jleetw1 Wrote:
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> Anyone done any? pay seems really high first shops
> are today

Did my first one last week adn believe me $40 is not high. I have been doing market research for 25 years and this is the most tedious form I ever filled out. The shop is easy - 30 to 45 minutes. The form will take you hours!

RoseS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've never done a video shop before, so I'm
> curious: what type of camera do you use?
>
>
> walesmaven Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Lisa,
> > I know what you mean about asking for business
> > cards when not on assignment. I also ask for
> > name, get receipts, and cards when not on
> > assignment. Worse, I cover the button cam when
> > near mirrors, even when I am not doing a video
> > shop. It keeps everyone on their toes, don't
> you
> > think? Evil of us to make everyone worry that
> > they are being shopped when they are not.


I like to use my Polaroid Instamatic. But you have to tell your subject to be very still while you take their picture. Otherwise, the picture will come out blurry and you will either have to do it over or the MSC will dock your pay.

What ticks me off about EPMS is the editors who constantly email saying "What is the status of this shop?"...."I can only be reached by email...but I'm not going to check it before I send you another email saying,....Tell me the status of this shop or you'll be reassigned."

I like doing the videos though as long as I'm not nagged.

EPMS was the very first shop that I did a hundred years ago! LOL! Fantastic company with great schedulers who genuinely work with the MS to promote a successful shop.

By the way, when I did my first one--in the mid-1990's, the report had to be FAXed. The business that I used to FAX it had difficulty with their machine; they did not receive the confirmation notice and I had to re-FAX it. No profit that time around.

It was a frustrating experience due to the FAXing, but I am so glad that I continued. The details that they required was good OTJ training for reports with later companies.

EPMS is one of several companies from which I excitedly open their emails. Good quality experience all-around!

To the shoppers who do assignments where they're not supposed to say anything -

I might clear my throat and put a Hall's in my mouth every now and then. Act like I had a sore throat or just been to the dentist or something...

Does that sound reasonable?

What assignments are those?

Bad company! They tried every way in the world to get out of paying me for one shop I did for them. They sent me an email saying my bank account info was incorrect and they deducted the bonus of $10.00 they offered me if I would complete this shop. I checked my account number and it was correct. I called them and ask what account number they had? The said they could not see the account number. I ask then how do you know it is incorrect? She said well we really don't. Reallyyyyyyyyyyyy...I will never work for them again!

jleetw1 Wrote:
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> Eye color come on who the Help looks at eye color
> another way they can turn the report in and tell
> you you did not finish it. Chix you only do one of
> these a day? I do 15 jobs a day or more 30 dollars
> a day no can do.


How in help do you do 15 or more jobs in a day??????????????????????????????????

The reference to 15 shops was NOT video shops or even apartment shops.

I never realized how targeted shops can create a problem with my schedule until very recently. I have done many shops for EPMS since March. I have done up to two targeted shops in one day for EPMS, and have never taken more than three shops daily. I have done video, audio, and telephone and onsite shops for the company. I am reluctant to ever do a shop without a recording device as the reports are tortuous. I actually bought a watch camera, and pen camera to record as much visual detail as possible for the reporting.

My last job for a "Specific Person" was an absolute fiasco. It created a scheduling problem for many days. I was involved in a phone project, which was a two-part project. The call, and the call back. Since I couldn't reach my contact person for EPMS, I was on hold for the rest of the shops I wanted to schedule for the week. I made more than 20 calls and received the answering machine for all but two calls for days. When I tried to explain to EPMS that my week's schedule was on hold until I reached the contact and it was costing me money, I was reminded that if I cancelled the shop, I would be charged the $50 for the "shipping fee" on a $30 job. I was also reminded of the federal laws governing independent contractors and the companies we contract with. I learned a valuable lesson about shopping a "Specific Person." I will never do it again! My first snag with EPMS taught me many things about remembering every part of the contract, and what I have obligated myself too, and to not think it will always go as smoothly as I think, every time! I have decided to beg off on future projects.

