The Freeman Group
Actually, it was 7 countries and 3 continents....but who's counting. That trip made me less than $4 so it may not gander a lot of respect in this case.
I can proudly say that I have been paid in full for that trip, however, and recently bought a latte with my money :^)
I can proudly say that I have been paid in full for that trip, however, and recently bought a latte with my money :^)
SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're right, Kat this is just a back & forth
> argument. I was not questioning your shopping
> knowledge. My point was that you seem unaware of
> online message board etiquette. Let the
> disagreement end there.
>
> Can we return to the topic at hand? Let me get it
> started:
>
> Payment problems still continue with Freeman.
> Most who have shopped for them in the past will
> not continue to do so. Google a potential hotel
> before taking the assignment. Anything I missed?
Yes, forgot to add..............................
CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're right, Kat this is just a back & forth
> argument. I was not questioning your shopping
> knowledge. My point was that you seem unaware of
> online message board etiquette. Let the
> disagreement end there.
>
> Can we return to the topic at hand? Let me get it
> started:
>
> Payment problems still continue with Freeman.
> Most who have shopped for them in the past will
> not continue to do so. Google a potential hotel
> before taking the assignment. Anything I missed?
Yes, forgot to add..............................
CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually, it was 7 countries and 3
> continents....but who's counting. That trip made
> me less than $4 so it may not gander a lot of
> respect in this case.
>
> I can proudly say that I have been paid in full
> for that trip, however, and recently bought a
> latte with my money :^)
Wow for real? How did I miss this story? Would love to hear some time. I hope it was the world's all time best latte!
cynb
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually, it was 7 countries and 3
> continents....but who's counting. That trip made
> me less than $4 so it may not gander a lot of
> respect in this case.
>
> I can proudly say that I have been paid in full
> for that trip, however, and recently bought a
> latte with my money :^)
Wow for real? How did I miss this story? Would love to hear some time. I hope it was the world's all time best latte!
cynb
SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ynot321 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > They make out like a fat rat! If in one month
> say
> > they have 1000 jobs to fill and each one costs
> 50
> > per hotel. That is $50,000 they have of your
> money
> > to put into the bank for 3 to 4 months and draw
> > interest on prior to paying you.
> > Nothing like living off the other person's
> money.
>
>
> ynot, I think the issue with Freeman is that they
> DON'T have the money in the bank. They seem to be
> always struggling to get money to pay shoppers who
> are hounding them. That could be also or that could be one heck of an excuse not to pay!
-------------------------------------------------------
> ynot321 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > They make out like a fat rat! If in one month
> say
> > they have 1000 jobs to fill and each one costs
> 50
> > per hotel. That is $50,000 they have of your
> money
> > to put into the bank for 3 to 4 months and draw
> > interest on prior to paying you.
> > Nothing like living off the other person's
> money.
>
>
> ynot, I think the issue with Freeman is that they
> DON'T have the money in the bank. They seem to be
> always struggling to get money to pay shoppers who
> are hounding them. That could be also or that could be one heck of an excuse not to pay!
SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually, it was 7 countries and 3
> continents....but who's counting. That trip made
> me less than $4 so it may not gander a lot of
> respect in this case.
>
> I can proudly say that I have been paid in full
> for that trip, however, and recently bought a
> latte with my money :^)
Uh Steve - $4? Are you sure it wasn't a little more than that?
For the record - I have challenged Steve to a shop-off, and will be attempting to BEAT his "round the world" shopping trip next month by doing the same but making more than $4 (also visiting 3 continents and 7 countries).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2012 06:32AM by MickeyB.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually, it was 7 countries and 3
> continents....but who's counting. That trip made
> me less than $4 so it may not gander a lot of
> respect in this case.
>
> I can proudly say that I have been paid in full
> for that trip, however, and recently bought a
> latte with my money :^)
Uh Steve - $4? Are you sure it wasn't a little more than that?
For the record - I have challenged Steve to a shop-off, and will be attempting to BEAT his "round the world" shopping trip next month by doing the same but making more than $4 (also visiting 3 continents and 7 countries).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2012 06:32AM by MickeyB.
