The new USPS shops - from someone who's done one

drdoggie00 · 2024-06-20T16:33:45+00:00

*Please remember not to name the MSC since I've named the client.* I hadn't done a post office shop in over two years because I was banned after some unknown transgression with the last MSC. I only took this shop because I had a watch I needed to send back for a refund. So, putting aside all the malarkey about the fee and lack of reimbursements, how was it? It's not too different from the old ones. The significant differences are checking in on the app, taking an exterior picture (including the flags), and no longer worrying about the menu boards and the clerk's clothing. Everything else is just about the same. Some things to note: I saw somebody mention something about seconds not being listed on the receipt. You don't need them. The only timing you need the actual seconds for is the wait time in line. The form has a spot for seconds for all the other times, but after I went back and looked at the PDF of my submission, the seconds were dropped from everything except the wait time. It says the time you finished your transaction and the time you exited the post office should BOTH be the time printed on the receipt. I used the receipt time for both, but the minute turned over between when I finished and when I exited. Oh well. If it doesn't match what the tape shows, that's their problem, not mine. As usual, there are discrepancies between the guidelines and the submission form. The printed copy of the form says you need the clerk's name, but that question was skipped when I actually filled the form out online. It didn't appear to be a question that was dynamic based on how you answered a previous question; it was just skipped entirely. The form asks for how much you spent on extra services, but the guidelines clearly prohibit any purchase other than the cost of priority shipping. Maybe this is a quality control question to catch shoppers making mistakes. The guidelines also mention providing a receipt for your box purchase if you made one. Nowhere in the form does it ask if you purchased a box; even if you had, they wouldn't reimburse you for that, so I'm not sure why they even mentioned a receipt in the guidelines. It's hard to believe somebody at the MSC didn't catch and clean up all these inconsistencies. "Soft launch" indeed. I don't necessarily mind the ISS input part of this. Yes, you have to save after each section and go back. What bothers me is some of the questions aren't in a logical order according to how you'd expect them to happen in the shop flow. The one thing I'd like to see added to the guidelines is a tip that I forgot about entirely: if an employee comes up to you and asks how you're paying, always say CASH. Dumb-dumb me said card, and next thing you know, I was pulled out of the line and escorted to the self-service kiosk in the lobby. I recovered and told her that I didn't like machines and then reentered the line in the same spot I was in, but that could be something unforgivable for the editor. We'll wait and see. So, that's my .47 cents. I hope this helps anybody else who has to do one. Feel free to ask questions - I've probably got more to share, but I'm short on time. -edited to clear up stuff that may have been vague or confusing- If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/2024 11:36PM by drdoggie00.

The new USPS shops - from someone who's done one

September 12, 2024 08:07AM

Well, it's late. Or early, depending where you are.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

September 12, 2024 08:21AM

Ah, we're in the same time zone then. I'll be heading to bed soon. I can't seem to get to sleep until it's almost sunrise. Just finished doing a load of laundry while organizing my inventory. Ciao!

September 12, 2024 12:43PM

I save all the catalogs and junk mail that comes in, and use that to add extra weight to packages as needed. Works great!

@Okie wrote:

Just curious, what do people use to add some extra weight too their package? I remember reading somewhere adding rocks, but the person I sent it to thought I was being passive aggressive.

Sent out a package today, but was in a hurry. Surprisingly, I think I stumbled upon something that works well. Bags of Texas Roadhouse peanuts. It added the weight that I needed, and it served as a nice cushion. Someone try to beat that! And I'm fond other types of nuts, well not legumes ... that's what she said, tee-hee!

September 12, 2024 03:00PM

something to fill and add weight? newspapers! dont have any around the house? Grocery store ads that usually are piled at the entrances. (I'm still having issues accessing this site but for now I am IN)

September 12, 2024 06:03PM

I've stuck in books I've finished reading, pamphlets from the banks I've shopped, bags of rice, and most recently when I was in a hurry a box of dog biscuits. I mail this stuff back to me.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

September 13, 2024 08:31PM

It's not too different from the old ones. The significant differences are checking in on the app, taking an exterior picture (including the flags), and no longer worrying about the menu boards and the clerk's clothing. Everything else is just about the same.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do we need to check in on the app? Can I fill out the report at home?

September 13, 2024 08:36PM

At one time I there was a web site that you can put your zip code it and it ill tell you the zone..

Does any one remember or know of that web address?

TIA

September 14, 2024 12:01AM

Thanks..

I have a package that I would like to see to a friend.. She lives in Texas and I live in Arkansas..

Will I be able to do that or do I need to email the MSC and ask them to be sure?

I have done them before (With the old MSC) and I have had shipping buddies..

Also if I buy the box, will I be reimburse for the box? I know with the old MSC, they will reimburse you for the box.

