When EVERYTHING goes wrong!
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Wouldn't they understand that tomorrow is Easter? Are you able to get guidelines on your phone?
I’m guessing you left the paperwork home that needed to be signed by a manager as part of the reveal portion of the shop. There are ways to open the paperwork on your smart phone and have the manager sign it there with their finger. I would have tried that before driving all the way back.
Sorry this happened to you and what a way to start a holiday. I hope the Easter bunny comes and cuddles with you tomorrow and brings you some chocolate or your favorite treat. You need it after a day like today. Maybe call tomorrow to make sure that shop is open before you leave.
cease does hard copies of everything. She don't do phone copies.
cease, it sucks when everything goes sideways.
cease, it sucks when everything goes sideways.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
@HonnyBrown wrote:
cease does hard copies of everything. She don't do phone copies.
It’s good to have a digital back up plan.
cease, it sucks when everything goes sideways.
I would have rescheduled for Monday if possible and enjoy your Easter. I would make sure the places are open tomorrow and can still be shopped on a holiday. I don't know if you shop during the week or have another job. You also may have other different shops on Monday. Anyway best of luck and hope you still have a good Easter. I have to reschedule a few that are now overdue for next week. I just have been in too much pain with my back to get out and do these gas stations shops.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
I would have gone to a Fedex or Office Depot, or any copy center, to print the paperwork. Or a Library where you can use a PC.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
Libraries here not open on Saturdays.
Ninety miles from Fedex or Office Depot.
Sixty miles from nearest Walmart.
No apps/cell coverage. ("No cellular data network available"
And, as Honny mentions, I do hard copies. (Honny was too kind to mention that it's because I'm a total tech idiot!)
I'm booked SOLID -- and I mean SOLID -- through the 1st of May. So it's tomorrow, or say bye-bye to $230 + reimbursements.
I will say, however, in ten years of doing this, I don't recall EVER leaving my validation slip and LOA at home, LOL!!!
Both are open and shoppable tomorrow.
But it's what we do when things go south -- reschedule/reshop/redo.
Ninety miles from Fedex or Office Depot.
Sixty miles from nearest Walmart.
No apps/cell coverage. ("No cellular data network available"
And, as Honny mentions, I do hard copies. (Honny was too kind to mention that it's because I'm a total tech idiot!)
I'm booked SOLID -- and I mean SOLID -- through the 1st of May. So it's tomorrow, or say bye-bye to $230 + reimbursements.
I will say, however, in ten years of doing this, I don't recall EVER leaving my validation slip and LOA at home, LOL!!!
Both are open and shoppable tomorrow.
But it's what we do when things go south -- reschedule/reshop/redo.
@ceasesmith
You are living proof that shitake mushrooms happens to the best of us. Sorry the day went sideways.
Happy Easter!
You are living proof that shitake mushrooms happens to the best of us. Sorry the day went sideways.
Happy Easter!
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Wow. I've been exactly where you are but I found a Office Depot to print my stuff out. And when I got to the first gas station the attendant kindly made me more copies. I was over 100 miles from home. Sorry this happened to you.
It happens to be a beautiful day in the Midwest. Hopefully all goes well and this isn't just a pretty Sunday drive.
To be efficient and to make money, shoppers need to have a decent smart phone with a data plan or unlimited data. It pays for itself.
We cannot rely on having any service at all in the rural midwest. Some carriers have more coverage than others, but not all work in all areas. In many areas, if you are roaming you might be able to make a phone call but not use data. In others you have just dropped off the side of the flat earth. It used to be that you could get service just about anywhere with Tracfone but even they have cut back in coverage.
I do have a smart phone (an iPhone).
As Heartland says, doesn't do any good if it doesn't work.
I get a screen that says: "No Cellular Data Network Available".
And yes, I have a "plan" for data. It's not unlimited, but I've never come even close to using the amount I'm given each month.
And add to that, of course, the fact that I am a tech idiot.
We live in an area that is vast in size, and doesn't have enough population to warrant an investment in cell towers.
Our entire COUNTY has about 2,000 people in it.
As Heartland says, doesn't do any good if it doesn't work.
I get a screen that says: "No Cellular Data Network Available".
And yes, I have a "plan" for data. It's not unlimited, but I've never come even close to using the amount I'm given each month.
And add to that, of course, the fact that I am a tech idiot.
We live in an area that is vast in size, and doesn't have enough population to warrant an investment in cell towers.
Our entire COUNTY has about 2,000 people in it.
@SoCalMama wrote:
To be efficient and to make money, shoppers need to have a decent smart phone with a data plan or unlimited data. It pays for itself.
@ceasesmith wrote:
I do have a smart phone (an iPhone).
As Heartland says, doesn't do any good if it doesn't work.
I get a screen that says: "No Cellular Data Network Available".
And yes, I have a "plan" for data. It's not unlimited, but I've never come even close to using the amount I'm given each month.
And add to that, of course, the fact that I am a tech idiot.
We live in an area that is vast in size, and doesn't have enough population to warrant an investment in cell towers.
Our entire COUNTY has about 2,000 people in it.
@SoCalMama wrote:
To be efficient and to make money, shoppers need to have a decent smart phone with a data plan or unlimited data. It pays for itself.
I'm sorry. I guess I needed to be more specific.
Verizon or AT&T with an iPhone 7 or newer (or Andriod equivalent) with enough memory to run apps.
I have Verizon. My iPhone has plenty of memory. Apps don't work if there is no cellular data network available.
Have you ever been anywhere that your geoverify code comes back as "Null"?
I have.
Or a screen comes up that says "network error. Please try again later."
Or the blank screen just stares at you.
Have you ever been anywhere that your geoverify code comes back as "Null"?
I have.
Or a screen comes up that says "network error. Please try again later."
Or the blank screen just stares at you.
@ceasesmith wrote:
I have Verizon. My iPhone has plenty of memory. Apps don't work if there is no cellular data network available.
Have you ever been anywhere that your geoverify code comes back as "Null"?
I have.
Or a screen comes up that says "network error. Please try again later."
Or the blank screen just stares at you.
Yes, then I turn to my partner who has AT&T and I use their phone.
LOL!!!
No partners.
And, strangely, AT&T not available here. But where my phone does not work, AT&T IS available, and AT&T does work in those areas.
No partners.
And, strangely, AT&T not available here. But where my phone does not work, AT&T IS available, and AT&T does work in those areas.
After a 10 day traveling vacation, I have noticed that in some areas, mystery shopping is just not profitable. (I was in the Midwest specifically.)
Maybe this is the case where you live? If there is no cell service, and you have to drive 100's of miles on an unreliable, old car, often times in bad weather, perhaps this is not a profitable endeavor? It seems that you spend more money than you make. Has anyone told you this? I think that you have posted that your family did not approve of your mystery shopping. Maybe that is why?
For a 250 mile drive, I would expect $500 (minimum) for a daily total, no matter how many shops there were. Phone shops and web based shops are great for people in remote areas.
I literally have over 5000 shops that I can see right now in a 100 mile radius. That's just on Presto Instashops, and we all know that is where the "leftovers" hang out. Add-in all of the MSC's that have their own platform, and the ones that use the other platforms. The actual number is probably 10,000. Most of my settings are "15 miles". I get full pages of jobs at 15 miles on most every MSC.
Maybe this is the case where you live? If there is no cell service, and you have to drive 100's of miles on an unreliable, old car, often times in bad weather, perhaps this is not a profitable endeavor? It seems that you spend more money than you make. Has anyone told you this? I think that you have posted that your family did not approve of your mystery shopping. Maybe that is why?
For a 250 mile drive, I would expect $500 (minimum) for a daily total, no matter how many shops there were. Phone shops and web based shops are great for people in remote areas.
I literally have over 5000 shops that I can see right now in a 100 mile radius. That's just on Presto Instashops, and we all know that is where the "leftovers" hang out. Add-in all of the MSC's that have their own platform, and the ones that use the other platforms. The actual number is probably 10,000. Most of my settings are "15 miles". I get full pages of jobs at 15 miles on most every MSC.
