$1 Recorded Telephone Shops- Are You Serious???
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
Ok, don't laugh but I have seen shops posted as low as $0.14. YES. I called my Mom and we laughed about it. Apparently there are shoppers who are willing to do $1 and $2 shops so I guess they think someone is going to jump on a 14 cent fee. I suppose they probably got some kind of small item for free maybe but the 14 cent fee was pretty laughable.
Eric in Tampa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just received an email from a scheduler that
> conveyed great enthusiasm for me to complete a
> round of recorded telephone shops for the price of
> $1. So out of curiousity, I log onto the site and
> notice that the $1 shops were all taken in a
> matter of minutes!
>
> Here are my questions: are some clients really
> beating up MSCs in negotiations that badly to
> where the MSC can only offer $1 to cover an
> already small profit margin? And of course, WHO
> ARE THE FOLKS THAT DO THESE SHOPS?
>
> What is next? Are we going to see 60 cent shops
> being offered by the end of the year? C'mon now.
Eric in Tampa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just received an email from a scheduler that
> conveyed great enthusiasm for me to complete a
> round of recorded telephone shops for the price of
> $1. So out of curiousity, I log onto the site and
> notice that the $1 shops were all taken in a
> matter of minutes!
>
> Here are my questions: are some clients really
> beating up MSCs in negotiations that badly to
> where the MSC can only offer $1 to cover an
> already small profit margin? And of course, WHO
> ARE THE FOLKS THAT DO THESE SHOPS?
>
> What is next? Are we going to see 60 cent shops
> being offered by the end of the year? C'mon now.
Shopping Southern Ontario (Canada) and Western New York (U.S.A.)!
Ok, so when I started, I did recorded phone shops for $2. I didn't know better. But I do, do some of those now for like $5. I pick them up when I am traveling from shop to shop on routes. I figured car time is down time so I might as well be doing recorded phone shops for a little money than making no money. And most of those that make very little money are very easy and only take 5-8 minutes including report time. 
Added:
The recorded ones that I have done, only require Date, Time of call, name of employee and how many rings. Thats it. No narratives.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/2012 12:35AM by SecretAgentMom.
Added:
The recorded ones that I have done, only require Date, Time of call, name of employee and how many rings. Thats it. No narratives.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/2012 12:35AM by SecretAgentMom.
I've done a couple of the $2 ones a long time ago and got grilled on the report! After that experience, I was done. And that project, even with it being recorded, still took about an additional 20-25 minutes with the narrative.
But I earned that $2 and pumped in a third of a gallon of gas into my car.
But I earned that $2 and pumped in a third of a gallon of gas into my car.
I got some emails for $1.75 for phone shops. I am so disgusted, I just want to deactivate.
Do they think it's the year 1932?
Do they think it's the year 1932?
Eric in Tampa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just received an email from a scheduler that
> conveyed great enthusiasm for me to complete a
> round of recorded telephone shops for the price of
> $1. So out of curiousity, I log onto the site and
> notice that the $1 shops were all taken in a
> matter of minutes!
>
> Here are my questions: are some clients really
> beating up MSCs in negotiations that badly to
> where the MSC can only offer $1 to cover an
> already small profit margin? And of course, WHO
> ARE THE FOLKS THAT DO THESE SHOPS?
>
> What is next? Are we going to see 60 cent shops
> being offered by the end of the year? C'mon now.
Eric, you know it's illegal to record a phone conversation in your state
without telling the other party you are recording, right?
I'm in one of the 12 states where you can't record without telling.
When that question comes up on the application, do you have a recorder, I put
right down "illegal in my state".
Now back to the topic.
I'm beginning to think the MSC's are haveing a good cruel laugh at how desperate someone is to take a $1 shop, and will be putting in even lower ones, as they entertain themselves.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2012 09:44PM by shoppinalong.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just received an email from a scheduler that
> conveyed great enthusiasm for me to complete a
> round of recorded telephone shops for the price of
> $1. So out of curiousity, I log onto the site and
> notice that the $1 shops were all taken in a
> matter of minutes!
>
> Here are my questions: are some clients really
> beating up MSCs in negotiations that badly to
> where the MSC can only offer $1 to cover an
> already small profit margin? And of course, WHO
> ARE THE FOLKS THAT DO THESE SHOPS?
>
> What is next? Are we going to see 60 cent shops
> being offered by the end of the year? C'mon now.
Eric, you know it's illegal to record a phone conversation in your state
without telling the other party you are recording, right?
