So I've been reading these forums for a while and I see that some of you almost only take shops when there is a bonus and that's how you bring in more profit. There were 2 shops sitting on the shopper board for a while and although I had done the shop before I wasn't interested in going to this area. (It wasn't in a bad area, it was in a mall but I just hate doing mall shops. I'm not a huge fan of going through the hassle to find parking to go to the mall lol). Anyways I decided to try my luck because this mall is literally RIGHT across the street from my job. They were both paying $10 each plus $15 reimbursement and were nearing their due date. I messaged them and said I'll do both for $15 each. So that earned me an extra $10 total. I feel very proud of myself and didn't think it would be this easy. However I'm also wondering if I could have asked for more!

What are some guidelines you guys go for when asking for bonuses? Timing? How much more? Does location play a part?

Looking forward to hearing from you all

Congrats!

It doesn't matter if you could have asked for more -- you didn't, and it's a done deal.

I "make an offer" for locations I KNOW are hard to fill. If the MSC doesn't accept my very reasonable offer....when they call me two weeks later because they don't have any other shopper for that location, my reasonable offer of $50 goes straight to $100.

And they accept it, because by then, they're desperate.

And I'm such a terrible person that I rub it in (politely, of course -- "You know, I offered to do this for $50 a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, I'm unable to do it for that now, because then it was part of a route, and now it's not. Too bad you didn't accept my offer." ).

But they don't learn. When I tell them "This is a hard-to-fill shop, and I'm the only shopper within 100 miles", they just do not believe me!



Don't second guess yourself. Congratulate yourself on attempting something new -- and rewarding!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2019 01:54AM by ceasesmith.

Lol so funny! I would have probably done the same. I'm sure if they can get away with paying a little as possible they will.

Thanks

I tried another one and was denied. They are paying $9 plus reimbursements for a shop that has to be done by TODAY. I offered to do it for $18 and they said "Thank you for your interest in completing shops for Little Caesars! Unfortunately, we are not able to increase the pay of each shop. The Little Caesars campaign can only pay a non-negotiable $9 for the time being. If you are still interested in completing these shops, I will be happy to get you scheduled for these locations! I look forward to hearing from you ! "

Hmm interesting. I would think if they need it done by today they would AT LEAST counteroffer to $15 at least. Its out of my way which is why I asked for $18. Hopefully I didn't go about it the wrong way. Oh well!

It greatly depends on the MSC and the client. Some schedulers really do not have any flexibility to pay a bonus.

@walesmaven that's completely understandable. I'll definitely keep trying with the bonuses though

This is an interesting topic. I need a little help on bonus strategy myself. I hope a few more experienced shoppers will post ideas.

@Kristylynnr wrote:

Lol so funny! I would have probably done the same. I'm sure if they can get away with paying a little as possible they will.

Thanks

I tried another one and was denied. They are paying $9 plus reimbursements for a shop that has to be done by TODAY. I offered to do it for $18 and they said "Thank you for your interest in completing shops for Little Caesars! Unfortunately, we are not able to increase the pay of each shop. The Little Caesars campaign can only pay a non-negotiable $9 for the time being. If you are still interested in completing these shops, I will be happy to get you scheduled for these locations! I look forward to hearing from you ! "

Hmm interesting. I would think if they need it done by today they would AT LEAST counteroffer to $15 at least. Its out of my way which is why I asked for $18. Hopefully I didn't go about it the wrong way. Oh well!

You won't get more than $10 or $12 for Little Caesars ever. You are wasting your time (and theirs, as it just won't happen).

Panama, since you asked so nicely: For me, the best way to get bonuses is to build a relationship with schedulers.

I have a binder (for you kids who don't know what that is, it's a notebook -- an actual, physical paper notebook, LOL), with a separate page for each MSC I work with/am signed up with. Whenever a scheduler calls me or e-mails me, I add notes to the page. I'll write the type of shop and the scheduler's name & contact info. Then, if I see a job linger on a job board, I at least have a contact to reach out to.

