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Trendsource [client name deleted] Shops and other cheap MSCs (Stop Accepting Low Pay Grocery Shops People)

July 11, 2016 02:13PM
@SoCalMama wrote:

@pammie8223 wrote:

@Rizzily203 wrote:

Why do people take $9.00 + $5.00 contractor fees= $14.00 grocery shops when its not even worth the gas to get there. Trendsource sucks and needs to boycotted because you are working for free people. Thes scheduler's pay depends on the shops they fill! When you guys take low paying sh*&ty shops, the MSC companies love it and they will continue to undercut the shopper. Demand pads to make it worth your while unless you live right next to the grocery store. Even then the time to input and do the actual shop is still really long. For crying sakes, unite againt these cheap MSCs like Trendsource, Maritz, Marketforce and Bestmark!

Mod note: It is against forum rules and an ICA violation to link the client with the MSC.


I don't see the problem, if I have to go grocery shopping anyway then why not use a free $14.00?

Because you are going to spend your time going from department to department asking questions, taking notes, looking for employees and typing up a report. So even if you were there anyway, you've added probably an extra hour of work, maybe more. I do better using coupons and not wasting my time running around for minimum wage.

And $14 is not like $14 cash if you have to buy things that you don't need from each department.



I would be able to agree with your point if they required you to buy things from the departments that you shop and a lot of the times there are no employees in some of the departments and they don't give you a problem. I enjoy Trendsource, the pay is not always great but the editors and schedulers are terrific in my book and that counts for a lot to me. Of course, this is just my opinion.

****************


Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
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More About Payment
July 11, 2016 02:53PM
You buy anything you like, that's why I do it...and they pay the 5th and the 20th, the only company around that does that, pays like clockwork.

Live consciously....
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July 19, 2016 03:38PM
Just getting ready to do one of their grocery stores today and was surprised to find out that I now have to visit three departments. In the past it has always been one department. Naturally, the pay is the same. I will have to reconsider doing these in the future. This may have been already discussed on this forum but I don't recall seeing it.
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July 19, 2016 03:52PM
This has been three or four departments as long as I've been doing it (3 years). The other high end one they do has only the Focus department and much easier.

Live consciously....
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July 19, 2016 04:25PM
@kenasch wrote:

Just getting ready to do one of their grocery stores today and was surprised to find out that I now have to visit three departments. In the past it has always been one department. Naturally, the pay is the same. I will have to reconsider doing these in the future. This may have been already discussed on this forum but I don't recall seeing it.

for the two years I've been shopping it's been 3 departments, 3 questions and 3 interactions to report. In addition to attempting interactions with 3 grocery personnel, counting all the grocery personnel and evaluating the cashier and bagger. Not even close to worth it although I do it once in awhile just to stay familiar with it.
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July 19, 2016 06:24PM
@CoffeeQueen wrote:

@kenasch wrote:

Just getting ready to do one of their grocery stores today and was surprised to find out that I now have to visit three departments. In the past it has always been one department. Naturally, the pay is the same. I will have to reconsider doing these in the future. This may have been already discussed on this forum but I don't recall seeing it.

for the two years I've been shopping it's been 3 departments, 3 questions and 3 interactions to report. In addition to attempting interactions with 3 grocery personnel, counting all the grocery personnel and evaluating the cashier and bagger. Not even close to worth it although I do it once in awhile just to stay familiar with it.

Thanks but I believe we are discussing different supermarkets. The one I am referring to has always required only one department plus the cashier and/or bagger. If it helps to identify it, this one also requires you to purchase two "soft fruit" items to test how the cashier/bagger takes care of them. Also you cannot bring your own bag.
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July 21, 2016 02:52PM
Since this is my favorite, I'll defend them a bit more. I always (and so can you) shop in any department you like, however, since Produce, Meat and Deli are areas I always shop in, what's the problem? Asking your Butcher which Seafood is good for Kabobs, or whatever, is not a major deal. I shop weekends as that's when the sale is (Wed. thru Sunday). Wouldn't you be buying food anyway, just asking, as I always need stuff and would be running out to the Market anyway. I must say there are 5 within 3 miles from my house.

