@Cassiespark wrote:
Are people already doing these at the paltry $5? Sigh.
@mjt9598 wrote:
If you need to mail a package anyway, the $5 fee would be well worth it since they only take a few minutes including the report, and the cost of mailing packages is so high.
@ServiceAward wrote:
@purpleicee wrote:
@Rousseau was simply pointing out the negative income on this shop. It does not matter if someone needed to mail a package. Writing a report and taking photographs costs more than $5.00. And then waiting for that money. So, it is not sensible to do that as an assigned shop, since it costs more for you to perform those duties, than $5.00. You make nothing on the shop. Hence, not sensible. A fool is someone lacking in judgment. A person who needs to mail a package without this shop assigned does not lose any money. The person doing it for $5.00, loses money. The statement was about this shop and this fee. Not about all shops taken for whatever fees someone can make a profit, even if measly.
What nonsense you speak.
@Rousseau directly called people who take $5 shops 'fools.' Then, implied that those who do are not professional shoppers. Those are broad statements that have been applied to a large and growing industry that is ever-changing, where the supply of shoppers in many areas exceeds the demand for shoppers.
Since when does it cost more than $5 to write a report and take a few photos? Any costs involved are operating expenses. They are costs you will pay whether you complete a $5 USPS shop or not. Overhead costs, like your home internet or phone are simply a part of running a business like this.
As people's business grows or their needs change, they may very well no longer take such shops. I don't. But 18 months ago I would have. There may be a time when I need to do that $5 shop. While there may be times it does not make business sense, that's not the case every time. If I am on a route and I am passing by the USPS with an open shop, I may pick it up and make a few extra dollars. That's my decision and I would be doing what is best for me. That's my whole point.
While I strongly disagree you will lose money on this shop unless you are traveling a great distance to complete it and only that shop, there are times when a business needs to lose money in order to become profitable in the long-term. Amazon, among others, spent over a decade in the red. Look where they are now. Those heavy investments early on resulted in major losses, but if Jeff had not taken them, they would not be where they are today and he would still be selling used books out of his garage.
@gigishopper wrote:
@Cassiespark —Never have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.