There are NO jobs here.
In 10 years, I have had 3 shops within 30 miles.
That's why I route shop. It's the only way to come out ahead.
If I COULD get a job, it would be minimum wage (for sure). And the hours would be kept below 32 a week, so I'd make $320 a week. Gross. Probably around $260 after deductions.
If I get a job in the nearest town (and I've done that, when things were extra tight), that's 100 miles a day commute. None of which I can deduct mileage for.
My mileage deduction is a poor man's tax shelter. I don't mind making $500 on a route and the entire 500 goes in my pocket, because the 800 miles shelters most of it.
In 10 years, I have had 3 shops within 30 miles.
That's why I route shop. It's the only way to come out ahead.
If I COULD get a job, it would be minimum wage (for sure). And the hours would be kept below 32 a week, so I'd make $320 a week. Gross. Probably around $260 after deductions.
If I get a job in the nearest town (and I've done that, when things were extra tight), that's 100 miles a day commute. None of which I can deduct mileage for.
My mileage deduction is a poor man's tax shelter. I don't mind making $500 on a route and the entire 500 goes in my pocket, because the 800 miles shelters most of it.
I am glad you can make $500 driving 250 miles. In all probability, you have a much greater choice of shops, and in all honesty, you probably have skills I lack. I have to work at it to earn $150-$200 for driving to the nearest "city" (population 14,000), and that's 200 miles round trip.
Remember, though, that 100 miles is basically 100 minutes of driving. I actually consider driving there and back and shopping while I'm there (leaving home at 1 PM, being back before 5 PM, and earning $150-200) to be a half-day of work. And I am satisfied with that.
I have lived where it took an hour to drive 25 miles.
I only do about 20 shops a month, on average. I work about 10 days a month actually shopping. However, I have more than 20 shops scheduled in the next 5 days.
Since I am old and disabled, shopping has many advantages for me.
And yes, it is profitable.
Except when things go south, as they certainly did yesterday!
Remember, though, that 100 miles is basically 100 minutes of driving. I actually consider driving there and back and shopping while I'm there (leaving home at 1 PM, being back before 5 PM, and earning $150-200) to be a half-day of work. And I am satisfied with that.
I have lived where it took an hour to drive 25 miles.
I only do about 20 shops a month, on average. I work about 10 days a month actually shopping. However, I have more than 20 shops scheduled in the next 5 days.
Since I am old and disabled, shopping has many advantages for me.
And yes, it is profitable.
Except when things go south, as they certainly did yesterday!
Hard to explain rural life to people who have never experienced it. I am much closer to a city than you are (only an hour and a half's drive to Omaha) but neither Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, TMobile, nor Cricket will provide service here. I can get US Cellular, which runs on CDMA, that is not available in other rural areas. My route on Friday was over 400 miles. Last weekend I drove 300 miles. End-of-quarter bonuses make these routes worth it, but there is little to do near the beginning of a given month/quarter.
It is easy to woulda-coulda-shoulda someone and boast about how many shops are within 100 miles... but it is not helpful. It is just bragging and putting others down. We do not all have these opportunities. For some, mystery shopping is a better alternative to driving a long, non-deductible commute.
Kindness matters.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2019 02:26PM by heartlandcanuck.
It is easy to woulda-coulda-shoulda someone and boast about how many shops are within 100 miles... but it is not helpful. It is just bragging and putting others down. We do not all have these opportunities. For some, mystery shopping is a better alternative to driving a long, non-deductible commute.
Kindness matters.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2019 02:26PM by heartlandcanuck.
So true, Heartland!
In 2015, I had two jobs, both minimum wage, in the nearest town. I'd wash dishes in the morning at a truck stop (loved that job!), then dash over to Pizza Hut and deliver pizzas until dark. But some days I had to drive the 100 miles for 4 or 6 hours on the clock, at minimum wage. And gas was pushing $4 a gallon, so I was spending $10-$15 every day on gas. So for a 4 hour shift, plus 2 hour commute, I made $40, less $10 for gas. Working for considerably less than $7 an hour after gas expense. And every dime was taxable, and the commute wasn't deductible. And on the days when they weren't busy, they might send me home after just two hours, so I wouldn't even earn enough to put gas in the car to go back the next day! I put 2,000 miles a month on my car just commuting.
