GfK is offering multiple all-day audits of electronic retail stores in my area. They require a drug test and background check be completed for this audit.
There have been no takers for a few weeks which leaves me to wonder:
Is this an awful job and everybody is staying away?
Or, are there issues with the MSC that make it undesirable? (I'd hate to start an audit and not be able reach anybody if I have questions or need clarification. Or, not get paid after putting in a full day of work.)
Also, they ask the shopper to use their app during the audit. Does their app work?
Does anybody have experience with these?
Thanks so much!

I've seen those too. The background check is $30 (I believe) and then the audit takes 8-9 hours! They were offering $95, I believe. So, it's like $10/hr. I honestly don't want to do it. I would not mind even paying $30 for the background check if the job was worth it.

At this point, they are offering reimbursement of the $30 after just ONE audit, not two as originally offered which also makes me wonder. I emailed the scheduler about the job and he said that a 'realistic' estimate is around 6 hours on site with a minimum requirement of 5 hours on site. (But, as newbie, it'll probably take me FOREVER:-)).

Hehe my thoughts are exactly! I don't feel like it's worth it :-/

Do NOT waste your time and here's why...
After you complete your shop, and in this case, you'll work for 5-7 hours in store, then you'll spend at least an hour to write a report. But it doesn't end there. The next thing that will happen is GFK will scrutinize your report. The "evaluators" will be purposely looking for any small issue in order to disqualify your shop with the goal of finding a way to deny payment. This is extremely easy for them to do as these reports require an extraordinary amount of detailed input. One small error on your part disqualifies you. A quick check on reviews for GFK will bare this out. As a result, GFK has acquired your data for absolutely nothing. Not very reputable. Please beware of this company.

Thank you for the tip! I felt like it was not a good idea to do that audit.

Thank you Manya for your feedback! I am new to this and I am getting leery of shops that are claimed to be 'straight forward'. There are too many times where I find myself bogged down in endless narratives or tagged for not writing a narrative about a 'NO' answer that is self-explanatory.
Glad I didn't sign up for the audit!

Welcome to the forum mysteryml66. I would invite you to click on Manya's name in blue. This individual joined the forum this evening purely for the opportunity to bash GFK it would appear. I would not make any decisions based on a disgruntled shopper making accusations of fraudulent behavior. Rather I would read the comments of longer term shoppers about this company. You may come to the same conclusion, but at least you will get a more balanced view.

@mysteryml66 wrote:

At this point, they are offering reimbursement of the $30 after just ONE audit, not two as originally offered which also makes me wonder. I emailed the scheduler about the job and he said that a 'realistic' estimate is around 6 hours on site with a minimum requirement of 5 hours on site. (But, as newbie, it'll probably take me FOREVER:-)).

Just my two cents: I shop for GFK, and have very few issues with the company. But, based on my overall mystery-shopping experience, there's NO way I'd take one of these audits! Way too much time and work for the pay involved.

Let's say you pay your $30 for the background check, do one audit, decide it's too much of a hassle, and never do another one. You get your reimbursement, but your $30 is tied up for a long time (you have to wait for the background check to come back, wait to get an audit scheduled, do it, wait for the report to be reviewed and accepted, and wait for payment). You haven't gotten a very good return on it if you don't do another audit.

The scheduler "thinks" 6 hours is realistic, but you are, as you say, new, and it's always safer to figure on the long side of a big job than the short side. So, I'd assume at least 7 hours on site. Even though you enter the information there, if there's any narrative you have to add, or even if you go back through and check your work before final submission, there's more time. If the store is a distance from your home, factor in drive time. (My location is about 5 minutes from my home, and I still don't think it's worth it!)

So, my issue with these isn't the MSC, it's the amount of work vs. the pay. At one point, these were bonused in my area, and I "think" they might have been paying $115 or $120. I might consider it at that, but even then, I'm not sure.

If you're a new shopper, you may want to start out with some less-involved, faster types of audits and see how they go before committing to this whopper of one!

Hi Birdy! Thank you for your feedback. I've been doing the math on this too and the time factor is killing me. I'm a month into this and some 50 shops and even on some of the small ones I'm thinking, "what the heck did I commit to that one for?" I'm trying many different shops and am paying my dues - some are great ones, some I'm taking for schedulers that have been super responsive to help them out and some are just "OMG, never again" shops. But, since this is a big one, I'm glad I put the question out there.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2015 04:01AM by mysteryml66.

@mysteryml66 wrote:

Hi Birdy! Thank you for your feedback. I've been doing the math on this too and the time factor is killing me. I'm a month into this and some 50 shops and even on some of the small ones I'm thinking, "what the heck did I commit to that one for?" I'm trying many different shops and am paying my dues - some are great ones, some I'm taking for schedulers that have been super responsive to help them out and some are just "OMG, never again" shops. But, since this is a big one, I'm glad I put the question out there.

Mind you, I've never done one, but am basing my opinion on the shop description and on my past experience--finding out that what is touted as a "fun, easy" shop usually isn't.... LOL.

You sound like you've got a great start on your shopping endeavor, though. If you eventually do one of these audits, it would be great to hear how it went!

