I have been doing apartment shops, mostly for Emps. I'd like to start video shops. What type of camera do I need?

stageangel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have been doing apartment shops, mostly for
> Emps. I'd like to start video shops. What type of
> camera do I need?

Many of us use the PV500 DVR (digital video recorder) and button camera. The best price on it by far is through the MSC Measure Consumer Perspective. [www.measurecp.com] As was pointed out in a thread on this forum, be sure this is what you want to do, because they will not accept returns, even unopened. Their price is a bargain.

I thought EPMS will loan equipment. Many people start that way to be sure video shopping is something they want to do before making and $400 plus investment.

I misread, I thought you'd been doing video shops for them with borrowed equipment. Lisa's right, I think EPMS may loan equipment. Usually, if a company loans you equipment, you pay for its use by receiving a slightly reduced fee.

Yes, EPMS loans equipment to shoppers and you get a standard fee. With your own equipment, a bonus is added. Also, they find shoppers who own their own good equipment to be preferrable, so you may get more of their assignments.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/05/2012 12:13PM by walesmaven.

walesmaven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, EPMS loans equipment to shoppers and you get
> a standard fee. With your own equipment, a bonus
> is added. Also, they find shoppers who own their
> own good equipment to be preferrable, so you may
> get more of their assignments.

when i first started mystery shopping, a company sent me a simple audio recorder with instructions on how to use it. afterward, i went out and bought my own, but otherwise i wouldn't have known to buy one or how to use it. now i know exactly, because they trained me with their own unit. i sent their unit back after completing the assignments.

is it possible to get a company to send a sample video recording unit to complete some assignments, where one could simply send it back to the company after the assignments are completed?

Vince, walesmaven answered that in the post you quoted, LOL! It can be a good option if you are not sure about video shopping and want to check it out before making the large investment in your own rig.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vince, walesmaven answered that in the post you
> quoted, LOL! It can be a good option if you are
> not sure about video shopping and want to check it
> out before making the large investment in your own
> rig.

oops, thanks, lol. maybe i can check if that company has shops in my area.

I figured you needed some more caffeine!

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I figured you needed some more caffeine!

that's what i get for posting in the early AM hours, lol.

I have used the PVR500 and it is a great system. It isn't the only however. There are so many Chinese companies that put stuff out on the market too. I was just on Ebay to see and you can get a start up set up for $126. I attend the CES show every year and look at the equipment and it seems to be fine. I own a wireless system and it's worked great. With advancements in technology there's options coming out that work fine especially if you don't plan on traveling around doing them as a main business. Most go with the PV500 because it was one of the original PI units and so most companies learned on that, taught shoppers on that, then no one knew how to use others. It is a good quality for sure, but if you are not ready to make that financial commitment a Chinese one would be great. You can go look at the specs of the PV500 so you know what camera resolution it comes with, storage capacity etc. Investigate it. That's what I go with.

stageangel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have been doing apartment shops, mostly for
> Emps. I'd like to start video shops. What type of
> camera do I need?

If that unit provides video that is acceptable that's all well and good. However, if it doesn't?

You also did not recommend this for shoppers who travel around. For many video shoppers this is our main business and traveling is what we do.

I'm guessing the $20 one won't work? Lol

That's a lot of money to invest for me do companies charge a rental fee?

There are some which will "loan" equipment. I believe it varies by company. Some offer a reduced fee if they are supplying the equipment and if time is an issue will always give preference to a shopper with their own rig. That said, if you have any doubts about this area of shopping it is a good way to try before you buy

Most of the less expensive equipment will NOT meet the video and audio quality standards of the MSC and their clients. For details go to the VSN.com site and look for the thread where the minimum standards are quoted. None of us active video shoppers have found anything, anywhere that is less expensive than the PV-500 that meets the standards, will record audio and video for at least 2 hours without a change of battery and/or media card, and is easy to aim so that the target is framed for 65-80% of the time. Anything that you propose to use for the serious video MSCs really must give you all of that, not just some of it.

