EPMS
avitoots-actually I meant to call the local authority if it appeared the client was disinterested. To me that's just good citizenship. And Missy is going to do just that, you go girl!
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Anyway, to get this thread back on-track (sorry I disengaged it a bit)...
I do a fair amount of EPMS shops, have done up to 3 or 4 in a day.
I have a little "cheat sheet" handwritten on a 8 x 11 piece of paper that I photocopied. I have a stack of them in my car "office" box. Nothing fancy.
It has all the essential stuff: telephone time, length, greeting, agent. Information gathering, Leasing office description, Agent description, Apartment number toured and general description, Closing, Property Condition.
I just write 3-4 words to trigger my memory IMMEDIATELY after I've left the leasing office. It takes 5 minutes, max.
Then, hours later, I pull it out and it helps me get my reports done ASAP.
Five minutes in the car spent taking notes saves me 30-45 minutes on those EPMS reports. I can fly through the narrative and get good details.
I do a fair amount of EPMS shops, have done up to 3 or 4 in a day.
I have a little "cheat sheet" handwritten on a 8 x 11 piece of paper that I photocopied. I have a stack of them in my car "office" box. Nothing fancy.
It has all the essential stuff: telephone time, length, greeting, agent. Information gathering, Leasing office description, Agent description, Apartment number toured and general description, Closing, Property Condition.
I just write 3-4 words to trigger my memory IMMEDIATELY after I've left the leasing office. It takes 5 minutes, max.
Then, hours later, I pull it out and it helps me get my reports done ASAP.
Five minutes in the car spent taking notes saves me 30-45 minutes on those EPMS reports. I can fly through the narrative and get good details.
I have completed many of these apt shops for EPMS and found after taking into consideration the time and gas to drive round-trip, the 45-60min spent touring the facility and the 2 hour (minimum) report, I was working for well under $5 per hour. Now I only do "anyone" within 10 miles of home - and only when I have absolutely nothing else going.
I also find it interesting that EPMS pays different depending on the state you shop in. In Phoenix, AZ, I did shops for $25 each; I'm now in Melbourne, FL and they are $30 each. Some states start at $35. I think more shoppers would be willing to take on these "eye color" shops if the pay was higher. As far as "targeted" shops, I do not do them as I can not plan my day when I don't know when I'll reach the target.
The rates for EPMS (non-video) shops really vary widely.
I've seen them for as low as $25, my area is around $40, and I saw one for $155.
Honestly, I can do the tour in 30 minutes, quick notes in 5, and the report in 35-45 minutes. For $40 it makes sense for me. I use the EPMS shops as "anchors" and then put some $10-15 shops around the area.
But I'm lucky to have relatively few (I think) shoppers in my area and the shops pay well.
Your area sounds a lot different.
I've seen them for as low as $25, my area is around $40, and I saw one for $155.
Honestly, I can do the tour in 30 minutes, quick notes in 5, and the report in 35-45 minutes. For $40 it makes sense for me. I use the EPMS shops as "anchors" and then put some $10-15 shops around the area.
But I'm lucky to have relatively few (I think) shoppers in my area and the shops pay well.
Your area sounds a lot different.
I have never had a tour last less than 45 minutes. There is no way the sales agent can "promote" their community business center, fitness center, pool/spa, playground (opt), parking, clubhouse, mailboxes and every room in the apartment in less time if they are doing their job. As far as 35-45 min on the report, please tell the rest of us how to do it in so short of time!
I am wrong about the $40.00 pay being for Video...I am getting certified to do a 40.00 Apt. (no video), excellent.
Live consciously....
I have done a boatload of apartment shops and find they average 30 minutes. I've had some go an hour and a half and others as short as 15 minutes. I'm repeating myself here, be decisive and do not tour more than one apartment. I always tour any and every part of the property as long as they offer. Many of these agents have been top-notch and still completed the presentation in 30 minutes.
I would not dream of cutting them off, but have no qualms in getting them back on task if they drift off and get chatty about things that are not relevant. I also keep my cover story simple and to the point. Unless requested otherwise, no kids or pets (that always invites additional conversation) and a job that is relatively boring. If they start to question me too much about that boring job it's easy for me to say, "It is a good job which provides me a nice living, but boring. What I find interesting is this apartment (or pool or fitness center)." It probably comes from doing mostly video because I know the client does not want to hear 20 minutes or more of us discussing our pets or our children.
lbtweety Wrote:
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> I have never had a tour last less than 45 minutes.
