How Much Is This Shop Worth?

One of my latest emails touts an "easy" online shop. Okay, that got my attention.

I need a Facebook account (check), Twitter account (check) and ability to track contacts in Excel or other method (um, check, but where are we going with this?)

The shopper will make five contacts with business via social media and ask a question for the purpose of tracking how long it takes to receive a reply. The report includes mandatory screen shots.

Easy? Yes. However, depending on the response, it could be time consuming. I do not know how long the report would be, but I can't image it could be very long or detailed. Also to be considered would be the time in taking, resizing (if needed) and uploading screenshots, setting up the Excel spreadsheet or Word table or chicken scratching something out by hand - whatever and the of course making the contacts and checking periodically for replies.

So how much do you think would be a reasonable offer? I'm not asking what you, personally, would do it for since some people won't roll out of bed for less than $12 or so (raising my hand) or even more. Step into the shoes of the MSC and tell me what you think their offer should be.

(If you say $5 you should think about starting your own MSC because you're in the right mindset.)

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

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How many screen shots are you talking about?
$75 minimum -$300 depending on the reports and follow up required

Umm I was thinking at least $50 but depending on how much time you have to wait and input time maybe $100? All they can do is say no.

Yep, I saw those offered for $5 and promptly hit delete.

I hit delete because I don't have a Facebook or Twitter account. I think they mentioned an email scenario too. But not for $5, I'm lucky to be one of those 'not going out for less than $15' shoppers.

@teriraia wrote:

Umm I was thinking at least $50 but depending on how much time you have to wait and input time maybe $100? All they can do is say no.

@jackaroe wrote:

How many screen shots are you talking about?
$75 minimum -$300 depending on the reports and follow up required

Call me crazy, or I guess I have low standards, but even at $5 / shop, the shop is quick and painless to complete.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

Tarantado, the email stated you can live anywhere in the US. If it sounds okay to you, grab it up. It's 5 businesses for $5 total though - not each. Just making sure you understand that.

As for me, I'll wait a couple of days. It's due 4/30 so I'm hoping the price will go up or they'll accept an offer to do it for my bonus amount. If not, I'll just pass.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

I think they think because it can be done sitting at the computer it's easy. Having to create a twitter account, and a spreadsheet doesn't say "easy" to me though. I think they should pay at least double that.

Indeed, CoffeeQueen. They also don't mention in the shop comments how long you have to wait for a response from the companies or which companies they are. My query will no doubt show up in my friends' feeds. Is it something of a personal nature or that could potentially be embarrassing? Do they want to know if the response comes within 24 hours or do I need to check my accounts hourly until all responses have been received? What seems easy at first glance, could turn out to be a lot more work than bargained for in the end.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

If I get assigned the shops, I'll report how things went.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

I've done this shop and have one more to complete.
You only send the screenshots of the ones that don't reply.
It's super easy if you already have the social media accounts (you don't create fresh ones, you use ones you already have).
Its one contact per company. 5 companies.
example: send a question to companyX via twitter. like this: @companyX can I return something without a receipt?

any question you want, but there are some examples (examples listed in shop) and then about 5 questions about how long it took before they replied (multiple choice) and if their reply made you feel warm and cozy about the company (my words, not the exact shop descriptions)
If you don't know how to use (or have an account with) twitter, Facebook, or how to fill out a contact us form on the web, then this shop would seem more difficult.

@kethry24 wrote:

I've done this shop and have one more to complete.
You only send the screenshots of the ones that don't reply.
It's super easy if you already have the social media accounts (you don't create fresh ones, you use ones you already have).
Its one contact per company. 5 companies.
example: send a question to companyX via twitter. like this: @companyX can I return something without a receipt?

any question you want, but there are some examples (examples listed in shop) and then about 5 questions about how long it took before they replied (multiple choice) and if their reply made you feel warm and cozy about the company (my words, not the exact shop descriptions)
If you don't know how to use (or have an account with) twitter, Facebook, or how to fill out a contact us form on the web, then this shop would seem more difficult.

Sounds like my kind of shops! Easy peasy.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

How long do you wait and how often do you check for a reply from each company?

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

I'd do this shop for $25 (for five companies). Offering this for $5 for all five companies? I find that insulting.

That's more in line with what I was thinking, DrSquash. Each company is a shop to me and should pay similar to a phone shop. I've never done a dollar shop and don't think I ever will.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

But it is 1 company... 1 market research company, right?

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

It is five different companies which you are contacting. Just like going to five different banks for the same MSC is five banks. If you can truly do everything (EVERYTHING - apply, read the instructions, make the inquiries, monitor the accounts, report the results) in 30 minutes, then at $5, you are making about minimum wage. I think that $4 per company contacted = $20 for doing all five would be reasonable. Of course, there is the issue of what my friends are going to think when I have to simulataneously send inquires about Viagra and the Bunny Ranch.

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

@LJ you have to wait 3 business days to see if they respond.
The companies are large chain stores... all types. drug stores, department stores, etc. (at least mine were)
I found the shop easy. It earned me the amount of one delicious craft beer in less time than it takes me to drink it.
I also did not have to talk to anyone or memorize any scripts. I even drank a beer and watched TV while I did the shop.

If there are more left after this round, I will take them. :-)

Sounds like something that could be done while sitting in front of the TV instead of spending the time playing Word Association and the Song Title game here..... which pays zero.

We all decide how to spend our idle time. If some want to spend it clicking a few websites for $5, more power to them.

I won't do it because I hate facebook and although i have a Twitter account, i never use it.

Time to build a bigger bridge.

If you need me to use my own personal accounts (not an alias account), I'm willing to put in the time for $20. I have a Ford shop that requires me to evaluate their website and send an email, and that gets me $4. I can do that per website, but I won't go less than that.

I turned it down at $5. Not worth my time. $12 is where I'd bite.

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