@Cassiespark wrote:

The stuffed animals project can also be a nightmare without any visits for a few mths."

THIS!

For anyone not in the loop here, the stuffed animals company cancelled almost all locations except for a few grocery store chains. CI has decided they should offer those at $10, and they are out trolling for new ICs to take these (hence, they are on Presto). I wouldn't personally take one of these for less than $25 as they will have multiple displays, backstock, and will take you an hour. These are not the convenience store and small drug stores...those all cancelled. I promise you $10 doesn't begin to cover what you are walking in to. If you really need $10, DM me and I'll send it to you!

@joanna81 wrote:

@thunderdeacon wrote:

Just remember, the longer that each location goes undone, the more work it's going to be when someone finally shows up. If the location is not merchandising their own items, then it could be a total disaster upon arrival. I would be cautious about taking these unless you have a decent idea that the location won't be a total poop show. Every month that goes by without merchandising increases the potential of a total disaster upon arrival and a lot of work to get it in shape.

So true. They had a route of gas stations for pre-paid debit cards a few years ago. One of the gas stations had so many dusty packages of cards in backstock, it was a full garbage bag!

The stuffed animals project can also be a nightmare without any visits for a few mths.

…I’m with you in the not less than $25/a location. The last time I did the gift card replenishments it was during the slowest part of the year. I built a route, planning to net the cost of a tank of gas. Each location took over a hour, ended up collecting a 40 gallon trash bag of dusty expired cards, and didn’t even break even on my overhead, much less make anything for my time.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2026 01:07AM by SBP.

Also up for consideration…

I had an honest conversation after asking them to meet the rate I’d been paid previously for the same job.

Reply came with an apology and “I have to do what I’m told or I won’t have a job.”

The 2026 rates are below last years as our overhead increases.

Puts us all in a tough spot.

@SBP wrote:

Gas prices increased $3/gallon overnight in California, up to $8/gal in many areas.

It’s no longer a good business decision to leave home for anything less than $20 for anything further than 10-15 miles away, even for a route.

I successfully completed more than 100 assignments for this MSC in the last 6 months.

The gigs being offered since January 1st pay significantly lower fees. One scheduler offered me a handful of assignments I’d previously done, but they were scattered in a 70 mile radius…for less than half the previous fee.

I explained it would cost me more than my fee in gas and bridge tolls, plus several hours driving round trip in heavy traffic, turning it into a 3-day project, and asked to increase the fee or bonus to the previous amount so If walk away with something.

(The company is based in Texas, as is the scheduler so their cost of living is different.)

Instead of a reply, I received a email stating she’d banned me from the project because…I’m “difficult to schedule.”

This has not been my previous experience with this company and I’m more than disappointed.

I would contact Daniel about that. I can't imagine that is the kid of thing he wants his employees doing.

Oh, wow! You were honest and explained your situation, and they said you were difficult to schedule? I agree with the weatherman and would contact Daniel.

@weatherman2111 wrote:

@SBP wrote:

Gas prices increased $3/gallon overnight in California, up to $8/gal in many areas.

It’s no longer a good business decision to leave home for anything less than $20 for anything further than 10-15 miles away, even for a route.

I successfully completed more than 100 assignments for this MSC in the last 6 months.

The gigs being offered since January 1st pay significantly lower fees. One scheduler offered me a handful of assignments I’d previously done, but they were scattered in a 70 mile radius…for less than half the previous fee.

I explained it would cost me more than my fee in gas and bridge tolls, plus several hours driving round trip in heavy traffic, turning it into a 3-day project, and asked to increase the fee or bonus to the previous amount so If walk away with something.

(The company is based in Texas, as is the scheduler so their cost of living is different.)

Instead of a reply, I received a email stating she’d banned me from the project because…I’m “difficult to schedule.”

This has not been my previous experience with this company and I’m more than disappointed.

I would contact Daniel about that. I can't imagine that is the kid of thing he wants his employees doing.

@ArkLaMissshopping wrote:

Oh, wow! You were honest and explained your situation, and they said you were difficult to schedule? I agree with the weatherman and would contact Daniel.

@weatherman2111 wrote:

@SBP wrote:

Gas prices increased $3/gallon overnight in California, up to $8/gal in many areas.

It’s no longer a good business decision to leave home for anything less than $20 for anything further than 10-15 miles away, even for a route.

I successfully completed more than 100 assignments for this MSC in the last 6 months.

The gigs being offered since January 1st pay significantly lower fees. One scheduler offered me a handful of assignments I’d previously done, but they were scattered in a 70 mile radius…for less than half the previous fee.

I explained it would cost me more than my fee in gas and bridge tolls, plus several hours driving round trip in heavy traffic, turning it into a 3-day project, and asked to increase the fee or bonus to the previous amount so If walk away with something.

(The company is based in Texas, as is the scheduler so their cost of living is different.)

Instead of a reply, I received a email stating she’d banned me from the project because…I’m “difficult to schedule.”

This has not been my previous experience with this company and I’m more than disappointed.

I would contact Daniel about that. I can't imagine that is the kid of thing he wants his employees doing.

I did that. No reply, and things have only gotten worse.

The last 3 weeks have been made uncomfortable to the point of harassment from the RD who is now stating reasons not to pay us, shortening hours and cutting fees for the same (or more) work. We were also informed in bold caps that if we complete a job in less than the allowed time our (already lower pay) will be docked. Yes, that means if you work efficiently in less time, you earn even less...for something that actually requires more time to do well...and then there are the last minute notifications about added requirements, blocked days, and pleas at month end asking us to "help out" to get it all done sooner.

Not good for morale.I'm not the only one who's noticed. There are comments on other forums about this. IC's that used to work regularly for CI are walking away or just letting jobs sit on the board waiting for the deadline bonuses...to earn what we did before the "new rules."

The RD is micromanaging everything and everyone. Schedulers who called me with work no longer get to do their own scheduling without running everything by the RD who routinely cancels already assigned and re-schedules them. Applications disappear, jobs are stated as being "already assigned" then appear back on the list a week or two later. People who live close by jobs are assigned ones 1-3 hours away with no distance bonus.

It feels more like a power game, and it's next to impossible to know what you're doing from one day to the next for the IC, and schedulers who assign, then see it's just gone.

I asked a couple of schedulers what's going on. There's a pause, an apology, and reply they're "just doing what they're told." One emailed me privately and apologized stating everyone's on edge and she's afraid of losing her job if she speaks up.

The micromanagement/shaming/gaslighting strategy isn't professional or a sign of seasoned leadership. It's eroding morale, creating unnecessary anxiety, alienates experienced IC's familiar with doing the job well, and costs far more at the end of the month when the RD has to post double and triple the fees to get the jobs done after deadline. Can you imagine being the editors?

I'm re-focusing on other companies that don't play these games.

I've never gotten asked about the length of time it takes to get one of these done. That's bizarre.

what is “rd”?

@SBP wrote:

@ArkLaMissshopping wrote:

Oh, wow! You were honest and explained your situation, and they said you were difficult to schedule? I agree with the weatherman and would contact Daniel.

@weatherman2111 wrote:

@SBP wrote:

Gas prices increased $3/gallon overnight in California, up to $8/gal in many areas.

It’s no longer a good business decision to leave home for anything less than $20 for anything further than 10-15 miles away, even for a route.

I successfully completed more than 100 assignments for this MSC in the last 6 months.

The gigs being offered since January 1st pay significantly lower fees. One scheduler offered me a handful of assignments I’d previously done, but they were scattered in a 70 mile radius…for less than half the previous fee.

I explained it would cost me more than my fee in gas and bridge tolls, plus several hours driving round trip in heavy traffic, turning it into a 3-day project, and asked to increase the fee or bonus to the previous amount so If walk away with something.

(The company is based in Texas, as is the scheduler so their cost of living is different.)

Instead of a reply, I received a email stating she’d banned me from the project because…I’m “difficult to schedule.”

This has not been my previous experience with this company and I’m more than disappointed.

I would contact Daniel about that. I can't imagine that is the kid of thing he wants his employees doing.

I did that. No reply, and things have only gotten worse.

The last 3 weeks have been made uncomfortable to the point of harassment from the RD who is now stating reasons not to pay us, shortening hours and cutting fees for the same (or more) work. We were also informed in bold caps that if we complete a job in less than the allowed time our (already lower pay) will be docked. Yes, that means if you work efficiently in less time, you earn even less...for something that actually requires more time to do well...and then there are the last minute notifications about added requirements, blocked days, and pleas at month end asking us to "help out" to get it all done sooner.

Not good for morale.I'm not the only one who's noticed. There are comments on other forums about this. IC's that used to work regularly for CI are walking away or just letting jobs sit on the board waiting for the deadline bonuses...to earn what we did before the "new rules."

The RD is micromanaging everything and everyone. Schedulers who called me with work no longer get to do their own scheduling without running everything by the RD who routinely cancels already assigned and re-schedules them. Applications disappear, jobs are stated as being "already assigned" then appear back on the list a week or two later. People who live close by jobs are assigned ones 1-3 hours away with no distance bonus.

It feels more like a power game, and it's next to impossible to know what you're doing from one day to the next for the IC, and schedulers who assign, then see it's just gone.

I asked a couple of schedulers what's going on. There's a pause, an apology, and reply they're "just doing what they're told." One emailed me privately and apologized stating everyone's on edge and she's afraid of losing her job if she speaks up.

The micromanagement/shaming/gaslighting strategy isn't professional or a sign of seasoned leadership. It's eroding morale, creating unnecessary anxiety, alienates experienced IC's familiar with doing the job well, and costs far more at the end of the month when the RD has to post double and triple the fees to get the jobs done after deadline. Can you imagine being the editors?

I'm re-focusing on other companies that don't play these games.

what is “RD”, and who is it acting like this?

Never really had an issue with this company. If I need more, I apply with a "be happy to do it for XXX:" in the comments. Either they assign it or not. Very rarely have they made a counter offer.

Nvrmnd