I actually enjoy EPMS, other than the reports are lengthy and repetitive. They ask the same questions a million different ways. They do pay well, though, and quickly.

I have the most difficulty with the three best qualities of the target and the three worst qualities of the target. If the target did an o.k. job and did nothing outstanding or truly awful, I have a hard time picking the three in each direction.

avitoots Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mert -- I have done several shops for EPMS
> (telephone and onsite) and the guidelines always
> say you have to do the phone call and shop on the
> same day. So, if you made the phone call on a
> Saturday and it said no Saturday visits, then I
> can understand why you got dinged.
>


They also have shops with guidelines which require scheduling an appointment, specifically not on the same day as the call.

Mert -- Interesting. I've never seen one of those and I've done shops in Chicago and West Palm Beach, FL areas. I've had situations where the scheduler or editor didn't know the requirements of the shop and once the requirements were pointed out things resolved itself. I once did a targeted shop for a floater and got grief for not making a phone call on a particular day. Well, the guidelines specified that the target didn't work on that day so I didn't make the call. Once I pointed that out, problem solved. However, I feel that they should check the guidelines before coming down on us for not doing something.

I found your message a little hard to follow...could this be a problem with your report? BunniesOpinion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi, It seems when I shop and the agent doesn't do
> a very good job, when I write about it the editors
> write back nasty messages and dock my pay! For
> example, an agent after raising objection to a
> feature in an apartment he just said "okay". When
> you write about it, the editor wrote back saying
> "What makes you think that Mr.X HAD another
> apartment to show or other units available??!" I
> wrote back because it is an apartment community
> and that is what they are in the business of
> doing. I DON'T know if they have anything but it
> was the AGENTS job to ask me if there is anything
> else or go through his list to see.
> Anyway, they write such nasty emails and of course
> reduced my pay, luckily this community was
> literally around the corner from me, but what if I
> depended on this salary? Anyone else receive rude,
> insulting emails when you are just relaying what
> happened on the shop? Fill me in.

Just thought of something I really do not like about the EPMS reports. The repetitious questions are bad enough, but I really sort of resent the "Additional Questions" part. Guessing at the target's weight? Give me a break. The worst one though is the description of the apartment if it is a model. Geez, do we really care what the furniture and decorations look like?
I like shopping for EPMS. The pay is decent and I do not have problems with their employees. Someone just should rewrite their report structure. And having to do long reports after a video shop is nuts. I realize it is the client who wants this, but you would think that EPMS could explain to the client that they could just watch the video they paid for!

Those extra questions drive me crazy as well. What color are their eyes? Please. I'm not looking deeply in their eyes when I'm talking to them. And, I get that they probably want to make sure that we actually saw an apartment, but asking for so much detail of the apartment and the office and if you saw any other people, etc. Nothing really to do with the performance of the person you're evaluating. And, more importantly, why don't those additional questions print with the report? The first time I did a shop for them, it was a complete surprise.

@avitoots...

LMAO with "looking deeply in their eyes"...

I'm thinking you should wrestle them to the ground and to get the answers you want; all the while gazing, gazing ...

We get asked the same questions for video. I would love to say, "Why don't you zoom in and tell me."

Maybe they can't tell if that couch is burgundy or wine so they need you to tell them.

Rainyday23 -- Don't think I've had that urge on any of the apartment shops but there was a Volvo salesman I definitely took a second and third peak.

@BunniesOpinion

Too bad your thread was hijacked. You wanted to know if anyone had experienced rudeness from an EPMS staff member. The answer is YES. I have received several rude/insulting emails from them. I ignore them and just keep working. For me, the pay is worth dealing with their attitudes so I just laugh it off and keep collecting my direct deposits.

Too bad you didn't ask about how, when, why and where to make the proper objection during this shop. You certainly did receive that answer though.

To answer the question, yes there are some that can be rude. I can easily say that it is because they are under stress but who isn't. It doesn't give them the right to be rude especially since they are the employee of EPMS and we are just Independent Contractors. There was an editor who emailed me telling me that charges would be filed if I didn't return the equipment. Now I felt she should have done her homework and looked at my info/profile. I kindly emailed her back and told her that I have had my equipment for the past 43 video shops I had completed. No apology or anything.

BunniesOpinion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi, It seems when I shop and the agent doesn't do
> a very good job, when I write about it the editors
> write back nasty messages and dock my pay! For
> example, an agent after raising objection to a
> feature in an apartment he just said "okay". When
> you write about it, the editor wrote back saying
> "What makes you think that Mr.X HAD another
> apartment to show or other units available??!" I
> wrote back because it is an apartment community
> and that is what they are in the business of
> doing. I DON'T know if they have anything but it
> was the AGENTS job to ask me if there is anything
> else or go through his list to see.
> Anyway, they write such nasty emails and of course
> reduced my pay, luckily this community was
> literally around the corner from me, but what if I
> depended on this salary? Anyone else receive rude,
> insulting emails when you are just relaying what
> happened on the shop? Fill me in.

I have had the same issue. I always have to think twice before taking there jobs, and they are slow in paying.

