Trendsource mentoring

Hi, I don't believe I've ever worked for Trendsource though since I've paid for the background check, I'm being deluged with offers. None particularly well paying but the problem is I don't understand their lingo! What is a PAD? Do they do normal mystery shopping or is this something else? Everything sounds very industrial.

Shopping domestic and international locations since 2003.

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)

I LOVE Trendsource, they provide me with a lot of work.

PAD - stands for Pre-Authorized Distance aka a travel bonus. Since nearly every job that comes up is over 20 mi from me I always request the job with PAD (I base it loosely on 1.00 a mi. one way). I don't always get the job because someone else is willing to do it for no PAD or less. That is the challenge, getting jobs that are so far out that nobody else will do them and the PAD is acceptable.
If you are in a metro area you will need to click on those jobs within seconds sometimes or lose out.
PS - There are many different types of audits - most require making an appt. to meet at the business. They are not hard but are more time consuming / limiting than just doing a property inspection where you don't go on to the property, just take pics from afar.
Pics are THE most important thing - make sure you get good at not cropping out the edges of buildings.

What I do is try and work their assignments around other shopping/merchandising jobs. If I have to make an appt. I offer the client a couple of choices of when I am available (never just ask when THEY are available), this makes it easier to plan days/routes around the work.
They are very strict about timelines too. You need to call the customer within 4 hours of accepting/being assigned an inspection (the kind with an appointment) and you will lose the job if you don't follow that direction AND report it (all very clear cut what to do and where).
You also need to get those reports in SAME DAY and be available to answer any questions / provide additional photos so stay on top of your email notifications.
PS- You are going to need to do a short training / quiz for each type of inspection (there are many versions but most are similar) so do that NOW so you are ready to get any of their assignments.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2024 06:15PM by Boutique.

If you aren't comfortable going inside someone's home, google map the address before you agree to do the job. Some are at businesses, but I've had a couple where I was inspecting the security/privacy measures inside someone's home office.

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

Trendsource is ok to work for. They don't pay well, to get paid an appropriate amount for most shops you have to request PAD. But they pay faster than most MSCs. I liked doing the business inspections, but I really did not like going into folk's home offices. And you're likely to meet some sketchy folks. Remember to never defend the business owners, just report objectively, and when the business owners refuse to inspection (after they paid for it), walk away. Let some other sucker take that job. I've never seen Trendsource increase the pay when the shops get old, but they will "pre-authorize" PAD, but you still have to ask for it.

With the IRS mileage rate at $0.67 per mile, I always request PAD. Since I can not predict when a business will want me to visit (one type of assignment), I have to assume that I will not be doing anything else. Other assignment types include what I would call drive-by photos for home assessment purposes. Another requires going inside, measuring every wall, every doorway, etc., and producing scale drawings (at home). I find those very time-consuming so the standard $50 fee only covers time spent on site, the time doing the drawings, and the time required to submit the report. I calculate my PAD requests to cover the IRS mileage rate as well as my time spent driving, and then I add any tolls.

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

I will only do their "Low Scope Property Condition" assignments. Just take pics, don't step foot on the property, and I'm done. I have no interest in making appointments, taking measurements, or entering empty buildings.

I always ask for PAD, since most of their offerings are about 30-60 minutes from me. But one time I asked for $50 PAD when the address was literally around the corner from me - and I got it! Heh-heh.

.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2024 03:08AM by shopnyc.

I also just do the low scope property conditions. Usually I just take the ones that are highly bonused and offer pad. Or I will take the rare few that are in my area. Last summer, there were some jobs way to the east of me and nobody was doing them. I emailed the scheduler and asked for a large PAD amount and she gave it to me. I made a good amount of money doing just 3 jobs that day. Didn't see many like that this past year.

I have done a few of the make an appointment and do an inspection, (no measuring), 2 of the 3 got cancelled because the property address was incorrect after I had called to verify. The job got canceled but I still got paid. Yay me!!!

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Trendsource mentoring

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine