Favorite tips you learned here in 2018 - top 3
1. MK will de-activate you if your in-active.
2... Call The Source if there's a certain job you want, schedulers will work with you.
3. Relationship with Scheduler/company goes a long way.
2... Call The Source if there's a certain job you want, schedulers will work with you.
3. Relationship with Scheduler/company goes a long way.
Live consciously....
(1) Listen to the experienced members here, they know what they are talking about
(2) Think about the prices you are willing to take for a shop
(3) Coyle has a learning curve
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2018 05:23AM by Niner.
(2) Think about the prices you are willing to take for a shop
(3) Coyle has a learning curve
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2018 05:23AM by Niner.
1) If you find yourself doing many shops for one company, find another company or three with shops that work for you. If you do to much work for that one MSC, you can actually depress the market in your own area.
2) Overnight routes can really be profitable if planned well.
3) Schedulers really do know each other and help each other out when shops really need to be filled, especially if you are on a route to remote areas.
2) Overnight routes can really be profitable if planned well.
3) Schedulers really do know each other and help each other out when shops really need to be filled, especially if you are on a route to remote areas.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@MFJohnston Can you explain #1? My experience has been the opposite.
1) Everyone has their limits. Realize yours. The work will suffer if you work beyond your limits.
2) Always be looking for new revenue streams. You never know when one will dry up.
3) Scheduler and management relationships matter, even ones you haven't needed in a long time.
1) Everyone has their limits. Realize yours. The work will suffer if you work beyond your limits.
2) Always be looking for new revenue streams. You never know when one will dry up.
3) Scheduler and management relationships matter, even ones you haven't needed in a long time.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
In 2018, and from multiple long threads, I learned:
1. Read entire threads. Eventually, two or more strong opinions or insights will emerge.
2. Remember those differing ideas.
3. In your career, you might utilize one or more divergent ideas in order to be successful.
1. Read entire threads. Eventually, two or more strong opinions or insights will emerge.
2. Remember those differing ideas.
3. In your career, you might utilize one or more divergent ideas in order to be successful.
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
In 2018 I learned that:
1. Wait! Do not take $4 market force shops, no matter how desperate it gets.
2. Efficiency = patience = bigger $
3. Most shops AREN'T worth doing.
1. Wait! Do not take $4 market force shops, no matter how desperate it gets.
2. Efficiency = patience = bigger $
3. Most shops AREN'T worth doing.
I do a lot of apartments... When I do a lot for one company (and I mean A LOT),I take all the nicely bonused shops in the area and a few other shoppers pick up the less exciting bonuses, leaving very few shops not offered for better than the base rate - for which I would be competing with other shoppers. However, when I slow down working for this company as I find other "favorites," the company finds itself not filling shops like they had been and the bonuses come back. A year ago, I was not doing shops for less than $50. Now, I don't do them for less than $65, often getting them at $70.
Here is a key part of this, however: I know my area reasonably well. I prefer video shops and shops with narratives. In this area, there is a real shortage of folks like me. Several companies have to pay a premium fairly frequently to bring folks in from out-of-town if I don't pick up their shops.
Keep in mind that this won't work with shops that already "fly off the boards." Rather, I can only do this with shops that MSC's don't fill quickly as it is.
Here is a key part of this, however: I know my area reasonably well. I prefer video shops and shops with narratives. In this area, there is a real shortage of folks like me. Several companies have to pay a premium fairly frequently to bring folks in from out-of-town if I don't pick up their shops.
Keep in mind that this won't work with shops that already "fly off the boards." Rather, I can only do this with shops that MSC's don't fill quickly as it is.
@Hoju wrote:
@MFJohnston Can you explain #1? My experience has been the opposite.
1) Everyone has their limits. Realize yours. The work will suffer if you work beyond your limits.
2) Always be looking for new revenue streams. You never know when one will dry up.
3) Scheduler and management relationships matter, even ones you haven't needed in a long time.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
1. Even though I have been doing this for years, having a place to talk to others that also do the same work is invaluable.
2. When you have a slow week in your shop schedule, use it to sign up for new companies.
3. After a few years not doing this, the most important thing I learned is that the work is still out there, and I am still capable of doing it, which makes me both happy and thankful!
2. When you have a slow week in your shop schedule, use it to sign up for new companies.
3. After a few years not doing this, the most important thing I learned is that the work is still out there, and I am still capable of doing it, which makes me both happy and thankful!
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
1. This forum and the participants are awesome.
2. Instead of waiting for the end of the month bonuses on shops, snag the shop early in the month. Go through the schedulers and tell them you want the bonus.
3. Always look at your shop board.
2. Instead of waiting for the end of the month bonuses on shops, snag the shop early in the month. Go through the schedulers and tell them you want the bonus.
3. Always look at your shop board.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
This is probably common sense for most of you, but one of the most invaluable tips I saw is to stack at least 3 shops in one location if possible. I had been driving out of the way for one shop, just not worth it for the most part to be driving all that much for one shop.
Don't always hold out for bonuses if you really want to do the shop, learned the hard way if you wait too long for
a shop to get bonused or for the bonus to go up someone will snag it while your waiting on that bonus
Most shops aren't worth doing if they are under 15 dollars.
Don't always hold out for bonuses if you really want to do the shop, learned the hard way if you wait too long for
a shop to get bonused or for the bonus to go up someone will snag it while your waiting on that bonus
Most shops aren't worth doing if they are under 15 dollars.
Shopping Idaho and Oregon/Idaho border region.
This is actually my own advice for me.... (or you)... I always write down a description of the employee (whether they ask for one or not) and their name. If for some reason, someone has "borrowed" a name tag and the report is in dispute, I have my description. This helps when your male cashier has a name tag on that says, "Shelia" 
Mine are:
1. Don't let new jobs intimidate you. Breathe in, breathe out. It's going to be okay; even if you mess up. It's going to be okay. Get the first one under your belt and you are good to go.
2. Always GeoVerify. Always.
3. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Start out slow, build memory muscles, then expand slowly. Know your daily limits.
4. Always have the shops instructions. When a job goes South, grab the instructions and read.
5. Make use of the memo pad on your cell phone.
Edited to add: These are my top 5, I had more than 3...blush.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2018 02:08AM by ArkLaMissshopping.
1. Don't let new jobs intimidate you. Breathe in, breathe out. It's going to be okay; even if you mess up. It's going to be okay. Get the first one under your belt and you are good to go.
2. Always GeoVerify. Always.
3. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Start out slow, build memory muscles, then expand slowly. Know your daily limits.
4. Always have the shops instructions. When a job goes South, grab the instructions and read.
5. Make use of the memo pad on your cell phone.
Edited to add: These are my top 5, I had more than 3...blush.
Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2018 02:08AM by ArkLaMissshopping.
1. In rural areas - there's enough work to make some nice spending money - but I would never be able to do this full time. (This years monthly fees range from under $100 to $800+ with average being $439 a month). Use money making apps (Easy Shift, etc) and focus groups to add a few more bucks.
2. This is not for everyone...I've tried to get a few family members to sign up when theres a highly bonused shop that they qualify for and they seem interested enough but won't take the leap.
3. Read, read, read the forum, there's tons of great info. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.
2. This is not for everyone...I've tried to get a few family members to sign up when theres a highly bonused shop that they qualify for and they seem interested enough but won't take the leap.
3. Read, read, read the forum, there's tons of great info. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.
1. Turn your Amazon boxes inside out and reuse them for USPS shipping shops. This way, there are no markings on the box.
2. Some people are just bitter by nature. No amount of kindness will change it. Don't try; just move on.
3. Schedulers talk to each other. Better to do a hundred shops for one scheduler than one shop for a hundred scheduler. Just like most everywhere else, it's about networking and reputation.
2. Some people are just bitter by nature. No amount of kindness will change it. Don't try; just move on.
3. Schedulers talk to each other. Better to do a hundred shops for one scheduler than one shop for a hundred scheduler. Just like most everywhere else, it's about networking and reputation.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
Take photos of everything. These are great time stamps and helpful when recalling details.
