Just signed on for Chase shops- and after reading the directions am about to say forget it. First need to pass a test- do not see any link for where to study for or take the test! Then need to make appt. using a false name, take screenshot of the appt, form blanking out personal details. then go there- and take a date stamped photo of the exterior of the branch, meet with the banker then come home and do reports. For $15. Think I will pass. Seems like a lot of work for the shop fee then again maybe I am being picky? I have had bad experiences at Chase using false names as the banker asked for ID to proceed- was uncomfortable so think I will pass on these. Trying to find where to send a notice that I wish to cancel. As the directions say to use a fake name and as I am a customer who is in 2 of the 3 branches I applied for frequently, that may not fly! Seems strange to have to use a fake name when the scenarios would be fine for actual customers!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2023 07:12PM by SueW70.

I have done these in the past without the need to schedule, which is why I applied. I am a Chase customer and have been in the branches quite frequently on various issues so going in with the fake name seems a bit odd to me. Using a fake name means a fake number as my home and cell are both used on my personal Chase accounts - I have a checking, 2 savings and 3 Chase credit cards and I wonder if I use the number with a fake name if it will raise questions if cross referenced. The whole thing of setting an appt with a fake name, taking a screenshot of the appointment page and then go in with a fake name is something I really do not want to do. I have no idea how to take personal details off a screenshot and do not have a means of taking a photo of the exterior of branch with a date and time stamp- so although I hate to disappoint I cannot even find where the test to take which is required is posted. I think this MSC needs to be more upfront with shoppers without the need to accept to find out all that is required. Then again, I think if it was all posted these would be a lot less people applying as for $15 they expect a lot!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2023 07:55PM by SueW70.

Sue, thank you for pointing that out! I hadn't yet read the guidelines and mistakenly took a shop thinking they had not changed. Appointment? Screenshots? Same pay? No thanks!

1 Go on your job list.
2 Find the specific shop.
3 To the right of the bank logo there are three dots. Click.
4 One of the options that comes up is, "Decline." Click.
5 It will ask for a reason. Give one or just write cancel, anything. Submit.

Poof! You're off the hook!

yes same pay but screenshots of appt, removing personal data from screenshot- too much work for $15!

thanks declined the shop. Appreciate your help

I completed several Chase assignments in late 2005. None of what you mentioned was required and the fee was $35.

I also did some Chase back then and the fee was indeed $35 or so. That was a fair fee considering the need to drive there, wait to be seen, conduct the meeting then come home and report. They were walk in shops, sit and wait for a banker. You could give your real name if you wanted. No need for fake names, numbers and emails! No need to pass a test to do the shop, no need for an appt or screenshot of the appt with details blanked out. No need for a date and time stamped photo of the branch. I am not sure who wants to go through all this excuse my English crap for $15. Certainly not me! If I want to work for virtually free for Jaime Dimon and Chase- to find out about their appt setting capabilities and staff I certainly expect to be paid more than $15. Low fees like this are insulting! I am doing some B of A account opening shops in January which can be a bit of a pain in terms of the photos of the documents presented BUT the fee is $80, which is decent so worthwhile to me. Yes, I had to make an appt to open the new B of A account but I can use my real name and ID and not play games with fake names and saying I am not a customer. The last few times I was in banks the first thing I was asked was to see my drivers license or some ID- even on a Chase shop I did last year without all these fake name requirements. I declined to show my license as I already had a Chase credit card actually 3 and was able top pull it off but not going to be hassled for $15!
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I used to do these every month, at the various locations all around me, but never made an appt. As the banks eliminated many of their platform bankers, the wait times became crazy and I questioned the value of doing them. The reports are easy, peasy, but now with all the extra fluff and an appt. needed, they are not worth it. I suppose with an appointment, the wait time would be much less, but what a pita. I am also a customer so it could be awkward entering fake info. I rarely go into a branch nowadays unless it's a shop, so the only ones who would recognize me as a customer would be my own branch which I rarely shopped. I'l be curious to see how these go and if they end up having to bonus them to get them completed.

I've done Chase shops in the past, as recently as this year. They used to start at $18 (at least in my area), so just like with everything else, we're taking a pay cut for 2024.

Putting the money aside for a minute, the shop itself isn't much different than before.

They want a screenshot of your appointment without the name, phone number, email address, etc. showing. We should all know how to take screenshots and either blur or black out information; there are plenty of shops that ask us to do something similar. Previously, appointments were optional; now, they're not. I prefer having an appointment. The one time I decided to walk in, I waited close to two hours.

It says you can use a fake name, not that you HAVE to. You're asked to follow the appointment process as a non-customer, meaning they don't want you to select the "I'm a customer" option and be logged into your account when you make the appointment. If I remember correctly, if you select "not a customer" and use your real name, email, and phone, the system doesn't come back and scream, "You're a customer!" It will make an appointment for you regardless. The only difficulty I ever experienced with appointments was when I had a pile of Chase shops and tried to set appointments using the same information for all of them. It limits you to (I think) five appointments at a time. The easy workaround was using one of my many burner email addresses and phone numbers.

Any time you're doing a bank shop that's an inquiry only, you NEVER provide your ID. It states that in the guidelines. Unless you're shopping a branch where you'll be recognized as an existing customer, there shouldn't be a concern that they'll find out you have accounts. If the banker asks for your ID, you say something like, "Oh, I'm not ready to open the account today. I'm just gathering information." Usually, that's all it takes. If a banker says they can't assist you without seeing your ID, then you say, "Okay, can I get your business card and give you a call in a few days?" You'll then have your proof to upload with the details in your report.

Unless it's changed, the exterior photo is only necessary if the bank is unexpectedly closed during the hours when the online branch locator says they should be open. Having a time stamp on a photo is also something that's common in mystery shopping and can be accomplished with any number of free apps. I use Timestamp Camera.

Do I think they've added a whole pile of crap? Not really. The only thing I wasn't doing before was taking a screenshot of the appointment. Now, do I think they're hugely taking advantage of us with the lowball $15? Eff yes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/31/2023 02:21AM by drdoggie00.

Damn... that is a huge increase in workload for Chase shops. I used to scoop up as many credit card and overdrafts shops as I could find as they only took about 10 minutes and the reports were really easy.

Most amazing thing (to me, anyway) is after doing many dozens of Chase locations in multiple states, only one time did the banker ever ask for my name.

In a business that is pretty much solely based on relationships, I find the lack of personalization to be dumbfounding. I would never trust my money with someone who isn't interested in a prospective customer's name.