Mert..... how you you be 100% POSITIVE when you are out of the office on the tour....? Your license might be in a locked desk but ........ who has the key?

Sorry but this was a true event in my city ..... and it was NOT a shopper..... but license Was COPIED....

The first time this concerned me on an apartment shop, I watched as the leasing consultant placed my license on the desk where we had been sitting in the commons area of the office. There were tenants and a construction crew sitting around, watching TV and using wifi. Before going on our tour, I asked the consultant to find a more secure place to leave my license. She was almost speechless, never having given it a second thought. She told me it would be fine, and I quietly objected again.

I watched as she took my license into a private office. She put my license in a desk drawer, then got keys from her purse, which was in the private office. She locked the office door, bringing her keys with her. After touring, before returning to the office, she apologized for not being more careful with my information, and explained that although she had followed regulations, she could see its weakness.

I digress, but leasing consultants and real estate agents take a chance with every stranger to whom they show properties. Storing a prospective renter's license is a reasonable precaution.

We got back to the office, the consultant unlocked her private office, and returned my license to me. Canada, I cannot be 100% positive that someone, while I was touring, did not have the means to get in the locked office, find my license and make note of my name and address. If there's a risk, I weigh it. I'm a reasonable person who takes reasonable precautions.

I have done 100s of Apt Shops and I guard my anonymity at all costs. I NEVER let the agent keep a copy of my ID and I make them white out all information they might have written down on the guest card from my ID. I also ALWAYS use an alias. I tell them that I go by my Maiden Name and that everything has been changed legally, but I am waiting for the move to change my license. I insist they use my Maiden Name and I get darn nasty about it if I am challenged. When I state that I had a nasty divorce and can't stand the man I left...or his name, this usually suffices for any challenges that the leasing consultant makes. That way, when I leave, they don't have my real name. So far, so good!

As for identity theft, I am also concerned that my information may be acquired by unscrupulous characters while we are on the property. I keep very close tabs on my credit report... otherwise, I decided that I make enough money to justify the risk. It is not for everyone, but I weighed the cost and do whatever I can to minimize the risk.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2010 12:46PM by Porhammer.

What Porhammer said!!!! Never use my "former married name."

One MSP that I can think of will not allow an alias (even a variation of first/middle name), either on the pre-visit call or visit.

I have not been able to use alisas as part of the instructions ask that the Agent either calls (to see where you stand), or sends a Thank you for visiting complex.... which I then email or call the scheduler and report. Same for Auto Dealership.

I have a ton of emails that all forward to my main email and 5 phone numbers that all send the message to my computer. I a really busy month I will temprarily expand the number of unique phone numbers that roll over to my email. Using a different name does not rule out having "real" phone and email addresses for follow-up.

I have never been allowed to use anything but the identity on my DL for an apt.

I have shopped apts for most companies out there and have always been able to give an alias...although they do get my real address for follow up and a real phone number that goes to my email. I wouldn't do a shop if they didn't allow me to change my name...

If I remember correctly, when I was in college, a lot of students were apartment managers or maintenance personnel for a free apartment. They had to be on property x number of hours. I was intrigued, but, by the time I got to graduate school in Texas, apartment managers had to be real estate professionals.

I had forgotten about having a phone call forwarded. Since I use my second cell phone for emergencies only (for dialing out), I guess that wouldn't hurt. I didn't know if email could be forwarded but I have often wondered. For some shops, I give out a secondary email address and phone number, and just remember which name I used.

You can create as many emails as you would like on Yahoo/Gmail/Hotmail, etc. You can have a new email for each alias you use if you want to. I also use Google Voice and have several phone numbers that go directly to voice mail and then are transcribed into my email. Great service....and better yet, free!

I have three emails, all on yahoo and yes, they are free....

edited to say...I just looked at my Apt. due Sun, and they changed from calling the target to just walking in, he/she must be there on that day, no appt. needed. You can have someone else show you unit, so, to me, this is easier.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2010 07:42PM by Irene_L.A..

I did one and the report went on forever. Even then, they wanted even more narrative on questions answered 2 or 3 times. they want something big to hand to the client. Truly, that report has made me never want to do an apartment shop again. I have never seen a report that long!

Well since you declared in the Sentry thread that you "are not doing this very much longer", I guess it is a non-issue for all.