> There is no way the sales agent can "promote"
> their community business center, fitness center,
> pool/spa, playground (opt), parking, clubhouse,
> mailboxes and every room in the apartment in less
> time if they are doing their job. As far as 35-45
> min on the report, please tell the rest of us how
> to do it in so short of time!
I would not dream of cutting them off, but have no qualms in getting them back on task if they drift off and get chatty about things that are not relevant. I also keep my cover story simple and to the point. Unless requested otherwise, no kids or pets (that always invites additional conversation) and a job that is relatively boring. If they start to question me too much about that boring job it's easy for me to say, "It is a good job which provides me a nice living, but boring. What I find interesting is this apartment (or pool or fitness center)." It probably comes from doing mostly video because I know the client does not want to hear 20 minutes or more of us discussing our pets or our children.
lbtweety Wrote:
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> I have never had a tour last less than 45 minutes.
> There is no way the sales agent can "promote"
> their community business center, fitness center,
> pool/spa, playground (opt), parking, clubhouse,
> mailboxes and every room in the apartment in less
> time if they are doing their job. As far as 35-45
> min on the report, please tell the rest of us how
> to do it in so short of time!
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
My apartment on-site visits are almost always right around 30 minutes, too. I'm not chatty, I don't want to keep the leasing agent from a paying customer for any longer than is necessary. I get to see the whole place in that time; some larger properties out here use golf carts to expediate the tour. That cuts down on time.
FYI - To get the report done in 35-45 minutes, I use two documents:
Document #1 - My fast, five-minute "cheat sheet" that I filled out immediately after the visit
Document #2 - A blank Word document that has the appropriate headers: "TELEPHONE, GREETING, INFORMATION GATHERING, CLOSING, PROPERTY, OVERALL SUMMARY" (or whatever that EPMS shop wants - the reports vary)
I write the narrative on the blank Word document, using the "cheat sheet," spell-check it, fact-check it and then cut/paste it into the EPMS report form.
The EPMS "accordian" style of report used to really slow me down; putting everything on one Word document helps me write something that flows well and reads coherently.
Hope this helps. Since I've been doing the EPMS reports this way, I have cut my time from 2 hours to an average of 40 minutes, no B.S.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2012 05:18PM by MissyH71.
FYI - To get the report done in 35-45 minutes, I use two documents:
Document #1 - My fast, five-minute "cheat sheet" that I filled out immediately after the visit
Document #2 - A blank Word document that has the appropriate headers: "TELEPHONE, GREETING, INFORMATION GATHERING, CLOSING, PROPERTY, OVERALL SUMMARY" (or whatever that EPMS shop wants - the reports vary)
I write the narrative on the blank Word document, using the "cheat sheet," spell-check it, fact-check it and then cut/paste it into the EPMS report form.
The EPMS "accordian" style of report used to really slow me down; putting everything on one Word document helps me write something that flows well and reads coherently.
Hope this helps. Since I've been doing the EPMS reports this way, I have cut my time from 2 hours to an average of 40 minutes, no B.S.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2012 05:18PM by MissyH71.
Just passed certification, and getting used to site (1st job for them). Doing an Apt....any tips.
Live consciously....
Lisa -- Do the video shops not ask if they tried to build a rapport by talking about things other than the apartment complex? I think I've always seen questions about that.
Some do and there is ample opportunity for that. I've found the good ones will first do that briefly during the discovery phase and then again while walking to first show the amenities and then the apartment. For example, while showing off the pool and clubhouse I've been asked if I belong to gym. Something on more of a personal level that can translate to explaining the advantages of their great fitness center. Walking to the apartment is also a great time for them to talk about other things.
Again, it's not about cutting them off, just keeping them on the subject. Sometimes it is hard when you just get those chatty types. I feel they can build rapport with spending a half hour talking about what we both did last weekend
Again, it's not about cutting them off, just keeping them on the subject. Sometimes it is hard when you just get those chatty types. I feel they can build rapport with spending a half hour talking about what we both did last weekend
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Yep.
I try very hard to: (a) be normal and (b) let the leasing agent/salesperson show me their best work.
Keeping the chit-chat to a minimum and focusing on the job you're doing does both.
When I'm out MSing, I watch the "real" customers - they aren't chit-chatting much. They're focusing on prices, delivery days, colors - all related to their purchase and decision.
I try very hard to: (a) be normal and (b) let the leasing agent/salesperson show me their best work.
Keeping the chit-chat to a minimum and focusing on the job you're doing does both.
When I'm out MSing, I watch the "real" customers - they aren't chit-chatting much. They're focusing on prices, delivery days, colors - all related to their purchase and decision.
