Service Check

September 27, 2011 06:23PM

I did my first assignment for this company on Saturday. Today I received an email from the editor stating:

"Please include in your narrative a discussion of the appearance of the interior and exterior of the store. Also,please update your narrative to include the durability question you asked, as this is mandatory." The email further states that I have until midnight tonight (9 more hours) to edit or else the assignment will be invalid. Pretty humorous considering it's taken the editor 3 days to tell me this.

In the report I wrote that both the exterior and interior were clean, organized and well maintained, with no debris. I wrote how the floor was clean, how nicely organized the clothing racks were, how they were grouped in sizes, etc. What else do they want from me?!?!?

As for the durability question, again, this was clearly stated in my narrative. Don't these editors read our reports carefully?

I feel that some companies, such as Intelli-shop, Service Sleuth and now Service Check, are just looking for reasons to dock us and lower our scores (and perhaps deny payment).

Very frustrating. I won't do anymore work for Service Check.

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More Discussions About Service Check (All Companies)

September 27, 2011 08:22PM

I work for them, although lately they haven't had jobs for me, but they are one of the fussiest. I got a seven for the editor's wanting more detail, just like you mentioned. I finally got a 9, but it was tough to do. They have a L.A. family style restuarant here with a narritive unbeliveablely long, all for a 5.99 breakfast and no fee for that report. They recently give a 15.00 fee, as those jobs sat forever, no one would touch them. I agree they are fussy to a fault. I have always gotten paid, but unles I really want the job, I've cut back with them...but, my experience is they always pay, and your rating is always effected.

Live consciously....

October 03, 2011 09:40PM

I did my first shop for Service Check over the weekend (I shopped a retail store). The feedback I reported was by far the WORST feedback I have had to give, so I was especially thorough and careful in my report (I so prefer glowing, happy reports!). I just received my grade of a '9' with the comments:
"For future reference, please make sure to spell check your report prior to submitting your report or please re-read your narratives out loud, to catch all grammar, spelling, punctuation, tense, and word errors as we needed to correct same. Thank you."

I am fairly meticulous (anal!) about spelling and punctuation in my shop reports, so this rubbed me the wrong way. I asked for specific feedback so I won't make the same mistake(s) again, but I'm guessing I won't get specifics?

October 03, 2011 10:11PM

I would assume you would get no specifics. Don't get too wound up about it because you have to realize that English has acceptable alternate spellings, most style manuals are written because somebody decided THEY were the authority on punctuation (and there need to be differences from previous works to justify their existence), and companies get bees in their bonnets about discussing the associate (they want Associate). As far as I am concerned, a server is a server, not a Server; an associate is an associate, not an Associate; a service representative is just that, not a Service Representative. If I were President of the United States I could have the capital letter, but if I was president of the PTA, I don't get the capital letter unless I am self promoting. I always learned that a capital letter was used for the name of a person, place or thing. I see server, associate and service representative as job descriptions, just as teacher, janitor, cashier, window washer and mortician are and therefore not entitled to a capital letter unless at the beginning of a sentence. You don't say Johnny's Teacher, you say Johnny's teacher. Many of the companies we work for, however want those things capitalized and it is a 'grammatical error' to them if you don't.

October 03, 2011 10:56PM

Thanks, Flash, for calming me down.

I just received a brief reply from SC, which I appreciated:
" ... For example, instead of using a semi colon between your thoughts and comments, it is better for a comma or a separate sentence to be used."
Guilty as charged; I do like the semi-colon! The response didn't mention hyphens, but I probably use too many of those.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2011 11:07PM by PizzaPizza.

October 03, 2011 11:36PM

On the whole, in order to offend no editor who knows no better, I avoid semi-colons, colons, parentheses and hyphens. I do not use contractions and the safest way to use a quote is to introduce it and have it end the sentence. E.g. Her parting remark was, "Have a great day!" There are lots of correct ways to use quotes, but many companies operate on a single variation and I have never had them beef about intro, comma, open quote, capitalize statement, punctuate statement, close quote.

October 03, 2011 11:46PM

I also use the semicolon, which was taught as proper punctuation when I was in school. I gather it's not used any longer; likewise, the use of contractions is not favored.

It's a sore spot with me when I get anything less than a perfect rating, with no constructive comments. If you give me a 9, tell me what you think needs done so I can make a 10 next time. Most fine dining reports want menu items capitalized. Ribeye, Lobster, Asparagus. Okay, fine, but they are not proper nouns. Don't tell me to spell check. I do. Tell me what was misspelled, that both spell check and I missed, or it means nothing.

I want a 10. I want it because I worked hard for it as it means something to me personally and it helps me get the assignments I want going forward.

Sometimes, it's worth it to give in and conform ;o

October 03, 2011 11:53PM

Since some companies are pickier than others I figure if it's at least an 8 I'm good. One's 8 is another's 10. I always use the sites own spell check and have to wonder when I still get dinged for spelling. Go figure.

So far only one rating has really peeved me. I won't use the real job title as it might be a dead give away, let's just say associate. Knowing how picky this MSC can be I decide to take advantage of the sample narrative. Reflecting that narrative I use Associate throughout. The editor's comments; Going forward refer to the Associate by name, not Associate. What!!!!!

