Anyone going to Shopperfest 2018 ?

May 31, 2018 03:35PM

They reponded NO REFUNDS!!

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May 31, 2018 04:30PM

Wow! I am surprised. Did you ask about a credit to attend a future conference in lieu of a refund. I know that they used to do that.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

May 31, 2018 04:32PM

I asked too and they said Hi xixixix, we do not offer refunds. However, we do offer credit in the amount paid towards any upcoming event. Your credit remains until you use it.

May 31, 2018 06:01PM

Note to self, ask if they refund 6 months out. How utterly moronic!

June 03, 2018 05:31AM

For the IMSC conference in Las Vegas, there is a special name for lingerers that are caught hanging around the conference areas of hotels. They are called hookers.

June 03, 2018 09:23AM

>Because, as soon as you know more about a topic than someone asking a question, here on the forum or at IMSC, it is time for you to "pay it forward" and help with a thorough explanation of how best to succeed.

I wish more people had this attitude. More prevalent is the "It took me years to learn this, so why would I tell you?" attitude. Wouldn't they prefer not taking years to learn something? And referring or giving info to someone 10 states away is not going to impact their income one iota.

June 03, 2018 01:44PM

Well said.

June 03, 2018 06:00PM

@ShopWhisperer wrote:

I wish more people had this attitude. More prevalent is the "It took me years to learn this, so why would I tell you?" attitude. Wouldn't they prefer not taking years to learn something? And referring or giving info to someone 10 states away is not going to impact their income one iota.

If I understand what you are alluding to, the complaint is shoppers not being willing to give you client lists. As far as I'm concerned, that's not paying it forward, it is simply foolish. Generally shoppers here provide much more information on how to start and succeed in this business than you are going to find on any other professional forum.

For you to assume giving you inside information about companies will not impact my income, you are mistaken. How do I know you are not then going to share it with a shopper who happens to be several states from you which puts them right in my backyard?

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2018 06:01PM by LisaSTL.

June 04, 2018 02:05AM

@ShopWhisperer wrote:

I wish more people had this attitude. More prevalent is the "It took me years to learn this, so why would I tell you?" attitude. Wouldn't they prefer not taking years to learn something? And referring or giving info to someone 10 states away is not going to impact their income one iota.

Incorrect attitude. If I give a newbie information that puts her in competition with Irene, or Tarantado gives information to someone who then undercuts my bids, it doesn't matter that they are ten states away.

"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

June 09, 2018 12:14PM

Back to the original question.... Is anyone going to Shopper Fest 2918? Many of us would probably like a first hand report from a shopper (preferably one who does not serve on any MSPA committee, lol).
I think it starts on Friday 6/15.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

June 09, 2018 12:23PM

I know three shoppers who are going, I'll see what kind of feedback I can get from them

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

June 09, 2018 02:39PM

Great, BG. Looking forward to what they have to say. Do you know if any of them has been to any other MS conference before?

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

June 09, 2018 02:41PM

Yes. All three have been to IMSC conferences.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

June 09, 2018 06:54PM

Never mind - I didn't put a smiley face next to my post.

Kim

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2018 06:55PM by kimmiemae.

June 09, 2018 08:40PM

@kimmiemae wrote:

Never mind - I didn't put a smiley face next to my post.

Reported

June 09, 2018 10:36PM

One of the people in one of the facebook groups told me in a private message that it was someone named Laura and someone named Margarite that was at the conference in Atlanta and did not pay to be there. Edited to add these are the two that are on the mspa evaluator relations committee

@MickeyB wrote:

@KathySueLM wrote:

@MickeyB wrote:

There is an Evaluator Relations Committee as a part of the MSPA - but I cannot find on the MSPA website who is currently serving on it.

There was a email that went out to MSPA members back in April that announced the names of who is serving on it. Is it okay to post that information here.

I would appreciate knowing this information as well.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2018 12:32PM by Msaddict.

June 10, 2018 11:11AM

Since they never tried to enter any conference sessions they were not required to pay. They just stayed in the halls, bar/restaurant and public areas and interacted with conference attendees.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

June 14, 2018 01:01PM

If you'll be there with a car, Servimer has two parking jobs in downtown Dallas that could get you reimbursed for your parking and decent pay during your night out.