Doing a target (or trying too), how much time do you get to reach, or will they deduct if you go past your given date, which is today.
Live consciously....
Keep them posted. As long as your making the required attempts there is no penalty or anything. They do need to adjust the due date for you. Those problems are expected with their target shops.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Irene -- I've had problems hitting a target as well and after a certain amount of time, they allow you to ask for the person. They also have somehow found out the target's schedule when I've done the ridiculous floating agent shops which I won't do again. I have found them very flexible with the due date on the targeted shops.
A great company to work for. They pay on time and they are understanding.
I tend to avoid EPMS because the reports are long and grueling and you have to remember such a lot of detail. I found it just wasn't worth it.
I guess that is why they pay double of any other Apt's jobs I've done. I'd rather get double pay and do a longer report, less driving&learning. Doing my 1st. will see what some are talking about. Having been in Real Estate and caring for our properities, brings me home again. MSing is about choice.
jpgilham Wrote:
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> I tend to avoid EPMS because the reports are long
> and grueling and you have to remember such a lot
> of detail. I found it just wasn't worth it.
jpgilham Wrote:
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> I tend to avoid EPMS because the reports are long
> and grueling and you have to remember such a lot
> of detail. I found it just wasn't worth it.
Live consciously....
Excellent company. Pay gets deposited to your account like clockwork by the 23rd of the month. I always look forward to their apartment shops. Wish they had more of these in Corpus Christi.
jleetw1 Wrote:
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> Eye color come on who the Help looks at eye color
> another way they can turn the report in and tell
> you you did not finish it. Chix you only do one of
> these a day? I do 15 jobs a day or more 30 dollars
> a day no can do.
How on earth you can do 15 a day and also turn in the reports is something I've never heard of in apartment shopping in my life! Especially EPMS!! My gosh, that would surely have to mean that you work 15+ hours a day and I don't know very many MS companies that would allow you to do that many for one company in a day and submit workable reports for each shop unless you stay up for 24 hours a day??
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> Eye color come on who the Help looks at eye color
> another way they can turn the report in and tell
> you you did not finish it. Chix you only do one of
> these a day? I do 15 jobs a day or more 30 dollars
> a day no can do.
How on earth you can do 15 a day and also turn in the reports is something I've never heard of in apartment shopping in my life! Especially EPMS!! My gosh, that would surely have to mean that you work 15+ hours a day and I don't know very many MS companies that would allow you to do that many for one company in a day and submit workable reports for each shop unless you stay up for 24 hours a day??
bekkicat -- I think the poster stated that it's not 15 apartment shops a day. Still, I don't know how anyone does that many shops in a day and write all of the reports especially since some turnarounds are 6 to 12 hours. How does one do the shops, write decent reports and meet all of the deadlines?
It really depends on the jobs and reports. Many times I've done 10 to 15 in a single day. Rarely would that include any that had not had a 12 hour deadline extended and never would all of them be due that evening. Keep in mind there are a lot of jobs (CoRI and MarketForce, for example) which have reports that can easily be completed in 5 to 15 minutes. I have also never found any company other than MF that will not extend deadlines if you are picking up a route.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Avi - it's very easy, like Lisa pointed out, to do 10-15 (even more) in a day.
Early in the month when I grab a bucket of convenience stores. I have a 7 day leeway on them. I then grab as many other shops as possible. If I am not out of rotation for cell phone shops, I will grab a bucket load of those too.
From the 5th through the 9, I was doing 10-15 shops per day. Cell phone shops - easy peasy, in and out in 15 minutes. Convenience stores - in and out in less than 5 minutes (with a 5 minute report).
The one day where I had 3 bank shops, I ended up adding in retail (1), cell phone (3), convenience store (4) and a FF (1) for a total of 12. Another day I did 12 cell phone shops - these were all within a 2 mile radius so it was extremely easy. I always check their opening times and then map out my drive.
Next week?
AB-SO-LUTELY-NOTHING! Woot! I think I will be BORED STIFF! I'm loving it now, but I am sure next week I will be trying to scrounge up jobs. (or maybe not, I haven't decided)
Early in the month when I grab a bucket of convenience stores. I have a 7 day leeway on them. I then grab as many other shops as possible. If I am not out of rotation for cell phone shops, I will grab a bucket load of those too.
From the 5th through the 9, I was doing 10-15 shops per day. Cell phone shops - easy peasy, in and out in 15 minutes. Convenience stores - in and out in less than 5 minutes (with a 5 minute report).