September 14, 2024 03:28PM

So, I'm going to try one of the bonused ones near me on Monday. I have a "care" package to send to my nephew in San Fran. I live in SC. The priority cost to ship will be $18.05 from what I can figure using the PO's rate calculator. The shop has a bonus of $10.00, so with the $5.00 fee, brings the fee to $15.00 and the reimb. is $15.00. So I'll end up at about a $12.00 clear fee, which is what the old MSC paid before any bonuses. I have to go right by this PO on Monday, so I'll give it a shot and send the package to my nephew. We'll see how it goes! I wouldn't do it for any less than the total fee being $15.00, that's for sure!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2024 03:29PM by guysmom.

September 16, 2024 09:41PM

OK, so I did my first shop for the new MSC today. For those of you who have done these, could y'all answer something for me?

1) I used my own camera to take photos. When I uploaded them, I got a message each time about not having them geo-located. I didn't even think about checking my camera to see if it was set to that. Is this mandatory?? It says my shop was successfully submitted, so will this be an issue? I don't remember reading anything in the instructions about making sure our camera apps were set to geo-locate.
2) Do any of you know WHY we're asked for TWO photos of the post office?? I took two separate photos, and did not use the same photo twice. Can we use the same photo??

Just an aside.....I found the app easy enough to maneuver, but overall I liked the other MSC's way of entering the info better. Oh well. Now we'll see if I did it right!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2024 09:41PM by guysmom.

September 17, 2024 12:27AM

I am doing one of these shops this week. I did not add a time stamp to the other shop I did for them a few months ago. I have read that on my phone(Pixel) the metadata is already encrypted. Is that something that only I can see or can the msc open it somehow to see that as well and is that good enough. My other question because I do not do other jobs needing this, If I have to get an app that does the timestampl can I just turn it on for this one photo and then turn it off? I dont want a time stamp on every photo I take. Sorry if this has been answered before but there are miles and miles of chat about this issue.

September 17, 2024 01:35AM

Thanks Okie, last time I just took the photos and attached with no issue. I also forgot to check in from the location as I have the old rules memorized and seared into my brain. I checked in from a few miles away after I left the location but it was only about 5 minutes later and they accepted it. Maybe they could not tell?

@Okie wrote:

Someone else may be better able to answer. I use iPhone. But I think if you can upload the building/flags photo using the mobile app successfully, I'm assuming you should be good. However, if you receive an error like guysmom did, about the photo needing to be geo-located, then there's a setting you may need to enable for your camera.

For this shop, I don't think the MSC is looking for the physical timestamp to be displayed on the photo.

September 17, 2024 01:25PM

It's been three months since I started this thread. In some ways, I feel like we're playing a big game of chicken with the MSC, waiting for them to cry "uncle."

They aren't getting it.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

September 17, 2024 03:07PM

So they wrote back asking for a better picture of the receipt. Admittedly, I took the photo of the receipt in my car after the shop, and I reckon it wasn't crisp enough for them. So I scanned it into my computer at home and re-sent it to them last night. So far, that's all that's been asked of me post-shop. On my photos of the building/flags, I used my date/time stamp app, so that was on the photo. I'm not sure if the location is automatically set in the meta data. But they haven't said anything about that....yet. Only the photo of the receipt. This one was at least bonused an additional $10.00, to make the fee $15.00. I would never do these for less!

September 17, 2024 05:08PM

Here's my experience after doing several with the new company. I don't usually use the time stamp for the package or receipt photos since they aren't always done onsite. I use the timestamp app for the exterior photos, building and flag. You can turn the app on and off. It doesn';t stay open after you close the app so no other photos will have the tagged info showing unless you take them through the app. My Android also saves them with the info in my gallery. I do find that I have to give it a minute to get the correct location sometimes after I've arrived, making me have to take an extra photo or two.

My biggest problem is forgetting to hit that little START button before I leave or start the shop.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2024 05:10PM by MsJudi.

September 17, 2024 06:49PM

I had an interesting conversation yesterday. Have not done many of the new company shops but my son left some things behind when he packed to go back home so I want to send them.
I found a $10 bonus shop near a store I need to visit. I took it and a few hours later got a call from an east coast scheduler who wanted me to accept three shops in the opposite direction and a 30 to 45 minute drive each way from my home which would require me to move my car 2x and walk 20 blocks or move my car 3x plus wait 30 min x2 between shops. He offered the same $10 bonus. As I have no plans to be in that area I asked him if he could pay a $15 bonus ($15 fee total where some of it is eaten by the postage to the east coast). These are must do end of qtr shops. He said that there was no way this msc would approve a pay of $20 which I told him I got regularly at the end of quarter with the last company. But he did clarify for me that they are doing each post office just once per quarter now. I turned him down as these 3 jobs would most likely take a 4 hour chunk out of my day at least. I see they are either gone or removed from jobs I can see today.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

The new USPS shops - from someone who's done one

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine