Wow, Lisa,
In that case I would set a personal limit and, after that, decline to continue the shop.

What I will definitely do in the future is schedule these when I don't have much else going on, like the third week of the month. Oh wait, I did just that and because it was so difficult to get in there they ended up running into my busy days, LOL!

I've never had so much trouble reaching targets, but then one of them only works 2 days a week. I certainly understand why a shop would need to be targeted, it's kind of obvious with someone who works so little that other agents might have been shopped and she was missed. I'm with everyone that doesn't understand why we can't be provided with the target's schedule and why in the world we would be calling people that don't even work there anymore.

Lisa you can have someone else call and ask for the target. I have had EPMS approve that as long as it is not you calling and asking for them by name. My son has called if I cannot get them after the first two attempts. I do not spend more than 10 minutes, any longer on target calls. I had one that I called about four times and never was able to get in touch with the target. When my son called, he discovered the target no longer worked for the community. That's why I do not waste time on these. When you discover that they are no longer working at the community you don't get paid for the time spent making calls or whatever. It's just time wasted.

I thought about doing that and probably will in the future. Three to five calls a day certainly seems excessive and I found out the hard way how pointless it is to call after 2 when I reached the target, she set an appointment for the following day and then as an after thought before ending the call said she would not be there

I use the piggyback phone method or I call and tell them that I got the leasing agent's call from a co-worker.

Walesmaven - I liked your idea. I will definitely be using that.

shhhitzasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I use the piggyback phone method or I call and
> tell them that I got the leasing agent's call from
> a co-worker.
>
> Walesmaven - I liked your idea. I will definitely
> be using that.
So, that would be ok? Ask for target saying you got their name from a friend?

Ken did a "shop anyone" shop for EPMS. The instructions said to do the onsite first and then make the recorded phone call. Grrrrrrr. He called Friday and Monday and Tuesday. Today he had permission to ask for the target and the guy didn't return the call. Now he's still waiting to see what happens next. Maybe the call will come tomorrow. Course we'll be crazy busy when that happens. lol

Anyone seen one where you had to do the visit first and then call? This was a first for me.

darmody2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> shhhitzasecret Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I use the piggyback phone method or I call and
> > tell them that I got the leasing agent's call
> from
> > a co-worker.
> >
> > Walesmaven - I liked your idea. I will
> definitely
> > be using that.
> So, that would be ok? Ask for target saying you
> got their name from a friend?

Check the instructions. Mine was not to ask for the target by name. My understanding is more are that way and after a certain number of attempts a scheduler may give you permission.

I have done a few of the shop anyone with the on-site visit first. When I did my first few I called back immediately and luckily got the same agent. The last time I just shopped the person who answered the call. It was approved without an issue. The latest trend in my area is the pre-approval to ask for an agent on the first call if the location has a concierge.

I do wish they companies would develop a method to erase us from the database at the end of the month. There is only so many ways I can invent new first names.

That's where women have the edge on these shops; we can invent last names (due to marriage or divorce).

There are only a few schedulers at EPMS that are worth the time of day. I had editors hounding me about 2 shops and they are still sitting there waiting to be accepted. Ms. Ellis should have someone shop her company for table manners. IMO

savak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did one of those targeted shops one time several
> years ago. It was a disaster. When I finally
> reached my target I was able to make an
> appointment for the tour. I arrived on time and
> met the target and she immediately turned me over
> to her associate to continue the tour. What was I
> supposed to do?
>
> I finished the tour and did the report explaining
> that I didn't actually shop the target and why.
> EPMS gave me grief over that. They said I should
> have resceduled but I don't see how I could have
> done that without tipping my hand.

I finally did the on-site portion of my 2nd apartment which has been somewhat of a cluster from the beginning. The first thing the agent says is that I look familiar and proceeds to tell me the name of the other complex where she worked. I knew I had visited that one last summer, but this girl did not look the least bit familiar to me. I just told her no and laughed that I must have a doppelganger running around town. Now I have no idea if it will be accepted or not

vptrav Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have done a few of the shop anyone with the
> on-site visit first. When I did my first few I
> called back immediately and luckily got the same
> agent. The last time I just shopped the person
> who answered the call. It was approved without
> an issue. The latest trend in my area is the
> pre-approval to ask for an agent on the first call
> if the location has a concierge.
>
> I do wish they companies would develop a method to
> erase us from the database at the end of the
> month. There is only so many ways I can invent
> new first names.

