Out of the way shops

September 16, 2014 01:36AM

Greetings once again. It has been one of those days.

I have been offered a reoccurring grocery store shop - once a month. I must be their last hope. In order to do the shop I would need to drive about 50 miles one way. I will pass 2 major name gas stations and a dollar place on the way there and back. There may still be another gas station by the grocery store. Any restaurants would be individually owned so nothing there. But that's it as far as putting a route together....I don't think that is what most of you would call a route.

Did I say I live in a rural area

.

I did do a search on the forum for something like this but came up empty.

Once again saying thank you for your ideas.

Sue

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September 16, 2014 01:41AM

At .56 per mile, you are reducing your taxable income by $56, if you file standard.

Depending on what they're offering you, (since you're their last hope) and what the gas stations are paying, it could be profitable.

Trendsource has been a lifesaver for me, for adding additional assignments when trying to piece together something along the way to an out-of-the-way location. Some of their assignments have been really off the beaten track... but right near that triple-bonused gas station I was considering.

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Plan the work. Work the plan.

September 16, 2014 01:46AM

Sue, is the MSC Conferro? I do a lot of Conferro grocery shops in the Seneca, Westminster, West Union SC area. Before I schedule that route, I have to have at least 6 shops on the route, and even then it's an ultimate losing proposition unless you get some hefty bonuses with each shop. I have learned to do that route for a minimum of a buck a mile, $125 to $150. Most experienced shoppers would actually say two bucks a mile, minimum. It depends on the kind of car you drive, and if it's worth it to YOU. For me, I was building reputation and gaining experience, so, yes, worth it to me.

Hope this helps!

September 16, 2014 02:10AM

Hymnsinger and Bbird,

Thanks for the replies.

I was going to consider it because I too want to develop a relationship with more companies. There just isn't anything else they could offer me. Again one road in and one road out. I finally get to the "big" highway and the decision would be to head right and drive another 25 or so miles before hitting a populated area or take a left and pass the 2 gas stations and the $$ type store. That is it.

I am going to send the scheduler an email and explain the distance. Maybe they also have the other 2 gas stations in their system. Can't hurt to ask.

I have a tahoe so not the best on gas. I can say the 25.00 is not worth it. Not to sound picky but that amount just will not get it whether I am trying to build a relationship with a new company or not.

I'll let you know what they say.

Sue

September 16, 2014 02:21AM

You're absolutely right!! I wouldn't even do it for $25! You've got a good head on your shoulders, you'll do well!!

September 16, 2014 02:43AM

To me, it sounbd slike you have to get a bonus of $56 to cover the mileage, plus enough to make it worth your time to spend 2 hours doing this. If I already had other shops, then this could be an add-on at lower bonus. But to take it and then assume that you will get other shops from other MSCs, my advice is to say no. There is no way to deposit "building a relationship" into your bank account. You of course have the right to decide how much you are willing to loose. Offers of "gas money" are silly because the IRS says it costs you $0.56 a mile including gas, oil, depreciation, repairs, etc. If you get 10 miles/gallon (I do hope that you do better than that), then you need to pay for 10 gallons of gas at the current national average of $3.52 = $35.20 and if you really do get only 10 miles per gallon, then I am sure that you are loosing money even at $0.56 per mile.

I often take a job on speculation that I will find other jobs, but not one that is 50 miles away. I suppose I might if I knew the area and had a track record of finding other jobs along the way. For a bonus, I have driven from Pennsylvania through Delaware and then across a $4 toll bridge and then 45 miles into New Jersey to a bank, but it made sense (and cents) to do that. I get 28 - 30 miles/gallon.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

September 16, 2014 12:30PM

I am equally out of the way, and am in your situation a lot. I would take the grocery shop only at a price that would make the trip break even (for me, about $50), then add on other shops to make a profit.

September 16, 2014 03:05PM

I have haggled with the schedulers when they called about price over the miles I have to drive to do them. A lot of time they have some leeway.

September 16, 2014 05:25PM

I would take no less than $80, for this 100 mile RT shop

September 16, 2014 07:13PM

Ask for as much as you need plus more for good measure.

Don't be afraid to say no.

I say no more than I say yes.

Less is more.

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There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
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When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody

September 16, 2014 11:06PM

My thoughts:

1. don't bank on those other shops. many gas stations are only shopped quarterly so you're only getting them on 1/3 of your trips. and you may not get them every time they're available.
2. they want you to do it monthly, in a place that's not easy to add shops, that makes it cost more not less.

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

September 17, 2014 01:51AM

sueinsc - I believe you have to have a formula that you stick by. Some shoppers use a simple one - a dollar a mile. That is approximately a 2 to 1 ratio of income vs milage cost. I try to work at a minimum of 3 to 1 but everyone's is different perhaps depending on the population density, traffic and rural, surburban or urban location. My suggestion is that you find one that you are comfortable with and can make money with.

In this case, if you can make $100 for your 100 mile trip and, perhaps sometimes more, I think it is worth it.

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