Well, I signed up for two right away and then I found out that I have to park the car hobble inside take a look at the bathroom. I sent them an email asking them what the deal was and no way in hell was I doing those. The same thing with Lowe's for $20 you to can do a four-part shop. I do not think so.

I did one, but I won't again without a fee . The reader board(s) is the big street sign, with the special wtitten on it, two sided.

panama18 opines--Sometimes I think some MSCs are just trying to see how much they can get out of you for next to no money, and if you'll do it then you can expect even more work added next time around.

Bob mostly agrees--Let's change the sometimes to all the time, the think to know and some MSCs to most, if not all. Any director of a company who does not attempt to maximize profits from their contractors, is acting irresponsibly.

Adding to shopperbob's comment: And any IC that does not attempt to maximize their own profits is likely doomed to failure.

@2stepps wrote:

Well, I signed up for two right away and then I found out that I have to park the car hobble inside take a look at the bathroom. I sent them an email asking them what the deal was and no way in hell was I doing those. The same thing with Lowe's for $20 you to can do a four-part shop. I do not think so.

I saw those, and it also says to make a small purchase and return it. No tks.

I can think of a few companies who offer very fair compensation, even though they could pay less and many shoppers would be satisfied. Informa and Mintel are two that come to mind. And both of those companies are apparently doing quite well while maintaining a loyal and satisfied base of highly competent shoppers.

@shopperbob wrote:

Any director of a company who does not attempt to maximize profits from their contractors, is acting irresponsibly.

Wow, they added a whopping $3 fee to the locations in my area, LOL!!!

I was doing the reveal audit for Church's and the other MSC. Easy reports and I did them when they got bonused up to $12/$15 piece. Reports were easy and no narratives. I love the honey biscuits - the chicken, not so much.

JASFLALMT
I can think of a few companies who offer very fair compensation, even though they could pay less and many shoppers would be satisfied. Informa and Mintel are two that come to mind. And both of those companies are apparently doing quite well while maintaining a loyal and satisfied base of highly competent shoppers.

Bob's opinion--As I have several thoughts, I will begin with the word "fair." Jas's usage as a modifier means it is relative to the condition of the mind of the user. What works for me is to simply accept we are unable to agree and move on, BUT, to each their own. I do not have any use for the word fair in business. My reason being that each side has its own definition and that creates ambiguity.

Referencing an MSC paying more than necessary, that is certainly their prerogative and they may well have a sound reason for taking such an action. I wish more companies were as generous as Informa; as I am both pro-shopper and pro-business. I still, though, call excessive fees irresponsible. Excessive being, in this situation, defined by Jas. as paying more to shoppers who would be satisfied with a smaller amount.

Edited to add the following--I finally received my first notice of these assignments, but the fee had been increased to a meager $3 for a job requiring at least 10 pics. As each photo has the potential to invalidate the work, my minimum fee for the shop would be $25 + the reimbursement.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2020 06:44PM by shopperbob.

Yes, Church's seems to be the new client for one of my MSCs. True, they do tend to be in scummy locations. If it was right in my city, I'd probably try it once if I really wanted free food.

@shopperbob wrote:

JASFLALMT
I can think of a few companies who offer very fair compensation, even though they could pay less and many shoppers would be satisfied. Informa and Mintel are two that come to mind. And both of those companies are apparently doing quite well while maintaining a loyal and satisfied base of highly competent shoppers.

Bob's opinion--As I have several thoughts, I will begin with the word "fair." Jas's usage as a modifier means it is relative to the condition of the mind of the user. What works for me is to simply accept we are unable to agree and move on, BUT, to each their own. I do not have any use for the word fair in business. My reason being that each side has its own definition and that creates ambiguity.

Referencing an MSC paying more than necessary, that is certainly their prerogative and they may well have a sound reason for taking such an action. I wish more companies were as generous as Informa; as I am both pro-shopper and pro-business. I still, though, call excessive fees irresponsible. Excessive being, in this situation, defined by Jas. as paying more to shoppers who would be satisfied with a smaller amount.

Okay, well I am doing some shops for Informa that pay between $60 to $180 and take between 45 minutes to 1.5 hour. I have been paid a few times by Mintel to open credit cards that paid $200 each and an additional $20 a month to monitor the accounts. One of those cards was a hotel loyalty card and Mintel paid the $450 annual fee. That card earned me 10 free hotel nights before I closed the card. I think that's more than fair and are NOT irresponsible, as they get the shops done by well-qualified shoppers and are able to weed out shoppers who are inadequate. Both of those companies have been in business for quite some time and are both doing quite well.

Church's has some delivery shops in my area now.

I am sorely tempted to do one of the delivery ones. Will think about it for a little while

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Wow, they added a whopping $3 fee to the locations in my area, LOL!!!

