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Perspectives on Sr Living and other assignment fees

April 16, 2026 08:14AM
I have family back east and am on the email list for an MSC that covers states in the northeast US. They’re paying $150 + for the same thing we’re being offered $40-&60 for on the west coast and gas is 2x more expensive here!

I stopped doing them along with many other residential assignments because the reports require narrative skill that’s worth $$, and its impossible to make even federal minimum of $7.50 after overhead with these low-ball rates, while minimum in CA is $17.50-$25 depending on where you live.

Feeling like we’re being low balled in this category and many others and need some kind of solidarity (without the union dues) to equalize the playing field…

Thoughts?
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April 16, 2026 01:46PM
I completely agree with SBP. It has been yrs. since I accepted my last senior living shop. These facilities were charging up to low 5 digits per month for memory care, but the MSC was only willing to pay me up to $90 for a job that, when factoring in the visit, report, recorded phone contact and drive, totaled approx. 3 hrs. I remember a job where it was necessary for me to play phone tag for 18 calls. This, due to the requirement of the recording through the system.

I am signed-up with the east coast company, but they have never notified me of work in SW Ohio.
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April 16, 2026 04:37PM
I've never done any of these shops, at least partly 'cause it seemed the fee was not in line with the amount of work involved.

The moment we achieve a level of solidarity to force fair / reasonable fees is the moment most MSCs close shop, imo.

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2026 04:37PM by retrodaddy.
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April 16, 2026 06:05PM
@shopperbob wrote:

I completely agree with SBP. It has been yrs. since I accepted my last senior living shop. These facilities were charging up to low 5 digits per month for memory care, but the MSC was only willing to pay me up to $90 for a job that, when factoring in the visit, report, recorded phone contact and drive, totaled approx. 3 hrs. I remember a job where it was necessary for me to play phone tag for 18 calls. This, due to the requirement of the recording through the system.

I am signed-up with the east coast company, but they have never notified me of work in SW Ohio.

I reached out to see if they were interested in expanding. The scheduler is delightful, but they only do 4 northeastern US states at this time, and they’re doing great with them.

Smaller MSC’s seem to be much more hands-on with quality over quantity.
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April 16, 2026 06:13PM
@retrodaddy wrote:

I've never done any of these shops, at least partly 'cause it seemed the fee was not in line with the amount of work involved.

The moment we achieve a level of solidarity to force fair / reasonable fees is the moment most MSCs close shop, imo.

Maybe…but the ones we’ve walked away from are being paid a lot more than they want to pay us for each assignment.

I see the latter as contributing to their own demise.

I’ve also caught some using AI as editors, and it’s not only inaccurate, it violates the privacy contracts we all signed.

AI is not secure, nor is it a valid human experience.
We can’t be replaced, so they will either have enough respect for us (and themselves) to be fair, or they won’t last, because trying to fly under the radar while using AI isn’t legal.

I hope all of this will be an opportunity for the smaller businesses that care to expand their positive approach as the others fall.
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April 16, 2026 07:11PM
SBP opines--Smaller MSC’s seem to be much more hands-on with quality over quantity.

Bob absolutely agrees--The consolidation within the business has had quite a negative effect upon my yearly net.
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April 16, 2026 07:22PM
@shopperbob wrote:

SBP opines--Smaller MSC’s seem to be much more hands-on with quality over quantity.

Bob absolutely agrees--The consolidation within the business has had quite a negative effect upon my yearly net.

…And my level of satisfaction with work I previously enjoyed very much.
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April 16, 2026 09:52PM
Sadly, I have to place my two parents (86,87) in memory care facilities in the next 3-6 months. I’ll be picking up these shops because I have to do my due diligence anyway. I’m going to be negotiating for decent fees, however, with gas at $4+ per gallon and climbing.
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April 17, 2026 01:26AM
I have thought about trying these shops out here in California but most of them pay a pittance like SBP said. I remember going to look at a few with my mom( not on a mystery shop) but there were many more things to consider beyond what an apartment shop might ask about and the pay on most was $30-40. I am sure they are narrative heavy as well. Gas here is in the $6 range.
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April 17, 2026 08:09PM
I do them. They generally go for $100 - $120 in my area. That is approx the same as 4 gas or retail shops, but just 1 stop.

They are more narritive intense. With a career in Marketing, I have had to write a lot of content over the years. That experience makes this kind of shop easier for me.

The 1st few are the hardest. Once past that, it is easier. I find the hardest part is when it is a targeted shop. Chasing down a target can be frustrating at times.
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