What do you buy at a gas station for $1?
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I buy canned tea, 99 cents. Because of the outrageous sales taxes here, I usually pay $1.07. I don't like sweet tea, but I take it home and put it in fridge, and it always gets drunk by someone.
I buy peanuts, sunflower seeds, gum, and hard candy suckers. I don't make any money on the deal, but I accumulate these and pass them on to my brother and sis in law. They made up a huge candy and treat jar they keep in the kitchen. When the little ones come to visit every day or so, they can have one treat, courtesy of Aunt Mary's road runs. Well, maybe two. Gin and Paw Paw are so easy.
Sometimes I can find 3 x 5 cards and steno pads at the convenience stores. The cards are great for quickie notes and always handy to stick a few in the purse or pocket. I use the steno pads for office and phone notes.
I have one station that has mainly Hispanic-American personnel and clientele and Spanish is the predominant language. I went in there several times to audit before they let me do an audit. They would always say something like, "You come back when boss is here." Or, "I no can do that." So I always took off premises pics and filed the report as refused.
One day I went in and picked a bottle of Frank's Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce off the shelf ($1.39) for my purchase. The cashier gave me a really surprised look. After the transaction, I announced the audit and thought I'd get turned down again. He said, in perfect English, "Sure, you can take some pictures. Go ahead."
Sometimes I can find 3 x 5 cards and steno pads at the convenience stores. The cards are great for quickie notes and always handy to stick a few in the purse or pocket. I use the steno pads for office and phone notes.
I have one station that has mainly Hispanic-American personnel and clientele and Spanish is the predominant language. I went in there several times to audit before they let me do an audit. They would always say something like, "You come back when boss is here." Or, "I no can do that." So I always took off premises pics and filed the report as refused.
One day I went in and picked a bottle of Frank's Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce off the shelf ($1.39) for my purchase. The cashier gave me a really surprised look. After the transaction, I announced the audit and thought I'd get turned down again. He said, in perfect English, "Sure, you can take some pictures. Go ahead."
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I buy Foutain soda for the ride to the next shop. You may be able to buy a lottery ticket. Some companies allow it.
Prepay the cashier for an additional $5 in fuel. Yes, it's over the reimbursement maximum, but you were going to have to buy gas eventualnly anyway. IMO, better to buy something I was 100% going to buy anyway rather than try and get as close to
$1 in junk that I wouldn't have.
$1 in junk that I wouldn't have.
Yeah a beverage. Or if you find something you need at least you get a dollar off. Is that sales tax considered high? That's what it is in OH, just thought it was normal.
Bottled water that usually goes slightly over the reimbursement or, if they have them, Starbucks Double Shots that go way over the reimbursement. On the other hand, the dollar discount makes them cheaper than even a four pack at the grocery store.
For a while I was buying those little travel sizes of tissues that are perfect for the console. I'm going to look at some other small travel items on future shops like individual packs of Tylenol or something to add to my road trip stash. Get creative and you might be surprised what you can come up with.
For a while I was buying those little travel sizes of tissues that are perfect for the console. I'm going to look at some other small travel items on future shops like individual packs of Tylenol or something to add to my road trip stash. Get creative and you might be surprised what you can come up with.
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.
The cheapskates should at least reimburse 2 bucks. Give me a break.
MDavisNowell, I'm glad it worked out for you. It pays to know a little Spanish, maybe using a little TexMex at the beginning to put them off guard. I haven't had that happen on a shop, but I've had it happen in other situations. My Spanish is only for emergency situations, especially since I have a lot of problems with verbs. Mi espanol es solamente para emergencias.
Our son was even told, "Go away, Gringo," at a mom-and-pop (madre y padre) convenience store. I tried my best to get him to repeat the situation for a TV station, but he is way too unassuming for that. Mama just likes justice for everyone.
Having said that, I should also say that I live in a heavily Hispanic area and think this culture is as friendly and polite as my own Southern culture. A smile goes a long way, too.
Our son was even told, "Go away, Gringo," at a mom-and-pop (madre y padre) convenience store. I tried my best to get him to repeat the situation for a TV station, but he is way too unassuming for that. Mama just likes justice for everyone.
Having said that, I should also say that I live in a heavily Hispanic area and think this culture is as friendly and polite as my own Southern culture. A smile goes a long way, too.
