I did a MF phone audit (not a shop). The fee was $26 and I had no idea how much effort it entailed. Just reading the guidelines took 90 minutes. I waited until the last minute to read the guidelines and didn't want to cancel the audit the day it due so I completed the job.

Stay away! The fee needs to be at least triple what they're paying. Has anyone else done one? What did you think?

MF has fewer and fewer shops that are worthwhile for me to do. Last year, they were a fair portion of my income. This year I've only done about 4 shops.

To be honest, I've never seen a MF phone shop (besides signing up for new service).

The audits are "up" to $30 in my area, and there are still quite a few available, but it looks like they've had some takers. I haven't done the phone audit: I've done a few of the basic Mystery Shops (no reveal, no pictures) when I was in the market for a new phone. I did one at the base rate, and then two more at pretty good bonuses.

And then, when I was ready to buy a new phone, I did the buy a new phone one. That shop was very easy and I'd say it's perfect for anyone who has the service from this carrier already and was going to buy a new phone, or anyone who doesn't mind switching to the new carrier for a couple of months to complete the shop and the follow up. It paid and reimbursed a total of $175 (I waited until the shop fee was up to $125 and the "Reimbursement" never moved from $50). The shop won't pay for a smart phone (which is a required purchase), but it will contribute toward the cost of one if you were going to buy one anyway.

I'm sorry the audit was so much work for the pay, do you think another one would be less work now, since you've read the instructions and know what to do? Sometimes the first one of those shops is kind of a "loss leader" that you do at a loss in order to get other, more profitable shops in the future. Do you really think three times the rate is what it would take? About $80 or so? They're being slowly bonused in my area, I'll be interested to see how high they get.

I did one to try it out and it went smoothly. I was fortunate that a regional manager was present and knew exactly where and what was needed. The place was compliant with everything and it still took me over an hour. I did have another scheduled but was unable to reach the location in time for an appt. due to their phone not working. It was a hassle and I'll probably get a grand total of $3 for that one..after printing all that darn paperwork. I'd do another, but for a much higher fee. I don't see any more yet. Maybe I will after the others have been approved and cleared.

Reading the guidelines at the last minute, could be a downfall for anyone. Vital requirements could be missed. or make a easy shop, more difficult.

It seems like right now MF has at least five different cell/phone shop in effect. We need to be alert to the type of shop we are doing because it may have a bearing on whether or not we can preform one of the other shops. Even as a fast learner/reader, the guidelines should be considered gracefully.

CaliGirl, I agree with the concept of "loss leader" though that's the first time I've heard it phrased that way In addition to time spent on the guidelines (33 pages), I spent 1 hour and 40 minutes in the store, and the report took me another hour with all the pictures that I had to sort through (I took about 3 dozen photos in case there are any questions later). The store manager was helpful because he's been audited before, but there were so many customers that there was a lot of down time for me.

The manager picked the time slot because it's typically slow, but it turned out to be busy, which of course is great news for him, but not for the auditor.

I easily spent 5 hours on this job, which worked out to be $5/hr. GRRRR. I'm happy to leave these audits for others who are faster and can pick a slow time in the store. These are on my 10-foot pole list.

I was not a business major, and I'm pretty sure I'm not using the "Loss Leader" thing exactly right, but it's helpful for me to think of it that way. Thanks for the info about the Audits, I don't think I was really considering them, but it's good to hear from someone who did them.

Sojo, you're right! I shot myself in the foot by waiting until the last minute to read the guidelines.

I don't like to cancel shops for any reason, and especially an MF shop because they are easy to work with and their reports are easy to complete, but this audit is an exception. A notable exception, which is why I'd like to hear from others who have done it. Maybe I was off my game that day?

You could have been off your game or it could be that the first assignment of a new projects tends to take anyone longer. I have a couple scheduled for next week. It took me about five minutes to read the guidelines. A friend who audited for the old MSC has them running about 30 minutes on site and another 20 for the report. I have completed phone store audits for different carriers and my average was always 30 on site. I still expect my first to last longer.