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Video shopping okay in all states?

April 20, 2015 08:31PM
I've heard that in some states phone calls can't be recorded unless both sides agree. I am wondering if there are the same restrictions on video shopping. I am considering video shopping, but if there are the same restrictions then there wouldn't be any point to it if my state doesn't allow video recording.
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More About Video Mystery Shopping
April 20, 2015 08:54PM
junk,
This is addressed, in detail, in one of the very first "sticky" topics at the top of the New Mystery Shoppers area. After you read that, you may have more specific question, which experienced video shoppers will rally round to address.

The short answer is that, if the client has obtained written consent from its employees that comports with that state's laws, recording of audio can be legaly done in all states. When you read that thread, there is a link or two to legal summaries of the legal status in each state.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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April 21, 2015 01:30AM
Hi Wales - Thanks! I never would have thought this was that popular of a topic that it would have a sticky. Kind regards --junk1958
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April 28, 2015 04:30AM
It warrants a sticky not out of popularity, but because video shoppers need to know the laws regarding audio recording and the correct questions to ask when doing business with a new company. Video shopping has a higher reward. It also has higher risk and a need for the shopper to be willing to do due diligence in order to stay on the right side of the law

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.
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April 28, 2015 05:11PM
If you're in a "two-party" state where it's restricted, you'll rarely see video shops offered. It's not worth the cost of the equipment unless you're going to travel regularly to the one-party states. It's a bummer for those of us in the two-party states because video is where the real money is.
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April 28, 2015 05:33PM
I did a full route of video shops in Florida [a two-party state]. If the employee has signed a release acknowledging that they may be recorded at work, then it is perfectly legal to do the shop. I did 15 car dealers and 10 senior living shops on a 12-day route. I also added a handful of regular shops to the route.

.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)

"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor

"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
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April 28, 2015 05:34PM
It's a common misconception video shopping in a two party state is rare. My state borders a two party state where I regularly video shop. What you will not see in a two party state are competitor 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.
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April 28, 2015 07:30PM
cvb,
I live in MD which is a two party state. It is bordered by PA and DE, both two party states. I do a ton of video shops in all three every year. Florida is a two party state and it is well worth my while, and that of many other video shoppers, to make trips to FL to do tons of video shops! I have been doing video in two party states, as well as 1 party, for 10 years and have not yet run out of new places to do video.

Where do you live?

Edited to add: if you are not trained for video and don't own the equipment, the chances are that you also are not signed up with the major video MSCs. That may be why you are not seeing video on job boards! Probably 90 percent of video shops are done by a few MSCs that each do mostly video. And for MSCs that occasionally do video, they may well be working through independent schedulers who do all, or mostly, video scheduling. So, you may never see the videos for those MSCs on their regular shop boards.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2015 08:08PM by walesmaven.
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April 28, 2015 07:51PM
So far this year I have made 3 trips to Florida exclusively for video shops, I'm leaving again tomorrow for a trip there, and will be making another trip in June.

I also have a trip in May scheduled with 20-30 shops in CA.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
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