Has anyone ever done one of these? What I dont get is the package has to be 2.5 to 3.5 pounds but not including the package. How in the world do I know how much their package weighs.

These shops include too much work and expense for inadequate fee. By the time you factor in the cost of food, gas to get there and your time; it doesn't work out. But I have to say that I would love to do the other scenarios. I missed one today due to my laziness and it was for a local PO scenario B with bonus. When will I learn to check each and every email?

Here the boxes can only be had from a local U-Haul place that sells moving supplies. I would need to buy a package of the boxes, THEN pay out the wahzoo for the postage costs. This shop is out of my price range considering how much you're out and for how long before the check comes in.

Yes, this one did seem a bit to much. Thanks for the input.

I did one of these about a month ago and I didn't think it was too difficult. The report was really easy with not much narrative you just have to pay attention to a lot of signs and if they have certain things in stock. I was able to pick up a box at Walmart for a couple dollars(which they reimburse), and the PO was right next to my regular job so I was able to do it on my lunch break. My only problem was forking over $40 in postage and having to wait 30+ days to get reimbursed.

I was also wondering about the shop being rejected and you would have spent all that money just getting it done. I would be willing to do one for a lot less upfront $$.

With the previous MSP I had one rejected because I shopped the wrong location. Only did THAT once. Luckily it was not an expensive package to ship. Nevertheless I won't do these jobs because 1) this is a $12.50 job; 2) this requires 2 trips--one out to get supplies, one to perform the shop; 3) there is absolutely no benefit to me in advancing up to around $40 for the materials and shipping; 4) waiting a month to see MY money back for something for which I got no benefit is just silly; 5) there is always a risk of shop rejection--accidentally shopping the wrong location or similar shopper error up to arbitrariness on the part of an editor or the client.

I don't know what the fee would need to be for me to do this job but $12.50 certainly is not even close. The job may be simple. The location may be nearby. The record for shop rejection may approach zero. Still $12.50 is not enough to be potentially out of pocket $40 with the only potential upside being having my money returned and earning $12.50. If I am out $40 on a restaurant I at least hopefully enjoyed the meal. If I am out $40 on a required purchase I can at least return the item if the shop is rejected. With a shipping shop there are no returns and no filled tummies.

"I don't know what the fee would need to be for me to do this job but $12.50 certainly is not even close. The job may be simple. The location may be nearby. The record for shop rejection may approach zero. Still $12.50 is not enough to be potentially out of pocket $40 with the only potential upside being having my money returned and earning $12.50. If I am out $40 on a restaurant I at least hopefully enjoyed the meal. If I am out $40 on a required purchase I can at least return the item if the shop is rejected. With a shipping shop there are no returns and no filled tummies."

This is exactly what I would have said... if only I could write as well!!

Yes, I also missed out on one of those scenarios labarlbar, but cant remember what they called it. Much more easy tho. I believe the shop was for 10.00 and there was a weight of 1lb. There were 5 in my area and they were all taken within minutes. DO I need a new cell phone that puts me on facebook and twitter to get the first news before we are emailed? Or does it really matter. I'm not into the high tech cell phones at all. Mine is just a flip that I can call and recieve calls and messages. But if it would help getting a newer one I might think about it. Oh, I think it was called Ready Post. Any one done one of these?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2011 10:17PM by Charlene.

Charlene, the one I was referring to was the scenario B Ready Post and yes, it was snatched up quickly. I got an email about a nearby shop and didn't pay attention as I thought it was the Dim weight. Later in the day, I checked and it was a PO by my house and was bonused to 15.00 plus (postage) you could mail anywhere. I will learn!

All of the Post Office shops are gone

And now they are all back!!! At least the C Shops in my area!!!

Yes, they are having troubles finding folks to go for the Dim Wit shops.

I won't do the dim weight ones. I've done 78 of the A and B scenario shops. Wish they'd list another round. They are so easy and now that the gas station shops are up, it would be great to work them all around some shipping shops. lol

I have done many of the A & B scenario shops but I, too. would not do the C ones. If they paid a bit more for the extra work and upfront expenditures, I might consider it. In my area, they just sent out a message this morning with A scenarios and lots of locations. I'm glad, because it's only been DIM weight shops for the last couple of months. Now I'm back in business!