I guess if there are no restrictions according to the shop guidelines and you can get a receipt, try a scratch-off lottery ticket! You may get better resultz than the bunch of generic Fig Newtons that I always buy for $0.99.
AndrewTX Wrote:
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> Hey folks,
>
> I did 6 audits Friday where you get $1 reim at
> pump and another $1 inside.
>
> I feel like I'm wasting my $1 on candy or gum, but
> I can't think of anything useful to buy to turn
> that $1 into profit, not just a treat.
>
> So, what do you buy for the obligatory purchase
> inside the convenience store?
AndrewTX Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey folks,
>
> I did 6 audits Friday where you get $1 reim at
> pump and another $1 inside.
>
> I feel like I'm wasting my $1 on candy or gum, but
> I can't think of anything useful to buy to turn
> that $1 into profit, not just a treat.
>
> So, what do you buy for the obligatory purchase
> inside the convenience store?
M. Monty
MSPA Silver Certified.
Undercover Essentials video certified
PV 500 ECO...Will Travel
MSPA Silver Certified.
Undercover Essentials video certified
PV 500 ECO...Will Travel
Are you guys only getting $1.00 reimbursement for the gas and $1.00 reimbursement for a purchase in the store? Only $1.00 for gas????
maybe its only in the northeast, but I see bottles of water and 12oz bottles of soda for under $1 all the time. usually .95 cents with tax.
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There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
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When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
niclinblue Wrote:
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> Are you guys only getting $1.00 reimbursement for
> the gas and $1.00 reimbursement for a purchase in
> the store? Only $1.00 for gas????
Yes, some audits only reimburse 1/1. The $1 in gas is only to see if the credit card machine is working, in other words the company doesn't want to be paying for gas they only want to know if the credit card machine really works and you have proof.
LOL
As far as store purchases go, I always get a bottle of water or the $0.89 Cokes. I end up with like 26 of them (like I did yesterday) but we always are drinking bottles of water or Cokes. Something we need and someone else pays for it = happy me.
I know you don't want to do candy, but I have kids so I do alot of $0.19 Blow Pops. I love asking for a receipt for Blow Pop and they look at me and say "A receipt for that?" and I say "Yes please with a great big smile!" LOL
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> Are you guys only getting $1.00 reimbursement for
> the gas and $1.00 reimbursement for a purchase in
> the store? Only $1.00 for gas????
Yes, some audits only reimburse 1/1. The $1 in gas is only to see if the credit card machine is working, in other words the company doesn't want to be paying for gas they only want to know if the credit card machine really works and you have proof.
LOL
As far as store purchases go, I always get a bottle of water or the $0.89 Cokes. I end up with like 26 of them (like I did yesterday) but we always are drinking bottles of water or Cokes. Something we need and someone else pays for it = happy me.
I know you don't want to do candy, but I have kids so I do alot of $0.19 Blow Pops. I love asking for a receipt for Blow Pop and they look at me and say "A receipt for that?" and I say "Yes please with a great big smile!" LOL
My car usually gets sooooooooo filled up with bottled water!
Robin
Silver certified, I shop in Cities in NM and TX that no one has ever heard of.
Silver certified, I shop in Cities in NM and TX that no one has ever heard of.
I always buy a soda or candy. The family loves the candy!
I almost always buy water or soda and look for the lowest priced bottles. I used to get a lot more odd looks and comments when asking for a receipt but not so often anymore. Must be many people need them lately. I'm always ready, though, with my standard reply that you should never marry a CPA who insists on receipts for absolutely everything.
I work in a very low-income school - so I buy pens, pencils, tissue, water, small combs and then keep them in my desk.
Are the red and white gas stations with "no" in the middle being shopped again?
They finished up Q2 and I haven't seen them reappear.
Anyone?
Are the red and white gas stations with "no" in the middle being shopped again?
They finished up Q2 and I haven't seen them reappear.
Anyone?
I get gum if my stash is low, or a candy bar for my hubby.
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Seems to me if one is mystery shopping to make a little extra cash and they are buying bottled water with some of thier mystery shopping earnigs they are spinning their wheels and getting nowhere fast. Ride the ferris wheel! Water is free at home and don't tell me you have never seen any of the dozens of reports on 20/20 or 60 minutes showing that bottled water is not any better for you then most tap water. Taking the dollar or two they give you and spending it on gas is the best way by far to spend the money wisely.
I've been getting a coffee with a spritz of coconut syrup. $1.06 with tax. It gets me through, especially if I have mega shops on that day. I look forward to fresh cup!
Sammy, if this is the audit I'm thinking of, $1 is reimbursed at the pump and the other is for a convenience store purchase to evaluate the cashier. Considering what I make on the audits, I'm not sweating it if I go over on reimbursement.
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.
audrialyn30 Wrote:
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> lotto ticket.
If this is the one I think it is, you are not allowed to purchase a lottery ticket.
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> lotto ticket.
If this is the one I think it is, you are not allowed to purchase a lottery ticket.
Sunoco is still being shopped. Since I'm not mentioning the msc, I think it's ok for me to name the gas station.
For $1 I buy a small container of Pringles to keep in the car when my kids get hungry. I've also bought $1 drinks, small individual candy (like Laffy Taffy, which I stuffed my daughter's birthday pinata later that week), etc.
For $1 I buy a small container of Pringles to keep in the car when my kids get hungry. I've also bought $1 drinks, small individual candy (like Laffy Taffy, which I stuffed my daughter's birthday pinata later that week), etc.
So do you only get $1 of gas? I would be more embarrassed about asking for just $1 of gas!
I did some awhile back (that I haven't seen listed recently) where you were reimbursed $2 for gas, still a ridiculous amount these days, and got some strange looks. But with those you later revealed yourself as an auditor.
They should at least reimburse something that would cover one gallon. Another one where the requirements say "Mystery Shopper"! Unless you'll be revealing yourself later, that is.
I did some awhile back (that I haven't seen listed recently) where you were reimbursed $2 for gas, still a ridiculous amount these days, and got some strange looks. But with those you later revealed yourself as an auditor.
They should at least reimburse something that would cover one gallon. Another one where the requirements say "Mystery Shopper"! Unless you'll be revealing yourself later, that is.
Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.
You only get reimbursed a dollar but you can get more. I always get at least 2 so I dont feel as stupid. You do reveal yourself.afterwards.
Sometimes I buy a bottle of soda to refill my cup, but other times, I buy chips or crackers in weird flavors. I save these up, then do a post office shop and mail them to my daughter. Her boyfriend likes to try the strangest flavors!
At the stations near me they have packages of different kinds of cookies at 2/1.00. If I'll be having a long day with no lunch shops I may get some to munch on in the car. Otherwise I might get some hand sanitizer or small office supplies like tape and pens.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
SAMMYSLY Wrote:
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> Seems to me if one is mystery shopping to make a
> little extra cash and they are buying bottled
> water with some of thier mystery shopping earnigs
> they are spinning their wheels and getting nowhere
> fast.
This is why I approach most shops with separate payment and purchase reimbursement components as such:
A: I don't view shops as "A $15 audit with $1 fuel reimbursement and $1 inside reimbursement". I view it as a $17 shop with a $2 expense write off.
B: If I have to spend something to get a receipt as a proof of shop, I don't worry about what the amount is, so long as it is a purchase I would have made anyway. For the above gas station example, I would have purchased $1 at the pump, went inside and purchased $5 from the CSR (if the shop instructions don't restrict it). It's better to spend $5 on something that you would have purchased anyway rather than $1 for something you wouldn't have.
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> Seems to me if one is mystery shopping to make a
> little extra cash and they are buying bottled
> water with some of thier mystery shopping earnigs
> they are spinning their wheels and getting nowhere
> fast.
This is why I approach most shops with separate payment and purchase reimbursement components as such:
A: I don't view shops as "A $15 audit with $1 fuel reimbursement and $1 inside reimbursement". I view it as a $17 shop with a $2 expense write off.
B: If I have to spend something to get a receipt as a proof of shop, I don't worry about what the amount is, so long as it is a purchase I would have made anyway. For the above gas station example, I would have purchased $1 at the pump, went inside and purchased $5 from the CSR (if the shop instructions don't restrict it). It's better to spend $5 on something that you would have purchased anyway rather than $1 for something you wouldn't have.
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