avitoots Wrote:
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> I really don't know how people do more than one
> targeted shop a day since you have to speak to the
> target and visit the complex on the same day. The
> ones I will never, ever do again are the floaters.
> It took me three weeks to catch up with the
> target. When I have had problems reaching the
> target, EPMS has given me permission to ask for
> the person. I think they also call the client to
> find out the target's schedule. The only serious
> problem I had was when a manager who was the
> target refused to deal with me. It took several
> calls to reach the target and when one of the
> staff made the mistake of putting me through to
> her she refused to speak to me at all and said she
> picked up the wrong line. Only got paid for the
> phone call which was alright but I wasn't happy
> that I got paid only one half of what they deduct
> if we don't make the call.
>
> The only other criticism I have is that those
> stupid extra questions about colors in the office,
> etc. don't print with the rest of the report. I
> always use the floor plan to remind me of where
> things are located in the apartment.
>
> And, I have never had any problem stating that I
> didn't notice the agent's eye color. I've always
> gotten paid as promised.

M Monty -- Interesting. I'm assuming they sent you recording equipment and that's why they'd charge you $50 for shipping costs. Also, I thought video shops were much more than the regular shops which have paid me $30-40 depending on what state I'm in.

I have had situations where I have accepted an assignment and then have had a problem reaching the target. If I have had something scheduled on one of the days, I let them know and I've never had a problem getting an extension. Of course, I've never told them that I was losing money because of an assignment I accepted with them.

Good reason to have your own video equipment! Also, then you get priority for scheduling shops.

I have shopped for EPMS for years. The reports are VERY time consuming but the pay is good. I have performed real estate shops for other companies who paid less but the reports were just as detail required. Thus, EPMS is one of the best because it pays well. I agree the target shops are a bit frustrating. Sometimes the target person doesn't answer the phone for days. Anyone shops are the absolute best.

Just finished my first for them....WHEW...2 1/2 hours later, detailed like none other, this was a target, and couldn't reach "Property Manager" who was the target by phone, so drove up there, (5 miles from home), and made an appointment with her through another agent....did shop, will see what happens...one thing, I had questions I wasn't sure about, and received instant
email helping, very nice folks!! Will defintely work for them again now that I know the site.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2012 03:39PM by Irene_L.A..

If you can do a non-targeted shop it's better. I have spent a lot of time trying to connect with the target, without asking for her/him. The forms are quite long and very detailed. Although I'm thorough, the request about the layout of the office or the apartment is, in my opinion, just a way to be sure that we shoppers actually went in. GEESH! See clients video ALREADY!

The report takes me an hour or more. Between the drive time, the hour there, an hour for the report and God-knows how much time to connect with target, the pay isn't enough in my book.

Irene,

Those EPMS shops WILL get easier, I promise.

The next one you do will probably take 2 hours. The 2 or 3 after that, 1 hour.

Save your writing in a Word file and take a look at it, use it as a guideline to your next writeup.

You'll get faster and faster. Promise.

Having done many EPMS shops, I too sometimes lose patience with the targeted shops. I always end up thinking "Why in holy hell can't the client get the target's schedule and give it to EPMS who would in turn give it to us?" On really bad days, my imagination gets the best of me and I would swear to you if you asked that the client and EPMS DO KNOW the schedule, but are withholding the info to purposely drive the shopping population mad!

Then I go do a C-Store, have a nice big White Chocolate Caramel cappuccino, and come to my senses. I email the scheduler, telling them I have tried X amount of times and can't get the target and the uncertainty is starting to screw with my schedule. Without exception, I have been either given permission right then to ask for the target, or given specific instructions for another 2-3 calls and told if I still haven't gotten through by then, to ask for the target.

