 14 cents per mile and the donation of your time. Where I live my car gets 30 mp hour on the "open" road.
I would do it, and I have done it. Every time they call and ask me to.
O.o o.O
Happily shopping New England and beyond!!!!!
Happily shopping New England and beyond!!!!!
No way. I would if I could return it the same day. I guess if you wanted to rig the system you could make the purchase at 11:55 PM and then return it at 12:01 AM. That would require only 1 trip while meeting the shop requirements. I wouldn't have done the shop in the first place. The $100 is nice pay, but the requirements unless you live close by make it undesirable.
I have a rule that the job can not exceed 15%, and try to keep it closer to 11%. For 160 miles, I get 30 MPH, and that would be 5 gallons, @ 3.65 a gallon, and the cost just of the gas (not counting time), would be 20%, which is too high for me. Of course, if there other jobs in the area, then you would be making more than $100, that would change.
73.4 miles round trip for $80 has been my max. It's only $20 in gas in my car which I consider before picking it up. No one picks up shops in that area so I normally can get a couple more shops that cover my food and drink.
I was offered $200 one time to do 200 mile trip. I would have done it if I didnt have plans.
I would probably see if there were any other shops in the same city or in between there and home to make it worthwhile.
I did a $100 shop with a 120 mile roundtrip. I was able to combine it with a visit to my mom, which made it much more worth it, kind of a "two birds with one stone" idea.
I am not a full time shopper and I don't own a car because parking is a nightmare in the city but I would drive the 160 miles for $100 if I needed the money more than the time and you think the opportunities won't be any better locally. If you can manage to add a few other shops along the way, that's great. You have your own standards to adhere to, and no one else's. When I hear about people doing 10 shops a day on a route, I get dizzy just thinking about all those guidelines/scenarios, details, reports and narratives. I guess some people have it down to an exact science. I know I think too much but it's so easy to forget something. Doing 3-4 shops a day is my limit and that is pushing it. I don't like being up until 5 am doing reports but I frequently am.
Does anyone do video shops for apartments. I did one. I did not realize that I was supposed to save all the recordings. I was also told by one person that I did not need the last name. Then the shop was rejected because I did not get all the information on the second call. I am leary about doing anymore video shops.
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