How long does a gas station audit take?
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I couldn't agree more. One MSC then asks how it was done more quickly. Well duh, I didn't spend all my time running back and forth like a fool.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I do these when they are bonused. To me the most time-consuming part is renaming all of my photos before uploading them, like changing them from 100-48732 to Assignment XYZ Pump 1.
Working in S. Arkansas and N. Louisiana!
Kathy in AR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do these when they are bonused. To me the most
> time-consuming part is renaming all of my photos
> before uploading them, like changing them from
> 100-48732 to Assignment XYZ Pump 1.
I never change the names on my photos and never had an issue. I'm sure it differs from MSC to MSC.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do these when they are bonused. To me the most
> time-consuming part is renaming all of my photos
> before uploading them, like changing them from
> 100-48732 to Assignment XYZ Pump 1.
I never change the names on my photos and never had an issue. I'm sure it differs from MSC to MSC.
The 66 is my main income...or better it was. Since they lowered the fee I stopped doing them.
they are easy. Yea, it seems you have to go back and forth, but once you learn you will see that you really can doo all the store sirst then all the outside.
Go in, mystery shop. Go back in, introduce yourself and do the store. Once you answered all the store questions ask the employe to turn the lights on and go outside. When you exit take picts of door. Go to canopy and check lights (now I usually go back and tell them to turn them off. Once a owner told me how expensive they are).There take picts of building. I go take 2 pictures of ID+issues and there I take 2 total station. Walk in towards canopy. Take 1 picture of fueling area and diagonal from one side. I walk to the other side while checking all the amenities and bollards+curb+columns. Reach the other end take a pict of fueling area+ canopy. Walk back to the other side checking pumps. I usually take overall of first pump+credit card reader+hose (where the promoton flag is or should be). Walk all the pumps and check for issues. While doing that I look at columns. I reach the end and I took another overall (if there is a gas+diesel pump I try to send a regular pump pict+i mixed pump pict).
It seems long, but it takes always less then 30 minutes.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2013 11:13AM by italiano.
they are easy. Yea, it seems you have to go back and forth, but once you learn you will see that you really can doo all the store sirst then all the outside.
Go in, mystery shop. Go back in, introduce yourself and do the store. Once you answered all the store questions ask the employe to turn the lights on and go outside. When you exit take picts of door. Go to canopy and check lights (now I usually go back and tell them to turn them off. Once a owner told me how expensive they are).There take picts of building. I go take 2 pictures of ID+issues and there I take 2 total station. Walk in towards canopy. Take 1 picture of fueling area and diagonal from one side. I walk to the other side while checking all the amenities and bollards+curb+columns. Reach the other end take a pict of fueling area+ canopy. Walk back to the other side checking pumps. I usually take overall of first pump+credit card reader+hose (where the promoton flag is or should be). Walk all the pumps and check for issues. While doing that I look at columns. I reach the end and I took another overall (if there is a gas+diesel pump I try to send a regular pump pict+i mixed pump pict).
It seems long, but it takes always less then 30 minutes.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2013 11:13AM by italiano.
TrainTeach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kathy in AR Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I do these when they are bonused. To me the
> most
> > time-consuming part is renaming all of my
> photos
> > before uploading them, like changing them from
> > 100-48732 to Assignment XYZ Pump 1.
If an msc required the renaming of pictures, I would have
to add 20 dollars a shop in order to continue to do the shop
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kathy in AR Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I do these when they are bonused. To me the
> most
> > time-consuming part is renaming all of my
> photos
> > before uploading them, like changing them from
> > 100-48732 to Assignment XYZ Pump 1.
If an msc required the renaming of pictures, I would have
to add 20 dollars a shop in order to continue to do the shop
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
techman01 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TrainTeach Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> If an msc required the renaming of pictures, I
> would have
> to add 20 dollars a shop in order to continue to
> do the shop
Seriously? I rename them for my own convenience. It takes two minutes to go through my pics, decide which ones to use, and rename them Pump 1, Pump 2, Overall, Neg 1, PID, etc.. It makes the report go faster so it's a wash for time.
-------------------------------------------------------
> TrainTeach Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> If an msc required the renaming of pictures, I
> would have
> to add 20 dollars a shop in order to continue to
> do the shop
Seriously? I rename them for my own convenience. It takes two minutes to go through my pics, decide which ones to use, and rename them Pump 1, Pump 2, Overall, Neg 1, PID, etc.. It makes the report go faster so it's a wash for time.
AndrewTX
Certifiable
Certifiable
Tech -
Do you do shops with photos for Maritz? Insula? Those are two with very specific requirements for photo naming.
Do you do shops with photos for Maritz? Insula? Those are two with very specific requirements for photo naming.
FWIW, I've done them for three different MSCs. It doesn't matter which format they want for the name because I can just paste the info on each photo, changing only the number.
AndrewTX
Certifiable
Certifiable
I'm copying this from the other gas station thread in case someone could use the info:
I don't shop everyday, so for me it's helpful to develop a one page form for each client. I can't remember all the particulars if I only shop that client every other month or so.
I set it up in order of the shop flow, have check boxes for each required photo (as elcarev68 wisely recommends), and a list of every detail I need to capture. I have space to write all the info on the form. When I sit down to do the report I have all the info I need on one page instead of a booklet the size of the JC Penney catalog.
Usually when I do the first report or so I discover some detail that was left off my form and I revise it for the next shop. By the time I do the second or third shop my form helps me complete the audit in 15-20 minutes. A small station with four pumps and no negative conditions could be less than 10 for one of the MSCs.
I can't for the life of me understand why the MSC's or clients don't create a one page form ahead of time. I think it would help shop accuracy and probably make the shop easy enough that shoppers wouldn't hold out for $20+ per shop.
I don't shop everyday, so for me it's helpful to develop a one page form for each client. I can't remember all the particulars if I only shop that client every other month or so.
I set it up in order of the shop flow, have check boxes for each required photo (as elcarev68 wisely recommends), and a list of every detail I need to capture. I have space to write all the info on the form. When I sit down to do the report I have all the info I need on one page instead of a booklet the size of the JC Penney catalog.
Usually when I do the first report or so I discover some detail that was left off my form and I revise it for the next shop. By the time I do the second or third shop my form helps me complete the audit in 15-20 minutes. A small station with four pumps and no negative conditions could be less than 10 for one of the MSCs.
I can't for the life of me understand why the MSC's or clients don't create a one page form ahead of time. I think it would help shop accuracy and probably make the shop easy enough that shoppers wouldn't hold out for $20+ per shop.
AndrewTX
Certifiable
Certifiable
I've never worked with either of the companies that require a photo to be named and in a particular format. Before losing Picture Manager, I named them strictly for my own convenience. Since it was always done in a batch the total time was whatever it took me to type in the job ID, in other words, a few seconds. Since working without PM the last couple of weeks, I haven't been bothering to rename the pics, but I do have to be more careful when choosing which one to upload. It may actually be taking me longer on any jobs requiring more than just a few photos.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
elcarev68 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tech -
> Do you do shops with photos for Maritz? Insula?
> Those are two with very specific requirements for
> photo naming.
I don't do shops for Maritz ever since I refuse to work
with a company that is still in the 19th century.
Insula the times I've done shops, they have paid me
what I wanted.
Like I said above, I see no benefit to naming the pics as
I can easily visually look at all the photos at once by keeping
a separate window open to view them and if it says "2859" I go
to upload and just choose "2859"
You can resize windows, the icons, etc until they are big enough to
see what size you need and fit your particular screen size.
For those that do it for their own covenience that is fine but
if an msc requires it, I will ask for more money since it's
an extra unnecessary step that there can be no logical
reason that they need them rennamed.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tech -
> Do you do shops with photos for Maritz? Insula?
> Those are two with very specific requirements for
> photo naming.
I don't do shops for Maritz ever since I refuse to work
with a company that is still in the 19th century.
Insula the times I've done shops, they have paid me
what I wanted.
Like I said above, I see no benefit to naming the pics as
I can easily visually look at all the photos at once by keeping
a separate window open to view them and if it says "2859" I go
to upload and just choose "2859"
You can resize windows, the icons, etc until they are big enough to
see what size you need and fit your particular screen size.
For those that do it for their own covenience that is fine but
if an msc requires it, I will ask for more money since it's
an extra unnecessary step that there can be no logical
reason that they need them rennamed.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
Because I was already naming mine it wouldn't have crossed my mind to view it as burdensome except if the MSC required them to be done in a specific way that made doing it as a batch virtually impossible. I heard of a job exactly like that once and had no interest in pursuing it further.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Thanks, tech. I'll try not renaming on the next report for these 2 MSC's just to see if they go through, although I'll still rename the batch (15 second task per shop) just so that they stay in chronological order for future reference. If they don't accept them not named according to their specs, it's a relatively easy fix to resubmit.
elcarev68 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Do you do shops with photos for Maritz? Insula?
> Those are two with very specific requirements for
> photo naming.
I do shop for Maritz and I do NOT rename photos. But what I do do for my own sanity is create sub folders with the city name/street and job id and then drag the appropriate pictures into those sub folders. Then when I am uploading it is easy for me to go directly to that job and upload the correct pic, no matter what order they are in. I do this for banks too. I also add a copy of the invoice from Cute pdf to the sub folder so I always have that too, right with the job it is for.
I began renaming and that took waaaay tooo long. CRI was another that wanted pics renamed, I did it for jobs 1 & 2 but no others. Always paid by both, never warned to rename pics, or even gotten a comment because I didn't.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Do you do shops with photos for Maritz? Insula?
> Those are two with very specific requirements for
> photo naming.
I do shop for Maritz and I do NOT rename photos. But what I do do for my own sanity is create sub folders with the city name/street and job id and then drag the appropriate pictures into those sub folders. Then when I am uploading it is easy for me to go directly to that job and upload the correct pic, no matter what order they are in. I do this for banks too. I also add a copy of the invoice from Cute pdf to the sub folder so I always have that too, right with the job it is for.
I began renaming and that took waaaay tooo long. CRI was another that wanted pics renamed, I did it for jobs 1 & 2 but no others. Always paid by both, never warned to rename pics, or even gotten a comment because I didn't.
I didn't even realize Cori likes the pictures named. With them sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Like you there has never been anything said either way.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
My laptop has a structure like:
Folder Market Force
Subfolders 2013-07-14 SHOP ID #
2013-07-15 SHOP ID #
Folder Circle of Service
Subfolders 2013-07-15 SHOP ID #
2013-07-16 SHOP ID #
Then in my worksheet for IRS purposes I have the ID# with all the details (company, store, address, fee, paid amd so on).
All I do is throwing in the folders all the pictures and receipt and when I need something I go check the worksheet and easy peasy I get it out of the laptop.
Folder Market Force
Subfolders 2013-07-14 SHOP ID #
2013-07-15 SHOP ID #
Folder Circle of Service
Subfolders 2013-07-15 SHOP ID #
2013-07-16 SHOP ID #
Then in my worksheet for IRS purposes I have the ID# with all the details (company, store, address, fee, paid amd so on).
All I do is throwing in the folders all the pictures and receipt and when I need something I go check the worksheet and easy peasy I get it out of the laptop.
SAM -
You just saved me at least three hours this weekend! Maritz has been the biggie for me as following their code for naming picutures has added 10-20 minutes in reporting time per shop. I've got 15 of them coming up.
SAM, Lisa, italiano, tech -
For the every pump Cori shops, do you concern yourself with making sure each pump's photo is submitted in the corresponding pump number slot, or just make sure each pump's photo gets entered somewhere?
You just saved me at least three hours this weekend! Maritz has been the biggie for me as following their code for naming picutures has added 10-20 minutes in reporting time per shop. I've got 15 of them coming up.
SAM, Lisa, italiano, tech -
For the every pump Cori shops, do you concern yourself with making sure each pump's photo is submitted in the corresponding pump number slot, or just make sure each pump's photo gets entered somewhere?
I make sure they are in the right spot and whenever possible take those photos in pump order to avoid having to name them.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I just checked my folders and for the last report for Maritz I named the pics Pump1, Pump2, PID, Overall, etc.. I don't remember what they "require", but using the same method that I do for other audits didn't raise any flags.
AndrewTX
Certifiable
Certifiable
elcarev68 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SAM, Lisa, italiano, tech -
> For the every pump Cori shops, do you concern
> yourself with making sure each pump's photo is
> submitted in the corresponding pump number slot,
> or just make sure each pump's photo gets entered
> somewhere?
For cori they need to be in the correct slot but there
is no reason to individually name the photos for that
reason.
My photos are always separated by sub folder. You can
set your camera to create subfolders as you go to each
location and it will put them in the folder as you take them
then you go to the next location and start a new sub folder
on the camera
Then you just copy all the folders to your computer. No need
to waste time making the sub folder on your computer...
-------------------------------------------------------
> SAM, Lisa, italiano, tech -
> For the every pump Cori shops, do you concern
> yourself with making sure each pump's photo is
> submitted in the corresponding pump number slot,
> or just make sure each pump's photo gets entered
> somewhere?
For cori they need to be in the correct slot but there
is no reason to individually name the photos for that
reason.
My photos are always separated by sub folder. You can
set your camera to create subfolders as you go to each
location and it will put them in the folder as you take them
then you go to the next location and start a new sub folder
on the camera
Then you just copy all the folders to your computer. No need
to waste time making the sub folder on your computer...
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
Yet another time saving gem from tech! I'll definitely be trying to figure out that feature on my camera.
Always, and I can't stress this enough; always double check your photo's before leaving the station. Count each pump. I take close up's of the number on the dispenser, back up, take the full view shot and a close up of the topper.
When I have completed them, I review the photo's.
Sometimes, I can't take them in sequence. I'll stand around an wait for someone to wash their window's - twice, their car's with a squeegee; so I'll go on to the next empty pump.
Opps, did I forget pump 6? Looks like it; well, I'll just take an extra pic, just in case.
If I check the numbers on the pumps from my photo's, then I'll ensure myself of taking all of them.
When I have completed them, I review the photo's.
Sometimes, I can't take them in sequence. I'll stand around an wait for someone to wash their window's - twice, their car's with a squeegee; so I'll go on to the next empty pump.
Opps, did I forget pump 6? Looks like it; well, I'll just take an extra pic, just in case.
If I check the numbers on the pumps from my photo's, then I'll ensure myself of taking all of them.
I hate it when they don't have the pump number on the pump itself. Around here it's often on the canopy column above the pump facing out at a 90 degree angle. All I have to do is take a pic of the numbers first, but it adds an extra step. If I have to go back because I skipped a pump then I take a close up of the number first.
Someone else mentioned they carry a flip book of numbers that they use in such circumstances.
I usually take a couple hi res pics at a wider angle trying to capture as much as possible. That way if there's an issue I can zoom and crop.
Someone else mentioned they carry a flip book of numbers that they use in such circumstances.
I usually take a couple hi res pics at a wider angle trying to capture as much as possible. That way if there's an issue I can zoom and crop.
AndrewTX
Certifiable
Certifiable
elcarev68 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SAM -
> You just saved me at least three hours this
> weekend!
Glad to help. I thought it was pure insanity that I took hours and hours on top of my shopping day to rename photos. Took a chance. Luckily, this is an okay company to take a chance with. Now after 16 or so stations and 350 pics +/-, it only takes me about an hour to turn everything right side up, resize, and put into sub folder.
>
> SAM, Lisa, italiano, tech -
> For the every pump Cori shops, do you concern
> yourself with making sure each pump's photo is
> submitted in the corresponding pump number slot,
> or just make sure each pump's photo gets entered
> somewhere?
I always, always upload pic into the correct slot...not a company that I feel I can take a chance with to try it otherwise. The would just shopper error you away.
-------------------------------------------------------
> SAM -
> You just saved me at least three hours this
> weekend!
Glad to help. I thought it was pure insanity that I took hours and hours on top of my shopping day to rename photos. Took a chance. Luckily, this is an okay company to take a chance with. Now after 16 or so stations and 350 pics +/-, it only takes me about an hour to turn everything right side up, resize, and put into sub folder.
>
> SAM, Lisa, italiano, tech -
> For the every pump Cori shops, do you concern
> yourself with making sure each pump's photo is
> submitted in the corresponding pump number slot,
> or just make sure each pump's photo gets entered
> somewhere?
I always, always upload pic into the correct slot...not a company that I feel I can take a chance with to try it otherwise. The would just shopper error you away.
(Sorry, but no MSC was named so it looks idiot talking as if we do not know what clients we are talking about)
I audit Conoco/Phillips, Sinclair, Cenex, Shell, Valero and Exxon. I never renamed a picture in my auditor's life. If they asked me to rename I would just quit auditing that brand. Spending time to go, do the job and go home to do the report is enough time for what they pay. The only requirements I found were for Sinclair and Cenex (not sure if others too) about the size of the pictures. But that does not bother me because that is the size I use for all my pictures for every client/MSC (except pizza shops that require highest definition).
Yes Exxon requires the pumps in order and I usually take the picture in the exact order. I even waited for a customer to finish getting gas so I did not break the order. Now it is mandatory to take them in order, but the GS I shop have 14 pumps, easy to mess up.
GS audit are 90% the same. If you forget something about guidelines for a client, be sure to take a picture of the building (take 1 of the door too), fuel area showing the canopy, main ID (all of them if more than 1), gas pump (if diesel and/or alternative fuel available take their pictures too), a picture for every NO (for pumps take the detail of the no and the total of the pump), a total view possibly with the main ID in it. In store take picture of restrooms and the front counter. With those pictures it covers almost all clients (you would fail only with Conoco and Valero). But bringing printed guidelines is always a good idea.
I audit Conoco/Phillips, Sinclair, Cenex, Shell, Valero and Exxon. I never renamed a picture in my auditor's life. If they asked me to rename I would just quit auditing that brand. Spending time to go, do the job and go home to do the report is enough time for what they pay. The only requirements I found were for Sinclair and Cenex (not sure if others too) about the size of the pictures. But that does not bother me because that is the size I use for all my pictures for every client/MSC (except pizza shops that require highest definition).
Yes Exxon requires the pumps in order and I usually take the picture in the exact order. I even waited for a customer to finish getting gas so I did not break the order. Now it is mandatory to take them in order, but the GS I shop have 14 pumps, easy to mess up.
GS audit are 90% the same. If you forget something about guidelines for a client, be sure to take a picture of the building (take 1 of the door too), fuel area showing the canopy, main ID (all of them if more than 1), gas pump (if diesel and/or alternative fuel available take their pictures too), a picture for every NO (for pumps take the detail of the no and the total of the pump), a total view possibly with the main ID in it. In store take picture of restrooms and the front counter. With those pictures it covers almost all clients (you would fail only with Conoco and Valero). But bringing printed guidelines is always a good idea.
Italiano...you did in fact mention a MS company in an earlier post....
But since there's been so many MSC's & so many clients mentioned by multiple posters... and none of them connected an MSC and client to one another... does it really matter? 
Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.
Does anyone know if CoRI or Maritz is flexible on the size? They say they want them 640 x 480, but at that resolution it's hard to get a sharp enough photo of the overall station.
Has anyone tried uploading something slightly bigger like 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?
Has anyone tried uploading something slightly bigger like 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?
AndrewTX
Certifiable
Certifiable
AndrewTX Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone know if CoRI or Maritz is flexible on
> the size? They say they want them 640 x 480, but
> at that resolution it's hard to get a sharp enough
> photo of the overall station.
>
> Has anyone tried uploading something slightly
> bigger like 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?
I have tried uploading bigger pictures, but they either don't go thru or take forever to upload. Most of the time I get a timeout from their site while they are trying to upload and have to redo the whole report again. I don't think their servers can handle the larger pics. They ask for the 640x480....I don't think they want sharp, crisp, and clean pics.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone know if CoRI or Maritz is flexible on
> the size? They say they want them 640 x 480, but
> at that resolution it's hard to get a sharp enough
> photo of the overall station.
>
> Has anyone tried uploading something slightly
> bigger like 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?
I have tried uploading bigger pictures, but they either don't go thru or take forever to upload. Most of the time I get a timeout from their site while they are trying to upload and have to redo the whole report again. I don't think their servers can handle the larger pics. They ask for the 640x480....I don't think they want sharp, crisp, and clean pics.
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