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$400 dinner/bar reimbursement

August 17, 2023 04:36PM
I just saw a dinner/bar shop posted for an upscale eatery with the highest reimbursement I’ve ever seen: $400. This is for a MSC that usually requests you order mid-range items. I checked the menu and entrees run $40-$100 (or much higher if you get some exotic cut of meat) and cocktails are $25 so I think someone could come close to hitting this. Has anyone ever gotten a higher reimbursement for a single meal/bar visit?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2023 05:41PM by NinS.
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More About Reimbursements
August 17, 2023 04:41PM
I never have done one over $250. You didn't name the restaurant or the MSC. Is this a chain where people across the US can go? I'm not sure what a MAC is.
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August 17, 2023 05:44PM
It is for a local restaurant group with maybe 4 or 5 restaurants and bars in its portfolio. It’s for a very frequently discussed MSC that does a lot of restaurants and hotels. I didn’t mention it simply because I don’t want the conversation to center around whether people think it is “worth it” based on other experiences people have had with the MSC.
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August 17, 2023 07:18PM
I do several shops like this, I assume you are talking about Coyle. I've done a couple of them for Coyle. They are very narrative intense, but I enjoy the experience. I have also done these for ACL, which is a solid preference. Still narrative intense but easier overall.
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August 17, 2023 07:25PM
I work for a boutique company that only does high end dining and they don't cap the reimbursement just dictate ordering categories (like must order a whole fish when there were several on the menu priced by the pound). They do usually limit you to mid priced items but the reimburse it all and then pay a token $20. It is less intensive than Coyle but still fairly detailed with extensive check lists. However I think I was still only in the low $200.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2023 07:26PM by jazzzyjd.
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August 17, 2023 07:56PM
@nolimitem wrote:

I do several shops like this, I assume you are talking about Coyle. I've done a couple of them for Coyle. They are very narrative intense, but I enjoy the experience. I have also done these for ACL, which is a solid preference. Still narrative intense but easier overall.

You prefer ACL to Coyle? Coyle at least will PAY a shop fee. I will take Coyle over ACL. I have not seen any shop fees with ACL nicer dining experiences. Maybe things have changed, but I really stopped looking. You can BID with Coyle and give them the @shopperbob treatment. Set the price you are willing to do it. They either meet it or they don't. I've been happy with some of my bids being met. Yes, I admit it's a longer report, but the pay was significant enough to take the pain away.
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August 17, 2023 08:13PM
@jazzzyjd I love this. I hate when they limit, because I don't feel like I can blend as well with typical clientele if I'm ordering low end items.
@hbbigdaddy meh, the fee is fine, but reimbursement isn't taxable, so I mean I can do ALLLL the things and not pay taxes? Seems great to me. I can also self assign (or used to be able to more) with ACL and Coyle sometimes makes you wait forever for assignments.
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August 17, 2023 08:48PM
I'm not talking about taxes. I'm talking about getting $200 in food reimbursed from ACL with no shop fee or getting $200 in food reimbursement from Coyle WITH a shop fee as well. I have had some fees as high as $35-$40.

You are saying you don't want the pay cuz you have to pay some tax on it?

Okay, i get that you can assign shops instantly with ACL and not with Coyle. I'm sure the elite shoppers with a long history at Coyle are probably self-assign. I am not sure since I have done maybe 15 Coyle assignments in total.
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August 17, 2023 10:19PM
There is one on there right now with a $600 reimbursement. I believe some of those high reimbursement places are "supper club" type venues that have like an $85 per person cover charge.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2023 10:20PM by bradkcrew.
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August 18, 2023 12:49AM
I did a few for Coyle that were over $500 in reimbursement - some of their shops have no budgets limits actually, but they have a list of order requirements. Those can be worth it for the experience of those high-end restaurants. Some of those restaurants are actually not that great.
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August 18, 2023 01:22AM
I did a shop that required catering / banquet style planning and meals and alcohol. I think it was over $1000. I got a nice payment for it and got to treat a bunch of "colleagues" AKA friends.

It wasn't bad. I would do it again but I haven't seen anything like this before or since and it was many years ago.

I've done some pretty high-end international restaurants that have a four or $500 reimbursement by the time you figure currency exchange and fees.
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August 18, 2023 03:05AM
$500 is the max I have seen. I think I know the restaurant you are referring to. You may come fairly close to $400 but it depends on what you order of course. My guest and I are not into exotica.
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August 18, 2023 03:14AM
The one that I have seen for $600 is an alcohol based club type shop with table drink service. Lots of alcohol but don't think there was a cover charge. Never did one nor do I want to, lol.

quote=bradkcrew]
There is one on there right now with a $600 reimbursement. I believe some of those high reimbursement places are "supper club" type venues that have like an $85 per person cover charge.[/quote]
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August 18, 2023 12:21PM
I have done $175 limit shops for ACL. They take me about an hour to complete. I have done around 30+ Coyle shops. Those took me around five hours. I haven't done Coyle in years. They can keep their $15.
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August 18, 2023 02:29PM
I did a 2-day hotel/casino shop that reimbursed $1200. That report took a whole day!
I also like the Coyle shops, they pay pretty good, whereas ACL doesn't cover full reimbursement sometimes.
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August 18, 2023 09:56PM
.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2023 09:57PM by wulflov.
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August 18, 2023 09:57PM
@jazzzyjd wrote:

I work for a boutique company that only does high end dining and they don't cap the reimbursement just dictate ordering categories (like must order a whole fish when there were several on the menu priced by the pound). They do usually limit you to mid priced items but the reimburse it all and then pay a token $20. It is less intensive than Coyle but still fairly detailed with extensive check lists. However I think I was still only in the low $200.

Curious what company this is--I've never seen something like this, but much respect for the company that does it.
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August 19, 2023 02:05AM
The $15 or less fees do not matter to me either.

quote=Niner]
I have done $175 limit shops for ACL. They take me about an hour to complete. I have done around 30+ Coyle shops. Those took me around five hours. I haven't done Coyle in years. They can keep their $15.[/quote]
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