Always glad to book as much work as I can for these folks, unless I have to crawl around on hands and knees in home improvement stores.

Popped in to check on expense status for my most recent jobs doing the baby chews.

Found 3 more locations that are rather remote, but happen to be along a route I'm planning to coincide with the GF's bday and our anniversary next week. Most of my usual suspects have dried up, so I've been scouring.

Thought I'd reach out to see if RQA would waive the 3-day completion restriction so I could book them for the 1st leg of the trip.

Just got off the phone, and turns out there were another 6 locations that needed doing, including 3 that I could have done on a previous out-and-back had I known they existed. I lamented about the lack of geographical flexibility when finding work on their site, and the rep concurred.

Not only was I able to add 3 more locations on the route, they honored my request to change to hourly + mileage, even though it was not an option when self-assigning. Apparently that is doable if one books a quantity of more remote locations. And it makes all the difference in the world for such trips given how their expense reporting works.

So, lesson learned... each time a desirable project comes up, I will make sure to call in and ask for all available locations in my region and negotiate some routes if available.

I continue to be impressed with how accessible and helpful they are, except when death chips are involved.

The death chips screwed me with RQA. At the end of the accounting, they decided that I owed THEM $300. So, I can’t work for them any more, and they are still waiting for their $300.

@Mousegal wrote:

The death chips screwed me with RQA. At the end of the accounting, they decided that I owed THEM $300. So, I can’t work for them any more, and they are still waiting for their $300.

I am surprised at that. I layed out almost 5 grand on those death chips and each day, I submitted the receipts and was reimbursed immediately. Aside from some app issues, I find them a pleasure to work with.

@Mousegal wrote:

The death chips screwed me with RQA. At the end of the accounting, they decided that I owed THEM $300. So, I can’t work for them any more, and they are still waiting for their $300.

How was it possible that you owed THEM for the work YOU did? How did they calculate $300?

They fronted pay due to the large outlay we needed to use to purchase the chips. If purchases were less than the fronted pay, we owed money back to them.

@Mousegal wrote:

The death chips screwed me with RQA. At the end of the accounting, they decided that I owed THEM $300. So, I can’t work for them any more, and they are still waiting for their $300.

Didn't your records match theirs? It seems like you would know before they did how much you spent of the advance and how much was remaining that would need to be returned.

They are very fair and honest. Very important, as with all shops, to keep accurate records and submit accurate expenses. I had to repay $1,100 since they advanced far too much. I would have preferred not to have the large advances, since I was putting all the purchases on credit cards (earning cash back) that wouldn't be due for several weeks anyway. I purchased around $10,000 worth of the chips. I asked if they could just deduct the amount owed from my payments, but they said I had to send a check, since each submission was separate.

If a shopper kept the overpayment, I would consider that theft.

@Deedeezthoughts wrote:

@Mousegal wrote:

The death chips screwed me with RQA. At the end of the accounting, they decided that I owed THEM $300. So, I can’t work for them any more, and they are still waiting for their $300.

Didn't your records match theirs? It seems like you would know before they did how much you spent of the advance and how much was remaining that would need to be returned.

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2025 09:38PM by mjt9598.

@Mousegal wrote:

The death chips screwed me with RQA. At the end of the accounting, they decided that I owed THEM $300. So, I can’t work for them any more, and they are still waiting for their $300.

Why would you have spent all of the advance on other stuff knowing you owed them $300? They didn't just decide you owed them the money, I am sure that it was clear by the expense report you submitted. If they advanced you more than you spent, it's a no-brainer that you should return the unused funds. Also unethical for you to not do so, I might add.

Unless their accounting and hers weren't matching.

Then I would say work it out so you can continue to work for them to pay them back with.

I don't even see how that's possible. I have been with RQA since 2006 and have worked on hundreds of projects (yes, really) over the years with them and never have had an issue, even when they were still using service manager. Upon expense entry (which is all automatically configured) it should have been immediately apparent to Mousegal that money was owed back to RQA. And even if there was some sort of glitch on their end, why not pick up the phone and call someone to work it out? They are extremely reasonable and the inconsistency would have been rectified with proof on Mousegal's end that the money was not owed. It really just doesn't make sense.

Good to know, that its worth a phone call. I skipped on 6 locations by me for the teething chews because it was only location based pay and no mileage. 6 more posted a little farther from me, those were at a slightly higher rate and with mileage, so I grabbed those. I was in and out of most stores in 5 minutes except one that I couldn't get a cell signal.

Are you sure about no mileage? That would be an anomaly. I've never seen a project without the 30¢ per mile.

Turns out per location will work better for the 7 remotes I have lined up for Wednesday. Only 4.75 hours of drive time and I'm rarely in the store for more than 15 minutes tops.

They are trying to wrap up all their locations... waiting to get these 7 done and expenses submitted so I can see what else is doable. They are offering hotel+meal reimbursements...

@CoolMusic wrote:

Are you sure about no mileage? That would be an anomaly. I've never seen a project without the 30¢ per mile.

Turns out per location will work better for the 7 remotes I have lined up for Wednesday. Only 4.75 hours of drive time and I'm rarely in the store for more than 15 minutes tops.

They are trying to wrap up all their locations... waiting to get these 7 done and expenses submitted so I can see what else is doable. They are offering hotel+meal reimbursements...

There have been a few projects lately that do not offer mileage. There is a new one for some smoke shops near me and they are not paying mileage. There are 10 in my town so those are the only ones I took.

But that is interesting about the hotel and meal reimbursements. They still have some locations for the garbage disposal jobs that are out of state. I may have to contact them to see what they could offer. I think I could do that with one overnight. I didn't realize they did that.

@Datagirl wrote:

I think I could do that with one overnight. I didn't realize they did that.

Not sure if they offer the overnight deals for anything other than the baby chews project, but definitely worth calling in and asking.

I know I'm so used to crappy communications when mystery shopping that I don't thank about reaching out, but it is definitely worth it with RQA.

If they can extend their baby chew deadlines I'm looking at picking up a 2-night route, and will need to see if they have some Western Colorado locations that need to get done.

I took 10 locations also, and already regretting it. Got the package from them today and its a decent amount of work for $10. And all of my locations are liquor stores, so I'm trying to think through why I would be shopping just for a lighter at those stores. Ergh. Awkward and low-paying!

@Datagirl wrote:

@CoolMusic wrote:

Are you sure about no mileage? That would be an anomaly. I've never seen a project without the 30¢ per mile.

Turns out per location will work better for the 7 remotes I have lined up for Wednesday. Only 4.75 hours of drive time and I'm rarely in the store for more than 15 minutes tops.

They are trying to wrap up all their locations... waiting to get these 7 done and expenses submitted so I can see what else is doable. They are offering hotel+meal reimbursements...

There have been a few projects lately that do not offer mileage. There is a new one for some smoke shops near me and they are not paying mileage. There are 10 in my town so those are the only ones I took.

But that is interesting about the hotel and meal reimbursements. They still have some locations for the garbage disposal jobs that are out of state. I may have to contact them to see what they could offer. I think I could do that with one overnight. I didn't realize they did that.

@Cassiespark wrote:

I took 10 locations also, and already regretting it. Got the package from them today and its a decent amount of work for $10. And all of my locations are liquor stores, so I'm trying to think through why I would be shopping just for a lighter at those stores. Ergh. Awkward and low-paying!

What project is that? I've never seen an RQA gig for that low a fee.

@Cassiespark wrote:

I took 10 locations also, and already regretting it. Got the package from them today and its a decent amount of work for $10. And all of my locations are liquor stores, so I'm trying to think through why I would be shopping just for a lighter at those stores. Ergh. Awkward and low-paying!


Oh noooooo. Didnt get my info yet. Wish it would have been on the website. Hate to cancel something like that though. I figured it would be quick and easy but i don't like awkward.

Its kind of an odd one. You go to a store (looks like liquor stores and smoke shops) and buy one of each size of Bic lighter for sale. Then you take a picture holding all the lighters you bought all in one hand. Then you bag them up, label them, and eventually mail them to RQA. No mileage and no hourly available. A zillion and one locations were listed in my mid-size city.

