A line in the sand!
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You know you might get it yet. If they can't fill it they could very well call you back. I'm the same though. I draw my line in the sand and I won't budge. I was asked to do some home improvement stores that were a long drive for me. I asked for a $90 incentive and was told that I was wasting my time and wasting their time. I felt quite bad about it until they called me back three days later and said could I please do it and they'd give me the $90 incentive.
I agree with you both. Once you have determined what your time and effort is worth stick to it. If the MSC can find someone to do it for less or is closer to the shops, so be it.
I get requests frequently to "name your price." So, I do exactly that. Then they tell me that they can't pay me that, and offer me 10 to 20% of what I asked for. I used to give a great deal of thought to actual miles, time to drive there, time on site, and the cost of missed opportunities to do other shops, but now I just come up with a ballpark number based on miles and how much I want to earn per hour.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
They just wrote back agreeing to my terms. I will get them done this weekend! Bonus day!
.
Mike T
Looking for shops in Western Canada
"Life is good because the alternative is forever "
Mike T
Looking for shops in Western Canada
"Life is good because the alternative is forever "
Fan-tab-u-lous! It's a win-win situation for both you and the MSC, all due to a line in the sand. 
(heart)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2015 08:48PM by stilllearning.
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2015 08:48PM by stilllearning.
the only difference between your line and my line...is after they said no to
my price twice, the 3rd time when they emailed/called agreeing to my 75
I would of said sorry, that was the price then, now its 100.
Them calling you means they were in a bind. So time to extract more.
Can use any number of reasons you want but most get the message
the first time you do it. I do have one msc that still hasn't learned after
years, and still ends up almost always having to pay me more then i
initially offered.
my price twice, the 3rd time when they emailed/called agreeing to my 75
I would of said sorry, that was the price then, now its 100.
Them calling you means they were in a bind. So time to extract more.
Can use any number of reasons you want but most get the message
the first time you do it. I do have one msc that still hasn't learned after
years, and still ends up almost always having to pay me more then i
initially offered.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
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: If the "line in the sand" methodology worked for miketfse and the MSC, what's not to like?
I don't get the "time to extract more" mentality. I mean, if it was me, yes, I could choose to use the moment when I know they're most desperate to hold the MSC's feet to the fire, but, at the end of the day, I still have to look myself in the mirror.
(heart)
I don't get the "time to extract more" mentality. I mean, if it was me, yes, I could choose to use the moment when I know they're most desperate to hold the MSC's feet to the fire, but, at the end of the day, I still have to look myself in the mirror.
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
I don't have a problem looking myself in the mirror. My issue with @techman01's approach is coming off as an a-hole once they agree to your terms and never getting a call again.
I've given MSC's a very high number and when they tell me they can't do it I DO tell them that if they come back to me later on, I will likely be expecting a higher rate, but I have never sprung it on them once they agree to my terms. Seems like the kind of thing that would just piss them off.
I've given MSC's a very high number and when they tell me they can't do it I DO tell them that if they come back to me later on, I will likely be expecting a higher rate, but I have never sprung it on them once they agree to my terms. Seems like the kind of thing that would just piss them off.
______________________________________________________________________
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Miketfse, I agree with stillearning. You drew a line in the sand and didn't budge, the MSC eventually met your price, and you've brought about a win-win! (They get their job done, you get your price.) Well played, and with your integrity intact because you kept your word.
IMHO, moving the "line in the sand" because they are in a bind violates the rule of "a man's word is his bond" -- another line I feel shouldn't be crossed. The requirements of the job didn't change, you had said you'd do it for a certain price, and you kept that commitment. Kudos to you!
IMHO, moving the "line in the sand" because they are in a bind violates the rule of "a man's word is his bond" -- another line I feel shouldn't be crossed. The requirements of the job didn't change, you had said you'd do it for a certain price, and you kept that commitment. Kudos to you!
@hoju all msc's i work with understand how I operate and are clear that my
offer, whatever it may be is valid for whatever period I state and not a week
later when the scheduler decides it suits them because 2 other shoppers
flaked at the lower rate they tried to get away with. I'm highly discplined
when it comes to this and rarely bend the "rules." As if you discount once,
they expect you to do it all the time.
