Reduced pay for closed locations?

There are a large number of shop assignments which state upfront that if a location is found to be closed, not there, rebranded, etc., even after the shopper has done all the preliminary research, the shopper will receive a reduced fee. But none of them say what that fee is. How is this fair? It has been bothering me since it became the norm for some MSCs in recent years.

For example, there is a site currently listed to be shopped that I know for fact has been rebranded. I pass it every week. But the internet still shows it as the previous brand. I will not accept the shop at any fee because I know the pay will be "partial" at some undisclosed rate. But some poor schmoe is eventually going to claim the shop, travel all the way out there for, what, a dollar? Two?

Some instructions used to say, "half-pay" under these circumstances but now most have been rephrased to say, "partial" or "reduced."

And why should the shopper be penalized for something that is not within their control? The place got robbed, someone got shot, no one showed up for work, owner disappeared with keys? Any of these, and more, are reasons for unexpected closures which are in no way the shoppers' fault.

Thanks for letting me vent.

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I haven't had a lot of closed locations lately for that MSC, so I can't say what they pay. My last ones were in July, and I got paid in full including bonues. I think the changes happened after that. I also am curious if anyone has lost pay over a closed location lately, or been paid in full after all.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2022 09:04PM by mystery2me.
I got paid in full for an Exxon on 8/23. They had the gas shut off and were working on something. I took 2 photos. One of the overall station and the ID Sign. I emailed the scheduler and she said to send it in with the 2 photos and explain and I got the full payment. The liquor store was open but I didn't buy anything.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2022 09:27PM by Belle.
Maybe it depends on the project. There are definitely quite a few with the reduced or partial pay clause in the instructions.
I have emailed the scheduler in advance of taking shops to confirm the closed location fee.
Traveling to a site and determining that it is closed can take significantly less effort than traveling to the site, engaging in the face-to-face and then drafting, proofing, and submitting the reports.
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