How on earth do schedulers calculate mileage?
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Yes, I believe they use straight line mileage not taking into consideration lakes, rivers, mountains, or in my case a 90 mile ocean sound. When they give me mileage to the other side of the sound I have to tell them I'm not a crow or I'll have to use one of my kayaks or some other jokingly wise-ass answer. Most of the schedulers understand. I seriously doubt they use google maps as that is what I use to plot my routes and that takes into consideration the trip around the sound and over a bridge.
I got a call today to do a resort. She calculated mileage using google maps. She then added another $100 to be safe. After doing all of the work, she called me. Not all schedulers are lame.
Pretty much any search mechanism relies on straight line mileage for general results. Even Google Maps. Actual mileage is subjective. If you rely on mass transportation what takes your neighbor 15 minutes to drive 8 miles too might take you an hour to be driven 25 miles too. Another neighbor may work next door to the target so consider the target a minute to walk too.
Very few schedulers have time to plot out the potential travel routes for each individual shopper on their list. As a shopper, be patient and understanding, gather the necessary information to make an informed decision. If you come across as harsh or not understanding with schedulers, they will avoid you eventually.
Very few schedulers have time to plot out the potential travel routes for each individual shopper on their list. As a shopper, be patient and understanding, gather the necessary information to make an informed decision. If you come across as harsh or not understanding with schedulers, they will avoid you eventually.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
I get that along in this area. The mileage is calculated in the crow miles many of us have mentioned 
I often get asked why I ask for $ extra for a shop that's allegedly 12 miles from me. In reality, it's closer to 40 miles one way and there are about $5 in tolls.
I often get asked why I ask for $ extra for a shop that's allegedly 12 miles from me. In reality, it's closer to 40 miles one way and there are about $5 in tolls.MegglesKat
As a previous scheduler, I can say that when "phishing" for shoppers, systems usually use an "as the crow flies" mileage system to grab shoppers within a 15 - 20 mile radius to contact. Then if true mileage comes up, we are instructed to use google maps to get the driving distance door to door and then we are maxed out at $0.20/mile in reimbursement. A lot of times, we can't even offer the .20/mile depending on how much the shop pays/reimburses to begin with.
15-20 miles from where I live, to misquote another shopper, would leave me 3 steps south of a cow patty!
The absolute nearest shop to me is 45 miles away. The ones I do regularly are 100 miles away, on average.
It's not the scheduler's job to figure mileage -- it's OUR job.
The absolute nearest shop to me is 45 miles away. The ones I do regularly are 100 miles away, on average.
It's not the scheduler's job to figure mileage -- it's OUR job.
I always tell them my crow is in the shop. That place 20 miles away you want me to shop for $15 is 45 minutes each way.
CoffeeQueen your crow is in the shop too. My helicopter is also in the shop and I don't think I would be mystery shopping if I had a private plane. Now where did I place that jetpack.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
The IRS in Ca. gives a tax break of $.56 a mile. That figures in fuel and maintenance. My car is important to me. I just won't do any shops that don't consider real miles.
They call me a new participant. I enrolled here in 2013!
That may mean new to posting?
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
@shelagh46 wrote:
They call me a new participant. I enrolled here in 2013!
You registered in 2013 and you may have logged in and read frequently, but you only started participating when you made your first post. You are definitely a new participant.
One MSC calculates mileage ONLY after the first 30 miles.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.