I finally found a shop in my area I have wanted to do. Has to do with an insurance-type program for which Federal compliance is very important. I saw the pay ($30 or $35) and thought, why not. Then I looked at the detail. 90 minutes at the event and then 45 minutes to fill out the form. So, somewhere between $5 and $7 an hour. Are they serious? Is this one of those CORI-type things....wait around long enough and the fee will go up? Does anyone do these shops for this fee?

There are a lot of problems with the insurance shops unless you see just a whole lot of them in your area. Most of these shops are covert, which means you will only get one opportunity to visit a particular agent. I note that TS has 2 shops in my area, which is hardly worth taking the time to learn the material, do the quiz, do the shop, figure out the report and get it filed. The same holds true of STN, which has a predictable group of agents whom I have heard before.

I do a lot of them with a company where they are not covert. The agents know me by name and they know exactly why I am there. This is my second year of doing them and in essence I am their 'insurance policy' in case there is a covert shopper present who has not bothered to learn what is and is not acceptable. I shared a table with a covert shopper yesterday who showed up 20 minutes into the presentation and was stashing materials away in her portfolio without ever even looking at them. I did not reveal to her who I was but was amused that she had her questionnaire slid under her portfolio and she was trying to fill it out during the seminar.

I don't get your math, how does $35 divided by 2.25 equal $5 or $7? I've never had a seminar take more than 45 to 60 minutes and after the first the reports are right at 30 minutes.

As soon as I hit an independent agent selling the Medicare products the seminar time takes 75-90 minutes minimum. I have even had one benighted soul stretch it out to 2 1/4 hours. Talk about pain! And the more they talk, the deeper they dig the hole of stuff they are not supposed to be saying, the worse the report is to write.

I am going by the TS guidelines/info. They say the seminar should take 90 minutes 1.5 hours and filling out the questionaire should take 45 minutes. OK, my math is bad. $12 per hour??? Does that sound right? It still seems like a lot of work for a little bit of $$. And I have to factor in driving. 30-45 minutes each way. Sorry for the arithmetical error.

I'm on my third year now and never had any take so long. So far the presentations this year are really brief and follow a formula. Usually 40 minutes tops and the agents ask for questions to be held. Q&A can be what drags it out. While there have been several independent agents, it appears they are only allowed to speak about one specific product and that may be what keeps them short and sweet In my area there are also enough providers and agents to justify the crazy quizzes.

Flash, that is funny and stupid about the shopper filling out the questionnaire during the seminar! It's so easy and natural to take a few notes during the presentation and I always go through the motions of looking at each and every document they provide. Heck, I have to have something to do while I'm being bored to tears, LOL!

Okay, I never have any that are that far away and drive time is not always relevant for me since I combine these with other jobs anyway. Since I figured it without driving it worked out to $15 based on their projections, more since my seminars and reports are taking a lot less time. As I just posted it could be that my area is unique and the on-site is going much quicker than the projections.

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am going by the TS guidelines/info. They say the
> seminar should take 90 minutes 1.5 hours and
> filling out the questionaire should take 45
> minutes. OK, my math is bad. $12 per hour??? Does
> that sound right? It still seems like a lot of
> work for a little bit of $$. And I have to factor
> in driving. 30-45 minutes each way. Sorry for
> the arithmetical error.

The independents here are SUPPOSED to stick to the game plan, but that doesn't mean that they do. My most recent nightmare was one who started about 15 minutes late because she was disorganized, spent almost 30 minutes telling us about herself, her agency, her experience, and the types of products they handled. She then decided to enlighten us with a not-so-brief history of Medicare and finally presented the plan in about 10 minutes. I'm sure she thought the seminar went splendidly and was surprised when we all bolted for the door rather than lingering to enroll.

ok, I thought about it an decided to try it (I have already gone through the training and I can get other shops in that area.) But I keep getting an error message. LOL.

The site asks if I am requesting PAD money (for gas, etc.???) Should I do that?