I really wonder why using your name at different complexes is a problem. If I were truly looking for an apartment I would want to check them all out to see who if offering the best place and deal.

That may work for shops within a few days of each other, but no so much for month after month and still looking.


darmody2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> vptrav Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have done a few of the shop anyone with the
> > on-site visit first. When I did my first few I
> > called back immediately and luckily got the
> same
> > agent. The last time I just shopped the person
> > who answered the call. It was approved
> without
> > an issue. The latest trend in my area is the
> > pre-approval to ask for an agent on the first
> call
> > if the location has a concierge.
> >
> > I do wish they companies would develop a method
> to
> > erase us from the database at the end of the
> > month. There is only so many ways I can
> invent
> > new first names.
>
> I really wonder why using your name at different
> complexes is a problem. If I were truly looking
> for an apartment I would want to check them all
> out to see who if offering the best place and
> deal.

That's why I like apartment routes out of town. The perfect cover for visiting a bunch over the course of a few days.

Well, finding this post is timely~I have my first Ellis shop today. I was going to go ahead and go into town and call when I got there (as I usually do with apt. shops), but I guess I better rethink that! I'll let you know how it all goes.... wish me luck!

myshop2011 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, finding this post is timely~I have my first
> Ellis shop today. I was going to go ahead and go
> into town and call when I got there (as I usually
> do with apt. shops), but I guess I better rethink
> that! I'll let you know how it all goes.... wish
> me luck!

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

darmody2,
When you are shopping more than one location for a given client, each leasing agent should be able to explain how wonderful the client is during the shop, as a major way to get the points needed to "pass" the shopping test. If the LA knows that you have been at another of the client's properties recently, they may well skip the part about the company reputation, knowing that you have heard it all before. That is not a fair test of the LA's performance .

In addition, no matter how "normal" we may think going to several communities within 1-3 days is, these LA's pride themselves on spotting shoppers and hope to make brownie points by reporting ANYTHING that might indicate a shopper.

Finally, the client and the MSC have given us shop standards, so don't take the shop if you don't like the standards.

Pretty stated---There are only a few schedulers at EPMS that are worth the time of day"

Bob's opinion---Through almost 200 assignments over nearly 6 yrs., my experiences have been diametrically opposed to the above comment.


Pretty typed---I had editors hounding me about 2 shops and they are still sitting there waiting to be accepted. Ms. Ellis should have someone shop her company for table manners.

Bob's reply---I've never been hounded by anyone at Ellis nor has there ever been a discourtesy directed toward me.

The above opinions once again illustrate how one shopper can have a bad experience with an MSC while another thinks they're great. One has to but scan the boards to read of the praises some sing of low pay/ high work companies such a CORI and Bestmark. It all goes back to the old adage: What's one person's meat is another's poison.

> So, that would be ok? Ask for target saying you
> got their name from a friend?

I don't say friend. I use the term co-worker so in case they try to back me into a corner. I tell them that I got the name from "Bill" or "Mary" (use a common name) and that I don't know their last name because they don't work in my department. Some have asked, then how did they know you were in the market for an apartment. I mentioned it during small talk at an office party

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's why I like apartment routes out of town.
> The perfect cover for visiting a bunch over the
> course of a few days.
...............................................................................I started following this post because I signed up with this MSC...had not been able to get a shop in my area...the day before I leave SD to go to Tucson for the Gem & Mineral Show...I get an email from a scheduler for a shop in my area...I declined the shop indicating that I was sorry to do so because I had been trying to get one every since I signed up with them...I advised the scheduler I'd be in Tucson,AZ during the time the shop was to be done...I gave her the exact dates I'd be there...she emailed me back with 2 shops in Tucson and asked if I'd like to do them...she stated the pay was only $25 per shop as opposed to the $40 for the SD shops...I emailed back and asked her if she thought I would be able to complete the shops within the time frame that I'd be in Tucson (2nd-6th of Feb)(Thur -Sun 5th)she stated I could shop Anytime.
Keep in mind this will be the very 1st apartmt. shops I've ever done(she knows this)...these are Call & On-site Visit a Target Agent..

From reading this thread it sounds like there is some difficulty in getting the call & visit of the target on the same day...I'm also confused about when I call...can I ask for the target by name? I haven't read anything in the instructions that say I can't...however it has been mentioned in this thread quite a bit as a difficulty in performing these shops...

Any help anyone here can offer this newbie will be greatly appreciated...my main concern is with the call...I don't think I will have a problem with the on-site visit...I only have today(Fri,Sat & Sun) to get this done...BTW...she just emailed and asked if I could do one more location that has been bonus-ed $5...I've also received to emails stating I need to start calling ASAP...
HELP!!!!

I would suggest calling them to be sure. Different clients may have different requirements and if you wait for an e-mail response it could ruin any opportunities to go today. As far as getting them done, all you can do is try. If you are not going to be allowed to ask for the target by name and you told them you are only in that city for 3 days I don't know what choice you have.

I couldn't leave my schedule open enough to allow for a visit the same day as the call. If you reach the target and still have a couple of hours before closing time most will try to accommodate you.

LisaSTL wrote:

[I would suggest calling them to be sure. Different clients may have different requirements and if you wait for an e-mail response it could ruin any opportunities to go today.]

The emails I was referencing came from EPMS...I guess since the call is the recorded kind...are they checking to see if I have made any calls...these shops could not be started until today the 3rd...

If not otherwise stated in the special instructions...do you normally call and ask for the target agent?

BTW...I was hoping you or Flash would respond to my post...as the Italians say" Mille Grazie"!!!

I suggested calling because sometimes it may take several hours or overnight to hear back and whether or not you can ask for the target is client specific. I wish walesmaven were handy right now since she's done lot of shops for EPMS. I've only had a couple and I was not allowed to ask for the target. Do you have their phone number? If not let me know and I can get it for you.

I have EMPS general #...the scheduler stated she could only be reached via email...I emailed her late last night after I checked in my hotel...she replied early(6am) this morning...I think I'll do both...call EMPS directly and email her...however I noticed the emails are coming from someone other than the scheduler who assigned these to me.

If I can't ask for the Agent directly...I don't see it being feasible to complete these shops within my time perimeters...I do want to visit several venues here at the show...I have some workshops to attend but they are after 6pm...which is why I thought I could possibly do these shops...do agents show apartments on Sundays via appointment?

Thanks Lisa for all your assistance...I respect and value your judgement and opinions...

It sounds like you have a plan. When you call just let them know time is of the essence!

Sundays can vary so much. Check the complexes hours on their websites if you want to be sure. You also could end up reaching your target on the first call you know. We've shared some of the frustrating stories, but they don't all end up that way

Hello, reporting for duty!
I have never seen an EPMS targeted shop where it said that it was okay to ask for the target right up front. My assumption is always that I am not allowed to do so until I have made several calls AND gotten scheduler permission.

When I am traveling for EPMS, I always tell them that I cannot guarantee to do the call and the shop on the same day, as I may well have to call several days ahead to slip the shop into MY schedule. However, since I do only their audio and video shops, I cannot vouch for what schedulers for their "traditional" shops might say. Video and audio shops are staffed by a seperate group, altogether. The audio and video folks understand "roadtrips"; can't say that I am sure that the others do at all.

BTW, I too have found that the fee drops dramatically in markets where the rents tend to be much lower, i.e., South and Southwest.

Well it's about time, LOL! I was trying to fill in with my limited knowledge

Lisa,
You are much too modest.

BTW, Robert A of EPMS told me that I always needed to call, since the whole outfit is not very good at responding to emails.

I don't recall if he said that to me, but when time is tight I always opt for the phone And after my brief association I've already learned how slow they can be. I gotta give them credit for being great to deal with otherwise!