The person who called you is not actually from the East Coast. They use an offshore Contact Center, and spoof numbers to make it look like they are calling from VA. So they have no concept of locations and distance.

At the $10 bonus, I've done every PO in my city 3 times this quarter. So no idea what that guy was talking about...

@sandyf wrote:

I had an interesting conversation yesterday. Have not done many of the new company shops but my son left some things behind when he packed to go back home so I want to send them.
I found a $10 bonus shop near a store I need to visit. I took it and a few hours later got a call from an east coast scheduler who wanted me to accept three shops in the opposite direction and a 30 to 45 minute drive each way from my home which would require me to move my car 2x and walk 20 blocks or move my car 3x plus wait 30 min x2 between shops. He offered the same $10 bonus. As I have no plans to be in that area I asked him if he could pay a $15 bonus ($15 fee total where some of it is eaten by the postage to the east coast). These are must do end of qtr shops. He said that there was no way this msc would approve a pay of $20 which I told him I got regularly at the end of quarter with the last company. But he did clarify for me that they are doing each post office just once per quarter now. I turned him down as these 3 jobs would most likely take a 4 hour chunk out of my day at least. I see they are either gone or removed from jobs I can see today.

Was it David who called you? He used to be one of the overseas schedulers from Market Force, but moved on to current company. I enjoy speaking to him. I think he's in the Philippines.

Edited to remove MSC before anyone points it out..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2024 04:07PM by MsJudi.

@sandyf wrote:

But he did clarify for me that they are doing each post office just once per quarter now. I turned him down as these 3 jobs would most likely take a 4 hour chunk out of my day at least. I see they are either gone or removed from jobs I can see today.

Hmmmm.....I wonder when that started. I've seen the same PO shopped more than once per quarter with the new company over the past few months. At least in my area of SC. Maybe this is something new on their part.

ETA: my shop was approved, so I guess I did it all OK!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/2024 12:05AM by guysmom.

They really are tight with the pay. I can't get a response from them, but do they have any rules about how soon you can reshop the same location?

Interesting how they are only doing these location 1-2 times a quarter rather than monthly.

They no longer reimburse for the box. You will be able to mail anything so long as it's over 1lb and going to a different zip code than the one on the package. I'm planning to buy boxes in bulk on Amazon when I run out of boxes that I have.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

I have a package that I would like to see to a friend.. She lives in Texas and I live in Arkansas..

Will I be able to do that or do I need to email the MSC and ask them to be sure?

I have done them before (With the old MSC) and I have had shipping buddies..

Also if I buy the box, will I be reimburse for the box? I know with the old MSC, they will reimburse you for the box.

It's 18 days between shops. I wouldn't chance doing one sooner.

I was able to submit a receipt for the box. I put it under the second receipt question, #3. I had been submitting my receipt only on question #2, and they were approved without the #3 photo.

@MsJudi wrote:

I enjoy speaking to him. I think he's in the Philippines.

I called my guy back later. Woke him up.
“Pasensya na po”

I think I've done the same. He sounded a bit groggy one time.

Did they actually reimburse you for the box? The second receipt photo is supposed to be a close-up of the shipping receipt. So this has peaked my interest!

@whosear wrote:

I was able to submit a receipt for the box. I put it under the second receipt question, #3. I had been submitting my receipt only on question #2, and they were approved without the #3 photo.

Its 18 days between shops, and the app will block you from trying to visit earlier than 18 Days.

@cherubino3 wrote:

They really are tight with the pay. I can't get a response from them, but do they have any rules about how soon you can reshop the same location?

Interesting how they are only doing these location 1-2 times a quarter rather than monthly.

For the new Haz Mat scenario, are you allowed to choose it yourself? It seems that way to me. I think that I have read 15 pages of instructions now. (Sold something on eBay, so I need to ship....)

Every store I'm in--if I see merchandise being unpacked I will ask to take the empty boxes that are less than 12x12x12. They can be turned inside out, duct taped on the new inside and packing taped on the outside.
Kinda funny but a scheduler called me about a certain location. When I said I could go there Friday I was told that day isnt available because someone else was shipping there within 18 days.
Umm No; rotation is for the IC not the location.

