Inspections and grocery shops
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Paying the $6 for a background check is a cost of doing business. Because we are independent contractors this is a business and we are not employees. Plus it opens up new opportunities. I so not accept assignments from TRENDSOURCE very often because I don't particularly like to dress in "business casual" without a good reason and their fees are on the low side for me to do it. Plus many of their assignments are too far. But that is my choice.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2016 10:31AM by w1rc.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2016 10:31AM by w1rc.
I am still trying to figure all the math stuff out to determine what is worth it and what is not. $17 for the onsite inspection; I feel it was worth it. And that's coming from someone that charges her clients 3 times that for an hour fitness session. However, I was looking to supplement my income since business is growing slow and when looking for jobs I would WANT to do, I am looking at $10-15/hour in my Midwest small city. So I have been taking shops that are $15 or higher. It doesn't turn out to be $15 per hour when all is said and done but it balances out with the higher paying shops I get. And the most attractive part is I work when I want and don't have to deal with a boss or coworkers. I have only been shopping since October and I am guessing as time goes by, I probably will raise my minimum. As far as the onsite inspection itself, super easy. I have a second inspection set up with them.
@Kristie6923 wrote:
I am still trying to figure all the math stuff out to determine what is worth it and what is not. $17 for the onsite inspection; I feel it was worth it. And that's coming from someone that charges her clients 3 times that for an hour fitness session. However, I was looking to supplement my income since business is growing slow and when looking for jobs I would WANT to do, I am looking at $10-15/hour in my Midwest small city. So I have been taking shops that are $15 or higher. It doesn't turn out to be $15 per hour when all is said and done but it balances out with the higher paying shops I get. And the most attractive part is I work when I want and don't have to deal with a boss or coworkers. I ave only been shopping since October and I am guessing as time goes by, I probably will raise my minimum. As far as the onsite inspection itself, super easy. I have a second inspection set up with them.
I found the fee for the background check to be very worthwhile since I now am one of the few who accept these types of jobs in my area. I live in a medium small Midwestern city also and get invited to do all kinds of inspections in cities and states that are not close. They are not the greatest at PAD, and I haven't learned the trick to get it yet. But the local jobs are pretty consistent with the pay. It is worth it to me to take them, and I like not having to remember a bunch of stuff for later.
You got that right; don't have to remember a bunch of stuff for later and spend time writing a report for the onsite inspection, like mystery shops.
I don't think they even look at the results of the "background check". I filled out the form, paid the money, and I received a report back with all the data from a completely different person whose social security number is the same as mine except for one digit. I don't know if I entered my SSN incorrectly, or the system screwed up. In any event, Trendsource informed me that I passed the background check, and they have been offering me assignments ever since (none of which I accepted). I assume it's just a money maker, or why else would they accept a background check from someone with a completely different name?
I think the background check relies on SSN. Kenzie, you are just lucky that when you typed in the wrong SSN (I am pretty sure that is what must have happened), that you "picked" an upstanding person. The entire process is automated and the fee goes to a different company.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
You're probably correct, myst4au. But the background check is utterly useless if they don't even make sure the name of the registered shopper matches the name on the background report. And I find it disturbing that anybody could just get another person's personal data by typing a random social security number into the system. The report I got back was from a woman fairly close to me in age, and from the same state. I don't remember exactly what info was included, but definitely her full name/s, date of birth, current and former address. If I wanted to steal someone's identity I would have all the info I needed. That seems like a gigantic security issue to me. But that's not the fault of Trendsource, but rather of the company doing the background check. It's disturbing, and I felt so weird knowing some stranger's SSN and personal info.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2016 07:42AM by Kenzie.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2016 07:42AM by Kenzie.
What did Trendsource say when you pointed out the discrepancy?
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.
In the past, SSN were assigned sequentially within each SS office. Depending upon your age, your may be in the age group when SSNs started to be applied for at birth, and assigned immediately. That was done to enable parents to enter SSNs on their income taxes to claim dependents. So, it is not surprising at all that the person with an adjacent SSN was from the same area and about the same age. It used to be possible to look at the first 5 digits and know what part of the country the person lived in when they applied, sometimes even down to the SS office they visited. There was an assignment scheme similar to that used for US and Interstate highway numbers (odd numbered Interstates run north/south from I5 in California east to I95 along the East Coast. I97 and I99 were afterthoughts).
The problem you identified regarding identity theft is a real one, and SSN are no longer assigned in the way I described for just that reason. I am youth-challenged, and in my cohort, it was common for SSN to be applied for when you started work, although it could be done earlier. I can remember going to the SSN office to apply. My father took me and my brother. I was about 8 years old. My brother and I were assigned sequential numbers.
The problem you identified regarding identity theft is a real one, and SSN are no longer assigned in the way I described for just that reason. I am youth-challenged, and in my cohort, it was common for SSN to be applied for when you started work, although it could be done earlier. I can remember going to the SSN office to apply. My father took me and my brother. I was about 8 years old. My brother and I were assigned sequential numbers.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Lisa, I never actually mentioned it to Trendsource. I looked at what was involved in doing the business inspections and decided it wasn't for me, so it was a non-issue. If I ever decide to do any work for Trendsource I will probably pay for another background check and make sure there is no typo in the SSN (if that's what happened).
As for the age issue, I obtained my SSN in 2002 (after moving to the United States), so I would think that by that time it wasn't done in sequence anymore?
As for the age issue, I obtained my SSN in 2002 (after moving to the United States), so I would think that by that time it wasn't done in sequence anymore?
Whether you want to do the shops or not, it is not a non-issue. Someone made a big mistake. It may have been you, it may have been somewhere else along the chain. Whoever is responsible for doing the so called background checks should never have sent the information to you when it did not match up. It would be prudent of Trendsource to find out exactly what happened and take steps to ensure it does not happen again or they risk the liability.
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.
I don't think that Trendsource is liable. They did not provide the information resulting from the background check. They did not get the request and basic data from Kenzie. Kenzie sent it directly to a third-party company and she sent them the money for the service. The fault is with the supplier of the background report. As I said earlier, they appear to key off the SSN. One would hope that they match names, but apparently that is / was not the case.
@LisaSTL wrote:
Whether you want to do the shops or not, it is not a non-issue. Someone made a big mistake. It may have been you, it may have been somewhere else along the chain. Whoever is responsible for doing the so called background checks should never have sent the information to you when it did not match up. It would be prudent of Trendsource to find out exactly what happened and take steps to ensure it does not happen again or they risk the liability.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I'm not convinced Trendsource would be absolved of any liability if something bad happens. The IC does not choose the company for their background check, it is dictated by TS. Regardless, Trendsource should be aware of what is happening with this vendor. If nothing else, TS and their ICs are not getting what they pay for.
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.
I have done many of these shops and are very easy. The background check is good for a year.
I've worked for them for several years. I mostly just do the inspections, never the grocery shops. I've done enough of them I'm in and out in less than 30 minutes or less with all information taken care of and photos taken. I always request a PAD if out of town. They pay quickly (twice a month). I've done bank collateral photos, 4-7 photos per house only pays $10.00 but did a route of 27 houses 5 hours total including input, no narrative and made 250.00 after expenses. Ill take those all day long. But really don't pay the $6. just more for me. I would work for them everyday, I've never had any problem with them at all.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2016 06:22PM by tltheob.
I may be a Yooper but I'm a beach bum at heart
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2016 06:22PM by tltheob.
@woodyca wrote:
Actually you pay the Background Check Company the 6.00. Its just a check to confirm identity and, Criminal History, felonies. Six dollars is cheap! You get a copy since you paid for it. Any other MSC's want one you have it. I have paid allot more in the past.
Do they only make you pay for a background check once per client, or do you have to pay the $6.00 again for each shop?
