I'm curious. I only MS part time but I see questions on MSC applications asking if I own equipment.

1. Must I buy dedicated hidden video equipment, or can I just use my smart phone?

2. What equipment works best, and how much does it cost?

3. What kinds of shops, and which MSCs, require hidden video?

4. What kind of pay can one expect for a video shop?

5. Does it make the report 1000% easier since they have the whole thing on video, or is it actually harder? Do you still have to answer questions that are evident with the video?

6. Have your reports been rejected if the equipment fails or doesn't capture something because it's out of focus or not in the right direction?

1. Smart phones are being promoted for video shops. I don't find they capture what is needed easily and many shops still require a covert, body mounted camera.
2. PV-500 is the standard. I haven't checked prices lately, but figure $300 or more.
3. Video started primarily with new homes, apartments and new cars. Those are still major in the industry. Over the last few years a real variety has been added, retail, fast food, fast casual and self-storage among them.
4. Pay varies. It is rare to see a video shop for under $50. Anything in the $35 to $40 range is usually going to be quick such as the FF.
5. You cannot count on the report being easier at all. Yes, some require nothing more than inputting a few standard details, date, time, associate's name, while others are every bit as long as a traditional written shop.
6. Of course shops will not be accepted if the target is out of frame or the equipment fails. You will find most video shoppers have had equipment failures and shops rejected because of framing issues.

Over seven years or so, I have lost several shops to batteries dying and camera wires shorting out and one to a mistake in the scenario. On the other hand, I've been lucky with other shops. One was an apartment where I discovered the battery died within the first five minutes. I was able to replace it and complete the shop. The MSC accepted it with a detailed narrative of the target's greeting, etc. Another retail shop was the victim of a camera shorting out causing gaps with a black screen and no sound. The video gods were watching over me because both required interactions were captured and the client decided to accept it anyway. I am also lucky because only one out of thousands has ever been rejected because of camera angles.

great info. Do you use one that looks like a button on your shirt? I've heard there are others like fake bluetooth headset and a couple of others. I seldom wear button-down shirts so that wouldn't work for me.

I see that the Shadow agency lets people use their phone for their video shops, using the talon software.

Wouldn't something like google glasses make this 100x easier?

Not sure how much storage glass has, or even if its still a product.

Most still require a PV500 with button cam. Forget about using your everyday shirts for button camera work. You buy and modify (to accommodate the button cam) a shirt with a very busy pattern and all black buttons (to match the button that covers the camera) and wear it outside of slacks so that you can conceal the small recording device in a pants pocket. Also, add senior and/or assisted living shops to the list. That is a fast-growing industry. You will pay for your video equipment and any training on it within a month if you can shop during working hours M-F.

1. Yes

2. Yes for the first few

3. Definitely worth it if no report to write.

Worth it with reasonable report to write. Not if it is the standard EPMS report, though. The equipment is the easiest part. Having a credible back-story for longer interactions is a skill that you need to develop.

I have completed 3201 traditional shops over a 14 1/2 year period, with only two being rejected, each due to an error on my end. Since 08/09, my audio/video tally through an MSC stands at 77, with six rejected, each by a traditional MSC that decided to dabble in video. Beginning in 2016, I only accept recorded jobs from experienced video MSCs.

On a separate note, consider investigating self-developed work. My largest fee to date was $400 and I am currently working on a project for a local franchised restaurant chain where I can supply video shops at a traditional price.

A final comment: My personal experience is that one can not err working with Kathy Hart, for whomever she may be scheduling.

Kathy Hart works for Clear Evaluations.

shopperbob makes a good point. While no rejections, I have had more issues with MSCs "dabbling" in video. They don't always seem to understand the limitations or have unrealistic expectations.

wales, I have to disagree with you about Ellis. My video shops with them start at $60 and go up. Like everyone else I feel the reports are redundant. However, I can knock them out in as little as 45 minutes if I focus, 60 if I piddle around. I actually prefer their reports over apartment shops with the exact same report on Shopmetrics.