Welcome and good luck!
No, Phone/remote jobs do not pay well unless you’re willing to screen out the low-ball offers and do bank/loan assignments on the “otter app” that will ding your credit/reduce your 650+ credit rating, and you’re okay with that.
Ellis does do phone+on site apartment audio/video evaluations that require you to invest an average of $500 in special equipment (you are not reimbursed for). I encourage you to read the related threads on this platform before approaching those assignments, and for the parent company that bought them out (initials GH) are also very mixed. These kinds of shops are complicated and often include contradictory info, 30+ pages of guidelines plus the assignment info, and +/- 120 question reports plus detailed narratives, pics, any recordings, and often target a specific employee that may only work certain days/times, so read everything thoroughly and ask questions to make sure everything’s clear before you begin.
Cancellations are frowned upon by all who post assignments, but some here might say it’s better than a report (and the wasted hours of time/travel/effort) that is disqualified due to a technicality.
If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend downloading these apps and starting out with simple assignments very close to home to get a feel for the systems, offerings, companies, and required reports:
GigSpot
Secret shopper
Presto shopper
These are just posting sites. They do not offer support for whats posted by the companies that solicit their posting services.
Explore. Learn. Research the various companies they host and read the FAQ’s in app, at the company websites, and various reputable consumer review sites like the BBB and check if they have been vetted for membership in the MSPA.
Read the contracts carefully to know how/why this is not “employment” how/when you’ll be paid (if your work is approved), what your rights are in a disagreement, and do the math with the fees, payment timeframes, and any purchase requirements to be sure it will work for your budget, and it’s not costing you more to work than the “fee” you’re being offered (such as transportation/phone/taxes/ other costs) so you will at least break even and make something for your time. Also: “reimbursement” is not “pay,” as it is often marketed in different postings. It’s actually funds they owe you for purchase requirements included in the assignment (without interest).
Highly recommend you read the various categories of threads here to learn about the different companies reputations in this community. I could have saved myself a boatload of frustration, time, and expense had I done so before trusting some of them.
:-)
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2025 01:58AM by SBP.