Edit: Oops, nevermind! I see that ctalbert already answered. Thanks, ctalbert!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2016 06:03AM by OceanGirl.
I used to do their business evaluations before they required the background check. I'm sure I could pass it as I have had a Top Secret clearance when I worked as a manager on government projects. I just didn''t bother. I've been shopping nearly 40 years and mostly do it for enjoyment. I like working for TS for reasons stated above. Were I interested, I'd ask what other background checks they accept.
My guess is that they do not accept any. The current background checking company is plugged directly into the Trendsource system. As soon as you pass (which can be as fast as a few minutes), you get an email and your status updates automatically on the Trendsource website. Trust me, for $6 they are not doing much.
@Ms.Gail wrote:
I used to do their business evaluations before they required the background check. I'm sure I could pass it as I have had a Top Secret clearance when I worked as a manager on government projects. I just didn''t bother. I've been shopping nearly 40 years and mostly do it for enjoyment. I like working for TS for reasons stated above. Were I interested, I'd ask what other background checks they accept.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
One time thing. Not sure if it is an annual check or not. I think it is the type of Background Check that allows them to market to their Clients..."Yes we Background Check". The Six dollars may verify the spelling of your name but, honestly, that is most likely all they would receive. But, I don't remember! Just kiddin a lil ! I have a copy of mine somewhere. I will update as soon as I locate it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2016 09:54AM by woodyca.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2016 09:54AM by woodyca.
I was wondering which of the Business Related Companies are better paying than TS? Anyone care to share some of them? I'm in California. I enjoy the revealed shops when I get bored with being Deep undercover!
Here's a Background Check Service and, the Price list of Services...[www.bvs.us]
TS uses Credential Check If I remember correctly. Seems silly because doesn't JobSlinger verify Social Security numbers when we join?
TS uses Credential Check If I remember correctly. Seems silly because doesn't JobSlinger verify Social Security numbers when we join?
TrendSource is the whole reason I am here today. A scheduler reached out to me after a survey I filled out in a store they service. I am thankful for TrendSource, their staff and this opportunity. It has made a world of difference in my life. I really enjoy it not to mention it helps pay the bills 
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2016 07:41AM by dmp777.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2016 07:41AM by dmp777.
My concern about the background check was that there was no way to know if there were shops in my area before paying the $6 and authorizing the background check. So far I have to say, I am glad I did. Since doing so two weeks ago, I have been assigned 3 on-site inspections, and they are quite simple. They are straight forward. Unlike some mystery shops where the scenario doesn't go at all as planned and you have to think about how to answer questions. On-site inspections leave no room for subjective answers. I was concerned about the one I submitted this week because one of the photos didn't quite capture what they asked. However, it was accepted with no issues. And the one I did on 1/14/16; I was paid on 1/21/16! Woot Woot!
I used t do these back in 2008 for $20. The reports were three pages long. Now the reports are 17 pages long and the pay is $17 too. That should tell you something about them.
I am, actually, heading out to do one this morning. Yes the report is 17 pages but it's just because of the layout. There's a lot of questions but they only take 10 seconds to answer and there's no narrative required. And I don't have to pretend I'm going to buy a snowmobile.( or whatever the mystery shop may be ) Lol
@gypsy wrote:
Why work for $17 ? By the time you drive to the site, do the interview & pictures + do a report. You are working for less than minimum wage. I AM NOT shy and ALWAYS bid it with PAD; even if it is across town.
Should another person get it; it will not take time to figure out the math. I probably get every other one of the jobs, but only have to go out once for the 3 times you go out..........just sayin'.... Do the math on ALL mystery shops and don't be shy to ask for a Bonus. Do excellent work and you will do repeat business.
And do not offer to be the backup, wait for the flake
I paid the $6 background check and only ended up doing one assignment. TS was such a pain in the butt about the one assignment, calling me several times a day to remind me of the assignment, and then calling me twice afterwards (we're talking like within an hour of when I left the location) to remind me to do my report. It was overkill and I won't do those assignments again.
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