I see that there are a LOT of revealed audits in our area. Wondering how these are? And, anyone that does them, what is the rotation? I have a message into the scheduler, but thought I would ask on here as I am impatient.

I have not done them for this company, but am reasonably sure they are quite similar to ones I have done fir the same client, but through a different mystery shopping company. If they are the same audit, they will require a photo of each and every pump. At a busy location, that could take an hour. At a tiny mom and pop you'd be out of there pretty quickly. They may be on the board as shoppers who completed what may be the same project, but for a different MSP, won't touch them without a substantial fee increase. If you are tempted, it would be worth an email to the scheduler to ask what the required photos are before you accept a major route. I could be wrong; the assignment may not be what I think it is.

The guidelines are available before you accept the shop. Click the blue link on the left, in the Survey column. And yes, it's every pump, the MID(s), the store, an overall, a couple more, plus any violations. Using the app makes it a lot easier and faster to upload the photos.

Deleted

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2019 10:46AM by sestrahelena.

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I have not done them for this company, but am reasonably sure they are quite similar to ones I have done fir the same client, but through a different mystery shopping company. If they are the same audit, they will require a photo of each and every pump. At a busy location, that could take an hour. At a tiny mom and pop you'd be out of there pretty quickly. They may be on the board as shoppers who completed what may be the same project, but for a different MSP, won't touch them without a substantial fee increase. If you are tempted, it would be worth an email to the scheduler to ask what the required photos are before you accept a major route. I could be wrong; the assignment may not be what I think it is.

Why would it take an hour to take a picture of every pump? Even at the biggest and busiest stations I've shopped, it's never come close to that much time.

I have taken an hour at locations where there were 30 pumps and it was a busy day. Sometimes drivers will pull right in after one leaves, as you are about to snap a pic, so you move on to the next one... Usually it does not take that long but I need to factor in the possibility when creating routes.

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I have taken an hour at locations where there were 30 pumps and it was a busy day. Sometimes drivers will pull right in after one leaves, as you are about to snap a pic, so you move on to the next one... Usually it does not take that long but I need to factor in the possibility when creating routes.

I've also never been to a location with 30 pumps! Most stations in NJ are pretty small and many don't even have a store.

I guess you haven't done the ones on the NJ Turnpike? I am not sure that they get up to 30 pumps (but some definitely get close) since it has been a few years since I did one and time has mercifully blurred the memory. I do recall trying to get far enough away to get the entire gas station in the photo without getting run over. Oh, and the price sign was a challenge also.

@thegov2k2 wrote:

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I have taken an hour at locations where there were 30 pumps and it was a busy day. Sometimes drivers will pull right in after one leaves, as you are about to snap a pic, so you move on to the next one... Usually it does not take that long but I need to factor in the possibility when creating routes.

I've also never been to a location with 30 pumps! Most stations in NJ are pretty small and many don't even have a store.

@myst4au wrote:

I guess you haven't done the ones on the NJ Turnpike? I am not sure that they get up to 30 pumps (but some definitely get close) since it has been a few years since I did one and time has mercifully blurred the memory. I do recall trying to get far enough away to get the entire gas station in the photo without getting run over. Oh, and the price sign was a challenge also.

@thegov2k2 wrote:

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I have taken an hour at locations where there were 30 pumps and it was a busy day. Sometimes drivers will pull right in after one leaves, as you are about to snap a pic, so you move on to the next one... Usually it does not take that long but I need to factor in the possibility when creating routes.

I've also never been to a location with 30 pumps! Most stations in NJ are pretty small and many don't even have a store.

No, I registered with that company but never did any shops. I've been keeping busy doing the Market Force gas stations. Judging by your signature, we cover the same areas!

Just make sure to take them early in the day as they will deny if even one pix looks like it is near sunset. Too much time and money spent for them to deny it. Also you don't want to waste time if it is cloudy or rainy out! Usually love this company but had several issues with these shops and never have any with their other shops.

I get three or more daily emails about "gas shops in my area." I applied for a couple to add to today's route, and saw them still sitting in application status. Had to delete the application... That's two shops that will go unfilled. The emails will continue....

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I get three or more daily emails about "gas shops in my area." I applied for a couple to add to today's route, and saw them still sitting in application status. Had to delete the application... That's two shops that will go unfilled. The emails will continue....

After applying, I usually receive a response 10-10:30 the next morning.

I've had a couple apps in since Sunday. It's Wednesday, and I have had emails about the shop and have seen postings. Either the scheduler doesn't check applications or they are holding out to offer more money to someone else. No idea. I'll just cancel the app, again, before I leave for my route.

@sstazz wrote:

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I get three or more daily emails about "gas shops in my area." I applied for a couple to add to today's route, and saw them still sitting in application status. Had to delete the application... That's two shops that will go unfilled. The emails will continue....

After applying, I usually receive a response 10-10:30 the next morning.

I gave up and dumped about 10 of these back to the scheduler. I've had it with dealing with this client and the editors. I'm sure IPSOS is nice to work for otherwise, but this project was the worst when it was with Maritz and it's even worse now.

Well, if you have thought doing a bunch of these at base pay while no one else in your area was taking them would help you get assigned for the MSC's more popular shop, that has proven to not be true. #illremember

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2019 12:39PM by KA047.

