Parking Lot Audits?
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
Depends on the msc. Some are easy and straight forward. Some have long redundant reports. Some pay much more than others do.
Most are pretty straight-forward. I used to do quite a few - they pair very well with retail shops in downtown areas. On a nice day, I could be paid to park (instead of paying to park) and walk to two or three retail shops in 60-90 minutes. I found it to be a great way to double-dip.... A couple of times, I've picked up a handful of phone shops and parking shops. I would spend my day driving from parking lot to parking lot, walking to nearby coffee shops and making my phone calls.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@BarefootBliss wrote:
Just saw a call for shoppers to do these. Any personal experiences with these here? what is involved? thumbs up/thumbs down?
Thanks
Are you talking about the parking lot shops that are data mining at $2 a lead?
BarefootBliss,
If you tell us which MSC then shoppers with the relevant experience can respond. But, for now, there is no way to tell whether you are asking about easy ones or crazy ones. btw, IMHO the best ones allow you to park (and be fully reimbursed) as long as you like, except not overnight. Those are GREAT for anchoring a "walking route" in a city center. For instance, I am being paid to park (and reimbursed) in an area where the cost would be $12 for the first hour. Next door, I will be doing a $60 bank account opening shop. Looking now for other walk able shops in the area. I have 2 more garage shops within 3 blocks to make it even more worth my time to drive in the city.
If you tell us which MSC then shoppers with the relevant experience can respond. But, for now, there is no way to tell whether you are asking about easy ones or crazy ones. btw, IMHO the best ones allow you to park (and be fully reimbursed) as long as you like, except not overnight. Those are GREAT for anchoring a "walking route" in a city center. For instance, I am being paid to park (and reimbursed) in an area where the cost would be $12 for the first hour. Next door, I will be doing a $60 bank account opening shop. Looking now for other walk able shops in the area. I have 2 more garage shops within 3 blocks to make it even more worth my time to drive in the city.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Hi Wales. See if you can get a trifecta with a QSR shop and a shipping inquiry.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
The MSC is About Face and the title is "Parking Lot Audit" - isn't this different from Valet or Self Parking shops?
Yes, that does sound like a different thing. However, some MSCs routinely use the term "audit" for a mystery shop. So I had to ask.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I have done parking assignments for lots and garages. Park for 20 minutes or for an hour. Pay is $20-$25. I love these because I go meet friends for lunch or complete another type of assignment such as banking.
I have done numerous parking lot shops. I do a lot of valet ones too. Just know they are really not shopping customer service they are doing cash audits. They are making sure the valet reports the ticket and turns in the cash payment. I think they should pay better for the shops.
Lawlady,
The real value of center city parking shops, when you can park as long as you like, is the fee PLUS the ability to walk to other shops with your parking covered by the reimbursement. The parking shops where you MUST leave within an hour are not worth as much, when you consider this, since that lowers the time available to do other shops. Many center city shops are hard to fill (think BONUS) because folks who work in the area may not have enough time during a lunch hour, or after work, to easily do them. So, that gives us, the garage shoppers, the advantage in negotiating bonuses for those shops. Also, the best paid of the cash integrity shops also allow kids or others to accompany the shopper, since the attendants are less likely to think that we are shoppers if accompanied. So, many take friends or family to a movie, museum, or a meal and get reimbursed parking and one of the easiest reports in the industry. If I have no other shops during a parking shop, I just find a comfortable place to fill out reports while I am waiting. I now have notes on such places within 2 blocks of about 70 garages in DC, Baltimore and the close DC suburbs: clean restroom, good Internet, and not being hassled to buy anything are top priorities.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2018 02:17PM by walesmaven.
The real value of center city parking shops, when you can park as long as you like, is the fee PLUS the ability to walk to other shops with your parking covered by the reimbursement. The parking shops where you MUST leave within an hour are not worth as much, when you consider this, since that lowers the time available to do other shops. Many center city shops are hard to fill (think BONUS) because folks who work in the area may not have enough time during a lunch hour, or after work, to easily do them. So, that gives us, the garage shoppers, the advantage in negotiating bonuses for those shops. Also, the best paid of the cash integrity shops also allow kids or others to accompany the shopper, since the attendants are less likely to think that we are shoppers if accompanied. So, many take friends or family to a movie, museum, or a meal and get reimbursed parking and one of the easiest reports in the industry. If I have no other shops during a parking shop, I just find a comfortable place to fill out reports while I am waiting. I now have notes on such places within 2 blocks of about 70 garages in DC, Baltimore and the close DC suburbs: clean restroom, good Internet, and not being hassled to buy anything are top priorities.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2018 02:17PM by walesmaven.
