PO shops readypost

November 16, 2012 05:03AM

I put the items I want to mail inside a small shopping bag (if you are mailing newspaper, then it would not be obvious) and shove the entire shopping bag into the envelope I purchase at the post office. It takes me no more than a minute or two to address the envelope at the transaction stand and then get in line and start timing.

The problem I can see with pre-packaging an envelope/box and then buying a new unused one is that you cannot "catch" them at not charging you for the envelope, since you are handing them one to purchase. It has happened to me twice where the clerk did not catch the envelope and I was not charged. I believe the intent of the shop is to see if the clerk charges for the envelope.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~

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November 16, 2012 05:31AM

is GeeeeeZ!! I am the OP and the only reason I posted this is to make people aware of this fact. I do not need to be scolded about reading guidelines. They are many and complicated and sometimes one might miss some. I definitely do not need a lecture. Think please before you post. This was meant to be a service to others. I cannot believe that people get in arguments about somethng like this.

November 16, 2012 06:15AM

Why do they ask you to look for one of those four RP items on the postal shops anyway? I've never seen on a survey where they ask if I found one.

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I pray it does not occur that the last thing I did before I died was vacuum the house or eat broccoli.

November 16, 2012 07:25PM

Um.....folks? This one's really easy. My old newspapers and boxes of pasta come into the post office GIFT WRAPPED. Then I casually walk over to the Ready Post display, check out the inventory, select my mailer, and insert the present. Seal it up and walk to the counter. It's a good way to ssess what the are looking for IMO -was I charged for the mailer, AND did the clerk tell me that next time I sent Priority I could have free packaging? Both important for them to know. And so, so easy.

November 16, 2012 07:38PM

I cannot believe that shoppers would send stuffed up newspapers. I purchase a 1 lbs 2 oz bag of rice from my local 99 cent store and send it to a food bank in the next county. At least that way I am doing someone who needs help a little bit of good while shopping my ready post.

November 16, 2012 08:10PM

Dear Evaluators,

My name is Jeffrey Rose and I am a project manager at Bare International. I manage the mystery shops for this account in a number of different states. For the Readypost shops, you are required to use the package you purchase that day to ship your item. The guidelines clearly state in the third rule that your item must be placed inside the readypost box you select.

Using a prepared package and purchasing a readypost box in addition to it as a way to avoid performing the actual Readypost scenario is a violation of the rules and any shopper who is caught doing this will have their shop excluded and their account with Bare deactivated. If you have concerns about how to perform the shop discreetly or questions about the shop please don’t hesitate to contact the scheduler in your state and confirm the details with us. We appreciate the efforts of our evaluators and are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you,

November 16, 2012 08:35PM

I may have missed this in someone's comments, but my guidelines always say that I may not conduct any other business during the shop transaction. Therefore, buying another rp envelope would be conducting other business, as a second envelope is not germane to the shop.

November 16, 2012 09:41PM

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> There's always more than one way to understand
> something, and Mr. C may be on to a winning method
> here. I always feel conspicuous preparing my
> package after I get to the post office. Have any
> of you ever seen anyone else do this? Not me.
> During all the USPO shops I've done, I've never
> seen anyone else making up a package inside the
> post office. Talk about standing out like a sore
> thumb! Shopper, shopper!! Wait, let me wear a
> sign!
>

I do this all the time--I have for years, since before I was doing mystery shops. The only difference is that if I am not being paid for the shop, I almost always use the free Priority Mail shipping materials.

November 16, 2012 09:42PM

Hello Jeffrey - Thank you for your clarification.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

November 16, 2012 10:05PM

cynb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I cannot believe that people get in arguments about
> somethng like this.

Now, now. Forums are no fun without a little bit of snarkiness! Okay, so we have a *lot* of snark sometimes...deep down, I guess we've all got a little "Internet bully" inside of us.

This forum is nowhere near as bad as the forum I found after buying my godson a Betta fish. Hoo boy. You think people have strong opinions about mystery shopping?!

Anyway, this post is tongue-in-cheek as a reminder--I hope we can all take ourselves a little less seriously. And happy Friday, all!

November 16, 2012 10:49PM

teefer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I cannot believe that shoppers would send stuffed
> up newspapers. I purchase a 1 lbs 2 oz bag of rice
> from my local 99 cent store and send it to a food
> bank in the next county. At least that way I am
> doing someone who needs help a little bit of good
> while shopping my ready post.

Paper is free. Again if your are doing a zillion of these and trying to make money that might be why you want to go with free over a small donated item. To each their own.