I did one of these last month and the guidelines said the same thing. Indeed the seminar went 90 minutes with a few minutes after for Q & A, which I was required to stay for (I think different companies have different presentations, so other shoppers saying they've never seen them last that long probably aren't attending one from the same insurance company.) The report wasn't bad at all (minus the scanning time), except for the narrative, which they had been unclear about. You must be very detailed about exactly what was said, even though the guidelines weren't that specific. I've heard they changed the guidelines to make sure you know. If you have multiple opportunities to do these, then it's worth the pay, but if it is the only one, then that's a toss up because there are actually two tests, one with TrendSource and one with a video and test specifically for the insurance stuff. I actually just tossed my name in the hat to do a second one, only this time it's a one on one and is supposed to be 1/2 the time, and I don't think I'll have to redo the training. But they had an issue with my narrative last time (or rather, I had an issue with them!), so I don't even know if I'll get this one. But, in the end, I did get paid the full amount and I'm hoping this will amount to both parties giving the other one a second chance|










































































jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am going by the TS guidelines/info. They say the
> seminar should take 90 minutes 1.5 hours and
> filling out the questionaire should take 45
> minutes. OK, my math is bad. $12 per hour??? Does
> that sound right? It still seems like a lot of
> work for a little bit of $$. And I have to factor
> in driving. 30-45 minutes each way. Sorry for
> the arithmetical error.

Thanks SpyGirl. I appreciate your feedback. Haven't heard back from Trend Source yet. I think they are on the west coast so I won't hear from them for a while. Not sure if I want to go through another test!!!! Anyway, thanks again.

They have a ton of these shops in my area and I was thinking about trying one out. I realize they say you don't have to be a certain age and you can just say you are getting info for a relative, but I would be curious to know if a 32 year old guy at one of these would stand out.

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ok, I thought about it an decided to try it (I
> have already gone through the training and I can
> get other shops in that area.) But I keep getting
> an error message. LOL.
>
> The site asks if I am requesting PAD money (for
> gas, etc.???) Should I do that?

If you select to request PAD you'll be prioritized for assignment to the shop below people who don't request it.

Brak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They have a ton of these shops in my area and I
> was thinking about trying one out. I realize they
> say you don't have to be a certain age and you can
> just say you are getting info for a relative, but
> I would be curious to know if a 32 year old guy at
> one of these would stand out.

You would stand out, but you are inquiring for your Mom. She is turning 65 early next year and finds this stuff really confusing. You have been helping her with this kind of stuff since your Dad died 4 years ago. You really want to understand and get a good handle on it so you can help her decide. She is healthy but going deaf (i.e. don't call her).

You simply go in and sit down like you belong there and give what pieces of your scenario you actually have to give if directly asked.

TS medicare shop I did in Oct. (I have written about this before), took under an hour, but the report took over an hour, and I was deducted 6.00 for more info. The report was confusing as I now compare it to two more I just did this last week that paid 45.00 each with a easy to undersand report...you have to mail in competitors brochure, but not AARP. Such a better thought out report with no deductions, as this MSC does not do that, they will work with you, if needed, they are one on one's,and take 35 minutes. I find that easier and qucker. I won't do TS medicare any longer, $30.00 just not enough for that work, it figure's out to be about 12.00 per hour without driving, which is half of what I made with newer company, having Agent come to my home or meet at a Starbucks near me...Agents call within 2 days to set up appt.

I had another one today and it was wrapped up in 40 minutes. Obviously the agents in this area are strict about adhering to the game plan and do not deviate. Good for me, but I feel for the rest of you guys. TS is a PITA as far as the reports for only $34 since I've had easier reports and better money.

Your "real math" should be $70 dollars an hour, because I did mine in a little over 40 minutes and was paid $35.00

The instructions say to wait until the end of the Questions/Answers period. When the speaker starts shaking everyone's hands goodbye, when everyone starts leaving, that's when you leave.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2011 01:59AM by SunnyDays2.

. Brak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They have a ton of these shops in my area and I
> was thinking about trying one out. I realize they
> say you don't have to be a certain age and you can
> just say you are getting info for a relative, but
> I would be curious to know if a 32 year old guy at
> one of these would stand out.


I tutor a boy whose mom will probably be 75 when he reaches 32. There's no figuring...just stick to your scenario. You should be fine. (I think)

None of this matters now. I got a message,saying they would look into my technical issues. I am sure the shop is loooooooooooong gone.