@Lawladyshopper wrote:
I have done numerous parking lot shops. I do a lot of valet ones too. Just know they are really not shopping customer service they are doing cash audits. They are making sure the valet reports the ticket and turns in the cash payment. I think they should pay better for the shops.
I know of at least 3 MSC's doing these. Which company are you shopping for(that you believe you are underpaid)
There are MSC that post on all the major platforms for parking lot shops, plus a few that have their own proprietary shop entry program/ job board. I've seen shop fees range from $5 plus reimbursement for up to 1 hour of parking, $12 plus reimbursement of up to 2 hours parking, and $20 fee and up based on scenario and company. .
Philadelphia Based, covering Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland
I actually saw an MSC offer a parking garage job that had a requirement to stay a minimum of 90 minutes, and with a targeted employee. All for a $10 fee. Yikes!
From what I can tell, this is not a shop about the shopper's parking experience. This is an audit of what the shopper observes in the parking lot i.e. other people parked lol.
Seems there are entirely different shops being discussed. I've only seen the ones that are data mining - $2 per vehicle. Seems like a lot of work so I haven't tried any.
Just out shopping around...
I'm scheduled to do a whole slew of these with Servimer. Any feedback on the reports? Unfortunately there aren't other shops I can shop during the wait....but I can complete half of the survey while "waiting."
@Lattegal wrote:
I'm scheduled to do a whole slew of these with Servimer. Any feedback on the reports? Unfortunately there aren't other shops I can shop during the wait....but I can complete half of the survey while "waiting."
I shopped for Servimer for over a year before starting to schedule / edit for them. I still shop every month...
The reports are simple and straightforward. If you have ANY questions call or email your regional manager. We are all here to help.
@Lattegal Servimer is probably the most honest and fair MSC I've ever worked for. If you're doing non-video, which I'd guess you are, you'll find that after 3 or 4 of them, they're quite simple and quick. Like anything else, there is a learning curve. Email your scheduler if you want to know the best way to handle the area you're in. They're very easy to talk to.
______________________________________________________________________
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
I shopped for Servimer for over a year before starting to schedule / edit for them. I still shop every month...
The reports are simple and straightforward. If you have ANY questions call or email your regional manager. We are all here to help.[/quote]
So far Scott and Chris have been very responsive and professional. What areas, and/or type of shops do you handle? I'm not asking for client names. You can PM me if you want. Just emailed them informing of my travel plans next month!
The reports are simple and straightforward. If you have ANY questions call or email your regional manager. We are all here to help.[/quote]
So far Scott and Chris have been very responsive and professional. What areas, and/or type of shops do you handle? I'm not asking for client names. You can PM me if you want. Just emailed them informing of my travel plans next month!
@Hoju wrote:
@Lattegal Servimer is probably the most honest and fair MSC I've ever worked for. If you're doing non-video, which I'd guess you are, you'll find that after 3 or 4 of them, they're quite simple and quick. Like anything else, there is a learning curve. Email your scheduler if you want to know the best way to handle the area you're in. They're very easy to talk to.
I appreciate the feedback Hoju. Having read some of your other posts I can believe you! They're giving me a 3 in 1 shop which is kind of cool, never did those before! Park-shuttle-valet shop! LOL!
@Lattegal wrote:
I appreciate the feedback Hoju. Having read some of your other posts I can believe you! They're giving me a 3 in 1 shop which is kind of cool, never did those before! Park-shuttle-valet shop! LOL!
In your face, @bgriffin! Nobody's ever said that about your posts before!
______________________________________________________________________
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Uh. Most people complain about my posts, not compliment them!
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
@Lattegal wrote:
I shopped for Servimer for over a year before starting to schedule / edit for them. I still shop every month...
The reports are simple and straightforward. If you have ANY questions call or email your regional manager. We are all here to help.
So far Scott and Chris have been very responsive and professional. What areas, and/or type of shops do you handle? I'm not asking for client names. You can PM me if you want. Just emailed them informing of my travel plans next month![/quote]
I have the Chicago area. Are you traveling through here soon? Lots of work for you if you are!
@luckygirl0100 wrote:
I have the Chicago area. Are you traveling through here soon? Lots of work for you if you are!
Right now my immediate is California and possibly Florida. I would love to do Chicago - never been there except connecting through ORD! I will PM you my email!
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.