Between the two jobs, I'd shop a gas station or a fast food. I might have to drive another 100 miles to get to those, but I would make more on one or two shops than I would working on my feet the rest of the week. Really, it seemed thrilling to make the same amount auditing a gas station as I made standing on my feet at the dishwashing machine for over 4 hours.
So driving 400 miles to do 5 shops and earning $520, compared to washing dishes at minimum wage? I'd have to wash dishes for almost 2 weeks to get a paycheck netting $520. But I worked one fiercely long day shopping, then took the next week off.
No contest. Shopping allows me time to visit friends, garden, read, indulge in TV, all that stuff. Working two minimum wage jobs, my life was WORK -- my life revolved around trying to get enough sleep to work the next day, cleaning my uniform(s), driving to work, and driving home.
And I'd probably have to work 4 part time jobs to make the same amount as I do shopping.
I'm sorry, I'm feeling a little defensive, and it's kinda bothering me. I LOVE Nebraska, I love the people, I love the relaxed pace of living. I COULD move somewhere else, but this is my HOME.
Things are relative, you know. I probably couldn't make enough money in southern California shopping to live on. I can live here quite nicely on $1700 a month. That probably wouldn't pay for a decent place to live in southern California. And in months like this one, when I'm on schedule to earn over $2,000, I can pay down my debts a little -- debts I have accumulated since last June, when my car broke down. I basically couldn't shop from June 1 until after Thanksgiving, when my car was FINALLY repaired. In December, I made the grand total of $80 mystery shopping. But I'm working NOW, and that's the main thing.
In 2015, I had two jobs, both minimum wage, in the nearest town. I'd wash dishes in the morning at a truck stop (loved that job!), then dash over to Pizza Hut and deliver pizzas until dark. But some days I had to drive the 100 miles for 4 or 6 hours on the clock, at minimum wage. And gas was pushing $4 a gallon, so I was spending $10-$15 every day on gas. So for a 4 hour shift, plus 2 hour commute, I made $40, less $10 for gas. Working for considerably less than $7 an hour after gas expense. And every dime was taxable, and the commute wasn't deductible. And on the days when they weren't busy, they might send me home after just two hours, so I wouldn't even earn enough to put gas in the car to go back the next day! I put 2,000 miles a month on my car just commuting.
Between the two jobs, I'd shop a gas station or a fast food. I might have to drive another 100 miles to get to those, but I would make more on one or two shops than I would working on my feet the rest of the week. Really, it seemed thrilling to make the same amount auditing a gas station as I made standing on my feet at the dishwashing machine for over 4 hours.
So driving 400 miles to do 5 shops and earning $520, compared to washing dishes at minimum wage? I'd have to wash dishes for almost 2 weeks to get a paycheck netting $520. But I worked one fiercely long day shopping, then took the next week off.
No contest. Shopping allows me time to visit friends, garden, read, indulge in TV, all that stuff. Working two minimum wage jobs, my life was WORK -- my life revolved around trying to get enough sleep to work the next day, cleaning my uniform(s), driving to work, and driving home.
And I'd probably have to work 4 part time jobs to make the same amount as I do shopping.
I'm sorry, I'm feeling a little defensive, and it's kinda bothering me. I LOVE Nebraska, I love the people, I love the relaxed pace of living. I COULD move somewhere else, but this is my HOME.
Things are relative, you know. I probably couldn't make enough money in southern California shopping to live on. I can live here quite nicely on $1700 a month. That probably wouldn't pay for a decent place to live in southern California. And in months like this one, when I'm on schedule to earn over $2,000, I can pay down my debts a little -- debts I have accumulated since last June, when my car broke down. I basically couldn't shop from June 1 until after Thanksgiving, when my car was FINALLY repaired. In December, I made the grand total of $80 mystery shopping. But I'm working NOW, and that's the main thing.
I used to have a 70 mile, southward, commute, living in northwest Missouri. I waited tables on weekends to help pay for the week's gas. I discovered that doing a single shop every day, when possible, could help cover the commute and get me a little ahead since the mileage made it disappear. One fast food meal, gas station, cell phone shop... something. That was the gateway fourteen years ago.
@heartlandcanuck wrote:
Hard to explain rural life to people who have never experienced it. I am much closer to a city than you are (only an hour and a half's drive to Omaha) but neither Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, TMobile, nor Cricket will provide service here. I can get US Cellular, which runs on CDMA, that is not available in other rural areas. My route on Friday was over 400 miles. Last weekend I drove 300 miles. End-of-quarter bonuses make these routes worth it, but there is little to do near the beginning of a given month/quarter.
It is easy to woulda-coulda-shoulda someone and boast about how many shops are within 100 miles... but it is not helpful. It is just bragging and putting others down. We do not all have these opportunities. For some, mystery shopping is a better alternative to driving a long, non-deductible commute.
Kindness matters.
I have lived in a town of 125 people, no stop light and a post office shared with the next town over. You know nothing about my life experiences.
The point is if you live in the middle of nowhere, some people are better off doing phone and web shops. Perhaps you missed that? Driving for hours and hours for minimal money ends up costing more than you make. Eventually the car dies. Eventually you forget something or a store is unexpectedly closed.
But clearly cease does consider it profitable because it's more than could otherwise be made. Personally I'm happy as long as I make as much as I do hourly at my other job, so I guess I have a similar outlook. Sometimes my rate is much higher, and of course I try to maximize it. But it's worth it to me as long as it's that amount. Others won't leave the house for less than $30, $40, etc per hour. I don't fit that description. Different perspectives.
Having said that, phone and web shops could be a good addition to the rest of your shopping IF you like them, cease! Not everyone does! I didn't used to, but their convenience has grown on me. Haha
Having said that, phone and web shops could be a good addition to the rest of your shopping IF you like them, cease! Not everyone does! I didn't used to, but their convenience has grown on me. Haha
Happily shopping the Pacific Northwest. Shopping since 2013 
Cease won't do phone shops, she says she freezes up and can't do them, she has tried. I don't like them, but I am not in need. When I first started mystery shops I did them, even though I didn't like them, just to add to the kitty and build my relationships with MSCs. I no longer have to do that. Cease says she is a tech dinosaur and I would imagine that excludes her from doing web shops as well.
Anyone who insinuates that SoCalMama is not a kind person doesn't know her. I know for a FACT that she has been philanthropic more than once by sending care packages to forum members in need, with the cost of the contents of those post office shop boxes far exceeding what she made in fees doing them, not to mention her time and gas spent driving there and back and doing a report (even though the report only takes 10 minutes). And I am pretty sure that the recipients never PMed her and said thank you, either. She is pretty much to the point and tells it like it is, which isn't the same thing as putting other people down.
Anyone who insinuates that SoCalMama is not a kind person doesn't know her. I know for a FACT that she has been philanthropic more than once by sending care packages to forum members in need, with the cost of the contents of those post office shop boxes far exceeding what she made in fees doing them, not to mention her time and gas spent driving there and back and doing a report (even though the report only takes 10 minutes). And I am pretty sure that the recipients never PMed her and said thank you, either. She is pretty much to the point and tells it like it is, which isn't the same thing as putting other people down.
Umm? Why are some people picking on ceasesmith? Did someone take their let's be mean today pills?
I am a rural dweller and I know that the coverage is spotty in places and non-existent in others. This impacts on my shopping choices and experiences. Add in storms, closed roads and simultaneously closed alternate routes, and you have a recipe for the talented and hard working ceasesmith's mystery shopping life.
I am a rural dweller and I know that the coverage is spotty in places and non-existent in others. This impacts on my shopping choices and experiences. Add in storms, closed roads and simultaneously closed alternate routes, and you have a recipe for the talented and hard working ceasesmith's mystery shopping life.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
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