Hello. I got an invitation to sign up for GBW, has anyone worked for them before and what did you think?

I do their oil change audits. After you do the first one and they know you can complete the job, it goes OK. The app is ok once you learn the quirks. They do bonus their shops so negotiate if you want.

Is this the former Gap Busters?

@shopperbob wrote:

Is this the former Gap Busters?

Yep. I think GBW is for Gapbusters Worldwide.
They contact me frequently but nothing is really in my area.

I got an invitation by email to shop for them. Started registering then got to the point they needed my bank account and routing for payouts.

Since I’d never heard of them nor anyone else I know had…nope. No PayPal, need a bit more reassurance. I keep multiple bank accounts, if I get the time to create one just for them I’ll probably test the waters.

I will say they are VERY persistent in emailing regarding a bonus on the first oil change if you do the quiz within a few days.

They seem to have been GAPbusters as my gmail search brings up their old emails. I clicked on a link and it took me to GBW. I had an account but is temporarily suspended due to inactivity. i emailed them to activate it. Will let you know what I find out in the future.

On the oil change audits, there are tons of threads out there on that one. I haven't done one, but there are plenty of polarizing viewpoints. Make sure you know what you're getting into before signing up.

Thanks. I thought asking for my bank info rather than doing PayPal was a red flag. Been shopping 5 years, been years since I dealt with a company doing checks or non PayPal transfer. Will delve into the threads search.

I didn't see the part where you had to give your bank account info, I wouldn't sign up if that is the case. I did some more research on GBW, now I understand the calls from Malaysia! And yes they can be VERY persistent. I think I'm the only one in the area who signed up. The information to pass the test is 37 pages long, I think I will pass.

@foodluvr wrote:

On the oil change audits, there are tons of threads out there on that one. I haven't done one, but there are plenty of polarizing viewpoints. Make sure you know what you're getting into before signing up.

I believe you have to buy safety glasses, a hard hat and non-slip shoes that you are not reimbursed for. There's only one near me so I'm not sure I would benefit from buying all that stuff for one shop.

They are offering reimbursement (or were) for the safety equipment.

Equine24: Only thing they pushed as an incentive was to do the quiz by a certain date to get a bonus equal to the shop. Wasn't any mention of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed at all, looked like a standard observation only without even getting the oil changed.

Tywanda: When I started registering with them it doesn't disclose they want a bank account/routing until after you've provided them already your name/email/phone on a prior screen. When I got to the point of seeing being asked to provide bank info, I just sat in my chair thinking "really?", closed the screen, and went and made a sandwich. Without having fully provided all the info for the profile (pay info specifically) they are literally emailing me every 3-4 days to do oil audits. From what I've heard, I'm wondering if regionally they're doing one set requiring PPE (what oil place would let a customer out of the car in the garage to need that stuff?) to others just getting info visually from their car.

And I'm still trying to grasp WHY a test requires 37 pages of material to back it up. smh

I have done 4 audits now for them. They are not hard, but take time (1.5-2 hours each). You will take probably 50-60 pictures on an audit, but it is all saved directly in their app. They also can watch your answers and picture live as you are doing it, and will text if they see something amiss.

The certification is easier than it appears. The client appears to be very picky and GBW wants to make sure that the audits are correct.

They reimburse up to a certain amount for the required PPE.

The base pay that the shops are initially posted at is not worth the time invested. But, as soon as the new ones came out for the quarter, I asked for a certain amount, which they approved right away. So, if you choose to do these, figure out your time and distance and ask what you think they are worth. They will work with you on pay.

They are very persistent. For Q1 of this year, they had some shops that were about 2-2.5 hours from my house they kept trying to get me to do with increasing pay rates. Problem is I have a regular full time job and they wanted them done during my normal work day. That didn't stop them from asking me.

Finally, they are the slowest paying company I work for. They take 4-6 weeks after the end of the month in which you do the audit to pay. So, if you do an audit on May 1, you may not get paid until July 15. But, since, after the PPE, you do not have to pay out any of your own money, for me it is not that big of a deal.

Thank you so much for the information! It was very helpful. When looking at the certification, I was wondering if you had to go down the ladder to the pit and stand there and take photos, or do you stand on top to get the photos that they want? I'm glad this shop worked out for you!

You do go down to the bottom step, but no further. At least at the two locations I do, they are stairs. I don't think any location would have ladders, but I do not know this for certian.

Thank you brianmott8, I appreciate your information! GBW continues to contact me and since it is slow now for me shop wise, I am considering it. When I looked at the certification process I would always stop when they showed the different types of paint that the shops needed to use. There is that chart I think Sherwin William's paint colors and I'm thinking, do I need to figure out if they are using the eggshell or the mocha white in the waiting room? Did you have to identify what colors they used or just take a photo and let the company decide if it is correct or not? Thank you again! Tywanda