Let us predict the future - Work when this blows over?
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I have always used a lot of hand sanitizer, and I also have always used a lot of hand lotion. I have plenty of both on hand (which I bought well before the corona virus scare).
You can't take China as a model, because they shut their whole country down. In our country, there are states where people are going about their lives as if nothing was wrong, going out to eat, going to bars, etc.
@AZwolfman wrote:
If we can take China as a model, then we should be mystery shopping again in July or August.
Well, JASFLALMT, then that behavior needs to change, or else we may not be working again until at least next year.
I think that was her point.....
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Right. I was emphasizing her point just in case some of us did not get it.@bgriffin wrote:
I think that was her point.....
@MFJohnston wrote:
New Prediction:
The next "must have" item that will be flying off store shelves will be *hand lotion.*
After increasing my hand washing frequency to "constantly" and my use of hand sanitizer to "if it's there, I use it," my hands have started to dry out, crack and bleed.
I highly recommend something that's been around forever, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. It's even cheap and widely available. Long before Covid-19 I have been washing my hands more times than I can count. Combined with the dry winter air my knuckles were cracked and bleeding so much it hurt to apply lotion. Other products would work temporarily but even after leaving them on overnight they would seem to be washing off the next morning or would require reapplying constantly. I went back to this stuff and only use a small amount once per day right before bed.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Here is a website that attempts to predict what's going to happen.... It matches the math I've looked at previously and the creators have a ton more knowledge than I do about the subject. I hope they are very wrong.
[covidactnow.org]
[covidactnow.org]
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Man, I'd like to see that shot full of holes.
@MFJohnston wrote:
Here is a website that attempts to predict what's going to happen.... It matches the math I've looked at previously and the creators have a ton more knowledge than I do about the subject. I hope they are very wrong.
[covidactnow.org]
Taking my daughters advice, doing some productive things like cleaning out closet, walking (alone) and NOT reading links like above or watching news all day, maybe time for reflection and personal growth.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2020 06:19PM by Irene_L.A..
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2020 06:19PM by Irene_L.A..
@Mert wrote:
Man, I'd like to see that shot full of holes.
@MFJohnston wrote:
Here is a website that attempts to predict what's going to happen.... It matches the math I've looked at previously and the creators have a ton more knowledge than I do about the subject. I hope they are very wrong.
[covidactnow.org]
Even if the specifics are off the concept appears sound. Less movement and interaction equals better survival rate. We need to stop interacting.
It's a continuum, not a menu. We need not wait for leaders to get on board. Each person that voluntarily chooses a more restrictive lifestyle than that currently mandated incrementally improves outcomes for everyone, starting with themselves.
We are now effectively sheltering in place, with widely spaced excursions limited to brief grocery restocking for ourselves and our aging homebound parents who rely on us. We're cooking at home, and we're video conferencing with family and friends that we miss seeing. Each of us has left the house only once in the past 8 days. We do not plan to go anywhere again until mid week this week when one of us will shop for parents.
We are not wealthy. There will be a financial reckoning for these choices. That is another day's trouble. The choice today is whether we improve the world's odds or diminish them.
I'm worried about companies like HS Brands (that take a long time to pay) or Coyle (where fine dining reimbursements for your meals are significant ... and if any of them fold, I won't get paid for work done January and February and even early March.
I'm not worried about HS Brands. They are a large company and, imho, well run. They should be ok. Same with Coyle, I wouldn't worry about them. My concern is with the smaller companies that have fewer clients. Time will tell I guess.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The smaller companies with fewer clients are also usually one or two person companies that have little overhead. I'm worried about the ones in between.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I know it’s been discussed in previous posts that it will take while to see shops on the MSC board again. Are most of you waiting it out or moving on to a different side hustle and/or full time job? I’m fortunate that I still have my corporate full time job but mystery shopping provided a nice side income that allowed me to have fun and make money to pay for non-essential products and services without dipping into my full time income. I’m currently exploring other side-hustle options just in case...
Just curious what you all are thinking about the future of mystery shopping.
Just curious what you all are thinking about the future of mystery shopping.
I also have a full time job in human services and am still getting paid as usual thank gosh. I normally use my MS income for extras and am not depending on it to pay any bills. I am just waiting for it to rebound so really haven’t explored anything else. I am using the extra time I have to reorganize my house and do projects I feel like I never have time for.
I'm obeying my state's "stay at home" order and only venturing out for groceries, pharmaceuticals, and walks around the neighborhood. I've got plenty to do trying to convert my classroom into a "remote learning experience." I'm busy enough right now that I'll just start shopping again when things pick up. Besides, I'm spending a lot less money than usual as I'm not going anywhere...
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
MS definitely was never my MAIN income. The last MS job I did was Sat., 3/14 at a buffet restaurant, which was the last weekend they were open before they temporarily closed. It was quite scarce w/ diners even then too. I told myself that was the last MS job I'll do for a long time.
Even when things get back to normal, I'll wait a while, make sure this virus is really under control first, etc. before venturing back out there when I really don't have to.
Even when things get back to normal, I'll wait a while, make sure this virus is really under control first, etc. before venturing back out there when I really don't have to.
