I am looking at doing some mystery shops for EPMS in the Charlotte NC area. They are all apartment type shops it seems. I believe I saw some daycare shops on there as well a few months ago. Has anyone worked with this company before? Were they legit?

They're legit, but it might be helpful for you to do a search on here and see what others have said. From my recollection, it's not all that positive.

Don't do them unless there are significant bonuses.

They offer the single worst online experience of any MSC on the planet.

I had hoped when they were bought by Grace Hill that their reports and processes would get a revamp, but no such luck.

Do one, if you like it, then do more.

Almost always satisfied with my Ellis Experience....as long as everything goes right.

The shop blue print is like this:
You self-assign ABC Apartment.
You make a phone call and then visit the complex.
If you reach Jane Doe on the phone, you should ask for Jane Doe at the complex.

If the shop is targeted for Jane Doe, you have to reach Jane Doe on the phone without asking for her. This can be tricky. Then you shop with Jane Doe on site.

They have audio and video assignments as well.

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The issue is this. The Friday before Labor Day, I had a very nice paying shop with them about 170 miles from my house. It was in the 3 figure range. I also found a bunch of "packing peanuts" to go along with it (low paying shops that help underwrite the gas to go out there)

So I go out there and there is no leasing agent on the premises. They wanted me to go back. I simply told them no. They didn't give me anything for the whole episode. This has happened more than once. But 99% of the time, it comes off just as it always does. Just don't bet the farm on having it as a centerpiece of a route.

Also--I don't know if this is something they "like" doing but they've done it for me. Lets say ABC Apartments have 3 leasing agents and 3 targeted listings on the EPMS website. One each for Tom, Dick and Harry.

I signed up for Tom but Dick answered. I went through all of the questions I would have asked Tom with Dick. Once we disconnected, I e-mailed my handler at EPMS and she switched my shop to Dick and put Tom back on the board. It save me a lot of phone calls trying to get Tom on the phone.

I like working with them. The reporting ineterface reminds me of a GeoCities website. Be prepared.

I've thought of doing just what you did but usually it takes forever to get a scheduler to respond back! How did you get someone to answer you in a timely manner... or at all?

I liked the shop report format as compared to other apartment shops I've done. More narrative, but less guesswork. I do have a question, if you do this more than 2 or 3 times, how do you keep having new phone numbers for follow-ups? I don't have that many friends who I want to bother to help me with this. (They ask for us to give a different number each time because companies can manage multiple properties and use the same database, so that we don't come up in their system as having visited another of their properties). @metro25782 @CoolMusic

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2026 06:26AM by Skipurplepaint.

Their reports take way longer than other reports for apartment shops. The reports are redundant, and the lack of efficient contact with someone from their office turns me off. I don't do their shops anymore.

I agree about the lack of efficient contact. It is extremely frustrating to have a time-sensitive question, and not have an answer until it's too late. This last time it took them a full 24 hours before they responded! I only do them when there is a hefty bonus.