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.

October 04, 2011 04:54AM

Thanks, everyone -- I feel I am in good company.

(Now there's a sentence to criticize!)

October 04, 2011 05:09AM

Mert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Most fine dining reports want menu items
> capitalized. Ribeye, Lobster, Asparagus. Okay,
> fine, but they are not proper nouns.

And then there are other companies that want only the proper names capitalized. So Pepsi works but Mama's Meatloaf doesn't even if that is the proper name on the menu. The one I agonize over is Buffalo chicken wings because they are named for the city, not the four legged creature. I generally throw in the towel and just call them chicken wings. Similarly Caesar salad or salad Nicoise. With a really picky company I will just order a garden salad rather than fight with capitalization.

October 04, 2011 02:31PM

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With a really picky company I will just
> order a garden salad rather than fight with
> capitalization.

Too funny. It is no wonder that we sometimes get crazed.

October 04, 2011 05:24PM

PizzaPizza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > "For future reference, please make sure to spell
> check your report prior to submitting your report
> or please re-read your narratives out loud, to
> catch all grammar, spelling, punctuation, tense,
> and word errors as we needed to correct same.
> Thank you."
>
>
PizzaPete, that is the EXACT same wording they used when they replied back to me!!! I know I shouldn't be so peeved about a rating of 9, but I take a great deal of pride in my work. I want to know specifics about my mistakes. I guess that won't happen.

October 04, 2011 06:19PM

Doing one for them this week, (large warehouse food), and know what I'm in for...am determined to get a 9/10. Straight 10, in my dreams....

Live consciously....

October 05, 2011 02:56AM

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doing one for them this week, (large warehouse
> food), and know what I'm in for...am determined to
> get a 9/10. Straight 10, in my dreams....

ooo, I'll cheer for you!

October 05, 2011 04:44AM

To me, the problem is that each company sets their own standards. I don't like writing gender neutral descriptions of my service, either. At some point, you should switch to a pronoun, but those are difficult when describing a person's actions in a gender neutral way.

I love when you get feedback about your "grammer" that is so far off from the norm that you wonder what on earth they might consider acceptable. I wish I could remember which company but the feedback included reference to my "grammer" and did not have proper subject verb agreement. I am convinced I did not deserve the 8, but my request for specifics went unanswered.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/2011 04:45AM by Shelly.

October 05, 2011 03:17PM

Phoebe70 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PizzaPizza Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > "For future reference, please make sure to
> spell
> > check your report prior to submitting your
> report
> > or please re-read your narratives out loud, to
> > catch all grammar, spelling, punctuation,
> tense,
> > and word errors as we needed to correct same.
> > Thank you."
> >
> >
> PizzaPete, that is the EXACT same wording they
> used when they replied back to me!!! I know I
> shouldn't be so peeved about a rating of 9, but I
> take a great deal of pride in my work. I want to
> know specifics about my mistakes. I guess that
> won't happen.

Oops, I just realized I called you PizzaPete instead of PizzaPizza. There's a local pizza place here called Pizza Pete's, I guess that's why I messed up your name. Sorry!

October 05, 2011 07:47PM

Well, I just got an email that my xx0--- shop was rejected due to the fact that I shopped xx0---, and not zzz--. They have another shop in a different location with same information, address and says to shop Cartier.
They now say, (which wasn't written anywhere in the instructions) that I should have shopped zzz-- and xx0--- was handling the shop. I only saw the address of xx0---, nowhere was zzz-- mentioned in my instructions. I have another shop for them tomorrow, and thinking of pulling the plug as they did on me. I drove 50 miles to get this done for them, not my favorite MSC right now

edited to add...Kern Scheduling is to blame for above, they gave the wrong name and address.

Live consciously....

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2011 12:35AM by Irene_L.A..

October 05, 2011 11:51PM

You should edit your post and remove the client name.

Good luck with KSS.

October 06, 2011 02:35AM

If you have proof you were given the wrong address then I'd say KSS owes you an apology and some money.

October 06, 2011 02:58AM

I'm looking for their email to send to the MSC, hopefully we can figure it out....I need a checkout or a Martini or a very long nap after this one....
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you have proof you were given the wrong address
> then I'd say KSS owes you an apology and some
> money.

Live consciously....

October 06, 2011 03:03AM

It's getting late, start with the martini, a good nights sleep and, to paraphrase Scarlet, think about that tomorrow

October 06, 2011 10:20PM

Well, once again I got a 9...I went over this report and found no errors, used spell check, rechecked and they tell me I had spelling errors, hence the nine.
I gave a 10 report.....fussy is one thing, but, do they ever give 10's, oh yea, I got a couple in the past.
Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doing one for them this week, (large warehouse
> food), and know what I'm in for...am determined to
> get a 9/10. Straight 10, in my dreams....

Live consciously....

October 13, 2011 08:18AM

I did a shop last Aug 26, 2011 and got a 10 but until now my payment is pending. How long is the payment process for this company?

Thanks

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