Just wondering why people are reluctant to take the 5G shops, but will jump all over Sonic, Panda, Raising Cane's etc.

One thought is that the reimbursement doesn't fully cover the cost of the combo for 5G. Another thought is that the report is laid out stupid when you have 3-4 questions per page and have to scroll thru a ton of pages to finish report instead of using Sassie to jump to questions and all on one page? Or is "happiness" question and the other 3-4 narratives?

I like the quality of the 5G food over Sonic, JITB, RC and other places. I admit that I will take a Panda from time to time at base pay (drive-thru or online order), but I won't take a 5G shop at base.

Very rarely will you see a bonused Panda in an major metropolitan market (or suburbs of that market). But you will see bonused 5G. I know 5G is weekly and panda is only 1x per scenario each "month/period."

Just curious the reasons for people being less willing to take the 5G and expecting so much more in pay than they do the other fast food/fast casual assignments for.

I don't like the food, the prices, or the MSC.

Not a lot of variety at 5G. It gets boring after a few visits. But there is lots of variety at Panda E.

5G needs something besides beef burgers and fries, like chili, fried zucchini or jalapenos, veggie burgers, gravy, etc. And more flavors like BBQ.

And they need to separate the shake shops from the main shops. I don't know too many who can eat a cheeseburger, fries, fountain soda AND a shake in one visit. When I see a shake requirement, I run...

I think sometime during COVID lockdown, I was not able to view shops for both Five Guys and Raising Cane's. I assumed it stopped being shopped, until I may have come across these forums one time. I do remember getting paid large bonuses for Five Guys, but this was pre-COVID. I never inquired about it further, but my niece does like Five Guys. I may inquire about these shops again.

Regarding Raising Cane's, there was a period where I had too much of it in a short period of time, and I can't even stomach it anymore. But they are generous and give back to the community. When the MSC reimbursed for tolls, this was a plus.

Sonic was the first shop I ever did. When it moved MSC the first time, I was amazed at some of the bonuses. That is really all. I've actually had a panhandler refuse Sonic one time.

Jack in the Box was good for routes and bonuses. It was a consistent steam. Also, in my area, it's usually located near panhandlers, so I would give the food to them.

Edited: Accidentally typed tools instead tolls.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2024 09:32PM by Okie.

Yes, the lack of variety could be it, but how do you explain RC with the same MSC. People jump on that before they jump on 5G. Less variety at RC. At least you have a choice between hot dogs and burgers with 5G.

I know some are not fans of the MSC, but plenty of people complain about the other big MSC that has Panda. So is the hatred for the 5G MSC greater than the hatred of the Panda MSC?

Everybody's different I guess, but for me, 5G is one of those places where if you haven't had a burger or fries in a long time, it tastes pretty good...but if you have? blech.
Weird like that.

Law of Diminishing Returns? The more you have of anything, the novelty begins to wear off.

If I ate at 5G like @MisterBill seems to do them, I'm sure I would get tired of them too.

Why is NFL king? Your team plays 1x per week. You might get lucky and see them 4 days apart if they play Sunday and then again Thursday. But people look forward and have to wait usually 7 days to see their team play again. Baseball is nearly every dang day (at least 6 out of 7) and NBA is 2-3x per week. Just makes the games that much more meaningless. 1 regular season football game is almost equivalent to 10 baseball games (percentage)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2024 10:27PM by hbbigdaddy.

The MSC that has the client fired me 14 yrs, ago. I do not recall if the burger was tasty, but it must have been or I would not have continued applying. As to the fries, the manager and I agreed to not serve me the east coast limp and yellow variety. I drink water when eating and I do not recall shakes being an option in 2010.

Even if I were still contracted with MFI, I stopped going to my pocket for requirements back in 2007.

It's not really going into your pocket if you are taking a shop for $18-$25 shop fee. I get that if you are taking it at base pay, you are taking a hit on the pay, but i'll gladly pay $3 out of $20 shop fee to get what I want instead of trying to order in such a way i settle for what I don't want.

Same thing with Panda. You can get the BOWL for under reimbursement, or you can go over by less than $1 for a 2nd portion of meat. Anyone choosing to save 72 cents for that much less food baffles me. I mean you don't need more food, but i'm sure you could get 2 meals out of the 2 item combo and you are getting more for your money that way.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/11/2024 03:57AM by hbbigdaddy.

I never take 5G because I feel queasy every time I eat there. The burger is okay and the fries are horrible. I also don't want to sit around for 20 minutes. Panda's time requirement is less and I like their menu selection more. I actually only order the bowl because that is already more than I can eat.

I don't know how many times each Five Guys gets shopped in a month. I suppose it's 4 to 6 times. It get tedious seeing 60-100 postings for burgers every week. Very few people pick them up where I live. This is the only fast food place I know that gets shopped multiple times per month. The shopping company's job board needs more variety like they used to have over 10 years ago.

From my experience, each location is shopped every week. Period begins Thursdays and hope to wrap up by Sundays. That is why you see bigger bonuses on Mon-Wed as they have a deadline to meet.

I'm sure plenty are happy that other MSC have taken shops away from the 5G/RC MSC.

@larueda992 wrote:

I don't know how many times each Five Guys gets shopped in a month. I suppose it's 4 to 6 times. It get tedious seeing 60-100 postings for burgers every week. Very few people pick them up where I live. This is the only fast food place I know that gets shopped multiple times per month. The shopping company's job board needs more variety like they used to have over 10 years ago.

There are several 5G in my city and my husband and I easily share the meal with fries usually leftover. I order the regular size cheeseburger and we split it. We sit and chat while we wait. I completed one this week for $25 shop pay plus reimbursement. I was out of pocked a little over $2. I am glad that other shoppers don't pick these up. I usually end up with at least 1-2 $25-30 shops per month.

I stopped doing 5G because the current scenario does not reflect normal consumer behavior. I was already ambivalent between the insufficient reimbursements and dealing with the MSC. The change in scenario tipped the scales for me.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

Why is NFL king? Your team plays 1x per week. You might get lucky and see them 4 days apart if they play Sunday and then again Thursday. But people look forward and have to wait usually 7 days to see their team play again. Baseball is nearly every dang day (at least 6 out of 7) and NBA is 2-3x per week. Just makes the games that much more meaningless. 1 regular season football game is almost equivalent to 10 baseball games (percentage)

Ha. I'm a Jets fan. I wish they played once a month. Or once a year.

I like the 5G shops, they're just hard to get in my area.

Are you referring to the pause after you order the burger to see if they offer the fries, drink and shake?

@CoolMusic wrote:

I stopped doing 5G because the current scenario does not reflect normal consumer behavior. I was already ambivalent between the insufficient reimbursements and dealing with the MSC. The change in scenario tipped the scales for me.

I'm guessing @CoolMusic is probably not happy with that ordering requirement.

I really don't care. It is stupid, but if you are going to pay me $20 plus give me a combo meal for something I personally like, then I'll order that way. I just look at my phone like I'm not paying attention and forgetting to add anything. They always ask about the drink and fries. If they were to stay silent, I would just say, "Okay, how much?" Then mark them down for failing, but that has not happened yet.

I'm not passing up a good paying fast food/fast casual shop because of the "order the burger only" rule. I guess for some that could be a deal breaker, but not for me.

There would be quite a few shops that you end up passing on because of this "not reflect normal consumer behavior".

Who calls in to the branch and complains about ATM's always being out of service (wells fargo shop)? Worse are the people who are making appt to do this in person at the branch. A normal customer really going to make an appt for that?

@CoolMusic wrote:

I stopped doing 5G because the current scenario does not reflect normal consumer behavior. I was already ambivalent between the insufficient reimbursements and dealing with the MSC. The change in scenario tipped the scales for me.

They are typically $5 here and the reimbursement doesn't cover the cost of a plain little burger, little fry, and drink. It's about $3 out of pocket, or out of the shop fee, so I'd make $2? NOPE. Factor in the income taxes on that shop and the cost of gas to get there. It's not even a free meal. It still ends up costing something with zero pay. They rarely bonus them here.
I once had them question the fact that the fries were limp and not fully cooked. The center was not soft and fluffy. They questioned it because the manage made them. They tried to say they were limp b/c I did not eat them in the restaurant and took them home. They questioned if I closed the bag and waited until I got home. They reviewed the security footage and said I never ate one while in the store. I ate one while exiting the back door, which didn't have a camera. After that, I made sure I was facing a camera and ate one before leaving to avoid that issue in the future.
They also seem to wait weeks to a month or more to ask questions about a shop. I take detailed notes and record every shop, so I am able to go back and listen for timing or what was said, etc. Not everyone does that and those ina 2party state can't legally record a shop.
Then there are the overseas calls where I can't understand what they are saying when they call.
That MSC is not my favorite one.
Canes has zero pay and is never bonused here. The reimbursement also doesn't cover the cost of the minimum requirement and you can only choose from two, maybe three options. It's limited.
Panda- Lots of food choices for everyone. They are quicker and the reports are shorter. They don't stay on the board long at all. I was happy to see this move to another MSP though.

The base pay for 5G is always $9 in my area. They always get bonuses. Canes also gets bonuses to either $7 or $10 in my area.

Lots of people talk about their "here" or "their areas" but leave us guessing as to which areas these are.

I agree with @myst4au that the 5g shops start at $9 unless it's a delivery shop.

The RC starts at $0, goes to $3, then $5, then $7, then $10. Rarely does it get over $5 in Southern California or the greater Phoenix area.

@Michellescheduler wrote:

I once had them question the fact that the fries were limp and not fully cooked. The center was not soft and fluffy. They questioned it because the manage made them. They tried to say they were limp b/c I did not eat them in the restaurant and took them home. They questioned if I closed the bag and waited until I got home. They reviewed the security footage and said I never ate one while in the store. I ate one while exiting the back door, which didn't have a camera. After that, I made sure I was facing a camera and ate one before leaving to avoid that issue in the future.
They also seem to wait weeks to a month or more to ask questions about a shop. I take detailed notes and record every shop, so I am able to go back and listen for timing or what was said, etc. Not everyone does that and those ina 2party state can't legally record a shop.

AMEN!

I can do 2-3 per month around here, (North Jersey) since there are several within my shopping range, but yikes, it's like an instant laxative to me with all the grease. I usually take most (or some depending on how hungry I am) of the fries home for my doggie.(same effect on him, however) I do them for $25 or more + reimbursement. You all can have the Panda's. I think their food is terrible. We also have a lot of good local Asian restaurants nearby. I don't know what Cane's is...none nearby. Same with Sonic...just god awful food!

I do not like the quality of food at FG, but I can do them for nice bonus 1-2 times a month. I wish to get Raising Cane but $11.00 did not caver the price.

Before the burger-only requirement, I had tried the hot dog and "grilled cheese." Both were on those tiny HB buns. Not nice.

I have done a couple of 5 Guys when I have been out of town.

In fact, I am going out of town in a couple of weeks and after seeing a 5 Guys shop, I may do it, depending on the pay.

But should I go to the other restaurant that is not a shop.

Plays Jeopardy theme song

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I'm guessing @CoolMusic is probably not happy with that ordering requirement.

I really don't care. It is stupid, but if you are going to pay me $20 plus give me a combo meal for something I personally like, then I'll order that way. I just look at my phone like I'm not paying attention and forgetting to add anything. They always ask about the drink and fries. If they were to stay silent, I would just say, "Okay, how much?" Then mark them down for failing, but that has not happened yet.

I'm not passing up a good paying fast food/fast casual shop because of the "order the burger only" rule. I guess for some that could be a deal breaker, but not for me.

The only time I will pull my phone out while I am at the restaurant is if I am pulling up the app for that restaurant, and I am scanning the bar code for my reward points or I am showing the cashier/sever a coupon..

I am not talking on it while I enter the store or I am not taking on it while I am talking to the cashier or server. If I want to talk on the phone, I will wait till AFTER MY MEAL and I will do it outside.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I'm guessing @CoolMusic is probably not happy with that ordering requirement.

I really don't care. It is stupid, but if you are going to pay me $20 plus give me a combo meal for something I personally like, then I'll order that way. I just look at my phone like I'm not paying attention and forgetting to add anything. They always ask about the drink and fries. If they were to stay silent, I would just say, "Okay, how much?" Then mark them down for failing, but that has not happened yet.

I'm not passing up a good paying fast food/fast casual shop because of the "order the burger only" rule. I guess for some that could be a deal breaker, but not for me.

The only time I will pull my phone out while I am at the restaurant is if I am pulling up the app for that restaurant, and I am scanning the bar code for my reward points or I am showing the cashier/sever a coupon..

I am not talking on it while I enter the store or I am not taking on it while I am talking to the cashier or server. If I want to talk on the phone, I will wait till AFTER MY MEAL and I will do it outside.

I'm guessing HBBD means that he's looking at it like he's texting or emailing. I could be wrong. It seems like he's giving them an excuse to ask if he wants anything else.

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. Most of the time, if you stand there looking at them, within a couple of seconds, they'll say *something* to move the conversation along, and you'll have your answer.

@olympia tennenbaum

Very good. I didn't think it needed an explanation. I'm not going to get on a call and be rude, but I'm going to act like I'm distracted to force the employee to either ask the question or give me the total.

I'm not going to skip this shop when paying $20 or higher just because I am only allowed to ask for the burger. They want their stupid requirements, I can follow them and play along.