Inspections and grocery shops
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The questions for the business verification visits change. TS does this for different agencies, and each uses a different set of questions. I have had questionnaires vary in length from 7 to 29 pages. In my experience, there isn't even one of them that would justify the cost of lamination. I used to read the questionnaires in advance, now I just print on demand and just ask the questions as they appear. I tell clients that I will generally be on site for 25 to 35 minutes. The 7 page questionnaire goes faster, but I can't even see the questionnaire until I confirm the appointment. I think I did the 7 page questionnaire plus photos in 15 minutes.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2016 08:20AM by PasswordNotFound.
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2016 08:20AM by PasswordNotFound.
The inspections i have been doing are the same with the same set of questions. I have yet to see any different types of inspections in my area. But good point myst4au.
Good points! I think if I do their business inspections, I'll use my tablet and EZ-PDF, which lets you write on the form with a stylus.
I already make a hand written "grocery list" on my Note 4 and take notes in it when doing grocery shops.
I already make a hand written "grocery list" on my Note 4 and take notes in it when doing grocery shops.
Trendsource is in my area, but they aren't worth it.
One time they wanted me to do a location in Maine, and I am in Quebec, for $15. Yeah, I am going to make money doing that assignment. They've even sometimes written me with those magic words, "Name your price." I've given them reasonable figures, and nope, too high.
One time they wanted me to do a location in Maine, and I am in Quebec, for $15. Yeah, I am going to make money doing that assignment. They've even sometimes written me with those magic words, "Name your price." I've given them reasonable figures, and nope, too high.
I don't get Trendsourse. I applied for an open shop and heard nothing. I logged in on their board a couple days later to delete the shop application request and found I was assigned the shop as a backup. What? A backup. I was not notified by email that I did not get the original shop and was assigned to be a backup. If I had not logged in to cancel I never would have known. Then I wanted to cancel the backup but guess what? There is no button to cancel the shop. Once again, I don't understand Trendsource or their lack of communication. AND, no, if their original flakes, I will not be doing the backup shop. I did not ask to be a backup and already have other shops assigned. What nerve.
If they need to go to a backup (you are probably not the only one), you will get an email saying that the shop is available again and that all the backups have been emailed. The one who goes to the website and accepts it first will get it. You are not obligated to take anything that you either request or get assigned to as a backup. They are aware of timing issues. The process of being a backup is a little unusual, but quite reasonable.
@deelitefullyme wrote:
I don't get Trendsourse. I applied for an open shop and heard nothing. I logged in on their board a couple days later to delete the shop application request and found I was assigned the shop as a backup. What? A backup. I was not notified by email that I did not get the original shop and was assigned to be a backup. If I had not logged in to cancel I never would have known. Then I wanted to cancel the backup but guess what? There is no button to cancel the shop. Once again, I don't understand Trendsource or their lack of communication. AND, no, if their original flakes, I will not be doing the backup shop. I did not ask to be a backup and already have other shops assigned. What nerve.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
@deelitefullyme wrote:
I don't get Trendsourse. I applied for an open shop and heard nothing. I logged in on their board a couple days later to delete the shop application request and found I was assigned the shop as a backup. What? A backup. I was not notified by email that I did not get the original shop and was assigned to be a backup. If I had not logged in to cancel I never would have known. Then I wanted to cancel the backup but guess what? There is no button to cancel the shop. Once again, I don't understand Trendsource or their lack of communication. AND, no, if their original flakes, I will not be doing the backup shop. I did not ask to be a backup and already have other shops assigned. What nerve.
It's okay. There is no way to delete an application with TS. But, after applying, you have not committed to the shop like with other companies. (You know the drill: "By applying for this shop, you are agreeing to do the shop if assigned."
With TrendSource, you always can agree or not agree after being offered the shop.
Being "backup" means nothing more than that you will be e-mailed if the shopper assigned does not complete the shop. If you get the e-mail, you log in and look at it. If you want it, you accept. If you don't want it, you decline.
Even applying for a shop works the same way. If you get the assignment e-mail, you must log in and either accept or decline. You are not automatically assigned just because you applied for it (or because you are a backup). I actually like that part of the way they work quite a lot.
Four days, 4 days and I haven't hear if I got the shop I applied for.
Of course, two of the days are the weekend, but still, whatzup with that?
I've already scheduled in those days, sooooooooo
Of course, two of the days are the weekend, but still, whatzup with that?
I've already scheduled in those days, sooooooooo
Yea, no, i'm not backup to anyone unless they flake and I, therefore get a bonus! They must have a regular shopper for the grocery audit. I only received two of the 10 i applied for.
Sometimes I like working for them and sometimes I don't. I'm kind of picky about shops as I hate spending hours on tedious narratives. So I'd rather do a round of grocery shops than one $40 narrative heavy one. If I don't have better paying shops I don't mind doing the grocery shops from time to time. I do get burned out on them after awhile though.
I have never taken one of their grocery shops. It seems like too many observations for the fee offered. Many of these do sit on the job board. Do you know if they give PAD often for them? Does it seem like too much work for the money? For another MSC, I can do 3 back-to-back shops at another store (different departments). Half the observations, twice the money. But I have considered trying one of these.
@CoffeeQueen wrote:
I'd rather do a round of grocery shops than one $40 narrative heavy one. If I don't have better paying shops I don't mind doing the grocery shops from time to time. I do get burned out on them after awhile though.
@Threemom wrote:
I have never taken one of their grocery shops. It seems like too many observations for the fee offered. Many of these do sit on the job board. Do you know if they give PAD often for them? Does it seem like too much work for the money? For another MSC, I can do 3 back-to-back shops at another store (different departments). Half the observations, twice the money. But I have considered trying one of these.
