Apartment Shops (no video)

Can anyone give me their opinion on apartment shops? Never done one and I am curious....are they worth it, are the reports lengthy? Anything you can tell me would be great.

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I stopped doing them for EPS, company was fine but reports very, very, very redundant.

I do a tremendous number of apartment shops. I find them very well worth my time. However, I also type very quickly, so longer reports do not bother me. Because I can do the reports fairly quickly, I can make them worth my while.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

I like the apartment shops. Yes, the reports are long but once you do a few you get it down pretty well. I use my phone to record the tours so that I don't have to worry about taking notes. Just be sure to note a description of the leasing agent you worked with.

The reports are fine. You're simply describing what you saw and what the leasing agent said. It may help to start with a few non-targeted shops, but once you've done some, they are very simple. I also use an audio recording app for almost all of my shops, which makes it much easier to recall what was said.

Until one has some experience, I recommend avoiding assignments that have a target, as they tend to be more time consuming, especially if the target knows about the shop. In addition, some companies require that you block your number. As an example, I once had a job where I was relatively positive the target was ducking me, as I had placed 18 calls and only contacted a recorder. I explained that to the MSC and received permission to unblock my number and reached the person on my first attempt. That problem, though, is more prevalent with a small community.

First, there is no need to duck targeted shops. Just be proactive; if, after three calls you do not reach the target, ask for permission to ask for target by name. Of course, you will need an explanation for why you asked, such as, "When I walked around the complex last weekend I chatted with a tenant who said to ask for Mary Jane."

No need to make 16 calls before seeking scheduler help. Be proactive.

ALSO, once you have established yourself as a reliable shopper for that scheduler, you may get a chance to be the FIRST shopper on a new wave of shops at an apartment complex; that is, with 6 LAs to be shopped, you get to go first and "shop anyone," provided that you do the shop early and then immediately report to the scheduler, by phone, who you got on site. Then the scheduler will be able to assign all of the other targets to less experienced/established shoppers who applied. So, do not just wait around for lightning to strike, in the form of an untargeted assignment. Most MSCs use those as rewards, but do not advertise that this is the case.

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.

We use a Click to Call system when making recorded calls to reach the target for our Apartment shops through the Shopmetrics platform. It spoofs the shopper's number so there is no need to block your number. I also recommend staying in contact with your scheduler every time you make progress on your shop. This helps to solve any issues or questions that may come up along the way. It is always best to have great communication with your scheduler and keep them posted on your shop's progress.

Scheduler
Shopmetrics, Inc
Email CPinkston@shopmetrics.com

I have found the shops to be pretty easy, just a little long winded with the seven narratives. But they can be short depending on the company that you do them for. have to remember the previous no answers that you have to explain.

I recently changed cell phone carriers, and I went with Freedom POP which isn't all it was cracked up to be. Since it uses VOIP( Uses data circuits instead of the phone circuits) to make calls, sometimes the call get misdirected. But I do love the $24 a month bill. So, on the Apartment shops, I have to call from my Cox cable phone which is Voice Over Internet Protocol also, and it goes right through; or I borrow the spousal unit's cell phone.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/18/2018 03:52PM by 2stepps.

I like the apartment shops. The money is great, especially when bonused, but you work for it. When I shopped full time, I frequently did shops for EPMS and Remington.

EPMS was great because they were not critical of the reports I submitted. On the other hand, they did not know their clients. One time, my target was someone in maintenance.

Remington was great for giving the schedule for the targets. On the other hand, I really hated how they edited my reports after I put so much effort into them. No matter how much detail I gave, it wasn't enough. I stopped doing assignments for them. They were that maddening.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Yes, yes (except EPMS w/o bonus), and yes to your three questions.

The shops aren't bonused when they first come out

@walesmaven wrote:

ALSO, once you have established yourself as a reliable shopper for that scheduler, you may get a chance to be the FIRST shopper on a new wave of shops at an apartment complex; that is, with 6 LAs to be shopped, you get to go first and "shop anyone," provided that you do the shop early and then immediately report to the scheduler, by phone, who you got on site. Then the scheduler will be able to assign all of the other targets to less experienced/established shoppers who applied. So, do not just wait around for lightning to strike, in the form of an untargeted assignment. Most MSCs use those as rewards, but do not advertise that this is the case.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I agree about EPMS, I will not do another one unless it is really bonused.

In my nearly 10 years of full-time mystery shopping, there has never, never, ever been a shortage of apartment shops available for any month, but there has been in each and every month a shortage of shoppers willing to do them. Perhaps that's why they are frequently bonused.

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