Gas Audit or Mystery Shop?

I've only been shopping for about 3 weeks now. Some gas station audits and mystery shops have come up but for the same company. For obvious reasons, I can't be both the auditor and shopper, so I have to choose which to do. For those who have done these, any advice as to which is the better choice? The audits pay more than the shops, but apparently I would also have to buy a safety vest, (which I'm really not thrilled about wearing anyway). The shops pay cash+gas, with the total value only being a few bucks less than the cash for the audits. I assume the audits would be more time consuming? Any thoughts? Thanks!

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I do the audits all the time. Once you know what you are doing, they are easy. I have neverr done just the mystery shop ones because I have never seen them offered here, so I am not sure what they entail.

I do the audits. I bought a vest from Walmart in the hunting department for $3.00. No big deal wearing it, and once you start popping in and out of pumps you will be glad you have it on. I have done hundreds of audits, I really enjoy them. Yes, they are time consuming...expect your first few to take 45-1 hr to do a good job and get the understanding of the paper work and your trusty booklet of no-nos. I now do these in about 15 minutes from start to finish. Big stations or ones with lots of issues do take a little longer though.

I would go for the audits. This will also give you experience for other companies that have audits. None are quite as thourough as the green stations (that I have found so far), but a good experience.

I'll take the audit over the mystery shop 6 days a week and twice on Sunday. I can snap a photo infinitely quicker than I can describe events via narrative.

How come it seems so many on here complain about wearing an orange safety vest? What's the big deal? Is it hot or uncomfortable? Or just unfashionable?

I, for one, couldn't care less about the fashionable part. It's just a stupid vest, not an entire outfit. If it was an entire outfit, I might think again! Or, a hard hat... don't know if I'd like to have to wear a hat, since I usually wear my long hair up and it doesn't fit in most headwear. I'd have to be paid a good bonus to wear a hat.

I've never even seen the orange safety vest jobs around here. Hmmm.

Anyway, I really was just curious why so many seem to object to the vest.

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

I have no idea why people complain...it truly is just a vest. Mine is mesh, so lightweight and cool in summer months. I wear it on jobs that don't require it as well because I would rather be seen popping in and out of gas pumps than run over by that person in a huge hurry to get to the pump. I have had several close calls and will never understand why someone feels the need to proceed to a gas pump at 30 mph or faster.

I too have no problem with the vest. I also bought a mesh one from Walmart for about $3.00. I'd rather be visible than not. Also, people treat me more officially instead of suspiciously when I'm walking around taking pics with the vest on.

I am going to try my first gas audit soon, but I am a bit concerned about the well below MINiMUM "commission"??? What is that all about? Someone PM me PLEASE and give me tips. Thankssssss.

MsCheley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am going to try my first gas audit soon, but I
> am a bit concerned about the well below MINiMUM
> "commission"??? What is that all about?
> Someone PM me PLEASE and give me tips.
> Thankssssss.

Not sure what company you are doing audits for....some companies that have audits start at $4 and then rise, rise, rise...never ever, ever take them that low! Hold out until it hits a number you want...my number would be above $10 (depending on the company and audit). The company that requires a vest usually pay $10-12 plus gas reimbursement $6 or $2 gal that would make it well worth it for me. Sure $10 doesn't seem like alot, but paired with $6-$8 in FREE gas (after reimbursement) over 12 shops in a day...that is alot of gas.

Once you get the hang of the forms and shops the should only take you 15 minutes and then about the same in report.

Good luck, have fun, be safe!

SecretAgentMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MsCheley Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am going to try my first gas audit soon, but
> I
> > am a bit concerned about the well below MINiMUM
> > "commission"??? What is that all about?
> > Someone PM me PLEASE and give me tips.
> > Thankssssss.
>
>
> Not sure what company you are doing audits
> for....some companies that have audits start at $4
> and then rise, rise, rise...never ever, ever take
> them that low! Hold out until it hits a number you
> want...my number would be above $10 (depending on
> the company and audit). The company that requires
> a vest usually pay $10-12 plus gas reimbursement
> $6 or $2 gal that would make it well worth it for
> me. Sure $10 doesn't seem like alot, but paired
> with $6-$8 in FREE gas (after reimbursement) over
> 12 shops in a day...that is alot of gas.

Once
> you get the hang of the forms and shops the should
> only take you 15 minutes and then about the same
> in report.
>
> Good luck, have fun, be safe!

Thanks SAM!!! Perhaps I should take the one that's UP for $24.00 hmmmm

I too went the audit route when offered that choice.

I just bought my vest yesterday from Harbor Freight. I look so snazzy in it that I might just start wearing it all the time!

I have gotten funny looks when snapping pictures on other audits so I may just follow suit and wear it even when not required. There's less explaining to do.

The down side is that apparently I now look so official that customers come up to me and complain about problems. I even helped one lady get her credit card to go through just because I'm a helpful sort of fellow. I would have felt bad saying "No, I wont' help you. I'm an Independent Contractor, not a station employee."

AndrewTX
Certifiable

The only time I have an issue with the vest is for the combination mystery shop/audits. I don't like taking it of and putting it back on all day. Not a huge deal, though.

I do prefer not to be run over.

StormCloud Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How come it seems so many on here complain about
> wearing an orange safety vest? What's the big
> deal? Is it hot or uncomfortable? Or just
> unfashionable?
>
> I, for one, couldn't care less about the
> fashionable part. It's just a stupid vest, not an
> entire outfit. If it was an entire outfit, I
> might think again! Or, a hard hat... don't know
> if I'd like to have to wear a hat, since I usually
> wear my long hair up and it doesn't fit in most
> headwear. I'd have to be paid a good bonus to
> wear a hat.
>
> I've never even seen the orange safety vest jobs
> around here. Hmmm.
>
> Anyway, I really was just curious why so many seem
> to object to the vest.

LOL Andrew...I am always asked questions and such form customers. Sometimes I reply with I don't work here. Sometimes I help them if I can. I am usually a sucker for a little old lady that can't figure out the CRIND. LOL. I usually get mad at the station employees for not helping them, instead letting them go in and out of the station a dozen times hanging up the pump and entering their zip code in the machine.

Then there are days like today when a snippy princess drove up to me and asked me for directions. I was honest, I was not from around there and couldn't help here. She then proceeded to try and degrade me for being a "loser that will never get anywhere in life working at a gas station" I just looked at her, remembering my name tag has my first and last name on it and bit my tongue. I then told her she "could probably ask for help inside, but that would require you to get your lazy ass out of the car and ask someone less than you." Thank God I was at the end of my audit then and could leave! LOL.

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