Unicorns really do exist!!!

For the nearly year I have been shopping I have heard about these mythical shops where a company will send a shopper to a resort someplace for several days and pay all their expenses plus fees. I certainly didn't DISbelieve anyone, but I couldn't imagine that ever happening to me. I mean, really, you probably had to work for YEARS before something like that would come your way.

Well this week it happened for me. A scheduler with whom I've developed a relationship over the past several months offered me the chance to go one one of these mythical shops. They are paying for round trip airfare for my husband and me, 3 nights' accommodations in a fancy resort, a rental car and all baggage fees. We have to cover our own meals ONLY because they don't need the restaurant shopped. I am in a state of shock!

I just wanted to encourage other newbies to stick with it. Take those medium paying shops and learn to do them well (don't waste your time on the $5 shops) and get into video. It is SO worth it!!!

I am SO EXCITED to do this shop. And to get away for a few days with my hubby! Woo hoo!!!

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Good for you Tracy. Enjoy. Overnight at the casino hotel is great for me.

I second what Tracy says. I'm currently on one of those mythical assignments that I didn't beleive existed when I started shopping. They do!

You have built up a solid reputation with your scheduler. You've earned it. Congrats!

Prepare for the flood of PMs asking "What company is this????"

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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.

I'm not so much interested in what company this is, but I'd love to know the general location of the resort so I can daydream about traveling while I'm stuck at home with no vacation time left!

I'd like to hear back after you have completed your full reporting and have had the shop accepted by the client.

How many shops within the main shop are there?

Depending on how many activities the resort offers, you may be very busy using every amenity offered and then reporting on it in great detail. People have stated in the past that they spend all free time writing reports between the shops during the visit, and then spend a great deal of time finishing the reports after the visit.

This may be a good starter resort shop as your not shopping the restaurants as well.

@scanman1 wrote:

I'd like to hear back after you have completed your full reporting and have had the shop accepted by the client.

How many shops within the main shop are there?

Depending on how many activities the resort offers, you may be very busy using every amenity offered and then reporting on it in great detail. People have stated in the past that they spend all free time writing reports between the shops during the visit, and then spend a great deal of time finishing the reports after the visit.

This may be a good starter resort shop as your not shopping the restaurants as well.

That was my exact thought. However, it might be easier for her because she has her husband with her.

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Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.

I just did something like this that had 37 separate reports. 10 were F&B. It took a week to finish after I checked out.
Best job ever is to the companion, not the shopper.

Agreed that the guest is the real winner in all cases.

The true "unicorn" assignments will have a factor that make them easier than standard resort shops. Something you are given without having to report on it, I think.

I once had an assignment that booked me into an all-inclusive destination spa for 3 nights. I only had to report on the booking process and the facility, and received all of the food and daily treatments for my guests (yeah...it allowed multiple guests) and me without having to report on any of it. That's a unicorn!

Believe me, I'll make a full report. This is a video shop and there are only a couple of interactions. Normally there are 10-12 with this shop but the client is only asking for 2 or 3 this visit. I think that in 3 days I'll probably have a little time to hit the beach!

Sounds like we have another unicorn!..but too bad you can't eat the unicorn. Hopefully the food there is not too pricey.

The pessimist in me wants to hear from you after the shop has been accepted--and paid for--in it's entirety. I would be too afraid to take on a shop like that because, as I mentioned earlier in my first sentence, I AM a pessimist, and for some arcane reason, I have recently experienced a few problems with rejections from my regular MSC's. I don't feel too bad when I have to eat a shop that's rejected at a loss of $12 or $16, but dealing in the kind of cash outlay you are, I would hang myself if I had such a shop turned down!

I'm happy for you, honestly, and wish you the very best of luck.

Robinv

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Unicorns really do exist!!!

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