Citgo

OK, count me among the people who have no idea how to do searches on this forum (as I find it unlikely no one has ever mentioned Citgo). Anyway, do these shops get bonused? This is a new to me company with several shops still open at the end of the month near me and I was wondering if it is worth waiting to see if they bonus on Feb 1. Also are they as involved as Exxon/Mobile shops? It doesn't sound like it from the description.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2025 07:38PM by prince.

There are several near me I dont do. Just like you i am waiting for them to be bonused. This morning I noticed they extended the shop date into February with no bonus.

Some of them get bonused. I don't do a lot of them - the local store by me is in a weird spot to get all the required pics while being covert.

never mind

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2025 08:39PM by jazzzyjd.

They are quarterly so bonuses and negotiations usually happen after the first two months pass.

@sestrahelena wrote:

They are quarterly so bonuses and negotiations usually happen after the first two months pass.

Citgo is quarterly? I don't find that to be true. We get a new round every month where I am. The problem is they start at $7 (with a non-reimbursed purchase), so hell no. I wait until at least $15 on the easy-to-do locations and $20-plus on the harder ones. If someone else grabs 'em before that, so be it.

I see the OP said "never mind" so I imagine they found the info they needed, but for anyone else who happens into the thread, just one word of warning: Some of the locations, on a rotating basis, require "informational photos" in addition to the standard restroom, pump, price sign both sides, curb appeal, building etc. These "informational photos" pretty much double the number of compulsory photos, so watch out for that when setting your price.

Also, in my neck of the woods anyway, Citgos tend to be pretty run-down affairs, so count on lots of extra photos detailing cracked pavement, overflowing trash cans and dumpsters, hand-written signs on doors, lack of island supplies, etc. You don't need to take any inside-store photos except for the restroom, so that's a plus.

I sometimes wonder why Citgo even runs a mystery shop program. At least around here, they clearly don't care if the locations look like crap, so what are they measuring? Oh well, not ours to question why ...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2025 09:20PM by KokoBWare.

Yep to everything Koko said, except that my area is def quarterly.

If these are from the "how many degrees in a circle" MSC, they are also monthly where I see them. And always low paying. Not too involved with the report, but compared to the pay, not worth it. They are not too bad when bonused, but I still would need more than the average bonus they offer.

I think the stations pay fines for low scores, which is why they are shopped. And I have seen the worst of them get debranded. I always give a sigh of relief on those, because despite the complete headache they are to do I still end up taking them.

Mine are done monthly like clockwork, but I avoid the regular "mystery shops" in favor of the "special project" shops. Unfortunately, those are few and far between. The Citgos here are on par with Sunoco and Valero - i.e., about as gross and nasty as they come.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

@mystery2me wrote:

I think the stations pay fines for low scores, which is why they are shopped. And I have seen the worst of them get debranded. I always give a sigh of relief on those, because despite the complete headache they are to do I still end up taking them.

Wow, there's one about 40 miles from me that I did a few times (but never again) while on other jobs down there. I have no idea how this place doesn't get debranded. It's basically a drug paraphernalia store with gas pumps, and the gas pumps are out of order more than they're working.

@jazzzyjd wrote:

OK, count me among the people who have no idea how to do searches on this forum (as I find it unlikely no one has ever mentioned Citgo). Anyway, do these shops get bonused? This is a new to me company with several shops still open at the end of the month near me and I was wondering if it is worth waiting to see if they bonus on Feb 1. Also are they as involved as Exxon/Mobile shops? It doesn't sound like it from the description.

I've never seen one get bonused. The fee raises over time....a LONG, LONG time... So keep the faith but the raise in fee is no more than a few bucks.

@joanna81 wrote:

Some of them get bonused. I don't do a lot of them - the local store by me is in a weird spot to get all the required pics while being covert.

Yeah...I don't know how they expect you to remain covert while taking a picture of the clerk's dental work. <sarcasm>. It's not that bad...but it's pretty close.

@KokoBWare wrote:

@mystery2me wrote:

I think the stations pay fines for low scores, which is why they are shopped. And I have seen the worst of them get debranded. I always give a sigh of relief on those, because despite the complete headache they are to do I still end up taking them.
Wow, there's one about 40 miles from me that I did a few times (but never again) while on other jobs down there. I have no idea how this place doesn't get debranded. It's basically a drug paraphernalia store with gas pumps, and the gas pumps are out of order more than they're working.

I bet Citgo is making a lot in fines from them if the mystery shopper is doing the job right.

Reminds me of a gas station I did today, different, brand, where drug paraphernalia is an infraction. As soon as I revealed the owner quickly led me out of the store to explain such as such problem with the branding outside. I politely listened to everything, and then went back inside to take photos of the two large drug paraphernalia displays. I could here him scowling. He thought he was slick.

Citgos are quarterly. They'll go up a little next month and at the end of the quarter they'll make it to $20 or $30. If they go over sometimes you can get them for much more, but most don't make it past $20.

Thanks everyone!! I think I will give them a pass at this rate well at least the ones that are unreimbursed. They made it sound like the purchase and 4 outside photos plus restroom. I used to do a ton of bonused Exxon and Shell but I upset the schedulers and am blocked now and then they moved to Presto and I have never quite figured that into my regular checks anyway, not that I am allowed to do them.

I am new to the circle company -- I did do a valet for them last night, that was easy enough for the money and they had a $10 food allowance if you were waiting in the restaurant. Granted $10 doesn't buy much but I always appreciate that gesture at hotel valets.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2025 03:38PM by jazzzyjd.

@Morledzep wrote:

Citgos are quarterly. They'll go up a little next month and at the end of the quarter they'll make it to $20 or $30. If they go over sometimes you can get them for much more, but most don't make it past $20.

Again, it's not universally the case that they're quarterly. They're monthly here, and some other posters have noted that they are monthly in their areas as well.

I'm referring to the standard unreimbursed shop. The "special projects" may be quarterly, I haven't kept as close a watch on those.

ok, you're right..

I asked the scheduler. They are 100% quarterly in all states.
I have done large routes through Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin & Kentucky over the past 10 years.

@KokoBWare wrote:

@Morledzep wrote:

Citgos are quarterly. They'll go up a little next month and at the end of the quarter they'll make it to $20 or $30. If they go over sometimes you can get them for much more, but most don't make it past $20.
Again, it's not universally the case that they're quarterly. They're monthly here, and some other posters have noted that they are monthly in their areas as well.

I'm referring to the standard unreimbursed shop. The "special projects" may be quarterly, I haven't kept as close a watch on those.

Yeah, but what about the ones in Aruba?

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