I have been looking for work recently (ok...for the last year). I ran across an add online for photography. The add states that they will pay $12.5 per site. They have asked me to photograph 3-5 apartment complexes. Minimum 20-30 pics. The company responded by email with a host of downloads (Non-disclosure agreement...blah blah blah). One tidbit I just read after I printed out most of the docs contains this little beauty of sorts. Now, two weeks after applying for the position, I get this download package instructing me on what to say when approached. Why?
What should I do if I am approached at a property for taking photos?
Explain that you are contracted to photograph area apartment communities for survey work. You
may not disclose that your work is on behalf of Pierce-Eislen, or represent yourself as a company
employee.
Alternatively, you may state:
“I am a photography student at XXX, and was asked to photograph various architectures.”
“I just relocated and my wife/husband and I have been looking at apartments. She is still in
[California] selling our house and I wanted to send her some photos of apartments that I like.”
I am licensed as a professional. I will not pretend to be anything else other than what I am. My values will be reflected in any work I do....even it it ain't survey work. I refuse dishonest and mislead anyone and I will always question mess like this. And to think I was turned down this morning when I applied to scrub toilets and clean stock rooms. Not such a good day....so far.
How far down will things go. What an absolute shame f
Perhaps I should send the contents of the message received to the authorities. I mentioned I was a land surveyor and bang...the word survey comes up. there something smellin' real bad here.
Yes, the name of the firm is in the email. No, there was not a disclaimer at the bottom of email and Yes I think this is ok to post.
I forgot to ask....what would you do?
Is that $12.50 cents? With gas over $3.00 a gallon. I hope you can walk to all of them was my first thought. And printing out the documents alone must have cost you the money on the first 10 submissions.
The other stuff about disclosing. Totally unethical I would think. Not that you would have to answer but if you did then it should be truthful.
Oh it get's better....
If you are denied access to a property it is recommended that
you photograph the property as best you can from public access (outside the property). If this is
not possible you may also call the rental office or management company and obtain permission or
schedule an appointment to photograph the property, however you may not disclose that you work for
Pierce-Eislen.
If you are not able to take photos of the property for whatever reason (including being asked to leave),
please include photos of what is preventing you from completing the assignment (i.e. security gate,
walls); full compensation will not be rewarded, however we will do our best to provide some
compensation.
Photographic Resolution. Photographs must be taken at a minimum four mega pixels resolution and
uploaded to the ftp site at minimum 1200 x 960 pixels.
Number Of Photographs Per Property. A minimum of 15 photographs of each property is required,
however we recommend taking 20 photos. From this our editors will select six photographs that will
be accepted for use in our website. If an editor is unable to find six photos, the photographs will not
be used and compensation will not be given.
Do not turn the camera on its side, or resort to unconventional angles. Incorrect camera position may
result in photo distortion, rendering the photograph as unusable.
Swimming Pool Shots. If a property includes a swimming pool, at least three pool shots (from
different perspectives) must be included among your photographs. If a property includes more than
one swimming pool, all pools must be photographed. Missing pool photos will require a re-shoot.
If a property includes an indoor pool, photographs taken will include a $2.50 bonus payment (see the
Compensation section in this document).
If the property is gated, you are still required to complete the assignment. You may have to
follow a resident to gain access to the premises or photograph over walls, or through fences.
Saturday and Sunday mornings, before the rental office opens, are often the optimum times
to photograph a property.
Oh it get's better....
Holy moly. ( I was going to say holy cow, but he's a poster.) What the heck sort of clandestine thing are they running that they want you to violate rules like that.
Oh it get's better....
Wow, is this some kindly insurance scam artist? Given all the focus on pools makes me wonder...
Oh it get's better....
Deral and Andy,
I don't know. My first thoughts are they are underwater in mortgage stuff and foreclosure is immenent. My next thoughts are our future daughter-in-Law is a Raleigh Police Officer...perhaps this should be turned over to her.
My last thought is how the heck to post this on FB....:)
The Apartment Market's Most Complete Intelligence Source!
Just another outfit that sells 'paper and numbers', but probably wouldn't stand behind any of it, imho.
Oh it get's better....
Craig, a friend of mine here who was a self employed dish installer, security systems kind of guy thought he found a "niche" in the foreclosure debacle. Apparently, the bank or somebody contacts him to go check out the house, take inventory on damages, take a bunch of pictures, secure a lock box, arrange for cleanup as needed, and a whole bunch of other things. When he can bunch 6-10 together I guess he considers that a good day, but he knows he's not really making any money - just paying bills.
The fees range from about $15-50 per site for basic service, then more for some things. Then they get on a cycle for re-checking things until the house sells.
The big problem is they often can be 20-70 miles apart, and slow payment. 30 days=60=90 type of things. And always dealing with people who think they are doing him a favor by letting him "work" for them, and have absolutely no clue about what they are talking about. Not to mention the logistics of the travel.
Be real careful in that racket.
Best of luck to ya
> The Apartment Market's Most Complete Intelligence Source!
>
> Just another outfit that sells 'paper and numbers', but probably wouldn't stand behind any of it, imho.
Paden,
Take a look at the dude in the upper right hand corner... can you say sketchy and shady... kinda like this whole scenario.
Carl,
I asked the one who sent me the email to provide which apartment complexes. Then I'll turn over to the police, Let them decide. $12.50 was suppose to be for single family homes. Not multi-unit developments. I may go re-apply to the toilet scrubbing and stock room cleaning job...
They are specifically instructing you to not just avoid answering questions, but to deliberately lie. It's unethical and most likely illegal.
They are relying on the fact that most people taking a $12.50/hr gig either don't have the wherewithal to question these instructions, or are too desparate for income to do so.
If your state has a Department of Consumer Affairs or something similar, I would contact them.
Just search their name...first hit is about how to appear to be searching for a new apartment to gather info. With specific ways to lie to the managers. Weird!
This is just a sad state of affairs. I guess these are all the new jobs coming on line that I have heard about. 🙁
Merlin,
I received an email this morning stating the total pay (4 complexes) would be $85.00. I will be seeing the "daughter-in-law to be" tonight and ask. They have given me the 4 locations in a separate email with a map attached. I'll let her decide if this is something fishy. She's a senior officer in the department. Who knows maybe this is legit. Regardless I am not willing to take the job. I'd rather scrub toilets..yes...sad state.
Okay, who's "Barnacle Bill" and why does he smell?
Fishy...hmmmm