Always get everything in writing. Don't agree to anything over the phone without a follow up email to confirm.
Don't let things get personal, keep it business....
Always get everything in writing. Don't agree to anything over the phone without a follow up email to confirm.
Don't let things get personal, keep it business....
1. Schedulers lie
2. I am worth as much as I see fit
3. "Age is just a $" @Irene_L.A.
Edited so I could quote Irene correctly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2018 01:29AM by nslinhar.
2. I am worth as much as I see fit
3. "Age is just a $" @Irene_L.A.
Edited so I could quote Irene correctly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2018 01:29AM by nslinhar.
Everything is negotiable
Apprehension resides with a first time assignment
You are never too old to learn.....I turned 70 this month....did my first app shops....getting the hang of it....If you reuse to give up, you can never be defeated....
Apprehension resides with a first time assignment
You are never too old to learn.....I turned 70 this month....did my first app shops....getting the hang of it....If you reuse to give up, you can never be defeated....
On day routes, do the farthest shop first. In case things go south and you don't get them all done that day, you can return to the closest one.
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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
Fear is just a word
forget about age, go for it
re-read your reports, maintain 8/10 rating.
forget about age, go for it
re-read your reports, maintain 8/10 rating.
Live consciously....
My biggest money saver was finding out there were no certifications needed to get shops, I am not sure it was 2018 though. My biggest time saver was learning to saving my report in word so I did not have to rewrite things.
1. It is okay to turn down a shop if they don't want to accept your offer
2. Extra Pictures never hurt
3. So many shoppers here have talked about building relationships with schedulers and I am really bad at, well, human interaction. If you are like me, just try to do a little extra if you contact a scheduler. Even if you only get to know one that is significantly more than you knew before.
2. Extra Pictures never hurt
3. So many shoppers here have talked about building relationships with schedulers and I am really bad at, well, human interaction. If you are like me, just try to do a little extra if you contact a scheduler. Even if you only get to know one that is significantly more than you knew before.
1. When in doubt, ask here on the forum and you will get honest, experienced answers and get to the bottom of the problem
2. Sign up with as many companies as you can
3. Do not get sucked into taking jobs that you normally wouldn’t just because scheduler called you
3A. Stay away from scheduler Carrie
2. Sign up with as many companies as you can
3. Do not get sucked into taking jobs that you normally wouldn’t just because scheduler called you
3A. Stay away from scheduler Carrie
1. Flags have to be a certain way on a flag pole.
2. Wendy burgers are made of badger meat. (May be untrue).
3. The mystery shopper secret code phrase is, "The chicken sleeps alone."
2. Wendy burgers are made of badger meat. (May be untrue).
3. The mystery shopper secret code phrase is, "The chicken sleeps alone."
Dang! I just broke down 5 amazon boxes and threw them in the trash before reading this. What a freaking great idea! Now, I feel I need to add #6 on my list above. I just learned another favorite tip!
@iShop123 wrote:
1. Turn your Amazon boxes inside out and reuse them for USPS shipping shops. This way, there are no markings on the box.
2. Some people are just bitter by nature. No amount of kindness will change it. Don't try; just move on.
3. Schedulers talk to each other. Better to do a hundred shops for one scheduler than one shop for a hundred scheduler. Just like most everywhere else, it's about networking and reputation.
Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
#1 Have a good rapport with your schedulers, work together.
#2 Read Guidelines every time.
#3 SAVE, SAVE, SAVE during shops that have several narratives. This has saved me many times. Nothing worse than having to do an entire report over.
#2 Read Guidelines every time.
#3 SAVE, SAVE, SAVE during shops that have several narratives. This has saved me many times. Nothing worse than having to do an entire report over.
Sometimes (Vegas) you have to work hard to be able to work smart.
View reimbursements as pay, you have to buy food and have dinner out.
Take a job you don't want (now and then) to help a scheduler out, you will be re-paid.
View reimbursements as pay, you have to buy food and have dinner out.
Take a job you don't want (now and then) to help a scheduler out, you will be re-paid.
Live consciously....
Yes, Carrie with Red Quanta is awful. I never got paid for some jobs she scheduled.
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