Should I/Could I call first?

Hi everyone. I'm knew to this and I am an introvert. Not a really good combination, but I need some extra money. My question is whether or not it is recommended or okay to contact the store ahead of time to find out if they have any specific hours that vendors are allowed to come in. The question arose because a girl on another forum made mention that she was kicked out of two stores because it was "prime time" and they either didn't want her getting in the customers way, or they didn't have time to "babysit her". I spoke with my husband who use to work for a convenient store and he mentioned that any vendors/merchandisers trying to come in after 430 pm would be turned away. I don't want to make them mad before I even walk into the store, so I didn't know if it would be too much of a nuisance for me to call them? Is this a thing? Thanks in advance, you guys are awesome.

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I don't see anything wrong with that. Usually the earlier you come in the better, in my experience. It's after around 3 p.m. and during lunch hours that the stores are busiest (most of them, anyway).

Your job instructions should tell you if there are any times you can or cannot service. If there is no information, it shouldn't matter. I know office supplies stores usually restrict 11-3.

Former mystery shopper, current merchandiser.

Also, pre-calling stores takes a lot of time you will not be compensated for.

Former mystery shopper, current merchandiser.

If this is your first job doing this particular task and you feel you should call first, then I would say that you should follow your instinct and call first. It depends on what you are doing. If you are an actual vendor, then you would be bringing in product and the store would need to scan in the product and check and sign the invoice. If you are a merchandiser, and it is a one-off job that takes and hour or less, I would not pre-call. However, all of the store employees in my area know me and I know the stores. If it is a convenience store gift card reset, I would go in at any hour. If you are doing a job that will take more than an hour, that requires a store employee's attention or requires a signature, then I would call. If it is a reset or movement, definitely call.

I charge for administrative time as an hourly employee, and pre-calling falls into that category.

@cm wrote:

Also, pre-calling stores takes a lot of time you will not be compensated for.

iamauniongirl didn't say if the job was as an independent contractor or as an employee. It seems as though CM assumed the job was as an independent contractor, as I did also. For Advantage, time is reported, not charged, as that is not an independent contractor job either. I've just never heard that said before.

You're right, she didn't say if it's IC or employee work.

Charged, reported, billed...it's just syntax. I get paid for any work-related time I spend. I also "report" admin time and get paid for it with two companies that I hold an independent contractor position with.

I know several office supply stores don't want you in their store between 11AM-3PM. And I have a chain grocery store that prefers you in between 7AM-3PM as that is the time the receiver/returns clerk works. But they don't enforce it if you are not having to deal with them.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I charge for administrative time as an hourly employee, and pre-calling falls into that category.

@cm wrote:

Also, pre-calling stores takes a lot of time you will not be compensated for.

I am employed by a company that only allows admin on certain jobs. If precalls are not required, there is no way to charge for them unless you contact your manager, etc.

Bottom line - if you are following the instructions given for the job, you should not be afraid of getting kicked out of a store. If you want to make phone calls that are not required, I don't know of any company that would be happy to pay for it. Just because you can turn admin time doesn't mean it won't be questioned how you spent it.

Former mystery shopper, current merchandiser.

It would be nice if she came back to tell us what she decided, whether or not it was an employee or independent contractor job, and what happened or how it ended up!

With the company I work for as an employee, any phone calls or work-related time (printing paperwork,reading instructions, emails, etc.) are administrative time and it's been that way for the past seven years I have worked for them. My supervisor knows full and well about it, even though I have been with the company far longer than she has. And for the companies I am an IC with, I have to break it down in my expenses and phone calls are listed. No questions, no issues about it, and I have been with those two companies for almost a decade.

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