Need HELP! Quick with EPMS shop

Doing my first shop for EPMS. Non-targeted. Should be easy. But I ran into a few snags:

1. Supposed to visit first on Friday, then call back later, speak to same agent. Did the visit, then got lost on the way home, didn't get home in time to call. Already told by that agent she would not be working Saturday. I emailed EPMS to explain this and request an extension. No answer yet.

2. When calling the same agent, I'm supposed to use a different name and backstory. But both the visit and the call are supposed to generate follow-up, which I'm supposed to report. The agent properly recorded all my contact info when I did the visit. Creating a new email address for follow-up was easy enough, and I came up with a phone number too. I wouldn't really expect any snail-mail follow-up within the 5-day period, but if she properly asks, I'll have to have a valid address, right?

Any experienced EPMS shoppers have advice, I need it! Thanks!

D'Agosto

"What does it mean? You ask. I answer not/For meaning, but myself must echo, What?/And tell it as I saw it, on the spot."

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More Discussions About Ellis Property Management Services / EPMS (All Companies)

From what I've found they have been easy to work with on extensions so that should not be an issue. I don't know about the whole address thing. I have more than one e-mail and two phone numbers, but the only suggestion for a physical address would be if you have a friend or relative's you can use. For routes requiring follow-up I've been able to just tell them I prefer e-mail and still award them credit if they asked for the mailing address.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

Thanks Lisa, good thinking. I'm probably stressing out too much because it's my first. In fact, since the agent did most everything spot-on the way she was supposed to, the whole shop should be easy enough. Once I can get the call done, that is.

D'Agosto

"What does it mean? You ask. I answer not/For meaning, but myself must echo, What?/And tell it as I saw it, on the spot."

If I remember correctly, you actually do not need to report follow-up when requested to do an alias phone interaction unless they specifically tell you to do so and instruct you on how to acquire your fake contact information. Did you email them directly or update through the system? They usually respond fairly quickly when an update is made through the system.

Yes, I used the system update function, regarding the first snag. The second problem only occurred to me afterward. But the shop guide does require the alias interaction, and the survey does mention follow-up, so....?

shhhitzasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If I remember correctly, you actually do not need
> to report follow-up when requested to do an alias
> phone interaction unless they specifically tell
> you to do so and instruct you on how to acquire
> your fake contact information. Did you email them
> directly or update through the system? They
> usually respond fairly quickly when an update is
> made through the system.

D'Agosto

"What does it mean? You ask. I answer not/For meaning, but myself must echo, What?/And tell it as I saw it, on the spot."

I haven't had this scenario from them, but I have been told to use a different name with certain companies. I emailed the scheduler regarding whether the company could track you through your address or phone, and she said they only look for names. So you probably could give your same address the second time.

Also, the emails from the schedulers always say they can only be reached by email, and it often takes extra time to get a response. I have never called the company directly, though. I usually get a answer soon enough.

I call the company for almost every shop, because there always seems to be something out of the ordinary.They can be snitty, but they ALWAYS find an answer for you. And yes, if you need an extension, I find them to be extremely helpful. The schedulers work from home and may not get your emails on the weekend. If you update them from the website and call the first thing the next morning (or Monday morning) and explain, chances are good to excellent you will get an extension. Like many others, I hate their reports and was going to quit working for them until I started doing mystery shops for Remington. Their reports are absolutely absurd, IMHO. I appreciate EPMS now that I have done shops for R. Just my humble opinion.

The number is 972-256-3767.

Don't expect warm and fuzzy. But you will get help.

I just scheduled 4 shops with this co. Their rules state once you reach the target you go to the shop. I asked the receptionists if I only had one contact and three others I could not reach the target - could there be any flexibility in visiting onsite? So far I have been told to keep calling and try to get the target. I can not justify driving 50 miles round trip for one shop and then driving 50 miles for another. Guess now I know not to schedule so many shops in one day. I find this will be difficult to balance with other shops as I try to schedule shops weeks in advance and build around them as shops open. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I've only been able to visit on the same day as the call one time and that was because the shop was not targeted.

You can verify this with them, but I was told if an appointment is set for a different day they require a call the day of the appointment in order to verify the target is there. Supposedly, it covers the shoppers butt and guarantees the fee if the shopper verifies the target is there and then arrives to find them gone for whatever reason.

I have done many shops for EPMS and never a complaint on payment or working with them. If you have a peoblem call their main shop .

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