Yeah, I rarely shop this company anymore. They can be rude and the pay is laughable. Come on! $25 for an apartment shop that takes about half an hour but the online report takes another hour! No thanks. Their etiquette is not inviting, either. I've intermittently shopped with them since 2007 & the comments have always been that way. I'd suggest shopping for baidata for apartments, less hassle and report isn't as extensive.

so let me be sure I read this correctly - you undertake the assignment, go on the tour, and then write up what you think the MS company wants to hear, and not what actually happened?

if that is correct I am glad you are not working for me, and if you were, it wouldn't be for long. that statement, if I am reading it right, is an admission that you have no itegrity and in fact put some serious thought into defrauding the company contracting for your service by mis-reporting the facts on the ground

if you truly are being dinged for telling the truth, the ethical thing to do would be stop doing work for that company - is a lousy $40 or $50 bucks for a shop really worth sacrificing the truth and your honor?

If I mis-read your statement, I guess I would have to apologize - but then I would probably be blatting that you don't clearly express your thoughts

gosh_gee_golly Wrote:
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> I agree. I never write anything that shows that
> the leasing agent made a mistake or did not march
> to how their bosses want things to go.
> I just yes yes yes everything was fine. The
> property looked great. They asked me to leave a
> deposit.
> EPMS can not take the truth.

I have a good one for you. I have done over 200 shops for EMPS, some minor issues that I might argue were my fault but then again who knows. I had three shops not paid as it was said I was spotted as a shopper because I intimidated the agent. Now that may be true but what really occured was that I was spotted by one agent and she told the other two agents from the same company that I was a shopper before I got there. Then they all collaborated to say that I was abusive at a company party held that evening. EMPS did not pay me for three shops because they could not understand that three agents worked together to make me a bad shopper. Since that time, I worked over 200 additional shops for EMPS with no trouble.
Now after a year, EMPS deactivated me as one of their schedulers said I was a trouble maker because I complain too much. This scheduler works for another company and she is right. I do complain every time someone cheats me out of money that I have earned. I will not allow myself to be abused by MSC people.

Just curious why, as a shopper, you would be at a company party with leasing agents in the evening? Usually you go look at an apartment, do the visit and leave. There would be no reason to go back and/or to ever see them again.

dr.lloyd@sbcglobal.net Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a good one for you. I have done over 200
> shops for EMPS, some minor issues that I might
> argue were my fault but then again who knows. I
> had three shops not paid as it was said I was
> spotted as a shopper because I intimidated the
> agent. Now that may be true but what really
> occured was that I was spotted by one agent and
> she told the other two agents from the same
> company that I was a shopper before I got there.
> Then they all collaborated to say that I was
> abusive at a company party held that evening. EMPS
> did not pay me for three shops because they could
> not understand that three agents worked together
> to make me a bad shopper. Since that time, I
> worked over 200 additional shops for EMPS with no
> trouble.
> Now after a year, EMPS deactivated me as one of
> their schedulers said I was a trouble maker
> because I complain too much. This scheduler works
> for another company and she is right. I do
> complain every time someone cheats me out of money
> that I have earned. I will not allow myself to be
> abused by MSC people.

I've done 1 apartment shop.. not sure of the company. However I also asked about apartments with washers and dryers, as I was hoping for, and the agent informed me about laundry area. The editor initially rejected my report because I didn't have an objection to apartment. I thought acting like I was really hoping for a washer and dryer would work.

SO I just don't do them anymore. Its easier to just do a few last minute fast food, restaurant or retail location without incident with editors that I never have problems with than the long report, longer revisions for the same pay.

Every editor is different..

I have encountered rudeness from the editors. Their tone can be very condescending and disrespectful at times. Just make sure you document everything because they have tried to not pay me several times when I called and got permission to deviate from the instructions.

I am starting to gain some ground with EPMS. I have not had any problems with them. I have dealth with the same people that was mentioned in an earlier post. At first I thought they required a lot as far as the reporting goes. I then started doing more video and audio shops for them and the reporting has been slimmed down quit a bit.

As far as the objections go; I use the paint color scheme most times. If the paint is bright, I will say the bright color in the bedroom is not my favorite due to the brightness in the morning while I am still in bed. I let them know I like it darker because it is cozier. They always come back with: "You can paint, as long as you prime it white before moving out!" I will also use a similar line if the paint is dark. It works every time. Or, I'll say there is not enough shelf space in the bathrooms. They will usually mention removable shelving that can be assembled and put behind and over the toilet area. We've all seen them in most department stores. Another I use is the fans are somewhat of a waste without the light fixture on it. Some leasing agents will pick up on it and say I can purchase and install a light fixture kit from Home Depot or Lowes, as long as it was put back the way it was when I moved in.
Tactrueblue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> EPMS is really my favorite company to shop for.
> Their pay is good and the reports aren't too bad
> either. They're a bit log but I've been doing
> them for so long that I breeze through them now a
> days. Don't give up on them. They probably just
> needed clarification or the objection given wasn't
> one that the agent could overcome.

