I started with the apps — EasyShift. Gigwalk etc... it felt pretty good to at least get “something”, but then I just started to feel like it was a grind, and I could do better — which is how I got into regular MS’ing. I’d say it was about 8 months with the apps, 8 months doing regular jobs at base rate as well as a few app jobs, then figuring out how bonuses work, making relationships with schedulers — and over the last 2-4 years having relationships with schedulers, where they know what I generally will and will not take. I rarely take a job at “board rate” these days unless it’s something I need anyway, or a few restaurants I like. I got to a point where schedulers e-mail with direct offers that are decent... it takes a while, but you can get there.
I’m very much a “second half of the month” shopper these days — I make 80% of my money in the last 9 days of the month.... I used to check the apps when I was in Target or Wal-Mart whenever I stopped in, and I don’t even do that anymore. I’ve figured out the minimum money I need to make something work, if I can route it, or make a trip, and I stick with it. I’ve found the schedulers respect it eventually — if you are willing to lose a few jobs first.
For example, a lot of people complain about Trendsource as an MSC — they are one of my favorites... but I turned away several jobs to get to where I need to be. You have to be willing to say “No, it needs to be $50 PAD or it won’t work unfortunately. Go ahead and check with your manager.” when they say “Can you do it for $40? Anything higher and I have to check with my managers”. 4 out of 5 times they say no problem... 1 out of 5 they come back and say they can’t do it — I then tell them sorry it didn’t work out — and half of those times they come back the next day and offer me the 50. If you do it for 40, they note it and try to talk you down to 35 the next time.
There are exactly two MSCs who have never griped about the fees I need to do their jobs — Mintel and Informa. Both of which are my absolute favorite MSCs bar none.
In looking at my earnings, I do better this way rather than the apps or doing things for board rate. But it took a while to get there... I’ve always done this as a side job and way to help pay down my student loans faster — if it was my only income, I don’t know if I would have been so bold... so I understand why some people do these for the board rate. If you want to look at how depressing this situation can be, take a look at EasyShift forum in the app sometime. It’s sad to see these people griping about when $3-4 shops will drop, or why it’s taking ES an extra 3 days to process payments because someone was counting on an extra $20-30 to help pay their car note.
So to not ramble any more... I feel that people take the base rate if they need to... and unfortunately most of the MSCs take advantage of this — but if you can hold out, and you aren’t so desperate that $20-30 can make the difference on your car note being paid or the like — you can make extra money if you hold out a bit. I’d tell everyone to avoid taking the board rate — unless it just makes sense or you are going there anyway.