Background and Drug Tests
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For me, it depends on which MSC it is, what kind of shops they offer, how much the background check and drug tests cost, what the assignment pays and how long the audit takes.
So my answer is, "Maybe."
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So my answer is, "Maybe."
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I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Sure they can especially when the test are reimbursement if you meet the requirements.
A Dad shopping the Ark-LA-Tex and beyond.
These are the "audits" at the entertainment retailer.
I have no issue with drug tests and background checks as long as my time/travel is appropriately compensated and any background check doesn't affect my credit score.
I'll take any test they want me to if they need my services. This being the case, they will pay for this to be done. To pay any money upfront and not be guaranteed a return on the testing is a no go for me. If they have a deal where you do a couple of audits and are fully reimbursed and are already guaranteed the shops, then it may be a workable arrangement.
I turned down one company that wanted me to pay upfront for background checking and could not guarantee me any jobs. I already jumped through many hoops to get to the point they asked for this. If they were up front about this requirement, I probably would not have applied with them.
I turned down one company that wanted me to pay upfront for background checking and could not guarantee me any jobs. I already jumped through many hoops to get to the point they asked for this. If they were up front about this requirement, I probably would not have applied with them.
I pass the background check to do business verifications every year. The cost is nominal (less than $5). It is a business expense. I easily make up the cost on the first assignment. They don't reimburse me. I chose not to care given the low cost.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
@myst4au wrote:
I pass the background check to do business verifications every year. The cost is nominal (less than $5). It is a business expense. I easily make up the cost on the first assignment. They don't reimburse me. I chose not to care given the low cost.
For $5 I wouldn't worry either. I was thinking of the more involved background checks that are required for things like airport security passes, penal systems, etc.
The company that I was referring to wanted something like $35-$40 to use the company they selected.
I'm not putting out that kind of money for a company I never worked for unless I have guaranteed jobs lined up to recoup the expense ahead of time.
They could not make any statement that I would get any assignments, so I refused it.
I'm not putting out that kind of money for a company I never worked for unless I have guaranteed jobs lined up to recoup the expense ahead of time.
They could not make any statement that I would get any assignments, so I refused it.
You would have gotten assignments. They were desparate. The fee eventually got up to $350 each in my area, and some still went unfilled. I had no desire to complete that 7 or 8 hour audit on a tablet while in the store, with lots of bending and stooping (that is a paraphrase of the description that the MSC circulated), so I ignored every email, no matter how much the fee, and no matter how much the pleaded for help.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
No MSC has been mentioned. I was not referring to the Best Buy Audits. This was for another company.
I have considered these. But...there are only two of these stores in my area. I have no choice but to do the two to get reimbursed for the drug and background checks. If what I have been reading it true, I know my time is worth more than the reimbursement.
I think background and drug tests should be required when you are single and dating. It is scary out there.
To get my two airport security passes I had to go through rigorous background screening. The MSC compensated me for my time and parking at the airport, and covered any testing costs. They also cover time and costs for badge renewal.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
@walesmaven wrote:
To get my two airport security passes I had to go through rigorous background screening. The MSC compensated me for my time and parking at the airport, and covered any testing costs. They also cover time and costs for badge renewal.
Or if you really don't want to do the background check, you can just buy a fully refundable airline ticket. That will get you past security. Then just cancel it before the flight.
Unfortunately, there are many airports where the ticket will only give you access to the concourse where your flight is located. For airport routes, the shopper needs access to all concourses. For instance, at DCA, I have to pass through four different security checkpoints to reach all four concourses. In addition, my pass gets me express screening privledges.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2015 01:36PM by walesmaven.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2015 01:36PM by walesmaven.
In addition to that, when you are dealing with airports that have customs pre-clearance, the pass will let you through to the post-customs food areas. Not something I'd want to try by using an airline ticket.
@Bena wrote:
In addition to that, when you are dealing with airports that have customs pre-clearance, the pass will let you through to the post-customs food areas. Not something I'd want to try by using an airline ticket.
That is interesting to note.
I've done one shop that was located in the International terminal at EWR. I just bought a fully refundable ticket and cancelled it at the airline desk once I completed the shop. But I didn't have to mess with customs.
All airports are a bit different. I've done shops at PHL and those are really nice because I can pick up several shops at PHL and make some good cash there because once you are past security, you can walk to any of the terminals. It's an odd set up that I've not encountered at too many different airports.
I don't do very many airport shops but if I start picking up more I may look at getting the security passes.
IIRC, each pass is specific to the airport. The airport manager here is a lodge brother so I can get clearance...but none of the post security businesses are shopped. 
.
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
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
What company pays for your airport pass? Do they expect a monthly number of shops from you? I know our airport charges $65 for a pass with the background checks. The security company I work for wants me to get an ID to be on their backup list for fence duty. But it can only be used for security work.
Sorry, I do airport shops for an "invitation only" MSC that uses a small cadre of shoppers to do all of their shops at a number of airports around the US. Their client insists on using the same shoppers on 60 day rotations, but with different shop lists for each shopper such that the roration for any one shop is about 90 days. I do routes of 18-25 shops at a time at each of two large airports, every 60 days. Yes, shoppers must commit to repeated cycles of shops.
If you search "airport" and all dates, you will find lengthy discussions of other ways of getting airport shops than committing to a regular routine of long circuits. The way they are handled vairies by client type. As far as I can tell, only the ones where the airport management company is the client require this sort of ongoing commitment.
If you search "airport" and all dates, you will find lengthy discussions of other ways of getting airport shops than committing to a regular routine of long circuits. The way they are handled vairies by client type. As far as I can tell, only the ones where the airport management company is the client require this sort of ongoing commitment.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
That sounds like the email I got a year or so ago about airport shops. I turned it down because of my job I can't commit to steady schedule. I have changed schedules 5 times in two years.
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