I admist EPMS shops can be a PITA but I have never had any problems with them. I have called and visited on different days--no problem. (I tell the scheduler/office ahead of time and they are always ok with it. I DO have to call the morning I am going to the property to confirm the target is there) I have arrived to find the place closed--no problem. This happened once. I called EPMS, was asked to wait 15 minutes to see if anyone returned and, if not, to take a picture of the door with the closed sign on it. I did. And was paid in full. I have reported negative experiences: associates who were rude, apartments that were filthy, etc.--no problem. I wish their were more apartments to shop in my area so I could do more work for EPMS without having to travel. They always pay me a little extra for gas, but even still.... travel time really cuts into my profits. I have been paid hefty bonuses on a few shops and they have really been worth ti.

As for the objections...as others have said, the point is to see how the associate handles them. So, no matter what I think of the apartment, I tell the associate how much I like it (you want him/her to feel like he/she has a chance in hell and to attempt to close the deal!). My objection is always "I just don't think I can live with off-white (or beige) walls." Works like a charm.

Chix : FYI I did not go to the company party. The targets were from three locations owned by the same company and they all got together at the company party that just happened to be the same evening of the shops.
They discussed me as being a potential shopper and decided to "fix" this shopper. (I think). Bottom line I was labled as not only a shopper but a trouble type shopper. This is only supposition but I do know that I did not get paid due to this. So if a shopper writes a bad report on a target (which I did) it will come back and haunt him/her.

Ah, I get it - sorry, I read that wrong!

I have written some scathing reports and have never had a problem with anyone at EPMS because of it. Believe it or not, I had one agent hand me the keys to an apartment and then she told me to "just go up and take a look". I am sure you can imagine my report on that one!!! No one ever called or emailed me about the report and I got paid on time.
I write my reports based on the facts I encounter, not just for EPMS. I was asked to clarify something on one negative report, but I had not made something totally clear, so the question was justified. I just don't know, but in all my shops since 2007 I really have not had many problems. Maritz gave me a fit about some "all over" photos for a couple of shops. I did 5 shops that day and actually broke my ankle trying to run across a six lane road with heavy traffic. So I did not get a good all over shot on this one and the two after that one (Yeah, I finished all my shops, the last two with a broken ankle). So I did not get the across the street pics they wanted. They ended up paying me anyway. OK, nothing to do with EPMS, sorry I got sidetracked.

I have done a ton of their apartment shops and written many very negative reports, with no problems whatsoever from EPMS. Of course, I do almost nothing but video or audio shops for them, and it's quite awkward for the target to dipute what is in the recording. Yet another plus for audio/video shopping.

While any given company may be perfect for one shopper, it may be hell for another. No company is totally perfect because all are working with imperfect people. We are imperfect ourselves. However, if enough people have the same problems with a specific company enough times, then there is a strong indication that there is a problem with the companies' approach. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it sure isn't a horse! Common sense prevails.
I am a relatively new shopper and in my experience I have already noted that some companies really are looking for a 'whitewash' of the shop. Questions like, "Did you receive kick ass service"? And, "Did they exceed your expectations"? I have no expectations when I shop. I'm an impartial observer. These questions tell you loud and clear that they want a very positive and favorable report. They don't really want negative comments about anything and they don't want a 'picture' of the shoppers experience. It's clear that there are companies who just want to have their client's egos stroked. That keeps the client happy and thus keeps the money coming in. The whitewash becomes the most important element in the shop and not so much what the shopper observed. It would be nice if companies would just come right out and ask for a whitewash. I can do that too and it would make it easier on all concerned.

This company is going to the dogs. Those of you defending it thinking it will not happen to you is just a matter of time. If you have not noticed they seem to be shopping the same apartment communities all the time atleast in my area and rarely have new shops.Their editors are not only rude but stupid and we all know you cannot fix stupid.There are people who are just so dense that leaving them to stew in their own stupidity is the way to go. Instead of doing their lengthy reports that pay atmost 45 or 50 for a one hour report you can do atleast 5 fast food shops that pay 10 and be less tired and stressed over writing a lengthy report which I doubt the client even reads.I do not do their shops unless I am desparate and the way am avoiding working for them is registering with other companies.They are so sneaky they will not tell you that they are docking your pay until you get paid then the editors come up with flimsy reasons.They are a nasty bunch who think they can treat people like trash because they pay higher than most.I refuse to be treated like trash and gladly do other less paying shops combine 2 or 3 of these that will not have me up till 3am in the morning writing a report.At the end of the day client wants to know if the employees are doing a good job why companies have us writing 2or 3 page reports to impress the "client" is foolish.The effort I put in a shop is determined by the rate of pay, how soon the company pays and the communication received from schedulers and editors.I do not do rude ness and will not settle for stupid at any price

You know what, just because you're unhappy with the company doesn't mean the rest of us are. I enjoy going on the tours and the reports aren't that bad. Furthermore, I've never really had a problem with them. Then again, your negative nasty attitude may have something to do with your problems. And, I sure as hell would not want to do five $10 FF shops in lieu of one shop. Thar would be a PITA.

Let's bring it down a notch, folks. We are here to help each other.

Life is hard enough in the trenches.

Thanks!