So the scenario is, I picked up a shop that was in need and basically was paid double to do the shop. So the next session rolls around and the scheduler contacts me directly asking me to do the same shop. The only difference is the bonus is not double again but only half the bonus of last time. An example is the first shop was $2 but they paid me $4 to do it. The second time around, the shop is still $2 but they will pay $3 to get it done. Would you still do it even though the bonus isn't the same?

For me it depends. Was it an easy report? Was it an enjoyable shop? Is it near my house? I always try to assist a scheduler when they reach out directly to me, it's come to pay off with some prime pickin' shops in the past with bonuses. So if you didn't mind the shop the first time, I would do it. If the shop is far away, inconvenient, everything is narrative and the time to complete takes waaaaaaay too long, I'd pass or say come back to me when you can offer me the same as last time.

If it's a shop I'd normally take on without the bonus, then yes.

There was this simple movie theater assignment that was bonus to like $35 on top of tickets and another purchase; however, the next month did not have this generous bonus. But I still took it on because I wouldn't mind seeing a movie, on the house.

I have a couple of fast food shops that I will not do for less than $15. Period. Won't do them for less. Ever. But I hate the food. I've done those shops for far more than that in the past. But I won't do them for less in the future.

Other than that, I judge each shop based on my needs in the moment. If I'm going somewhere anyway, and a shop is offered that I'm willing to do for $15 I'll do it for $15, even if I did it a month ago for $20 because the scheduler begged and bribed me.

For instance, I have done some cell phone shops and audits on a deadline after they were flaked in a town 100 miles from here. I was paid $150 twice to do those shops. But if I was in that town on a route and that same shop or audit was on the board for $20, or they begged me to work it into my route for $50, I'd do it for $20 or $50. Last time I made a special trip. This time I'm not making a special trip. I'm willing to help them out without feeling the need to gouge them. They might need that other $100 for another bonus somewhere else this month. I don't need to be greedy.

What I got last time has little to do with what it's worth to me today.

There are a few people here who refuse to ever do it again for less than the most they were ever paid for it. I expect they're missing a lot of opportunities with that approach. They're also damaging their relationship with the scheduler. Maybe that last time the scheduler kicked in $20 from what would be her bonus for getting that last shop done. Maybe this time she knows she's not going to get the bonus anyway and can't justify upping the ante. Circumstances change. If you make your decision based on your needs, not on what you think might be the MSC's last dollar, I think you'll be happier with the outcome.

There are shops that there are minimums before I would consider taking them--due to noxiousness of visit or report (or both) or due to distance. In the first cases, the minimum stays. If it is only distance and I am going that way, I will do the shop for less.

There are many, many variables in this business. Certainly one variable is your relationship with the scheduler. If she takes care of me, I will take care of her.

Whether or not to do it is your call. Maybe the bonus will go up, and maybe someone else will take it at the present number. No way to know. The only sure thing is that the scheduler will try to whittle the bonus down or eliminate it. Even declaring that you will take it at the higher bonus is a bad idea. That gives the scheduler the idea that they can keep trying other shoppers, knowing that you are waiting for it. My best results on lowball offers come after I ignore them.

Depends on the shop.

A bonus is a bonus. You did it last time for X amount, but this time, it might not be so far overdue, or they may have a lower bonus pool, etc.

It really depends on the shop and maybe the scheduler. If I like the shop and the scheduler is in a bind, I would do it.
And oh, if I was asked nicely. Nevermind how much was the bonus offered.

If I wanted the $3.00 fee, I'd do it. It wouldn't matter to me what I had done it for in the past, or what I might do it for in the future. If I didn't want the $3.00 fee, I'd say no, but thanks for thinking of me. That's why they don't call us employees.

I rarely get offered a bonus. Once I asked and the scheduler said there was no bonus, they were working with no margin. I wondered cuz one client company showed a $40 fee to the msc, but shopper pay of $10.

Another time I did a huge mall that was divided between me and another shopper. We each had about 100 retail stores within the mall to cover. We got $5 per retail shop...big pay total, but not for all of the time involved. A week later I mentioned to the scheduler that I noticed 5 kiosks were left undone. She asked me to do them. I asked if there was a chance to get $10 a location or at least a bonus of maybe, $20. She assigned them to me a week later with a $20 bonus.

Maybe there are so many Vegas shoppers that they never need to add bonuses.

Certainly bonuses are added to get the jobs done before the deadline and the closer it is to deadline, the more likely the bonus. When there is an urgency to 'drop everything and go', I expect a bonus commensurate with the inconvenience of that. There are rarely good bonuses in my area, but it may be that I am not invited to that party because if the shop was not worth it to me at $15, it probably still isn't at $16 or $17 so I will decline.