I'm in one of the 12 states where you can't record without telling.
When that question comes up on the application, do you have a recorder, I put
right down "illegal in my state".
Now back to the topic.
I'm beginning to think the MSC's are haveing a good cruel laugh at how desperate someone is to take a $1 shop, and will be putting in even lower ones, as they entertain themselves.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2012 09:44PM by shoppinalong.
@Shoppinalong I actually live in the state of Alabama after relocating late last year.
And most phone shops are not necessarily in the same state as the shopper. Another thing to keep in mind about recorded shops, often there has been some type of consent given somewhere. Think about calling a customer service number and being informed by an automated system that the call can be recorded. Often employees are notified going in that phone calls, etc, may be recorded and it part of their employment agreement.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And most phone shops are not necessarily in the
> same state as the shopper. Another thing to keep
> in mind about recorded shops,
Lisa,
It doesn't matter that the person on the other end is in another state.
If you are CALLING FROM one of the 12 states and you dont inform that you
are recording the conversation - you are committing a crime - and since
our "shops" are often shown to the employee who was shopped - it's taking
a big chance.
When I was in another state I used to have a self activated recorder in my
pocket with a hole in the pocket and wire going up to my lapel, hiding the microphone behind the lapel. It was legal. I wouldn't do it in the state
I'm in now.
And when you make a call to a company, let's say your health care company , and it announces that this call will be recorded, if you continue, you are giving consent. You could always hang up and not be recorded. It's your choice to stay on the phone or not.
No choice is given when it's a hidden microphone or camera...which can be quite
illegal.
_________________
Eric,
glad you're in a state that allows it, but you really should google and look up
your state to be sure it's not one of the twelve.
-------------------------------------------------------
> And most phone shops are not necessarily in the
> same state as the shopper. Another thing to keep
> in mind about recorded shops,
Lisa,
It doesn't matter that the person on the other end is in another state.
If you are CALLING FROM one of the 12 states and you dont inform that you
are recording the conversation - you are committing a crime - and since
our "shops" are often shown to the employee who was shopped - it's taking
a big chance.
When I was in another state I used to have a self activated recorder in my
pocket with a hole in the pocket and wire going up to my lapel, hiding the microphone behind the lapel. It was legal. I wouldn't do it in the state
I'm in now.
And when you make a call to a company, let's say your health care company , and it announces that this call will be recorded, if you continue, you are giving consent. You could always hang up and not be recorded. It's your choice to stay on the phone or not.
No choice is given when it's a hidden microphone or camera...which can be quite
illegal.
_________________
Eric,
glad you're in a state that allows it, but you really should google and look up
your state to be sure it's not one of the twelve.
As a video shopper I am well aware of which states require two-party consent for audio recording. When targets give their consent to being recorded as part of their job requirements it is not an issue. BTW, the laws apply to the audio, not to the video.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a video shopper I am well aware of which states
> require two-party consent for audio recording.
> When targets give their consent to being recorded
> as part of their job requirements it is not an
> issue. BTW, the laws apply to the audio, not to
> the video.
Lisa,
the laws have not caught up totally with the age of electronics, true, but there are plenty of people sitting in jail when judges hear they were videoing secretly - of course that's usually some guy looking up someone's dress, or a
landlord secretly videoing from a hole in the wall....still, I've spent enough time in courtrooms that I wouldnt want to be there as a defendant.
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a video shopper I am well aware of which states
> require two-party consent for audio recording.
> When targets give their consent to being recorded
> as part of their job requirements it is not an
> issue. BTW, the laws apply to the audio, not to
> the video.
Lisa,
the laws have not caught up totally with the age of electronics, true, but there are plenty of people sitting in jail when judges hear they were videoing secretly - of course that's usually some guy looking up someone's dress, or a
landlord secretly videoing from a hole in the wall....still, I've spent enough time in courtrooms that I wouldnt want to be there as a defendant.
@shoppingalong I think that we are just a little off topic here. My post clearly states about being offered recorded telephone shops. I am fully aware of the 2-party states for both video and audio and am selective on what I accept. I do quite a bit of video and know that there are currently 4 states that I cannot shop.
Well, this thread took an unexpected turn...
As far as the TOPIC goes, I don't fool around with phone shops that offer less than $4 and even those have to have little to no narratives. If the call is being recorded, why the heck do I need to elaborate on what happened? Just listen to it. I find myself having to go back and listen to the recording to even do the narratives. As "easy" as the phone shops are, sometimes they are way more trouble than they are worth and I'llbe %&&$$^**& if I'm gonna come out making $1, $2, or $.14 for one of those babies! That's preposterous!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2012 06:04PM by shoppingintheburbs.