I'm new to forum and I decided my reply would be helpful. I shop for GFK and I've done several of the retail audits. In fact, I ask for them! Having said that, having a retail background DEFINITELY helps before accepting them. Like with most shops/audits, your first time will be shaky, but once you know what you're looking for, it's easy, well easier. Also, you can download an app on your tablet to complete the audits. I actually prefer audits over shops because once I'm finished the audit, I submit it before I leave and I'm FINISHED! I don't have to complete a shop log or take a picture of any receipts.

Hi Alpha - so glad you took the time to respond!
Can you tell me a bit more about the audits? How many have you done? How long do they typically take you, how well does the app work (any issues there?) is there narrative involved (how much?). I appreciate your feedback!

I've done between 10-15. The app works really well. I've used it for two other types of audits. I wish all of my audit assignments were on it. Just take the charger for your tablet, you'll probably have to plug in near the end of the day. There isn't a narrative involved, however, you can submit optional notes. I normally take a little over five hours. You can leave the location for a break, there's a space on the form for you to record your time away. If you decide to apply, say I referred you!

I have also done several of these audits, maybe about 10 in various states. Especially when they add the bonuses. When I have an audit, I arrive at 9am and I'm out by about 3pm. When I do leave at about 3pm, the entire "survey" is completed and has already been submitted. There is ZERO narrative or other paperwork to do. The app works, the MSC pays fast (three weeks) and as far as them trying to disqualify your audit, that's just not true. They have been really nice and I have not had a non-payment issue.

$95 for a minimum of 5 hours.
That equates to 4 $20 shops and 1 $15 shop.
Or 6 $15 shops and a $5 shop.
Don't the USPS shops pay $15 now? 4 of those and 3 other $10 shops can be done in half the time for more money.
These should pay a minimum of twice what they do.
Minimum.

I would have to agree with Manya88. I have recently been screwed over by GFK and I've been doing work for them for awhile. There are other companies out there that pay better especially considering the amount of time you have to put into it. Also I prefer companies that actually have people you can contact when there's issues who will actually contact you back. I can never get anyone at GFK to contact me when I need them. I say stay away from them and these audits!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2015 09:44PM by dobsgirl.

Kiss your chances of ever doing an unrevealed mystery shop at the particular company away... I just did some which paid $30 and took less than an hour...and one of the requirements is you can't be part of the audit program. The pay is way too little as is but you're screwing yourself out of multiple future opportunities which likely pay far more.

Further, you can't do another audit at that specific location for a long time. I think either 180 days or an entire year. I also don't appreciate being an IC and still having to do the background check/drug test and getting screwed out of my paltry Social Security as well as Workman's comp., etc. if anything happens. Absolutely loathe the shop but keep in mind I haven't attempted to do them. If they were $200 I probably would.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2015 09:54PM by rasky.

I spent the entire day day doing my 34th audit for them... ( note I have some experience with them) and my app failed! So I rebooted as instructed and now my Audit will not pull back up and my scheduler is not responding to me. I'm so frustrated. Communications with them leads slot to be desired!

These shops are paying much higher in my area.Maine

I have two in "My city" and one in "a city one hour drive away" scheduled; I'm thinking maybe not. If they can be bonused, otherwise I may have to drop them. There's 70 pages of instructions PLUS more to print out and take with you. I was thinking it would be great if I could do these monthly; I'm going to have to ask if you have to wait 180 days to do another.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2015 09:32PM by spicy1.

You don't have to wait 180 days. You can do them monthly. Request a mileage bonus for any that are outside of your normal shop distance. I recommend waiting until the end of the month because the company will have more need.

You don't have to wait 180 days. There are other companies that have shops for that store, so although you can't work for GFK, you can shop for others. I did an audit and afterwards, did a shop at the same location. The background/drug test is for the company because of the access you have in the facility.

For anyone interested in trying these, I say give it a chance. Wait until after your second one before you decide. I like them and they pay my rent.

They are tedious but not that difficult. If things go smoothly (in terms of equipment working and not having to wait forever for employees to cooperate with the things you need) you'll likely be able to hit that 5-6 hour range easily. These often get bonused - I once talked them up to 230 dollars for one.

I wouldn't do one again because they often change the guidelines and make you retake the tests. But the tests are written horribly and a huge pain. If the guidelines stayed more consistent and learning it once was actually sufficient, I'd be willing to do them again.

I received an invitation to a conference call about these audits. The email was sent at 1:45 AM on Sunday, November 15. The call was scheduled for 3 PM on Friday, November 13.

I assume these audits require a long time on your feet, which is the main reason I would not be able to accept them. I have had four back and neck surgeries which have left me unable to stand or walk for long periods of time (even for short periods of time at this point), so these would not be the shops for me. Am I correct in assuming there is a lot of physical work expected here--walking, standing, stooping, etc.? Thanks in advance for the response.

@proudlyshopping wrote:

I assume these audits require a long time on your feet, which is the main reason I would not be able to accept them. I have had four back and neck surgeries which have left me unable to stand or walk for long periods of time (even for short periods of time at this point), so these would not be the shops for me. Am I correct in assuming there is a lot of physical work expected here--walking, standing, stooping, etc.? Thanks in advance for the response.

Yes, it's listed in the guidelines.

That is what it says on the instructions; walking, standing, stooping, begging for assistance.

@GMooneyhan MBSC wrote:

I received an invitation to a conference call about these audits. The email was sent at 1:45 AM on Sunday, November 15. The call was scheduled for 3 PM on Friday, November 13.

LOL. That is the most typical GFK-style of organization and communication I've ever heard. What a goat rodeo