I have been attempting to reach an apartment that is listed as being in Fall City, WA (40 minutes east of Seattle). The street address and phone number's area code seem to correspond to an address in Everett, WA (30 minutes north of Seattle). Attempting to find the location through the management company's website suggests that the location is in Everett. Hmmm... That's likely a simple clerical error, but I figured I'd better confirm: I do not wish to visit the wrong location. So, I contacted the scheduler, who puts the shop on hold for a couple of days in order to confirm the location. And, this morning, I get this response:

"The client has responded and they say that Everett is used for an easy point of reference. They say that no one really knows were Fall City is. However, the address listed on the shop is correct."

I have asked permission to visit the location if, in fact, it is in Everett. Proceeding with caution..... I would like to to point out that, living in the area **I** know exactly where Fall City is.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/2017 02:52PM by MFJohnston.

This type of thing happens fairly often in Los Angeles. For example I will see a shop listed in the "city" with the name of the street the shop is on. I have often written to tell the company that the shop they have listed as in Sepulveda, California is actually in West Los Angeles on Sepulveda Blvd. There is a city often referred to as Sepulveda, Cal which might be a drive of at least an hour each way depending on traffic. Especially for $3 fee shops I doubt many would accept the shop or even open the email to see where it is. In my experience when I see these things I get a thank you by mail but the address is never changed.

I think that's one of the funniest things I've ever read!!!! It would go well in my funny shop stories thread!!! Let us know what happens!!!

And the moment becomes a saga...
As per my instructions, I continued calling the given number and after a couple more calls reached a leasing agent. She wasn't the target, so, as a way to get off the phone without just hanging up, I asked about the community's location. She told me the full address - in Everett... I proceeded to contact the scheduler and give her and update... I also ask, if the target says they are in Everett, if I can visit the address in Everett.

Her response was that the client insists that the listed address is correct and that I needed to continue to call, but could ask for the target by first name.... I decide to do as I am told, instead of asking the legitimate question: "Uhhh, the client's website states that the location is in Everett; Google Maps states that the location is in Everett; The client's website has no reference to any complex in Fall City; The people who answer the phone at the number the client provided say they are in Everett; Does the client even know where it's own properties are located? " I have been given explicit instructions not to visit an apartment in Everett - only to go to Fall City.

Now I know why this assignment had such a juicy bonus....

So, I proceed to make some more calls. When I reach a leasing agent again, I ask for the target by first name and am informed that She no longer works there. I act confused and ask if they are located in Fall City. She says that they are not - that they are in Everett. Another note to the scheduler...

I am now awaiting another response...

What a great story, sorry at the expense of your time. Hopefully it will work out that your efforts are not in vain and you are allowed to conduct the shop and get paid.

Could someone along the line simply have transposed the numbers in the zip code? Fall City is 98024 while one in Everett is 98204.

At this point, I would turn the shop back in to the company. Way too much up in the air for my comfort.

BTW, email again to tell them the target no longer works there. Let them know if they do not want the shop performed on another target they can pay you for your time spent calling. If you do not do this, they won't offer.

ROTFLMBAO MF Johnston this just get funnier and funnier (probably not for you though). I think they should pay you at least 1/2 of the original agreed to rate+bonus and just drop the whole thing. Or if they insist on continuing this farce, they should double your fee.

I am nothing, if not very persistent...
I got a response from the scheduler putting the shop on hold until the client decides whether or not to have a different agent shopped at the location. There was no mention of "Everett" v. "Fall City" in the scheduler's response. So.... I sent this to the scheduler:
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I would also like to request that we ask again about "Fall City" v. "Everett." The evidence on this end is overwhelming that the apartments are in Everett, not Fall City. I'm happy to go to Fall City if they are really there, but I don't want to make a trip if they are not. Here is what I have pointing to location being in Everett:
* Street address and phone number match Everett
* Management Company's website says "Everett"
* Two different leasing agents reached say they are in "Everett"
* I cannot find any reference to an apartment by that name in Fall City online.
* I can find many references to an apartment in Everett by that name - and it has the same street address as the one listed.
* The street address listed does not seem to exist in Fall City.

The only places there are references to the apartments being in Fall City are on my assignment sheet and word from your contact with the client - who does not know this area (S/he told you that "nobody knows where Fall City is") and is simply referring to a data sheet in his/her possession - which I strongly suspect has a typo. Consider:
Fall City Zip Code: 98024 (only zip code for Fall City)
Everett Zip Code: 98204 (zip code for Centerpointe Greens, Everett)

Offer to go to Fall City as the client insists on the condition that if you're right and the trip is in vain, you get paid the full amount anyway.

I was told today to make sure I get directions from the new target to the apartments and to go to the location I am directed to go, whatever city it might be. I am 99% certain at this point that the scheduler believes me, but the client still insists that their own property is in the wrong city. She also has requested a little extra photographic evidence wherever I arrive... just in case this gets weirder.

That said, had I continued to be directed to Fall City I was going to ask for full payment for that trip if the apartments were not there. I had already planned to go to a police station and ask for help - and get a signed note from a cop if I had to.... (How do you prove an address does NOT exist?)

I tend to "specialize" in the shops that other folks abandon for this MSC, so I tend to get more than my share of the weird ones... It's all about the bonus attached. An extra thirty minutes on the phone for an extra $40? Sure.... Why not? Besides, I get a few nutty stories to share here.

@sassymmmm wrote:

Offer to go to Fall City as the client insists on the condition that if you're right and the trip is in vain, you get paid the full amount anyway.