Bgriffin, right on.
I lock in what I call an "anchor" shop -- one (or several) high paying shop (anywhere from $100-$400, depending on distance). Then I build the route around that.
The difference here is you're saying "I'll be in such and such on such and such a date; what shops can I find?" and I'm asking "Where do I need to go to build a route?" Two entirely different ways of looking at it. If I WANTED to be in Amarillo on the 15th, I would use your approach; but if I wanted to make MONEY, I would use my approach (or bgriffin's).
I suggest focusing on 3-5 companies that have shops where you regularly travel. I work with MarketForce, Maritz, BestMark, Alta360, and many others, but I get most of my "anchor" shops with those few.
I find PrestoInstaMap to be an invaluable tool; it'll show you shops all along your route on one page, then you can check the shops you're interested in and find out if you're registered with the right company and apply for the shops directly with the company.
BTW, I agree with the $60 an hour mark mentioned by bgriffin.
I will do a mix of shops -- but only shops I am already familiar with. I'll do U S Post Office, hardware stores, fast food, and gas stations.
And I ALWAYS (but ALWAYS) ask for bonus/travel pay/distance incentive, whatever the company wants to call it. I often get a no ("we don't have that in the budget right now" ), but then, I often get a yes (so a $10 plus reimbursement for a fast food shop turns into a $25 plus reimbursement shop; I'm absolutely driving right by the location, and I have to eat, so why not, LOL?).
And when you present yourself as a route shopper, many schedulers will add an incentive.
I've never done a video shop, but I understand they can be lucrative.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2018 04:01AM by ceasesmith.