I am retired so still getting an income. I am staying indoors per my governors orders, only going out for groceries. I will continue shopping when this blows over. I do have a drive thru Raising Cain's that i will do at the end of the month.
It seems a little early to start being concerned about the whole industry. On a practical note, those of us in states or cities shut down by the virus would find it difficult to do more than consider future options. I'm not sure the businesses considered essential are going to be hiring unless it is to cover the temporary uptick.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I think the future will be exactly like the present: different for everyone
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
In addition to what Lisa stated, another thing to consider is the fact the businesses are not getting a lot of customers. The malls here are closed down. The big box hardware store was hardly had any customers. Are people patronizing their favorite restaurants? All of my MS food sources have dried up. I cook at home. Businesses will have to recover from this.
Will they keep their MS programs?
Will they keep their MS programs?
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Yes, I feel the same way. I am sure companies are re-evaluating their budgets for the rest of 2020. I just hope mystery shopping doesn’t get the ax.
I've done one shop this month (a restaurant I was likely to eat at anyway that day), and declined most others, even though I've gotten a couple of nice offers.
I have a job that isn't going away anytime soon, and deemed essential by the government (I'm not gonna convince them otherwise).
For me it's just wait and see. 3/4ths of the companies I shopped for in the early 2000s were gone when I restarted a few years ago. And we've all seen mergers, and some just go under even before the COVID outbreak. I don't want to have a lot of outstanding shops for companies that may or may not be able to pay me next month.
Let's face it some of these places that are already struggling to keep one or two clients will not be here come May
I have a job that isn't going away anytime soon, and deemed essential by the government (I'm not gonna convince them otherwise).
For me it's just wait and see. 3/4ths of the companies I shopped for in the early 2000s were gone when I restarted a few years ago. And we've all seen mergers, and some just go under even before the COVID outbreak. I don't want to have a lot of outstanding shops for companies that may or may not be able to pay me next month.
Let's face it some of these places that are already struggling to keep one or two clients will not be here come May
There are always small businesses just a week or two from closing. It seems the two biggest industries to be impacted would be restaurant and retail. Carry out and delivery are not going to keep restaurants afloat if they didn't have a back up plan. Retail has been able to maintain some of their business with increased online sales. Over the course of a year I don't know how retail sales tend to ebb and flow but don't recall this being a make or break time of year with a few exceptions. Had this been the Christmas season it would a much different story which is more reason for everyone to work together, including respecting shelter in place orders, to get pandemic under control now.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I think that many of the client companies' MS programs will be severely curtailed--if not eliminated completely--in an attempt to save money.
An acquaintance has a small business - non MS related. His overheads are $20,000 a month. He said he can keep the business afloat for 2 or 3 months with no income.
In some form it will eventually return. As this was my sole income I have to find other sources. I have gone back to surveys online and may do some phone or internet shops. There is also Amazon Mechanical Turk which is peanuts but can turn into something if you work at it.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
So I took a little trip down memory lane... and searched, and read, and smiled when I read other people's memories of old places, and realized that nothing is left of the places where my family and I did business when I was growing up back in the last century. A few names are the same but locations, offerings, and processes are different in various ways..
I nearly cried when other people posted that they remember! the chandeliers in this or that store, the dignified service in a few places, and wondered the same things from decades later. Which buildings were torn down? Are you sure? It doesn't matter very much what the newer monstrosity replaced. It was just comforting to find a record of businesses as well as other people's memories of them.
It was interesting to view some of the many business transformations that have occurred in my lifetime.
I also found a pic from 1996. Hillary Clinton, sunshine-y in her yellow suit, was visiting Barry Goldwater during a bump out from a campaign visit to his state. I wonder what they talked about that day...
*eta* never mind. HIllary wrote about that visit. Aaw...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2020 06:21AM by Shop-et-al.
I nearly cried when other people posted that they remember! the chandeliers in this or that store, the dignified service in a few places, and wondered the same things from decades later. Which buildings were torn down? Are you sure? It doesn't matter very much what the newer monstrosity replaced. It was just comforting to find a record of businesses as well as other people's memories of them.
It was interesting to view some of the many business transformations that have occurred in my lifetime.
I also found a pic from 1996. Hillary Clinton, sunshine-y in her yellow suit, was visiting Barry Goldwater during a bump out from a campaign visit to his state. I wonder what they talked about that day...
*eta* never mind. HIllary wrote about that visit. Aaw...
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2020 06:21AM by Shop-et-al.
I see when things return to normal an entirely different type of business, online shopping and delivery will take over. Huge stores like Macy's will eventually close and just do online, with Amazon taking over. I consider Mystery shopping a thing of the past, unless restaurants make a comeback, and if so, it will take a long time to recover..
The thing in our favor is if they continue doing home deliveries, there will be no traveling, and working from home will be desireable for many....we will see.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2020 03:58AM by Irene_L.A..
The thing in our favor is if they continue doing home deliveries, there will be no traveling, and working from home will be desireable for many....we will see.
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2020 03:58AM by Irene_L.A..
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