Leaving in a bit for a route. There were some IPSOS gas stations in a rural area sitting in application status since last Sunday. I had to cancel them... again... It was interesting, though, that when the rates went up for all the ones in the area, the ones I had in app pending also went up. I might just reapply for the same bunch for next weekend.

I would imagine with the GFK merger/takeover, some employees are bewildered and/or overwhelmed. Change is hard!

I have learned with IPSOS applying NEVER works (at least, not for me). I just e-mail the scheduler directly, and I normally get a fast speedy reply.

Not possible, of course, when the shop info doesn't disclose the scheduler!

@Hoju wrote:

I gave up and dumped about 10 of these back to the scheduler. I've had it with dealing with this client and the editors. I'm sure IPSOS is nice to work for otherwise, but this project was the worst when it was with Maritz and it's even worse now.

I'm handing 3 back today... I've lost my mind with the editor...

I did ten of these on Friday. Man, it was a long day doing the jobs, and then a long time entering reports! Some of the responses on here have me a bit concerned about the editing process. After the many, many hours spent completing these, I would be VERY upset if any get denied. Guess I'll find out soon enough this coming week. I'll certainly be checking on the website, looking for the good old OK, approved status. With the amount of work these shops involve, I don't think I'll be doing any more unless the price is heavily bonused. And I definitely won't be doing any more if editing becomes a hassle.

@Snuffycuts99
You should try using their app. Once you leave the location, the shop is complete. If you are unsure about a picture or want to highlight an issue add an additional picture.

I see more than 20 of these on the job board. Was considering a route, until I read the posts here. They are 400 miles away, and the pay seemed decent -- until I read the posts.

Thanks for the heads up.

I don't need grief over shops I can't just dash back for a re-do!

For those that have done these shops, have you noticed how long it typically takes for them to get approved? I've gone through the process of back and forth with the editors and that seems to have ended yesterday. I saw that half of them were approved for pay by the end of yesterday. The other half are still sitting there pending approval. Wondering if that's normal.

I have completed 17 of them since 3/18. 10 are showing OK to pay, the other 7 are pending validation. All of the pending shops are the ones I most recently completed. Generally speaking, now that they have caught up, I find that the payment schedule is very similar to the old company, possibly slightly better.

i did one. The guidelines seem more complex so my first shops took more time. I filled out most of the report online (not through the app) so it took an hour. Mainly, it was to be certain that I didn't miss anything.

what makes these so tough? if it's just waiting to get photos of every pump, i don't mind that. thinking about trying some.

They are no more complicated than Blue stations, imho. Just make a cheat sheet with required photos etc.

@jay225 wrote:

what makes these so tough? if it's just waiting to get photos of every pump, i don't mind that. thinking about trying some.

The editors...
And the requirements that are not in the guidelines, the ones you find out about when the editor sends you a condescending email about... (hint you need TWO overall photos, and they can't be the same. Guidelines state one)

Editor's now have depth perception from the photos. Lol! I was told that there was a sign within 5ft of the MID (it was well over that in reality, about 7ft) and told I must provide a new photo of just the infraction or my shop would be invalidated.

I was told that I must provide a photo of just a cracked pavement area as an infraction. (Can not be a duplicate photo) even though the area was exceptionally small, less than 4-5% of the paved lot area. When I stated that the guidelines state it is not a white glove audit and that the guidelines use a 10% rule for infractions I was told to provide a (new) photo of this or my shop would be invalid....

Wow, must be different editors in different areas of the country. I've had no problems and no questions...yet anyway. I've not been contacted for additional info on any of the many I've completed. If I had to deal with all that, I'd be hesitant to do more as well.

@MsJudi wrote:

Wow, must be different editors in different areas of the country. I've had no problems and no questions...yet anyway. I've not been contacted for additional info on any of the many I've completed. If I had to deal with all that, I'd be hesitant to do more as well.

There are NUMEROUS locations sitting on the board in my area for $30...
Before I did the first one I offered $25/ each and would take a large route. I was told no bonuses....(the few I did do were bonused)

I think a lot of people are hesitant in my area.

I've done hundreds of these when they were with Maritz, I got the system down really well and had very few complaints or requests from editors. I never understood why people would complain about the Maritz editors. That said - the IPSOS editors are very difficult. They find things that I would not consider to be an infraction, such as a tiny spec of rust on a column, and send me a condescending email stating I must mark it as an infraction and give a new photo for it. Or they found that there was a tiny damaged corner on a POP sign so I should have marked it as damaged (there's no way anyone would ever notice this without studying the thing in detail) then they complained that I didn't fill out the leave behind form correctly because I didn't mark off the damaged sign. No normal person would even notice the damaged sign, I didn't and I was looking for it! There was one editor who was polite asking for fixes but most of them are downright rude in doing so. The guidelines say it isn't a white glove audit but they seem to be missing that fact.

To be honest I'm not even sure the $25-30 each was worth the increased hassle and I would happily do nearby ones for list price with Maritz. I did about 30 of these in this round and had issues on over half of them. That is from someone who does almost only gas stations at this point and typically did 50-60 every quarter with zero or very few complaints or requests from Maritz.

I did get them all worked out and accepted but just a fair warning to prepare for a battle on each and every one if you aren't used to doing these.