Liz

November 17, 2012 12:03AM

Sometimes I wrap something I am sending in newspaper, so the clerk can't see what it is, when I am packaging it. This way they still ask the questions.

November 17, 2012 01:54AM

I just did my first scenario B today. I think the tip given above is great but it seems to me that handing them an empty box "reminds" them to charge you, whereas handing them a sealed box alone they might overlook that it's a RP box and fail to charge you for it. If that's what they're trying to find out -- whether the clerks notice that it's an unpaid-for RP box they're handling and they need to charge for it -- then they're unlikely to overlook it if you are also handling them a RP box to buy separately.

However, I did something similar today since I had to buy a roll of tape because I naively assumed these boxes were self-sealing like the priority boxes. (And then I stupidly taped the thing shut before I addressed it so had to peel the tape off since my pen wouldn't write on the tape.)

Sigh... next time I'll know, and I'll keep the tape in the car in case I have to do this again.

I hope the fact that I bought tape won't be held against me. It would be nice if the instructions would MENTION the fact that you need to bring a means of sealing the box. I could have brought my tape dispenser from home had I known.

(edit: I posted this without first having read jrose's post above.)

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I pray it does not occur that the last thing I did before I died was vacuum the house or eat broccoli.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2012 03:03PM by itsasecret.

November 17, 2012 02:15AM

Jrose Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Evaluators,
>
> My name is Jeffrey Rose and I am a project manager
> at Bare International. I manage the mystery shops
> for this account in a number of different states.
> For the Readypost shops, you are required to use
> the package you purchase that day to ship your
> item. The guidelines clearly state in the third
> rule that your item must be placed inside the
> readypost box you select.
>
> Using a prepared package and purchasing a
> readypost box in addition to it as a way to avoid
> performing the actual Readypost scenario is a
> violation of the rules and any shopper who is
> caught doing this will have their shop excluded
> and their account with Bare deactivated. If you
> have concerns about how to perform the shop
> discreetly or questions about the shop please
> don’t hesitate to contact the scheduler in your
> state and confirm the details with us. We
> appreciate the efforts of our evaluators and are
> always happy to answer any questions you may
> have.
>
> Thank you,

Thank you JRose, for clearing this up. I enjoy the ReadyPost shops and the instructions are clear. It's amazing how someone can read something else out of it and circumvent the guideline.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2012 02:28AM by cubbiecat.

November 17, 2012 05:20AM

itsasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> However, I did something similar today since I had
> to buy a roll of tape because I naively assumed
> these boxes were self-sealing like the priority
> boxes.

I did that very same thing, and was warned to "not do it again", but was reimbursed for the remainder of the shop. Live and learn eh?

Kat

November 17, 2012 10:47AM

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Really.
>
> Yes, and I was discussing the kind of package
> shipped at the USPO.
>
> Please accept my apology for offending.

MDavis, I wasn't offended, and I didn't mean to offend you, either. Really!

First, my comment about the term 'package' was really just meant as an attempt at humor. And because I really did feel a little silly typing that over & over, and it was making me giggle. I'm fairly easily amused much of the time. Which is why I added the little winking icon ~ attempting to convey that I was trying to be silly.

And, where I live, it genuinely would seem really weird *not* to see people, several people, preparing all kinds of mail; in the post office. That comment was sincere, too; and not meant as an insult. It was a statement of disbelief, yes... NOT that I disbelieve *you*, but it's just weird to think that people wouldn't, because that's how it is all the time around here, at every post office I've ever been to.

My apology back to you ~ as I never meant to offend nor insult. I find your contributions to the forum among my favorites!

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

November 17, 2012 03:28PM

Sojo917 wrote>>>>>>>>>MsBAKER: You must purchase a ReadyPost mailer during your shop, does not mean you have to purchase the same one you are mailing. <<<<<<<<

I stand corrected. I apologize.

November 17, 2012 04:13PM

Stormcloud, thank you. I'm all better now. I realize sometimes our meaning gets lost in the written word.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

November 17, 2012 05:05PM

Sojo, MSCs are not restricted from posting a client name. Our ICAs are the contract between us and the MSC. The MSC has an entirely different contract with the client.

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.

November 18, 2012 03:10PM

It was nice to receive the clarification. That's the way I've done the shops, because that's what I inferred the instructions to mean, but was begining to contemplate Mr C's method. So glad I didn't do any shops that way.

