Tons of daily emails with incomplete shops bonused to $30 each but also sending out routes for November with the same locations x 50 stores at $10 each? The math ain't mathing, my friends.

Who is taking these for $10? I like this job and it's fairly easy but definitely not worth my time/drive/effort for $10.

maybe the same people doing shipping shops for $5? ffs

People take them because they need the money and might live closer to the shops then you do. Why would they start out at $30 when they can perhaps fill a significant portion of them at $10? They do not need to get every shop done in the beginning of the month. If you were running a business and did not try for a lower cost to run your business but immediately paid your vendors top dollar every month your business would not be as profitable as it could be. Do the math. It maths for me.

Easy answer, just don't pick them up. Not hard. There are a lot of other shoppers who do this as a side gig and aren't looking to make a career out of it.

That’s good because, $10 per assignment, they are nowhere near ‘career’ level

No one takes them at $10. If you wait 5 days, they go to $14 and if you wait 7 days they go to $18. To whoever commented that they don't need to get these done, actually they do. They are contracted for bi-weekly visits with Ty. This isn't a mystery shopping program, where yes, maybe they just wait it out.

Don't do them at $10. Your time and gas is more expensive than this.

Very random - In my head, if I had to put a voice to forum members, for shopperbob, I would have to choose Ben Stiller's dad, Jerry Stiller who played that character on King of Queens, when speaking in all caps.

I couldn't help but hear that voice in my head say, "Folks, this is still BUSINESS, after all!"

What I'm saying is why send out emails to take them as part of a route with 49 others at $10 when you can't fill them NOW for $27-$30/each.

Routes should be at least the first or second bonus for the next month is it didn't get done the current month at any bonus.

@sandyf wrote:

People take them because they need the money and might live closer to the shops then you do. Why would they start out at $30 when they can perhaps fill a significant portion of them at $10? They do not need to get every shop done in the beginning of the month. If you were running a business and did not try for a lower cost to run your business but immediately paid your vendors top dollar every month your business would not be as profitable as it could be. Do the math. It maths for me.

If you want someone to take a route of 50 stores don't offer them for the lowest fee. Especially if they currently sit unfilled at almost triple.

I’m not familiar with this project, but I don’t like that route math either, in comparison to the individual shops at a bonus.

It is called SOP. like it or not every company has procedures to stand by and steps needed to be done for justification. Even if isn't being filled this month it does not auto translate to "not being filled next month".

I get what you are saying completely. It is really dumb. Every one of my shop approvals for the past 2 weeks has said.. we need shoppers in your area, if you know anyone, have them sign up. Sir.. that is competition and a way for you to get these jobs done at lower fees. No thank you. I will gobble up all of the bonuses all by myself... and of course the other shoppers in my area.

I would never take one of their suggested routes at $10 base. Even as the jobs get easier and some of the regular stores I am in and out of, it still takes time, driving, gas, record keeping, tracking mileage, etc.

Just as they are running a business and trying to make money, so are we. So we have to hold out sometimes for the extra money to come our way and hope that a bunch of newbies don't scoop up the shops at $10.

Has anyone had to build a new spinner?

I know the stores I've been in that don't have them, and am avoiding them since I am pretty sure I can't put a spinner together (nor do I want to, nor do I want to be unpleasantly surprised in the middle of my planned route for the day to find I need to spend hours putting something together).

Just wondering if its easier IRL than in my head!

I mean I did ask CI for info on what stores were getting spinners, but they can't be bothered to find out.

I have built/rebuilt a few. They aren't too bad once you get the hang of them. You do have to be very careful which parts you put on the top and bottom though. I've had to redo one I started on when I realized I had a part in the wrong place, and had to redo some the store employees messed up.

@Cassiespark wrote:

Has anyone had to build a new spinner?

I know the stores I've been in that don't have them, and am avoiding them since I am pretty sure I can't put a spinner together (nor do I want to, nor do I want to be unpleasantly surprised in the middle of my planned route for the day to find I need to spend hours putting something together).

Just wondering if its easier IRL than in my head!

I mean I did ask CI for info on what stores were getting spinners, but they can't be bothered to find out.

I asked this question to my scheduler. I had 3 stores in September that had no displays. Before I went out for the October visits, I emailed her the stores and asked if they were being shipped displays because I also did not want to be surprised. She did actually check and told me she had no notes about those being shipped any displays. So I simply went it and took my picture and left for the second visit. I already had the information from the first visit so didn't feel the need to go through my spiel again.

It would be nice that if a store is being shipped a display, that it would be noted somewhere, either by the higher fee or a notation BEFORE I signed up for the shop. I have no interest in building a display. I will fill it but I am not building it. These are all supposed to be spinners and in the majority of the stores, they do not spin so I have to assume they were not build correctly. Also, would we need tools? They have wheels so there has to be some sort of screws that attach. I am not signing up again for the stores that did not have displays. I keep a detailed spreadsheet of all of my notes. I don't mind putting out the merchandise and organizing it but I don't want to get involved in building things!

Also, they ask about these plastic guards and if they need to be replaced but nobody seems to know if they are being shipped out. OMG.. what a @#$%& show.

@weatherman2111.. did you get paid extra to REBUILD a display? Did you need tools?

I got more static from the stores I visited this month than last month, so I definitely am not taking them at $10 (not that I was anyway). The ordering and display information needs to get straightened out. They should also send us out a decent handful of the business cards instead of us having to print them. That's an additional time-consuming expense, imo.

It also bugs me when they say "Route" in an email and its actually the same stores but two visits. That is NOT a route.

When I wrote my answer I had no idea you were talking about a specific shop. The only thing I know about Ty is the company that used to do Beany Babies. Perhaps they are still in business or not. I have never heard of this shop and just thought you had a typo, which is not unusual in this forum, and meant the word to. The joke went right over my head not ever seeing a job for ty anywhere. So I had no idea what this specific job is about. But I still stand by at least try for a cheaper pay if you are the company. Suppose I was visiting a cousin that week in that far flung place you are driving to for this job, or I just moved there or even now live where you are and want to set up a route in competition with you and whoever else is vying for those jobs. There are all sorts of reasons the company might find a less expensive bid if they hold out. It sounds to me like the route business is a game of chicken. If you get the timing right you win, if they get the timing right they win and you lose but if you hold out too long you might lose. Neither side wants to lose but one side always does. You winning every month does not seem to me to be the best strategy for the company. But they have their numbers and I guess their numbers tell them it is financially do able for them to hold out a few weeks.

Its not a "shop", its bi-weekly merchandising. And its way too involved for $10. So perhaps until you done one or have some details, maybe don't continue to suggest to the MSC (who reads this forum daily) that anyone should do them for $10. And "waiting it out a few weeks" doesn't apply here as they are contracted for bi-weekly visits.

@sandyf wrote:

When I wrote my answer I had no idea you were talking about a specific shop. The only thing I know about Ty is the company that used to do Beany Babies. Perhaps they are still in business or not. I have never heard of this shop and just thought you had a typo, which is not unusual in this forum, and meant the word to. The joke went right over my head not ever seeing a job for ty anywhere. So I had no idea what this specific job is about. But I still stand by at least try for a cheaper pay if you are the company. Suppose I was visiting a cousin that week in that far flung place you are driving to for this job, or I just moved there or even now live where you are and want to set up a route in competition with you and whoever else is vying for those jobs. There are all sorts of reasons the company might find a less expensive bid if they hold out. It sounds to me like the route business is a game of chicken. If you get the timing right you win, if they get the timing right they win and you lose but if you hold out too long you might lose. Neither side wants to lose but one side always does. You winning every month does not seem to me to be the best strategy for the company. But they have their numbers and I guess their numbers tell them it is financially do able for them to hold out a few weeks.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2024 10:21AM by Cassiespark.

@sandyf wrote:

When I wrote my answer I had no idea you were talking about a specific shop. The only thing I know about Ty is the company that used to do Beany Babies. Perhaps they are still in business or not. I have never heard of this shop and just thought you had a typo, which is not unusual in this forum, and meant the word to. The joke went right over my head not ever seeing a job for ty anywhere. So I had no idea what this specific job is about. But I still stand by at least try for a cheaper pay if you are the company. Suppose I was visiting a cousin that week in that far flung place you are driving to for this job, or I just moved there or even now live where you are and want to set up a route in competition with you and whoever else is vying for those jobs. There are all sorts of reasons the company might find a less expensive bid if they hold out. It sounds to me like the route business is a game of chicken. If you get the timing right you win, if they get the timing right they win and you lose but if you hold out too long you might lose. Neither side wants to lose but one side always does. You winning every month does not seem to me to be the best strategy for the company. But they have their numbers and I guess their numbers tell them it is financially do able for them to hold out a few weeks.

I don't think it's a game of chicken. The pay resets each month even for shops that are now $35/each. They send out mass emails with "routes" of every shop in your state and others for the base $10. What I'm suggesting is that the MSC needs to rethink routes. Why would anyone agree to do many at the lowest rate when they cannot be filled at the highest yet? I know this is a new shop and still working out the kinks but the 7+ emails I get daily is a little much.

Threads like this are so helpful....seriously. I see these shops and reading this saves me time and headaches from attempting them.

@BarefootBliss wrote:

Threads like this are so helpful....seriously. I see these shops and reading this saves me time and headaches from attempting them.

As with every job, you have to learn the tricks. Then you just have to play the game to the best of your ability. I have gotten paid nice bonuses to go to stores that had no display at all. But of course then there are stores that have 2 displays plus inventory and maybe that one wasnt a great fee. In the end it balances out. The people are nice, the work is mostly easy. Do i wish the MSC had their act together a bit more.... absolutely!!!! Live, learn, take the money!

If build display, fee is doubled.

@Momtreal wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

When I wrote my answer I had no idea you were talking about a specific shop. The only thing I know about Ty is the company that used to do Beany Babies. Perhaps they are still in business or not. I have never heard of this shop and just thought you had a typo, which is not unusual in this forum, and meant the word to. The joke went right over my head not ever seeing a job for ty anywhere. So I had no idea what this specific job is about. But I still stand by at least try for a cheaper pay if you are the company. Suppose I was visiting a cousin that week in that far flung place you are driving to for this job, or I just moved there or even now live where you are and want to set up a route in competition with you and whoever else is vying for those jobs. There are all sorts of reasons the company might find a less expensive bid if they hold out. It sounds to me like the route business is a game of chicken. If you get the timing right you win, if they get the timing right they win and you lose but if you hold out too long you might lose. Neither side wants to lose but one side always does. You winning every month does not seem to me to be the best strategy for the company. But they have their numbers and I guess their numbers tell them it is financially do able for them to hold out a few weeks.

I don't think it's a game of chicken. The pay resets each month even for shops that are now $35/each. They send out mass emails with "routes" of every shop in your state and others for the base $10. What I'm suggesting is that the MSC needs to rethink routes. Why would anyone agree to do many at the lowest rate when they cannot be filled at the highest yet? I know this is a new shop and still working out the kinks but the 7+ emails I get daily is a little much.

I agree about this being something they're still working out the kinks. I think a potential consequence of the pay resetting every month down to $10 is that you get what you pay for and people either do a half ass job at $10, or they might do a fine job, but won't repeat them again for that pay. If there are long term challenges with getting the jobs done (and getting them done properly), the end client (Ty) might switch to a different merchandising company completely.

Yeah thats actually my biggest fear. Building a display will take an hour. Unpacking several boxes of merchandise to fill the display will take another hour. In that same 2 hour window, I could get 6 other locations completed.

Double the fee is not at all a good deal here, due to the time suck and hassle.

@QualityDatais1st wrote:

If build display, fee is doubled.

@Cassiespark wrote:

Yeah thats actually my biggest fear. Building a display will take an hour. Unpacking several boxes of merchandise to fill the display will take another hour. In that same 2 hour window, I could get 6 other locations completed.

Double the fee is not at all a good deal here, due to the time suck and hassle.

@QualityDatais1st wrote:

If build display, fee is doubled.

FWIW I got all of that done in about 30 min when I had to build one.

I don't do much for them anymore. but they sent me an email offering $40 for one display close (ish) to my house, and it says they pay double if we have to set up the display. So we will be going to the gas station tomorrow.. Right after we get done with lunch at Outback for the second time this month..

Well, whaddaya know? Ty has finally come to Podunk....for $10.

No, thank you. -lol-

Give it a week, they will be at $18. Or they will send you a route for 5 locations 3 states away and tell you with exciting !!!! that the route pays $50!!!!

@drdoggie00 wrote:

Well, whaddaya know? Ty has finally come to Podunk....for $10.

No, thank you. -lol-

If it is just rolling out, the bonuses will be good around mid and end of month.

@Datagirl wrote:

@drdoggie00 wrote:

Well, whaddaya know? Ty has finally come to Podunk....for $10.

No, thank you. -lol-

If it is just rolling out, the bonuses will be good around mid and end of month.

In my area the bonused fee topped out at $18 for the last round. I kept an eye on them so I know several locations did not get completed, but still when November hit they relisted them for $10 ($12 today). Maybe the good bonuses only come once multiple rounds have been missed.