At that point, I have a fool-proof way of doing this without being questioned by he agent whatsoever. In fact, I've hinted to EPMS that they should consider doing something similar from the get go on some of the target shops, but I guess they don't think the idea so stellar! If you tell the agent a friend recommended you ask for them, or any other similar scenario, the agent is going to want to know who it was and depending on the agent's curiosity level, will eventually let it go, or will hound you throughout the presentation. But having worked as a paralegal for many years, I am quite familiar with attorney-client privilege, and my duty to always uphold that privilege. So I just say, "Your name was given to me by a client, but that is about all I can say, as I work in a law firm and can;t really divulge the name of our client." This has worked time and time again to stop any questions about how I heard of them, and as a result, removes any suspicions the agent may have developed about me. Its as if you had a zipper for their mouths, they never, ever ask another question about it.

This is for EPMS- love you guys, but one day those long repetitive reports are going to send me postal, and well, you won't like me when I'm postal. Fix this NOW. Just sayin'.....

I now know what to expect and am sure they won't take too long in the future. Reaching target being biggest problem, read what I've added to above post. The fun part for me was remembering the decor, even though I didn't know that would be in the report, thank G__ I'm into that, next time, I'll give them details up the guzo....asking for eye color, weight was a bit much since they have business card. I do like company and am excited to do a few non-target shops, they have all been targeted. I was tired when I finished, but like anything, once you have it down, it's a breeze. They are really nice and helpful, big plus!!
MissyH71 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Irene,
>
> Those EPMS shops WILL get easier, I promise.
>
> The next one you do will probably take 2 hours.
> The 2 or 3 after that, 1 hour.
>
> Save your writing in a Word file and take a look
> at it, use it as a guideline to your next writeup.
>
>
> You'll get faster and faster. Promise.

I have completed one video shop for them. The information EPMS provides on their website is in depth. The completed shop happened last month, and yesterday received my payment by direct deposit.

I primarily do video shops and own my equipment. I call every other week and speak to the Video manager. He is very personable and keeps me in mind for future shops. I am a back up right now for two shops. The report is very detailed, but I'm sure it will get easier with more shops. I look forward to working for them in the future.

I did two shops for this company. I think there is a gap in the communication line and I'm not sure if it's the client not providing the information to the MSC or some other issue.

My first shop was a targeted shop but because they needed it done ASAP they let me ask for the target. The shop went find. I got paid, all was well with the world.

The second shop was for a 62 and older community but that was not in any of the job details. So, I did my first phone call and found out about the age requirement. If it was just a phone shop sure I could lie and say that I'm 62 and over. I can't pull that off on site. So I contacted the scheduler. They said to just say it was for my parents (I picked my grandmother since she is over 62 and my parents aren't, thought the role play would be easier). So I do the shop, first time I ever felt guilty about lying to someone on a mystery shop. Anyway, complete the shpp get paid, all is well with the world.

I accepted a third shop, made the phone call for three days, kept getting voicemail. I contact EPMS, they say to leave a message. I left messages for two weeks straight, no calls back. Always the same schtick, it rings five times, no one answers. I keep in contact with them and they say keep calling. So we're almost three weeks into this thing and I let them know I still haven't reached anyone. They say they put it on amnagement hold and they'll call the client. Then she tells me the shop has been canceled. So, I'm pretty sure I don't get paid for any of the time I spent calling these people every day during my breaks from my day job.

I thought apartment shopping was my new favorite thing. I figured if I'm willing to spend an hour in the big electronics store and only get paid $10.00, that apartments were cool because it's only like 30 minutes on site, the lengthy report I fill out while sitting on my nice comfy couch. I'm not so sure apartment shopping is for me though.

Just received email, I will not be paid for the report...the property manager who was the target, and admitted to me she never answers her phone, does everything by email was not available by phone. I drove the 5 miles and made the appointment in person over the weekend (when I knew she wasn't working).
The agent was gracious and made an appointment for me Monday at 10:00. I met with target and took tour and all that entails, wrote 2 1/2 hour report, two visits, over 3 hours work. Because I couldn't reach target by phone, no pay. even though I evaluated her. I am telling you, my report was stellar, as it was my first. I'm p_____ beyond belief. NO MORE EPMS TARGETS.

