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The MAO blues......

September 09, 2023 04:00PM
Well it appears my gut might thank me this month - I dont think the burger thing or mattress thing is working out. To be sure - I like the MSC, and fully respect their budgeting decisions but it appears the pay is lower. In the MAO isn't giving counters - at least to me. So I will take a break, and check in with them another time. But, have signed up for a plethora of Storage stuff with other MSC so oh well. If someone in my area wants to take the low-fees ....it's all yours - I won't cut our pay, but you are welcome to.
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September 09, 2023 05:05PM
It seems they picked up an "old" fitness shop that used to be with Bestmark offering $12.

I might have to try it again if I'm in the area. The shop took around 20 minutes with Bestmark.
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September 10, 2023 08:42AM
Yea, I thought I might try to MAO for an amount that I used to do one of the shops just to see if they wanted me to shop for them. Apparently not..
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September 10, 2023 10:20AM
I can't believe that new shoppers are everywhere this forum's shoppers are. I think the MSC might have changed gears or renegotiated their contract with their client so they don't need to complete all the shops each month.

But that would seem to mean they would have to complete the shops at least once in each timeframe which might mean bonuses if someone hasn't already jumped in at $10 or apparently $9 now.
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September 10, 2023 12:52PM
Same. I did a MAO for the mattress shops for the amount I used to regularly do them for and no counter. Nowadays, they do not go over 15 in my area.
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September 10, 2023 01:07PM
@BabyBooey19 wrote:

In the MAO isn't giving counters - at least to me.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about here.

What is MAO? What is that sentence supposed to mean?
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September 10, 2023 02:53PM
Sorry, I guess MAO is never used on this board I apologize for not clarifying. MAO is when certain MSC hasn't been able to assign a shop. "Make An Offer" is a green button they put on where a shopper clicks it, and sends a dollar amount they'd be willing to do the job for. Example: The4y are offering a burger shop for $15 - with green MAO button. We press it, and can offer to do it for 20, 25, 100, whatever -- then it's MSC's choice to accept the offer, turn it down, or counter it. Usually when I offer something realistic, they counter it. But this mont, so far, not the case. Hence I said I'm focusing on other MSCs and will check back in a week or two to se if it got better. Again - fully respect their running their business and budgeting how they need to.
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September 11, 2023 03:11PM
They've been shooting down my MAOs left and right. The last one they accepted was 4 days ago, a heavy bonus on a car wash. They've let that one sit in QC for 5 days now even though it was a positive report. Time to invest my energies elsewhere I guess.
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September 15, 2023 05:36AM
Gee, from the title of this thread, I thought I might need to re-read my "Little Red Book."
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September 15, 2023 08:31AM
I tried another on tonight.. maybe I'll have an email in the morning, but I don't think I will. Lol

UDATE: no email.. lol. Starting to look as if I won't ever work for them again.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2023 06:05PM by Morledzep.
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September 15, 2023 11:29AM
My MAO's were routinely accepted every month until several months ago. But I WILL NOT lower my offer. Inflation has decreased our buying power. Employees who move to new jobs gain 9%, while those that stay gain only 5%.

[joshbersin.com]
[www.wsj.com]

I can do simple math. Maybe others cannot calculate and are willing to lose money after expenses. I guess these are the same people who believe B-omics is working. (ROFL)

In the meantime, 6 month US Treasuries are paying >5.5% and during the last 3 months the Vanguard Energy ETF gained >18%.

I can wait it out until MAO's are rational.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2023 11:40AM by maverick1.
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September 15, 2023 12:41PM
@maverick1 wrote:

My MAO's were routinely accepted every month until several months ago. But I WILL NOT lower my offer. Inflation has decreased our buying power. Employees who move to new jobs gain 9%, while those that stay gain only 5%.

[joshbersin.com]
[www.wsj.com]

I can do simple math. Maybe others cannot calculate and are willing to lose money after expenses. I guess these are the same people who believe B-omics is working. (ROFL)

In the meantime, 6 month US Treasuries are paying >5.5% and during the last 3 months the Vanguard Energy ETF gained >18%.

I can wait it out until MAO's are rational.

Well said. Yes indeed - the 5% is nice and I've also been doing short durations - 4,8, 26 weeks. But it's still nice to make a few extra bucks.

So today I have 3 shops set up. I *could* have done a Mattress. I did MAO ...and my offer was actually $1.00 less than I've done Mattress for previously. (Not saying 1.00 enhances their profit - just saying, I wasn't gouging ) They just declined it, not even a counter. So oh well no Mattress shop today.
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September 15, 2023 08:51PM
@BabyBooey19 wrote:

@maverick1 wrote:

My MAO's were routinely accepted every month until several months ago. But I WILL NOT lower my offer. Inflation has decreased our buying power. Employees who move to new jobs gain 9%, while those that stay gain only 5%.

[joshbersin.com]
[www.wsj.com]

I can do simple math. Maybe others cannot calculate and are willing to lose money after expenses. I guess these are the same people who believe B-omics is working. (ROFL)

In the meantime, 6 month US Treasuries are paying >5.5% and during the last 3 months the Vanguard Energy ETF gained >18%.

I can wait it out until MAO's are rational.

Well said. Yes indeed - the 5% is nice and I've also been doing short durations - 4,8, 26 weeks. But it's still nice to make a few extra bucks.

So today I have 3 shops set up. I *could* have done a Mattress. I did MAO ...and my offer was actually $1.00 less than I've done Mattress for previously. (Not saying 1.00 enhances their profit - just saying, I wasn't gouging ) They just declined it, not even a counter. So oh well no Mattress shop today.

Well, I just rec'd a request asking if I'd do a shop for $7 lower than I have rec'd in the past. I responded I could complete it for the same fee as in the past.

It was declined as another shopper accepted it at the lower fee.

More power to the shoppers who are willing to get less pay for the same work.

Not me!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2023 08:51PM by maverick1.
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September 15, 2023 10:33PM
lots of new shoppers here, perhaps one of them took it?

Hello new shoppers, wait for the prices to go up!
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September 16, 2023 01:18AM
@wrosie wrote:

lots of new shoppers here, perhaps one of them took it?

Hello new shoppers, wait for the prices to go up!

I'm not going to call out the new shoppers. Each shopper has to make their own financial decision as an independent contractor if the offer is acceptable to them.

Just like deciding if it's worth it to keep your money in a savings account at less than 1% with the outcome at about negative 5% after inflation or to move your money to alternative instruments with much higher rates..

For me, I calculate that my "gain" is marginal at best with the MAO's at this time. I'm not willing to partake in a near loss. I have other opportunities to pursue with my time.

But, to each their own.
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