@Izzy how do you know the requirements didnt change? Maybe on days 2 and 3
when I originally offered to do it, I was only going to be 50 miles away. Now when
they finally agree to my price, I'm going to be 100 miles away. Should I still do it
for that original price?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2015 11:45PM by techman01.
offer, whatever it may be is valid for whatever period I state and not a week
later when the scheduler decides it suits them because 2 other shoppers
flaked at the lower rate they tried to get away with. I'm highly discplined
when it comes to this and rarely bend the "rules." As if you discount once,
they expect you to do it all the time.
@Izzy how do you know the requirements didnt change? Maybe on days 2 and 3
when I originally offered to do it, I was only going to be 50 miles away. Now when
they finally agree to my price, I'm going to be 100 miles away. Should I still do it
for that original price?
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
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
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2015 11:45PM by techman01.
Miketfse - good for you. It is hard to stand your ground, but it works! Not everytime, but it's better to make money than lose money.
Everyone has their own technique. Most of the fees are ridiculously low if you factor in your time researching jobs, performing the shop and doing the reports, and most of the schedulers know this if they have half a brain. It's business and sometimes you need to drive a hard bargain.
Everyone has their own technique. Most of the fees are ridiculously low if you factor in your time researching jobs, performing the shop and doing the reports, and most of the schedulers know this if they have half a brain. It's business and sometimes you need to drive a hard bargain.
Techman01, your words were, "Them calling you means they were in a bind. So time to extract more."
I inferred from this statement that you raised your price because they were in a bind, not because your circumstances had changed. If I inferred incorrectly, I apologize.
I inferred from this statement that you raised your price because they were in a bind, not because your circumstances had changed. If I inferred incorrectly, I apologize.
@jpgilham wrote:
You know you might get it yet. If they can't fill it they could very well call you back. I'm the same though. I draw my line in the sand and I won't budge. I was asked to do some home improvement stores that were a long drive for me. I asked for a $90 incentive and was told that I was wasting my time and wasting their time. I felt quite bad about it until they called me back three days later and said could I please do it and they'd give me the $90 incentive.
If they can't give it to me for the first price I had quoted them then it. I tell them that it goes up each day before they call back for me to take the shop, when they are on the phone. I will then increase the incentive by a third because I have to scramble to rearrange shops so I can do the shop for you. Sometimes it has worked and sometimes it hasn't
Techman I am guessing the msc that still hasn't learned being maritz. I understand your line of thinking and tend to agree. Declining my offer is fine. Countering it and trying to negotiate fine. coming back a third time after wasting my time my price also went up.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
I used to tell Maritz all the time that my number is firm. There is no negotiating. Take it or leave it.
They STILL try to negotiate and I still decline. It's so stupid. People don't realize that we, as a group, are in control of our pay. Find your value, stick to it. Don't devalue yourself and all of us as a whole.
They STILL try to negotiate and I still decline. It's so stupid. People don't realize that we, as a group, are in control of our pay. Find your value, stick to it. Don't devalue yourself and all of us as a whole.
______________________________________________________________________
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
@Izzy wrote:
Techman01, your words were, "Them calling you means they were in a bind. So time to extract more."
I inferred from this statement that you raised your price because they were in a bind, not because your circumstances had changed. If I inferred incorrectly, I apologize.
It doesn't matter if his circumstances changed or not. It only matters that because of the time lapse they COULD have changed.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
The reason they try to renegotiate is that some people's M.O. is to ask for more than they are willing to accept, and then come down if they have to. I doubt they have a list of "People whose first bonus offer is firm," "people whose first bonus offer will go up if I don't take it the first time" and "People whose first bonus offer is squishy and they'll take less." So they approach us all as if we are in the third group even knowing they risk having to pay more for someone who is in the second group.
What would you do if you were the scheduler? So why is anyone surprised when they get a counter-offer? And why bother being offended by any of it? This is business. You want the most you can get, they want to pay the least they can. Where the lines intersect on the graph is what the price will be. Shoppers and MSCs all have different needs.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2015 09:38PM by dspeakes.
What would you do if you were the scheduler? So why is anyone surprised when they get a counter-offer? And why bother being offended by any of it? This is business. You want the most you can get, they want to pay the least they can. Where the lines intersect on the graph is what the price will be. Shoppers and MSCs all have different needs.
Time to build a bigger bridge.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2015 09:38PM by dspeakes.