The one day where I had 3 bank shops, I ended up adding in retail (1), cell phone (3), convenience store (4) and a FF (1) for a total of 12. Another day I did 12 cell phone shops - these were all within a 2 mile radius so it was extremely easy. I always check their opening times and then map out my drive.
Next week?
AB-SO-LUTELY-NOTHING! Woot! I think I will be BORED STIFF! I'm loving it now, but I am sure next week I will be trying to scrounge up jobs. (or maybe not, I haven't decided)
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
I guess, since I do other things to try to make money, the concept wouldn't work for me.
My daily high was 18, BUT, they were all in the same airport and I was given extra time for the reports.
avitoots Wrote:
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> bekkicat -- I think the poster stated that it's
> not 15 apartment shops a day. Still, I don't know
> how anyone does that many shops in a day and write
> all of the reports especially since some
> turnarounds are 6 to 12 hours. How does one do
> the shops, write decent reports and meet all of
> the deadlines?
Avitoots--I read this post about 15 times and kind of came to that conclusion. As the last poster wrote (had done 15 in the past,) it really depends on what type of form you are dealing with but, still, most MS companies regulate how many can be done in one day unless you are allowed to sign up for a route and scoop them all up (usually convenience stores, possibly banks if you are traveling across a large territory which would really narrow down the amount of jobs done per day. I've been doing this (some times more heavily than other times) for ten years now and I think the most I've ever done in one day was about 12 and when I got home, here I at this computer until midnight sorting and scanning receipts. I'm not dismissing the poster for doing 15 shops a day but if I just did one EPMS shop among those 15, I would be tearing my hair out. These days, what they pay used to be the average for at least 1/4 of all the MS companies. If an MShopper doesn't mind travelling and has a good rapport with some companies, they CAN possibly make it work with a Smartphone and laptop. Sorry, I'm just not that young and try to have some kind of life. Also, in the end, one would have to be realistic and look at their credit card bills vs. the expenses incurred. Sorry, didn't mean to come off as a naysayer. It's just that there really are not THAT many Mystery Shopping jobs out there that you can do year around because most MS companies rotate shoppers quarterly for locations. But, if you are willing to travel, are super-organized, and don’t get burned out, it is possible to keep up the poster’s pace.
Personally, it would drive me insane
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> bekkicat -- I think the poster stated that it's
> not 15 apartment shops a day. Still, I don't know
> how anyone does that many shops in a day and write
> all of the reports especially since some
> turnarounds are 6 to 12 hours. How does one do
> the shops, write decent reports and meet all of
> the deadlines?
Avitoots--I read this post about 15 times and kind of came to that conclusion. As the last poster wrote (had done 15 in the past,) it really depends on what type of form you are dealing with but, still, most MS companies regulate how many can be done in one day unless you are allowed to sign up for a route and scoop them all up (usually convenience stores, possibly banks if you are traveling across a large territory which would really narrow down the amount of jobs done per day. I've been doing this (some times more heavily than other times) for ten years now and I think the most I've ever done in one day was about 12 and when I got home, here I at this computer until midnight sorting and scanning receipts. I'm not dismissing the poster for doing 15 shops a day but if I just did one EPMS shop among those 15, I would be tearing my hair out. These days, what they pay used to be the average for at least 1/4 of all the MS companies. If an MShopper doesn't mind travelling and has a good rapport with some companies, they CAN possibly make it work with a Smartphone and laptop. Sorry, I'm just not that young and try to have some kind of life. Also, in the end, one would have to be realistic and look at their credit card bills vs. the expenses incurred. Sorry, didn't mean to come off as a naysayer. It's just that there really are not THAT many Mystery Shopping jobs out there that you can do year around because most MS companies rotate shoppers quarterly for locations. But, if you are willing to travel, are super-organized, and don’t get burned out, it is possible to keep up the poster’s pace.
Personally, it would drive me insane
The poster, jleetw1, clarifies in a post after this one to me in this thread that they do not do 15 EPMS in one day; rather, 15 shops - non-specified.
bekkicat, I would like to say something about this line, "most MS companies regulate how many can be done in one day." We are independent contractors. MSCs may be able limit how many shops we can take for a particular client or how many of their shops we schedule in one day. Otherwise, it is none of their damn business how many other shops we are doing for other MSCs during any given day.
From everything I've seen Market Force really does not like professional shoppers. Virtually every other company I've worked with is more than willing to waive any number of "regulations" when dealing with a shopper they are confident can get the job done and get it done right.
From everything I've seen Market Force really does not like professional shoppers. Virtually every other company I've worked with is more than willing to waive any number of "regulations" when dealing with a shopper they are confident can get the job done and get it done right.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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