They ALL always show as post-security. It has been a while since I have been to the airport, but I seem to remember some businesses are located before the security checkpoint. Does MarketForce just list all airport shops as post-security whether or not they are? I'd be willing to go do a few of them if they did not need a ticket.

mistry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They ALL always show as post-security. It has
> been a while since I have been to the airport, but
> I seem to remember some businesses are located
> before the security checkpoint. Does MarketForce
> just list all airport shops as post-security
> whether or not they are? I'd be willing to go do
> a few of them if they did not need a ticket.


No the ones that are before security are listed that way so you know when you are looking at the description if it is pre or post.

Liz

But they ALL ALWAYS show as post-security. I've been looking every day for around 6 months. Maybe it is a glitch with this airport's listings. There has never been one that has shown as not post-security.

The restaurants that they shop for may not be pre-security or those shops get gobbled up very quickly.

starblazr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The restaurants that they shop for may not be
> pre-security or those shops get gobbled up very
> quickly.


That must be the case, they must be snapped up. I actually just saw one (1)! I took it because it is for tomorrow and the fee is $30 plus $10 food reimbursement. I don't know how long it is going to take to get the airport by bus but I wasn't doing anything tomorrow so it will be an adventure.

I have done both pre and post security at one airport. The pre security restaurant ceased to exist a couple of weeks after my visit (and I even rated them good...haha).

I also did a presecurity restaurant for them several times. The posting shows Pre or post.

I don't believe it! I went to do the shop today. Both the page where you choose the shop and the paperwork say it is before security.

"This shop is located inside an airport , but does not require security access. You do not have to pass the security checkpoint in order to conduct this shop."

My friend came with me for the adventure. We took the bus there which took a really long time. Then we spent around 45 minutes trying to find it, only to eventually use the information telephone in the airport who told us it is past security!
Just got home now. 5 hours wasted! What makes me angry is the shop only showed up yesterday. I think another shopper went to do it, found out it was past security, informed MarketForce, who then put it back on the list still as being pre-security! I have no proof of that, but why else would it show up at the last minute.

I have a permanent airport pass provided by another company so I do regular post-security airport shops, but not for MF. I think you need a plane ticket or a pass provided by MF to perform post-security shops for them. Of course pre-security, if available can be done by anyone if assigned.

MarketForce won't issue you a pass, and if you try to get security clearance through the airport office and MF gets a wind of it, they will ban you from all airport shops.

I hate to create a tangent... but I swear these companies don't understand the IRS IC rules.

risinghorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a permanent airport pass provided by
> another company so I do regular post-security
> airport shops, but not for MF. I think you need a
> plane ticket or a pass provided by MF to perform
> post-security shops for them. Of course
> pre-security, if available can be done by anyone
> if assigned.

I was offered an airport badge, but the agreement I signed said I cannot use it for shopping for another msc, or for personal access.

I am always wondering if there are enough travelers out there to do these airport shops. I live only 3 miles from LAX and did get a pass once for a specific job there and did another one while I was there that day but it was a one entry pass. I see these jobs frequently at LAX but it looks as though they never get taken and they do not seem to get bonused. Los Angeles airport has separate terminals so if you were to shop there you would need to get a pass from each terminal. I have occasionally done them when I traveled but usually the hours do not work or I am at the wrong terminal. And the mystery shopping companies that I have seen advertise often do not tell you which terminal so I could land one and then find out it is not even in the terminal I am traveling through. I once called as i was traveling and asked which terminal the job was in and the scheduler just had no idea there was a difference.
Anyway, how do they manage to get all these little jobs done? Do they use airport personnel for the most part? The jobs I have seen pay $5 reimbursement, not a lot to deal with the airport hassles of parking etc. even for someone with a pass. When I travel to meetings I leave too early in the morning and also cannot file my report from my meeting. Is it only vacationers who take these...I cannot imagine a route thru all these separate little shops and terminals and 20 different msc companies to arrange all of the separate retail places in the airport??? this is a curiosity question.

The MSCs that promised monthly reports bonus them up. The MSCs that promised "We'll do our best to get someone back there as often as we can" won't.

I use mine for any shops behind security because I applied and I got my company approved. I wasn't handed one by a company.

