Is the $30 pay worth doing EPMS shops?
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I actually wrote narritive in the wrong box (my mistake), just fixed it and I think all is well. The time this took as they
did not tell me what to fix was too much, having to check back, write, etc. I figure on this job, I made a sad 8.00 hour.
I am not rushing out to do another, but I will say doing three a week works (just not this time).
did not tell me what to fix was too much, having to check back, write, etc. I figure on this job, I made a sad 8.00 hour.
I am not rushing out to do another, but I will say doing three a week works (just not this time).
Live consciously....
I did two for $40 each. Let me just start off by saying I hate apt shops in general because of all the commentary. I figured these couldn't be much worse, despite paying about double what I typically see for apt shops. The actual visit was nowhere near as tedious as the report. You know, coming up with the whole story line for why you're there, staying in character and remembering everything the agent says. I gotta make up a job, lie and say I don't have a pet, etc. It's a headache in itself.
Anyways, the reports are a nightmare. Depending on how much you can recall and how good you are at writing, these will take 2-3 hours, possibly more.
Anyways, the reports are a nightmare. Depending on how much you can recall and how good you are at writing, these will take 2-3 hours, possibly more.
Doesn 't seem worth it for $40 let alone $30.
My problem with them is they don't give you enough or accurate information to finish a shop in a decent amount of time. The last shop I did for them, I called for five times a day for three days without getting the target. The scheduler finally told me to ask for the target. That's when I learned I was actually calling a call center - not the apartment complex. I reported to the scheduler that the target was never going to be there. Her response to me was, "keep trying." Really? The call center was not even located in the same state as the apartment complex! No way will I work with them again.
I have done a couple of shops for them. I will not do targeted shops, after reading all of your comments. My only complaint is the redundancy of the reports. Describe the office, and furniture... I recently bought a digital recorder, that will really help with all the commentary.
I've been with them about 3 years. In the beginning, I called and asked a question and the MSPA rep said the reports only take 20 minutes. WHAT planet is she living on? I wish we could get them to change the reports. The shops themselves are fun, I think and I think their reports would be more accurate if we were not sooooooofrustrated writing the same thing over & over & over. I'm ranting also, Irene (your post before the last) - just finished a report. They are never above $30 in the Tampa Bay area, so I only do them once in a while.
I'll take everything EPMS has to offer and beg for more. I had one where I couldn't reach my target, so asked for feedback. I was told to ask for the target by name - she was on vacation the whole week! I waited til she got back in and still couldn't pin her down. I was working a full-time job at the time, so couldn't go in the morning. I eventually asked for the job to be re-assigned. I just requested (and was assigned) three more apt shops for EPMS this morning. I find their reports to be far easier than some shops paying half as much! I can't find anything in this area paying more than the $30-$50 they offer. I have a lot of fun pretending to be someone I'm not!
I did EPMS shops before you could submit them online. Everything was handwritten and faxed to them. Those were reports that were not worth even $100.
Man, outside of just a couple people saying they'd do them, it doesn't sound like there's much reason at all to rush out and do work for them. =X I keep getting the emails "What will it take for you to work with us" as I've never actually applied for a shop before. They had a few bonused up to $65 this last month and I considered it... but for this headache, I'd much rather negotiate a bonus on a retail shop or something. =)
I used to do a lot of them. They were one of my main companies but between the soul devouring reports and hard to reach targets I find myself just taking easier jobs lately. I do like the company though and if I can not find other jobs I will accept a EPMS job if it does not have a target.
I agree with a lot of people who say $30 isn't enough. The reports that ask for the eye color of the agent are way too long. I have shied away from doing shops for EPMS because of the redundancy of the reports. It takes me 2 hours or longer to complete a report. I write a lot of the answers into a word processing document then copy and paste. I do this for multiple sections of the report that ask the same things. It is much easier than re-writing everything.
I use a digital voice recorder whenever I do any shops. It helps immensely in completing the reports, especially those that want direct quotes.
