Citgo

There's a ton of these in my area and beyond that just sit, week after week.
For me and I suppose the others, it's the usual too much for too little.
Do the Citgos in your area just sit too?

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Yes. They're quick shops once you get there, but you have to get there and back that's the problem for me. Half an hour travel time roundtrip. The base pay isn't enough for me to bother with them.

The pay started a tad higher this time and rose slightly sooner than normal but they're all still sitting here. I don't know if this MSC still has the policy of locking shoppers in to the lowest rate they've ever accepted for a location (like Marketforce does). They did before. All the more reason not to accept a lower rate just once. It won't be just once. It's forever.

I've done a couple, but my big turnoff was they had $0 reimbursement. Don't feel like going into my pocket when the gross pay is $7. What if they don't have a Tootsie Roll or those single red and white mints, you might be at over $1 for the cheapest thing in the store which would be a huge hit to gross. I've waited for them to go up in price. Not interested in making money for someone else while I basically working for free. You are right, too much for way too little.

In another CITGO thread, I stated to get to know the schedulers. The first week they hit the job board at $9, I did 10 at $15 and 5 at $20. The 10 at $15, was because of taking 10. The 5 at $20, hard to fill areas. I was already driving by these locations to do Exxon and Shell stations. The fuel and distance was paid for by the other stations.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2025 01:52PM by claabe.

Some schedulers are good about paying a reasonable amount if you take a lot. They just started reimbursing up to $1.00 for a purchase.

They require a lot of pics for the pay. The ones in my area (I am seeing 9 in a 50 mile radius) are at $15 right now. The store closest to me, which is only a few miles away, is difficult to capture the pics, so I let it sit for another shopper to grab.

There is a location about 13 miles from me, and they are part of the "Special Project" with a reimbursement of $6 and pay of $15, far less pics. I normally scoop that one up if I'm headed that direction. If it goes to $20, I'll usually try to find something else in that direction to make a mini route.

Always do the math and won't pay to work for anyone, then wait weeks to get reimbursed. Pure usury.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/2025 04:02PM by SBP.

I find the Citgo's to be very easy. Most photo's can be done across the street. Normally, the storefront photo is the hardest to take (customers/store associate looking out the window). 10 to 12 minutes on site is the average for me. The report is easy and a monthly pay, that is usually a large deposit. I don't understand the "too many pictures" that are complained about (7 total at a clean station, all quick in my opinion) If there is rust/dirt on the canopy, just take a couple more of the location or the canopy photo. You can crop them without editors whining. Another good thing with doing Citgo's !

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/2025 05:32PM by claabe.

@claabe wrote:

I find the Citgo's to be very easy. Most photo's can be done across the street. Normally, the storefront photo is the hardest to take (customers/store associate looking out the window). 10 to 12 minutes on site is the average for me. The report is easy and a monthly pay, that is usually a large deposit. I don't understand the "too many pictures" that are complained about (7 total at a clean station, all quick in my opinion) If there is rust/dirt on the canopy, just take a couple more of the location or the canopy photo. You can crop them without editors whining. Another good thing with doing Citgo's !

I find the shops quick and easy to do, IF I'm already in the area. However I'm not driving 15 minutes each way to do a $10 shop. Even if I can do it in 10 minutes.

Add in the time to fill out the report, and you're looking at $10-13 or so an hour. Now deduct the cost of gas and the prep time to read the guidelines. I need more than that. UNLESS, I'm already in the area!

For myself, I always do them with Exxon, Shell, Valero, etc. Fuel paid for and the distance. The only ones I do on their own, is the club Citgo ($5 gas purchase)

@claabe wrote:

For myself, I always do them with Exxon, Shell, Valero, etc. Fuel paid for and the distance. The only ones I do on their own, is the club Citgo ($5 gas purchase)

The Citgos I've done don't reimburse any gas and only reimburse $1 for an in store purchase. Plus the $8 shop fee .

Bummer ! $8 ?? They start in my area at $9 (lowest fee I have done them at is $13.50) There are club Citgo shops, you get $5 in fuel and use a code to activate or not if the station does not have the pumps setup for the club. You take screen shots (normally 4 or 5 pics) and then a couple pictures of POP. 5 minute stop. Fee starts at $10, plus the $5 reimbursement of fuel. There are also credit card shops, reimbursement of up to $6 on an in store purchase, plus a fee, also starting at $10.

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