Serving as liaison between Servimer and the larger mystery shopping community. (Servimer.shopmetrics.com)

June 17, 2018 02:44AM

I arrived at ShopperFest after the final session, primarily to meet two people (one is a member of this forum, and local). In talking with an MSPA official, it seems as if the final day will be certification training. The registration fee of three days ($179.95) is also the same fee for one day, if going just for tomorrow. I had emailed the link provided by the MSPA on their website re pricing earlier this morning, yet they never responded.

The other person that I intended on meeting was scheduler Nikki A., who schedules for several companies. It was great meeting her today, to whom I hold a high regard for.

There were other MSC owners that I've been familiar with over the years, and it was good catching up with them on current company developments. I think that there was one owner that I inadvertently brushed shoulders with in the hallway that looked like Jason Bare of Bare International. Not sure if he was here today or not, yet the man slightly resembled him (we've never officially met). In addition, there were various administrators/schedulers in attendance that were either heading to observe the nearby rodeo shows or other entertainment options in downtown Grapevine where the host hotel is located.

Altogether, not a bad Saturday's worth of networking at Shopperfest 2018!

June 17, 2018 02:47AM

I'm jealous. Nikki makes the short list of my favorite schedulers.

June 17, 2018 02:30PM

LOL at Nikki being on the short list. Her & I had a brief discussion about this as well.

June 17, 2018 04:36PM

@Eric in Tampa wrote:

I arrived at ShopperFest after the final session, primarily to meet two people (one is a member of this forum, and local). In talking with an MSPA official, it seems as if the final day will be certification training. The registration fee of three days ($179.95) is also the same fee for one day, if going just for tomorrow. I had emailed the link provided by the MSPA on their website re pricing earlier this morning, yet they never responded.

The other person that I intended on meeting was scheduler Nikki A., who schedules for several companies. It was great meeting her today, to whom I hold a high regard for.

There were other MSC owners that I've been familiar with over the years, and it was good catching up with them on current company developments. I think that there was one owner that I inadvertently brushed shoulders with in the hallway that looked like Jason Bare of Bare International. Not sure if he was here today or not, yet the man slightly resembled him (we've never officially met). In addition, there were various administrators/schedulers in attendance that were either heading to observe the nearby rodeo shows or other entertainment options in downtown Grapevine where the host hotel is located.

Altogether, not a bad Saturday's worth of networking at Shopperfest 2018!

Did you have to pay the $179.95 since you arrived after the final session? I thought there were no sessions on Sunday, just the option to pay extra for certification classes, and an awards lunch.

June 17, 2018 04:50PM

That scheduler Nikki is on a lot of peoples short list. She can be really crappy towards shoppers and I have seen it myself. She seems to be vindictive and likes drama too. You two must be great shoppers, be sure to stay on her good side

June 17, 2018 11:16PM

I actually stated as much in my first paragraph.

June 17, 2018 11:20PM

I dunno. I've seen a lot of shoppers be really crappy to her. I've worked with her for different companies over the last 10 years, and she is very dedicated in helping shoppers. She's often responses to correspondence at all times of the day, and is not unrealistic or unreasonable in her requests. She works pretty hard, and is a straight shooter. I have nothing but the highest respect for her.

June 18, 2018 08:14PM

I was planning to go, but because of my ankle surgery I was not able to attend. I'm curious about how many shoppers actually were there.

June 18, 2018 09:57PM

BGriffin,
What say your three friends who attended?

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

June 18, 2018 10:42PM

One did not go, one has already posted, and the third didn't have much to say unfortunately.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

June 18, 2018 11:47PM

So we are left with.... hmmmmm. I am glad Eric was able to interact with MSC personnel. That is something that I value and get at other conferences. And, if like Eric, a conference was held pretty much in my "backyard" I would probably do pretty much as he did. But we do not have anyone who actually attended conference sessions reporting. Any news on how many shoppers attended as paid participants?

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

June 19, 2018 01:58PM

Wales, I spoke with one MSC owner, and he estimated 100 people (not including the MSC booths). That was Saturday's attendance. Uncertain about Friday. Sunday was just primarily certification stuff.

Judging from what I saw in the grand atrium (there was a small country music concert going on in the hotel on Saturday at the time), I'd say that the turnout was pretty decent.

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