Hi everyone (excuse my rant)

Has anyone else completed any of the video shops for Ellis.i just did 4 of
them ,I was told the on-line reports would be much shorter than the regular shops.I can't believe how long the on-line form is ,it goes on and on and on.Each shop pays $50,but I'm not doing anymore.I don't understand,what's the point of the video shoot if you have to supply so much info on the report.The form is so redundant.How many times do you need to answer the same question.

I do them regularly but get extra credit ($$$) for my own equipment. It's true that they have not yet weaned their clients away from the long survey. However, given what others pay for video apartment shops using my own equipment, I will continue to do these. Their surveys are a cinch if you fill them out within a few hours of doing the shop. You just get used to noting exactly where the bathrooms are located, lol. Also, it's okay to not have noticed a few things; they really do understand that and are much more forgiving on the video shops than on the written-only shops.

Also, Robert A. is a delight to work with. Cannot say the same for their non-video staff.

Watch your state and make sure you are legal to do video shops. Not all states allow it. Your lawyer fee would take the $50 pretty quick!

We who video shop are well aware of the 14 states where second party permission is required to make covert audio recordings. It is the audio, not the video that is the issue, btw. Please see other threads here, and elsewhere, concerning this matter.

walesmaven YOU maybe be aware but not all shoppers are. And not ALL states allow audio either! You shop and allow the legal risk at your own expense. And I also might add of the 14 states NOT all municipalites allow it even if the state does!

It is audio, not video that is covered by the "two party consent" laws that you seem to be referencing. We are on video camera in many, many public places and, as long as there is not audio recording, that has been adjudicated and is okay. That is considered "settled law." Since all video mystery shops that I know of include audio, I wanted to make the point that it is the audio that matters from a legal standpoint. If you do any audio-only recorded shops, you are subject to exactly the same state and local laws that cover video (with audio) shops!

If you just decide that it would be nice to use your DVR to record your interation so that you can refer to it later while making a written report, BE AWARE: in 14 states and a few local juridictions, you are probably violating the law. Afterall, if the client did not order an audio-recorded shop, they sure as heck have not had their employees sign consent forms! I see far more shoppers making that mistake than when it comes to client/employe authorized recordings.

Where video.audio shops aare ordered, the shopper MUST ask the MSC to verify that the clients' employees have signed consent forms! Active video/audio shoppers tend to follow extensive threads on this subjuct, here and on other sources. Most video shopping companies also require shopper training. I avoid Service Trac because one of its principles informed me that it was none of my business whether or not they had verified that the client had employee consent in writing on file.

Let's be about educating other shoppers about both dangers and remedies, not about just naming dangers.

txguitar,
I just got a video shop where the required form is named "short form." Glory Halleluluah! It has about 8 multiple choice questions and asks for the time and date. And, this is for a client that has, in the recent past, had the very long survey form. Maybe robert is making some headway in weaning clients off of long reports for video shops afterall?

This is my initial post on the forum, having only been made aware of its existence last summer.

I completely agree with the below statement of Walesmaven:

Also, Robert A. is a delight to work with.

But have experienced the exact opposite of her concluding comment:

Cannot say the same for their non-video staff.

Over a period of 4 1/2 yrs., I've completed 149 assignments for EPMS and rate their staff "top shelf." Of special note is Vanessa Dickerson, a lady who is the absolute epitome of assistance and its requirements for success. It is, of course, entirely possible I've been fortunate in my relationships with Ellis.

walesmaven

One of the forms was a short form ,but the other 3 jobs I did had incredibly long forms and I just felt that they were really redundant,maybe I over-reacted
with my initial post.I have found Robert to be really great to work with,there was a mix-up with my shipment of the video equipment and Robert took care of the problem.I'm thinking maybe I will purchase my own equipment,that way I wouldn't be responsible for their equipment.

txguitar,
It is a great advantage to have your own equipment. But, be sure to buy reliable equipment. I strongly recommed the PV-500 that you can buy at a great discount thru Measure Consumer Perspectives.

EPMS, in particular, has had great headaches, and many rejected shops, due to shoppers buying el-cheapo equipment. They are really attentive to and seem to give preference to those who have high quality, reliable equipment. Buy cheap and you can get booted pretty fast.

Glad to hear you are willing to try again.

shopperbob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is my initial post on the forum, having only
> been made aware of its existence last summer.
>
> I completely agree with the below statement of
> Walesmaven:
>
> Also, Robert A. is a delight to work with.
>
> But have experienced the exact opposite of her
> concluding comment:
>
> Cannot say the same for their non-video staff.
>
> Over a period of 4 1/2 yrs., I've completed 149
> assignments for EPMS and rate their staff "top
> shelf." Of special note is Vanessa Dickerson, a
> lady who is the absolute epitome of assistance and
> its requirements for success. It is, of course,
> entirely possible I've been fortunate in my
> relationships with Ellis.


I agree, I have had a wonderful experience with all staff members here. I am loyal to EPMS and have yet to find another company, apartments or other, that I am even slightly interested in doing shops for.

I love Ellis. I will make about $500.00 this week doing audio and video shops for them. Robert is great on helping you schedule multiple shops and has been there for any problem I have had. The paperwork is a pain but for the money I make with this company each month I can't complain. When the checks role in it was worth it. They also pay quickly which is nice. If you like video shops sign up with Melinda Brody also. She is always looking for experienced video shoppers. I have two video and two audio shops with Ellis today. That is enough work and pay for my day. The money I made with Ellis paid for my video equipment and audio equipment.

Good Evening, Can someone place me in the right direction on where to purchase my video equipment?

For info on equipment try [www.videoshoppingnetwork.org]
Also, please see the thread on video and audio recorded shops in the New Mystery Shoppers of this forum.

Expect to pay about $690 for an acceptable video rig. Best course is to borrow rigs from video MSCs for a few jobs to see if this is really for you before you even think about buying a rig.

Try speech to text using a mic to dictate your long report,I'm using the ree one Tazti and it works great ,no more typing a long drawn out report.

Don't you still have edit it after?

I'm going with "obviously"

bgriffin Wrote:
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> I'm going with "obviously"


Bwahahaha!

Me too.