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Is it frown upon to ask for the Guidelines before accepting an assignment?

April 23, 2025 02:15PM
I came across a job for a monthly promotions audit for a gas station and it's required to bring a safety vest and an infrared thermometer. The overview were very vague and made it seem simple but this shop has been out there for some time and yet no one has accepted the assignment. I contacted the scheduler to ask for the guidelines to make sure that this is something that I can do. She pretty much said that the guidelines are only available once the assignment has been accepted. I thought this was weird since I've never been told no to seeing the guidelines for an assignment beforehand. Has anyone come across this before? Has anyone ever done one of these assignments before?
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April 23, 2025 02:22PM
I've had both experiences. I've had schedulers tell me I can only see the guidelines if I request the shop and I've had other schedulers that have sent them to me.
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April 23, 2025 02:25PM
If I am accepting a new assignment type with vague details, I often will ask for them in advance. I do not want to sign up for something that I do not want to do.
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April 23, 2025 02:59PM
Likely the client only wants the audit details in the hands of the rep who will perform it. The scheduler has to follow rules, too.

You can make some assumptions based on the job type and equipment needed, though. I would not expect any audit to be quick, the survey is likely extensive but with nothing especially difficult on it. It will likely take a long time to do the first one and then you get faster as you complete more. AND, audits are a revealed situation so some will avoid them simply because it affects eligibility for covert shops at the same location.
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April 23, 2025 03:04PM
An audit that required safety vest and an infrared thermometer...let me guess, is that the convenience store audit from a major blue and white gas station, pay for 2x with a purchase of 2 bucks? If this is the one that I am thinking, it isn't too hard, but a bit time consuming. my first try took me approx 30 mins, but as you get familiar with the process, I manage to finish it within 15 to 20 mins.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2025 03:05PM by kisekinecro.
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April 23, 2025 03:57PM
I have asked (and have been given) the guidelines ahead of time. It would be interesting for a scheduler to post their thoughts on here about that.

It seems lame that any MSC would want to hide the details from someone, only to have them take an assignment and then review and tell you "forget it" and then have to repost the shop again. But some MSC are over-protective of their clients and reports. Just like the MSC that won't name the business, but you can google the address and know who it is. They think they are fooling us by keeping the name hidden.

I have asked for basics (if not willing to share) like how many questions and how much narrative
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April 23, 2025 04:11PM
If they won't let me see the guide lines ahead I would consider taking the job then cancelling if it was really not worth it
Most likely, I would try it though and judge how it works for me.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
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April 23, 2025 04:47PM
At least 15 yrs. ago, predicated upon posts I had read on the Volition forum, I requested a copy of a shop's report. After receipt and reading, I quickly E-mailed the scheduler to explain I lacked the ability to recall the required voluminous details. She responded with a thank you.
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April 23, 2025 06:10PM
With very few exceptions. If you accept a shop and read the guidelines, then decide the shop isn't for you, the schedulers will remove the shops from your shop log without penalty. There are a few notable exceptions to this rule.
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April 23, 2025 06:41PM
I've done this one before, and it is my understanding that the client requires you to take at least 45 minutes. Do you fudge the times when you enter them into the form?


@kisekinecro wrote:

An audit that required safety vest and an infrared thermometer...let me guess, is that the convenience store audit from a major blue and white gas station, pay for 2x with a purchase of 2 bucks? If this is the one that I am thinking, it isn't too hard, but a bit time consuming. my first try took me approx 30 mins, but as you get familiar with the process, I manage to finish it within 15 to 20 mins.
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April 23, 2025 09:23PM
@thunderdeacon wrote:

I've done this one before, and it is my understanding that the client requires you to take at least 45 minutes. Do you fudge the times when you enter them into the form?

They expected that you need approx 45 mins, and if you do take less than that there's a "pop up" asking you to confirm you are taking less than 45 mins. I never get into trouble for staying less than 45 mins, as long as my report does not have any mistakes.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2025 09:24PM by kisekinecro.
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April 23, 2025 10:49PM
Thank you for pointing that out and clarifying. There have been a few times where I have actually stayed on site a little longer to make sure I was there for 45 minutes. On average, though, these take me between 40 minutes to an hour. It depends on how quickly the photos are uploading on the platform and how many infractions there are. If the location has 15 or more in fractions, it can take me 10 or 15 minutes just to write them all out on the sheet of paper. There was one that I did that had 36 infractions, and I ended up having to attach a second blank sheet of paper in order to clearly write them all out. That one took me about 90 minutes. If the photos are uploading slowly, that adds some time as well. I could see you doing a very well maintained and fully compliant location with fast photo uploads in less than 30 minutes. However, that situation has not been something that I have experienced much with this project.



@kisekinecro wrote:

@thunderdeacon wrote:

I've done this one before, and it is my understanding that the client requires you to take at least 45 minutes. Do you fudge the times when you enter them into the form?

They expected that you need approx 45 mins, and if you do take less than that there's a "pop up" asking you to confirm you are taking less than 45 mins. I never get into trouble for staying less than 45 mins, as long as my report does not have any mistakes.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2025 10:51PM by thunderdeacon.
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April 24, 2025 12:20PM
I think its fair to ask, they may or may not give the guidelines due to confidentiality agreements, but I have asked for them in advance before.
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April 24, 2025 12:46PM
I have and if they're cagey, it's a tip off.
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April 24, 2025 02:58PM
I asked for guidelines an an apartment shop. he listing said easy and straight forward BUT I did one in the past and it was anything but with narratives from hell required as well as strange requirements like making an objection like that the rooms were too small or the carpeting looked worn or the colors were not to my liking which I am not sure what an agent can say that is correct. It also required 7 day follow up so that the shop could not be submitted until a week later. I thought perhaps something had changed and so I asked the scheduler for the form to see what it was like before accepting. She refused saying the client did not anyone to see the form until they were ready to do the shop. She hen said that the shop was easy and straight forward. Well, if so why not show me the report form? I did not accept the shop. I let someone else be thrilled with the easy and straight forward shop. I feel sorry for scheduler who have to lie about how easy the shop is when they know it is not true.
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April 24, 2025 03:24PM
Exactly and this is my main concern. Why so vague if the shop is so easy? Also the whole "they can't show us the guidelines for the client's protection" is not true. As contractors we have to sign an agreement before you can accept assignments already letting us know that we can't share any information about the client or assignment. I've already decided not to accept the assignment but I feel bad for anyone taking this assignment without knowing exactly what they're getting into.
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April 27, 2025 11:07PM
It's certainly ok to ask for the guidelines first. BUT...
If a scheduler has a few apps for the same job, and the others haven't asked for the guidelines, then the scheduler is probably gonna go for the path of least resistance.
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April 28, 2025 04:41AM
I doubt there are any other people looking to take this job because it's still there and you can self assign.....
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April 28, 2025 06:25PM
It works the same way for me as labeling an assignment as "high paying" for a shop that actually pays less than $5/hour minus your gas, on-site time, and the 120 questions written in broken English, in no logical order, with narratives that are required to be perfect or you don't get paid the squirrel feed they're offering.
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