Lowes
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I've only done one, but I thought the pay was too low. It's essentially one of those two shops in one. Getting help can be difficult, and I think that would be truer this time of year. Finding an out of stock online took time and it was useless when I got to the store. In fact, the item I picked showed out of stock and there wasn't even a space for it. I asked about it and as I was waiting for the guy to research it, I saw one, out of place, all by itself, but the exact thing I was looking for. Let's just say I moved away from it as quickly as possible. The main part of the shop is pretty normal.
I went back and looked and counted roughly 8 spots where I had to write narratives that were a solid long paragraph. Then there was the overall summary part that wants the entire experience commented on.
One was enough for me. Had it just been the main focus, I would have no complaints, but the double duty aspect makes it unacceptable to me personally.
I went back and looked and counted roughly 8 spots where I had to write narratives that were a solid long paragraph. Then there was the overall summary part that wants the entire experience commented on.
One was enough for me. Had it just been the main focus, I would have no complaints, but the double duty aspect makes it unacceptable to me personally.
@Orrymain wrote:
I've only done one, but I thought the pay was too low. It's essentially one of those two shops in one. Getting help can be difficult, and I think that would be truer this time of year. Finding an out of stock online took time and it was useless when I got to the store. In fact, the item I picked showed out of stock and there wasn't even a space for it. I asked about it and as I was waiting for the guy to research it, I saw one, out of place, all by itself, but the exact thing I was looking for. Let's just say I moved away from it as quickly as possible. The main part of the shop is pretty normal.
I went back and looked and counted roughly 8 spots where I had to write narratives that were a solid long paragraph. Then there was the overall summary part that wants the entire experience commented on.
One was enough for me. Had it just been the main focus, I would have no complaints, but the double duty aspect makes it unacceptable to me personally.
Thanks for the info! I cancelled my application before it was approved! If this had been for my neighborhood Lowe's, I'd probably have given it a shot, since I know pretty much when to go so that I get waited on in a reasonable length of time. But I've never been to the store at which this shop was to be done. And I had no idea when I'd be getting there due to a previous errand. The last thing I need to do this week is stand around in Lowe's waiting to be waited on, then having to complete two separate interactions.
Sounds like they need to split these shops into to discrete shops! That fee is low for what this involves--even at the bonuses rate!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Granted, I will say as a customer, I prefer Home Depot and always obtain help there much faster. However, for the Lowe's shop, I can usually find someone to help me in a reasonable amount of time. If you can get a decent bonus, it's an easy shop and well worth it. I always hold out for at least a $10 bonus on the local stores and have had some very large bonuses for the hard to fill locations. The narrative isn't bad. It only needs to exceed 100 characters.
@nhgirl1970 wrote:
Granted, I will say as a customer, I prefer Home Depot and always obtain help there much faster. However, for the Lowe's shop, I can usually find someone to help me in a reasonable amount of time. If you can get a decent bonus, it's an easy shop and well worth it. I always hold out for at least a $10 bonus on the local stores and have had some very large bonuses for the hard to fill locations. The narrative isn't bad. It only needs to exceed 100 characters.
With a $10 bonus, I'd have done it! But the bonus was only $3.... Not worth it, from what I've read here. If they up that before the end of the month, I might re-apply.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I think these are pretty easy. I always look at the ceiling fans for my out of stock item. There is always one out of stock.
As far as the shop itself, it's pretty easy. The few narratives only have to be a few sentences. You don't have to write a book. I've never had the MSC question my narratives.
The only issue I had was one time I waited over an hour and no one came into the department to help me even after 5 pages. I called the MSC and they told me to leave so I did. Turns out that there is a statement in the guidelines that states if you leave you don't get paid. I tried to argue that they were the ones that told me to leave but they wouldn't budge.
Other than that the other ones have gone fairly quickly. In and out in about 30 minutes. I have done about 30 of these over the last 6 months.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2015 03:33PM by GJT.
As far as the shop itself, it's pretty easy. The few narratives only have to be a few sentences. You don't have to write a book. I've never had the MSC question my narratives.
The only issue I had was one time I waited over an hour and no one came into the department to help me even after 5 pages. I called the MSC and they told me to leave so I did. Turns out that there is a statement in the guidelines that states if you leave you don't get paid. I tried to argue that they were the ones that told me to leave but they wouldn't budge.
Other than that the other ones have gone fairly quickly. In and out in about 30 minutes. I have done about 30 of these over the last 6 months.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2015 03:33PM by GJT.
@GJT wrote:
Other than that the other ones have gone fairly quickly. In and out in about 30 minutes. I have done about 30 of these over the last 6 months.