SpyGirl, yes, I saw the As and got two of them close to my home. So glad they are back.

BEWARE time between branched is now 30 minutes.

Canadamommy, I checked my two receipts and they are 29 minutes 29 seconds apart. I do SO hope you are wrong or I hope they will accept it. Good thing though is that I will only be out 7.90 and feel pretty stupid!

It used to be 20 minutes. I just happened on to notice it. It would have been nice for them to warn us!

I hadn't realized that little detail back in Dec. and I had a couple of them that were only about 15 min. apart and I was worried. But, nobody said a thing and I was paid the full amount with no problems.



lbarlbar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Canadamommy, I checked my two receipts and they
> are 29 minutes 29 seconds apart. I do SO hope you
> are wrong or I hope they will accept it. Good
> thing though is that I will only be out 7.90 and
> feel pretty stupid!

thanks Spygirl! hopefully that will happen with mine.

When the other MSP had them, they really drew attention to the 30 minute rule. I once had two that were actually 1 hr and 20 minutes apart, but one register was set an hour slow so it looked like they were 20 minutes apart. It took me a bit of explaining to get them to accept both shops.

BTW where is it written; the 30 minute between shop rule?? I never could find it.

It is in the instructions.

I just did scenario A on Friday. Before I ever got to the counter, #1 clerk is laughing at/ribbbing #2 clerk about how he is trying to save the customer money by offering her other suggestions. #1 clerk says rather loudly, "You're supposed to be pushing Express Delivery!" He says he's just trying to help the customer out, and clerk#1's customer is looking confused. Clerk #1 says, "I'm just giving him crap because he's not doing what we're supposed to do."

Then I step up to clerk #1, she weighs my package, totally skips the hazmat questions, tells me the charges for Priority and First Class, never even mentioning Express as an option, right after ribbing clerk #2. Then she asked me if I wanted delivery confirmation and insurance, etc. I said yes, and she said, "Which one or both?" I answered that I wanted insurance (and was intending to add the delivery confirmation because it's required if you're asked). We talked about the value of my package, got the insurance taken care of, and then she said, "Anything else?" I said something about delivery confirmation, and she said, "Oh, you don't need that. It's just another bar code for them to scan. It does the same thing as what you already have (pointing to the insurance bar code.)"

Hmmm. The way she was acting and being rather insistent that I did not need or want the delivery confirmation, I felt like if I were to push it, I'd be giving myself away, so I didn't. I felt I had to report what had happened, and now I'm wondering if it'll fly. And do they want to know what I heard before I ever even got up to the counter for help? I don't know, but it was the most unpleasant "shipping company" shop I've done so far. It is always so nice when they do and say what they're supposed to!

lisams901 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When the other MSP had them, they really drew
> attention to the 30 minute rule. I once had two
> that were actually 1 hr and 20 minutes apart, but
> one register was set an hour slow so it looked
> like they were 20 minutes apart. It took me a bit
> of explaining to get them to accept both shops.


Update: The 2 I did 29+seconds between shops was just acknowledged and graded. Both received the reassuring *10* so they forgave me for not having 30 minutes between them. I will certainly remember to check everything next time.

lbarlbar EXCELLENT I am glad it went through..... you just never know with them. With all shops for that matter, super duper picky today and tomorrow who knows!

thanks

I would take Dim Weight shops if they would let me mail something I needed to mail. Not trying to be uncharitable, but I had a friend who had to move away and those A & B shops have been a godsend.

In my state there are 675 PO shops and 275 shops R "Dim Weight Box Shop Scenario". Does the MSP know why we aren't shopping them?

I not shopping C's b/c the fee is too low and the exspense is too high. I have nothing against the chairtable, I need some charity myself.

They did bring back the other 2 scenarios have been bonused.

This topic is when we need one of the exec's on this MSC board voicing their concerns. He wants to know why and what we think of his shops.

Various other members think they need to voice any opinion about their companies shops, so let "NAKED" speak. :-)