Observa has gotten into revealed audits. I just did a red and blue station, and wanted to give a report to my fellow forum members.

Plusses:
On the fly app reporting
No required "infraction" pics
VERY quick pay (a few days at most, sometimes hours)
Not having to check "pump does not exist" on smaller stations
Most questions have an "I donxt know" option

Minuses:
$7 base pay-- no bonuses on this project yet
Very poor instructions on how to find the register model/software version
Authorization letter isn't printable


This audit seems to be focused on signage for the "S" fuel (like wave signs). My first one took 45 minutes, but I would guess I will get that down to around 20 before long. These make for easy route add-ons.

I just checked the app. What's the measuring tape for?

To measure bollards and pump toppers

Thanks. $7 seems low for 45 minutes but I might give one a try if there's one nearby when I'm already out.

I'm on my 3rd one, have it down to 25 min now. It's a quick learning curve. But it still should be $10, IMHO. Still, they pay so quickly that it's worth it to me as a route filler.

Route fillers are always handy. They can make a big difference in a mediocre route.

Too bad I'm hapless (and hopeless) with apps.

Someday I'm going to have to do a route up your way just so I can teach you how to use them, lol. Smartphones terrified me for years, but now I love them. We Luddites have to cave eventually.

I was looking for more apps and just downloaded and was curious about others experiences. I see they only do gas stations, shame but it does pay 10 bucks which is manageable if it doesn't take too long. I have a measuring tape already so will go to the dollar store to see if I can get a longer one or Walmart. I have an Observa close to home so I will give it a try it is 0.2 miles away from me so why not. I'm nervous though but will swallow my pride, I heard it pays if approved within the hour? is this real? if so this might beat FA easy. I have been reading the negative reviews to get a feel for it. Skeptical but I think we might have a winner here

Questions:

1. Does Oberva pays in USD or CAD? since I'm canadian if it pays in USD. This would be of great help.

2. Another thing, do they easily accept shops? I mean I have like 127 shops completed for FA with 12 expired/3 rejected. I'm expecting for something similar.

3. Do they really pay in like an hour or so?

4. Is it only Gas station audits? (judging by what I'm seeing I'd say yes)?

5. Do shops ever get bonused? all the shops I'm seeing now say 48 days left (what does that mean? until it is taken off or reposted)

6. For 30 minutes, what the hell do they want you to do? I mean does it have like 100 pictures that type of long winded deal?

I wish it would provide more information, I already checked their FAQ and vague as hell.

Thanks and love this forum,

saves me so much time and guessing especially with new apps

Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2019 04:27AM by Mysteriousways.

Stormraven73 - since the LOA does not print, what did you do to get access. Show the authorization letter on your phone.

@Mysteriousways wrote:

1. Does Oberva pays in USD or CAD? since I'm canadian if it pays in USD. This would be of great help.

2. Another thing, do they easily accept shops? I mean I have like 115 shops completed for FA with 12 expired/3 rejected. I'm expecting for something similar.

3. Do they really pay in like an hour or so?

4. Is it only Gas station audits? (judging by what I'm seeing I'd say yes)?

5. Do shops ever get bonused? all the shops I'm seeing now say 48 days left (what does that mean? until it is taken off or reposted)

1. I don't know if CAD is an option. I haven't shopped with them in Canada.
2. They are pretty liberal on what they accept. So long as your pictures are clear, answers match the pictures, and exceptions are commented, it's pretty much guaranteed they will accept. I often copy & paste answers across several locations with no problem. On these gas signage audits I have answered 80% of the "manager questions" with NA/didn't know and still got accepted.
3. The gas audits are long, so it took about 6 hours to be paid on these. I have two that I did after 5pm Eastern Time (their cutoff time to process on weekends). They will pay by noon or so tomorrow. But on shorter jobs like Walmart sell-ins, I have been paid a few times before I left the lot!
4. I don't know what they have in Canada, but in the U.S. they have tons of different projects. They have single-brand audits in grocery stores, sell-ins at Walmart (my favorite, 10 minutes and pay about $10-15), and product recalls, just to name a few.
5. The gas audits are a one-off project, and will not likely be bonused anytime soon. The other projects get a bonus increase every few days (or more often) until hitting a pay cap.

@Equine24:
It is embedded at the top of the form, so I just show it from there. I have been told you can download the image to print, but I haven't tried that yet.

Is it necessary to purchase gas? I don't drive but there are several within walking distance from me.

Also, if I'm reading correctly, the orange vest is suggested not mandatory.

@stormraven73 wrote:

4. I don't know what they have in Canada, but in the U.S. they have tons of different projects. They have single-brand audits in grocery stores, sell-ins at Walmart (my favorite, 10 minutes and pay about $10-15)

Storm, are the "sell-in" jobs at Walmart the ones where you have to leave sell sheets with the Pharmacy manager? I have seen these, but have hesitated. Having done lots of merchandising in 7 Walmarts, I already know that it's near iimpossible to: 1) see a dept manager and 2) get anyone to commit to ordering anything.
So I was wondering what all is entailed with the Walmart "sell-in" jobs. If you don't want to share, I understand.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2019 03:08PM by guysmom.

I'm being nagged to death for the "sell in" to pharmacy and the revealed gas shops. The gas station shops pay $7.

I am about to do 3 today since they are near buy, do you actually have to buy gas? it has no mention of that and googling results have lead no where. Also since we can't see the questions before hand duh (how many questions are required?)

Plus does anyone actually wear the yellow vest or is it too goofy? lol If not I'll get one from the dollar store too.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2019 04:23PM by Mysteriousways.

Observa does not require the vest, but it's a good idea in busy stations. No purchase of any kind is required. This project is not the regular audit, it is focused on signage and digital advertising for the fuel brand.

@wildherbs $7 USA, $10 CAD
@Mysteriousways The report is long but most questions are a number or a drop-down list. Pictures are all taken in app. They say the pump pictures have to be taken in a certain order, but if you have to jump around they still approve them.

On the Walmart sell-ins, all they care about is that you hand the sheet over, get the manager's name, and note any comments. If it's during depatment manager hours (usually before 4pm) I have someone with a radio ask where I can meet the manager ("Who is the manager over OTC? I'm a vendor. Could you call them and ask where I could meet them?" If it's after 4pm I ask if they are still there. If not I ask for the Asst. Mgr. You can also ask customer service to put it in the Pharmacy mailbox, and ask for the department manager's name "so I can write it on the sheet."

Even if I have to walk across the store to meet someone, I have never had one take more than a few minutes.

ETA: the WM jobs only require sheet delivery. If they agree to order you note it, but it's not required.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2019 07:03PM by stormraven73.

Thanks a million stormraven73! I really appreciate you taking time to respond as I am dead broke so taking these shops are a lifesaver since no one in my city seems to know about these shops!

Thanks for detailing how the OTC job works, Storm!! Maybe I'll try one of these someday! I've got 5 WMs within 7 miles of me!

About the letter not printing: You could always screenshot it on your phone and then print it.

$7 for a revealed gas station audit like this is a total rip off. If people would be patient and leave them on the board, the price will rise. I typically do this type of audit in a major metro area for around $35. No way in heck would I consider these at $7 even if I stopped at the location for gas on my way to perform other shops.

@Megs7521 wrote:

$7 for a revealed gas station audit like this is a total rip off. If people would be patient and leave them on the board, the price will rise. I typically do this type of audit in a major metro area for around $35. No way in heck would I consider these at $7 even if I stopped at the location for gas on my way to perform other shops.

You are free not to take them. This is primarily a picture audit of signage, and does not include a purchase requirement or any auditing of the inside. It also does not require looking for any "infractions," so I consider these much simpler than the regular audits.

As for the price, it is unlikely to go up because this is a one-off project with a very, very far away completion date (end of July). If it does get bonused it will not be until late July. Some of us need cash sooner, and this company typically pays within hours.

Thanks for this thread Stormraven. I had forgotten about Observa and now will have many more choices of filler shops. Also appreciate the detailed explanation.

Well, I signed on to Observa to try one and decided I don't like them. For $7, to me, they are not nearly worth the time. Don't forget about measuring and looking for pump brands that aren't there and register systems etc. Yuk..totally not my cup of tea. I did it after I did the regular audit and it took me longer to do the Observa one than the full mystery shop with audit. If and when I'm paid I'll probably delete the app. So not worth my time, but YMMV.

@MsJudi the employees usually know the register brand. They usually don't know the Verifone login to check the software version. Anything they can't answer just put "don't know" and move on. Don't sweat those questions, as all they really want are the pictures.

As for the pump brand label, many models don't have one. If they do it will be at the bottom in the center of one side. If not, skip it. If one has it they all will (of that model) and vice versa. You only need one picture if they have one.

Usually all I have to measure is one pump topper. The wall signs are all the same (not listed) size. Just pick the closest size and move on. They are REALLY lax about requirements on these.

I was a bit put off after my first one, but after a few more I got the learning curve down and found I really like them. I still think they should be $8-10 but for the quick pay and large availability of self-assign jobs, I'll do them.

@Megs7521 wrote:

$7 for a revealed gas station audit like this is a total rip off. If people would be patient and leave them on the board, the price will rise. I typically do this type of audit in a major metro area for around $35. No way in heck would I consider these at $7 even if I stopped at the location for gas on my way to perform other shops.

I guess you'll not be having any of Alta's $4 ones, then? Me neither!

I finished two today, first day! It was not easy and it definately too much work but I am desperate and happy for self assign shops close to me. I think I will do more as I get faster but definitely should have worn my other runners. I will definately get the yellow vest to look more official rofl. First shop too forever though but it is easier, I will do them as fillers since this month is really empty for shops for my area. Sometimes you make it the easy way, sonerimes the hard way. I hate audit type but this one is tolerable.

Ps I do not see them being bonused. I do see some for $15 but they are in industrial areas. Definately got my exercise today.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/14/2019 01:38AM by Mysteriousways.

@Mysteriousways That's $15 CAD, correct? I think those are a different project, but I can't see the Canadian jobs right now so I could be wrong.

yes 15 CAD, gas audits are 10.50...very cheap but oh well like I said sometimes you get it the easy way, sometimes the hard way. Off to another one today since it is close by.

actually it is 10.50 CAD (about 14 cad) and 15 USD (about 20 cad) ! I JUST got paid today! They do not play with the pay! Moving this one UP quickly to the top of the list!!!!

I'm much happier it ups my pay by about 25-30% depending on the exchange rate, definitely going to be doing alot of these. I guess the 10.50 is bonused cause no one does it in my city? great. The more shops for me the better. Still a low balling but whatever even picked up a few mobee shops near by (if they actually get approved smh). Good thing for Observa, Mobee and FA you can easily double or triple up on shops/points whatever and make it worth the while.

If I do one an hour, that would be about 14/hour which is 1 dollar below min wage here haha so I will try to cut the time down to 25 minutes and stick to smaller locations. Wish me luck!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/14/2019 10:10PM by Mysteriousways.

So I just got an email about these. First, they updated their time estimate to 30-50 minutes. Second, they are offering a $100 drawing each day for those who complete gas audits the previous day. You get one entry per audit. Not exactly a bonus, but makes routes more attractive.

Has anyone done any of the Observa truck stop jobs?