Nancy, did your MSC start with a "B"....I'm pretty used to it having been in a similiar business for many years. This is a high end gated property, and I'm looking forward to doing it, I'll do half the report right after, and finish later that evening. MSing is all about the comfort level, I don't do many shops that others rave about.

OMG, I just had the worst apartment shop ever and of course it was not recorded. I called and asked about an apartment and the chick mumbles, "Oh no we don't do it like that." And she had to repeat herself becasue I did not understand her. So when I asked her what do you mean, she says, you have to come in on a Tuesday or Thursday between 10:00 and 3:00 and fill out the application and then get on a waiting list. When an apartment comes up, you get the apartment. WTH??!!!???

I emailed the MSC and they asked to go pick up a floor plan. I did and arrived at 4:00 pm to find a sign on the door that said "Out to Lunch". Are you serious?

That explains why I was emailed and asked if I could do the apartment.

I just finished my Apt., and really enjoyed it. The Licensed Agent was professional on all levels. He took my DL put it in the office and showed me two seperate units, as my objection was, I need to fit a dining room set in the unit. I thought the amenities in this gated property were great, and so was the rent at a mere $2650.00 a month for 1300 sq. feet. I came home very happy to own my daring townhouse. I enjoyed the report as well, guess I'm into real estate (big time)...nothing bothered me, as long as I feel safe, I'm good to go. I do realize many live in the boonies, have to do Apt's., in unsavory area's, different senerio, and the stories are interesting.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2010 03:27PM by Irene_L.A..

Lost the business card on my last apt., after putting in a ton of work, yicks, where the heck did it go.....panic, just in the nick of time my Agent gives me a call back and I ask him if he could email me his card, I'm still thinking about unit and with Jewish holidays and all....get email within minutes, send it to Shannon and all's good in the world of MSing. Just another MS drama!!!

Nice save. And, what do you know, providing your contact info for follow-up made it possible

Most Apartments in New York where I live require you to show your State Driver's License or ID. I do not see how you can not use your actual name if you are
looking to lease an apartment.

I am doing my first apartment mystery shop this week.

In addition, when going into large office buildings, they check your ID. I started using my real first name and middle name and it seems to be working.
I too have Google Voice and special email for mystery shopping, which I use.
I have the Google Voice on voice mail and never answer it.

Thank you Kittbratt..I as well do not know how you can use an alias when you have to give you DL. Seems absurd to me, you have to at least give an email.

This new scenario may help with the artful-dodger-target. Although it doesn't address how to proceed if the target doesn't answer the phone, the target's schedule has been provided.

"When you call to ask about vacancies, you must give a FAKE name. Do not make the call on the same day as your visit. Set an appointment up with the agent.
Arrive at the property at the same time as you made the appointment with the fake name. You will then use your Real Name and be a prospective resident who has come to visit the property without a set appointment and ask about vacancies."

"You will not refer to the call you made earlier. You will not ask for the target agent, just hope that you get her/him. If you are set up to do a tour with another agent, that is fine. The idea is you will have a much higher probability of catching the intended target, because the agent will assume she has an appointment at that time."

"There will be two seperate forms for you to complete. One will be on the phone portion (with the fake name you gave- the form will ask for your fake name) and a form for the onsite visit."

Wow Mert...I like that one! Just goes that all things are possible when someone thinks "outside the box."

My last one was easier than Mert's describing, but there was a target, however, no phone call was needed. They just wanted to see if he was there. He did not have to show me units, just be there, I met him (he met me at the door), and he set me up with another Agent, this was easier as no phone call...but those alias, sounds like the long way around a short alley. I notice they do give you the target's schedule now, but being you can use any Agent, as long as you know the target is working, simplifies the situation...that's for me....$20.00 isn't enough to go through loops, thank you.

I get way more than $20 for the Apt shops I do.... Wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole for $20!

Amen...names, we need names or at least hints.

I do apartments for $50 and up. And, that's with little or no written report. Think video, folks!

I'm with Walesmaven! $50-$100 with minimal report...Love video!

If you don't want to do video, I know that EPMS pays well...although their report is awful. Other companies pay more too... keep your eyes peeled.

Thanks guys...Video is on my agenda, just not now, have to find out if it's against the law in CA., and since I'm doing Vegas without Video, we'll see, not counting it out, for sure, and the $$ sounds great. Does Video offer online classes?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2010 07:33PM by Irene_L.A..