vadershero Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have used the PVR500 and it is a great system.
> It isn't the only however. There are so many
> Chinese companies that put stuff out on the market
> too. I was just on Ebay to see and you can get a
> start up set up for $126. I attend the CES show
> every year and look at the equipment and it seems
> to be fine. I own a wireless system and it's
> worked great. With advancements in technology
> there's options coming out that work fine
> especially if you don't plan on traveling around
> doing them as a main business. Most go with the
> PV500 because it was one of the original PI units
> and so most companies learned on that, taught
> shoppers on that, then no one knew how to use
> others. It is a good quality for sure, but if you
> are not ready to make that financial commitment a
> Chinese one would be great. You can go look at the
> specs of the PV500 so you know what camera
> resolution it comes with, storage capacity etc.
> Investigate it. That's what I go with.
>

if i buy a unit that is too cheap or generic ($100), then the visual/audible quality may be inadequate and the shops may get rejected, and i lose the money. or if i buy a really expensive unit ($500), then i may not get enough shops in my area and end up hardly ever using it.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2012 09:14PM by vince.

walesmaven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most of the less expensive equipment will NOT meet
> the video and audio quality standards of the MSC
> and their clients. For details go to the VSN.com
> site and look for the thread where the minimum
> standards are quoted. None of us active video
> shoppers have found anything, anywhere that is
> less expensive than the PV-500 that meets the
> standards, will record audio and video for at
> least 2 hours without a change of battery and/or
> media card, and is easy to aim so that the target
> is framed for 65-80% of the time. Anything that
> you propose to use for the serious video MSCs
> really must give you all of that, not just some of
> it.

the cheapo unit is $400. the nice unit is $1000.

What you are referring to as the cheapo, assuming you would purchase through Measure, is the PV-500 which is the camera every video shopper I know uses.

In addition to purchasing my rig, I traveled to Cincinatti to attend one of the Undercover Essentials workshops. That made my initial investment more like $700 plus. My first set of shops included 7 on the road and 5 additional jobs right here at home. My net for those jobs more than covered the initial expense and left me with a profit, albeit a rather small profit

You might have a big advantage if there is going to be an Undercover Essentials training after the conference. There have been in the past and you wouldn't have to worry about the travel expenses. Just be sure you want to video shop and have the determination to follow through or you might as well bbq a steak with the money

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What you are referring to as the cheapo, assuming
> you would purchase through Measure, is the PV-500
> which is the camera every video shopper I know
> uses.
>

$400 just seems inexpensive for a hidden video camera. i'm sure it's a good piece of equipment, but it's probably the standard because it just meets the minimum standard requirements. i'm just assuming, of course. but i wouldn't want to spend more than that either, if i didn't have to.

> In addition to purchasing my rig, I traveled to
> Cincinatti to attend one of the Undercover
> Essentials workshops. That made my initial
> investment more like $700 plus. My first set of
> shops included 7 on the road and 5 additional jobs
> right here at home. My net for those jobs more
> than covered the initial expense and left me with
> a profit, albeit a rather small profit
>

i'm very interested in performing the hidden camera shops, and i don't mind investing the money. just so i know for certain that there would be enough assignments in my area to make a reasonable profit.

> You might have a big advantage if there is going
> to be an Undercover Essentials training after the
> conference. There have been in the past and you
> wouldn't have to worry about the travel expenses.
> Just be sure you want to video shop and have the
> determination to follow through or you might as
> well bbq a steak with the money

i'm most definitely interested. i just want to make sure that they get that parking thing squared away, and i will schedule for the event.

It is not just the camera used by shoppers, but also by shopping companies. There's a commercial in there somewhere. Normally it is a more expensive camera. Measure Consumer Perspectives has been promoting video shopping for some time now and have made arrangements to get them at a bulk discount since it is the preferred camera.

The bigger question is enough assignments "in your area" and what you consider enough. I've been trying to transition away from written shops as much as possible. Most, if not all of us, travel to some degree. The types of industries which use video have been primarily new homes, car dealerships and apartments. These have a rotation of at least a year and sometimes a shopper cannot go back at all. Others are coming on board, but are not as common yet. As of right now I can not make enough just relying on the St. Louis area.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The bigger question is enough assignments "in your
> area" and what you consider enough.

if i spend $400 for a camera, i'd want to make at least $1200 to $1600 back within the space of a year, on top of other expenses.

> I've been
> trying to transition away from written shops as
> much as possible.

that would be nice. i just wrote five pages of narrative for $60 last night, on top of 3 1/2 hours at locations and 1 1/2 hour of driving. i'd rather not write if i don't have to.

i'm also writing a book privately as a hobby, but writing shops narratives distracts me from writing my book, because the content is so different.

Most, if not all of us, travel
> to some degree. The types of industries which use
> video have been primarily new homes, car
> dealerships and apartments. These have a rotation
> of at least a year and sometimes a shopper cannot
> go back at all. Others are coming on board, but
> are not as common yet. As of right now I can not
> make enough just relying on the St. Louis area.

i wouldn't mind traveling either if the money was there.

Good. As long as you know what's involved you can make an informed decision. It will also make you more determined. I've had some easy trips and some rough ones. It helps knowing expenses are tax deductible I did a quick and very rough calculation of what I've made just in my area in the last year and it has been well above what you need to feel like you've recouped your investment. I don't know the video job prospects there, but it seems you will have an advantage since Chicago is a much larger metro area than St. Louis. BTW, I was in Schaumburg in November

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Good. As long as you know what's involved you can
> make an informed decision. It will also make you
> more determined. I've had some easy trips and some
> rough ones. It helps knowing expenses are tax
> deductible I did a quick and very rough
> calculation of what I've made just in my area in
> the last year and it has been well above what you
> need to feel like you've recouped your investment.
> I don't know the video job prospects there, but it
> seems you will have an advantage since Chicago is
> a much larger metro area than St. Louis. BTW, I
> was in Schaumburg in November

i think that much of it would simply involve learning what specific companies offer assignments in my area. and how many.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/2012 01:09AM by vince.

The $400 PV-500 special deal through MCP is for a unit that retails elsewhere for $900 and UP. MCP negotiated a deal with a supp;ier for video shoppers.

I knew it was a good deal, but wasn't aware of just how good. Out of curiosity I've also looked at cameras through other sources. People quoting lower rates may not realize that price is often just for the DVR unit alone. All of the extras required are then sold separately. It will add up to more than Measure's deal when you start purchasing the button cam, the extended battery, etc.

But the essential thing is that you MUST go to the VSN site and make a copy of the technical specs that are considered the minimum technical specs for the video for the 7=10 most active video shopping companies and their clients. There are several tech specs and any unit you see that does not state specs, you nust ask, Probably, for the cheap units, they won;t even tell you.

I should have been more specific. I was specifically looking for the PV-500 because I was thinking of buying a spare battery. It was then I realized the lower prices did not include all the accessories and purchasing them separately would far exceed the price Measure is offering.

On another subject, I just spoke to someone who used the eyeglass camera with the PV-500 instead of the button cam. Apparently it worked very well and she is a scheduler at one of our video companies.

I am selling a brand new pv500. I purchased it with great ideas in mind and ended up never removing it from the box because my own business has taken off and I am now too busy to complete any shops. This camera comes with everything you need. I am happy to send pictures to your phone or email and answer any questions you may have.
I paid over $500 and will sell for $350 o/b/o
Thank you
Terri
(517) 605-6944

We use the LOOXCIE. It is a Bluetooth looking device with fantastic sound and pic. No issues regardless of system used. Not to expensive and excellent tech support if needed.

[looxcie.com]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't your video just for your own use as opposed to video shops?