And sometimes it takes patience. I reached out to a couple schedulers in January, and told them I'd do their shops for XXXX $. They both responded with "We don't have that in the budget", and I politely wrote back and said, "Don't hesitate to reach out to me when you do have bonus funds". They both did; but I didn't do one of the shops until April, and the other in May, when they actually were desperate.

I have "mentored" and taught other shoppers, and, frankly, some people just can't do it. I understand perfectly. I cannot do phone shops. Some of us are great at certain shops, and choke up on others. Some people just can't call up and ask for more money. In that case, I urge them to e-mail the request.

It never, ever, hurts to ask -- if they say no, you're no worse off than you were before you asked!

Little Caesars are so easy anyway and with so many locations shop just do ones close. No nonsense photos of pizza and bread sticks. Reimbursement covers cost and you make a few bucks.

I am going to re post what I posted on a past discussion of bonuses as it is relevant here.

End of month, quarter, and year are when you get the big, bigger, and biggest bonuses. There is also end of project which can fall anytime but is rare. You can use travel time distance and/or tolls to negotiate higher pay. The my schedule is full but I could fit it in for this. Time sensitive which usually coincides with end of month, quarter, or year. The time sensitive can also include my last shopper flaked and you have proven your reliable. There is the also I need more cause its too damn cold bonus, one of my favorites. Also there is the the shop used to pay this or the shop is only worth it if it pays this. You will find in this business bonuses vary based on a multitude of factors of which I have listed the main ones. I would not ask for less of a bonus cause your new or feel your not worth it yet. If you are reliable your worth it ask for more but be fair to yourself and not unreasonable. Also you will learn what other shops are out there nearby so you may take less of a bonus if you can't get what you need for one shop by making it up with easy close by other shops. Good luck to you and everyone.

@BuffaloNY101 Great advice!! Thank you!!

I also love the "It's too dam cold outside" reason and I use that as well. Sometimes it's the "Yeah, I know I did it last time for less, but I don't have anything else going on in that area to make it worth leaving home this time". And there is always "I won't get dressed and go anywhere, even if it is only 2 miles, for only $10."

Thoughts on getting bonuses...

First, you are not going to get a bonus on the shops that everybody else wants to do. The MSC wants to get shops done for as little as possible and are not going to pay you $30 when somebody else will do it for $10.

Second, the more you know about how each MSC operates, the better. As stated above, if you know that a set of shops are on a monthly or quarterly schedule, you'll have the most success asking for bonuses at the end of those time periods.

Third, know your territory. Sign up for lots of MSC's so you know what else is available to you so you don't feel like you have to take shops from any specific MSC. This allows you to walk away from shops if you don't think t hey pay enough. It also gives you a good idea for what the market really is for a particular shop.

Some things I do...
* Watch the job boards. Is there a shop that is a bit out-of-the-way that has been there fore a while? Contact the schedule and make an offer. Perhaps two or three other MSC's have similar situation?. Make an offer on all of them.

* If you get a text, call or personal email from a scheduler, treat it as an invitation to make an offer. If they are calling you about one "special" shop, they need it done.

* If you get repeated (over several weeks) mass emails about the same shop (not group of shops), make an offer.

* Be truthful. Don't say that a shop is an hour away when you can walk there in five minutes. You'll be found out and it will break trust.

* Don't be afraid to tell an MSC what you are getting paid to do similar shops - though you don't have to tell them which other MSC is paying you. Yesterday, I was contacted by an scheduler and asked if I could do nine video apartment visits for $50 each. I declined, telling her truthfully that I was picking up written and audio recorded apartments at $70-$90 right now. She countered and offered $75 each. Her shops and shorter reports and have more convenient addresses than the other MSC's shops, so I took them.

Finally, and most importantly, never flake and always do great work. No scheduler is going to want to give you a chance at a shop that is very time sensitive if you have a history of not getting your work done or doing work that might not get accepted. MSC's pay bonuses when they really need something done NOW. They need to *know* that you are the one that will come through.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2019 02:13AM by MFJohnston.

@MFJohnston I agree, knowing your market is important. The more you know how much shops go for and when they're needed done, the better. Great tips!

Is Little Ceasers still shopped? I have not seen it in my area in a few months?

This!

