Cell phone shops - what's the appeal?
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I've never seen a $5 phone shop. Lowest I've sen is $14. The reports I've done are extremely simple and take me 15 minutes at most; and that's a very heavy narrative. I've done them in 10 minutes. I love learning about new Technology, so it's a great and fun shop for me.
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Mike T
Looking for shops in Western Canada
"Life is good because the alternative is forever "
Mike T
Looking for shops in Western Canada
"Life is good because the alternative is forever "
I see a lot for $10 and $11. I won't do them unless I need something to fill in a spot between shops on a route or if I can do three or four at the same mall. I generally have found that the reports are tedious for $10.
The majority of the ones I've seen pay $10 and require a photo of the kiosk/store. One company required MUCH more narrative then was implied in the shop documents. Also in my area many of these require a trip to the mall which is about 12 miles away from me so they need to done with something else to be worth it imo.
The lowest I've seen for cell phone shops in $14.00. I like them because I don't have to spend any money. But I won't go out of my way for $14.00. There has be more reasons for me to be in the area.
I get e-mails for $5.00 telephone shops most days.
I get e-mails for $5.00 telephone shops most days.
I've just seen two in my area for $10 and $12--I can't see how they would be worth it, unless the store is right on your way to or from someplace you have to go anyway and the time required in total (store visit and report) is less than an hour or so. I can't see making a special trip anywhere, unless it's next door to you, to do one of these.
Or, are they as "fast and easy" as half an hour per shop? If so, I'd take one.... But to date, I've never had any shop I've done take me less than an hour, and most are more time consuming.
Maybe I'm slow (though I've never been accused of that in any work capacity), or maybe I just haven't been seeing and taking the right shops!
Or, are they as "fast and easy" as half an hour per shop? If so, I'd take one.... But to date, I've never had any shop I've done take me less than an hour, and most are more time consuming.
Maybe I'm slow (though I've never been accused of that in any work capacity), or maybe I just haven't been seeing and taking the right shops!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I'll do them for $15.00 if they're on the way to something else. I like the ones in Costco that don't require a picture. When I'm going there anyway, I try to pick one up.
I did one $10.00 one and it took longer than the report said. I won't do those anymore.
I did one $10.00 one and it took longer than the report said. I won't do those anymore.
DanceMom Wrote:
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> I'll do them for $15.00 if they're on the way to
> something else. I like the ones in Costco that
> don't require a picture. When I'm going there
> anyway, I try to pick one up.
>
> I did one $10.00 one and it took longer than the
> report said. I won't do those anymore.
Yup, that's exactly how I feel. I'd do one for $15, but if they're on my way someplace else or around the corner from me! These reports always take longer than the shop description leads one to believe, and I'm "finally" learning I need to think long and hard before taking a shop paying less than $15, and think hard about those paying $15.....
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> I'll do them for $15.00 if they're on the way to
> something else. I like the ones in Costco that
> don't require a picture. When I'm going there
> anyway, I try to pick one up.
>
> I did one $10.00 one and it took longer than the
> report said. I won't do those anymore.
Yup, that's exactly how I feel. I'd do one for $15, but if they're on my way someplace else or around the corner from me! These reports always take longer than the shop description leads one to believe, and I'm "finally" learning I need to think long and hard before taking a shop paying less than $15, and think hard about those paying $15.....
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I live in an area where pay seems to be low but I have never seen one less than $10. I have done probably 15 cell phone shops for 4 or 5 companies ranging from $10 - $20. I was in the market for a smartphone and a total novice so I enjoyed doing them. I was never getting the same story twice which kept me going back to learn more about phones.
I remember being really crabby with one of the first ones I did because the form was so long but they either shortened it or I got used to it - I'm not sure which.
I just got a Samsung. I also recommend short selling Apple. The Iphone seems to have had its day.
I remember being really crabby with one of the first ones I did because the form was so long but they either shortened it or I got used to it - I'm not sure which.
I just got a Samsung. I also recommend short selling Apple. The Iphone seems to have had its day.
I can think of two reasons -- each of which has been touched on already.
1. No outlay of cash. I think this may be a very important one to some shoppers.
2. Learning something that is actually useful. I know I have benefitted greatly from some of these shops and now that I am in the market to upgrade my phone so much the better.
