What's the most you've ever asked for?

November 20, 2014 07:47PM

I got a call today to complete two urgent shops... 6 hours away. The total miles roundtrip are near 800 and it would be 12 hours just in driving time, with probably 2-3 more hours for the shops themselves. After I did my normal calculations that I do for bonuses, I landed on a bonus of $750 for the two of them, but I feel like the amount is just too ridiculous.

So, any opinions? Or if you just want to share the most you've asked for, I'm interested to hear that, too

Thanks!

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November 20, 2014 07:51PM

Why would you not fly 800 miles RT? That seems silly.

November 20, 2014 07:58PM

I guess I have been doing the wrong shops (so far) mine is $50.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2014 08:36PM by jillmarie13.

November 20, 2014 08:04PM

It's all shop dependent. I've had a maximum travel bonus for a single shop accepted at $900, but been rejected on a request of $10 mileage bonus. Just don't accept something for less than what you need to compensate your time and travel just to get a shop. It may turn out that your request is ridiculous as the MSC is able to get someone closer to fill the shop, but that doesn't mean you should lose money on it to get it done for them.

But I agree with SoCalMama, why not fly? Shops too rural?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2014 08:06PM by saacman5033.

November 20, 2014 08:14PM

I am not really understanding how flying would be much cheaper. In my area if I purchased a last minute ticket to fly 800 miles the cost would be (I am just guessing from a 450 mile ticket I had to buy a couple of years ago) upwards of $500. The flight time plus the early arrival at the airport and the drive to the airport depending on how far that is would add up to several hours less each way but still would be substantial. Then there would be the cost of a rental car at the other end and perhaps parking at your own airport. Yes, it would probably save some money but it would still be costly and I find flying to be an added hassle to driving once you include the airport and rental car hassles as well.
IF you could get a ticket in advance at the discounted rate it might make financial sense but a last minute ticket for a last minute shop?

November 20, 2014 08:23PM

Correct Sandy, it would not be more economical to fly. I definitely wouldn't accept anything less than what I feel would be proper compensation. I called them back and gave them my request, and they countered with $100. Absolutely no way as my gas cost would be more than that. Oh well. If they get desperate and no one bites by Sunday (the deadline), who knows what'll happen.

November 20, 2014 08:33PM

I wonder how many shoppers they had to call before they called someone 400 miles away.

I had an interesting call from Maritz recently where one of their friendly, long-time reps rattled off the number of shoppers they had on some of the outer islands here and how they called those local shoppers before calling me. (# of Maui shoppers was lower than I would have expected while Big Island was higher) If you're somewhere like the boonies of Montana I suppose that list of calls might not have been too long, but if you're somewhere more densely populated there must be many shoppers within a closer range.

November 20, 2014 09:15PM

And don't forget that when you fly you run the risk of a cancelled flight for any number of reasons. If the shop is urgent and had to be done by X date, do you think the MSC is going to care if your flight gets cancelled or delayed and you don't make the date? Are they still going to pay you? You might have to eat the cost of the ticket.

November 20, 2014 09:39PM

My absolute minimum would be a 2 to 1 (income/expense) ratio which is $800. However for a trip like this I would expect closer to a 3 to 1 ratio or $1200. A quick calculation is a buck a mile (which is 2 to 1). Their offer of $100 is way too low, IMHO.

November 20, 2014 09:48PM

That offer is really low. They shouldn't consider calling you if that's all they are going to offer. I would politely decline or tell them what you want. If they become desperate, they may grant your wish

Silver Certified ~ Shopping all of Toronto and beyond

November 21, 2014 01:54AM

$650 bonus for a single shop and was accepted. I took an overnight Greyhound bus instead of driving, a taxi for the 4 miles to the store and back, did the audit, saw a fast food in that strip mall and called that MS and asked for $250 bonus which I got as well. Then took the long Greyhound bus home and input the reports in the bus. Less than 24 hours and I was home, but tired.

November 21, 2014 04:38AM

OK, lets see, 800 miles, 12 hours driving time round trip, 6 hours away, 2-3 more hours for the shops themselves.
Lets don't forget food and drink, gas, normal ware and tare on car (tires in good shape?), now after driving for 6 hours and shopping lets say 2 1/2 hours, total hours 8 1/2 hours. thinking of staying over night?? Anyone taking trip with you?? (make it a lovers get away)

Push for more than $750.

November 21, 2014 06:11AM

What's a reasonable bonus to ask for a shop that is 200 miles away? I am going to that area anyway..

November 21, 2014 10:44AM

donnashoppingca Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What's a reasonable bonus to ask for a shop that
> is 200 miles away? I am going to that area
> anyway..

Check the discussion on this. It has a full methodology to calculate your costs:
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

November 21, 2014 05:31PM

Thanks so much, Kate!

November 23, 2014 06:54AM

sandyf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am not really understanding how flying would be
> much cheaper. In my area if I purchased a last
> minute ticket to fly 800 miles the cost would be
> (I am just guessing from a 450 mile ticket I had
> to buy a couple of years ago) upwards of $500. The
> flight time plus the early arrival at the airport
> and the drive to the airport depending on how far
> that is would add up to several hours less each
> way but still would be substantial. Then there
> would be the cost of a rental car at the other end
> and perhaps parking at your own airport. Yes, it
> would probably save some money but it would still
> be costly and I find flying to be an added hassle
> to driving once you include the airport and rental
> car hassles as well.
> IF you could get a ticket in advance at the
> discounted rate it might make financial sense but
> a last minute ticket for a last minute shop?

I fly a couple of times a month to shop. I would not drive 400 miles to do a shop for any fee.

2-3 hours max by car, after that, I need a plane ticket.

November 23, 2014 01:37PM

I would rather drive in most instances. The drive to Kansas City is 230 to 250 miles or only about 3 1/2 hours each way. While the actual flight is only an hour it would still take me as long or longer with all the inherent hassles and then there would be the added headache of trying to catch a return flight. My preference is to stay overnight even on a trip that short, but I have made the round trip in one day. When I do an immediate return they aren't outrageously long days, anywhere from 8 to 9 1/2 hours.

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.

November 23, 2014 01:49PM

I recently asked for and received $1,200 for some last minute audits that required me to drive for 12 hours and then another 12 hours of reporting (24 hours in a row)

November 23, 2014 04:33PM

The IRS grants 56 cents per mile. I have felt guilty for asking for that amount, but after reading these posts, I wont in the future.

I did mentally tell myself that since I live in a rural area that I would do 20 miles from my house driving distance, not as the crow flies, since there is a big mountain just South of me, and the MSC's think its 12 miles to this other city when in effect its really 32, since the DOT hasn't accepted my suggestion to dig a tunnel, yet.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

craig near Asheville, nc

November 23, 2014 04:51PM

Craig, ain't Saluda wonderful.

.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)

"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor

"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei

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