@sestrahelena Google also said that Men can pregnant and that it happens more often than you think.

You can't trust everything on the internet.

I've seen an article or two that says you can't surcharge a debit card because of the Durbin Act. The fee to accept a debit card is lower than a credit card, but there is still a charge to the business. It seems that the processor has some fault if you can't charge a fee on debit cards. When you tap or insert the card, the cashier isn't looking at the card to see if it is a debit or not. The machine should be able to tell since it is processing the card.

I have experienced where the cashier did not charge a fee when I asked or complained about it.

Another search returned:
Merchants can charge a fee for using a debit card, but only if they charge a fee for all other forms of payment1. This is because some card networks prohibit merchants from adding a surcharge on debit card transactions. Merchants have to pay fees to accept debit cards, such as interchange fees, debit network fees, and payment processor fees. These fees vary depending on the card network, the issuing bank, and the payment processor.

@sestrahelena wrote:

@Swilli wrote:

So basically they want 2 shops done for the same fee. More time in and more reporting.

@sestrahelena wrote:

They are posted now at $10 each with new instructions. You make two exact same purchases - one debit, the second cash. You can book them now but can't start till 11/6. Guess how I found out (I missed it somewhere in the overview).

No, they want proof that the store is charging extra on debit card purchases but not on cash purchases. From what I've googled, they can surcharge CREDIT card payments if there is signage but can never surcharge DEBIT cards under any circumstance. Per google, that is illegal. So we are creating cases for the CC company to go after small businesses (fines, lawsuits, who knows) who are in violation of that rule.

Sidebar - the MSC and CC issuer are making a killing on this project, no doubt. We are out there, risking our necks, getting their evidence for peanuts.

Helena opines--the MSC and CC issuer are making a killing on this project, no doubt. We are out there, risking our necks, getting their evidence for peanuts.

Bob agrees--Awoman!!! I am very thankful to not have needs necessitating being a part of "we."

Momo, thank you for clarification. I really didn't do extensive research and certainly don't put a lot of faith in internet results! Either way, I have no doubt that there is a darn good, and profitable for some entity, reason behind the whole project, given the aggressivness with which they need specific information.

I personally love this project. Since they have come back I've only done it three in all were accepted. Seems as though they're not being as harsh with the accepting as they were before.

Are you finding these on presto app? I don’t see any of them near me

They were. I don’t see any right now either.

Well I picked up two of these on Friday, and got burned. I signed up for the shops at around 11:00 AM. I did them after work, at 5-ish. I went to my son's choir concert right after, and started working on them on the subway on the way home (around 10:00 PM). Because internet on the subway is not very good, I saved the photo uploads until I got home. And while I was in the middle of uploading, both shops disappeared. I got a pop up saying my time expired. I realize it was my fault, as it had been over 12 hours since ACCEPTING the shops. However, it had only been a few hours since performing the shops, and the reports were 75-80% complete. There should be some recourse for shops where the reporting has already started!!! The popup basically told me I had to wait 24 hours (a "cool off" period) and then if the sites were still available I could select and re-shop. I emailed a scheduler to see what could be done -- no reply. I am out almost $16 on one shop and about $6.50 on the other. I thought about taking them again -- passing by, and doing the "I'm here" check-in -- but I'm not clear on whether I could re-use my old receipts or I would have to make another purchase. If I bought the very cheapest things on a second visit, I might almost break even when the $10 pay is added in. But it's a risk and a hassle and I'm not really willing to take it. I'm just glad I didn't do the THIRD shop I originally signed up for -- I deleted it as soon as I got there because it was yet another one of these smoke/vape shops and I'm not willing to be chased down the street again.

@CorrieCJ wrote:

Well I picked up two of these on Friday, and got burned. I signed up for the shops at around 11:00 AM. I did them after work, at 5-ish. I went to my son's choir concert right after, and started working on them on the subway on the way home (around 10:00 PM). Because internet on the subway is not very good, I saved the photo uploads until I got home. And while I was in the middle of uploading, both shops disappeared. I got a pop up saying my time expired. I realize it was my fault, as it had been over 12 hours since ACCEPTING the shops. However, it had only been a few hours since performing the shops, and the reports were 75-80% complete. There should be some recourse for shops where the reporting has already started!!! The popup basically told me I had to wait 24 hours (a "cool off" period) and then if the sites were still available I could select and re-shop. I emailed a scheduler to see what could be done -- no reply. I am out almost $16 on one shop and about $6.50 on the other. I thought about taking them again -- passing by, and doing the "I'm here" check-in -- but I'm not clear on whether I could re-use my old receipts or I would have to make another purchase. If I bought the very cheapest things on a second visit, I might almost break even when the $10 pay is added in. But it's a risk and a hassle and I'm not really willing to take it. I'm just glad I didn't do the THIRD shop I originally signed up for -- I deleted it as soon as I got there because it was yet another one of these smoke/vape shops and I'm not willing to be chased down the street again.

