1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Background checks, fees, certifications and their values...

January 09, 2017 02:20AM
I filled out The Source back ground check and it was a modest fee of like $7. Not too bad. I pick up 2-3 shops that require it each month and it adds about $20-$100 in extra income each month for having this feature. I've noticed a few other companies that offer this too but are they worth it?

I received an email from Summit with an offer from CRS for $40 but it requires a background check. This could take a while to get back and I'm unsure how much the fee is... and it's the first shop from them I've actually spotted in my area.

Are they worth paying the fees for background checks? Do some companies reimburse you? What happens to the shoppers who fail--are they deactivated from shopping at all? I have an out of state friend who started shopping as recourse to getting a fine for buying a 20 year old alcohol when she was 21. She had trouble finding meaningful work because background checks disqualified her from social work? Anyway... thoughts smiling smiley I tried finding a similar thread but nothing recent.

The onsite inspector fee of $7 seems modest to me to pay for The Source considering I do get some on site checks each month.

MegglesKat
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

More About Certification
January 09, 2017 03:35PM
I paid the $7 fee with the Source and have NEVER seen one shop. It angers me that they even let me take the backgound check if they know they have no work in my area. I feel like they ripped me off for $7.

Edited to add: I REFERRED TO THE SOURCE IN ERROR. The MSC with no shops is OnSite. Took my $7 and never heard from them again.

I pay annually for the Source background check- one inspection and its paid for. They actually have work available on a somewhat consistent basis in my area.

Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2017 02:15PM by COMystery.
Reply
January 09, 2017 03:38PM
@COMystery wrote:

I paid the $7 fee with the Source and have NEVER seen one shop. It angers me that they even let me take the backgound check if they know they have no work in my area. I feel like they ripped me off for $7.

Bummer. I've received a few. They're few and far between but I do ask for some PAD when I see one within 100 miles and want to pick it up. I enjoy the work and the onsite inspections are definitely a little more responsibility. They're more like official audits complete with photos and a discussion with an associate who knows you're coming.

Thanks for the input in your area though, it could definitely help other shoppers. This is how I was feeling when I saw other companies asking for a background report. I saw one shop in 3 years with a company pop up for $40. Is it worth filling out and paying for a background check if it's the only shop I'll see this year? Could I possibly spend that money elsewhere and make more on smaller shops? Learning curve here is huge!

MegglesKat
Reply
January 09, 2017 11:10PM
i've never paid. One co, 3 yrs ago, repaid me for getting a security clearance at my local airport. I did 10 jobs in one day there - they told me it would be 10. Did them, and got paid and they demanded my badge back and never stated why. I still work with them on occasion.. ???
Reply
January 11, 2017 04:51PM
The Source is the only one I've paid for and it's been worth it for me for the few but easy shops I get each month. I've noticed more and more companies wanting backgrounds we pay for ourselves for assignments but if I pay $7-$90 here and there, it adds up. sad smiley Why can't we just have a company do it and attach our *within one year* report to the companies app. *sigh*

MegglesKat
Reply
January 13, 2017 02:37AM
@clinen11 wrote:

The Source is the only one I've paid for and it's been worth it for me for the few but easy shops I get each month. I've noticed more and more companies wanting backgrounds we pay for ourselves for assignments but if I pay $7-$90 here and there, it adds up. sad smiley Why can't we just have a company do it and attach our *within one year* report to the companies app. *sigh*

Yeah, you would think that that would be something that the MSPA would be able to do for us, but so far I haven't found any benefit yet.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login