I'm personally not offended by it. I just don't deal with those MSCs unless necessary. Just like I'm sure I am not on any of their go to shopper lists. I prefer companies that are upfront and honest. And to me someone who says I can't give you $50 for that shop but I can give you $40 and when I say no thanks they call back and give me the $50 was dishonest the first time.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Because of this forum and the encouragement to negotiate, I am becoming a bit more hard-nosed about the money I will accept for certain shops. Finally, I have completed enough shops of various types that I can estimate the amount of time I will need for each activity. I account for reporting, unexpected delays, the time value of my increased experience, and my larger schedule. This allows me to determine what I think is a good payment for known and new-to-me assignments.
There is one shop that I love which offers an appropriate base pay. I snap up this shop whenever it is available.
There is one shop that I love which offers an appropriate base pay. I snap up this shop whenever it is available.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Yes!@bgriffin wrote:
...someone who says I can't give you $50 for that shop but I can give you $40 and when I say no thanks they call back and give me the $50 was dishonest the first time.
Particularly when the call back comes only minutes later.
@techman01 wrote:
the only difference between your line and my line...is after they said no to
my price twice, the 3rd time when they emailed/called agreeing to my 75
I would of said sorry, that was the price then, now its 100.
Them calling you means they were in a bind. So time to extract more.
Can use any number of reasons you want but most get the message
the first time you do it. I do have one msc that still hasn't learned after
years, and still ends up almost always having to pay me more then i
initially offered.
Arent bonuses based on zip code that you have registed on their web site? i dont think companies base bonus offers on where you might be on any given day. i havr had schedulers pull up my zip code on mapquest and map out distance to their shop offer. i hear cliking on keyboard.
@MSNinja wrote:
Arent bonuses based on zip code that you have registed on their web site? i dont think companies base bonus offers on where you might be on any given day. i havr had schedulers pull up my zip code on mapquest and map out distance to their shop offer. i hear cliking on keyboard.
I've heard that too and when they tell me the job is only 9 miles from where I live so they can't give me a bonus. I remind them I am not a bird, so their mileage is not even close ... and doesn't consider the traffic or where I might be on that day.
I don't think there is really a system to bonus offers, other than offering as little as they think they can get away with. A lot of it has to do with the bonus history of the shop - if they haven't had to pay a lot in the past, they will wait until they are up against deadline before offering a significant amount. It also seems true they don't like bonusing for shops that are close to you; they probably have learned from experience that most shoppers will ventually cave in and do local shops for less. I personally won't cross the street to do a shop at the base rate. Sometimes I wonder if they end up bonusing these local shops for an out-of-town shopper after I keep turning them down, lol.
how do you make $ then if you are not working until bonus time?
It's always bonus time somewhere, if you are willing to travel far enough.
i cant travel except vacation. i work during the week & other obligations on weekends.
Marketforce called me yesterday to do a shop. They offered $10 for their fast casual. That is just covering my milage. I said $15 they countered $14. I agreed. They had a second one for $14 further away. I told them I could only do it for $20 or more. they thanked me and saud no. Today they called and offered me $20. Then they offered me $20 for one that is an hour away. I turned them down. I have not figured out how much I would need for that one.
I love this thread!
I've been so afraid to ask for what I really should ask, when figuring out bonus money.
And I've never, even though I've been told by a few scheduler's to draw a line in the sand.
A big thank you to all that have contributed to this particular thread.
MaryAnn
I've been so afraid to ask for what I really should ask, when figuring out bonus money.
And I've never, even though I've been told by a few scheduler's to draw a line in the sand.
A big thank you to all that have contributed to this particular thread.
MaryAnn
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
@MA Smith wrote:
I love this thread!
I've been so afraid to ask for what I really should ask, when figuring out bonus money.
And I've never, even though I've been told by a few scheduler's to draw a line in the sand.
A big thank you to all that have contributed to this particular thread.
MaryAnn
You're welcome, although this was simply an expression of feeling, rather than advice.
How did I come up with my bonus $$?
For travel, I've set my rate at $20/hour. I'm earning a little more than that doing shops, but I don't mind driving. I then add a guesstimate on gas at a tank for 6 hours of driving.
.
Mike T
Looking for shops in Western Canada
"Life is good because the alternative is forever "
Mike T
Looking for shops in Western Canada
"Life is good because the alternative is forever "
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