apartment shop for $40

January 20, 2023 05:10PM

I think I am getting picky. I saw an apartment shop listed that paid $40. Red flags went up when I read the detail that I needed to call ahead to assess the phone service. It said make no more than 3 calls per day. After the 5th time leave a voice mail and wait for reply- if none contact scheduler- made me think I would be playing phone tag. Obviously needed to leave real name and number. Then go to the place for a tour. Have a reason for moving, where you learned of the place, then make up some objections to renting. Then wait 7 days for follow up. The shop report form seemed VERY long and detailed for $40. It had something like 8 sections with narratives required for each. The shop was only 7 miles from my home which was not super far- but after seeing what was involved I cancelled. The form also seemed to imply that you were to take someone with you, as it asked who you took and what their relationship to you was. Not sure I am getting picky- when I cancelled it asked why and I checked not what I expected.. My husband looked over what was required and thought it was not worth it in terms of time calling, on site and then waiting for follow up. Anyone have any thoughts?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2023 05:13PM by SueW70.

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January 20, 2023 05:36PM

I was being paid $40 in 2004 for apt. shops. My minimum today is $60 for non-targetted visits with a max distance of 40 mls. round trip. I then begin increasing my fees predicated upon the conditions of weather, recordings, distance, peculiar situations and known report repetition.

As to your decision to cancel, unless you were misled, which definitely occurs in this business, I disagree. You committed and should have "sucked it up" and worked the shop. You would have greatly profited from the standpoints of reputation and personal satisfaction.

January 20, 2023 05:37PM

It does sound like what other threads have talked about phone tag problems.

Was this for Ellis, EPSM?

Their reports are very repetitive asking for the same information in several different sections. Their shops usually start at $40 near me but do get nice bonuses eventually.

I haven't done any of their shops in about a year, but would do them if they get bonused. Other MSCs I've done apartment shops for have easier reports with less narrative and repetition.

January 21, 2023 11:27AM

Remington also offers apartment shops. The scheduler is great about giving the target's work hours. On the other hand, the report is done in the Sassie platform.

EPMS, their report format is much easier and doesn't time out after 30 minutes. Unfortunately, they do not have current information for their targets. One time, my target was someone in maintenance.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

January 21, 2023 11:35AM

Targeted shops can be very difficult, since sometimes the target is not the leasing agent, so even if you ask for them they will just transfer you to the leasing agent. Sometimes the target is the manager, who does not handle leasing.

January 21, 2023 05:37PM

Also, if you have to ask for the target by first name, there may be two people in the office with that first name.

I talked to, set an appointment with and did a tour with a person, only to have the shop rejected because that person was not the target. The target only worked part time on the weekends.

January 21, 2023 05:48PM

And sometimes the listed name is their full name, when they go by a nickname, which is a dead giveaway when the shopper asks for them by their full name.

January 21, 2023 05:52PM

I've done apartment shops for Grace Hill, and I like their shops, but they start at $30 and have a 9 month rotation.

They also have audio and video recorded shops that pay much more than $30, I think $120 for video shops.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2023 06:04PM by wrosie.

January 21, 2023 07:07PM

If a targeted shop, I look for ones that tell you ahead of time call XXX on XX date or XX works on XX days. That helps to reduce the phone tag or possibility of reaching someone other than the target.

Targeted apartment shops can be more complex than many of the standards out there. After doing a few, you get the rhythm down on what to look for and write.

I do like them when the pay is right. No cash oulay and all profit except gas and your time. I typically only do ones close to home.

January 21, 2023 07:30PM

I do EPMS (Ellis) shops frequently. But only when they’re bonused. After 12 years with them, I have pretty much memorized the “Telephone, Greeting, Identifying Needs, Demonstration, Closing, Executive Summary” order of narration required at this point.

As soon as I get into my car and leave, I find a Starbucks or grocery store lot and use my cellphone Voice To Text to dictate the required narratives into my Notes app on my phone. I photograph the marketing materials, upload them on the spot.

Then, once home, I copy/paste it all into the report form. Boom, done, all for about two hours of work on my way home from teaching, between 3:30-5:00 pm.

I made $650 in December and I’m on track to do $720 in January 2023. It’s painless for me to the point where I’ve been known to pick up some super bonuses when I’m on vacation and there are remote locations that are languishing on the EPMS board.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2023 07:36PM by ColoKate63.

January 22, 2023 12:55AM

@SueW70 - if this was for Ellis, you do not bring someone. That question is always there to make sure you did the shop correctly. Yes, they ask who came and the relationship. You never bring anyone, so you answer NONE and N/A, for those questions, consecutively. And their reports are too long and repetitive, like another stated. But they have one new format for one particular client that is super fast with no Executive Summary and little narrative.

January 23, 2023 03:13PM

@purpleicee wrote:

. But they have one new format for one particular client that is super fast with no Executive Summary and little narrative.

Perhaps they hired a new person who realized the reports were repetitious and streamlined it for their new client instead of just reusing the same old tired report?

January 24, 2023 03:59AM

I wish they would just do that for all their clients. Yes, that whole report process they use is very old and tired. I will say they are a reputable company and good at what they do and the schedulers and editors are very respectful and polite in their correspondence.

March 28, 2023 02:59PM

I'm trying to reach a target, but the phone greeting identifies the community but not the agent's name. Do you think it would be acceptable to ask "To whom am I speaking?"

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

March 28, 2023 05:04PM

I always do that. And if it is not the target I say: "Hi, so and so, I am just getting a few places lined up for a friend moving to the area, should she/he ask for you when they call?" If they try to get your name just make one up and if they try to get your friend's name, do the same. If they want the friend's contact information, just say they are about to get a new phone today, but I can have them call you with all their particulars. Do the same if they try to ask what the friend is looking for, or say they have a couple of alternative arrangements depending on the apartment and it is better if they speak to you directly. One good thing is if they are the manager they might tell you to tell your friend to ask for so and so, when they call back. This is good if the name happens to be your target. (Sometimes they may offer a few names.) And you could also ask for the best time to reach so and so. Then you can use that directive to shop your target next time, if they do not answer.

March 29, 2023 04:05AM

I visit an apartment complex for Market Viewpoint last December. The phone call was non-targeted and I was paid the following month. I would do it again but then I rather enjoy touring new apartments.

May 06, 2023 12:53AM

Do any of the apartment shopping jobs pay sooner than one month?

May 06, 2023 10:56AM

I completed my first apartment shop in 2005 for $40. My current minimum for a non-targeted and non- recorded call job is $60..

May 10, 2023 03:53PM

Ellis reports are the worst. They are very long and repetitive as others have mentioned. They expect you to call, visit, and complete full report within 48 hours. It takes me about 2-3 hours to finish the report normally. The reports are different based on the client. One client in my area has a monopoly on the apartments and they are the main client. I get so happy when I see their competitors apartments listed because their reports are much shorter.

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