Empsonline

September 09, 2010 12:59AM

Has anyone heard of this company?
Got an email from Carole Rice from Irvine texas asking for new shoppers. they do mostly apartment shops.
Thanks for any info.

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.

September 09, 2010 01:11AM

They have been around a long time. I am not 'into' apartment shops so have never worked with them. They apparently pay reasonably well but too often have target shops that have been done so frequently for so long that the targets can readily enough identify the scenario and make themselves scarce. If you are doing a target shop and your target is a no show, you don't get paid for spinning your wheels. My goal is to avoid wasting my time.

September 09, 2010 02:30AM

Empsonline or EPMS? Ellis Property Management Services is legitimate.

I've shopped apartments for them. High-end, low-end. I'd advise to know the location before shopping it, to make sure it's a place you're not only comfortable, but feel you can blend in and not be suspect. Initially for me, their report felt clumsy and awkward. Subsequently, it feels redundant and overly long. Targets aren't generally an issue where I live. EPMS pays competitively, by check, on time.

September 09, 2010 02:34AM

I believe they are one in the same. EPMS is in Irving TX and their website is epmsonline.com, which is likely where the epmsonline comes from. I'm assuming the OP mistyped 'Empsonline' when 'epmsonline' was intended.

September 09, 2010 02:54AM

use to work with them. Some time ago, their servers were stolen along with all of the shoppers personal information (including ss, dob, addresses, etc).

The company mailed a letter, apologized, and offered some assistance if there was Identity theft.

Just haven't gone back to them since that incident. But they were good and nice to work with.

September 09, 2010 03:53AM

Good company to work with! Lots of work, just look out for some of their longer surveys! Check out the shop info first and preview the form!

September 09, 2010 01:41PM

Hate their written shops; love their video shops. They are very reliable about payment. Feedback is not their strong suit. I sent a question to their shopper "hotline" three weeks ago and just got an answer. But, if you call, they seem to be much more responsive. and, their video division is very, very supportive.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2011 07:37PM by walesmaven.

December 23, 2010 02:56PM

They made the switch to direct deposit on December 22. How nice to wake up to an email from my bank saying I had $$$.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

December 24, 2010 02:56PM

I have done the written version. I have received notices of their video version but apparently, when the location is not in my county, I have priced myself out of the market. Any clues on how much and when I should request from them? Thanks.

December 24, 2010 03:43PM

What I have done in the past to make it worth while is take 5 or more to do in a day in any given area. EPMS does not pay travel or bonus for video, so you need to have enough shops assigned to make it worth the travel. If you have your own equipment, call Robert Asher (Video Director) at EPMS and tell him you need enough shops to make it worth your while and he will assign more than the normal maximum of 3 shops.

As most other video shopping companies will compensate for travel, I use EPMS shops to pad my trip when I can pick up one or 2 on a route. That is a good way to add $ to a trip when you are on a route!

December 25, 2010 04:47AM

Great advice, I've done 2 videos for them and 3 for another company. I have debated purchasing the equipment as I know it will pay off but I have a video sitting and waiting with EPMS now. I am waiting on equipment. What type of equipment do you have and how much did it cost?

Porhammer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What I have done in the past to make it worth
> while is take 5 or more to do in a day in any
> given area. EPMS does not pay travel or bonus for
> video, so you need to have enough shops assigned
> to make it worth the travel. If you have your own
> equipment, call Robert Asher (Video Director) at
> EPMS and tell him you need enough shops to make it
> worth your while and he will assign more than the
> normal maximum of 3 shops.
>
> As most other video shopping companies will
> compensate for travel, I use EPMS shops to pad my
> trip when I can pick up one or 2 on a route. That
> is a good way to add $ to a trip when you are on a
> route!

December 25, 2010 05:24AM

I use a PV500 and there is a deal through an MSC to buy it for $400. That is at about half the cost I have been able to find it retail. It is the best equipment available out there now for the best price.

If you want more info, PM me as I don't want to be posting any "spam" here.

December 25, 2010 01:46PM

prettygul,
I also use the PV-500 and have had flawless performance from it. I bought through the MSC that Carrie mentioned above, that arranged the bulk price that has saved many shoppers a ton of money!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

December 25, 2010 03:25PM

Thanks, Carrie. They didn't have several in the towns they specified. Another MSC has told me they will have some coming up. That's all the nibbles I've gotten so far. I had contacted some directly. I need to do that again.

December 27, 2010 03:07PM

They aren't one of my favorites, but I guess it's not really their fault. I have now attempted four shops for them, but only been able to complete one. The targets are either never available, never answer the phone, or once they were gone completely.