I did one for another MSC and they jammed me with 8 different shops by clicking one shop. I was returning from a trip and could only do 3. It turned out they were all within 5 minutes of each other, some next to each other. I could have done them if I weren't with my relatives. Next time I will ask for a bonus, cuz it's hard for MSC to get any takers.

cubbiecat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> risinghorizon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have a permanent airport pass provided by
> > another company so I do regular post-security
> > airport shops, but not for MF. I think you need
> a
> > plane ticket or a pass provided by MF to
> perform
> > post-security shops for them. Of course
> > pre-security, if available can be done by
> anyone
> > if assigned.
>
> I was offered an airport badge, but the agreement
> I signed said I cannot use it for shopping for
> another msc, or for personal access.


The badge is only applicable to the airport you are signed up with and for the MSC who gave it to you. You would need a ticket/boarding pass to do the post-security shops if you do not have a badge. You can do it at any airport you are flying from and of course only if you are assigned.

Airport badges are not easy to obtain. It is more valuable than my passport, as far as I am concerned. You can use it for personal access depending on your agreement with the MSC. If assigned, pre-security shops maybe done without a pass.

sandyf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am always wondering if there are enough
> travelers out there to do these airport shops. I
> live only 3 miles from LAX and did get a pass once
> for a specific job there and did another one while
> I was there that day but it was a one entry pass.
> I see these jobs frequently at LAX but it looks as
> though they never get taken and they do not seem
> to get bonused. Los Angeles airport has separate
> terminals so if you were to shop there you would
> need to get a pass from each terminal. I have
> occasionally done them when I traveled but usually
> the hours do not work or I am at the wrong
> terminal. And the mystery shopping companies that
> I have seen advertise often do not tell you which
> terminal so I could land one and then find out it
> is not even in the terminal I am traveling
> through. I once called as i was traveling and
> asked which terminal the job was in and the
> scheduler just had no idea there was a difference.
>
> Anyway, how do they manage to get all these little
> jobs done? Do they use airport personnel for the
> most part? The jobs I have seen pay $5
> reimbursement, not a lot to deal with the airport
> hassles of parking etc. even for someone with a
> pass. When I travel to meetings I leave too early
> in the morning and also cannot file my report from
> my meeting. Is it only vacationers who take
> these...I cannot imagine a route thru all these
> separate little shops and terminals and 20
> different msc companies to arrange all of the
> separate retail places in the airport??? this is a
> curiosity question.

If you have to travel somewhere, apply to airport shops listed for the terminals and destination in your port of departure or better still, contact your schedulers for cities of connection.

Travelling is stressful enough so I would contact only my scheduler handling the airport assignments in my city. I would not bother with other airports as there is no guarantee with connecting flights. I doubt it is worth the trouble as in all likelihood, they will be restaurants or retails which you may not even be interested in. But it's all up to the individual.

By contacting the scheduler for the city you are depating from, you will get a number of shops, pre or mostly post security around your terminal and area where you are authorized to be in with your boarding pass and be able to make use of the long wait period. You will be able as well, to purchase some items which are reimburseable. Drink coffee and have meals on the MSC while waiting for the boarding call. You can even complete your reports right there and then. Not a highly lucrative venture but if you enjoy mystery shopping, you will have in your carry bag some free stuff and free meal (refundable expenses) as most airlines don't provide them nowadays, plus some change when your fees come in.

As for your question about airport shops, the mystery shoppers doing them are not all legitimate travellers. Many of them are pretending to be and succeeding in it. Preference however, are given to travellers so your assignments may be on the top of the list as a boarding pass holder.

Badges are difficult to obtain as they entail a lot of security measures. If you have gone through Police Clearance or background checks, this is more, much more... It takes a long while to go from temporary pass to permanent.
That's why recruiters stress that the applicants must be confident that they will be approved.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2012 09:26PM by risinghorizon.

I picked up three shops from MF, $35 each plus $10 reimbursement. I won't say how I'm getting past security but it is legitimate. It will make for a very lucrative day...and lots of take home food.