It matters. I don't consider anything under $10 a bonus though.

IF i do a lot of shops for them I might now and again. I told a
co today I could not as we are under immeasurable monetary
constraits and would only do for a $50 bonus.. WHICH, they
HAVE in the past. The shop is also far away. They even asked
me to borrow the money to shop! But, she c/b to say some
other shopper would do it for $40.. so, let em I said. I am
really really broke now.

amberngriffinco you did it right. Tell them let the other
shopper do it. Then when they come back to you in a
few days to do it for your price tell them no, now you
need 75 instead of 50. If they ask why tell them that
is your price to do it now. 50 was the price last week.
Dont need to give them a lengthy explanation, they
will get the message. Though some companies will
make the same mistake month after month.

It depends on the shop, but I can't imagine my time being only worth $5.00 unless it is a phone call and it all takes less than 15 minutes. I will not leave my house for less than combined reimbursement/pay of about $25.00. To me my time is worth that much. I usually stay pretty busy.

What surprises me is the difference in pay between companies. I did a shop for a brand at a store: say Samsung at best buy ir paid $40.00 and took me about 20 minutes in the store and 30 minutes at home for the report.

I see a shop from Panasonic at Best Buy and it is very similar but different company and they are paying $12.00 for the same shop and information.

Do some people just take shops and spit them out really quick so they don't mind ones that don't pay great or is it just me?

I mostly take shops to keep my monthly expenses as low as possible.

I will gladly take a $10/$10 vitamin store shop, for example, because a) they are in the mall or on base, and I can pick up 2-4 other shops in the same location, at the very least, to make it worthwhile, and 2) that's $10 that's not coming out of my pocket for vitamins. I do three of these a month to cover my vitamins, husband's, and the kids'.

I'll take the dreaded Ross purchase/return shop because I have gift cards there that I keep forgetting to use, so it gets me in the store and looking for treasures. I do the Goodwill shops for the same reason... no giftcards, but... it means I get to donate something that I'm not getting any use out of, and go on a treasure hunt for something I would use.

I do postage shops, bonused or not, because I'm forever mailing shop swag to my sister, nephew, and friends. I'll also use them when I sell things I no longer use on eBay, because it makes my listings more attractive when I can offer free shipping.

For me, balancing shopping with my everyday life has given me ways to lower expenses, streamline my outings, maximize profits/savings.

There is one company that offers low pay for most of their shops, but pay through Paypal and pay quickly, and the reports are minimal, the shops are easy. I do at least 3-5 of their shops a month, and that money gets set aside to buy myself some frivolity, small reward, etc... on eBay.

There is another company that I also perform 4-5 shops a month, they also pay through Paypal and pay quickly... I use that money to "stock up" on things I find on eBay for very cheap. Just last week, I stumbled across a brand new $180 light leather jacket in the last hour of its' listing, and snagged it for $28. I also use this "stock up" money on eBay to buy things like homeschooling materials, dog collars (they wear out about once a year) and many other things. I'd rather buy when the quality items are going for dirt cheap, before I need them, rather than wait until I need them and pay full price.

I guess it is safe to say that we all have our own reasons and methods for the way we choose our shops.

techman01
I did something similar to that with satisfaction services a few months back and they deactivated me.

They were SLIMY how they handled it.
I've only done a handful of shops in 8 years with them so no lost sleep.

Scheduler wanted help with shop. I explained 120 miles round trip.
I had to be in that area anyway so I accepted the measly $10 bonus they offered for 120 miles.

The day AFTER they assigned it, they UNASSIGNED IT .
I called and asked what happened

They found some else one to do it without the bonus.

FINE with me,
Later in the week I get a call, the other person flaked and asked if I could do it for the $10 bonus.
NOPE, no way for $10 I said , not after you cancelled it on me!
I know wanted a $25 bonus

Scheduler say no and hangs up,
supervisor calls me,
They gave me two options-
1) do it for the $10 bonus
OR
2) Be deactivated
I choose deactivation



"amberngriffinco you did it right. Tell them let the other
shopper do it. Then when they come back to you in a
few days to do it for your price tell them no, now you
need 75 instead of 50. If they ask why tell them that
is your price to do it now. 50 was the price last week.
Dont need to give them a lengthy explanation, they
will get the message. Though some companies will
make the same mistake month after month."

You're kidding?!?! Wow. How unprofessional of them to unassign you the shop and say it's because we found someone cheaper. That's poor business.

'Poor business' is an understatement.

I HAPPILY let them deactivate me
Its pure SLIME to assign a shop then un assign because they found someone to do it for a lower fee.



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