$50 deposit for job that pays $10??!

I received an email about a job that involves dropping a GPS tracker into a recycling dumpster. You have to put a $50 deposit for the tracker and wait until the report is finalized before the deposit is returned. This seems a bit risky since the shopper has no way to verify what happens to the tracker after it is deposited. Maybe a dumpster diver will steal it or it could malfunction so a signal is never sent. I can think of all kinds of scenarios. Have any of you done this one?

Edited to add, it is a legit job, I looked it up on the MSC's job board.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2021 05:56PM by callinectes.

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20-foot pole.

I did one on a bonus and it was super easy. I got my money back quickly the MSC is legit.

Personally, I would not do this shop unless it is highly bonused because there are better ways to earn $10.

I really wanted to do this because it's different but figured there are just too many things that could go wrong (such as the Gps not working, getting damaged or whatever) that would cost me the deposit. Someone grabbed them, though.

No thank you. I would rather lay 5 to 1 odds at the sportsbook.

I would agree except I drive past the location on the way to my 9-5 job. It would be worth it for the couple of minutes the job takes if the $50 deposit wasn't a factor.

@BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz wrote:

Personally, I would not do this shop unless it is highly bonused because there are better ways to earn $10.

The client wants to track where the recycle trash goes. (Client could be store owners, franchisor/franchisee, the city where bin is located, the contracted recycling company or its competitor.)

Lots of problems beyond the deposit. What if the staff sees it being placed (cameras everywhere), then manage to fish it out? Or when the bin is dumped the tracker falls on the ground? A kid picks it up from the ground and takes it home? It gets stuck on a car tire (dont know how big/small it is) and is traced to someones home? (Even worse if that someone is an employee!) A squirrel or cat or other animal likes it and takes it home? It gets stuck forever in the bottom of the bin and the battery dies?

Will the shopper still get paid?

Too many unknowns about what the possibilities are compared with the possibility of not getting the deposit back (or not being paid).

The $50 deposit IS a factor, though.

@callinectes wrote:

I would agree except I drive past the location on the way to my 9-5 job. It would be worth it for the couple of minutes the job takes if the $50 deposit wasn't a factor.

@BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz wrote:

Personally, I would not do this shop unless it is highly bonused because there are better ways to earn $10.

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$50 deposit for job that pays $10??!

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