About how long would do estimate the report takes? If the shop is 30 minutes in store, then I'd hope the report is no longer than 30 minutes or so. Otherwise, I'm glad I passed it up at $15.... I'd really like to do one of these shops, because I love going to Lowe's, but I want to make sure it's time well spent.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
My only complaint is with the MSC. I had business in a town 90 miles from home and I picked up a Lowes shop to cover the cost of gas for the trip. I keep getting calls from the MSC to go back to that same location.
"To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful." Edward R. Murrow
Thou shalt not steal. I mean defensively. On offense, indeed thou shall steal and thou must.--Branch Rickey
Thou shalt not steal. I mean defensively. On offense, indeed thou shall steal and thou must.--Branch Rickey
@BirdyC If its your first one, it will take longer because you are not familiar with the report. I have done so many I lost count (at least 100). I can do the report in 10 minutes.
I'll only do this shop when it's bonused. I feel like they expect much more from the associates than what they actually do during the shop and therefore, it's uncomfortable for me to report. But that's just my opinion. I dislike having to say they didn't do this and they didn't do that when the associates are usually pleasant and helpful, but the things they want done, in my experience, are never done by the associates. It's like they are expecting them to provide assistance that one might expect from a specialty store, when in reality, it's LOWE's..a big box store with numerous employees who don't specialize.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
I don't want to speak against anyone here, but if you are worth your grain of salt, it will take longer than 10 minutes to this report in *my* opinion. I don't know how a good report could be done in 10 minutes.
@BirdyC wrote:
@GJT wrote:
Other than that the other ones have gone fairly quickly. In and out in about 30 minutes. I have done about 30 of these over the last 6 months.
About how long would do estimate the report takes? If the shop is 30 minutes in store, then I'd hope the report is no longer than 30 minutes or so. Otherwise, I'm glad I passed it up at $15.... I'd really like to do one of these shops, because I love going to Lowe's, but I want to make sure it's time well spent.
It takes me about 20-25 minutes to do the report including the narratives. It's an easy report
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2015 09:18PM by GJT.
If your experience was negative, there's no reason to try to spin it. It is what it is and the company needs to know that they have situations that result in negative experiences for their customers.
Shopping the Ohio Valley and all around the tri-state area (Pittsburgh, PA; Parkersburg, WV and Columbus, OH.)
I've probably done hundreds of them. The out of stock portion has been reduced considerably. There's no narrative, you just mark off what the associate did or didn't do. The second part should take about 15-20 minutes tops, and that is WITH the waiting around for 5 minutes. I generally do the report in 25-30 minutes so even at base pay that is usually around $12 an hour.
They are not my favorite shop but the narratives are not hard. They really only require about 3-4 sentences. Of course I give them the whole shebang but there are times when there is just not that much to say.
Yes, once in awhile it will take too long to get waited on and just like any mystery shop it can turn into a nightmare of waiting. But for the most part they are simple once you understand it.
They are not my favorite shop but the narratives are not hard. They really only require about 3-4 sentences. Of course I give them the whole shebang but there are times when there is just not that much to say.
Yes, once in awhile it will take too long to get waited on and just like any mystery shop it can turn into a nightmare of waiting. But for the most part they are simple once you understand it.
My advice is to go to the store and find something out of stock, I prefer large, expensive things. The nice thing about Lowe's is that every department has a button to call for help. Once in a great while it takes more than 3 minutes for someone to come.
I enjoy doing these. For the one a mile from me, I will even do it without a bonus. I have completed 78 of these this year. When they change the scenario, it takes a little while to pass the qualifying test (keep track of all of your answers for future reference) and to write the short narratives for each scenario the first time. I am rarely in the store for more than 30 minutes. Some scenarios are very quick (tools for instance) in store and to write up. Others take a little longer. I generally spend 15 minutes completing a report (longer the first time for each scenario). Of the 78, I just had one come back asking for more detail in one of the narratives. I added 2 short sentences. You can buy a roll of toilet paper, a box of baking soda for your refrigerator, a bottle of hand soap, a can of Comet cleanser and many other things for $1 or less (may depend upon what is taxed in your state. If I am driving buy a Lowe's when on a route, I always try to do it assuming I have about 30 minutes to spare going into the store.
I enjoy doing these. For the one a mile from me, I will even do it without a bonus. I have completed 78 of these this year. When they change the scenario, it takes a little while to pass the qualifying test (keep track of all of your answers for future reference) and to write the short narratives for each scenario the first time. I am rarely in the store for more than 30 minutes. Some scenarios are very quick (tools for instance) in store and to write up. Others take a little longer. I generally spend 15 minutes completing a report (longer the first time for each scenario). Of the 78, I just had one come back asking for more detail in one of the narratives. I added 2 short sentences. You can buy a roll of toilet paper, a box of baking soda for your refrigerator, a bottle of hand soap, a can of Comet cleanser and many other things for $1 or less (may depend upon what is taxed in your state. If I am driving buy a Lowe's when on a route, I always try to do it assuming I have about 30 minutes to spare going into the store.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I have completed over 30 of these and I can easily find OOS items online under microwaves. The longest I had waited for help was 20 minutes. One associate talked and talked my ears off about water softener, but otherwise the interaction is no more than 10 minutes. The report takes about 20 minutes, negative or positive.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
I find it really interesting that some people are waiting a very long time for assistance. My guidelines say to wait five minutes and then press the button OR go find someone. In the instances when it takes longer than five minutes to get assistance, I press the button, then wait a few more minutes and then I go find someone. The store is always full of associates, so I don't usually have to go very far to find someone who can or will help me. No way would I just sit in the aisle, continuously pressing the button and hoping someone comes by.
@Orrymain The 10 was an estimate, but you are right. I did one last night and it took me 16 minutes. I still say if the circumstances go well, a well-written report can be done in as little as 10 minutes. This is assuming one's computer runs fine, the MSC website isn't lagging, and nothing went amiss with the shop. I didn't intend to mislead and I apologize if I did. Nevertheless, as many have stated, it is an easy report.
20 to 30 minutes in store max and another 10-15 for the report. Of course still not worth base pay always need at least $20 pay for shop more if I have to travel.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
@meghan9262 wrote:
I find it really interesting that some people are waiting a very long time for assistance. My guidelines say to wait five minutes and then press the button OR go find someone. In the instances when it takes longer than five minutes to get assistance, I press the button, then wait a few more minutes and then I go find someone. The store is always full of associates, so I don't usually have to go very far to find someone who can or will help me. No way would I just sit in the aisle, continuously pressing the button and hoping someone comes by.
In my case I waited seven minutes in the aisle. Found an employee who said she would page someone. Two minutes later I heard the page. Seven minutes later I returned to the employee and said no one had come. She said she would page again. Went back to the aisle and someone came in two minutes. The total wait time was 22 minutes including the interactions with the first employee.
The last Lowe's I did attached a $100 BONUS to it. They called me and I really didn't want to (as I had another one on the other side of town for $40) and jokingly said I would for a $100 bonus. They got it approved for me.
I do the Lowe's but $25-$30 is my minimum. I think I am too spoiled from the old MSC when they would climb to $30 all the time.
I do the Lowe's but $25-$30 is my minimum. I think I am too spoiled from the old MSC when they would climb to $30 all the time.
Shopping across Indiana but mostly around Indianapolis.
i got one to do today, the shelving scenerio(which is probably the last one i'd want to do). the scheduler called me yesterday saying she could grant the $10 incentive I requested. i said "uh, i requested $20." of course she pretended she screwed up and apologized and went up to $12.50, i said make it a cool 25 i'll take it, but her boss wouldn't round up. pretty annoying, and I was so close to saying forget it, but the shop is in my town so i can settle for $24.50. i've done a few of these before, they're easy, although i did have 1 guy look at me crazy when i started talking about color coordination of my washing machine to match the walls lol. i figured that's happen too.
I did one last month with an $80 bonus. I would do another one for the same bonus but for a $5 or $10 bonus. Too much time finding an out of stock item and finding 2 different salespeople to help me. And I actually like this store and shop there fairly regularly.
I just picked up two with the $10 bonus. I don't do a lot for this MSC, since the rates are low. I did a lot of Lowe's shops for the former MSC with huge bonuses. They were fairly quick shops if you hit the store at the right time. I think they are too many shoppers in my area, so I doubt I will ever see a $80 or $100 bonus. But my offer will be much higher the next time.
i just plain don't do unless there is a hefty bonus...
@ap7isback wrote:
Back when I was doing 'em, I'd go to the CFL and LED lights area, always something missing. Sometimes for fun I'd go to the nuts and bolts and pipe fittings, usually something kaput there too.
This is what I do as well. Even if they find it, it's something I would use anyway at a reasonable price.
I go to Lowes.com and look at the items that can be bought online or picked up in that store. Then I go to another store in the area and see if it is in stock or out until I find that item is in another store not in the one I am shopping. This works 98% of the time.
I would like to know how to put in PDF, on an iPhone to get the security code. To avoid printing 9 pages.
On your PC, simply go to print (I use cutePDF) or even go to print and pdf will come up. In the preview, there will be your code.
@TAMLJ wrote:
I would like to know how to put in PDF, on an iPhone to get the security code. To avoid printing 9 pages.
When the printer pops up, all you have to do is print page 1.
Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@
~Polish Proverb~
~Polish Proverb~
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.