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Do You Do This?

April 20, 2026 12:29PM
Maybe I'm the only one who has done this:

For instance, for whatever reason you drove by a gas station and noticed, oh! they're no longer an E/M and are now a brand X not on any MSC's job list.
Then, you see that site on the MSC's job list as an E/M inspection site super bonused. Do you take it, knowing that this particular MSC will only pay you the minimum - in this case $5!
Would you do it? Not me! Just not worth taking the time of an overall shot and then the report.

Or this one: You have done this shop over the years. But then, the site is purchased and now under new ownership. You take the job and then get treated horridly. The manager/owner denies the LOA and will not allow the inspection. You leave and then remember to take the minimum photo (off site). The owner/manager comes out, screams at you and threatens to call the police. The MSC pays you the $5.
You see the site on the board. You remember your treatment previously. For me, even if it were bonused, there is no guarantee that the inspection would be accepted.
Why do it? For that fee?
Nope!
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April 20, 2026 03:44PM
Nope.

And if a newbie thinks they've hit the money when they self assign the shop, I figure that might be a deterrent for them and maybe they'll quit mystery shopping, hence lowering the volume of competition for me. "This IS business" - Shopperbob.
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April 20, 2026 03:57PM
@sestrahelena wrote:

Nope.

And if a newbie thinks they've hit the money when they self assign the shop, I figure that might be a deterrent for them and maybe they'll quit mystery shopping, hence lowering the volume of competition for me. "This IS business" - Shopperbob.

You're not supposed to say that part out loud, lol.
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April 20, 2026 04:24PM
NO and NO. As Helena posted, this is STILL business. I have never, do not nor will ever shop to help out anyone but Bob. Recalling Lorie Kern's Volition post from Jan. of, I think, 2009, suggesting shoppers work for fewer dollars to help struggling MSCs, what about us? While there were boutique MSCs in the past that exhibited concern for shoppers, today's conglomerates are quite "business oriented." As such, so am I.

A final comment: Unfortunately, there are those for whom the income from shopping either partially or wholly supports their lives. They are the people who must "grin and bear it."
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April 20, 2026 04:47PM
I wouldn't do anything that requires leaving my house if I thought I was only going to get paid $5.
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April 20, 2026 11:15PM
Correction: At least for "The Blob" shoppers.. Closed location fee is $5 + "a portion of the bonus" according to their own words.
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April 21, 2026 12:05AM
No to both - even if it could be included in a route.
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April 21, 2026 02:21AM
You mean all I have to do is make a U-turn, snap a photo, and answer about five or six yes or no answers, for $5? Sure, I'm in.

For the latter scenario, if the shop is bonused and isn't out of the way, I'll give it a try. What's the worst that can happen? I can take being yelled at And it's entirely possible that person is no longer at the store, or has had a change of heart.

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 04/21/2026 02:38AM by retrodaddy.
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April 21, 2026 03:46AM
No, no, and no, I would not do a shop for $5. However, enough shoppers would, and that keeps the shop fees low.
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April 21, 2026 04:26AM
I will do 5 minutes for 5.00 if I will be driving directly past it while working. Any deviation of more than a minute or 3, probably not.

Supra needs new shoes, quality tires aren't cheap
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April 21, 2026 07:39AM
@shopperbob wrote:

.... A final comment: Unfortunately, there are those for whom the income from shopping either partially or wholly supports their lives. They are the people who must "grin and bear it."

Is that how all shoppers who relynto any extent feel upon shopping feel? I have not met any of them.... What if some of them are performing this work with integrity and dignity? What if some just find this work and do this work as unto the Lord? I would love to know the perspectives of "the [actual] people who must 'grin and bear it.'"
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