How do you realize if you're missing a shop payment?
It takes very little time to set up a spreadsheet listing all shops performed, then another minute to record payments and reconcile. Otherwise, it's much harder to know if you were paid the wrong amount or not paid at all.
ETA It is rare that I have missed a payment or received a wrong amount. However, I would never have known if I didn't keep track. I would not count on someone else to notice and correct it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2017 04:57PM by Threemom.
ETA It is rare that I have missed a payment or received a wrong amount. However, I would never have known if I didn't keep track. I would not count on someone else to notice and correct it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2017 04:57PM by Threemom.
@ctes24 wrote:
Hi,
I know it seems silly but as we all do work for more and more companies in different systems with different payment policies and methods, it gets messy/annoying to track if you're missing any payments. In Sassie some companies don't show your payment status so it's hard to track down if you were ever paid/reimbursed for each job.
Obviously you can manually account or track each one in a log but it seems like that could be time consuming. Does missing payments happen often or is it pretty rare? Is it safe to assume you aren't owed anything? Would the company notice and inform you or is it "your problem" to investigate? There should be an easier way!
Thanks guys!
As a mystery shopper, you are in business for yourself and the mystery shopping companies you work with are your customers. It is your responsibility to keep track of the assignments you perform and the money owed to you. It is also your responsibility to keep track of the payments you receive. Any time you do not receive what you are owed, it is definitely your problem to investigate and request payment.
Threemom has made a great suggestion that I think a lot of us utilize. Having a spreadsheet would help you stay on top of your business. I highly recommend it.
I would say that it is rare as well; however, I have had one very reputable company make two mistakes the past two months in a row. This is one of the companies that use Sassie and does not use the "Paid" feature. The first error - one shop was completely missed. The second - a bonus was missed. No one would have noticed, and I would have been out $$, had I not kept track and written in.
**********************************
Always take the high road.
Always take the high road.
You have to know your income for taxes, anyway, so a running tabulation in a spreadsheet like Excel, lets you know who has paid and who hasn't. It does take time, but that's part of the cost of doing business.
Like others have mentioned, I also keep a spreadsheet with tabs for each calendar year. It has each shop that I do, or have applied for, each month along with the company that it is for and the pay/reimbursement. After I complete the shop I quickly enter the date that the job was submitted and then when I receive payment I have a column for the date I was paid and also the method of payment. When a new year starts I just create a new tab in the document and copy over my column headers. It didn't take very long to set up and takes minimal time to maintain.
On my spreadsheet I list payment received twice: one for the full amount I receive, which often covers several shops and dates, and another for just the one specific shop. I highlight shops until I am paid as well. Yes a little time consuming but I have also come across a very reputable MSC missing several bonus fees.
If you are not keeping track of your payments yourself, how are you going to know how much income to report on your taxes?
Kim
There's a link around here somewhere to a spreadsheet somebody made up. Easy enough to modify it for your use.
I move the payment amount from one column to the next when payment comes in, noting the date it was due and the date it was paid. This also lets me see who is consistently late and with whom I have to chase payment. I also have a mileage column, and payment vs reimbursement columns. It helps a great deal for taxes.
ETA: Yes, there are companies that "forget" to pay you until you nag them. Most are automatic. Ipsos is, for me, absolutely the most consistent and easiest to track.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2017 07:44PM by iShop123.
I move the payment amount from one column to the next when payment comes in, noting the date it was due and the date it was paid. This also lets me see who is consistently late and with whom I have to chase payment. I also have a mileage column, and payment vs reimbursement columns. It helps a great deal for taxes.
ETA: Yes, there are companies that "forget" to pay you until you nag them. Most are automatic. Ipsos is, for me, absolutely the most consistent and easiest to track.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2017 07:44PM by iShop123.
I've made a spreadsheet in google sheets. I've modified it many times as I've decided the types of information that I need to keep that is important to me. Several columns include: the approval, the expected pay date and if it is paid.
@iShop123 wrote:
I move the payment amount from one column to the next when payment comes in, noting the date it was due and the date it was paid. This also lets me see who is consistently late and with whom I have to chase payment. I also have a mileage column, and payment vs reimbursement columns. It helps a great deal for taxes.
Make sure you track the job number or whatever the MSC calls it. That's what they'll need to look up a shop if there is an issue.
I have a column for mileage to each shop and another for expenses per shop, like tolls. The IRS requires a written record to deduct mileage if you ever get audited. Not likely but always possible.
Also keep track of copier fees, office supplies etc.
It really helps with taxes to have it all in one place.
I use a spreadsheet and know to the penny what I expect to be receiving. To me, it's the most fun part of this crazy job. I'm sort of obsessed with my payments. I know right away if/when a payment on Sassie is incorrect and always try and get it fixed before the payment is sent out. I don't think you should rely on the MSCs to pay you the correct amounts, or any amount for that matter. It's totally on you to make sure your payment is correct. If a company doesn't pay you, you won't know if you don't keep your own records.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
I created my spreadsheet in Excel. The first worksheet is an "at a glance" snapshot of all shops. I can see there if a payment is short. If so, then I go to the worksheet of the MSC to see the details.
I put new shops in as they are accepted. I look at the first worksheet then to see if any payments are missing.
I put new shops in as they are accepted. I look at the first worksheet then to see if any payments are missing.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
LOL when I finally got paid! I got a payment from Maritz that I thought was inflated. Took me a little while to figure out it was the shop I'd done months earlier but hadn't invoiced I had to call in and get that payment taken care of and it was delayed by enough months that it wasn't on my radar. I had pretty much stopped shopping at that point because my two companies lost their clients so I didn't have a spreadsheet in place at that time. But Maritz came through for me. 
I keep a paper ledger along with my hard copy. I just like seeing things on paper and getting to scratch stuff out or jot in notes. It makes me feel almighty bahahaha. But seriously, I do like a hard copy along with my spreadsheets.
Excel is great too because you can program it for formulas to do extra for you such as additional spending on a shop beyond the reimbursement and your tolls and so forth.
Excel is great too because you can program it for formulas to do extra for you such as additional spending on a shop beyond the reimbursement and your tolls and so forth.
MegglesKat
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.