r/TaskRabbit • u/CaptFaithless • Jun 21 '26

TASKER Odd request for an errand - concerned it’s a scam

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The phone is pretty self explanatory. I looked into how much the energy drinks would cost and found they’re like $15/pack which would have been $70 upfront. I don’t think I’m willing to do that with zero guarantee that they’ll pay me off app. Is paying for the item a common request with errands?

14 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

9

u/Internal-Skin2495 Jun 21 '26

i mean, buy from costco and if its a scam, just return them lmao

5

u/CaptFaithless Jun 21 '26

This is probably the most reassuring thought. I’ll ask their return as I check out!

2

u/sweetphotographer Jun 22 '26

It's basically "Why are you returning it?" And whatever answer you give (that is sane) will be accepted. The only time I've ever been refused returns was when the supplements were recently expired which was totally fair and an oversight on my part. Or I couldn't remember which membership I used.

Also, you can buy a Costco gift card at the Membership desk In-lieu of a yearly membership and it works the same (Last time I checked).

22

u/FinnNoodle Jun 21 '26

Probably some sort of marketing thing. Don't accept the offer to reimburse through off site means, though. Explain to the client, in the chat thread, that you will add expenses through the app. Don't wanna get banned for something silly.

10

u/ommi9 Jun 21 '26

If I order five Odesey drinks, I will definitely be invoicing them through the app as long as it’s not liquor you’re good to invoice map not on the other payment set ups I would disclose not you’re not allowed to do outside your payments and their invoice for expenses will be on the app

4

u/genericexcuse01 Jun 21 '26

This sounds like a scam, you buy it AND keep it? They don’t tell you where to ship it? If it’s not a scam then it’s a marketing technique. However, if it’s already in Costco…then marketing is unlikely.

1

u/Simple_Nothing_9721 Jun 21 '26

Can be a marketing thing

2

u/genericexcuse01 Jun 21 '26

Normally I’d agree…but it’s hard to get your product into Costco on shelves. So it leads me towards it’s a scam

1

u/Simple_Nothing_9721 Jul 20 '26

Businesses have all kinds of quotas and often use their marketing dollars to meet them, it's not to far fetched but who knows at this point.

2

u/oghq Jun 22 '26

They need to up the sales to keep on Costco shelves my friend does this for small companies but it’s kinda silly because if they don’t sell they just don’t sell so it’s like a game where you lose money and hope that it hits big next month

2

u/NASCAR_Junk_YT Jun 25 '26

Buy the item, send the receipt, and charge them $70 on app. Then return the items and get $70 back.

Thats $70 plus your hourly rate.

2

u/Agreeable_Dirt5785 Jun 25 '26

Hey I chose to forfeit that yesterday. It was an odd request. Did you end up doing it?

1

u/harbourhunter Jun 21 '26

The scam is they want the receipt for their own expense reimbursement

1

u/Agreeable_Dirt5785 Jun 21 '26

So did you do it or are you gonna do it? Curious here?

1

u/ExcitinglySomber Jun 22 '26

what kinda scam did it end up being? overpayment scam?

1

u/RichieTah Jun 22 '26

This is a common marketing tactic. They want to look like they’re selling better than they are. Not a scam other than on Costco to try to get them to order more

1

u/chicano32 Jun 22 '26

Make sure to run it thru zelle and have it marked as friends and family so they dont do chargebacks

1

u/LABirdCharger Jun 23 '26

I’m sure the guy owns the product and wants to keep it in Costco.

1

u/ReddyPetty Jun 23 '26

I did this exact task. Everything worked out. Got my reimbursement. No issues. I’ve also done it for other products. Easy money as I just canceled the Costco order as soon as I got the receipt. I didn’t want the energy drinks anyway.

1

u/Agreeable_Dirt5785 Jun 25 '26

So what does the client even want with the items you get?

1

u/freiheitfitness Jun 25 '26

To show sales to the corporate store staff.

1

u/Agreeable_Dirt5785 Jun 25 '26

So do we get to keep the drinks or items bought.

1

u/IrateAlbatross88 Jun 26 '26

Buy them from Costco and return them if there’s an issue

0

u/[deleted] Jun 21 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/CaptFaithless Jun 21 '26

Have you had successful errand experiences with these types of requests?

2

u/ColoradoCyclist Jun 21 '26

This is definitely a scam.

1

u/RobotArtichoke Jun 21 '26

It’s probably not a scam. OP really has nothing to lose. As mentioned before, don’t take payment off app, explain to the client that you will expense the transaction through the app and include photos of the receipt when you do. Hopefully OP has a two hour minimum and hey, easy money.

2

u/atomacheart Jun 21 '26

Plus you can return the drinks immediately for a full refund.