Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> There Medicare shops are horrific, I did a couple
> and no more...good luck Cynb, let us know. Could
> just be me, but I didn't jive and do them for
> another MSC which is easier.


Irene, That was my sentiment. I wrote and wrote five long paragraphs and they still came back for more details.

Cynb - if you're doing the medicare shops, make sure you do a play-by-play. I did medicare shops for three other msc and they were easier to write.

On the plus side they do pay quickly, I totally agree...... but there are some negatives that I feel they need to cool their jets on a little.

(1) I really dislike the fact they market the reimbursement as "payment"..... its not a payment.....almost no other MSC's do this. Its scammy type marketing, which is a shame as they seem to be a very legitimate company.

(2) The estimates for completing the jobs are mostly low.

Assume after admin time, printing out, studying instructions, taking 20 question test, completing the job and entering data.

As an example the office supply store audits they do for $7
There are over 20 pages of printable materials alone.

After doing all of the above (and doing a thorough walk through of the store as requested) it would be almost impossible for a person to complete everything using less than 90 minutes of total time.

(3) mileage estimates see always on the low side? (for me anyway!)
When offered bonus jobs the mileage is always low
Two I was sent recently 50.5 miles (its 70.6 miles on google maps) another was 50.6 and its 64 miles to that location.
Maybe some shoppers travel by helicopter but I only have a humble car!

I do complete jobs for TS every now and again but only if they are bonused.
I value my time and the regular payments just dont meet that valuation.

I have never flaked on a job and pride myself on being professional. I am alway helping MSC's out on last minute jobs where others have dropped out or flaked. I think that has some value.

FWIW I do think Trendsource is a great way to get some mystery shopping experience for those starting out.

Sweater,

I agree! I was looking at a TS shop that says it is 1.3 miles from me! Ummmm, no actually it is 80 miles!!

They recently sent me a bonus offer of $10 to drive around 60 miles each way. I thought of the gas and time a 120 mile trip would take and was insulted at the $10 offer.

I did a recent take out pizza shop for T.S. The guidelines stated to make sure that the date was not on the photos to stop identification of the shopper. Not being a photogerpher and not having the hand book available for the camera I had no idea how to do it. I did know that if I took out the batteries a ficticious date would come up. That was what I did .After a 50 mile drive, 1 1/2 hours time and $15.00 out of pocket cost the job was rejected because part of a letter blocked the bottom corner of the picture. This was the most expensive mediocher pizza I ever ate

OMG that sounds horrible. I'm sorry that happened to you. If it makes you feel better I once had pictures rejected as well for a cost of around $15-$16.

alibisss Wrote:
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> I did a recent take out pizza shop for T.S. The
> guidelines stated to make sure that the date was
> not on the photos to stop identification of the
> shopper. Not being a photogerpher and not having
> the hand book available for the camera I had no
> idea how to do it. I did know that if I took out
> the batteries a ficticious date would come up.
> That was what I did .After a 50 mile drive, 1 1/2
> hours time and $15.00 out of pocket cost the job
> was rejected because part of a letter blocked the
> bottom corner of the picture. This was the most
> expensive mediocher pizza I ever ate

The one thing I will say is TS's quality control/editors are lacking. They flag shops on a regular basis in most cases for no reason. I have had to point out to them to look at shop directions, ask if they were new, etc

I do one upscale grocery store for them, and add some $$ to get coffee and things I need...I don't do anything else, but starting to think about the job verifications, they pay well. The only problem I've had with reports are uploading, but I've worked that out, and must say, I like them. Getting reimbursed in a few days has to mean something. I do another grocery store with a bit higher reimbursement and a 3 month wait for pay.

But the job verifications pay like $23 ...and there's a lot of narrative. For that same money I'd rather do a bank shop. But I guess everyone has their own preferences.

What's "job" verification? Have not seen them here. Business verification pays $17-$19 with very little writing = a sentence here and there.

Business Verification,(not job)....19.00, light report.
cubbiecat Wrote:
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> What's "job" verification? Have not seen them
> here. Business verification pays $17-$19 with very
> little writing = a sentence here and there.

Irene, I don't think Warrior86 meant the BV, because he stated $23 and lots of narrative. Just we know, the BV have practically no narrative.

Ok did a formal Medicare shop today and it was long but pleasant. Just finished the report. Tried to do a good summary. I will let you know if they are asking for more details, but so far, I would do it again. $34

The jobs I have taken vary wildly in narrative requirement and seem to have no relation to the amount offered. This is the time when standard phrases and observations come in handy.

I have found the Trendsource business inspections fairly good. I rather enjoy them because it involves talking with the owner a bit.





cubbiecat Wrote:
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> I disagree. I find Trendsource reports to be easy
> and BestMark to be much harder. The only long
> report for Trendsoure are the insurance ones at
> year end, but those pay well. Love the BV!

I have been a Trendsource shopper for several years and I enjoy doing pizza shops for them. I think they hired a new editor and, I received several Emails with questions on my report. Some of the questions were already covered in my report. This is the first time I received comments/questions on my reports. Has anyone else experienced this with Trendsource?

I got a new camera, so I was afraid to take a pizza shop, but I had two other shops in the area. This was two days ago. I took a bonused pizza shop and it was accepted without any questions or comments. I have had questions and comments on two of my shops for them in the past. As long as it did not get rejected, I think you are okay.

I just got an email as I didn't put in the age of an employee...went back, put it in, all's good. I like their site, easy to manage. They don't deduct pay for a missing answer like one I know.

My apologies to everyone. I don't have any problems with Trendsource. My comments were for QACI.

I have done about 100 various shops for Trendsource and the only problems I have had is wrong locations given for Property Evauluations but I was paid because it was the clients mistake. Also the photos from the pizza shops get inconsistant reviews and I have to reload them from time to time but I still get paid.

Anymore if I don't get a HUGE pad, I don't work for them.....I do like the quick pay, but not worth the work and I mean WORK.

I really like doing Business Verification but they botched it up when they could not clear up the fact that they did not require a background check for Canadians. They offered the shops, I accepted and then was rejected because I did not have a background check. They said, no, you don't need it because you are in Canada. Other than for the airport badge, I refuse to take any background check, and at my expense? Anyway, they are now insisting that it is definitely cleared up and I can accept BV. I am much too busy for that now. I try to stay away from companies that have a hint of disorganization. The shoppers end up paying for that in time and money.

Concerning reimbursements, they convert the Canadian expense to American dollar. At par or better or less, I always do not get my original expense, just from the conversion cost alone. When they provided the gift card, it was not that bad but expecting me to finance a project with my own money which eventually will be discounted when I get reimbursed does not sit well with me.

regarding those "background checks"...I have shopped for them for years and did tons of BV's before that requirement came into play. I understand why they want them now but for those of us that have done them and worked for a long time they should be waved, I refuse to pay to get one.