Route shops with EPMS?

I have become a fan of the route shops now that I am SAHM. I have never shopped with EPMS before but was wondering if it was possible to do route shops? Any tips as I know EPMS shops are a little different then most shops.

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You can only self-schedule four shops at a time with them. However, the schedulers can override that. The vast majority of their shops are targeted, which can make the planning of routes tricky. I have done it a few times, but there is enough unpredictability that it doesn't always work out well. What I find works best is if I find a shop or two that are a bit out-of-my way to do without a big bonus and/or other shops on a route. I set those appointments, but fill out the route with shops from other companies. Besides, the EPMS reports can take a while and doing more than a couple in a day gets to be a pretty big chore.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2017 10:08PM by MFJohnston.

The EPMS reports have intensive narratives that require a lot of detail Since you have never shopped them before, I would recommend that you do one to start. This way, you see what the requirements are.

Also, if you decide to do a route, try to find the ones that do not have targets. Targets are very fickle. Those shops can go sideways fast.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I have only done one shop from EPMS but it took 3 days to get the target. I don't like the idea of keeping that many days open for a single shop. Any tips to make it easier to get the target on the phone sooner would be greatly appreciated.

@AnneAshley wrote:

I have only done one shop from EPMS but it took 3 days to get the target. I don't like the idea of keeping that many days open for a single shop. Any tips to make it easier to get the target on the phone sooner would be greatly appreciated.

I usually call a couple times first. If I cannot get the target, I will call again and ask by name. If asked how I got the name, I tell them a workout buddy or aquaintence suggested I speak with them when we were casually talking about xxx. I use a generic and common first name for my "friend".

I've done route's with EPMS, and yes, they can be tricky. I had one planned that would have been extremely lucrative (I guess that's relative, lol,) and couldn't get one target, and the other didn't work there anymore. I ended up making a profit, but not nearly enough for the trouble I went to. That being said, it definitely can work out if you get lucky.

I like the adventure of it, honestly. I love apartment shops-not the reports, but the shops are a blast. I'm saving up for my own video equipment so I can branch out to other MSC's.

Finding targets: EPMS has specific instructions about how many times to call, etc. before you can ask for the target by name and/or leave a message. Most of the calls are recorded, so trying to short cut the process is a bad idea. I'm not going to put the time into one of their shops and risk having it tossed for something simple.... Yes, targets can be elusive... If the shop has a big bonus, the target has very likely been difficult for one (or more) previous shoppers. I tend to scoop those up. HOwever, I do not "reserve" time every day until I've reached the target. I want to make money and will be doing other shops.

I'll make my first attempt at a target as soon as possible and I'll have my spreadsheet open with my schedule. If I reach the target, I'll schedule the visit in at my first opening. If I don't I'll try again at my next chance. If I reach the target and don't have time to visit that day because I've scheduled myself full, I'll set an appointment to fit my schedule. I've had as many as eight or nine target shops going at once (through different MSC's) and I simply write them into my schedule as I reach them. I'll also be eyeballing a few self-assign shops that I can quickly drop into my schedule should none of my targets be available....

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

I also ask for the target by name, but I get approval from the EPMS scheduler.

@AnneAshley wrote:

I have only done one shop from EPMS but it took 3 days to get the target. I don't like the idea of keeping that many days open for a single shop. Any tips to make it easier to get the target on the phone sooner would be greatly appreciated.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I also ask for the target by name, but I get approval from the EPMS scheduler.

@AnneAshley wrote:

I have only done one shop from EPMS but it took 3 days to get the target. I don't like the idea of keeping that many days open for a single shop. Any tips to make it easier to get the target on the phone sooner would be greatly appreciated.

On which day? The first day?

Check the EPMS guidelines for the particular shop. Making 5-8 attempts over two or three days is pretty typical. Sometimes, you are strictly forbidden from asking or the person by name unless you get explicit permission to do so. The schedulers are pretty good at getting back to you when you have an issue.

I've had quite a few shops put on administrative hold while EPMS contacts the client to ask for help. Amazingly, targets often answer the phone your first or second call after such a contact between EPMS and the client....

@AnneAshley wrote:

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I also ask for the target by name, but I get approval from the EPMS scheduler.

@AnneAshley wrote:

I have only done one shop from EPMS but it took 3 days to get the target. I don't like the idea of keeping that many days open for a single shop. Any tips to make it easier to get the target on the phone sooner would be greatly appreciated.
On which day? The first day?

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

One I especially hated was...after many attempts to reach the target and receiving voice mail every attempt, I got permission to just go do the shop. The target was there and working. I told him I was the person who had left like ELEVEN messages over 4 days. He said, cavalierly, "Oh, I never answer the phone at work, and I don't return calls." I think they gave me permission to just go do it because the voice mail said "You have reached John Smith (the target) at XXXXXXX. We are open 8 AM - 5 PM weekdays, and by appointments on the weekend. If we don't call you back, please just drop in!"

Since it was a one-person office, I wondered how they stayed in business!

@Brianneb1429 wrote:

I have become a fan of the route shops now that I am SAHM. I have never shopped with EPMS before but was wondering if it was possible to do route shops? Any tips as I know EPMS shops are a little different then most shops.

What is SAHM?

Stay at Home Mom?

It is a Stay At Home Mom

stay at home mom

Never the first day. I report that I am having difficulty randomly reaching the target after 3 or four days. They will reply to ask for the target by name.

@AnneAshley wrote:

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I also ask for the target by name, but I get approval from the EPMS scheduler.

@AnneAshley wrote:

I have only done one shop from EPMS but it took 3 days to get the target. I don't like the idea of keeping that many days open for a single shop. Any tips to make it easier to get the target on the phone sooner would be greatly appreciated.
On which day? The first day?

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@Alieda wrote:

It is a Stay At Home Mom

LOL!!!!

I never would have figured that out!

@ceasesmith wrote:

@Alieda wrote:

It is a Stay At Home Mom

LOL!!!!

I never would have figured that out

It's amazing the things I learn on the forum.

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