I took two of them when they raised the fee. Chicken OK not great, Shrimp at a chicken place? What are they thinking? That is sort of like a hamburger at a seafood place.

@2stepps wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Wow, they added a whopping $3 fee to the locations in my area, LOL!!!

I took two of them when they raised the fee. Chicken OK not great, Shrimp at a chicken place? What are they thinking? That is sort of like a hamburger at a seafood place.

I had to flush the toilets before I could take a picture of the bathroom. I should have left it and they probably wouldn't require it any more or they would say we want you to drive back the 23 miles that you had to to get to the first one. Then there would have been some heated exchanges vis email until I got the phone number of whomever.

I am seeing the delivery shops reimburse up to $38. Would anybody actually pay that much for lukewarm fast food on their own dime? That just baffles me.

I just wanted to pass this along...

I ran into an issue with one of the Church's locations I did. I followed all the directions (I have done 1400+ shops with this company), and the report was sent back over 8 days later asking for a different picture for the drive thru board. I have no idea what went wrong, but the fact it took them 8 days to declare a problem with an 8.00 dollar no real pay shop makes me say no, I will not do these shops again, especially for 38.00 dollar reimbursement only shop... no way... I don't like chicken that much...

I did notice that with the delivery shop, you were actually allowed to get chicken and the reimbursement was substantial. Additionally, the shop looks much simpler. But, I am wary of people delivering my food, especially a 3rd party. And still no fee.

@my1958vw wrote:

I just wanted to pass this along...

I ran into an issue with one of the Church's locations I did. I followed all the directions (I have done 1400+ shops with this company), and the report was sent back over 8 days later asking for a different picture for the drive thru board. I have no idea what went wrong, but the fact it took them 8 days to declare a problem with an 8.00 dollar no real pay shop makes me say no, I will not do these shops again, especially for 38.00 dollar reimbursement only shop... no way... I don't like chicken that much...

I’m sorry you got screwed.

The last time I went to church’s I think I was headed towards a gas station in Bell, California. Could have been Compton? The drive-through speaker didn’t work, and they had a handwritten sign attached to the board that said, “order at the window.” I got a three piece and a biscuit for $2.99. This was 2018. It was around 3 pm, and there was zero chance I was getting out of the car to do a walk-in order. Their chicken is so good with that fake honey and grease just dripping down your hands.... I loved it, but I no longer eat chicken.

But Popeye's is better!

@JASFLALMT wrote:

But Popeye's is better!

Hahahaha
Nope!

@JASFLALMT wrote:

But Popeye's is better!

It has always been better even has the Colonel beat!

Shrimp are sold by how many are in a pound and for this one I swear they are getting 50 shrimp in a pound.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2020 03:08PM by 2stepps.

I did the Church's $38 Feed 2 shop and I really thought you would get enough food for two people. Was surprised when I got 6 pcs. of chicken but only 1 serving of mashed, one serving of okra and 2 biscuits. I expected 2 servings each of the sides. At any rate, after they changed the chicken from all white to mixed, I ended up giving all of it to a friend.

I received a Church's drive-thru shop notice today. No fee or latitude on ordering, six pics, including two interior, and only a $10 reimbursement. The MSC that had that account 15 years ago, paid a $15 fee, with a $6 reimbursement and no ordering requirements or pics. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if shoppers continue to toil for a pittance, companies will be only too willing to accommodate them.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2020 07:57PM by shopperbob.

I saw those and did not take any. I used to do them for a bonus and enough reimbursement to cover cost. And I didn't have to take a pic of menu boards. Even if they bonus them I would not take one.

I tried Churchs once or maybe twice. Everything is fried in a ton of lard and it is soaking in grease when you get it. The only thing I cared for is the apple pies. I like fried chicken but not theirs. I can eat Popeyes but don't prefer it either. I personally like KFC the best although they are not what they used to be. Many supermarkets have a good fried chicken and at cheaper prices. I too have never seen a Churchs in a area that wasn't sketchy at best.

I usually gave the food away. What I DO like is their honey biscuits!

I have not done a Church's Chicken shop in a very long time. Just not worth it, even though I like their chicken very much. I do prefer Popeye's chicken, and Popeye's around here are often in safer areas than Church's.

I miss Church's okra.

Hmm, i might have to try one of these shops if they pay a fee of some sort. . The area used to be sketchy 35 years ago when I worked around there but has improved immensely since then and is quite nice now. One of my employees at that job I had was a former employee of Church's and she talked about them and called them Crutches Fried Chicken. I have joked about Crutches Fried chicken for so long it is about time I try it. I do not think she ever realized she was pronouncing the name incorrectly.