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Regional Pay Differences

May 31, 2017 02:56PM
I've sometimes wondered why there are a shortage of shoppers in my are, whereas other areas seem to be over-crowded. I suspect much of it comes down to pay. Out of curiosity, I spent some time over the weekend looking at what MSC's are offering for the shops I see in my area in other parts of the nation. I found that the difference in compensation, if any, is minimal.

Consider: In Seattle (where I live), the average house costs just under $500K; the average apartment rent is roughly $2200/mo and minimum wage is $15/hr. I looked at a different city and the average home price was $140K; the average apartment $800/mo and minimum wage $7.50/hr. Yet, the shops offered through my five or six most used MSC's had exactly the same compensation.

A lot of shops simply do not get done around here. I suspect that, part of this is due to the fact that many shops, until they have bonuses, pay less than the local minimum wage.

Thoughts?

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More About Payment
May 31, 2017 03:05PM
I've always wondered the same if some thought have ever been put into this or if their bonus pools are divided for regions they expect will need it in order to fill in the job.

I understand the pain, as Denver is continuing to skyrocket in both rent and the housing market, while of course, our wages haven't budged much. Sooner or later, Denver will be suffering the insane cost of living LA or even Seattle's experiencing. The average home out here (I consider average to be ~1,500-2,000 sq. ft., built in the 2000's and 3-4 bed, 2-3 bath) went from ~$225k-ish to $325k-ish in just 4 years!!

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
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May 31, 2017 03:48PM
It seems MSC price jobs the same across the U.S. just because it is easier. Shopper's have also had issues with max reimbursements. How many times have we seen a reimbursement in one area covers all the required items with money left over while somewhere else it is always a few bucks short.

Honestly, if I was the MSC owner it seems like time wasted to research each area then set fees and reimbursements accordingly. It would probably be more efficient to just deal with individual cases. Especially when you consider how many shoppers are willing to work for next to nothing or go out of pocket for reimbursements shops because they are happy with a discount.

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May 31, 2017 08:43PM
I have also been upset about regional differences in price and low pay here. Our houses cost over a million dollars. They say the average is around $500,000 but I would have to drive at least 10 miles to find a home at that price and then pay to have the whole house protected by window grills, alarms, big dogs etc. Our sales tax is high vs a state with no sales tax like Oregon and retail and restaurant prices reflect the cost of real estate here. And yet there seem to often be enough shoppers out there to fill most needs without paying a bonus. I suspect that even with our higher minimum wage workers often need a second job even if it does not pay as well just to make ends meet. The one company that often I can get a bonus from is just making it so that the fee+reimb+bonus cover the minimum reimbursement so I am not out of pocket. They have a specific ordering requirement so I cannot order something cheaper.
It probably does not make sense to set prices by region as many small towns in my region are charging less. Some small towns can charge more though because they have to pay more to have goods shipped to them.
So it would probably have to be on a case by case basis like Lisa says. Too complicated for the msc.
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