I've started using Presto for finding shops. I noticed a lot of shops for $14, plus $16 reimbursements. You go into the business, buy 1 item using a debit card, than go back, buy the same item again, but pay cash. Are these shops worth it?

They are fairly quick and simple, depending on the type of business it is. Many of the locations posted are not businesses that even have small items for sale. Choose carefully.

I've had a couple rejected because I bought something not priced, then there was something priced in my pictures. One was a brewery- I bought a beer (no price showing) but there were stickers (!) by the register in my pic. I got that figured out and now I love these shops.

@mjt9598 wrote:

They are fairly quick and simple, depending on the type of business it is. Many of the locations posted are not businesses that even have small items for sale. Choose carefully.

I saw one shop for a limo service. What small items would they be selling?

There are many threads on this shop. High risk shop. Editors are not consistent. Things are great until they aren't kind of thing....
Re limo service, I've done two of those. I checked the option of 'nothing under $20'
One editor changed the pay to half, the other declined the shop entirely.

I had one shop get rejected because the storefront was an entirely different place than the one on the shop form. I was told I should have done the shop anyway. No way would I take the risk of losing $16 by buying something from a store that was different than the shop name. At least, I wasn't out any cash.

@Mellifluy wrote:

I had one shop get rejected because the storefront was an entirely different place than the one on the shop form. I was told I should have done the shop anyway. No way would I take the risk of losing $16 by buying something from a store that was different than the shop name. At least, I wasn't out any cash.

But time is money as the saying goes. You had to go to the location to determine it was not as it seemed. Lost time is lost money. But I don't know how you could have prevented it, so I agree, not doing a shop that may have been rejected saved you a possible expense of $16 that wouldn't have been reimbursed.

They are getting a LOT of free information. Many shops rejected for out of business, temporarily closed (seasonal) and nothing under $20.
I've done a few nail salons and it's about 50% that the reimbursement is changed to the higher $20 limit listed in the guidelines. When I appealed, I was banned from these shops.

@viv0412 wrote:

They are getting a LOT of free information. Many shops rejected for out of business, temporarily closed (seasonal) and nothing under $20.
I've done a few nail salons and it's about 50% that the reimbursement is changed to the higher $20 limit listed in the guidelines. When I appealed, I was banned from these shops.

That's messed up. Isn't it in the instructions where they should pay up to $20 if everything is higher priced? That is why I've been sticking to restaurants and convenience stores.

I get the feeling I should avoid the shops paying $16 and requiring two purchases. One with a debit card and the other cash.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2024 06:36AM by johnb974.

@Mellifluy wrote:

@viv0412 wrote:

They are getting a LOT of free information. Many shops rejected for out of business, temporarily closed (seasonal) and nothing under $20.
I've done a few nail salons and it's about 50% that the reimbursement is changed to the higher $20 limit listed in the guidelines. When I appealed, I was banned from these shops.

That's messed up. Isn't it in the instructions where they should pay up to $20 if everything is higher priced? That is why I've been sticking to restaurants and convenience stores.

Yes it is. I was very careful about following instructions. I have since received several emails stating that shops completed, approved and paid were rejected. I have already been paid thankfully. These were shops for high end clothing stores where even socks are well over $20/ pair as well as two stores that were cashless. I completed the first debit transaction, but couldn't complete the second cash transaction as the store no longer takes cash! The shops were initially approved (thankfully paid) then received emails stating they were rejected. Just think if payment wasn't twice a week then I wouldn't have been paid.

There were two near my workplace that have been sitting a while and were listed at $14 each. The addresses were office buildings, and I walked the whole perimeter of each but did not see the indicated stores at all. I accepted and submitted both, saying they were either no longer existing (lots of empty retail slots around both buildings) or possibly only accessible by building tenants. One paid me the full $14, one only $7. I decided not to ask why the difference because I was worried they'd cut the $14 one to $7.

Does anyone ever do the ones they know for sure don’t sell anything for the $7 half pay? We have several community POA offices. I’m thinking it would just require one photo showing that.

@Crowes1999 wrote:

Does anyone ever do the ones they know for sure don’t sell anything for the $7 half pay? We have several community POA offices. I’m thinking it would just require one photo showing that.

You still have to take pictures of the store, door, and cash terminal unless the store is temporarily/permanently closed.

@Mellifluy wrote:

@Crowes1999 wrote:

Does anyone ever do the ones they know for sure don’t sell anything for the $7 half pay? We have several community POA offices. I’m thinking it would just require one photo showing that.

You still have to take pictures of the store, door, and cash terminal unless the store is temporarily/permanently closed.

And if the store is closed you get $0.

@CorrieCJ wrote:

There were two near my workplace that have been sitting a while and were listed at $14 each. The addresses were office buildings, and I walked the whole perimeter of each but did not see the indicated stores at all. I accepted and submitted both, saying they were either no longer existing (lots of empty retail slots around both buildings) or possibly only accessible by building tenants. One paid me the full $14, one only $7. I decided not to ask why the difference because I was worried they'd cut the $14 one to $7.

So weirdly enough (following up on my own post here), yesterday I got an email that one of these shops, which I had already been paid for, did not meet the requirements for acceptance, and that the data can not be used. I was assured I can keep the pay anyway. I got a second email for the same shop, with the same timestamp as the other email, that my shop was accepted and I will be paid in 1-3 days (as I said, I was already paid). So I'm not sure what is going on there but at least no one is asking me to refund the money...

I've been doing a few and they have been easy. except for the restaurants where you have to wait for the food to be ready, one place took 30 minutes! thats not worth my time. Anyone have ideas what to buy when the location is a bar and they probably don't have anything actually priced? I'm sure there is not any kind of menu.

There are a lot of these in my area that are now paying $40. I picked up a few liquor stores so we shall see how this goes!

Everything in my area is still $14 to $20. Mostly nail salons and other difficult to shop locations are left.

Is anyone having issues today with the app? Having major issues no matter what I do and it's annoying !!

@nellybean212 wrote:

Anyone have ideas what to buy when the location is a bar and they probably don't have anything actually priced? I'm sure there is not any kind of menu.

I've done a small number like that. I just said in the comments that nothing was priced and had no problems. I don't think they really expect pricing in bars.

I saw this today but it was dated 2/9.

"Businesses in New York must clearly state the higher credit card price of an item and limit their surcharge amounts after an updated law goes into effect Sunday.

The updated credit card surcharge law was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December and will go into effect Sunday, Feb. 11.

"New Yorkers should never have to deal with hidden credit card costs, and this law will ensure individuals can trust that their purchases will not result in surprise surcharges," Hochul said Tuesday. "Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly."

How the updated law clarifies NY credit card surcharges

In a letter sent to local government leaders last month, the New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) said consumer complaints about the number of businesses tacking on surcharges at the point of sale have been consistent, with typical surcharges ranging from 3-5%.

Starting Sunday, the updates, which don't apply to debit cards, look to clarify credit card surcharge pricing for consumers by:

Requiring businesses to post the total price of an item or service, including the credit card surcharge, or a two-tiered pricing option including both the credit card and cash price before checkout.
Limiting credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company."

[www.uticaod.com]

Thanks for this. I am in New York and I am trying to find the specific language (if any) that refers to debit cards. I still feel like NYS prevents the surcharge on debit cards but a lot of businesses charge it anyway.