Certification

Is it worth the price to become certified to a silver or gold?? Has anyone bought the DVD and taken the test?

Krazekatt1

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If you want to fill the MSPA's pocket with your hard-earned money then go for it. I've shopped for 17 years now and get assigned the same shops as someone who says they're gold.

Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain

We've discussed this a bunch of times, and we disagree. To read all discussions, select "Search" and search for certifications, all dates. I personally don't see the value. I have Silver ($15), because I thought I would need it when I started shopping, but I get the same shops as others who do not have the silver. The Gold is significantly more expensive, and I do not plan to purchase that.

I am also Silver Certified. They are promoting Gold and having a seminar in Irvine, CA this month for $125.00. I won't be going, feel Silver help's, as some companies do ask for your Silver Certification # on their application.

Live consciously....

I have silver and sometimes get emails with shops that say for our MSPA certified shoppers only a few hours ahead of the next email for everyone...which means I could get dibs before other shoppers in my area. Usually I don't check my email all day every day though so it doesn't matter because the next email is already sent out to everyone before I've had the chance to check my mail and apply for those shops. So yeah, you get the same shops without the cert, but sometimes you get preferential treatment in the announcement of those shops or possibly even the assignment of those shops.

I do not plan on getting the gold...it is too expensive without enough in return.

I am silver, gold and now Video, the only that I see paying off is the video. SOme disagree on that part but hey. I could probably do a full day of shops and make about $300.

AustinMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We've discussed this a bunch of times, and we
> disagree. To read all discussions, select "Search"
> and search for certifications, all dates. I
> personally don't see the value. I have Silver
> ($15), because I thought I would need it when I
> started shopping, but I get the same shops as
> others who do not have the silver. The Gold is
> significantly more expensive, and I do not plan to
> purchase that.

I see that 75% of the time. However, my Silver has paid for itself.

There are apparently few shoppers in my area, as evidenced by the begging I get from schedulers now that I ramped back up to shopping more than occasionally.

However, there are a precious 25% of shops that come through that say silver-certified or above only, do not apply without. All of those pay $20 and up fee without exception, most are relatively painless.

I pocketed close to $200 in "emergency" fees and .36 per mile for 3 brainless bank shops-the MSC paid within 2 weeks of the shops. BUT, silver was required.

prettygul1 is not alone in being able to do $300 in video fees in one day. But, video shopping is not for everyone. Investing in the training can be a lot less expensive than investing $400 in equipment and THEN finding out that you hate the assignments.

I have seldom met anyone who is wishy-washy about video work; you either love it or hate it.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I am assuming that the training costs are tax deductible as a business expense,no? If you have shopped enough to build up a cash reserve (you should do this, of course) then why not use some to get more training. Of course, after a few years the training will be boring and useless, but you do get certified.

I gotten a few offers because I am certified, but for the most part it's not been necessary. I just feel better with it than without. When I worked in computer training I was certified all over the place with Microsoft and others, and that was completely necessary to both get the jobs and do the teaching. But shopping?? Just follow the guidelines.

Yes, of course the training costs are tax deductible as business expenses. The category of expense is "continuing education."

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

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