I use a digital voice recorder whenever I do any shops. It helps immensely in completing the reports, especially those that want direct quotes.
I curse the reports but working with Robert and the others is so pleasant that it makes this company a double-edged sword for me. I feel like I am playing an old game of double-Dutch jump rope...I am never quite sure when I should jump into a shop and when I do, I am just trying to jump out of that tedious report!!
OK, I admit it: I actually like EPMS. Like Lisa, I've gotten the report down to 45 minutes - I dictate them with Siri on my iPad.
For a while there, I was doing 10-15 a month. that $400-450 check arrived like clockwork. And the video shops pay $60 with your own equipment.
For a while there, I was doing 10-15 a month. that $400-450 check arrived like clockwork. And the video shops pay $60 with your own equipment.
We don't have many offered in our area for video shops - I'd like to if they did, though. I really don't find the reports take that long at all. Then again, I've worked in clerical jobs for so many years that writing comes fairly easily to me. If I'm not doing an audio shop with their equipment, I still use my voice recorder on my phone to mumble into as we go or after I'm in the car - like hairstyle, eye color, etc. I agree it's ludicrous question, but there just isn't much in my area paying any better. I've been doing some reimbursement-only restaurant shops just so I don't have to buy so many groceries! Maybe I just haven't found the right MSCs . . . I'm only signed up with about 150!!!
FluffyCat Wrote:
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> Unfortunately they only pay $25 in Corpus Christi.
$25? Is that for the full long report with a bunch of narratives or a different short report?
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> Unfortunately they only pay $25 in Corpus Christi.
$25? Is that for the full long report with a bunch of narratives or a different short report?
Goofy Wrote:
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> FluffyCat Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Unfortunately they only pay $25 in Corpus
> Christi.
>
>
> $25? Is that for the full long report with a bunch
> of narratives or a different short report?
Goofy,
Are you in the Provo/Orem area? Do you video shop?
I live in Colorado, and schedulers are begging for video shoppers in the SLC metro area. I've gone out there several times in the last year for video work. But I'm kind of tired of Utah, and want to move a little more west and south. Just trying to help a fellow mom -
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> FluffyCat Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Unfortunately they only pay $25 in Corpus
> Christi.
>
>
> $25? Is that for the full long report with a bunch
> of narratives or a different short report?
Goofy,
Are you in the Provo/Orem area? Do you video shop?
I live in Colorado, and schedulers are begging for video shoppers in the SLC metro area. I've gone out there several times in the last year for video work. But I'm kind of tired of Utah, and want to move a little more west and south. Just trying to help a fellow mom -
I'm not sure, I'm too new, I haven't even gotten paid by any company I have worked for. There is a lot of competion here, I think everyone stays up all night to get the shops.
Irene - I feel for you. I have accepted EPMS shops that were bonused and the editors ALWAYS found something to ding me with so by the time they were done dinging, my compensation was back down to the original $25. Consequently, I will not do another shop for them! Too bad all the other shoppers don't stop doing their shops and maybe they would rethink their reports and their shopper abuse.
Instead of EPMS being concerned about how the leasing office is decorated and the leasing agent's eye color and distinguishing features, they should be allowing the shopper to concentrate on the presentation.
Instead of EPMS being concerned about how the leasing office is decorated and the leasing agent's eye color and distinguishing features, they should be allowing the shopper to concentrate on the presentation.
Rucker13 Wrote:
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> Just wanted to hear what everyone thought. I find
> it hard to make any kindof of route out of them
> and the reports are not the longest I have every
> done but they sure aren't the shortest.
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> Just wanted to hear what everyone thought. I find
> it hard to make any kindof of route out of them
> and the reports are not the longest I have every
> done but they sure aren't the shortest.
Rucker13 Wrote:
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> Just wanted to hear what everyone thought. I find
> it hard to make any kindof of route out of them
> and the reports are not the longest I have every
> done but they sure aren't the shortest.