I have one now that I keep receiving assignment reminders about. The target will not be back in the office until Jan. 10th. I updated my assignment to provide that information, but I still am receiving the reminders.

For people in areas like mine, they are really difficult to shop for because none of their assignments are in my area. I can not just give them a call daily until I reach the target, then run over to the property. I have to build up enough of a route so that when I can not reach the target and do not get paid, I have enough in fees from other shops.

December 27, 2010 06:15PM

liams901,
I have been told by Robert, who handles the video and audio shops, that using the "update" function on the assignment is not how to communicate if you have a problem. (That is silly, but it is what it is.) His advice is to email or call him when you have a delay or problem. He is very responsive and professional.

The system sends out "late" notices regardless of the arrangement that you have made with your scheduler, it seems. This makes me crazy, BUT Robert always gets the date fixed and the nastygrams stop. Everything works better on the video/audio side of the company, but some functions are not originated there, so they have to "amend" things for us. Robert is great at that!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

December 28, 2010 12:25AM

Thanks. I'll try emailing them directly.

December 28, 2010 04:30AM

I double what Walesmaven said! Robert is great... Never had a prob when I have called him. I even call him for assignments now...I don't wait to be accepted by the scheduler!

December 28, 2010 02:00PM

I also find that I can go directly to Robert for video and audio assignments, especially when I am planning a road trip. Just emailed him to put a shop on hold while 32 inches of snow (and 6 foot drifts) get cleared from the location.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

December 30, 2010 04:12PM

OMG, AFTER the first, AFTER the first does not mean they will be there on Sat. January 1st New Year's Day. Sorry had to rant.

January 04, 2011 12:27AM

I like EPMS. They pay $40 for a written apartment shop in my area, and all the other offers I get are more like $20, way too low for a targeted shop. I don't find them too onerous, either. Just wish there were more apartments around me, you can't do these too often!

Kona Kathie

February 16, 2011 06:00PM

G8r1966 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Has anyone heard of this company?
> Got an email from Carole Rice from Irvine texas
> asking for new shoppers. they do mostly apartment
> shops.
> Thanks for any info.

This is a good company and they pay quickly. I have worked with them for some years.

February 16, 2011 10:54PM

Great company, but forms are long--at least the ones i have done are. The pay is fairly decent too.

February 17, 2011 02:56AM

It used to take me hours to do the form. But now I can complete them in no time

March 20, 2011 05:43AM

I did 3 shops with EPMS video side this month. The forms were "short forms" with only 4 sections to fill out. OMG, they have found a sucker in me. LOL.

March 21, 2011 12:13AM

I don't know if it is just my area, but it is so hard to complete a shop for them due to trying to contact the target.

I took one a few weeks ago, it said it could be done anyday as the property is open 7 days a week. Once I accept the shop, I find out the target only works 3 of those 7 days.

Then I just took one because the directions said the target would always be answering the phone on Saturdays. The property is an hour from me, but I would driving right by it on Saturday (yesterday) so I took it. Then I get the email, the target is on vacation for the next three weeks, so they have picked a date for me to complete it.

I very rarely take shops from them because all of the properties are far from me, so I can't be sure that I can try to reach the target daily and be there if they happen to answer. But I still get emails asking if I am traveling out of my zip code and suggest shops 2-3 hours away. It would be almost impossible to take one that far away when you don't know when you will be able to get the target to answer the call.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2011 03:47PM by lisams901.

March 21, 2011 02:14PM

lisams,
If I were in your shoes, I would only apply for the untargeted shops. Let the shceduler know that you would take 2-3 untargeted shops if you could do them all on a one day route. They will try to work with you. If that does not work out, perhaps these just are not economical for you.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

March 21, 2011 03:46PM

In my area, they usually only have one or two untargeted shops and those get grabbed up really quickly.

I don't know if it's just my area, but I think most others here have a hard time reaching their target. Everytime I have signed up as a backup with them, the job always ends up being given to me. I think because the original shopper could not reach the target either.

March 21, 2011 05:49PM

I had a hard time for the past 4 days to reach my target and never did. I had to cancel the shop because they couldnt change to shop anyone.

March 22, 2011 04:28AM

I shop for them and am really happy. They are a good company and pay by direct deposit monthly. You have to be willing to sit and fill out long forms that can take at least an hour. If you have no distractions then the forms can go faster. Buy a Thesaurus. That will help you with your writing. Be persistent with trying to reach your target. You can email the company to let them know you are having trouble reaching your target and they will extend your date. You have to be able to tell little white lies easily but its fun to play the part. The pay is good, and you if you do a good job you will be contacted both by phone and email.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Empsonline

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine