Market Force make an offer a joke

July 24, 2025 10:55PM

There is a shop that needs to be done within the next 3 days. One day to do it is passed. The shop fee is sitting at $13. Two months ago I got $35 for doing the shop when they were desperate as no one took the shop until the last day. I made an offer to do it for $30 given I was paid $35 a couple months ago. The offer was declined. it said to decline the shop, make another offer or accept the $13 which is not worth my time. I guess they want people to offer to do it for $13.01 or $13.25 just like sellers on ebay who say make an offer and then decline it! . Not worth my time and not worth my putting out money for food I do not really like or want. Plus this location has food that is EHHHH and service that is SLLLLLOOOOOOWWWW which prompts questions about why it took 15 minutes to get your food- which is not good even after waiting- Slowness is due to a staff that is SLLLLOOOOOWWW and not motivated and usually working without a manager on site- Plus it is 5 miles rt from my home. If they paid decent starting fees they would not have these issues- sad but true .

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/24/2025 10:58PM by Fatlady.

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More Discussions About Market Force (All Companies)

July 25, 2025 01:19AM

Once upon a time I made good money with Market Force. Now, they start out wanting people to do shops for free.

July 25, 2025 10:14AM

Yep, I make plenty of offers, and most get declined. I've posted about it here. I'm steadfast in refusing to work for less than I have been paid in the past. I won't do it.

...but apparently there are enough shoppers who will. So have at it.

July 25, 2025 11:25AM

Newbies and hard up shoppers ruin it for everyone and make low paying shops the norm.i have also seen the Make an Offer from Market Force have made offers always declined so do not bother as not willing to work for low fees

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2025 11:27AM by OldmanJames.

July 25, 2025 11:44AM

I picked up a burger shop this week for $35 shop pay on their website. I haven’t seen that in a long time. Hold out.. don’t cave to their offers.

July 25, 2025 02:07PM

In 2003, there was a thread on the Volition forum dealing with reduced fees. With a few large MSCs swallowing, to my knowledge, most, if not all, boutique companies, the Arab:camel business model is here to stay.

In 2007, I accepted I had been a failure as a full time shopper. As such, the hour was upon me to either depart or formulate a plan that would be successful. After 18 yrs., my plan has continued to exceed my expectations.

July 25, 2025 02:18PM

My favorite is when they let you make an offer, but then they refuse the offer to the point where your next bid would be *lower* than the current shop fee by a dollar or two. Why allow us to make an offer to begin with?

I recall this happened to me when it was $13 with "make an offer". I offered $18, and that was refused. Then the next bid was $15. That was refused. I ended up taking it at the original $13.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2025 02:20PM by jp43209.

July 25, 2025 02:33PM

I try to do the math before I put in an offer. Go big the first time.

@jp43209 wrote:

My favorite is when they let you make an offer, but then they refuse the offer to the point where your next bid would be *lower* than the current shop fee by a dollar or two. Why allow us to make an offer to begin with?

I recall this happened to me when it was $13 with "make an offer". I offered $18, and that was refused. Then the next bid was $15. That was refused. I ended up taking it at the original $13.

July 25, 2025 05:50PM

It does illustrate, however, they had good business savvy in rejecting your first two offers. They got bailed out by having you take the shop at base pay. No judgment, but I'm sure they collect data. When they see that many shops just take it at base pay when the offers are declined, they are going to be less likely to accept offers except in extreme circumstances when they are up against a deadline or historically pay a lot for a particular location.

@jp43209 wrote:

My favorite is when they let you make an offer, but then they refuse the offer to the point where your next bid would be *lower* than the current shop fee by a dollar or two. Why allow us to make an offer to begin with?

I recall this happened to me when it was $13 with "make an offer". I offered $18, and that was refused. Then the next bid was $15. That was refused. I ended up taking it at the original $13.

July 26, 2025 02:01AM

How about when an MSC wants you to spend more than your compensation out of pocket to do what’s required for a shop…and expect you to wait weeks to be paid a $15 fee and reimbursement?

…they want us to use up one of our AAA calls for a tow for a $50 fee, then if you really need the tow later it’s not there when you actually need it and you have to pay out 3-4x that $50?

Or the valet parking gig but they won’t pay you enough for the length of time you have to stay and leave a tip?

Or a “quick and easy high paying” $40 banking assignment that dings your credit report, costing you far more down the line?

…and the other investment and banking gigs that require you to give your personal info to some random banking or investment advisor that will ding your report for the assignment and hound you for years?

Do they think we can’t do the math?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2025 02:06AM by SBP.

July 26, 2025 03:23PM

I have offered what I have been getting for the past number of years. Today, for the first time, I got a counter offer. This was the amount that they were offering me over the phone, which I refused. I will not take less than what they were giving me going on six years now.

July 26, 2025 07:08PM

@paniconmon wrote:

I predict the same premise of this post will be posted five years from now. Bet!

I am taking the "with" money on that one.

July 27, 2025 06:55PM

I made an offer of @5 and it was delicned. The the following day, there was the same shop at a different location paying $25. so I took it and it was closer to my house.

July 27, 2025 10:50PM

I refuse to bid against myself. As soon as I accept even $1.00 less than what I have been getting, that will become the new ceiling rate offered to me. I just tell them politely to call me back when the rate goes up.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008

July 27, 2025 10:57PM

@myst4au wrote:

I refuse to bid against myself. As soon as I accept even $1.00 less than what I have been getting, that will become the new ceiling rate offered to me. I just tell them politely to call me back when the rate goes up.

They used to have audits but it seems like the ones that they had are all done by other companies. I wrote two food reports this week and realized how much I hate a narrative, I did a couple Cricket jobs and they only thing different is the company paying me. The questions are still the same.

I imagine though by the 3rd week in August I will have recovered enough to do a TRH.

July 28, 2025 07:33AM

Everyone's price is different. I am willing to do these for $18 and higher. I do not think about what I got the last time. I might have jumped on something on a Tuesday or Wednesday they reach $30-$40. But the next time it might be a Sunday and they are at $20. I'm okay with that.

The report is not that hard. I like the food and now that many locations have added the "combo" deal, it makes it so you go out of pocket less (under $2 for me). So If i get the 2x patty burger combo and still make $16 or more, that is good enough for me.

I think many that wait for the $30 and higher are not being realistic. Yes, you can get those fees, but what other fast food shop is going to pay you $25+ and cover the meal? No other fast food shop I am aware of that will do that. If you want to hold out, that is fine. And certain regions might have less shoppers where you hold the power to do that. But if you are in SoCal, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, or any other major urban area, more than likely someone else will take it for $15-$25 before it ever gets to your $30 and higher (unless it's a shopper who flaked).

July 28, 2025 07:34AM

But to add, when I make an offer, I might start at $50-$60 and reduce it repeatedly until I will not go any lower.

July 28, 2025 09:58AM

THIS!

I agree completely. Once I announce my offer fee on a phone call, I indicate that that is the price I received the last time at that location. They take a moment to confirm.

Never, ever accept a lower bid.

@myst4au wrote:

I refuse to bid against myself. As soon as I accept even $1.00 less than what I have been getting, that will become the new ceiling rate offered to me. I just tell them politely to call me back when the rate goes up.

July 28, 2025 01:37PM

Approx. 7 yrs. ago, a scheduler I had worked with since 2005, contacted ma about a bank shop. I stated my fee, but she mentioned I had completed the job for $10 less in the past. My explanation was that I would not be in that area on the date she required, therefore, the additional money. Her reply, closing the conversation, was that the company, Ipsos, would not permit her to raise the fee.

I have never accepted, so not accept, nor have the slightest intention to ever accept fees less than what I deem my time, ability and effort are worth. That, though, is me. I well understand there are shoppers who, due to circumstances, must "grin and bear it."

This edit is due to my having forgotten to mention MFI terminated me in 2010. I always mention a MSC firing me, so anyone can determine if what I post is objective.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2025 02:23PM by shopperbob.

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