Wow. I went to the time and effort to get a badge and did the shops routinely for a few months. The company was not Marketforce. The reimbursement was paltry compared to $35 each plus $10 reimbursement. I always wound up spending my own money. The bar shop reimbursed $7 and the cheapest item to order was $7.50 plus I had to leave a tip. After a few months I returned the badge. It just wasn't worth it.

sail2sunset Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow. I went to the time and effort to get a badge
> and did the shops routinely for a few months. The
> company was not Marketforce. The reimbursement was
> paltry compared to $35 each plus $10
> reimbursement. I always wound up spending my own
> money. The bar shop reimbursed $7 and the cheapest
> item to order was $7.50 plus I had to leave a tip.
> After a few months I returned the badge. It just
> wasn't worth it.

I know which msc you are talking about. They pay $5-$7 fee and the reimbursement is small. The newest requirement is that you have to take two photos, which is not easy to do, as one is the area in front of the register. I did the bar and spent $10 for sangaria (reimb. $7) and I don't drink. sigh!

The best company for airport shops is Customer Service Experts. The pay is much better than what I have read in this forum.

They are recruiting right now. They pay $100 to get your badge, parking ($20) and more. I have been working with them for 6 years. They are great to work for. You can talk to the schedulers and editors. Be reliable! You have 48 hours for reports!
Just follow their Guidelines! Answer all of their questions on the forms. I take quick notes at the airport and use a great scanner! NEAT portable. It makes all shops easy to send receipts.

I found this forum today... and I am shocked reading all the bad things about Market Force...
I just started with Marketforce doing Airport shoppings. So far I did 6 in one day and have 4 for tomorrow. The pay for the shop is great and I hope I will get paid. The expense with the restaurants were huge, I am supposed to be reimbursed and I hope I will.

Now after reading all the posts in every subject I am kind of worried... maybe I should stop and wait to see if I will get paid.
I am afraid of continuing doing these shops and then not get paid. That would be awful!!

I do have access beyond security check, so that's not a problem at all, but I want to make sure I will get paid before doing more shops. I am shocked with all that I have read about this company!

By the way, the company says we can do up to 10 shops a day. I did 6 and it took me several hours to fill out all the reports! They do not want just an overall description of the shop. They want detailed information, usually with 400 to 1000 words!
Hmmm... now I wonder if they will say I was not very detailed on my report and use this as excuse to not pay me.

I think I will stop! At least until I get paid for the ones I already have done, (which takes a month) because if I keep going on this assignments my pay will be thousands of dollars and if they don't pay me, what am I going to do?

Anyone around here have done Airport shop for them and got paid with no problem?

mistry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> starblazr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The restaurants that they shop for may not be
> > pre-security or those shops get gobbled up very
> > quickly.
>
>
> That must be the case, they must be snapped up. I
> actually just saw one (1)! I took it because it
> is for tomorrow and the fee is $30 plus $10 food
> reimbursement. I don't know how long it is going
> to take to get the airport by bus but I wasn't
> doing anything tomorrow so it will be an
> adventure.

Thanksgiving week/December, winter, the pay is $50 for airside locations. Check the JFK area to get an idea of the pay. $30 is the average MF pays for them, unless they find someone travelling there and takes them for the initial posted $10. I got the rate for multiple airports across the USA.

A Customer's Point of View, Inc. has shops available at three (3) airports. If you have security access post security, contact one of our project managers:

M. Dupree: mdupree@acpview.com (LAX, ATL)
K. Miller: kmiller@acpview.com (DFW)

Thanks.
Evelyn Arnette
A Customer's Point of View, Inc.

Do the shops right and you'll get paid. Just follow the directions and you'll be fine.

I only shop airports when I fly, so by the time I accept, I'm sure the pre-security shops are gone. Timing is everything on the post-security shops -- waiting even just a day to assign can often mean a very nice fee increase.

I do them all the time and get paid no problem. The ones in my airports are from the British company they took over. The fee goes up nicely towards the end of the month and the food location shopped is very good! Even for airport food. The report is a bit tedious but not any worse than some others I do.
As with any shop the key is, read, read, read and read again the guidelines and shop report.

While I've never done an airport shop, I have been paid for every shop I have done for MarketForce. I've done about 100 shops for them and they are quick payers. In terms of their narrative, they tend to typically be on the low end.