Yes that's right my entire shopping day was a failure. After weeks of back and forth emails to the MSC and trips to the store trying to buy a cellphone at a price the client was willing to pay to replace the one they mailed me that was missing parts, I got the OK to buy one slightly higher priced phone. So I went back to the shop today only to find out the store "made a mistake" the price is actually $xx.xx more. I'm back to square one.

Then I had two shops 30 min away scheduled for this afternoon. One was canceled a few days ago but I kept my commitment to the other only to spend 40 min at a bank waiting for a banker with no hope of seeing one for at least another hour when I finally gave up. I call the MSC to see what to do and they say sorry, maybe you can go back and try again another day.

It's days like this I hate being an independent​ contractor.

I feel your pain. I sure have my share of frustrating days too.

Thank heaven such disastrous days are truly noteworthy and not the steady diet. Do something nice for yourself this evening because tomorrow is another day.

I do a fair amount of Chase banks but not nearly as many as I used to do before the client instituted the 30/30 rule. Perhaps it's a bit of bad luck or perhaps Chase is not replacing bankers as they phase out but I too have had significant waits for a banker that never used to happen. I depend on being in and out in 10 to 15 minutes and when there is a 30 or 45 wait time because there is only one banker it puts a crimp in my plans.

What is the client's 30/30 rule? There was nothing listed so the MSC person I spoke to assumed I had to stay as long as it took.

I have only had two Chase shops go sideways on me... Once, I had to wait thirty minutes, but that did not bother me as there was a huge rush of customers and the bank was completely swamped.... The two that went sideways? They had hefty bonuses and were a three hour drive (each way) from home - at least they were in the same town on the same trip. Unfortunately, neither had a banker available at all that day. I was not going to make a second trip out for these shops - they were only worth the time because I had several other nice bonuses that day. I attempted to email and contact the MSP, but got no response. I ended up returning home with proof of visits (GeoVerify, photographs, business card, product folder), but could not actually do the shop. I went around a few times with various folks at the MSP, but eventually did get paid - two days ago.

My impression is that if you are polite, articulate, reasonable, and do good work, the MSP wants to work with you and will give you some concessions. In my case, I had made a seven hour round trip for what had to be a drop-in visit and, through zero fault of my own, could not complete the shop.

I don't know if they will view the shorter trip the same way. However, I agree with the previous comment that it might be worth while to agree to do the shop on a different day and ask for a bonus.

30/30 = max 30 per month and no more than 30 miles from home

0 for 3? Ouch!

@LIJake wrote:

30/30 = max 30 per month and no more than 30 miles from home

The client waived that rule earlier in 2016. At least in my area they did. I used to perform nicely bonused road trips until the 30/30 rule was put into place. Now I have the ability to do road trips again but the bucks are not rolling in as high as they used to. I agree that the wait times to see a banker are ridiculous.

I do quite a few Chase shops and noticed that the wait is getting real long. I also have noticed that there use to be quite a few bankers working and now there are usually only 2. I think they may be phasing out as people leave.

Tellers are practically non-existent; the machines are taking over.

@pegleg2000 wrote:

I do quite a few Chase shops and noticed that the wait is getting real long. I also have noticed that there use to be quite a few bankers working and now there are usually only 2. I think they may be phasing out as people leave.

2?!?! The three times I've done a Chase shop, there's only been 1. lol

Well I submitted my report last night for Chase since the team for the MSC could not be reached and the main office said submit just in case.

I got an email back today as expected, asking if I'd go back or do they need to reschedule with someone else. I responded that I'd be happy to go back but could they add a little extra to help offset the gas and extra time to complete the job at this understaffed location. I heard nothing from them but the job is no longer listed in my current shops.

I guess the good part of being an IC is I can choose what teams and MSC's to work with in the future.

@Sybil2 wrote:

@LIJake wrote:

30/30 = max 30 per month and no more than 30 miles from home

The client waived that rule earlier in 2016. At least in my area they did.

I am confused concerning the 30/30 rule. I was told the client waved the distance portion and indeed, I was able to do some well over 30 miles away at a very good bonus. This month I was told that the client reinstated it and was unable to apply for the same shops as before. Perhaps different areas do have different rules. In any case, I have moved on to other shops.

@LIJake, I actually moved on from them awhile ago. They used to make for good fillers but with every click of the clock while I sit in a crowded waiting area, it cut into my profit margin. I only accept them now and then when bonused at $15.00 or more for close to where I work. I need beaucoup bucks for anything out of my normal radius.

I agree Sybil, I do them only when bonused either directly of through the scheduler. I can do 10 per day for 3 days and come back with a minimum of $150 per day. Acceptable. However, someone or several apparently grab them at base pay as they seem to disappear pretty quickly. But as I said, with a max of 30 it is only 3 days work.

The MSC told me that I could not do the Client's branch inside Grand Canyon National Park because I did not live within 30 miles of the park. Penny wise and pound foolish... or just plain foolish.

MFJohnston ..."Unfortunately, neither had a banker available at all that day. I was not going to make a second trip out for these shops - they were only worth the time because I had several other nice bonuses that day..."

They must have changed the rules for Chase shops. I've done hundreds of them, and remember at least once being forced by the employees to talk with a teller. I've always submitted the shops, and I've always been paid.

I too do them when they are bonused. I have done good with doing a lot in one day with the bonus.

I liked when they were with the other msp as they started at $15 and didn't have the 30 mile rule. I could easily do 30 in 3 days but now there is usually one banker per location and a long wait at each. No longer worth the shops.

Hi..
If someone could guide me are the chase shops easy? Like the scenario and report? Dont want to accept without prior knowledge but there are couple of chase banks in my area and seems a good oppurtunity.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

What one shopper consider easy, could be considered difficult for another shopper. Banks are NOT my thing! Other shoppers just love them. I would say, accept one, try it, and decide for yourself. In my experience, with different MSC's, some are narrative heavy, and some require no narrative at all. Just try one.

wwin, why would the client send you a cell phone? Was that a shop or for a shop?

true that..thanks!!

the 30/30 rule was the clients wish, not the MSC's. I never bother with any more than 30 miles away anyhow. It's too risky that there will be a very long wait or I won't get seen at all.

Hang in there, hope it gets better

I am also finding that the bankers take appointments and that increases the wait if a client has an appt.
I try to do them in conjunction with other shops since I have never seen them bonused in my area.

Wow, this was an old post. I'd completely forgotten about that bad day. HonnyBrown, the cell phone was for a long term job where the MSC sent me a phone to sign up for service. The phone they sent was broken so I had to purchase one at the store but the price the client wanted to pay was not readily available around me. It was a good job once it got going. Sadly I just got notice it's been ended early by the client.