So I'm looking at 2 MSC and what's available in the Phoenix metro area.

One MSC has Jersey Mikes with $15 reimburse and NO pay. All the assignments are gone

One MSC has five guys with $17.25 reimburse and $9 pay and struggles to fill them. There are some as high as $20 pay right now.

I'm thinking who are these clowns that are tripping over themselves to do a Jersey Mike's, but won't touch a five guys?

i'm taking five guys all day every day over jersey mike's. Is the report/requirements that much better for JM?

What am I missing here? Or are these the shoppers that the five guys MSC has deactivated over the years for various reasons and they cannot shop them?

I haven't done the JM but that MSC tends to want a lot of detail and/or narratives for their no or low pay shops. I'm thinking of their truck stop shops - much work for the initial $5 pay and inedible fast food. Even what I thought was a decent bonus wasn't enough for the hour on site and narratives.

Maybe the hungry shoppers don't know about the other MSC?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2025 01:40AM by sestrahelena.

Same thing happens here. All the Jersey Mikes shops go before I ever see them. Not that I would eat another one of their sandwiches anyway, but it really doesn't make sense. Why take a shop that is going to cost you money over one that pays at least enough to cover your meal and gets you a little more for the trouble of doing the report? I still haven't done another 5Guys either, but not because I wouldn't if the pay came up to something I'm willing to accept.

I am rather partial to free sub sandwiches. I like 5 guys too. 5 Guys is a little more expensive out of pocket to feed 2. Jersey Mike’s covers most of the cost of a giant sub.

hbbigdaddy inquires--Or are these the shoppers that the five guys MSC has deactivated over the years for various reasons and they cannot shop them?

Bob replies--The MSC for 5 Guys fired me in the Fall of 2010. Had that not occurred, I would have continued completing work for that client. I have never eaten at Jersey Mike's and am ignorant of the company offering those jobs, but predicated upon the work:pay ratio and requirements I have read, the shops would not appeal to me.

You get taxed on fees you incur but the reimbursements are not taxable.

Interesting observation. I see the same thing in my area. The JM sandwich will be reimbursed within 2 weeks because of the company’s new pay schedule. The 5G at this point may never be… I will not touch a 5G for less than $20. I have only done one JM, but the report was easy.

I go to JM on my own dime. I go to 5G when I am paid to go there. I like 5G, but not nearly as much as I like JM. The report for JM is easy and fast. The report for 5G is repititious, tedious, and long. I would gladly do more JM shops for just reimbursement.

Having tried both recently in my area, there's currently a greater novelty with Jersey Mike's for me. The cold-cut subs are fresh and zesty like no other with soft bread and varieties of cheese. Mike's Way has been an unexpected treat. The employees in their uniforms make me feel at ease.

Edited to add: Also, it's weird how I use the word "little" at one place, and "giant" at the other.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2025 05:01AM by Okie.

They must have updated the JM requirements. I heard people whining about the pictures that were required and how hard/awkward they were.

I don't have a problem with JM> I like their stuff, but I'm never going to do another food shop for no pay (fast food). I will do TXRH because it's $50 food and I can feed 3 with that. But i'm not going to get a sub sandwich and be told what i have to order (i prefer hot sandwiches). If you PAY, then I say okay. If NO pay, then NO WAY.

Everyone shops for different reasons. Could also be that the JM is a newer shop and people like newer shops because they are not "worn out" on doing them yet. Eventually they will be, but for now, it's the new shiny toy.

I am one of the shoppers who will take JM and not 5 guys. The food at 5g makes me queasy. The JM report is easy and I don't have to spend a minimum amount of time inside the store.

I'm still waiting on a 5G payment from a shop on New Years Day. They sent an email that they are aware of an issue and are working on it. I often don't get paid the fee and have to report it. If I was not diligent about checking I'd likely be missing A LOT.

I don't drink anything other than water so the beverage requirement is a waste. The eval, even after being updated recently, takes forever.

I'm new to JM but I much prefer these. The pay is MUCH quicker and the overall evaluation experience is better.

The JM sub is huge and will feed my husband and me. I typically feel the same way about no pay, but this shop is one of the easier ones.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

They must have updated the JM requirements. I heard people whining about the pictures that were required and how hard/awkward they were.

I don't have a problem with JM> I like their stuff, but I'm never going to do another food shop for no pay (fast food). I will do TXRH because it's $50 food and I can feed 3 with that. But i'm not going to get a sub sandwich and be told what i have to order (i prefer hot sandwiches). If you PAY, then I say okay. If NO pay, then NO WAY.

Everyone shops for different reasons. Could also be that the JM is a newer shop and people like newer shops because they are not "worn out" on doing them yet. Eventually they will be, but for now, it's the new shiny toy.

I do both, but only when bonused. Jersey Mike's is my go-to for a great sub and I go on my own dime occasionally. I only visit Five Guys on a shop. The Jersey Mike's report is surprisingly easy for this MSC. The required photos are somewhat awkward but doable. They pay in 2 weeks. A turkey Sammie is healthier in my mind than a greasy burger and a ton of fries. Plus I can add points to my rewards account for a future freebee.

Never see JM posted, any clue as to what msc does them?

@OldmanJames wrote:

Never see JM posted, any clue as to what msc does them?

Nearby View...