Live consciously....
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July 21, 2016 02:56PM
I shop the "2 fruit" upscale grocery as well as the others, and this is the easiest of them all.
Doing three in a week. They fly off the board here in L.A., I also have lunch there. they have the best burgers, fries and drink, all for 6 bucks, and paid for...do I see complaints here??

Live consciously....
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July 21, 2016 03:31PM
@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I shop the "2 fruit" upscale grocery as well as the others, and this is the easiest of them all.
Doing three in a week. They fly off the board here in L.A., I also have lunch there. they have the best burgers, fries and drink, all for 6 bucks, and paid for...do I see complaints here??


They just changed these upscale "2 fruit" supermarkets and now instead of one focus department you have to do two or three departments. My complaint is that they increased the work for the same pay. You probably have not seen the new requirements yet.
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July 21, 2016 03:39PM
reminds me of the joke where "2 fruits walk into a bar in west hollywood and ask the bartender, excuse us but can you tell us...".

if you want the finish to this very funny joke send a pm as i don't want to offend any snowflakes/cupcakes. you know who you are.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/2016 03:42PM by parkcitybrian.
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July 21, 2016 03:40PM
KENASCH...No, I'm checking it later....oh dear, welcome to the world of MSing.

Live consciously....


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/2016 03:41PM by Irene_L.A..
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July 21, 2016 10:09PM
I have one Sat, and saw the changes...two focus's for me, and the time was changed to 10:00AM, like that better.

Live consciously....
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July 21, 2016 11:51PM
@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I have one Sat, and saw the changes...two focus's for me, and the time was changed to 10:00AM, like that better.

Oops, I didn't see a time requirement. I hope I didn't miss something.
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July 30, 2016 08:23PM
I've done a few of the groceries in town, the ones with the special purchase of deli meat. When we're walking thru the store, counting the associates, what if there is no one in a department when we go back and have to ask our question? How long are we supposed to wait?
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July 30, 2016 08:25PM
Cali, I had that happen and there's a place on the report that say;s no, you couldn't evaluate, put your reason there, no one available, went by twice and no associate working the department. they never questioned it.

Live consciously....
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July 30, 2016 08:25PM
@calicakes wrote:

I've done a few of the groceries in town, the ones with the special purchase of deli meat. When we're walking thru the store, counting the associates, what if there is no one in a department when we go back and have to ask our question? How long are we supposed to wait?

have had that happen and i've gone back to the area a couple of times and then just left. i won't spend more than 20 minutes (max) in the store. never had an assignment rejected and i always, always ask for, and get, bonus $$$.
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July 30, 2016 08:50PM
Thats great to know because I spent 45 min( total in store) looking for people to ask the question where to find a product. I also waited 20 min for the produce guy to show up.
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July 30, 2016 08:51PM
Ask the Meat/Seafood, or any employee, if the produce (or whoever) is at lunch because you have a question
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July 30, 2016 08:57PM
@spicy1 wrote:

Ask the Meat/Seafood, or any employee, if the produce (or whoever) is at lunch because you have a question

sorry but...au contraire...not only is that not in the guidelines but it might take additional time on your part. and for what reason? if an employee cannot be found because of lunch/bathroom/smoke break(s) then so-be-it. are you interested in creating more work for yourself?
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July 30, 2016 08:58PM
Rizzly: I will still do the $4 grocery shop with the $5 reimbursement because I love the fruit and vegetables. smiling smiley
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July 30, 2016 09:00PM
It's actually the fastest way to find an employee that needs to be evaluated. It is not, not in the guidelines. There are only so many shops, without certain employee evaluations, that you can complete until they axe you.
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July 30, 2016 09:08PM
@spicy1 wrote:

It's actually the fastest way to find an employee that needs to be evaluated. It is not, not in the guidelines. There are only so many shops, without certain employee evaluations, that you can complete until they axe you.

