I'm moving to Portland in a few days (Portland, OR btw!), and want to try some new types of shops that I haven't tired yet. Has anybody done the business inspections/ on sites from The Source? They pay $17, so not terrible, but if they take 2 hours, not worth it. The info page says to allow around or greater than 1 hour. How detailed is the process, typically, and can it be streamlined?
Thanks!

I stopped doing the BV's, according to my log, in 2009. As to the time to complete, my experience is that some MSC's are faulty with their estimates, that includes Trendsource. Unless the program has changed, it is unlikely one could prep, phone for the appointment, factor in the round trip, complete the shop and submit the report in one hour; I do not recall an average time, but 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. sounds reasonable. Do keep in mind that today's $17, is not the same as ten years ago and my log states I was paid $21. Ask yourself how desperate you are for money AND do you place a value on your time? If the need does not exist and/or your time is important, this is not a job for you.

These paid $25 in 1999. It was with a different company, and I didn't find them worthwhile at that rate when my house was $200,000. Certainly not worth is now when the house is five times that.

If you aren't getting mileage or benefits, why pay a higher self-employed rate that's less than minimum wage for any easy job in Portland? You'd be better off working as a cashier.

Enjoy Portland. I'm heading there in a few days too. (Just to visit, not to move in on your territory.)

ETA: Try asking for PAD ($10 or more) and see if they'll take it if you really want to do these.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2019 10:01PM by SoCalMama.

The ones that I do, are the ones where you just have to take pictures of the outside of business/house ,address ,signage/ I get them done in 5- 10 minutes, then about 5 minutes for reporting. so 15-20 minutes total.

I have done many in my town, won't drive for 17.00, however it depends on the company, no two are alike.
I'd say on an average 40 minutes in business, another 30 for report and you have to take tons of pictures and not miss one, remembering having to take picture of lock on door, then other side of door, a bit detailed, but some went faster. I did enjoy them, as they were a challenge...not doing them lately, money isn't enough. I'd tell you to try one close to home and go from there, we all enjoy different things...you have to get a background check for them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2019 02:09AM by Irene_L.A..

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I have done many in my town, won't drive for 17.00, however it depends on the company, no two are alike.
I'd say on an average 40 minutes in business, another 30 for report and you have to take tons of pictures and not miss one, remembering having to take picture of lock on door, then other side of door, a bit detailed, but some went faster. I did enjoy them, as they were a challenge...not doing them lately, money isn't enough. I'd tell you to try one close to home and go from there, we all enjoy different things...you have to get a background check for them.

10 minutes there and 10 minutes back. You've now made less than minimum wage, which is $12.00 an hour in CA.
I shoot for $1 a minute. Even at $0.50 a minute, you're at $30/hour.

@SCM.....I don't need you to tell me the math, this work keeps me productive, and at 81, it's healthier and better for my mind than the senior center.....my ex left me his partnership in the mall they built in Marina Del Rey, so thanks for the concern, don't need it...
edited to add: Not interested in working as a cashier all day, this is more fun and I'm my own boss...I just don't count pennies.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2019 10:28PM by Irene_L.A..

I do a ton of these. The people you call are usually eager to get this done, as it seems to be a requirement for something they've applied for. Inspections never take me more than 30 minutes and often take 15. It's steady work that pays on time--and that's a good thing!

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

@SCM.....I don't need you to tell me the math, this work keeps me productive, and at 81, it's healthier and better for my mind than the senior center.....my ex left me his partnership in the mall they built in Marina Del Rey, so thanks for the concern, don't need it...

Understood. I won't bother you again.

My biggest problems have been with people who didn't understand what would be required when they asked to be "verified". You play phone tag, and then they say, "I didn't know that someone would be coming to my house." Yes, many times you visit someones house because they inherited their mother's house and want to rent it and want a credit report for prospective tenants. And then there are the ones where the address you see is not really the address the "customer" wants you to visit, and then you have to go back to The Source to get permission for the change, and the change would take it from a 5 mile drive to a 30 mile drive, so you don't want to do it. In some instances, the "customer" backs out and The Source pays a low fee, but all I have done is to make a series of frustrating phone calls. I have visited churches, pawn brokers, banks, police stations, car repossession lots, houses, lawyers offices, stores, "secret locations" [I am not kidding you and, no, I can not say more, just use your imagination], tire stores, and more. Most of the time, I have enjoyed the visits because the people want you to be there. A small minority have been horrible people. Some wish they could live off the grid and don't want to understand why they have to keep credit reports in a secure location. The Source actually represents several different "agencies" (not quite the right word), and the questions and requirements vary to some extent. A common question is to ask the customer if they are lying to you. I guess some liars come clean? And once I had to verify that what sure seemed like a reputable church was not actually a front for prostitution.

Wow, we shop the same area but it looks like you get all the interesting places!

@myst4au wrote:

My biggest problems have been with people who didn't understand what would be required when they asked to be "verified". You play phone tag, and then they say, "I didn't know that someone would be coming to my house." Yes, many times you visit someones house because they inherited their mother's house and want to rent it and want a credit report for prospective tenants. And then there are the ones where the address you see is not really the address the "customer" wants you to visit, and then you have to go back to The Source to get permission for the change, and the change would take it from a 5 mile drive to a 30 mile drive, so you don't want to do it. In some instances, the "customer" backs out and The Source pays a low fee, but all I have done is to make a series of frustrating phone calls. I have visited churches, pawn brokers, banks, police stations, car repossession lots, houses, lawyers offices, stores, "secret locations" [I am not kidding you and, no, I can not say more, just use your imagination], tire stores, and more. Most of the time, I have enjoyed the visits because the people want you to be there. A small minority have been horrible people. Some wish they could live off the grid and don't want to understand why they have to keep credit reports in a secure location. The Source actually represents several different "agencies" (not quite the right word), and the questions and requirements vary to some extent. A common question is to ask the customer if they are lying to you. I guess some liars come clean? And once I had to verify that what sure seemed like a reputable church was not actually a front for prostitution.

When I shopped full time, I did these frequently, mostly with PAD. I always included them with a route or close to home.

The reports were simple. They were primarily uploading a pictures, and verifying the business activities. My typical time on site was 30 minutes.

I have done many of these for TS. I have been paid anywhere from $10 for just uploading some outside pics and answering a few questions to $100 for a HUGE building with lots of pics, a sketch and questions. The locations are always interesting and the people have all been accommodating. I don't take the lower paying ones unless I can combine them with other projects or errands. Try it and see if you like it.

I do them all the time. Some have good PADS and some not. The mobile app has simplified the process and most are doable on the mobile app. It cannot be submitted unless all questions are answered and pictures taken. Once I leave, I can forget about it, unless TS has a question.

Beyond TS, any other reputable company with similar work that pays more?
Thanks.

IMO way too much expected for the pay.

@SS4U wrote:

IMO way too much expected for the pay.

Some company sent me an email the other day, wanting me to apply for their business/home inspections. If you think Trendsource /The Source isn't worth what they pay.
This company pays $4 for 7 pictures, front, Left & right sides, address, street sign, street both directions. That's for a home. $5 for a business 8 pictures has to include business sign
$13 for 33 pictures. $17 for 50 pictures. $19 for taking measurements, drawing the property out, taking 60 pictures, etc.
Oh, and before you get to the page that shows you what they pay, you have to fill out the application and submit the 7 pictures taken of your own home first.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2019 10:00PM by sueac101.

did you also have to take and pass a test for each low paying assignment ? It's been said: the smaller the dog the louder the bark.

@SS4U wrote:

did you also have to take and pass a test for each low paying assignment ? It's been said: the smaller the dog the louder the bark.

No, just the one of my house. No way am I going to work for them.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

@SCM.....I don't need you to tell me the math, this work keeps me productive, and at 81, it's healthier and better for my mind than the senior center.....my ex left me his partnership in the mall they built in Marina Del Rey, so thanks for the concern, don't need it...

Heads up: OMG Irene now I cannot shop that mall and it is right near my house. At least you did not disclose which one it is so don't and I will not have a conflict of interest. so thanks for the concern, don't need it...

@SandyF...No one really knows the owners of the mall, they don't own the stores, their the builders, not to worry, shop away, + I don't own anything yet, this was in his will as he has the start of Alzheimer's and is taking care of business..could be ten years, who knows....just wanted to get the point across that no one needs to count my pennies or why I choose to shop anywhere I choose.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2019 08:12PM by Irene_L.A..

They pay extremely EXTREMELy low for these. They also will not accept a company that refuses them. They behind their desk think all companies agree and do not. It is rare but it DOES happen. Not in their world. They just get mad and do not offer any more shops. Not a single loss when I can grab them for at least $50! And I am not saying whom.... just for ten plus years on a regular occurrence....