FWIW, I did a JM and probably will not do more. Photo requirements are difficult to meet discreetly.

I think you hit it on the head when you said burned out. 5G has been around for years and in addition has many more locations than Jersey Mikes so people are burned out on them unless there is a bonus. I liked Jersey Mikes long before it was a shop. 5G to me is just another burger joint of which there are many to be shopped. Relatively unhealthy food. Jersey Mikes is heads above its competition which I guess in my area is Subway from the taste and quality standpoint. I just which they would allow hot sandwiches. At first they were slow to be taken in my area but now they are hard to get. Yes, give me some pay and I would love to do JM if i could find a close by one avail. JM shoppers make sure to join the club. You get enough points on your bthday for a free sub and drink.

If you're going to shop for a sub that isn't going to fully reimburse you for the sandwich you are required to order, why not go to a good sub shop? Seriously, Firehouse subs is shopped too, or they were not too long ago, and they don't fully reimburse for the food you are required to buy either, but the sandwiches are SOOOOO much better.

I go to Firehouse subs when I'm desperately craving a good sub sandwich. I've never done a shop, just like Jersey Mike's they are gobbled up as fast as they post them.

I also finally found the solution to the Publix sandwich dilema, I found that you have to order online, and pick it up. And you have to ask for no lettuce or your sandwich will be all lettuce and not much of any other vegetation.

I do the 5g delivery shops, and will do only do a dine-in or pick-up with a $30 bonus.. lol. I used to do JM with the other MSC since I could get more food with the reimbursement amount, haven't seen them posted anymore.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2025 07:31PM by breadjin.

@breadjin

So you like cold burgers and fries? You won't do in-person shop unless at $30? I prefer hot, fresh food and will do dine-in for $20. I'm not doing delivery at any price if I'm hungry. If i don't care about the food and the pay is enough, i would do delivery and throw it away.

Like you, I would probably take the higher paying job with the easier report. I did a lot of 5G years ago, and the only thing I can think is people just get sick of the food and want to try something else.

I'm not sure it's about the job.. might be the msc

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2025 10:00PM by Deedeezthoughts.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@breadjin

So you like cold burgers and fries? You won't do in-person shop unless at $30? I prefer hot, fresh food and will do dine-in for $20. I'm not doing delivery at any price if I'm hungry. If i don't care about the food and the pay is enough, i would do delivery and throw it away.

Since I don't drive, I prefer to just get it delivered, and heat it up in the oven. I don't mind. Plus I work full-time and I have to make the dine-in or pick-up work with my schedule; only doing so if I receive the maximum bonus.

Joanna,

I could live the rest of my contentedly and never eat another 5G burger. But I am seriously addicted to their fries, at least when they are cooked correctly. If I had tons of money I would go to Firehouse Subs and then go to 5G for an order of fries. It's really a shame that sub shops don't make fries.

@Morledzep wrote:

Joanna,

I could live the rest of my contentedly and never eat another 5G burger. But I am seriously addicted to their fries, at least when they are cooked correctly. If I had tons of money I would go to Firehouse Subs and then go to 5G for an order of fries. It's really a shame that sub shops don't make fries.

It was such a nice portion of fries, it was easy to split with my kids too. I remember when they would occasionally have milkshakes as an ordering requirement, and those would make the shop a little more worthwhile too.

I now live by a Quiznos and they are a solid choice. The only other option for subs is Subway here.

I prefer JM over 5G just because the JM locations near me are almost always empty and I can get the assignment done pretty quickly. The subs are a hit and miss though.

No pics for 5Guys, except for the receipts. JM has a rewards program, and I am well on my way to a free mini sub. The report is (to me, cause I've done dozens of them) easier for 5Guys. I'd rather have a sandwich than a well done burger and I do not like those fries. In my area, JM bonuses are rare. Both places have their good points and bad points.

I do 5 Guys with a $30 total fee (i won't do them for less than $25). I’ve even done them for a $40 fee. You meant total fee right?

@breadjin wrote:

I do the 5g delivery shops, and will do only do a dine-in or pick-up with a $30 bonus.. lol. I used to do JM with the other MSC since I could get more food with the reimbursement amount, haven't seen them posted anymore.

Guess I am in part one of those clowns.

On a warm day I prefer a deli sandwich over a warm meal. Or maybe I'm going to a store in the same shopping centers as JM's. Saves me from having to drive further to make an additional stop. This scenario has played out for me with 5G too. Cooler day when warm food is appealing and I'm going to another store in that shopping center.

In terms of reports, both have some annoying factors. With 5G you evaluate 3 items with check points and a commentary on each. Whereas with JM you evaluate 1 item including commentary. With 5G if the associate who assisted you wasn't to their enthustiactic expectation, you have to explain why and can't answer yes to some of the subsequent questions if the highest level of enthusiastic was not selected.
I do not recall ever having poor service at a 5G, but for me the staff doesn't need to be overly enthusiastic to score well. They just need to be some combination of get my order right, professional and efficient. And the 5G shake the fries 15 times (maybe this question was recently dropped) and having to certify you will evaluate the fries on their preference for saltiness and preparation versus the consumer opinion. With JM you do need to snap a few pics, but in today's world of social media it is not uncommon for someone to do so. I usually wait until the associate is making my sandwich with their back to the front counter and snap away.