The Source
David, I would wait for a scheduler to contact me personally - either through the phone or by text message - and accept offers this way. The email offers can go out to (potentially) dozens of ICs. Text messages go to selected trusted ICs and, well, a phone call is an obvious attempt by the scheduler to get YOU, personally, to do the shop. Get to know the schedulers for your area, program their numbers into your phone, and be ready to answer the call/text when it comes. And, when the time comes, do good work. It's been my experience that The Source prefers to work with a few trusted ICs within a geographic area to complete emergency shops. Doing what you can to get to the top of the list is how you keep this from happening.
They do have a habit of doing what OP says, they have tons of shoppers even with low pay...but I like they pay twice a month and never had a problem. I now call a scheduler and get assigned jobs, otherwise I (as well) am overlooked and I've been shopping for them for 10 years. They did get many new schedulers, so if it's worth it to you, do it, if not, don't. The background check used to be free, so, I haven't done it yet, until I'm sure I will get jobs. Trouble with asking for pad is, if someone else comes along that does't need pad, they will get job....like it or not, that's they way it is.
Live consciously....
OP, sorry this happened to you. I have had similar problems with them before with middle of nowhere grocery shops and PAD, which I have shared on here before. I stopped working for them for a while because of it. I only started again because there are a LOT of the grocery stores very near to me in my new area, so I don't need PAD. I get a lot of value out of the shops, and I like the quick pay. I'm still not a huge fan of most TS schedulers or management (or their ethics in general), so I try to avoid interacting with them to the extent possible (self-assign, report on time, etc).
Happily shopping the Pacific Northwest. Shopping since 2013 
David, they contact other shoppers at the same time they contact you. The first one who bites gets the job. The background check is worth it. It will give you access to jobs you can self assign with PAD.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I’ve had some trouble with these schedulers too. I live in Alaska and they have ZERO regard for the time difference. They used to text and call at all times until I had to put all zeros into the form as my phone number. I get less shops offered to me now but it’s worth it to not be constantly called/texted at 6:00 -7:00 AM.
I’ve also had a shop offered with great PAD-pre-authorized distance pay, then when I accepted the PAD wasn’t there. There’s no arguing with them either. If you accept the wrong offer you can’t go back and get the one you were expecting with the good PAD. Oh, well. I do like their grocery shops but I wish new shoppers would watch a little before they accept straight out. Live and learn though. I’m sure I did it when I was just starting out too.
I’ve also had a shop offered with great PAD-pre-authorized distance pay, then when I accepted the PAD wasn’t there. There’s no arguing with them either. If you accept the wrong offer you can’t go back and get the one you were expecting with the good PAD. Oh, well. I do like their grocery shops but I wish new shoppers would watch a little before they accept straight out. Live and learn though. I’m sure I did it when I was just starting out too.
They have asked me to go on a 200 mile round-trip for a $10.00 without mentioning a PAD. I put in $300.00. Now they want me to go 140 miles for $17.00. They burn through schedulers like wildfire. So getting to know them is difficult. But I have more work than I can handle now, so they can rest at the bottom of my shoppers barrell
They sent me an email offering a $2 pad the other day. I immediately deleted it.
These peole have started texting and, calling a few times a week now! If they paid like the other Inspection companies they may be able to get these self assigned. They want a pay you 17.00 to drive 125 miles round trip with 8.00 for PAD. Thats on a rush job! I do the same inspection/verifications for other companies for 35.00 and 50.00 on a rush within 30 miles. I'm not sure whats happened to TS but, it's time to fix it. There is no profit when they want you to work for nothing! Their background check is a joke!
They rarely approve PAD if you request it.
I'm so confused over ALL these comments !?!? I have been working for the The Source for almost 10 years, I have had NONE of these situations ! They will text or call me, I will state a PAD is needed, they will either approve it right away or get back to me in 15 to 30 minutes (sometimes 60 minutes, but this is rare). Of course deadlines will ALWAYS make a difference in assigning right away. My area (DE, VA & MD)
clabbe - I started in December with them, and everything went smooth for me to. I've done about 8 Audits for them so far. However, since around mid January I can't seem to get an assignment. I've requested 12 audits since then, and keep getting placed as a backup. I applied for 3 Audits on the 31st and they are still sitting in request status as of today - 2/2/19. Any advice?
do you have schedulers phone numbers ? I have 5 saved in my phone. Do you get texts from them, or just a broad email ? Call their number, and ask to speak with the department you want.
What other MSCs do verifications? I like the steady pay here but would love to be paid more.
Well your there in a compact dense area. I'm out here in the Dust bowl in KANSAS and they want me to drive 200. Miles to Oklahoma for $17.00 . I could careless if I ever shop for them again. There dubious business practices have gotten them to the bottom of my shopper list. They ask me every week to shop 2 grocery stores than I visit daily, but until they revise their Pay and undercutting tactics, I scoff at them.
I sometimes get emails from them for shops with an expired date range. Last night, 4/20, I received an email offering shops with a due date of 4/19. I checked there site this morning and they are actually still listing jobs with a 4/19 due date. I understand they probably don’t work weekends but they need to fix this. I will let them know via their customer service link.
I rarely get Source jobs anymore cus unless you live on your phone, the inspections are snapped up in minutes. And I'm not in a big area either.
@claabe wrote:
I'm so confused over ALL these comments !?!? I have been working for the The Source for almost 10 years, I have had NONE of these situations ! They will text or call me, I will state a PAD is needed, they will either approve it right away or get back to me in 15 to 30 minutes (sometimes 60 minutes, but this is rare). Of course deadlines will ALWAYS make a difference in assigning right away. My area (DE, VA & MD)
I just started working for them again. I figured out where they need help. 90% of the shops I do have PAD. I pick-up a few at base rate, so that they don't see me as "greedy."
I do many groceries for them without pad as they have 10 groceries within a four mile radius. I self-assign which helps me know I got it and an email comes immediately. I never would ask for pad, or I wouldn't be on their good list. Two schedulers text me if they have an emergency and (for me) asking for a couple dollars when I don't have to drive seems a bit greedy and cutting myself out...I'm happy with them and doing two to four groceries a weekend keeps my house supplied. I do however always add more $$ to my 14.00 reimbursement/fee.
I used to enjoy their business verification's, but 17.00 is really not enough so I didn't renew the background check....when they raise the price, I'll reconsider. I have never found their schedulers to be anything but the best to me and very curtious.
I used to enjoy their business verification's, but 17.00 is really not enough so I didn't renew the background check....when they raise the price, I'll reconsider. I have never found their schedulers to be anything but the best to me and very curtious.
Live consciously....
I appreciate that when other shops are slow I can do grocery stores out the wazoo. Although the 4-8 timing is challenging. Don't expect large bonuses and just take what works for you.
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
I do many groceries for them without pad as they have 10 groceries within a four mile radius. I self-assign which helps me know I got it and an email comes immediately. I never would ask for pad, or I wouldn't be on their good list. Two schedulers text me if they have an emergency and (for me) asking for a couple dollars when I don't have to drive seems a bit greedy and cutting myself out...I'm happy with them and doing two to four groceries a weekend keeps my house supplied. I do however always add more $$ to my 14.00 reimbursement/fee.
I used to enjoy their business verification's, but 17.00 is really not enough so I didn't renew the background check....when they raise the price, I'll reconsider. I have never found their schedulers to be anything but the best to me and very curtious.
How far I have to drive is not my concern or theirs. If they need to get a shop done, I'm getting $6-$15 extra every single time. It doesn't matter to me if it's 0.0 miles or 10.0 miles out of my way that day. This is business, not a charity.
It all depends on where you live, and how many shoppers they have in your area. I live in a middle size central Georgia town. I take all the local Scope R's and Scope M's in town without PAD. or scope L's depending on the size of the properties. I take jobs with pad that are 1-1/2 hours out, you have to feel out the pad offers in your area to see what gets approved right away. In my area, 10-15 dollars gets approved for an hour's drive fairly easily. The key is to remember to wrap another assignment with it.
IF your area is more populated, with more shoppers you may not be able to get that much. There are locations in my state that will get 50-100 PAD, especially if they are close to the deadline. Don't be afraid to turn down a job that doesn't pay you for your driving time. I have one scheduler who kept bugging me to do a grocery shop two hours away for 5 dollars pad. I finally had to tell her, she was being totally unrealistic.
I have another scheduler for the K shops that moved the green grocery H shops who gave me 60 without hesitation when I told him I would not do it for less because he knew I would make his deadline.
IF your area is more populated, with more shoppers you may not be able to get that much. There are locations in my state that will get 50-100 PAD, especially if they are close to the deadline. Don't be afraid to turn down a job that doesn't pay you for your driving time. I have one scheduler who kept bugging me to do a grocery shop two hours away for 5 dollars pad. I finally had to tell her, she was being totally unrealistic.
I have another scheduler for the K shops that moved the green grocery H shops who gave me 60 without hesitation when I told him I would not do it for less because he knew I would make his deadline.
@kenasch wrote:
I sometimes get emails from them for shops with an expired date range. Last night, 4/20, I received an email offering shops with a due date of 4/19. I checked their site this morning and they are actually still listing jobs with a 4/19 due date. I understand they probably don’t work weekends but they need to fix this. I will let them know via their customer service link.
Just call your scheduler the next day and they will update the due date, It's not a big deal.
The word "charity" never entered my mind. Never thought of myself as a charity case, but it is amusing. I have gotten offers for a three dollar pad to go to Torrance or Lancaster and in our traffic and with the rise in gas prices, I do much better $ wise staying within my town, like tomorrow I'm doing a 60.00 bank job two miles from home and no wear and tear on my car. I used to do the business verification but 17.00 doesn't cut it, when they raise the price, I may reconsider and retake the background check as I did enjoy them, but some are too much work. I have a good relationship with my schedulers who text or call, always being the nicest and most respectful, no problem there and self-assigning is the best which I am able to do.
Live consciously....
@F and L TeleComm wrote:
@kenasch wrote:
I sometimes get emails from them for shops with an expired date range. Last night, 4/20, I received an email offering shops with a due date of 4/19. I checked their site this morning and they are actually still listing jobs with a 4/19 due date. I understand they probably don’t work weekends but they need to fix this. I will let them know via their customer service link.
Just call your scheduler the next day and they will update the due date, It's not a big deal.
Actually it is a pain for me when I’m trying to set up a small route schedule. The shop shows as available on Saturday but the due date has already expired. I need a route for Monday and there is no on to call on the weekend. Are you suggesting I go ahead and schedule the shop for an expired date and call them on Monday to adjust the date? I’m not even sure that’s possible and it sounds problematic.
I have that same issue. I've never tried to self assign it with the wrong date on it. that doesn't seem like a good idea. But there are plenty of times I would pick up a shop on the weekend if it had the same days date on it.
@kenasch wrote:
@F and L TeleComm wrote:
@kenasch wrote:
I sometimes get emails from them for shops with an expired date range. Last night, 4/20, I received an email offering shops with a due date of 4/19. I checked their site this morning and they are actually still listing jobs with a 4/19 due date. I understand they probably don’t work weekends but they need to fix this. I will let them know via their customer service link.
Just call your scheduler the next day and they will update the due date, It's not a big deal.
Actually it is a pain for me when I’m trying to set up a small route schedule. The shop shows as available on Saturday but the due date has already expired. I need a route for Monday and there is no on to call on the weekend. Are you suggesting I go ahead and schedule the shop for an expired date and call them on Monday to adjust the date? I’m not even sure that’s possible and it sounds problematic.
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
The word "charity" never entered my mind. Never thought of myself as a charity case, but it is amusing.
Charity to the MSC not to the shopper.
I am not doing cheap work as a good deed or charity donation to them.
The Source lays at the bottom of my MSC company Barrell. Use to do their grocery shops then they would assign me a shop then find someone willing to do it cheaper, then bump me from assigned to backup. After several episodes of this. I scoff at their emails. Some shops are less than 3 blocks from me but they will go UNSHOPPED before I work for their unethical and dubious business practices. The have my list of 25+ MSC with impecably good standards, who supply me with great pay and all the shops I need. The Source will remain the Black Sheep on my MSC list.
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