Trendsource restaurant photo shops

Trendsource has $10 photo shops (no reimbursement) for a popular casual neighborhood chain that it claims takes 20-25 minutes. Obviously, they're not being taken in my area. I just noticed some re-shops available for locations (not close to me) that were presumably shopped and did not have the correct material that they were looking for. Those are paying $5! What are they thinking?

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2024 06:53AM by MisterBill.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

More Discussions About TrendSource / MSI Mystery Shopping (All Companies)

More About Restaurants

They are nuts. I actually took one a few blocks away from me, but after reading the guidelines I dropped it. There are a zillion pictures (some which are just bizarre like the border molding above the bar), and they want you to go find a manager to escort you around before the restaurant opens (like when they are super busy trying to set up for the day) and then go upload and label all these pictures. Nope. Next!

@Cassie, thanks for posting this. I had mildly considered doing one, but will now avoid them, knowing these details! They must be off their rocker!!

Good to know. I requested some with PAD ( figuring at least 50c mi.) and got turned down because they were "new" and I presume they expected them to be picked up at base. Now that I know this they won't get me to do them with double the PAD. LOL.

@Cassiespark wrote:

They are nuts. I actually took one a few blocks away from me, but after reading the guidelines I dropped it. There are a zillion pictures (some which are just bizarre like the border molding above the bar), and they want you to go find a manager to escort you around before the restaurant opens (like when they are super busy trying to set up for the day) and then go upload and label all these pictures. Nope. Next!

These should be on everyone's 100 foot pole list! Especially at $10.00, or $5.00!

I did one back when I was new and didn't know any better. It was ridiculous. I think I at least got a $2.00 reimbursement, probably as proof of visit, because a zillion pictures isn't proof enough. I don't remember having to label my numerous photos, which is an added requirement now, for the same $10.00 fee (6 years later). My location was a fast food place so I just had to show the LOA. I didn't need the manager to escort me. They were open at the time, thankfully not super busy, because no customers could be in the pictures. It required a bunch of exterior photos too. More work now, same $10.00 fee (or less, $5.00 on the reshop). As Cassie said, "Nope. Next!"

@Boutique wrote:

Good to know. I requested some with PAD ( figuring at least 50c mi.) and got turned down because they were "new" and I presume they expected them to be picked up at base. Now that I know this they won't get me to do them with double the PAD. LOL.

I have offered a couple of times with included PAD, turned down every time as well. Anything where you have to get with a manager is not going to be quick, even during non-peak times.

There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.

Yeah, that is a crazy fee. I would not bother to read all of the instructions and take a photo for $10.

They're still struggling to get the shops near me done. They're still paying $10. Obviously not a coincidence.

@MisterBill wrote:

They're still struggling to get the shops near me done. They're still paying $10. Obviously not a coincidence.

Here, too. I'm getting e-mailed and texts multiple times a day. I should send in another PAD request. Last time I wanted $30. This time it will be $50.

There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.

If the restaurant was a few blocks away and I was driving past it, I MIGHT do it for $10, but I am pretty sure that I would regret it unless I asked for PAD of at least $10. Since none of them are a few blocks away, I request PAD that takes into account the IRS mileage rate and the time it would take to get there. I don't see any of them being taken. By submitting PAD, I can see if they are ever assigned to anyone. Nope.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

@MisterBill wrote:

What are they thinking?

Obviously, they are not.

When I first saw the offer I was excited because I love me some revealed photo audits.

But they be on the pipe if they think I'd knock out that many pictures for peanuts.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

@myst4au wrote:

If the restaurant was a few blocks away and I was driving past it, I MIGHT do it for $10, but I am pretty sure that I would regret it unless I asked for PAD of at least $10. Since none of them are a few blocks away, I request PAD that takes into account the IRS mileage rate and the time it would take to get there. I don't see any of them being taken. By submitting PAD, I can see if they are ever assigned to anyone. Nope.

I drive past one of the locations all the time and haven't even considered putting in for it after reading the reply here confirming that it was a terrible shop. Maybe if they paid for some wings, I'd consider it.

If it's anything like the pancake place photo audits after a renovation, it's way too much work for $10. I did a few of those and regretted each one...and for a much higher fee. Photos were required of exterior, entrances, exits, every room, artwork, moldings, carpets, booths etc, etc. etc..just ridiculous requirements

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

@MsJudi wrote:

If it's anything like the pancake place photo audits after a renovation, it's way too much work for $10. I did a few of those and regretted each one...and for a much higher fee. Photos were required of exterior, entrances, exits, every room, artwork, moldings, carpets, booths etc, etc. etc..just ridiculous requirements

@MsJudi, how long did all that work take you?

