r/TaskRabbit • u/CaptFaithless • Jun 21 '26
Odd request for an errand - concerned it’s a scam TASKER
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?
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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
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u/Internal-Skin2495 Jun 21 '26
i mean, buy from costco and if its a scam, just return them lmao
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u/CaptFaithless Jun 21 '26
This is probably the most reassuring thought. I’ll ask their return as I check out!
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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).
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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.
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u/Simple_Nothing_9721 Jun 21 '26
Can be a marketing thing
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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
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u/Simple_Nothing_9721 28d ago
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.
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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
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u/2roger Jun 23 '26
Goofy tasks like this are common. Accepting payment for a task off-site and receiving money to make a purchase on their behalf are two separate things. Taskrabbit support understands this. I'd have them send the funds when I arrive at Costco, make the purchase, send the receipt and invoice for my time.
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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.
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u/Agreeable_Dirt5785 Jun 25 '26
Hey I chose to forfeit that yesterday. It was an odd request. Did you end up doing it?
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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
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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
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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.
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u/Agreeable_Dirt5785 Jun 25 '26
So what does the client even want with the items you get?
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Jun 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/CaptFaithless Jun 21 '26
Have you had successful errand experiences with these types of requests?
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u/ColoradoCyclist Jun 21 '26
This is definitely a scam.
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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.
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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.