ummm...you sound very much like you are somewhat affiliated with either the msc and/or the client of which is certainly your prerogative. if not, please give some info on how you have this knowledge. i have done a lot of assignments with this msc and have turned in reports without employee evaluations (can't give a number or a %, tho) and i'm continually in demand to do them and turn down more than i accept.
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July 30, 2016 10:29PM
Here I go again (on the bandwagon protecting Trend Source), Tomorrow I have two, I'll get the nice Sky Vodka I'm out of, a lovely T-bone steak, add another ten bucks, pickup more goodies, guess what, it's on the house.
What the ____is there to complain about, oh, while I'm doing my report, I'll have my Vodka and tonic, eat my steak, be productive and enjoy my meal while making 60$.
Maybe the complainers enjoy spending their own $ for food, good for you. Reimbursement jobs are just that. Leave these jobs for the shoppers who want/need them. This whole shop takes me 25/30 minutes in store, 20/report and stores are all within 3 miles. My view is if you really want to be employed, have Ins. and make same salary each month.

Live consciously....


Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2016 02:34AM by Irene_L.A..
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August 01, 2016 03:26PM
Would you believe this company fired me because I called too many times when they told me my phone was not working and I was not answering!! I tried to show them that there was not a problem, and next thing I know they blocked me from the shops! I was mad because I would take the last minute shops and help them out. I was just getting started on doing the building inspections. Does anyone know anywhere that does that? I love it!!
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August 01, 2016 04:34PM
Giving you guys that work for Trend source a thumbs up. I did my shop here in CA, and the Manager approached me and asked if I'd like a case of water on the house. I said yes, and then he said, they are opening a new low rate grocery market near here, and since they have closed over 80 stores, they have a new rewards program giving heavy discounts using a card they are issuing. I signed up, grocery prices will be falling for those participating. I now have 24 bottles of water and looking forward to see what transpires. I will add, we have many grocery shops here, don't know what's going on in other parts of the country.

Live consciously....
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August 09, 2016 01:31AM
I did the same shop. Manager offered the water if you signed up for a visa rewards card.



@Irene_L.A. wrote:

Giving you guys that work for Trend source a thumbs up. I did my shop here in CA, and the Manager approached me and asked if I'd like a case of water on the house. I said yes, and then he said, they are opening a new low rate grocery market near here, and since they have closed over 80 stores, they have a new rewards program giving heavy discounts using a card they are issuing. I signed up, grocery prices will be falling for those participating. I now have 24 bottles of water and looking forward to see what transpires. I will add, we have many grocery shops here, don't know what's going on in other parts of the country.
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August 09, 2016 01:32AM
How long do these shops take you? I did 2 of them( different stores) yesterday. One with a required deli purchase. In total, it took me 2 hours. I thought I'd be in and out in 1 hr. I thought I read that someone said they are in and out in 20 min. How? Do you not do any of your own shopping? The stores are so busy on the weekend.
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August 09, 2016 01:39AM
Cali, this one took me 35 minutes, as I did some personal shopping, and spent a few minutes with the Manager signing up and getting the water.. When in (for instance) the meat dept., I ask the question, then buy what I want...don't do it seperately. You only have to buy three things, but the Deli ones take a few more minutes depending on the business of the store. I could stay in store longer, but didn't need that much stuff. I have never stayed more than 30 to 40 minutes. I went Monday 4:00, so store wasn't as busy as on a Sunday.
i do so may, I have it down to a science.

Live consciously....


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2016 01:44AM by Irene_L.A..
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August 09, 2016 01:39AM
@calicakes wrote:

How long do these shops take you? I did 2 of them( different stores) yesterday. One with a required deli purchase. In total, it took me 2 hours. I thought I'd be in and out in 1 hr. I thought I read that someone said they are in and out in 20 min. How? Do you not do any of your own shopping? The stores are so busy on the weekend.

I also signed up....

Live consciously....
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September 16, 2016 11:26PM
You only need to interact w/ 3 employees (in addition to the cashier/bagger who you already interact with) but many times they're not available due to helping other customers. It does take observation skills, & to note descriptions in addition to name collection. If performing Boar's Head, it pays higher & only need interaction with 2 more. I don't know of any shops requiring interactions with 8+ employees, perhaps you weren't reading requirements properly.
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