I did a fast food taco place photo audit a few years ago for $40. It was worth it. I see these $10 ones and hit delete.

@CoolMusic wrote:

@MisterBill wrote:

What are they thinking?

Obviously, they are not.

When I first saw the offer I was excited because I love me some revealed photo audits.

But they be on the pipe if they think I'd knock out that many pictures for peanuts.

-falls over laughing at "on the pipe"-

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

@LindaS wrote:

@MsJudi wrote:

If it's anything like the pancake place photo audits after a renovation, it's way too much work for $10. I did a few of those and regretted each one...and for a much higher fee. Photos were required of exterior, entrances, exits, every room, artwork, moldings, carpets, booths etc, etc. etc..just ridiculous requirements

@MsJudi, how long did all that work take you?

It's been several years since I did them, but they took a long time...an hour or more.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

I offered $50. They will sit at $10 until somebody drives in from out of the area.

I have done about 2 dozen of these. Once you get the flow and understand how to enter the location before they open it is a fast $10 using the app. I get done in about 15 minutes and have not had a single problem with rejection.
Then again, I do 10 to 15 business inspections for them a month and know what they are looking for in photos.

Many yrs. ago, before I terminated Trendsource for cause, both their estimated completion time and driving distance were grossly inaccurate. In addition, if I requested PAD, I ALWAYS typed irrelevant in the reason slot. As an IC, the WHY did not matter. If, though, I had been an employee, that question would have been perfectly acceptable.

PappaDave, please don't hate me for saying this - but do you happen to work for the MSC?

I just turned off all communication from them. I've received 8 e-mails today and 2 two texts about this project with the same low-ball fees.

There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.

@Cassiespark wrote:

PappaDave, please don't hate me for saying this - but do you happen to work for the MSC?

New member, and this is the only thread he comments on???? Seems a little sketchy.

@viv0412 wrote:

@Cassiespark wrote:

PappaDave, please don't hate me for saying this - but do you happen to work for the MSC?

New member, and this is the only thread he comments on???? Seems a little sketchy.

And probably won't hear from again.

There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.

I did one of these a few years ago, 20 miles from my home, on a route. One picture was not right and they said I had to go back and take ALL the pictures over again. I told them, no way.

I had done a shop for another company at the same restaurant. I got the email from Trendsource for the menu pictures the following day. I looked for more dinner shops at the other company, but they must have been all swallowed up. It's too bad, I really enjoyed the meal we had, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, and those menu shops are going for around $15 here.

@Morledzep wrote:

I had done a shop for another company at the same restaurant. I got the email from Trendsource for the menu pictures the following day. I looked for more dinner shops at the other company, but they must have been all swallowed up. It's too bad, I really enjoyed the meal we had, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, and those menu shops are going for around $15 here.

These aren't the menu shops. This one is a revealed audit with photos of the inside of the restaurant, not the menu. And lots and lots of photos.....

Exactly. I guess the no response is the answer to my question.

Too convenient that after sending a zillion emails begging people to do this at $10, we suddenly get a peppy post telling us how easy these are and “no rejections”. Who asked about rejections? lol. And then I see John’s post that he just had one rejected. Annoying the MSC thinks we are all this stupid.

After another round of emails and texts begging for these to be completed at $10, I put in a ridiculous PAD request with a note that they seem to really need these to be completed so here’s my fee to help out!

@viv0412 wrote:

@Cassiespark wrote:

PappaDave, please don't hate me for saying this - but do you happen to work for the MSC?

New member, and this is the only thread he comments on???? Seems a little sketchy.

@Cassiespark wrote:

Exactly. I guess the no response is the answer to my question.

Too convenient that after sending a zillion emails begging people to do this at $10, we suddenly get a peppy post telling us how easy these are and “no rejections”. Who asked about rejections? lol. And then I see John’s post that he just had one rejected. Annoying the MSC thinks we are all this stupid.

After another round of emails and texts begging for these to be completed at $10, I put in a ridiculous PAD request with a note that they seem to really need these to be completed so here’s my fee to help out!

@viv0412 wrote:

@Cassiespark wrote:

PappaDave, please don't hate me for saying this - but do you happen to work for the MSC?

New member, and this is the only thread he comments on???? Seems a little sketchy.

Posting here thinking we are stupid makes me angry. Seriously, do not insult my intelligence. My price went from $40 to $80 just based on this.

I got a text from a scheduler the other day for a reshop at a location that is 58 minutes/45 miles from me. He was offering a whopping $3 shop pay with $3 PAD. I was tempted to respond "are you on drugs?" or send three smiley faces, but in the end, I didn't respond.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Trendsource restaurant photo shops

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine