They have some terrible business practices that I want to warn you all about. The first incident is when I had a confirmed appointment and drove 2 hours for a well-paying shop. I booked the appointment but was not put on the calendar of the leasing agent on that day. When I got there, she was busy doing a tour and had another tour after that; therefore, I could not do the shop. Thank goodness I had created a route and got some money for the long drive. EPMS would not pay me anything, even though they have the recorded call with my appointment being confirmed. I saw in the notes that the reason I did not get a partial payment was that the client suspected I was a shopper. They NEVER said that to me one time... I gave them one more chance and did another local shop with them. This is a new client and the leasing agent and property manager both said they had just taken over management of this property about a month ago. When I asked for a business card or other POV, they did not have any because this was a new property for them and they had not received them yet. So, I asked them to write their contact info on some paper, which is what a seasoned shopper would always do, and most companies will accept that. EPMS kept saying upload back up documentation over and over again after I clearly explained this situation to them in the report and via emails. What didn't they understand? They asked if I took a picture of a property sign, no I did not and that was not in any guidelines that I read. I got the contact and rental requirements written on a piece of paper and I knew 3 employees names and jobs. They just said they will accept my report, but my pay is deducted in half. WHAT??? How is it my fault their client didn't have business cards, price sheets, or a floor plan? This company is very shady. They wouldn't pay my friend for a video shop because she forgot to do the phone call. However, in my case I followed all of their guidelines and they are still stealing my money for services I rendered to them, which they are getting paid for. I am going to contact the Labor Department of my state and in Texas and file complaints and will never work for them again. They just lost a good video shopper.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2022 08:07PM by mysterytrina.

They cheated me out of about $140 2 months ago. Said that I was paid, but I have a spreadsheet of all the jobs that I had worked an completed. Once I get paid I mark them as paid and make sure the total add up. I just stopped trying to argue with them and stopped doing work for them, until this month. So far I have done 2 shops this month, but will not be doing a lot like I had been doing.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2022 09:38PM by blackgold78.

You can private message me your information and I will add it the formal LEGAL complaint I will be filing. They are just doing anything illegal they want to do to not pay shoppers after their hard work. I will not sit down for this one. The first time when I drove those 2 hours and was not on the schedule and got paid nothing for my time or gas I let it go, but I see this is a repeat pattern. I will NEVER work for them again. If they didn't pay you the first time after you did the shop, why would you trust them again to pay you and go through that horrible survey of theirs that takes 2 hours to complete? I will never trust this scamming company again.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2022 09:49PM by mysterytrina.

I sent you a PM with my info. I don't trust them, but just said I'd do at least 4 a month with them to see if they try and trick me out of my money again. I think this also happened when I first started with them back in 2019, but I kept shopping for them and thought I made the mistake somewhere. Now, I see I didn't because I have became more organized with documenting the shops I do and when I get paid and see now that they are basically stealing money.

Yeah...they are a host unto themselves. They are the least enjoyable shops I do every month...without question.

I've never been stiffed by them but I have been "cautioned" for not offering the obligatory "objection" and that I didn't list the "closing technique" of the leasing professional. It always makes me laugh. I have done like 10-15 shops for them. I think I've been actively "closed" on like once maybe.

They think the leasing professionals are like Sam Walton when, in reality, the leasing folks are closer to Otto the Bus Driver from the Simpsons.

Money is good when you get the paycheck a month or so later but given the form and the visit and the phone call, you're making $10-20 an hour. Compared to making $0, it's pretty good of course.

Before I post concerning an MSC I terminated for cause, I always preface my comments with an acknowledgment of the matter.

After completing almost 200 shops for Ellis, I was refused payment for my last job. The reason given was I had visited the wrong community, BUT, that explanation only arrived 31 days after submission. Knowing I had not erred, I appealed, lost and severed our relationship. I do not and strongly suggest others should never consider giving second chances in business.

Hey, thanks for sharing. Please PM your contact information. This is not right what they are doing.

I totally agree. Once you see they have shady business practices why go back because they are going to stiff you again eventually: "Burn me once shame on you; burn me twice shame on me." When they refused to give me a trip fee/attempt fee because THEIR CLIENT didn't put me on the schedule and then they lied and said I was suspected outed as a shopper, but they NEVER discussed that with me, or told me how this was supposed to have occurred I should have learned my lesson then. However, the bonuses were good, but what good is the lure of the money when they think of every conceivable reason not to pay you what you earned and worked hard for after the fact. Real sad stories...

Shame on you, Ellis!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2022 03:36PM by mysterytrina.

You have been lucky, but sometimes after your hard work you get $0 and therein lies the major problem we are discussing.