Canadian pay

There are fewer MSC's in Canada now and more and more American companies are doing the shops in Canada and the money being paid is being lowered to match the pay in the U.S.A.

American companies do not understand Canada and because of the lack of available shops, shoppers here are taking these low paying jobs.

Examples of these low fees are report fees of $4, $6, $7 and $8. At these fees it is not worth it to start your car and drive to the shop.

Both the shopper and the MSC do not understand that our costs are higher in Canada then in the U.S.A.

Examples of this is: the cost of gas, the cost of cars, the cost of milk and bread and all other food items, a higher tax rate, etc.

Continuing to take these low paying shops will eventually cause the Canadian MSC's to lower their pay schedules even lower.

If we all work together and explain to the companies in the states why we can't help them with their shops at the lower rates.

Every company I have explained this to has understood and increased the pay for me.

Thanks for reading and I hope acting.

Steve.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2011 06:08PM by Steve Brunnel.

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You also will have issues if they pay you in US dollars. At one time the exchange rate was such that you ended up with more Canadian dollars than US dollars because the Canadian dollar was worth around 80 to 90 cents US. These days the two currencies are about the same so after exchange you are probably seeing less. But fees in the US have declined as well. I recently realized I was in rotation for a particular shop I have done for years at $20. It now pays $18.

I agree completely!

Unfortunately, not all rates are negotiable and we all have to eat. I negotiate rates in my favor when I can. However, usually, I choose among what's offered. If I don't like $6 fees, I simply do not take the shops. Who knows? Next week, a $6 shop at a place I'm going anyways might be wonderful.

I'm getting particularly peeved that the US dollar is worth less than the Canadian one at the moment and has been for a long time. It stings when I agree to a $20 fee only to have that fee turn to $18 and a few cents when I deposit the cheque, even worse when it's through Paypal. It's really pathetic when it's a $6US shop that turns into a $5 pay.

My wish for the future in MS, apart from a nice fat raise in fees, is that companies that hire me for work in Canada pay me in my local currency. In the past 6 months, I've lost hundreds on crappy conversion rates. I've since learned that I could open a no-fee online US account with my bank, deposit my cheques there until I like the exchange rate, then transfer it all to my main account.

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You also will have issues if they pay you in US
> dollars. At one time the exchange rate was such
> that you ended up with more Canadian dollars than
> US dollars because the Canadian dollar was worth
> around 80 to 90 cents US. These days the two
> currencies are about the same so after exchange
> you are probably seeing less. But fees in the US
> have declined as well. I recently realized I was
> in rotation for a particular shop I have done for
> years at $20. It now pays $18.

My point is that a shop that pays $18 in the USA needs to pay $22 to $25.
This $4 to $7 helps to cover the extra costs we have in Canada.

Steve

And I'm not disputing that it may cost more for fuel etc. in Canada. But as long as there are shoppers on either side of the border willing to work for the offered fee, the shops will get scheduled and performed at the stated fee.

Yup, supply and demand, eh?

There are variances in the cost of living between different areas of the US (Rural vs. Urban) that are equally frustrating. It's just part of the industry you have to learn to live with if you can't negotiate the shop costs.

MSCs usually average shop fees over all locations. Shoppers in Hawaii suffer as well, with reimbursement for food sometimes not covering the required purchase.

You can use that same logic to say that US shoppers should be paid more because we have to provide our own health insurance. There are advantages and disadvantages on both sides. I'm in Montreal on a shop right now, so I can assure you that you have much more affordable public transportation options than many places in the US!

Wish I could write off my mortgage payment.

Who cares about public transit. Haven't used it for 30 years.

Canadians pay for their own health insurance the same as Americans do, it just is done in taxes instead of directly.

Governments do not have money except for the money they get from taxpayers.

That is true in both countries. The difference is that when the government pays there is approximately 20% or more lost in overhead costs. When you pay for your own health insurance you can find out the overhead cost and make your own decision.

That is why the only charities I donate to are those with a 5% or less overhead cost.

If you are going to look at so called logic please think it through first.

SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I'm in Montreal on a shop right now, so I can assure
> you that you have much more affordable public
> transportation options than many places in the US!

Bienvenu à Montréal! Next time you're in town, let's get together for a coffee at Timmies!

sge

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/2011 12:47PM by Steve Brunnel.

Merci, MtlShopper.

I'm still thawing out from my visit. Great town and I did enjoy some of the coffee from Timmies. I'll let you know if I'm coming back :^)

Regarding the comment about health insurance from Steve Brunnel; That was my point! Canadians pay in taxes and Americans pay directly, so please don't use high taxes as an excuse for your cost of living being higher. We ALL pay one way or the other.

...and didn't we agree to keep government discussion of the boards?

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