Presto app and site improvements
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Presto and the MSCs who use it really have no incentive to tweak or update when the only ones who are negatively affected by the app's inefficiencies are shoppers. Why spend money on something to benefit shoppers? Nah.
I'm just thankful Presto is reasonably stable and remembers a good chunk of what has been entered when it goes unstable.
All my gas brands but one have moved to that platform.
Booking work is a big PITA because of the varying windows, but I'd go crazy if the app behaved as it did when I first messed with it early on.
All my gas brands but one have moved to that platform.
Booking work is a big PITA because of the varying windows, but I'd go crazy if the app behaved as it did when I first messed with it early on.
Have synthesizers, will travel...
Scotts, you might find this related thread interesting. OP totally nails it.
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
Most of the shops right now are alcohol compliance that I could care less about. Being able to search would be nice, but why would they care?
I have never been able to see alcohol compliance shops, because I'm old, and Presto can hide shops that you aren't qualified for. Most of what I see currently are AAA shops and McDonald's drink marketing shops.
Someone went in and grabbed all of the Shell stations as soon as they moved off base pay. My son saw them disappearing in real time, and grabbed all that he could get, including the ones that are still at base pay. Someone used up all of my backup gasoline and then got me stuck at home because it was gone and he didn't tell me. And we didn't get the 35 gallons from Kroger last month because it was an inconvenience for him. So he really needs all of the shell stations to undo the damage he's done.
Someone went in and grabbed all of the Shell stations as soon as they moved off base pay. My son saw them disappearing in real time, and grabbed all that he could get, including the ones that are still at base pay. Someone used up all of my backup gasoline and then got me stuck at home because it was gone and he didn't tell me. And we didn't get the 35 gallons from Kroger last month because it was an inconvenience for him. So he really needs all of the shell stations to undo the damage he's done.
Most of what I see is a lot of Alcohol delivery evaluations and McDonald's. Some Boar's Head stuff would pop up and suddenly disappear. Must have been a quota.
i miss the murphy shops on presto. those were easy money
I can see the Presto alcohol shops and I am old, over 65!
ScottsTeg-- when you get Presto fixed, please head over to Coyle and have the inapplicable questions removed so I won't have to copy and paste "I did not visit the bar 16 times" on every report. And then there are a few Sassie companies where I have to clear the time stamp errors over and over in order to input the time. Etc Etc Etc. Thanks in advance!
Does anyone else have trouble entering the time in/out on Presto? I have to play with that wheel too long to get to the correct times. I wish I could just type it in.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
scottsteg, please be our CSM and work with the Preso team. Unlike its moniker, continuous improvement and rapid delivery seem to be out the window. To keep it simple, and harp on previous feedback given, I am also in favor of expanded search and filtering capabilities and options.
Please don't feed the MSF trolls!
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
@MsJudi wrote:
Does anyone else have trouble entering the time in/out on Presto? I have to play with that wheel too long to get to the correct times. I wish I could just type it in.
YES! I just did a fast food drive thru shop yesterday and that stupid wheel is maddening. I would get close to the number I needed and then it jumped all the way back. It took forever to get it right. They really need to change that.
You bring up a lot of great points, and I agree — Presto definitely has room for improvement. But having worked with companies who outsource their tech, one thing I’ve learned the hard way is that some of these platforms are stuck in long-term contracts with third-party dev teams. And those contracts? Could be 10, 20, heck — even 30 years old.
Legacy contracts can be a massive roadblock in tech, especially when a company is tied to a long-term development agreement that aged like milk in the sun. Sometimes the folks in charge of updates aren’t even developers — they’re just following a bare-bones maintenance checklist until the contract finally keels over from natural causes. So unless the company is willing to pay a fat early-exit fee, their hands might be legally duct-taped.
That said, your feedback is on point, and I’d love to see Presto evolve into something that doesn’t feel like it’s running on Internet Explorer with one shoe missing. Maybe if enough of us squawk, we’ll see progress before the next ice age.