@CoffeeQueen wrote:
I'd rather do a round of grocery shops than one $40 narrative heavy one. If I don't have better paying shops I don't mind doing the grocery shops from time to time. I do get burned out on them after awhile though.
They are really the only grocery shops that are available here. So in a tight month I don't mind doing some to help out with the groceries. They will give PAD if it is a hard to fill location, but probably not much.
Ive done a few and theres way too many observations for the pay. I would have to do about 10 or 15 to get the hang of them so they stay under 30 minutes total, to account for drivetime.
I do these without too much difficulty with the observations. I always have a notebook with me, and a shopping list made out. I write my observations on the lower half of the notebook page, and keep the bottom half covered with the weekly ad paper. Took me a couple of stores to get the hang of it. As I leave one area, I discreetly write my own version of shorthand notes on the bottom of the page for that dept.....so far so good! Just wish I was faster in seeing when these are posted! Last cycle I got 6 of them....this time....NONE!!! Oh well! Someone else in my area is quicker on the draw than I am!
That averages to 11 minutes per unit, with a 3 minute break.
I did 2 inspections this week, $17 each. I like doing them, as i said before, but I'm now finding its not worth the pay. Yes there is no narrative but the report takes me an hour to go through the 80 questions plus uploading the photos. The instructions say it should take less than an hour with data input. I was able to use my laminated document for 1 of them but not the other so had to print it out. Maybe i should try using my tablet and entering the data while I'm with the customer? That way I'm only going through the report once. How do others do them?
I'm debating requesting the one currently available with PAD.
I'm debating requesting the one currently available with PAD.
Kristie, always ask for PAD! You may not get it, but always ask.
I've gotten PAD for an HP project a mile from me, and for an inspection 7 miles from me. I've also gotten $15 PAD for the Health Care projects where the meeting was to take place in my home.
I've gotten PAD for an HP project a mile from me, and for an inspection 7 miles from me. I've also gotten $15 PAD for the Health Care projects where the meeting was to take place in my home.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I have only done grocery shops for Trendsource, but it is worth it for me. I am used to the scenarios now, and can whip thru them quickly....and Trendsource pays QUICKLY.....I did 2 grocery stores on 6/2, and the money was in my bank on 6/7th!!!! Can't complain there!!! And it really does help with my grocery budget!
I have a galaxy note 4 that I use for these shops. Have a PDF program that I use a stylus on to write down all of the counts and names and descriptions of the associates. Have all the scenario questions ready to go as well. I don't bother answering all the questions as I can remember what happened when it is time to fill out the report. The first shop I did was very stressful since it was one of the locations that have a lot more than just grocery and I didn't know at the time that it was ok if you didn't locate 3 employees in the grocery area and just report on what you see after being in the store for 30 minutes. I have done about 10 of these now and feel pretty comfortable and used to it by now. For about an hours total worth of work for locations that are either close to where I live or on the way home for work is worth it to me. Just don't know what to do with all this lunch meat!
@canadianghetto wrote:
Just don't know what to do with all this lunch meat!
Ha Ha!! I've been there with the deli meat!! But hubby likes it!!
@canadianghetto wrote:
I have a galaxy note 4 that I use for these shops. Have a PDF program that I use a stylus on to write down all of the counts and names and descriptions of the associates. Have all the scenario questions ready to go as well. I don't bother answering all the questions as I can remember what happened when it is time to fill out the report. The first shop I did was very stressful since it was one of the locations that have a lot more than just grocery and I didn't know at the time that it was ok if you didn't locate 3 employees in the grocery area and just report on what you see after being in the store for 30 minutes. I have done about 10 of these now and feel pretty comfortable and used to it by now. For about an hours total worth of work for locations that are either close to where I live or on the way home for work is worth it to me. Just don't know what to do with all this lunch meat!
You can get cheese instead! LOL!
@guysmom wrote:
@canadianghetto wrote:
Just don't know what to do with all this lunch meat!
Ha Ha!! I've been there with the deli meat!! But hubby likes it!!
I'm working on making some Italian sandwiches like I used when I worked at Quiznos. Get 4 different meats and provolone on every shop will keep me busy for a couple weeks. It also seems less weird to get 1/4 lb of capicola compared to something like Turkey!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2016 09:52PM by canadianghetto.
^^THIS^^. I've gone to asking for PAD even for the one that's 5 minutes from me. I figure that if most of their shoppers are asking for PAD, they'll eventually figure out that they're not paying enough.@HonnyBrown wrote:
Kristie, always ask for PAD! You may not get it, but always ask.
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
I put in my PAD request about 24 hours ago with the explanation that the last inspection I did for them took me an hour to input the data and photos since there was about 80 questions.
PAD is Trend Source's bonus. I think it stands for Pay and Distance or something like that.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
PAD stands for pay we should have offered you in the first place but we want to see how "desperate" you are to do the assignment for 27% of what it is actually worth! At least for the inspections. i.d. Go to 9455-3855 S. Fork Street (see the aerial photo) spend 2 1/2 hours and we'll gladly pay you $15
The grocery shops are find at a total of $14. I try to spend about 20 minutes in the store because there's no way the report takes 15 minutes; I'm a fast typist and I make notes on a piece of paper while in the store. This doesn't pay for drive time so I schedule these in the areas I will be in anyway.
The grocery shops are find at a total of $14. I try to spend about 20 minutes in the store because there's no way the report takes 15 minutes; I'm a fast typist and I make notes on a piece of paper while in the store. This doesn't pay for drive time so I schedule these in the areas I will be in anyway.
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