The shops are now high-risk, low-reward. It is kinda how I feel about shipping shops.

@CorrieCJ wrote:

Well I picked up two of these on Friday, and got burned. I signed up for the shops at around 11:00 AM. I did them after work, at 5-ish. I went to my son's choir concert right after, and started working on them on the subway on the way home (around 10:00 PM). Because internet on the subway is not very good, I saved the photo uploads until I got home. And while I was in the middle of uploading, both shops disappeared. I got a pop up saying my time expired. I realize it was my fault, as it had been over 12 hours since ACCEPTING the shops. However, it had only been a few hours since performing the shops, and the reports were 75-80% complete. There should be some recourse for shops where the reporting has already started!!! The popup basically told me I had to wait 24 hours (a "cool off" period) and then if the sites were still available I could select and re-shop. I emailed a scheduler to see what could be done -- no reply. I am out almost $16 on one shop and about $6.50 on the other. I thought about taking them again -- passing by, and doing the "I'm here" check-in -- but I'm not clear on whether I could re-use my old receipts or I would have to make another purchase. If I bought the very cheapest things on a second visit, I might almost break even when the $10 pay is added in. But it's a risk and a hassle and I'm not really willing to take it. I'm just glad I didn't do the THIRD shop I originally signed up for -- I deleted it as soon as I got there because it was yet another one of these smoke/vape shops and I'm not willing to be chased down the street again.

I had one awhile ago that I accidentally deleted before submitting the report. I grabbed it when it was available again, did the check in from home(even though it said I wasn't at the right place), then set the date to when I originally did it, and uploaded the pics and receipts from the old date. It was approved without any questions.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/2023 02:16AM by bradkcrew.

10ft pole territory for me. These are high risk high rewards shops if I ever saw one. Editors have a quick trigger and seem to find reasons to reject reports. You could find yourself in a tough spot that contradict the guidelines and you will lose if you get into a 'but the guidelines say this...' argument with an editor. Proceed at your own risk.

I

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/14/2023 03:14PM by ccaho.

@CorrieCJ wrote:

Well I picked up two of these on Friday, .....

Just following up on my earlier message. A scheduler did finally get back to me on TUESDAY and she said if they were still available, I should grab them and put in my reports, then let her know and she would advise the editor what happened. Luckily both were still there, and I did it, using the info from Friday. She kindly put them into editing. I have already been paid for one; the other is still in the editing queue. It is wonderful when the schedulers stick up for/work with shoppers. I agree these are still high risk/low reward but I did just pick up a local sandwich shop for today since it's near my office and I need lunch regardless (will get 2x sandwiches - one for today, one for tomorrow).

Are these the ones that appear as "Small Business" "a" or "b" or no a or b just "Small Business"?

There's 5 within a half mile of me. What's the difference between the a, b and none? They all pay $10. I wouldn't mind having to actually buy something from any of them if it's reimbursed, as one is an Irish pub, a bar and a BBQ takeout place.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/14/2023 07:49PM by wrosie.

@wrosie wrote:

Are these the ones that appear as "Small Business" "a" or "b" or no a or b just "Small Business"?

There's 5 within a half mile of me. What's the difference between the a, b and none? They all pay $10. I wouldn't mind having to actually buy something from any of them if it's reimbursed, as one is an Irish pub, a bar and a BBQ takeout place.

That's them, yes. I don't know the difference between a and b. They're all the same to me. High risk of shop reject, low pay.

If you did some in the last round, you might have a good idea of what locations are easy for this round.

@boridi wrote:

If you did some in the last round, you might have a good idea of what locations are easy for this round.

Yes, and which ones to avoid as well.

Just wanted to share my lucky break for the year. I got an email from a scheduler regarding a $200 shop fee for one of these shops. I have no clue why it was bonused so high but it had to be done immediately. I had never done one of these but had to jump on it. It was a Korean BBQ place and I was able to find a reasonably priced appetizer. Well, it worked! The scheduler expedited it to editing and I just got paid. Woo!!

I would do them if they were paying $200. The last time I read the guidelines it said that blurry photos would not be returned for re-submission. This meant that your shop would immediately get declined. This is interesting since I am not aware of any other shop that has this stipulation.

This is another variable taht makes it a high risk, low reward. They were still running close to 10 days on feedback. I guess some people have different interpretations of what insta means. I don't recall another insta shop taking that long.

$200??? Wowser...congrats on that one! I see these just went up to a whopping $14. There are just so many of them on the board...I sure wish they'd increase the fee more quickly. I cherry picked all of the best locations already. No way I'm messing with the nail salons until these get to around $30.

ok, i'm going to try this since im in the same boat. I did a bunch and missed the time frame for inputting, and then picked up one last one while en route but accidentally deleted it partially done! fingers crossed, im using the receipts from today!