It also skews the pricing. Have MSCs fought back with lower offers in order to balance the pay game?

@MFJohnston wrote:

Thoughts on getting bonuses...



Some things I do...


* Be truthful. Don't say that a shop is an hour away when you can walk there in five minutes. You'll be found out and it will break trust.

@Isaiah4031a

Yes they are. Try expanding your area.

@ladymacleod wrote:

@Isaiah4031a

Yes they are. Try expanding your area.

I search state and there are none in mine. I think LC is shopped by different MSCs in different areas. Mine have been missing for a few months. Me and Isaiah may be in the same part of the country. No reimbursed pizza for us!

I have so many Little Ceasers shops around me I don't know what to do with all these pizzas lol

Send them to us on postal shops. Win win!

Sometimes, I ask for a bonus of a specific amount. Other times, I leave it open and just ask for a bonus. This has worked for and against me for different MSCs.

What app or Mystery Shop are you using for the Little Ceaser audits?

It is a violation of our ICAs and forum rules to name the MSC and client together. There are both app and MSC shops of LC. If you apply enough places you will find them.

@SoCalMama wrote:

You won't get more than $10 or $12 for Little Caesars ever. You are wasting your time (and theirs, as it just won't happen).

I frequently do bonused LC shops for $14-15 but have seen them up to $18-20 at some of the more distant locations to me. Right now the pay I am seeing for the bonused locations are $10-13.

@Rancid13 Really. The highest I have ever seen for LC is $14 I believe

I got a shop for tomorrow that has a $16 bonus on it, which is more than the normal pay for that shop. This MSC doesn't usually bonus that much, so I took it as offered. My experience is that they won't accept shopper offers -- or at least mine -- so I've stopped asking. But I won't do any of their shops anymore, except one, without a bonus. They've kept the pay the same for years (I think they recently bumped this shop up by a whopping $2), and it's just not worth it to do them at base.

If you think the job warrants a bonus, ask for one. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

Thank you, Ceasesmith. Lots of good advice.

@ceasesmith wrote:

Panama, since you asked so nicely: For me, the best way to get bonuses is to build a relationship with schedulers.

So Jas, I have seen that it's too damn cold suggestion before. But I am wondering if I can just say from my home near the beach away from the smog and the heat of the valleys, "It's too damn beautiful today for me to go out and do your job without a bonus." Sorry for that but I just had to say it. You all have some beautiful weather this time of year too and beautiful trees and rolling fields and mountains to look at that we do not.
But seriously I would love it if people who live in big cities with lots of shoppers and non existent bonuses or small ones could send in their big city ideas. Please let us know your ideas are for hard to come bonuses in large cities. Routes are not really lucrative here where I live as the shops are far away from each other. Some schedulers will send a note with make a route but there are 3 shops 50 miles from each other and they are advertising at the base rate. And any small town that is 200 miles from here has 5 other cities on the way to it that has shoppers who don't need to drive as far. I have managed $5-10 bonuses occasionally but not often and not more than that.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I also love the "It's too dam cold outside" reason and I use that as well. Sometimes it's the "Yeah, I know I did it last time for less, but I don't have anything else going on in that area to make it worth leaving home this time". And there is always "I won't get dressed and go anywhere, even if it is only 2 miles, for only $10."

Yeah, right now I am jumping on the opportunities to go take a drive in the country, now that all the trees have filled in and the grass is green and lush. I don't want to do shops close to home much, but I will take a bonus and go for a drive! I was about 30 minutes SW of here last week and had to do a product retrieval and evaluation at an IGA. There was a Dollar General next to it. Both had parking spaces and hitching posts (Amish country). It is pretty cool, and go inside the store and hear them speaking Pennsylvania Dutch to each other, women in plain dresses and bonnets and men with straw hats, black pants, and suspenders. Like being in another world. Gotta be careful driving, watch out for horses and buggies. Lots of farms, cows, horses...and I saw a wild fox crossing the road later that day.

AT&T Audits going up by 75cent increments - now stand at $14.25. I sent an email saying I would do 10 of them within a week for $20 each - they decided they would continue with their 75 cent increments until someone bites