—Just another mystery shopper out here clicking through chaos and praying the app doesn’t crash mid-upload.
Legacy contracts can be a massive roadblock in tech, especially when a company is tied to a long-term development agreement that aged like milk in the sun. Sometimes the folks in charge of updates aren’t even developers — they’re just following a bare-bones maintenance checklist until the contract finally keels over from natural causes. So unless the company is willing to pay a fat early-exit fee, their hands might be legally duct-taped.
That said, your feedback is on point, and I’d love to see Presto evolve into something that doesn’t feel like it’s running on Internet Explorer with one shoe missing. Maybe if enough of us squawk, we’ll see progress before the next ice age.
—Just another mystery shopper out here clicking through chaos and praying the app doesn’t crash mid-upload.
2 cents: I find most, if not all, of the technology that is employed in MSing as clunky and outdated...compared to other applications, other industries.
I suspect it may be because no one expects this sector to be around much longer in it's current form, so why invest the time or money?
disagree with me? shrug, who cares, I just call it as I see it.
I suspect it may be because no one expects this sector to be around much longer in it's current form, so why invest the time or money?
disagree with me? shrug, who cares, I just call it as I see it.
My M. Ed. specialization is Distance Learning, so I've been trained in best practices for data collection and prevention in online environments.
The lack of consistency in the PrestoIpsosverse borders on comical.
All gas brands except the Mollusk allow for gas prices to be input with 3 decimal places. Mollusk requires rounding up to 2 decimal places.
Just wrapped up a 5-day route, and, for the first time I did not have enough room in my gas tank for the 2 gallon purchase, so I bought a little over a gallon for $3.75 for a nice round number in case I had to do the receipt walk of shame. When filling in the report, in order to ensure my reimbursement would be correct, I input the number of gallons as 1.007, which of course the app accepted.
Pretty lazy IT staff would be my first guess...
The lack of consistency in the PrestoIpsosverse borders on comical.
All gas brands except the Mollusk allow for gas prices to be input with 3 decimal places. Mollusk requires rounding up to 2 decimal places.
Just wrapped up a 5-day route, and, for the first time I did not have enough room in my gas tank for the 2 gallon purchase, so I bought a little over a gallon for $3.75 for a nice round number in case I had to do the receipt walk of shame. When filling in the report, in order to ensure my reimbursement would be correct, I input the number of gallons as 1.007, which of course the app accepted.
Pretty lazy IT staff would be my first guess...
Have synthesizers, will travel...
The report may accept 3 decimals but I'm willing to bet is gets rounded down by the system in the long run because there is no actual money that equals 9/10 of a cent. Has anyone examined this? Math is not my friend.
Actually it gets rounded up elsewhere. Think the Conditional Reveals. You input the price of a gallon and your gas purchase amount, and SASSIE automatically rounds up to the next penny when calculating pay.
The way Mollusk reports are implemented is wonky compared to the other brands. You input an inaccurate, rounded up price and, unless your purchase is less than 2 gallons (as 4 of mine were), you input 2 for the number of gallons purchased, regardless of how many gallons you bought. So another potentially inaccurate data entry. In an industry that is wholly based on dealing with facts.
The math is done correctly in the background for all the other brands...
The way Mollusk reports are implemented is wonky compared to the other brands. You input an inaccurate, rounded up price and, unless your purchase is less than 2 gallons (as 4 of mine were), you input 2 for the number of gallons purchased, regardless of how many gallons you bought. So another potentially inaccurate data entry. In an industry that is wholly based on dealing with facts.
The math is done correctly in the background for all the other brands...
Have synthesizers, will travel...
@scottsteg wrote:
I do mystery shopping on the side, and I've been a dot-com product manager and customer success manager for almost 30 years now. Call me a survivor I guess. I work with websites and mobile apps all the time along with lots of cloud computing work.
I've noticed that the Presto shopping app and website have been in need of many improvements. Not like it needs to be the next Uber or Amazon app, but some user-friendly tweaks could really help boost its usage I'd think. Does anyone know the team that does this and would they be open to some consulting work on getting these efforts put together?
I'm not at all trying to be critical or some troll calling someone out. I'm legitimately concerned about how the app works and think a few things could really help like ways to filter out certain types of shops, adding more keywords to include/exclude, fixing the map, adapting the UX for tablets and more. Maybe there are constraints I'm not aware of like budget, workload, rules, etc. I'm just curious and wondering about helping out.
Admire your “larger picture” perspective. Been in CS as long and recognize outdated infrastructure that’s actually hindering the process.
I hope you’re able to make a much needed win-win difference with this and the related Ipsos- Sassie platforms, and others.
Buyouts are common, but the new owners generally are about limiting the competition more than anything so needed updating often languishes.
I’ve reached out with suggestions like this to Presto noting it’s a deterrent to my involvement and perhaps that of others. No reply or acknowledgement, so I deleted the app, send the notifications to spam, and am focusing on other assignments with more user-friendly platforms that pay better.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/13/2025 06:41PM by SBP.
How gloomy. I hope mystery shopping doesn't go extinct.
I imagine MSCs with its own platform have its own set of challenges, as well.
I imagine MSCs with its own platform have its own set of challenges, as well.
Please don't feed the MSF trolls!
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
@BarefootBliss wrote:
2 cents: I find most, if not all, of the technology that is employed in MSing as clunky and outdated...compared to other applications, other industries.
I suspect it may be because no one expects this sector to be around much longer in it's current form, so why invest the time or money?
disagree with me? shrug, who cares, I just call it as I see it.
Intetresting. Neither agree nor disagree. Just need more info. Can you please point me in the direction of how/why/what is expected to change? Tia.
Safe journeys, space fans... wherever you are. - Stephen Hill
@scottsteg wrote:
I do mystery shopping on the side, and I've been a dot-com product manager and customer success manager for almost 30 years now. Call me a survivor I guess. I work with websites and mobile apps all the time along with lots of cloud computing work.
I've noticed that the Presto shopping app and website have been in need of many improvements. Not like it needs to be the next Uber or Amazon app, but some user-friendly tweaks could really help boost its usage I'd think. Does anyone know the team that does this and would they be open to some consulting work on getting these efforts put together?
I'm not at all trying to be critical or some troll calling someone out. I'm legitimately concerned about how the app works and think a few things could really help like ways to filter out certain types of shops, adding more keywords to include/exclude, fixing the map, adapting the UX for tablets and more. Maybe there are constraints I'm not aware of like budget, workload, rules, etc. I'm just curious and wondering about helping out.
Wow, scottsteg! If every shopper wrote reports the way you wrote this, I would consider becoming an editor.
I can officially say that the Presto App is in dire need of help. I never noticed that when you look at the iOS version of the app and its app details, when you see the "What's New" section, the version is 1.22.2 and the last update was 3 YEARS AGO!! I'm honestly surprised that it still works for the latest version of iOS after that long. Usually over time the app become obsolete because of the phone updates you do over several years.
I was having the worst night with the app tonight. I wanted to perform several gas station audits in a loop trail from my home tonight. There were about 10 blue Insta Shop pins to choose. After picking the 4th or 5th pin in my trail idea, ALL of the same shops from that group just all disappeared from the map. Even when you zoom out, the WHOLE STATE suddenly is gone. Get this, I thought it was a cache issue and I logged off and back onto the app. Suddenly a few more came up and after grabbing those, they all disappeared again.
To all marketers and Presto - PLEASE FIX THIS. Either tell us in the task guidelines that there is a limit to the number of tasks that can be completed in a day or FIX THE DATA API!
Sorry, I just hoped to make more tonight because I need it for a future trip.
I was having the worst night with the app tonight. I wanted to perform several gas station audits in a loop trail from my home tonight. There were about 10 blue Insta Shop pins to choose. After picking the 4th or 5th pin in my trail idea, ALL of the same shops from that group just all disappeared from the map. Even when you zoom out, the WHOLE STATE suddenly is gone. Get this, I thought it was a cache issue and I logged off and back onto the app. Suddenly a few more came up and after grabbing those, they all disappeared again.
To all marketers and Presto - PLEASE FIX THIS. Either tell us in the task guidelines that there is a limit to the number of tasks that can be completed in a day or FIX THE DATA API!
Sorry, I just hoped to make more tonight because I need it for a future trip.
The website version through a mobile browser is more stable and reliable. However, it's been some time since I've done an "instant" shop.
Please don't feed the MSF trolls!
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
I’m old enough to remember when there was NO Presto app. To plan a route, I had to have a dozen windows open on my laptop, each on a different company’s Job Board. It took HOURS. I’m so grateful for Presto making my life easier.
OTOH, I was getting paid a lot more, pre-cellphone apps. For example, a red and white gas station’s base pay was $25, instead of $12. I look back at my mileage logs and spreadsheets and it makes me sad to see how low fees have gone over time.
OTOH, I was getting paid a lot more, pre-cellphone apps. For example, a red and white gas station’s base pay was $25, instead of $12. I look back at my mileage logs and spreadsheets and it makes me sad to see how low fees have gone over time.
@paniconmon wrote:
The website version through a mobile browser is more stable and reliable. However, it's been some time since I've done an "instant" shop.
I have found that many apps work better on the web version. I uninstalled Presto app long ago because the website works so much better. Same with ISS, Marketforce and Ipsos's Mobi-knockoff app which glitches even more than their Shopmetrics site.
The only shopping app I use is Mobi Audit which, for me, works very well and is easier to use than the websites. I don't allow the auto-update, though. Takes too long when I need to open my next job.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2025 09:55AM by sestrahelena.
I'll admit I'm a bit behind when it comes to understanding techie stuff. What exactly do you mean by the web version through a mobile browser? I can open Presto on my computer and I can use the app on my phone. I thought you had to use the app on the phone. Please help me understand. Thanks
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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The same way one would visit these forums on a smartphone or tablet. I open Chrome (or a different web browser like Safari or Firefox), then use this URL - [insta.prestomobilesurveys.com]
In the past, I've only used it though for check-in and reviewing the report as a whole on-site. If it's a big report, I don't do it on-site. I'll save and do it later, where I'm able to compete the report faster.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2025 12:18PM by paniconmon.
In the past, I've only used it though for check-in and reviewing the report as a whole on-site. If it's a big report, I don't do it on-site. I'll save and do it later, where I'm able to compete the report faster.
Please don't feed the MSF trolls!
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2025 12:18PM by paniconmon.
I thought you had to use the mobile apps for Presto Insta Shops? I have several browsers on my phone (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Brave, Opera, etc) and I thought you were required to use the app? I will try a shop today through the browser and see what happens. I know the InstaShops ask for that geo-location to be clicked to prove you were onsite. If that works through a browser and not just the app, I'm fine with that.
For the person who asked about "web version through a mobile browser" what we mean is you can open the desktop website on your phone using a browser app on the phone. Sometimes its called "mobile web" and if the site is designed right, it can be a "mobile responsive" site meaning the layout changes for your mobile browser compared to what you would see on your desktop/laptop. We do this with my company site so the site looks pleasing on the phone and then bigger on the desktop.
I feel I should go to that Ipsos seminar in Virginia in a few months and turn some heads...
For the person who asked about "web version through a mobile browser" what we mean is you can open the desktop website on your phone using a browser app on the phone. Sometimes its called "mobile web" and if the site is designed right, it can be a "mobile responsive" site meaning the layout changes for your mobile browser compared to what you would see on your desktop/laptop. We do this with my company site so the site looks pleasing on the phone and then bigger on the desktop.
I feel I should go to that Ipsos seminar in Virginia in a few months and turn some heads...
Technically, you're supposed to use the mobile app. The first time I did some instant shops, I wanted to experiment with other methods. I'm opposed to using a smartphone with shops that require a lot of data entry or photos.
Please don't feed the MSF trolls!
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
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