I have done several shops for EPMS but never had done a video shop. Are they worth the time and effort to do them? How do you keep the camera hidden so that you get a clear picture of what you are taping? How do you keep them from knowing you are videotaping them?
Also, reaching targeted agent: I usually try to reach the agent on two attempts, then ask for them on the 3rd attempt. I do not even ask EPMS anymore. I also will go the next day to do the visit if I reach the agent in the late afternoon. Just put in your report that your phone call and visit were on different days.
A warning: If you have a visit schedued with an agent, then another agent calls to tell you that your agent had to leave due to illness, do not go and do a different agent. I was on a tight schedule and went anyways. I also thought I would be giving myself away as a mystery shopper if I set up a new time when the other agent was offering to show me the apt. It turned out that because I knew ahead of time that the targeted agent would not be there, EPMS would not pay me. It is only when you do not know ahead of time and find out when you get there that they will pay for the report and visit. This is the only time that I did not get pay for the shop. So call EPMS if you are in doubt before you go to do the shop.