@cherubino3 wrote:

They no longer reimburse for the box. You will be able to mail anything so long as it's over 1lb and going to a different zip code than the one on the package. I'm planning to buy boxes in bulk on Amazon when I run out of boxes that I have.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

I have a package that I would like to see to a friend.. She lives in Texas and I live in Arkansas..

Will I be able to do that or do I need to email the MSC and ask them to be sure?

I have done them before (With the old MSC) and I have had shipping buddies..

Also if I buy the box, will I be reimburse for the box? I know with the old MSC, they will reimburse you for the box.

.

So I can be in the same ZONE as long as it is a different zip code?

I must have missed it unless I over looked it but how come do we need to check on the app?

Do I download the app and fill in the report on the app? Every time I do any restaurants shops, I always take the require pictures at the restaurant and I filled out the report at home.



I

I believe the boxes can be 12 by 12 or smaller..

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2024 12:47AM by Isaiah4031a.

I had to confirm with the MSC since the Guidelines were missing info. You CAN choose whichever scenario you want. Also, you just have to ship to a zipcode different than the one you are shipping from. You no longer have to ship to Zone 5.

Nothing else in the guidelines worth reading if you've done these before. The report is super duper fast and easy.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

For the new Haz Mat scenario, are you allowed to choose it yourself? It seems that way to me. I think that I have read 15 pages of instructions now. (Sold something on eBay, so I need to ship....)

So for the scheduler who called me, I did not see the read out on my phone to let me know Virginia. His accent was definitely foreign but he did not sound Philippino. In any case what he said about once a quarter is not true but I have not seen the close to me post offices listed very often. I shipped to zone 8 yesterday and the cost was $18.05. The rules say different zip and different city. I live two blocks away from a different zip and different city however they would not ship Priority to a few blocks from here. I am not sure what the rules are for priority but with the old company they used zones and you could not ship to zone 0 which was much larger than zip codes around here. I doubt they would even accept a Priority box for a local delivery.
Today there are new shops that were not there yesterday and they are due in two days. One is at a UPS store. That one has no bonus.
My shop has not yet been approved and I am not sure it will be. I had to get in touch with the help people because I could not submit my shop. It kept telling me it was not within the time range of the shop. I kept fiddling with the times to try to fix the issue but never did. The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

@sandyf wrote:

The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

Just say you get in the post office parking lot at 2 PM. Take the require pictures outside as needed and check in on the app. You walk in and wait in line for 5 minutes (Observing the lobby) (Depending on how it is set up).. You get to the counter at 2:06 PM. You leave the counter at 2:07 PM.. You get in your car at 2:08 PM.

How will you do the times in the report?

I did two of these shops for $15 each this past week. How I managed this is that I texted the "Virginia" number back and asked them to keep.me in mind when these shops pay $15. Amazingly enough, this worked.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2024 08:14PM by morocco77.

I've shipped Priority within my own (small) city. USPS will absolutely accept it. They will probably look at you funny, but they will accept it.

@sandyf wrote:

So for the scheduler who called me, I did not see the read out on my phone to let me know Virginia. His accent was definitely foreign but he did not sound Philippino. In any case what he said about once a quarter is not true but I have not seen the close to me post offices listed very often. I shipped to zone 8 yesterday and the cost was $18.05. The rules say different zip and different city. I live two blocks away from a different zip and different city however they would not ship Priority to a few blocks from here. I am not sure what the rules are for priority but with the old company they used zones and you could not ship to zone 0 which was much larger than zip codes around here. I doubt they would even accept a Priority box for a local delivery.
Today there are new shops that were not there yesterday and they are due in two days. One is at a UPS store. That one has no bonus.
My shop has not yet been approved and I am not sure it will be. I had to get in touch with the help people because I could not submit my shop. It kept telling me it was not within the time range of the shop. I kept fiddling with the times to try to fix the issue but never did. The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

They will take it. If there is ever a question, I simply say "My wife said Priority Mail." Male clerks smile and say something like "Happy wife, happy life." So do the female clerks. It is not always that exact expression. Sometimes they just smile or laugh. Then they just ship it by Priority Mail.

@Cassiespark wrote:

I've shipped Priority within my own (small) city. USPS will absolutely accept it. They will probably look at you funny, but they will accept it.

@sandyf wrote:

So for the scheduler who called me, I did not see the read out on my phone to let me know Virginia. His accent was definitely foreign but he did not sound Philippino. In any case what he said about once a quarter is not true but I have not seen the close to me post offices listed very often. I shipped to zone 8 yesterday and the cost was $18.05. The rules say different zip and different city. I live two blocks away from a different zip and different city however they would not ship Priority to a few blocks from here. I am not sure what the rules are for priority but with the old company they used zones and you could not ship to zone 0 which was much larger than zip codes around here. I doubt they would even accept a Priority box for a local delivery.
Today there are new shops that were not there yesterday and they are due in two days. One is at a UPS store. That one has no bonus.
My shop has not yet been approved and I am not sure it will be. I had to get in touch with the help people because I could not submit my shop. It kept telling me it was not within the time range of the shop. I kept fiddling with the times to try to fix the issue but never did. The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

When they call me to take a shop, I just tell them how far away it is and if it's still available and I'm going that way, I will consider it. They aren't desperate enough to make it worth my while.

I wouldn't take anything that isn't bonused. $5 is less than they paid for these shops 15 years ago, before it changed to a different MSC for awhile. And now that MSC is outsourcing to schedulers who may even think that's good money.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2024 11:42PM by cherubino3.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

So I can be in the same ZONE as long as it is a different zip code?

I must have missed it unless I over looked it but how come do we need to check on the app?

Do I download the app and fill in the report on the app? Every time I do any restaurants shops, I always take the require pictures at the restaurant and I filled out the report at home.

I believe the boxes can be 12 by 12 or smaller..

I'm sorry, best double check the zone thing.

You need the app so that you can check in when you are on the property, it geolocates you and is only present on the app. Why? It's what they set up. There are other MSCs who do the same on this. Why? Because some MSCs say there is a lot of fraud. You can start the report on the app and then finish it at home. It's much easier to upload your photos through the app.

Once you pick up one of these shops, it's best to check all the sections you need to input so that you are ready when you get there.

Yes, the box can be 12x12x12 or smaller.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2024 02:29AM by cherubino3.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

Just say you get in the post office parking lot at 2 PM. Take the require pictures outside as needed and check in on the app. You walk in and wait in line for 5 minutes (Observing the lobby) (Depending on how it is set up).. You get to the counter at 2:06 PM. You leave the counter at 2:07 PM.. You get in your car at 2:08 PM.

How will you do the times in the report?

take package and outside photos and check in on the app.

Take the following times:
1. When you walk in
2. When you join the line
3. When you are called up to a window
4. the amount of minutes/seconds you waited in line
5. When your receipt says the transaction ended.

When you get in your car is irrelevant to them.

@guysmom wrote:

OK, so I did my first shop for the new MSC today. For those of you who have done these, could y'all answer something for me?

1) I used my own camera to take photos. When I uploaded them, I got a message each time about not having them geo-located. I didn't even think about checking my camera to see if it was set to that. Is this mandatory?? It says my shop was successfully submitted, so will this be an issue? I don't remember reading anything in the instructions about making sure our camera apps were set to geo-locate.
2) Do any of you know WHY we're asked for TWO photos of the post office?? I took two separate photos, and did not use the same photo twice. Can we use the same photo??

Just an aside.....I found the app easy enough to maneuver, but overall I liked the other MSC's way of entering the info better. Oh well. Now we'll see if I did it right!

The new MSC and most on this app want to see metadata nowadays. They want the check in and the geolocated photos. You have to have location enabled on your camera. If it doesn't have that feature, use your smartphone camera. Some even want the time stamp on the photo from an phone app like TimeStamp Camera.

I'm not a fan of the two photos from two angles. But, my guess it's because they think it prevents fraud.

@Cassiespark wrote:

Its 18 days between shops, and the app will block you from trying to visit earlier than 18 Days.

I finally saw that when trying to pick up a location which someone else had shopped it's 18 days for you or anyone else.

The issue was this is the first time I am doing this shop using the app. I did only one other with teh new company and that time the report was a little different than it is now. I checked in when i arrived. Lets say it was 1 PM. Then I looked around , re read my rules, took photos of flags, weeds etc. Then when I started the part where I went into the post office it was already 1:06. On my phone it popped up with a start time of 1:00. With the old company they wanted us to walk straight over to the line so my way of thinking was my start time should be when I walked in the door, not when I checkedi n.That was my check in time. There was a way to edit the "start" time so I did that and that is where the screwup happened. That start time was not even on the same section of the report. I adjusted the start time to what was considered the start time by me and the old company. I do not remember seeing any guideline about that issue. I could not submit but had no idea what time they wanted me to fix. Then suddenly my report was submitted. so when they explained what they wanted me to fix I could not fix it as my repot was submitted. Now it is just sitting there since Wednesday. It has been a long weekend waiting for someone to reply.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

In response to the person who asked about scenarios as far as my job was concerned there were no scenarios. All i had to do was mail the package and say no to the hazmat question. And the clerk does need to ask about hazmat but does not need to mention all the examples of items. As long as they mention the most egregious items (you need to look it up but there were 4 items they were supposed to mention which were the most flammable) they get a yes for asking.

@sandyf wrote:

The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

Just say you get in the post office parking lot at 2 PM. Take the require pictures outside as needed and check in on the app. You walk in and wait in line for 5 minutes (Observing the lobby) (Depending on how it is set up).. You get to the counter at 2:06 PM. You leave the counter at 2:07 PM.. You get in your car at 2:08 PM.

How will you do the times in the report?

I'm totally confused. Your start time was AFTER your check-in time, so why did they say it was BEFORE?

I am also confused about exactly what good that little button does anyhow. I've completed reports at home on computer without checking in at all or checking in at home. Ive forgotten to check-in and done it after I've exited. I've checked in a few blocks away. I never really thought it mattered much, but maybe they are getting more strict about it. I try to remember now to do it upon arrival. It also takes me a minute or 2 to gather all my $hit, get my payment ready to pull out of purse easily and grab my package and pen, so my check-in time is never the time I enter. So far, all my reports have been approved. I did receive feedback once about the time and location of check-in not matching and to do so more carefully.

Hi and I had a similar issue to the one where the report kept telling me the times were not within the period.
I started a shop today at the post office. I entered the info on the app and finished the section where you entered the time you entered and whey you were finished. I find that little counter on the app to go ver slowly but I set my in time at 4:05 PM and my out time at 4:08 PM and it kept telling me my time was before I entered.
There are no seconds on the app. So i went home and checked on the website and even tho i had gone back on the app and hit 4:08 three times when I opened the website the time on there read some completely different time than I had input on the app. So i fixed that and added the seconds to my timings and it went ok from there. Also on the app it seemed to reject my photo but when I put it in again on the website it took it. A few minutes it seemed after submitting the finished report on the website I got an email saying it was accepted.

@MsJudi wrote:

I'm totally confused. Your start time was AFTER your check-in time, so why did they say it was BEFORE?

I am also confused about exactly what good that little button does anyhow. I've completed reports at home on computer without checking in at all or checking in at home. Ive forgotten to check-in and done it after I've exited. I've checked in a few blocks away. I never really thought it mattered much, but maybe they are getting more strict about it. I try to remember now to do it upon arrival. It also takes me a minute or 2 to gather all my $hit, get my payment ready to pull out of purse easily and grab my package and pen, so my check-in time is never the time I enter. So far, all my reports have been approved. I did receive feedback once about the time and location of check-in not matching and to do so more carefully.