This was my most frustrating job in 6 years, and only one I didn't get paid for.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2012 05:29PM by Irene_L.A..

Irene -- I had the same issue with a manager and kept EPMS appraised of the situation. I would never have gone to the property without reaching the target first. After I had a brief and rude encounter with the target, I let EPMS know, they had the recording of the rude behavior of this manager. I got paid a little bit for the phone call.

Hence the reason why I no longer do targeted apartment shops for ANYONE. Too much hassle, too much moving your shopping schedule to shop 1 target, only to have frustration in the end. PITA.


Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just received email, I will not be paid for the
> report...the property manager who was the target,
> and admitted to me she never answers her phone,
> does everything by email was not available by
> phone. I drove the 5 miles and made the
> appointment in person over the weekend (when I
> knew she wasn't working).
> The agent was gracious and made an appointment for
> me Monday at 10:00. I met with target and took
> tour and all that entails, wrote 2 1/2 hour
> report, two visits, over 3 hours work. Because I
> couldn't reach target by phone, no pay. even
> though I evaluated her. I am telling you, my
> report was stellar, as it was my first. I'm
> p_____ beyond belief. NO MORE EPMS TARGETS.
>
> This was my most frustrating job in 6 years, and
> only one I didn't get paid for.

To be fair, though, EPMS does make a big deal on all of their shops that a phone call is necessary or your shop will not be valid. It states that in large print in all of their instructions that I've seen.

I'm so sorry, though, Irene L.A., that you went through all of the trouble....

The rule with the EPMS shops that require a phone call for appointment is simple: never appear on site without having made a phone appointment. SOP would have been to tell the scheduler, after thrre unanswered calls, that you cannot reach the target by phone and let the scheduler decide what to do. Just ignoring the client-required protocol will get you denied a fee everytime, at every MSC, not just EPMS.


If I am not mistaken, there is another thread here from a different shopper concerning going in person without making the phone appointment, with exactly the same result and eactly the same advice for future shops. Even untargeted shops that require a phone call to get an appointment follow the same rule; no visit, ever, without making appointment by phone. The client obviously want phone proptocol, on the part of the employees who answers the phone, assessed as part of the shop. What's not to understand about that?

I suggest that you swallow the lesson and try more shops from EPMS if you like the work and the fee. They did not cheat or mistreat you.

I sent a friend over to EPMS and he was asked to fax/email in a copy of his W9. I do not remember having to do that and was wondering if this was something new. Considering their comptuer fiasco years ago, why would they want to have both a copy of a social security number on their computer and on paperwork?

Most times it is required to have an original signature for the W-9s since it is a government document. Unless the form is scanned with a signature, the government may not accept a typed-only form.

When I applied, I was only asked to type in my social security number. I did not need to sign anything. All they wanted was a license for when I wanted to do video shops. I told him that hey may have typed a wrong number when submitting his ss number and they just need the form to verify the correct number for him.

W-9s are now being required by most company's accounting folks bfore payment will be made. It is THE form that their auditors advise them to have on file. Nothing new about the requirement; what's new is that more companies are complying with the existing regs. Every company that I have signed up with in about the last 9 months has required a W-9. Before, only about one in five bothered.

Just completed my first video shop for EPMS. 19 separate pages/sections, 3200 words of narrative. And their uploading site isn't accessible for hours at a time.

Repetitive nonsense throughout. Babble. Why on earth ask me for the agent's physical description when you have it right there ON THE FREAKING VIDEO???

NEVER. AGAIN. NEVER.

$60 bucks (I have my own rig) is so NOT worth it, not when I can do three $75 video car dealerships with 20 minute reports in the same time.

NEVER. AGAIN. NEVER.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2012 03:46PM by MissyH71.