Low fee's are driving me nuts!

I love working with several great companies, but lately asking me to drive over 100 miles for a $10 fee is driving me nuts. Things are expensive, gas, tires, auto repairs are ridiculous and I'm feeling insulted that not one but mutiple companies have reached out to me offering ridiculously low fee's or only reimbursements to drive a long way. At one time when gas was cheap I would make it a route and do mutiple locations, but today there is less work and they are paying less money and I think it's sad. Yes, occasionally there is a rockstar shop that pays really really well, but to me those are few and far between now and I think it's sad.

What are you favorite companies to work with?

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I agree with you, for what that's worth!

Pie inquires--What are you favorite companies to work with?

Bob replies--Curinos AKA Informa--Earlier this month, I completed eight online interest rate shops for $280. These entailed soft credit pulls with none in the slightest affecting my scores. They have work for shoppers with varied credit. In addition, they also offer iPhone work, but I miserably failed three attempts. While I am computer literate, as to SmartPhones, I am akin to a box of rocks.

Intelli-shop--As with all aspects of business, it is a matter of what floats one's boat. This company pays on schedule and has some shops with a favorable work:pay ratio.

2nd 2 None--I use their grocery shops to defray travel expenses. Pay is on schedule and the report is a favorite among narrative averse folks.

I work with both of the ones that you mentioned and I have no problem with them. They are usually really fair and are definitely willing to work with people. Some of the ones that I have noticed especially offering really low fees are the one's posting with presto and others like market Force. Occasionally you'll find some decent ones on Alta 360, but those are not nearly as good as they used to be. Ipsos I don't even bother with anymore because they never return messages. I will send them an email inquiring about application and I won't get anything back.

I think it's a good idea to just apply to as many MSCs as you can. Even if they don't have many shops in your area, or any at all, they might in the future.

Some of my favorites when I lived in New York don't have any shops where I live now, and I've had to adapt. I'd say that I mostly shop for AthPower, Secret Shopper, and Intelli-shop these days, with a few others sprinkled in wherever possible, but unfortunately I don't have the wide array of shops and MSCs to choose from that I had while living in a major city.

However, one good thing about not being in a big city anymore is I have less competition and am more able to wait until the end of the month for higher fees.

Last year and the year before, I was doing a lot more phone shops. Those are great to do in the winter because I don't have to leave my apartment and drive in snow, and I could do those for companies that don't have in-person shops where I live. But I hardly see any phone shops anywhere nowadays. Not for the minimum pay I'll accept, anyway.

OP, I recommend you check out the spreadsheet of companies that this forum hosts and apply, apply, apply.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2024 10:18PM by shopnyc.

Sound like you have some experience. I am new to this. Is there a specific company that does Fast Food Drive Through Shops? I want to do those because they are easy and convenient and I can give the food to someone in need.

@jwhenry704. I know Marketforce has fast food shops. If you give the food to someone while kind there will be little to nothing left to put in your pocket. They pay barely above reimbursement.

Well with some of them I can get salads if that is allowed to order. I just need to maintain my health. l live in a major metro area, so there is a fast food joint on every corner. So I really don't have to drive far. Like Five Guys I won't do theirs for under 15 because they are spread out more. I also consider the ones on my route to work, gym etc.

shopNYC shares--Even if they don't have many shops in your area, or any at all, they might in the future.

Bob comments--Last month, I received a shop offer from a completely unknown MSC. As I would be a few blocks away, I accepted $40 to snap some property pics. After submission, I was clearing out my secondary external drive when I noticed the company's name. I had signed up in 2006, 18 yrs. ago, but had neither ever heard a peep nor seen the name in all those yrs.

There were three reason I took the plunge: $40 for some pics, I would be very near and they are a Canadian MSC.

Unfortunately, around 70% of shops in my area are "owned" by Ipsos. 90% If I'm only counting shops that I can/will do. So, although I would choose almost any other company as a favorite, I'm stuck with the worstest by default.

People who use apostrophes to make plurals drive me nuts!

I feel for your editors...

Have synthesizers, will travel...

@jwhenry704
InTouch has or had one fast food where you could order salad. That's the only one I've seen. I'm in Alberta, and I don't know how widespread that chain is.

@jwhenry704 wrote:

Well with some of them I can get salads if that is allowed to order. I just need to maintain my health. l live in a major metro area, so there is a fast food joint on every corner. So I really don't have to drive far. Like Five Guys I won't do theirs for under 15 because they are spread out more. I also consider the ones on my route to work, gym etc.

I have not seen a drive thru shop where you can get a salad. The are salad restaurants that get shopped (Chop Stop) but they are regional. The majority of people in the drive thru (and in-store) get a burger (or sandwich), fries and a drink, so that's generally what they are concerned with.

Here's a good one! Field Agent posted a mobile device audit today. 40 pictures, 40 questions for $3 pay! Yippee!

That's just what I'm talking about.

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Low fee's are driving me nuts!

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