I was curious when the last time the base price for these tasks went up. I haven't seen a raise in the fees for these shops ever. I tried researching and found that depending on the task, the MSC could be making 5-10x what we are getting paid on the base price.

A red, white. and blue gas station went from $10 to $10/$2, but that doesn't count in my book since they added a required purchase where before there was none. Still getting the same $8.50 for another similar color combo gas station with the same reimbursement for years that has the almost impossible to find item under a $1 for the reimbursement. One of the national brands charges 98 cents for a cup of ice. The night shops are still the same price and ditto for the phone shops.

I have to think some shoppers are cutting corners as there is no incentive to telling the truth. If you find an infraction like a missing squeegee, you have to take an extra pic and include it in the report. There is no extra fee paid if you find infractions, but you are rewarded with more work. Those that do not have an honest work ethic could just say everything is wonderful at this station and just include the two receipts - store and fuel pics - and move on to the next job.

Gas is slightly cheaper, but maintenance and insurance have gone up.

Field Agent has to be the worse. I checked the app when I was at a club store the other day and I passed on a job that paid a whopping $2.50 for 8 or 10 pics. I don't have time for that and I'm sure those jobs go unfilled. It isn't worth looking on that app any longer.

I’ve actually seen a decrease in rates, especially with the increasing AI layoffs. Projected forward, those who profit more from our work more now may be faced with the same fate.

Doing this makes no sense if we aren’t making anything after our overhead and at the current rates we’re not even breaking $5/hour.

Along with being rewarded with more work for being honest, does it get under anyone else’s skin that when you report infractions that they are still there just like they were before on the next shop? If it’s no big deal, why do they want the stuff reported?

I’ve had shops returned if I report problems honestly asking me to “make nice” Maybe they’re now just editing out the infractions after we submit … or the client just doesn't care to improve?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/2026 02:08PM by SBP.

Hahaha, I got a low mark for not "maintaining positivity". I was fair in my assessment of what happened. I'm sorry the truth hurts but when I experience fraud during a shop, I am not going to polish that turd, I am calling it what it is. I'll still get paid and it didn't damage my overall score too badly but they made sure they let me know in the most passive aggressive way possible that they were displeased the report sounded negative. Maybe your client should fix their problems rather than me trying to candy coat my words?

@Maria72 I understand the gas station's point of view about not having squeegees since customers take them and it is too expensive to keep replacing them. Shouldn't some gas stations get a pass for not having them? Other stations will never have employees wear badges and they have employees wear the station's t-shirt, so what is the point of taking a picture of the counter? Other stations let employees wear whatever they like.

More to your point though, I have a station that I do twice a year and always report that the LED on the price board is not fully lit. They have yet to fix the issue and the signage has gotten progressively worse over the last 5 years.

@SBP if they are editing out the infractions, why do they need us to be nice on the reports?

I stopped including additional, not required, pictures in the report a long time ago. What is the point? Why would I do more if it is not compensated and it doesn't do anything to improve my chances of getting more jobs in the future? If they gave you bonus points for the extra pics to offset jobs that get rated poorly due to a tough editor or a flake, then I could perhaps see a reason for doing them.

@Maria72 wrote:

Along with being rewarded with more work for being honest, does it get under anyone else’s skin that when you report infractions that they are still there just like they were before on the next shop? If it’s no big deal, why do they want the stuff reported?

$$$

I don't know the details, and it varies by client, but the stations often pay stiff fines for low scores. It can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. So it's another form of revenue generation.

The "red, white and blue" stations at their previous MSC started every quarter at $7, with no reimbursement, and a required purchase and receipt. That switch was 2 years ago? maybe 3?

The year after the pandemic shut down, Shell stations pay went from $12.50 to $14.00 base pay.

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.. I've only had one cup of coffee.. so I'm sure there are more.

kroger went from $17 to $20 (pay + reimbursement) when it moved from the old MSC to the new MSC; but other than that, I don’t recall seeing other projects base pay increase, at any other MSC.

I wish Kroger was higher than $10 +reimbursement here! It never seems to any higher than that.

Maria72 laments--I wish Kroger was higher than $10 +reimbursement here! It never seems to any higher than that.

Bob comments--Me too, but until folks no longer need to eat, that, as a general fact, will not occur. What I am able to do, though, is to show you how to capitalize on the payment.

1-Except for stores within a few miles of your residence, only schedule those locations near where you will be at that time.
2-Avail yourself of coupons. I receive 2 different envelopes each month geared toward past purchases.
3-Check the red bag table. It recently experienced a price increase, BUT, in the stores I visit, more product is inserted to off set the 59 cents.
4-Check the deli for product with the flavor enhanced label. This week I scored a supreme pizza for $3.46 and a baked chicken at $3.54.
5-Don't forget the aged meat section. Nothing for me this week, but one never knows.
6-Be mindful of other shops during your visit. This permits double or even triple dipping. I have never scored a triple, but have some doubles.
7- Shop on Fri. if possible for the 4X fuel points.
8-Finally, be aware of which areas are open near the closing date of a campaign. 2 mos. ago, I completed one for $20+$10 in a town where I had 2 suppliers for my store. My all time high was $31+$10.

As SBP posted and I agree, learn to adapt.

Servimer has raised rates this past year.

@Maria72 wrote:

I wish Kroger was higher than $10 +reimbursement here! It never seems to any higher than that.

Last year, it was $9 reibursement and $9 pay.. it's not much, but it's something.

All I know is $5 reimbursement to get .35 lbs of chicken or ham is embarrassing to ask for.

ShopperBob gave hints good for non-shop every day necessary shopping as well as shops.