I did my first apartment shop this week. Scheduler told me it was ok to use a fake name. I decided for some reason to go ahead and use my name when I made the previsit call. When I got there to look at the apartments the first thing the manager wanted was a copy of my drivers license. Glad I went with my gut, it was a 90 mile trip one way.

autumnicole Wrote:
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> I did my first apartment shop this week. Scheduler
> told me it was ok to use a fake name. I decided
> for some reason to go ahead and use my name when
> I made the previsit call. When I got there to look
> at the apartments the first thing the manager
> wanted was a copy of my drivers license. Glad I
> went with my gut, it was a 90 mile trip one way.

Typically if a dealership wants a copy of your DL it's because they want to run a credit check. I'm not sure how the apartment shops are supposed to go but I know some shops where they advise you to use a fake name also mention to tell anyone who asks that you left your DL at home.

Two times you cannot get away with a fake name and no DL, apartment shops and car dealerships requiring a test drive. I'm not saying the agent/salesperson will always ask for it, but you have to expect it on either type of shop. Obviously with test drives this has to be a liability issue and for apartments safety is a factor. Other than those rare occasions when the "shoppee" forgets to ask, you are not going to get away with saying you forgot it. I had a route of apartments and discovered they had forgotten to return my license at a previous stop. My hope was I could complete the second and then return to the other one to grab my DL and be on the road. I was refused a tour despite it being the same management company and the agent verifying herself that my DL was in fact at the other complex. While she was extremely apologetic for the circumstances the tour was an absolute no go until I returned with DL in hand.

The initial call, if required, normally is how the leasing agent will record your name in the system. Using a variant, or different first or last name can then be explained when presenting your driver's license. 'I don't go by my first name'...'my last name has recently changed'.

Just keep track of the name you provided. If you shop another community owned/managed by the same corporation, you need to make sure you give a different name.

Nancy Smith, Jane Smith, Nancy Wilson, Jane Wilson, Jay Smith, NJ Wilson.

The old skit, You can call me Ray, comes to mind.

The MSC will usually tell you if the property will know if you've visited sister/brother properties.

Many aprtment management companies require that the leasing agent require photo ID before showing an apartment, so expect this everywhere! Most even have a question on the survey, asking you to confirm that photo ID was required to tour. The leasing agent will lose points if you are not required to show ID. I use my passport because it does not contain my address.

Since the subject of this thread involves “apartment shops”, I have a question for you that have done apartment shops.

I have been a shopper for over a year and I have never done an apartment shop, because of the many negative comments that I have read over the past year about how long and detailed apartment shop reports are. Just based on what I have read in the past 12 months, it seems like a lot of people said that they would not do them unless the shop paid at least $45 to $50. Any pay less than that, they felt that it was not worth it.

What are your views on actually doing the reports in general (if you have done several of them)? Doing an apartment shop sounds like it would be fun, if I had to spend maybe 20 to 30 minutes looking at the apartment, yet I don’t want to go home and take 4 hours to complete a detailed “play-by-play” narrative for an apartment shop on paying $15 to $20 either.

Wilson

I think it depends on a few things. One is, do you enjoy writing and is it easy for you to compose narratives? Another is, how fast do you type? I have done apartments for as little as $20 and as much as $40 plus some gas money. I love to see the different models and get ideas for decorating, and I've always been quick with words, so for me they're worth it. Some companies will give you travel bonuses if the communities are over a certain number of miles from you and/or if you do a route for them.

WestCoastWilson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since the subject of this thread involves
> “apartment shops”, I have a question for you that
> have done apartment shops.
>
> I have been a shopper for over a year and I have
> never done an apartment shop, because of the many
> negative comments that I have read over the past
> year about how long and detailed apartment shop
> reports are. Just based on what I have read in the
> past 12 months, it seems like a lot of people said
> that they would not do them unless the shop paid
> at least $45 to $50. Any pay less than that, they
> felt that it was not worth it.
>
> What are your views on actually doing the reports
> in general (if you have done several of them)?
> Doing an apartment shop sounds like it would be
> fun, if I had to spend maybe 20 to 30 minutes
> looking at the apartment, yet I don’t want to go
> home and take 4 hours to complete a detailed
> “play-by-play” narrative for an apartment shop on
> paying $15 to $20 either.
>
> Wilson

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2011 08:29PM by TechSavvy.

I usually enjoy the apartment shops. Have never spent more than an hour on the report, even when I was a newbie. I am not a touch typist. I now do only recorded audio or video apartment shops, though. They pay a lot better ($45 to $100, sometimes plus travel incentives) and if I forget a detail, I have the audio or vodeo to review. Also, many, mnay recorded shops have very, very short reports. Even about 25 % of the EPMS ones now have short reports.

Thank you very much TechSavvy, and Walesmaven. I greatly appreciate your input and advice. It gives me food for thought. I plan to do an apartment shop as soon as I get a chance, however it seems that I always get too many other good shops at the same time that an apartment shop comes up. Right now, I do not have any shops scheduled this week as of yet . . . yet of course, I do not see any listings for apartment shops. Yet as soon as soon as I apply for and get other shops, then the apartment shops will become available . . . yet I don’t have the time to apply for any of them due to the risk of jeopardizing the other non-apartment shops . . . and this routine has been going on for about the past 6 months. LOL!!! So maybe one day, I will be able to do an apartment shop.

Thanks again you two :- )

Wilson

Also remember, apartment shop dates are not carved in stone. I have taken the shops when my plate was full, and have been able to push the dates, with help from the scheduler.

I did a few but not for awhile. I don't remember them being extremely difficult or too time consuming, but work just the same. My nightmare one was the instructions said to say it was for yourself, well, I just think it not believeable that a 70yr. old would move from a nice Townhouse to a two bedroom apt...most seniors want to stay in their homes, so I took it upon myself to say my daughter just graduated and is moving back to L.A. The Agent believed it hook line and sinker, and we discussed college and made a "connection". My report was declined, and I didn't get paid becuase of this. My report was spendid and a really good one (if I do say so myself).
I was burned on that one, and have not worked for that Co. since.

I guess I don't see where that scenario wouldn't be believable. We know people in their 60's and 70's who, as they developed joint issues, no longer wanted to live in their townhomes with the steps; they decided to move to garden apartments and enjoy a single floor plan.


Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> I did a few but not for awhile. I don't remember
> them being extremely difficult or too time
> consuming, but work just the same. My nightmare
> one was the instructions said to say it was for
> yourself, well, I just think it not believeable
> that a 70yr. old would move from a nice Townhouse
> to a two bedroom apt...most seniors want to stay
> in their homes, so I took it upon myself to say my
> daughter just graduated and is moving back to L.A.
> The Agent believed it hook line and sinker, and
> we discussed college and made a "connection". My
> report was declined, and I didn't get paid becuase
> of this. My report was spendid and a really good
> one (if I do say so myself).
> I was burned on that one, and have not worked for
> that Co. since.

I am in my mid-60s and do a ton of apartment shops. If they are urban and/or near public transportation, I talk about hoping to get rid of my car. I also talk about wanting one level living, if appropriate. And, I follow the instrutions that state that I must be the sole decisonmaker. It's not fair to expect the leasing agent to close well if she/he knows that all of the decisionmakers are not present. When I shop communities with walk-ups and only 3rd floor apartments available, I state that I want ground level, and have never had a problem with the MSC about that. It's just treated as yet another "personal preference" that shoppers are told to present.

Every senior I know that decides to move due to stairs or wanting a single story, has moved into the 55 + retirement places, where they have activies, and they don't feel alone or having to live in buildings full of kids. Believe me, there are stairs in the L.A. sprawling apts., much more difficult to get around and alot of walking. We don't have the older apts. in a building with an elevator here in the subs.....I do see your point, but my experience has told me a different story. We have a fabulous 55+ in my town, and I'd rather go there (thank G__ I don't have too) than an apt. where rents are up to 1800 per month in our town.

But the MSC wants the shopper to portray someone who wants an apartment. I woundn't live in some of the apartments, or new home communities, or senior living communities that I evaluate, nor do I want many of the cell phones or cars that I evaluate. But I do portray a ready, willing and able renter or buyer. What's the difference? And, asking if there are many kids in the building may be a great way to do a required fair housing question!

Just saying I felt my homemade senario more believeable.

autumnicole Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did my first apartment shop this week. Scheduler
> told me it was ok to use a fake name. I decided
> for some reason to go ahead and use my name when
> I made the previsit call. When I got there to look
> at the apartments the first thing the manager
> wanted was a copy of my drivers license. Glad I
> went with my gut, it was a 90 mile trip one way.


When they want to keep a copy of your drivers license on hand until your return it is for security. It also establishes your identity. Never, ever, have your SSN on your card for any purpose, and don't carry your SSN card with you.

I did one here in town for some apartments that were so bad I had to hold my nose to finish it. If you are familiar with Vegas it was over behind Poker Palace in a city to the north of us called North Las Vegas. It was so bad that I just did not want to complete it. I sent it in and told the truth.

99.9% are great and fun to do.



Apartment shops are great! Congrats on your completion!\\Don in Vegas

Always boils down to the guidelines. Some are dumps that I would not live in, some are high rise upscale units that I wouldn't live in. Where I would or would not live in real life is irrelevant to the shop. The agent doesn't know what type of home I live in anyway, so would not be able to determine if my interest in the property is believable based on that.

I've only done one where I felt inadequate and unbelievable. Hookers and pimps and bars on the windows kind of place. I had been told to dress down and park my car out of sight from the office. I had even Googled a street view beforehand. Wasn't too concerned. I may just as well have worn an I'm Here to Shop You sign. I got through it. The target handed me off, but guidelines had addressed that. Sometimes, you really have to reach to be believable, and adhere to the guidelines though.

A few MSPs post resident profiles or property grades to help shoppers make a more informed decision. One MSP's report almost always asks would you live there, why or why not? Hopefully they use that info to help screen for the right shopper.

Great comments and feedback everyone. For sure, this has been very educational for me.

Wilson