I worked for the company back in 2008 and I remember getting paid $25 for a regular apartment shop, $30 for an audio shop, and $50 for an video shop. You would receive an additional $5 if you had your own audio equipment and if I remember correctly additional $10 if you have your own video equipment. That was reasonable. I also recommend that more be paid for shopping a specific Leasing Agent. It takes more of your time to constantly keep calling back to get the Target. Now the pay is $25, and only $5 extra if you have your own audio or video equipment. Maybe companies are not paying as much as they used to. I do enjoy the work.
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> Just wanted to hear what everyone thought. I find
> it hard to make any kindof of route out of them
> and the reports are not the longest I have every
> done but they sure aren't the shortest.
I worked for the company back in 2008 and I remember getting paid $25 for a regular apartment shop, $30 for an audio shop, and $50 for an video shop. You would receive an additional $5 if you had your own audio equipment and if I remember correctly additional $10 if you have your own video equipment. That was reasonable. I also recommend that more be paid for shopping a specific Leasing Agent. It takes more of your time to constantly keep calling back to get the Target. Now the pay is $25, and only $5 extra if you have your own audio or video equipment. Maybe companies are not paying as much as they used to. I do enjoy the work.
CAscotch Wrote:
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> Not in my opinion. I think they used to go for
> higher.
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> Not in my opinion. I think they used to go for
> higher.
In my area video is still $50/$60.
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.
"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.
We only make $25 for regular apartment shops here in Houston. I worked part-time some time ago. I now work on a regular basis. I have recommended we get $5 more for Targets. It takes more of your time to keep calling. I usually choose the "anyone" shops. We receive an additional $5 if we use our own equipment (audio or video). Not sure why the company stopped paying $30 for audio, and $50 for video. I choose routes near my home and it makes it easier. The forms are repetitive. Not sure why. Ellis does have a suggestion email, but so far it does not work.
I have noticed that each area has different fees paid. If I travel far out, I do ask for a bonus. If I can't get it, then I don't take the assignment. Is $30 pay worth doing EPMS shops? I say, it depends on you and where you live. It's your decision and choice.
I have noticed that each area has different fees paid. If I travel far out, I do ask for a bonus. If I can't get it, then I don't take the assignment. Is $30 pay worth doing EPMS shops? I say, it depends on you and where you live. It's your decision and choice.
The video shops pay the same in Houston as St. Louis. Apparently the lower rate is only for traditional written shops.
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.
"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.
They pay 40.00 here, and guess what....I just took another due in a couple days....now tomorrow the phone will be ringing.
Why oh why am I doing this....I know, because it's in my town, so no driving adds on another 10.00 +. The report takes me about 1 1/2 hours, if there are no problems.....
Why oh why am I doing this....I know, because it's in my town, so no driving adds on another 10.00 +. The report takes me about 1 1/2 hours, if there are no problems.....
Live consciously....
Shopgal - I am with you.
I have been debating about this company for months now, all the while they send snarky emails like "You must have all the money you need, right ?" Hardee har, har, har.
No I don't - but - I can't afford to risk not completing other assignments because this complicated "Target" business has me tied up for a day or more. That is just way too much commitment. Besides, very few are showing higher than $40 anyway.
None of the shops are in my immediate area -a minimum of 50 miles round trip - and from the sound of it I would probably not be able to fit it around other work. No way. I don't drive 50 miles for one job, ever.
I have been debating about this company for months now, all the while they send snarky emails like "You must have all the money you need, right ?" Hardee har, har, har.
No I don't - but - I can't afford to risk not completing other assignments because this complicated "Target" business has me tied up for a day or more. That is just way too much commitment. Besides, very few are showing higher than $40 anyway.
None of the shops are in my immediate area -a minimum of 50 miles round trip - and from the sound of it I would probably not be able to fit it around other work. No way. I don't drive 50 miles for one job, ever.
Targeted shops should be bonused up 5-10 dollars giving people a choice and incentive.
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