I have run into this a few times lately and find it to be almost laughable.
How cheap can a company be to require a two person shop and just reimburse for one meal. I did one because it was with a company that gives me some good shops and they were in a bind, but that can't imagine anyone doing them otherwise. Anybody else feel this way?

I would not take a two-person shop with payment for only one. That being said, I do several shops where a one person payment will pretty much cover two and two are not prohibited, I do several that are one or two person shops where the payment covers most of two persons. I tend not to report much information on items that are not covered by reimbursement, though I will report in reasonable depth on that which is reimbursed.

Sounds like a Wolfman Pizza....pays $15.00 and you have to get an appitizer, and two entress. There is nothing on the menu that will fit into that catagory. I only done one because my scheduler said he really needed it done and gave me a bonus for doing it. They still appear on the job board and get taken, must be newbies or more bonus.

I've had one that was a burger place and one that was a taco place. I am not complaining but I do find it kinda funny. (-:

Cheesecake Factory....one appetizer, one entree, one slice of cheesecake, two sodas and an extra plate to split...tip 20 % = $50.00 !!! Fee is a gift card for cheesecake factory for $30.00 so you can go back and do 3/5 of it again. lol

Will take myself out someday and then call it quits.

Some will give the option of bringing a guest or not, but only reimburse enough for one. That's annoying, but not offensive. The requirement to bring a second person when it's not covered is simply offensive. So is requiring a tip and not covering it.

I also agree with Flash about not reporting unreimbursed items. I recently had a dining shop that offered the option of bringing an extra guest or not. When the editor asked about the additional items on the check I had not described, I said that I would be happy to submit a description of them if they were reimbursed. I never heard back and received the stated reimbursement.

A similar situation I have noticed lately is the requirement to valet park and report on it. I had a shop this week with plenty of street parking available that required a valet interaction. The restaurant offers a prix-fixe menu and I ordered the absolute minimum required for drinks. After leaving the required tip, the bill came exactly to the stated reimbursement and I was out $7 for the valet!

It's not just limited to restaurants, either. I see hotel shops that require 2 guests and only reimburse travel for one.

When I get a dinner house that requires two (I do lunches alone), I have a good friend that goes with me and pays for herself (I buy drinks) and splits the tip with me. This works and since we meet once a month to go out (last 30 years), she doesn't mind, and I do well.....we all need generous friends now and then. Saying that, the MSC should pay a decent reimbusement for two, and a report fee to keep making this enjoyable for us, heck, I wouldn't go to half these places on my own dime, and if I did, wouldn't want to write a report and be out $$ on top of that. Having to pay for Valet when there is parking available is just too much.

CF..I only do the take out because they want 2 people for the take out portion. I get an entree and then wait for the Gift Cards. I racked up 3 cards and then treat mom and hubby by way of take out again.

I did a Cheesecake factory tonight, dinner equals a $40 gift card. It was $76.92 including tip for the 4 of us, 4 entrees, one beverage, two cheesecakes. There was also a survey on the bill to get another $10 gift card. I do think their cheesecakes are over priced by $2 and told them so. And the worst bathroom! Paper towels on the floor of each stall, both wastebaskets overflowing and one sink faucet not working.

Carol

Right after I said I was done with them I got a Cheesecake Factory "to go" shop. Same $30 gift card but I only have to get one entree. And their food is really good. The dinner shop gives you the $40 card.

bmac Wrote:
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> I have run into this a few times lately and find
> it to be almost laughable.
> How cheap can a company be to require a two person
> shop and just reimburse for one meal. I did one
> because it was with a company that gives me some
> good shops and they were in a bind, but that can't
> imagine anyone doing them otherwise. Anybody else
> feel this way?


Look at the money made from "the shop" and not look for something that is not there. I have seen these also...and so not accept them. If it pays "X", that is what it pays.

Don

Good for you. I go do the to go order, don't tell my mom and pick up something for hubby and I. Then when the reimbursements come in, I gather up the cards and then treat Mom. I know sneaky. LOL. I like to treat her without skimping on her. I may get her the appetizer, entree, salad and a dessert. She's like a kid in the candy store. I holding on the Cheesecake and Grand Lux now. Got another togo next month then I will have the $60 in gift cards.

iblessyah Wrote:
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> Right after I said I was done with them I got a
> Cheesecake Factory "to go" shop. Same $30 gift
> card but I only have to get one entree. And their
> food is really good. The dinner shop gives you
> the $40 card.

Well your getting a restaurant outing for free if not the cost of going to a fast food place and going all out. I have only done an iHop shop. $16 and the bill came out to $30. I didn't have to go with anyone but I took my daughter and my mom.

On all these restaurant shops, I see it as getting a discount on my dining out choice. I only accept assignments to places I like to go to with a companion. If the reimbursment covers the whole meal, great. If not, we are getting a better meal for just a little money. And the report... well, as they say, there is no free lunch (or dinner).

coralbeth Wrote:
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> Well your getting a restaurant outing for free if
> not the cost of going to a fast food place and
> going all out. I have only done an iHop shop. $16
> and the bill came out to $30. I didn't have to go
> with anyone but I took my daughter and my mom.
What is the easiest way to find out how to sign up for this shop? Can you email me the MSC? Please, let me know! My all time favorite place in the world!

patnewman Wrote:
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> On all these restaurant shops, I see it as getting
> a discount on my dining out choice. I only accept
> assignments to places I like to go to with a
> companion. If the reimbursment covers the whole
> meal, great. If not, we are getting a better meal
> for just a little money. And the report... well,
> as they say, there is no free lunch (or dinner).


I've only been at this a few months, but I can already see that the key to ANY reimbursed purchase shop is ONLY going if you'd go anyway. I have a full time job, and take lunch shops within 5-10 miles of my office to eat lunch for free. Most end up ALSO giving me $8-$15, but since I'm too lazy to make a lunch in the morning, I eat out most everyday already. I'm probably averaging 3 free lunches a week (PLUS the fees).

Nice meals are the same way - a $30 reimbursement for a $50 meal is STILL a $30 payment IF you would eat out anyway (and my wife and I usually do once or twice a week or so). If you do a McD's shop and NEVER eat there, and hate the food, then all you're getting paid is the $7-$10 fee and you're having to front the food cost that you wouldn't have bought otherwise --- BAD DEAL!

Once I figured this stuff out, I could decide what to take and what not to and make money (or at least save money).

I was not complaining about it at all. I just found it interesting that they would REQUIRE a two person shop and only pay for one. I don't take them. A lot of things are interesting in this World.