Video Equipment
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start with an MSC that will lend you the equip to do the shop(s)
\MANY wil
They will walk you through what they are seeking
Otherwise out of pocket is $500 to a grand for industry accepted equip
\MANY wil
They will walk you through what they are seeking
Otherwise out of pocket is $500 to a grand for industry accepted equip
Please click on the link below the original post to find many threads with more detailed information.
Best advice is NOT to buy equipment until you have done several successful video shops with rigs loaned to you by video MSCs.
Why video? No one can say that the shopper did not do her/his job or that they lied about what the target did. Video is often used in industries where employee misconduct (for instance, violating fair housing laws) can cost the employer hundreds of thousands of dollars. The client wants to spot trouble and retrain the employee before that happens! Also used to spot and retrain for problems in other industries. Think: new homes, apartments, auto sales, recruiters for private universities, marketing of senior assited living and skilled nursing care, lenders, etc. Increasingly being used in retail.
Best advice is NOT to buy equipment until you have done several successful video shops with rigs loaned to you by video MSCs.
Why video? No one can say that the shopper did not do her/his job or that they lied about what the target did. Video is often used in industries where employee misconduct (for instance, violating fair housing laws) can cost the employer hundreds of thousands of dollars. The client wants to spot trouble and retrain the employee before that happens! Also used to spot and retrain for problems in other industries. Think: new homes, apartments, auto sales, recruiters for private universities, marketing of senior assited living and skilled nursing care, lenders, etc. Increasingly being used in retail.
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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Also - a written report doesn't capture voice inflections, body gestures, facial expressions, etc.
I am ready to try the video shopping to find out if it is right for me. I was unavailable for a recent video shop training session, but I have located one company that will lend me the video equipment for one or two shops so that they can find out if I am a video shopper and I can avoid purchasing equipment that might not pay for itself.
Perhaps one of your companies has similar arrangement and you can try out this shop and the equipment before making an expensive purchase.
Perhaps one of your companies has similar arrangement and you can try out this shop and the equipment before making an expensive purchase.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Also, note $500 is on the very low end for video equipment. At least when I bought mine, I only found it for $500 cause I was in the right place at the right time and someone was selling off their lightly used equipment.
Realistically, I'd budget at least $800 or so.
Realistically, I'd budget at least $800 or so.
Somewhere in the Midwest, shopping / auditing full time since 2014. Will use PV-500 for food! 
@AlexG wrote:
Also, note $500 is on the very low end for video equipment. At least when I bought mine, I only found it for $500 cause I was in the right place at the right time and someone was selling off their lightly used equipment.
Realistically, I'd budget at least $800 or so.
Yep, what he said.
And, if you later decide to go on the road doing video, you will need a second rig as a back-up or to do more than about 6 hours of video in a day. btw, you cannot recharge the rigs in your car without investing in a converter, which may not be safe for all car's electrical systems.
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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
To add to what Wales said, if you invest in an inverter [converts 12VDC to 120VAC], don't get one of the cheap ones that plugs into your cigarette lighter or other 12 Volt outlet. Get one that you wire directly to the battery and fuse both the positive and negative leads at the battery, in addition to the inline fuse that should be at the inverter itself.
Be aware that inverters will affect the life of your car's battery and may possibly void any battery warranty you may have.
Be aware that inverters will affect the life of your car's battery and may possibly void any battery warranty you may have.
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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
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
Thank's JB; of course I meant inverter. Duh!
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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I'm having a "Columbo" moment...just one more thing...
If you get an inverter, try to find one with its own power switch, that way you can turn it off when not in use. I would also go to a truck stop and see what is available rather than Lowes, Home Depot, Wal Mart, etc. You will want heavy duty equipment. Also, check with a mechanic you can trust about putting in a larger battery than your car requires. For example, my car has a 450 amp-hour battery. If I were to add an inverter, I would likely increase the battery to 650-700 amp-hours. That way you can let the inverter charge your equipment while you're doing a shop and not have to worry about starting your car when you're ready to leave. That's another reason why you would want to wire the inverter directly to the battery...on most cars, when you turn the ignition switch off, the 12 Volt outlets lose power.
If you get an inverter, try to find one with its own power switch, that way you can turn it off when not in use. I would also go to a truck stop and see what is available rather than Lowes, Home Depot, Wal Mart, etc. You will want heavy duty equipment. Also, check with a mechanic you can trust about putting in a larger battery than your car requires. For example, my car has a 450 amp-hour battery. If I were to add an inverter, I would likely increase the battery to 650-700 amp-hours. That way you can let the inverter charge your equipment while you're doing a shop and not have to worry about starting your car when you're ready to leave. That's another reason why you would want to wire the inverter directly to the battery...on most cars, when you turn the ignition switch off, the 12 Volt outlets lose power.
.
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
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
Cameras take so long to charge I don't trust them to charging in my car anyway. A small battery from my 2010 model can easily take three hours or more. I also don't leave anything charging or even visible when leaving my car unless it will be within sight at all times.
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.
Can't leave electronics in the car in Arizona. They will fry. I'm just starting to dabble in video shopping. I've got my own equipment. I just moved into my new apartment so I'm going to try to find some video shops to do in the west part of the Phoenix area starting in May. I'm still unpacking right now and resting.
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
There are a couple of other options. There are some very powerful yet compact batteries making claims that they can jump start diesel engines, or take a radio off grid for weeks. Then there are the traditional gel-cell batteries that are sold for jump starting your car in an emergency. Either of those with an inexpensive inverter that plugs into the 12 Volt outlet would work. IMO, those would be better [and safer] alternatives than running off the car battery.
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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
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
Has anyone every tried those solar powered chargers? After they have a full charge they can be used to charge devices like cameras and laptops.
Howdy folks! Thank you so much for all of the feedback. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to give me your insights.
@LisaSTL wrote:
Cameras take so long to charge I don't trust them to charging in my car anyway. A small battery from my 2010 model can easily take three hours or more. I also don't leave anything charging or even visible when leaving my car unless it will be within sight at all times.
You can keep the same camera (sigh) and upgrade the battery to a more modern lithium-ion battery than what is called for in this unit. Yes, you will need someone like me to "retrofit" the battery based on the old battery.
I would be willing to create a battery pack that would best the built in one of the old workhorse.
I have an Optimus L90 . . . Is there anyt kind of button attachment that I could use with my phone for video shops.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2015 11:41PM by cunningphome.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2015 11:41PM by cunningphome.
Cunninphone,
Please do a search on Video" and read, read, read. There are many threads that will provide answers to your questions. Short version: PV-500 with body/shirt mounted camera is what meets industry standards at this time. Take a look at the tech specs and you will find that no pen camera comes close to the required specs.
Please do a search on Video" and read, read, read. There are many threads that will provide answers to your questions. Short version: PV-500 with body/shirt mounted camera is what meets industry standards at this time. Take a look at the tech specs and you will find that no pen camera comes close to the required specs.
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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Cunninphone,
Additionally, if you read some of the video shopping guidelines, the pen camera is specifically excluded because it is too obvious.
Additionally, if you read some of the video shopping guidelines, the pen camera is specifically excluded because it is too obvious.
.
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
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
I have read and read and read and ultimately know I will have to bite the bullet and invest in the right equipment. I was just looking for something less expensive. I just started shopping in March so I'm still waiting on some payments to come in. Then I will buy! Thanks for the comments.
Have you done any video shops? Reading about them and doing them are two completely different animals. Before investing the $500-800 on a PV500, sign up with some of the companies that will loan video equipment and try before you buy.
.
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
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
James Bond 007.5, Can you share what companies will lease equpment?
I believe that Measure Consumer Perspectives and The Shadow Agency will both loan equipment.
If you're in the southeast, Sinclair will loan equipment for the video shop they have.
If you're in the southeast, Sinclair will loan equipment for the video shop they have.
.
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
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
Shadow may be out of the loaning business. Ellis would be my first recommendation. Yes, the reports are horrendous for newbies, but my understanding is the training they offer is very good.
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.
@Man of Mystery wrote:
I am considering doing a shop that requires video equipment.
1) Where do I begin looking for video equipment for these shops?
Since you're new, loaner first to see if you like it, then I recommend Amazon or Ebay with a purchased separately Square warranty since Ive literally never had a camera last 3 years and I can count on one hand how many times ive heard of a video shopper say they've been using their camera for over three years. (Not saying they don't exist, but it's not the norm.) I go through a camera every year or two. The first year generally has a manufacturers warranty though. I got my last rig for around 400 but ive gotten one for closer to 300 once off ebay. (one off, but it never hurts to check)
However, I do not recommend this at all if you are ON the road and need stuff. This part is only useful to people already conducting jobs, so skip this paragraph if you dont care. At that point I recommend Grey Hawk gear. YOu can call this guy at 2am and he'll have you an overnight package or even meet you halfway or bring to you same day if feasible. When you are on a route, you need equipment and need it fast. Amazon and ebay charge crazy amounts for that service and with him it's gonna be the 20$ overnight charge or whatever you work out. He's a video mystery shopper first and foremost so he understands our plight and our needs and can provide more timely service. Not for newbies, but you can always refer back if you get into it.
The recommend overall company that people promote is Lawmate but I am not a huge fan. They have above average prices, above average customer service (i think grey hawk gear is better in that regard)
2) Anyone do these before? I am having a hard time imagining the scenario and how to make sure the camera is capturing whatever is needed.
If you need help I can get you in contact with a woman who makes patented shirts. Once I got my first one, I never tried doing this part myself> Basically she sews on some velcro and gives directions on how to install the button camera on her alteration she makes and it pretty much locks it in place once you set it up and doesn't take much maintenance like other options.
3) Any idea why they need video instead of the good old fashioned "Tells us what you see"?
Video shopping is taking mystery shopping to the next level. You're never going to easily fund trips or make massive cash if you don't get into video and that's just reality for most people. Even then, depending on market, you almost for sure have to be willing to travel if you want the big bucks, otherwise it could still easily be an extra few grand in shops in your own neck of the woods and you aren't willing to go out of your own state. I live in Chicago and average a few hundred bucks a month (not every month, one month might be 600, then nothing for a month or two, then get another round for 250, and the following month 500. ) Your mileage and profitability will vary on region and willingness to travel.
I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't make you aware that there are a few places you can get video trained for 150 or less and they will teach you the basic and lots of ins and outs of how to do video shops. On top of it they all have video companies they will give your name to (with your permission) to notify them of new shoppers.
Literally on the five hour drive to chicago from my training training in indianapolis I was called by a company who had several jobs within an hour to 2 from my house that was enough to pay for my camera AND for the training. Definitely no regrets. You can go pretty deep down that rabbit hole .Ive done several 100+ video shop routes paying 70-150 each and those are when you start realing in the big bucks.
Now the best part. By and large the narratives for video assignments are inconsequential and typically only name, date time, and special notations and even the ones that have more are much much smaller than their written counterparts.
Good luck man, I always recommend this as the best option for money making in mystery shops. Written shops I use for life enhancement, but my bread and butter in this industry is those video shops.
CEO The Mystery Shoppers Depot
US Wide route shopper with 12k+ shops completed over 48 states and 6 countries.
Airbnb host based in Chicago and 10% discount if you mention this forum
US Wide route shopper with 12k+ shops completed over 48 states and 6 countries.
Airbnb host based in Chicago and 10% discount if you mention this forum
Like Joe I actually have the ability to pull in a lot of extra income close to home although it doesn't compare to video routes. I would like to ask Joe to comment on one thing. Many newer shoppers considering video seem to have the notion there is no point of they live in a two party state and do not travel much beyond their state lines. Illinois is a two party state. Since it only takes me about 30 minutes to cross the river, I frequently perform video shops there and it sounds as if Joe picks up some decent extra income in Illinois unless he considers Wisconsin and Indiana his home area.
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:
Like Joe I actually have the ability to pull in a lot of extra income close to home although it doesn't compare to video routes. I would like to ask Joe to comment on one thing. Many newer shoppers considering video seem to have the notion there is no point of they live in a two party state and do not travel much beyond their state lines. Illinois is a two party state. Since it only takes me about 30 minutes to cross the river, I frequently perform video shops there and it sounds as if Joe picks up some decent extra income in Illinois unless he considers Wisconsin and Indiana his home area.
It's my understanding that all companies who do video shops have included some type of verbiage to their staff that makes them aware they can be monitored and recording for quality training and coaching purposes. We're being hired by a company, to go into their company on their private property. It's totes okay!
There are video shops in all states =)
I go to Wisconsin, indiana, and michigan but I dont consider them my home area. I'll do anything on the way to my moms near green bay though.
You need to come visit lisa
Come for the next cubs vs cards. I'll snag that cubs report haha. We haven't talked in ages.CEO The Mystery Shoppers Depot
US Wide route shopper with 12k+ shops completed over 48 states and 6 countries.
Airbnb host based in Chicago and 10% discount if you mention this forum
US Wide route shopper with 12k+ shops completed over 48 states and 6 countries.
Airbnb host based in Chicago and 10% discount if you mention this forum
Video MSCs have the client certify that all employees have signed a consent to be audio reported. Moreover, most of the video MSCs insist that those be signed in all 50 states and DC and Puerto Rico and any other territories, just for good measure.
As few MSCs are branching out into video/audio recorded shops and/or are just beginning operations in a two party consent state for the first time and not quite aware of the legal issues, so it behooves the shopper to ask if the client has certified to employee consent in those 14 two party states. I recently had a very long conversation with the principle of an MS company that had previously only done video, but had done thousands of video shops, in a one party state. He was totally gobsmacked when I told him that if he wanted me to work on expanding his shops into MD, he would have to get the client to certify that employees had given informed consent. He had never heard of two party consent laws in many years of operating where they do not apply. He consulted his attorney and called me back to thank me.
BTW, Maryland's two party consent audio recording law is so strict that the state legislature has to amend it to permit the many local police departments that are starting to use body cameras to turn on the audio. (Source: recent interview with Maryland State Attorney General on WAMU Radio's Kojo Nnamdi Shop.)
As few MSCs are branching out into video/audio recorded shops and/or are just beginning operations in a two party consent state for the first time and not quite aware of the legal issues, so it behooves the shopper to ask if the client has certified to employee consent in those 14 two party states. I recently had a very long conversation with the principle of an MS company that had previously only done video, but had done thousands of video shops, in a one party state. He was totally gobsmacked when I told him that if he wanted me to work on expanding his shops into MD, he would have to get the client to certify that employees had given informed consent. He had never heard of two party consent laws in many years of operating where they do not apply. He consulted his attorney and called me back to thank me.
BTW, Maryland's two party consent audio recording law is so strict that the state legislature has to amend it to permit the many local police departments that are starting to use body cameras to turn on the audio. (Source: recent interview with Maryland State Attorney General on WAMU Radio's Kojo Nnamdi Shop.)
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.
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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