Hello, I just signed up with Bare International, and mainly they have shipping shops to be done. I'm new to shipping, and would like some advice on how to complete these shops.

How long does it take to complete these shops?

What should I purchase in these shops?

Are these shops easy or difficult to complete?

Should I purchase shipping boxes or bring my own?

The 'shipping' shops require you to complete a comprehensive training before you can accept them - all of your questions are covered in detail in the training. You should be able to access the training from your shop log by clicking on the button that says 'shopper testing center'. If not, email the scheduler and I'm sure they can give you the correct link to the training/quiz.

I have done a few shopps for Bare. They are a good company, by the way. As to your particular questions, here are my thoughts. You can buy a suitable box at Office Depot or Office Max, even Walmart or Target. As to what to buy to stuff a box, be sure to get an item that weighs at lest 18 oz, as per their instructions. I don't know if the 18 oz, includes the box weight or just what goes in it, Where to get something, go to a dollar store and be sure to get something non-perishable. A can of something will serve both the weight and the non-perishable requirement, or even a package of spaghetti or other dried pasta. Be creative on these requirements. Use your imagination, subject to the Bare requirements. These shops are generally pretty easy, if I say so myself. They don't take a long time unless there is a long line ahead of you. You are best not to go during lunchtime or late afternoon, because they are relatively busy then. Bare says you cannot go in the first or last half hour of the day.simply pay attention to the names of the personnel involve and all other requirements of the briefing notes. Hope this helps!

Read your Guidelines!!!!!!!!

The guidelines for the Dim Weight shop specify that the weight of the box must be between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds. There are also other restrictions related to timing of the shops. Don't rely on what you read here, I've seen it be wrong too many times, your guideline is the bible.

Now that I have that out of the way.....

The shops are not difficult at all but you need to be organized and listen intently or get a cheap voice recorder to record the shop itself, which depending on the line can take as little as 5 minutes. The recorder is highly suggested, as it will not only record what is said during the transaction (and in what order, which is important) but will also do your timings for you (start the recording with the exact time, including seconds....then say WALKING IN when you walk in, LINE when you come to a stop at the line, etc. then when ready to report just listen and note the times) and right after you walk out of the place (or even during if you do it under your breath) you can say how many in line, who was in front of you, etc. etc. and have all that info recorded for when you're ready to input.

My SOP now is to go to Walmart, get some boxes (guidelines for correct sizes, and for B you get the box in the actual shipping place), get some cans of different sizes and head to the produce scales. Weigh up the box and cans then choose the mix that fits the weight requirements of the scenario you're performing, all while ignoring the funny looks. :-) I put the stuff in the box and tape it down so it doesn't roll around and cause interesting conversations when I ask for insurance. :-)

I agree with the instructions to read the guidelines. That's truu with any MSP because they can all be different. My understanding was that 18 oz's was the required "Load" but if the specific guidelines say otherwise, be sure to follow those guidelines!

Not only do they vary from MSC to MSC, the same jobs often vary from one month to the next.

Lisa STL

AMEN! Read those guidelines for all assignments, even for the same MSC!

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I will definitely read the guidelines and sign up for a shop very soon.

Does Bare International only do shipping shops,
because that's the only emails I've been getting from them?

No, Bare does some other shops as well, but its just a luck of the draw as to what neck of the woods you live in so they send you what they happen to have in that area, I can't elaborate because that would tend to reveal who their clients are and that would violate their usage agreement. By the way, I just changed my user Id from fhill10 so it would be similar advice

Okay, I was just wondering because I'm moving in a few weeks a d wanted to know.

They're very easy and I use the opportunity to mail care packages to friends who may need a little cheering up in various parts of the country. I also used my last batch of shipping shops to mail early various christmas presents.

30 minutes is now 35 minutes. If your shipping company have a lunch time, then your 35 minutes becomes a very watchful 35 minutes.

It can really cut into Ur shopping time.

I ship macaroni or rice because it is easy and the package is well marked weight wise. Also cheap. I have never taken the USPS test w/ Bare and do the shipping shops all the time. Do not always believe what you read. Bare Iternational is well known and has many different kinds of shops depending on your location.

I love the shipping shops and BARE's account manager for that customer is tops!

I really like doing the shipping shops. I send care packages to family members and always have little boxes going to match the shops. Bare is a great company to work for.

Make sure to read the instructions for each shop-as other's have said, The requirements are slightly different for each and it's easy to mix them up.

I ship items that I sold on eBay. It really is a win-win for me to do these shops since I have an eBay business and ship boxes on a regular basis.

Now that I offically know that there is a Bare rep reading the board. I would like to thank you. I like your shops. I like your comments and I appreceiate your fast pay system.

I would like to perform some of your other shops b/c I don't always have something to send my motherland.

How many of one kind of shop to I have to do b4 being considered for another kind of shop. I can't do the cougar shops (go shopping with a teenager :0) but I can do the others. If the other shops aren't available in my area let me know, I am willing to move. :-) I have done all the tests that keep popping up on my profile.

What's up with that?

It is good for a MSC rep to come and speak in this forum but use it to improve OUR ideas. WE definetly have good ideas. Send me a PM, if you like.

Raregold's idea is a great one. I, too, sell on e-Bay and I will now use this idea. Thanks.

Bare International are scamers!!!!! They never paid us for 5 shops we did. Kept coming up with excuses that we violated the guidelines. Do NOT do anything for them. SCam Scam Scam !!!

[www.bbb.org]

Sorry you had a bad experience Laguna. Certainly not my experience with the company.

Bare International are scamers!!!!! They never paid us for 5 shops we did. Kept coming up with excuses that we violated the guidelines. Do NOT accept any assignments for them. SCam Scam Scam !!!

[www.bbb.org]

Their project managers are rude! I've reported the company to the BBB as well.

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry you had a bad experience Laguna. Certainly
> not my experience with the company.



Thank you. Yeah, I was very disappointed. The guidelines weren't clear so they used that to void all of the shops. The scheduler was rude, and never got back with me to answer questions. Just horrible experience.

Larvarious Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks to everyone for the advice! I will
> definitely read the guidelines and sign up for a
> shop very soon.
>
> Does Bare International only do shipping shops,
> because that's the only emails I've been getting
> from them?


Don't waste your time and money. You will NOT get paid. Just warning you!

Yours seems to be a very unusual experience Laguna. Bare has a long history of working fairly with shoppers, including beginning shoppers who are more likely to get confused or forget to do some of the observations. That is why I systematically suggest them as a company for new shoppers to sign up with.

I am starting to think you work for Bare International Flash. I've been doing mystery shops for the last 6 years, and never once had a bad experience with any other company. Bare's guidelines had a very vague language and they used that to void your shop. No matter what you do, they will tell you did it wrong. So, honestly, if I was you, I will not recommend them to anyone. Especially new shoppers.

Then talk about companies that are good for you. If you have been around that long you know what shoppers who only bad mouth look like.

Laguna,
You still have never explained what happened. Insulting veteran shoppers who have help thousands of other shoppers on this forum will not enhance your credibility here. Provide details of what happened or go away.

I am not bad mounting Flash. I am giving the facts.

Laguna. You are a piece of work. Bare is an excellent company to work for.

Not trying to offend anyone. I apologize to Flash. He jumped right on to defend Bare, so I assumed he works for them. I was simply trying to share my bad experience with Bare International, that is all. Glad you all got paid, I didn't. Just google Bare International Scams and you will see for yourselves that there are many others who got scammed. Thank you!