So I was finishing up my last convenience store shops for the month and they were all in the "hood". They are all not far from each other. At the first one, there was this crazy homeless panhandler standing outside the door. He was wearing a silver paper crown and talking to himself when he wasn't asking for money from everyone who walked by. He was looking at me funny right after he saw me take the curbside photo but he didn't ask why, he just asked if I had a dollar or some change I could spare. I also had to take some photos of the pumps that were out of order afterwards and he was watching me closely, so I took them from the safety of my car. I pulled out and went to a parking lot nearby to enter some of the report using the app, then went down to the next location. Guess who was there? Crazy homeless dude. I was wondering how the heck he got there from the other store so fast. Anyway, he saw my car and he started pacing and mumbling, looking at me strangely as I went into the store. When I came back out, I saw him hopping on the metro bus. Okay, so that's how he got there so fast. I go down the road a few miles and pull into the parking lot of the next Circle K...guess who's there? Yup, crazy homeless dude. I am sure he thought I was following him. I take a storefront photo and was careful to keep him out of the photo, but he couldn't tell that from where he was standing so he started to walk up to my car. I saw him coming and averted my eyes, picked up my cell phone and pretended I was talking to someone. A state trooper pulled into the parking lot to get some coffee or something (thank God). Homeless dude left the parking lot and got on the bus...phew. Just thought I would share that with you, it made me a little nervous but it's also kinda funny, as I am sure he was nervous as well.

There aren't exactly any hoods in my neck of the woods, but I'm usually able to take on shops in the sketchy parts of town, with a couple of exceptions due to a high concentration of robberies and shootings....

*cough* Montbello in Denver or Airport Rd. in Colorado Springs.....

Scary jas, Papa Johns would have come in handy.....I'm a chicken, but coming out of the post office the last few days there was a homeless sleeping under the cement awning. I felt sorry for him, but he did dirty up the area with his stuff. Today i noticed him gone, guess the city took him away, they tend to do that here.

I think he wanted money for booze, I dunno but he wasn't asking for something to eat and didn't look hungry. I would have given him my bottle of water and a granola bar if I thought he wanted food.

Let me start by saying I'm no saint and believe in giving anonymously.

There are a few larger cities and towns in which I perform shops. I've done some at night and always am very aware of my surroundings. Some areas are not worth doing though.
Where I live, for me, the weather is so cold that there are not many folks begging. But, as it warms, I have been accosted by guys who ask me for money.

I never give it to them.

Instead, I might give them my inside store purchase or sometimes, a sandwich from the local shop. I always figure they will buy cigarettes, drugs or alcohol with money. Food items, OTOH, they need and can save for later.
At gas stations, sometimes I get people asking for gas money. I've bought them the allotted amount in gallons or dollars of gas. Makes no difference to me.

All the while during these episodes, I have not felt threatened. But, I am cautious and careful when doing these.

Man, JAS, that would have scared the bejeebees out of me!! Glad you got through all that safely!

Did a boonies shop the other day and there's a city sign at the intersections telling people NOT to give to panhandlers, and informing them that the money is likely going to support drug and/or alcohol addiction. We give more purposely.

For the 'hood shops that actually are worth it, I go armed and bring my dog.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

So I was finishing up my last convenience store shops for the month and they were all in the "hood". They are all not far from each other. At the first one, there was this crazy homeless panhandler standing outside the door. He was wearing a silver paper crown and talking to himself when he wasn't asking for money from everyone who walked by. He was looking at me funny right after he saw me take the curbside photo but he didn't ask why, he just asked if I had a dollar or some change I could spare. I also had to take some photos of the pumps that were out of order afterwards and he was watching me closely, so I took them from the safety of my car. I pulled out and went to a parking lot nearby to enter some of the report using the app, then went down to the next location. Guess who was there? Crazy homeless dude. I was wondering how the heck he got there from the other store so fast. Anyway, he saw my car and he started pacing and mumbling, looking at me strangely as I went into the store. When I came back out, I saw him hopping on the metro bus. Okay, so that's how he got there so fast. I go down the road a few miles and pull into the parking lot of the next Circle K...guess who's there? Yup, crazy homeless dude. I am sure he thought I was following him. I take a storefront photo and was careful to keep him out of the photo, but he couldn't tell that from where he was standing so he started to walk up to my car. I saw him coming and averted my eyes, picked up my cell phone and pretended I was talking to someone. A state trooper pulled into the parking lot to get some coffee or something (thank God). Homeless dude left the parking lot and got on the bus...phew. Just thought I would share that with you, it made me a little nervous but it's also kinda funny, as I am sure he was nervous as well.

OMG This cracked me up. There is a homeless,guy near me who is dressed up in a king costume and its covered in christmas lights including his crown. The other night i was doing a package dropoff at a walgreens and as im pulling up i see the cvs across the street had bars on the window! The report for the shop asked i felt safe lol.

I knew i should be able to,find something on this,guy, found a pic on a mem site [me.me]

His outfit is much more extravigant now

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2018 04:57AM by Want985.

Looks like the creepy Burger King guy!

I have come across several drug deals when MSing in the "hood." me no likee

Yeah, also when you are standing in line to make your purchase and the other customers have an overwhelming aroma of skunk. It's better than body odor, but still...

I have Old Spice "Urban" which is good to blend in with the urban crowd.

I'm having the opposite problem, I have to do a shop in the sticks tomorrow. I just know I'll stick out on that side of town, I doubt I'm their favorite flavor of ice cream.

I just can't see taking any personal risks in exchange for the kinds of compensation offered. There are other jobs that pay as much for less risk.

I didn't feel in danger anymore than I would in the parking lot of the mall. It was broad daylight and early enough in the day that most of the cockroaches weren't out. I always have my car doors locked no matter if I am in an upscale area or in a run-down urban environment. I've been doing this route of shops for a long time and I have never felt threatened. I actually thought this was kinda funny. At any rate, always be aware of your surroundings no matter what you are doing and no matter where you are and you will likely be okay.

JASFLALMT, that is exactly my attitude. No matter where I am, I keep the car doors locked and a tight grip on my purse. I've gotten some surprised looks when I'm the only white person in a store, but I have never had a bad experience.

How are the Circle K/Nice N Easy food revealed shops?

There are several in my area that are phone ahead for food, pick it up and then go back in as a revealed audit.

Pays $18 plus up to $9 reimbursement. States are 10 questions on the report.for each the call and food pickup and a total of 181 questions on the report.

Is it worth it?

Worst homeless story I have is back in 1979. I got off the Greyhound bus in San Francisco when the Market and Mission area wasn't what it is today.

I'm in my Army uniform and a guy without legs rolls up to me on a board, like Eddie Murphy in Trading Places, asking me for money.

There's a Valero gas station shop that is in a big heroin dealing hot spot in town. I was advised not to try to take pictures at this location, so I didn't take the shop.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2018 10:01PM by wrosie.

@a171989 wrote:

I'm having the opposite problem, I have to do a shop in the sticks tomorrow. I just know I'll stick out on that side of town, I doubt I'm their favorite flavor of ice cream.

WEAR CUT OFF JEAN SHORTS, A BANDANA AROUND YOUR HEAD OF PINK HAIR, LOL

Why are you yelling.

I am of the female persuasion and blonde is more my speed right now. I have the Beyonce thing going on right now.

I am a blonde female, too, but I don't look like Beyonce, LOL. She is quite beautiful, though. I somehow don't think we will be seeing her in the hood!

Guys, polish on your swag walk so no one thinks about messing wit you.
Below is what you guys should aim for