"To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful." Edward R. Murrow

Thou shalt not steal. I mean defensively. On offense, indeed thou shall steal and thou must.--Branch Rickey

November 20, 2012 03:47PM

Jrose Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Evaluators,

> For the ReadyPost shops, you are required to use
> the package you purchase that day to ship your
> item. The guidelines clearly state in the third
> rule that your item must be placed inside the
> ReadyPost box you select.
>

Hi Jeffrey,

While you're here, I have another question. Is there any restriction on *which* ReadyPost box we choose? I know that the guidelines state that it does not have to be one of the four mentioned, but this time of year they have such cute Snoopy holiday boxes that I am often tempted to buy those. I realize that I would not be reimbursed for the full amount, but is it okay to do this?

November 20, 2012 03:48PM

itsasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do they ask you to look for one of those four
> RP items on the postal shops anyway? I've never
> seen on a survey where they ask if I found one.

It's on the surveys I do, even for Scenario A

November 20, 2012 03:49PM

KatLovesToShop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> itsasecret Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > However, I did something similar today since I
> had
> > to buy a roll of tape because I naively assumed
> > these boxes were self-sealing like the priority
> > boxes.
>
> I did that very same thing, and was warned to "not
> do it again", but was reimbursed for the remainder
> of the shop. Live and learn eh?
>
> Kat

Depending upon what you are mailing, you could just buy a ReadyPost envelope that *does* self-seal. But I do enough of these that I keep a roll of packing tape in my car now.

November 20, 2012 06:27PM

Shortly after I started doing these shops, I purchased a big sharpee and packaging tape to keep in my car. They have really come in handy for other things as well.

LateRain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Depending upon what you are mailing, you could
> just buy a ReadyPost envelope that *does*
> self-seal. But I do enough of these that I keep a
> roll of packing tape in my car now.

November 21, 2012 04:51AM

LateRain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > > Hi Jeffrey,
>
> , but
> this time of year they have such cute Snoopy
> holiday boxes that I am often tempted to buy
> those. I realize that I would not be reimbursed
> for the full amount, but is it okay to do this?

The ReadyPost 'cutie" boxes sounds like they would qualify for a RP mailing. They do say in the guidelines-->"up to" amount. so.........

November 21, 2012 05:30AM

Hi everyone, I just started doing mystery shopping and the ready post was my first assignment. I bought the self adhesive bubble package and a label. I spent a little over 12 dollars and the max reimbursement amount is 11.05, but I noticed the amount reimbursed is 8.40? The rating I received is 9/10. What does that mean since it's not a 10?

Thanks

November 21, 2012 01:14PM

I've been wanting to know about the adorable Snoopy holiday Ready Post packages, too! I was so tempted to buy one, but didn't want it to disqualify my shop. Although I never did find a restriction on which kind of Ready Post packaging I had to buy, just a limit on how much would be reimbursed.

So I hope we hear yay/nay about the Snoopy boxes, soon!

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

November 21, 2012 02:49PM

Does the $12 reimbursement have a breakout? I haven't done this type of shop so can't be certain but if, for example, the fine print says Reimbursement up to $11.05 - Postage up to $5, Delivery Confirmation (if offered) up to $ 0.80, Insurance (if offered) $1.85, ReadyPost Purchase Up to $ 3.35 or something, even if your total expense is over $11.05, if you spent more than the reimbursement for any one of the categories, you won't get it back. For example, if you spent $4 on the ReadyPost but Insurance wasn't offered, you could still be under the TOTAL max ($11.05) but they may not reimburse the overage on the ReadyPost allowance.

-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi everyone, I just started doing mystery shopping
> and the ready post was my first assignment.
> bought the self adhesive bubble package and a
> label. I spent a little over 12 dollars and the
> max reimbursement amount is 11.05, but I noticed
> the amount reimbursed is 8.40? The rating I
> received is 9/10. What does that mean since it's
> not a 10?
>
> Thanks

November 21, 2012 04:24PM

Tsk- thanks for the response. No the reimbursement did not break out the items. I should get $10.25 reimbursed back so I am not sure how it came out to be $8.40. Also, since I already received a rating should I see the $ amount in the pending payment section? It's still showing 0.

Thanks

November 21, 2012 04:47PM

Addictshopper - How does your post office receipt break out each item that you bought? Insurance would be covered up to $50.00. If you bought more than $50.00 in insurance, they won't cover the extra. Delivery confirmation would always be the same charge. My memory is that you're covered through a few zones, but they don't pay for the difference that would be charged for outlying zones. There's a limit on the ready post mailer. You mention you bought a label. I don't remember that they pay for labels. Did the postage charged fall under their limit? There are lots of variables here, and we need more information.

Then, there's always the possibility someone made a mistake figuring your reimbursement. That's not likely, but it could happen.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

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