There are still a few weeks left of open enrollment. Most MSPs will only allow one shop per agent, to prevent identification of the shopper. I've heard of one area that has revealed shops, but that's not my area. The shops in my area pay a better than average fee. Even though I can only shop each agent once, training and quizzes are worth it to me, as there aren't revealed shops and no rotation here. And, fairly easy quizzes at that! No midnight oil needed to be burned.

Overall, I have been impressed with the agents and how they know their stuff. The agents here try their best to adhere to one hour, which they announce as they begin. Reports ask if the presentation starts on time, and how long it lasts, including Q&As. I have enjoyed doing many of the formal event shops. One-on-ones, have been entirely different. Some great, some not.

This is only the second year I have done these shops. The same agents are shopped several times a week throughout open enrollment. I truly believe that mystery shopping these agents has helped promote honesty and excellence. Or maybe I'm just lucky enough to live where there are competent agents?

Doing the onsite, as well as having some history with the MSP, opened the door for their phone shops. Several MSPs have them, but they're not posted. Love them. Under 20 minutes each and I'm done, call and report.

Nice bit of revenue for me, just in time for Christmas.

can someone pm me and tell me who does these besides Trend Source and StN. thanks.

Person-to Person does them.

Right now my problem is not the shops or the reports. I actually completed my last report including a 2,000+ character narrative in less than a half hour. Their editors seem to be inconsistent. My first job the review was stellar. The next 2 were completed in the same way and I got requests for even more information. Now on my fourth I again get an e-mail from the editor saying things like "Great shop," "Outstanding and detailed narrative." I've also found there is not enough room to upload all of the documents they require so I've had to e-mail the additional photos.

The Agents here know their business, get to the point and sign folks like crazy at the end. We don't have to wait for that, can leave after presentation
which is normally 60 to 90 minutes. The one on one's take 35 minutes and pay more. I was able to take two, AARP and their competitor, which TS doesn't have.
Guess your feedback depends on the Editor and TS has some doozys.

I have had similar experiences, not with these particular shops but with many others. I write the same way, put in the same amount of information, same grammar, same syntax, etc. Sometimes I get responses saying the report was perfect. The next time I submit a report to the same company and there is a problem. I used to stress over it. Not any more. Editors make mistakes. As long as I get paid...

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Right now my problem is not the shops or the
> reports. I actually completed my last report
> including a 2,000+ character narrative in less
> than a half hour. Their editors seem to be
> inconsistent. My first job the review was stellar.
> The next 2 were completed in the same way and I
> got requests for even more information. Now on my
> fourth I again get an e-mail from the editor
> saying things like "Great shop," "Outstanding and
> detailed narrative." I've also found there is not
> enough room to upload all of the documents they
> require so I've had to e-mail the additional
> photos.

But that is the rub with TS, sometimes they dock the pay if an editor has to contact you for any reason whatsoever. Irene can attest to that.

TS also docked me. I inquired. They said "We are running a special payment query to ensure everyone who had penalties deducted by mistake will get reimbursed. We apologize for the error." I have since been paid the ding.

I have been contacted on several TS shops. No docks. These shops are exacting - from the client, to the MSP, to the shopper. Enrollment is a finite period and this is an event of extreme importance to consumers - more so than, say, an ink cartridge shop.

They still have not gotten back to me re: the technical difficulties. So, I guess I won't be doing any of these shops. Oh well.

I did one of these jobs this month and the presentation was only 30 minutes long. The survey took me about 45 minutes. And I got paid today. The survey took long because I think I write too much stuff. But I was happy. I hope next year during enrollment I get to so a few.

bd6865 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did one of these jobs this month and the
> presentation was only 30 minutes long. The survey
> took me about 45 minutes. And I got paid today.
> The survey took long because I think I write too
> much stuff. But I was happy. I hope next year
> during enrollment I get to so a few.


Next year, I am going to enroll in every shop regarding *M* that I can get my hands on. They pay FAST. The shop is pretty easy and pretty soon you are out the door, 30 bucks richer!