As far as the TOPIC goes, I don't fool around with phone shops that offer less than $4 and even those have to have little to no narratives. If the call is being recorded, why the heck do I need to elaborate on what happened? Just listen to it. I find myself having to go back and listen to the recording to even do the narratives. As "easy" as the phone shops are, sometimes they are way more trouble than they are worth and I'llbe %&&$$^**& if I'm gonna come out making $1, $2, or $.14 for one of those babies! That's preposterous!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2012 06:04PM by shoppingintheburbs.
Yes it is off topic. But as long as we are off topic
There are states we cannot shop as video for competitors. However, when an employee has given permission to be recorded as part of their employment contract we are fine and I don't want people to think we are out breaking the law on a daily basis. For example, I'm off on a route this morning that will take me through a two-party state. Consent forms are not on file and all of those shops will be traditional written shops.
There are states we cannot shop as video for competitors. However, when an employee has given permission to be recorded as part of their employment contract we are fine and I don't want people to think we are out breaking the law on a daily basis. For example, I'm off on a route this morning that will take me through a two-party state. Consent forms are not on file and all of those shops will be traditional written shops.Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Unfortunately, the ones who take these jobs are the ones that come to the boards asking where to sign up and then we say,
"Oh no way I'm helping you...go find out for yourself." SO they settle for the cheap shops that we won't take. Until they learn better. I used to be one of them that took those horrible exit reviews for Bestmark all for $40. I was so happy with my first check. And then I learned better.
"Oh no way I'm helping you...go find out for yourself." SO they settle for the cheap shops that we won't take. Until they learn better. I used to be one of them that took those horrible exit reviews for Bestmark all for $40. I was so happy with my first check. And then I learned better.
How about $0? I saw a bunch on the list for one of the big MSCs and choked on my coffee! Surely that was a mistake! I will check back later but ZOMG!
I have actually completed many of the $1.00 recorded phone shops. I would usually take the limit of 15 so end up with $15. The ones I did were very simple, no narrative and only a couple of questions. Took 5 minutes at the most.
none
I would tend to disagree with your post - everything on this website is helpful to new mystery shoppers, and I have not seen anyone say they are not willing to help. Everyone has pointed new shoppers to where they can find the companies and their websites, and share their experiences.
Just seemed a little harsh.....
prettygul1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Unfortunately, the ones who take these jobs are
> the ones that come to the boards asking where to
> sign up and then we say,
>
>
> "Oh no way I'm helping you...go find out for
> yourself." SO they settle for the cheap shops
> that we won't take. Until they learn better. I
> used to be one of them that took those horrible
> exit reviews for Bestmark all for $40. I was so
> happy with my first check. And then I learned
> better.
Just seemed a little harsh.....
prettygul1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Unfortunately, the ones who take these jobs are
> the ones that come to the boards asking where to
> sign up and then we say,
>
>
> "Oh no way I'm helping you...go find out for
> yourself." SO they settle for the cheap shops
> that we won't take. Until they learn better. I
> used to be one of them that took those horrible
> exit reviews for Bestmark all for $40. I was so
> happy with my first check. And then I learned
> better.
So those $0 phone shops were a mistake! They were put back up layer for pay.
I figure my time at $25 per hour. So, if you offer $50 for a shop, it doesn't matter if the shop and narrative take over 2 hours. I'm not taking it. There is now way even a $5 phone call can meet that criteria.
MSPA Gold Certfied - Puget Sound
Can you tell me about these exit review shops. Do ya acually go in and can people?
I got good enough at the one dollar phone shops so that I could do about 12 in one hour, including the time that it took to fill out the report form.
"Evolve thyself and lose all hate...." Orphaned Land
I thought there were wage minimum laws . Some of these shops only take a minimal amount of time , but some of them take much longer and do not come close to minimum wage requirements. Being an independent contractor is good for some of these jobs but not for others. I know that sometimes you take jobs because there is nothing else available ,but sometimes I figure out that I end up with more money or more free time if I just don't do the shop.
no minimum wage laws apply for ICs.... lots of interesting cases popping up re: other fields (e.g., home nurses who get paid for the time they are with a client --maybe minimum wage, maybe more--but do not get paid for travel in between clients--and they travel to three, four, five clients a day,)
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.