I have not seen them for less than $10.00 and have done a couple bonused now and again.
1. No outlay of cash. I think this may be a very important one to some shoppers.
2. Learning something that is actually useful. I know I have benefitted greatly from some of these shops and now that I am in the market to upgrade my phone so much the better.
I have not seen them for less than $10.00 and have done a couple bonused now and again.
I do need to finally get a smartphone, although my dumphone works fine--it's just not fast enough on the 'net. So, if I can learn something useful, and it sounds like I can, I would do one for $12.
As long as there's some benefit to me personally (like the Comcast retention shop I did yesterday), I don't mind not making a lot of money, but that report needs to be relatively short--LOL!
As long as there's some benefit to me personally (like the Comcast retention shop I did yesterday), I don't mind not making a lot of money, but that report needs to be relatively short--LOL!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Maybe the OP was confusing $5 phone shops (where you make a phone call) and a cell phone shop (where you shop a cell phone company)?
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
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I like the fact that there is no cash outlay and it seems once you have done a few of them you can almost go on autopilot as you know the rote and drill and know what the MSC wants to know. I love the T Mobile $10 shops for this very reason - easy once you have done a few and no outlay of cash whatsoever and sometimes they are nicely bonused! In my book if they are not that far away from me I can't go wrong.
The T-Mobile shops aren't that bad, unless you end up having to wait. Then it is torture to the soul.
Also, the reports drive me insane with the redundancy. At least the last time I did one a looooong time ago.
Also, the reports drive me insane with the redundancy. At least the last time I did one a looooong time ago.
Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.
I use T- Mobile, so I don't mind those shops. I did one yesterday, and today and it went smooth. For me, it's interesting to see the newest phones. the service I was provided today was excellent, and I actually did need help figuring things out with my phone. The employee was super helpful.
I'm not eligible for an upgrade for months, so that's my excuse not to buy today, as well as why I'm just looking.
I've done some AT&T ones and don't mind those either. I used to actually be scared of these shops. I had no reason to worry. It gets easier as you do more of them, and there's always something available. So many retailers!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2013 09:49PM by jillmarie13.
I'm not eligible for an upgrade for months, so that's my excuse not to buy today, as well as why I'm just looking.
I've done some AT&T ones and don't mind those either. I used to actually be scared of these shops. I had no reason to worry. It gets easier as you do more of them, and there's always something available. So many retailers!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2013 09:49PM by jillmarie13.
I like them because the ones I accept now are easy with no picture needed. When I first started out in May, I accepted almost anything because I had a hard time finding shops in my area (I hadn't signed up for that many MSCs yet). I signed up for $9 cell shops with one MSC, not realizing how much work goes into the report. I then signed up for $15 cell shops with another MSC, which also required pretty detailed narratives (and both required pictures). The third MSC was my favorite as, although they only paid $11, theirs were the easiest shops (ask for one phone recommendation, ask for a second recommendation, get a business card -- no long narrative and no pictures needed). I told the scheduler that my only quarrel with their shop was it only paid $11 and that others pay $15 (they since raised their fee to $15). I have two other MSCs I've done cell shops for (and a 5th I'll be doing today for the first time). The other two are also pretty simple and pay $15 so I figure those are quick ways to make $15.
I guess $15 for fee only is my bottom price (for now) and depends upon the complexity of the shop (there's no way I'd do a dealership shop for $15; I think $20 is the lowest I'll go for those).
I guess $15 for fee only is my bottom price (for now) and depends upon the complexity of the shop (there's no way I'd do a dealership shop for $15; I think $20 is the lowest I'll go for those).
Jill, the instructions are very specific that you are not supposed to take the picture until you have completed the shop. Yes, that screams mystery shopper if you do it before.
I personally don't like these, waiting 20 minutes for someone to tend to you and on top of that, the mall shops are difficult to get a photo since the entire storefront is glass!
Reports are not that short, took me average of 30 minutes (picture uploads, etc). In fact I see more questions than previous.
Reports are not that short, took me average of 30 minutes (picture uploads, etc). In fact I see more questions than previous.
Bearclaw14 Wrote:
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> Jill, the instructions are very specific that you
> are not supposed to take the picture until you
> have completed the shop. Yes, that screams
> mystery shopper if you do it before.
Actually, the instructions I have do not state that.
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> Jill, the instructions are very specific that you
> are not supposed to take the picture until you
> have completed the shop. Yes, that screams
> mystery shopper if you do it before.
Actually, the instructions I have do not state that.
Thanks for all the feedback.
So what I'm hearing is that these shops are useful if (a) you're looking to upgrade your phone, (b) no purchase required, (c) to get better shops from a particular MSC or (d) to fill a route.
I agree with the OP. After driving 15 minutes each way, maybe paying to park, spending maybe 30 minutes doing the shop, with another 30 minutes minimum on the report, I'd be working for about $5 an hour.
That being said, I recently did a coffee shop for $10 plus reimbursement, so not much better. But, I did get a pumpkin latte for my trouble.
So what I'm hearing is that these shops are useful if (a) you're looking to upgrade your phone, (b) no purchase required, (c) to get better shops from a particular MSC or (d) to fill a route.
I agree with the OP. After driving 15 minutes each way, maybe paying to park, spending maybe 30 minutes doing the shop, with another 30 minutes minimum on the report, I'd be working for about $5 an hour.
That being said, I recently did a coffee shop for $10 plus reimbursement, so not much better. But, I did get a pumpkin latte for my trouble.
LOL...I did the pumpkin latte shop. The girl at the counter did everything she could to get me to get the chai. It was hilarious.
I do the cell shops if I am able to make a route. The shops can be quick and the forms are pretty easy as well. I will do them if I can get 4-5 of them all within walking of the first place I park my car, which I can do about every 6 months. I try to also work in the other shops I am doing in the area.
I do the cell shops if I am able to make a route. The shops can be quick and the forms are pretty easy as well. I will do them if I can get 4-5 of them all within walking of the first place I park my car, which I can do about every 6 months. I try to also work in the other shops I am doing in the area.
007Bunny Wrote:
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> LOL...I did the pumpkin latte shop. The girl at
> the counter did everything she could to get me to
> get the chai. It was hilarious.
>
*perks up*
where might one find a pumpkin latte shop?
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> LOL...I did the pumpkin latte shop. The girl at
> the counter did everything she could to get me to
> get the chai. It was hilarious.
>
*perks up*
where might one find a pumpkin latte shop?
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I liked doing the cell phone shops when I was shopping for a new phone, now they bore me to tears. I will do them as a filler but for no less than $12-I do the one with no pik, just a business card and an easy report. The hardest part for me is once all of the points are hit I just want to get out of there before I fall asleep. The worst is when you get a "trainee" and an experienced associate at the same time YAWN....
teriraia Wrote:
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> I liked doing the cell phone shops when I was
> shopping for a new phone, now they bore me to
> tears. I will do them as a filler but for no less
> than $12-I do the one with no pik, just a business
> card and an easy report. The hardest part for me
> is once all of the points are hit I just want to
> get out of there before I fall asleep. The worst
> is when you get a "trainee" and an experienced
> associate at the same time YAWN....
I hardest part for me is when all of the points are NOT hit............then I have to explain them in an already boring and tedious report. Fillers for sure.
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> I liked doing the cell phone shops when I was
> shopping for a new phone, now they bore me to
> tears. I will do them as a filler but for no less
> than $12-I do the one with no pik, just a business
> card and an easy report. The hardest part for me
> is once all of the points are hit I just want to
> get out of there before I fall asleep. The worst
> is when you get a "trainee" and an experienced
> associate at the same time YAWN....
I hardest part for me is when all of the points are NOT hit............then I have to explain them in an already boring and tedious report. Fillers for sure.
Guys, the reason no one is answering you is that it is a confidentiality issue. If someone mentions doing a certain shop, that is one thing...but no one is going to tell you the company who does the shop. Best I can say is if you have not seen the shop, you are not signed up with the company who does them.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I only do cell shops with one company and only when they are bonused to $25. Cell phone shops are almost as terrible as auto shops.
I used to do quite a few cell phone shops, but recently have decreased. I detest these shops.
$5 is really low if it actually involves a shopper going to the store but to each their own. I won't do them personally if it's lower than $35
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