@CoolMusic wrote:

@Cassiespark wrote:

I took 10 locations also, and already regretting it. Got the package from them today and its a decent amount of work for $10. And all of my locations are liquor stores, so I'm trying to think through why I would be shopping just for a lighter at those stores. Ergh. Awkward and low-paying!

What project is that? I've never seen an RQA gig for that low a fee.

One of the locations I picked up is the wine store right down the street from me. I am there enough that they know me (two middle school aged kids, it requires wine). They are for sure going to look at me crazy when I waltz in a)Looking for lighters - no idea why they would have any or where they would be. b)Buy a lighter if I find one and c)Leave without wine.

@Datagirl wrote:

@Cassiespark wrote:

I took 10 locations also, and already regretting it. Got the package from them today and its a decent amount of work for $10. And all of my locations are liquor stores, so I'm trying to think through why I would be shopping just for a lighter at those stores. Ergh. Awkward and low-paying!


Oh noooooo. Didnt get my info yet. Wish it would have been on the website. Hate to cancel something like that though. I figured it would be quick and easy but i don't like awkward.

I did 16 lications at hourly plus mileage and paid drive time with an overnight hotel stay and 2 days per diem just last week. Edited to add this was for the teething sticks project.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/20/2025 03:22AM by Jusa.

@Datagirl wrote:

@CoolMusic wrote:

Are you sure about no mileage? That would be an anomaly. I've never seen a project without the 30¢ per mile.

Turns out per location will work better for the 7 remotes I have lined up for Wednesday. Only 4.75 hours of drive time and I'm rarely in the store for more than 15 minutes tops.

They are trying to wrap up all their locations... waiting to get these 7 done and expenses submitted so I can see what else is doable. They are offering hotel+meal reimbursements...

There have been a few projects lately that do not offer mileage. There is a new one for some smoke shops near me and they are not paying mileage. There are 10 in my town so those are the only ones I took.

But that is interesting about the hotel and meal reimbursements. They still have some locations for the garbage disposal jobs that are out of state. I may have to contact them to see what they could offer. I think I could do that with one overnight. I didn't realize they did that.

I've done many, msny overnight road trips over the years on various projects with RQA.

@Jusa wrote:

I did 16 lications at hourly plus mileage and paid drive time with an overnight hotel stay and 2 days per diem just last week. Edited to add this was for the teething sticks project.

This is great info, thanks for sharing. Too busy now but will definitely keep this in mind over the next few months. Any excuse to get away from the family for a couple of days and a night to myself in a hotel. Now we are talking. Already doing the work locally, why not up the game!! Will def be reaching out to RQA about this type of thing in the future.

@CoolMusic wrote:

@Cassiespark wrote:

I took 10 locations also, and already regretting it. Got the package from them today and its a decent amount of work for $10. And all of my locations are liquor stores, so I'm trying to think through why I would be shopping just for a lighter at those stores. Ergh. Awkward and low-paying!

What project is that? I've never seen an RQA gig for that low a fee.

It is a lighter audit. Only $10 per location and no mileage reimbursement. This is the second project in my area with no mileage reimbursement. Also, no advance. You have to buy two items per store so I'm guessing about $5 a store, so not a large amount. I didn't take any locations, because I know shipping lighters is considered "hazardous" so they have to go to a special FedEx location which is across town from me. I was afraid this project would not be a money maker. Apparently, others share my concerns as these have not been taken in my area. Usually RQA projects fly off the board, because RQA usually pays a fair price and treats their reps well.

Finally a bad support experience.

I did a string of 7 remote baby chew gigs and filed expenses.

I'd been in discussion with the support rep about knocking out the remaining locations in my area, some with the hotel/meal deal they were offering.

One email and two voicemails later, the last being from onsite at one of them (it was closed... easier money!) and I got bupkis.

It would appear the baby chew program is causing some overload.

I've done 4 rounds.

1st batch expenses approved in 2 days
2nd batch expenses approved in 3 days
3rd batch expenses approved in 8 days

4th batch still awaiting approval after 2 weeks, and it's a sizable one. I would have already received payment under normal circumstances.

I am fairly new and haven't heard of RQA, do you have a web address?

[www.rqa-inc.com]