MickeyB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For the record - I have challenged Steve to a
> shop-off, and will be attempting to BEAT his
> "round the world" shopping trip next month by
> doing the same but making more than $4 (also
> visiting 3 continents and 7 countries).
For the record, MickeyB, I included my gambling expenses from Vegas in the total last time, so as long as you agree to that policy (and I know you have never met a casino you didn't like), the challenge is on.
Oh....and I also think you're cheating by using air miles during competition unless all of the miles were earned on shops.
-------------------------------------------------------
> For the record - I have challenged Steve to a
> shop-off, and will be attempting to BEAT his
> "round the world" shopping trip next month by
> doing the same but making more than $4 (also
> visiting 3 continents and 7 countries).
For the record, MickeyB, I included my gambling expenses from Vegas in the total last time, so as long as you agree to that policy (and I know you have never met a casino you didn't like), the challenge is on.
Oh....and I also think you're cheating by using air miles during competition unless all of the miles were earned on shops.
Sounds like you've got it set.
I sent off my polite querry just a few minutes ago for an 11/19 job in SoCal. I had to be there, had a pleasant stay, and now get an extra $5 since they are past the 12 weeks.
Reward cards are the definate way to go. I have the "W" card myself rather than miles since I stay more than I fly.
Scott
Dagosto Wrote:
> I also said that *according to their own stated
> guidelines* I expected to be pad between 3-2 and
> 3-16. And I do, as far as they are concerned, but
> I don't personally from everything I have read
> about them here. What I personally expect is that
> as of 3-16 I'll be emailing them to politely but
> firmly request payment due.
>
> I do agree that the reports, despite their length,
> are easy as pie. Why? Because you can take it
> along with you and fill it out on-site. And I
> don't mean on a laptop. I print the paper form and
> bring it tucked in my overnight bag, and fill it
> out while watching Dog the Bounty Hunter or
> Jurassic Park III. (Yes, on last night's form,
> under the question about TV/remote control
> function, I actually wrote, "Both TV and remote
> control appeared to function properly. The hotel
> cannot be held at fault for lack of quality
> programming.")
>
> And I also agree with your reasoning about the
> reimbursement. If one must rent a hotel room
> somewhere anyway, one might as well be reimbursed.
> But there is another angle as well, if one is
> patient enough to await the reimbursement. Points
> for the "W" program count whether your stay is
> reimbursed or not. So if one is a "W" member, as I
> am, one can pad one's points by staying overnight
> at a local hotel (for which one gets
> reimbursed...eventually) and in the process, earn
> free stays at other hotels.
>
> And since I use my credit card to pay for the
> upfront cost, I also earn airmiles to travel to
> those other hotels where I'll stay for free later.
> It's not at all a bad deal if one is patient
> enough.
I sent off my polite querry just a few minutes ago for an 11/19 job in SoCal. I had to be there, had a pleasant stay, and now get an extra $5 since they are past the 12 weeks.
Reward cards are the definate way to go. I have the "W" card myself rather than miles since I stay more than I fly.
Scott
Dagosto Wrote:
> I also said that *according to their own stated
> guidelines* I expected to be pad between 3-2 and
> 3-16. And I do, as far as they are concerned, but
> I don't personally from everything I have read
> about them here. What I personally expect is that
> as of 3-16 I'll be emailing them to politely but
> firmly request payment due.
>
> I do agree that the reports, despite their length,
> are easy as pie. Why? Because you can take it
> along with you and fill it out on-site. And I
> don't mean on a laptop. I print the paper form and
> bring it tucked in my overnight bag, and fill it
> out while watching Dog the Bounty Hunter or
> Jurassic Park III. (Yes, on last night's form,
> under the question about TV/remote control
> function, I actually wrote, "Both TV and remote
> control appeared to function properly. The hotel
> cannot be held at fault for lack of quality
> programming.")
>
> And I also agree with your reasoning about the
> reimbursement. If one must rent a hotel room
> somewhere anyway, one might as well be reimbursed.
> But there is another angle as well, if one is
> patient enough to await the reimbursement. Points
> for the "W" program count whether your stay is
> reimbursed or not. So if one is a "W" member, as I
> am, one can pad one's points by staying overnight
> at a local hotel (for which one gets
> reimbursed...eventually) and in the process, earn
> free stays at other hotels.
>
> And since I use my credit card to pay for the
> upfront cost, I also earn airmiles to travel to
> those other hotels where I'll stay for free later.
> It's not at all a bad deal if one is patient
> enough.
I am so glad I saw this thread because I JUST signed up with Freeman Group a few days ago!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."
SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MickeyB Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > For the record - I have challenged Steve to a
> > shop-off, and will be attempting to BEAT his
> > "round the world" shopping trip next month by
> > doing the same but making more than $4 (also
> > visiting 3 continents and 7 countries).
>
>
> For the record, MickeyB, I included my gambling
> expenses from Vegas in the total last time, so as
> long as you agree to that policy (and I know you
> have never met a casino you didn't like), the
> challenge is on.
>
> Oh....and I also think you're cheating by using
> air miles during competition unless all of the
> miles were earned on shops.
All air miles used were earned on shops.
Am a bit concerned about the gambling expenses though - I forgot to factor those in.
-------------------------------------------------------
> MickeyB Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > For the record - I have challenged Steve to a
> > shop-off, and will be attempting to BEAT his
> > "round the world" shopping trip next month by
> > doing the same but making more than $4 (also
> > visiting 3 continents and 7 countries).
>
>
> For the record, MickeyB, I included my gambling
> expenses from Vegas in the total last time, so as
> long as you agree to that policy (and I know you
> have never met a casino you didn't like), the
> challenge is on.
>
> Oh....and I also think you're cheating by using
> air miles during competition unless all of the
> miles were earned on shops.
All air miles used were earned on shops.
Am a bit concerned about the gambling expenses though - I forgot to factor those in.
Irene, Freeman ordinarily pays $20 here, too, plus room reimbursement, (North Florida and South Georgia) but, then there are times when they need them shopped and they'll bonus them to $40 plus reimbursement. I did close to ten of those last year, perhaps more. I've found that all the De-Id inspections are $40 fee plus reimbursement and assume that's because of the photo requirements, which I've found to be fair in my opinion. With the number of companies out there, I simply don't select a shop I don't want.
Good advice Stevesocal! I always map out things, especially the motel/hotel shops. Most even have their own websites with photos of the actual location you'll be shopping including a sample room and listing the amenities.
I used to have Super Star Status, here, but obviously lost it. I've been Gold Certified with MSPA since August of 2003. I don't care for doing shops just for reimbursement only unless I'm able to route other shops from other companies nearby to make it profitable.
Good advice Stevesocal! I always map out things, especially the motel/hotel shops. Most even have their own websites with photos of the actual location you'll be shopping including a sample room and listing the amenities.
I used to have Super Star Status, here, but obviously lost it. I've been Gold Certified with MSPA since August of 2003. I don't care for doing shops just for reimbursement only unless I'm able to route other shops from other companies nearby to make it profitable.
Ooops, I'm the wrong one, now. Didn't lose my Super Star Member. Mr. SteveSocal and MickeyB, My hat is off to you, both! I'm with you on the reward points, too.
I forgot how much I missed being here. Life has been hectic and busy filling out reports instead of corresponding here, but I can see this is way more colorful.
I think it's great to hear the men's side of the stories. I'm in this alone, as well and I've taken some friends to meals, etc and they thought I was nuts for having to go home and enter narrative reports in a computer. I just tell them, fine..."You pay for the dinner, and I'll do the report when you drop me off at home." enough said.
This shop forum is definitely for support and I'm thankful. I've also found that going to the IMSC shop conventions helps tremendously with networking.
I forgot how much I missed being here. Life has been hectic and busy filling out reports instead of corresponding here, but I can see this is way more colorful.
I think it's great to hear the men's side of the stories. I'm in this alone, as well and I've taken some friends to meals, etc and they thought I was nuts for having to go home and enter narrative reports in a computer. I just tell them, fine..."You pay for the dinner, and I'll do the report when you drop me off at home." enough said.
This shop forum is definitely for support and I'm thankful. I've also found that going to the IMSC shop conventions helps tremendously with networking.
After several emails over a course of 6 months, I finally started calling... and calling. I left messages with everyone. Within a week I had my money. I can tell you to have your shop date, location.... etc when you call and make sure you leave all the info on the call as well.
Rosevierra, Thanks for the information. I hopefully will hear something from them the first of the week. I'll keep everyone updated on my outcome.
My turn, my first post . Just got assigned my first Freeman job in Boston at a music themed restaurant. Will take my lovely wife and hope we get paid within 6 months.
Fleabags are my upscale! I am a sales rep in New England and need to stay overnight at least 3 times/month. Unfortunately I haven't found any companies that need hotel evaluations in this region. The advantage I would have is double dipping.
I do as many valet parking shops as possible because parking is impossible in downtown Boston.
Silly me, I drove 480 miles RT to have my car washed, but opened 3 accounts for my company so all is good.
Fleabags are my upscale! I am a sales rep in New England and need to stay overnight at least 3 times/month. Unfortunately I haven't found any companies that need hotel evaluations in this region. The advantage I would have is double dipping.
I do as many valet parking shops as possible because parking is impossible in downtown Boston.
Silly me, I drove 480 miles RT to have my car washed, but opened 3 accounts for my company so all is good.
You're certainly the optimist, Dave, but assume you're in the optometrist business. I've worked with Freeman for at least a couple years and not any big deal because I make the trips count with the other shops and earn points. It's almost like pennies from Heaven when they hit. Others will not agree with our philosophy, but all in due time. Enjoy your dinner and evening out. If you hit the button on their website OUTSIDE MY AREA, perhaps you'll find a motel shop that will work for you one day.
I can say one thing... Their reports are the easiest motel/hotel ones I've run across and I've done quite a few with numerous companies.
WELCOME!!!
I can say one thing... Their reports are the easiest motel/hotel ones I've run across and I've done quite a few with numerous companies.
WELCOME!!!
Since when is supplementing one's income a less lofty goal than someone making a living at msing? No one has the right to judge my motives or reason for working. If I hustle and take all the jobs just for giggles it is my right in a capitalist nation. I have worked hard to stay afloat for the past 3 years. Much of it was fun. But I earned every penny. If YOU think I take your work away from you, you'll just have to work harder to get the jobs before I do.
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
My mouth sprang open a few times when I was reading this thread in bed last night!
BTW in spite of having few posts I've been shopping and lurking since 2009! LOL
iblessyah Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since when is supplementing one's income a less
> lofty goal than someone making a living at msing?
> No one has the right to judge my motives or reason
> for working. If I hustle and take all the jobs
> just for giggles it is my right in a capitalist
> nation. I have worked hard to stay afloat for the
> past 3 years. Much of it was fun. But I earned
> every penny. If YOU think I take your work away
> from you, you'll just have to work harder to get
> the jobs before I do.
BTW in spite of having few posts I've been shopping and lurking since 2009! LOL
iblessyah Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since when is supplementing one's income a less
> lofty goal than someone making a living at msing?
> No one has the right to judge my motives or reason
> for working. If I hustle and take all the jobs
> just for giggles it is my right in a capitalist
> nation. I have worked hard to stay afloat for the
> past 3 years. Much of it was fun. But I earned
> every penny. If YOU think I take your work away
> from you, you'll just have to work harder to get
> the jobs before I do.
On a positive note, I was pleasantly surprised to receive my payment last week from this company for a shop done last November. After reading all the posts I thought it would be a long time before I got paid. But I just did another shop for them a few weeks ago so we'll see if I get paid on time for that one. Hoping for the best!
I just completed my first restaurant for them. got a 9 from them one day after I completed it. I emailed them before I shopped telling them that parking does not come cheap so they offered $10 but parking was $35. Try to find cheap parking on a Friday night in Boston near Quincy Market. BTW dining was a blast. I highly recommend it even if u are not shopping. I did self assign 3 hotels in Northern New England. I'm up there on business anyway so I will get reimbursed from Freeman and my employer. So let's hope they are better than Mystique Shopper
optikdave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just completed my first restaurant for them. got
> a 9 from them one day after I completed it. I
> emailed them before I shopped telling them that
> parking does not come cheap so they offered $10
> but parking was $35. Try to find cheap parking on
> a Friday night in Boston near Quincy Market. BTW
> dining was a blast. I highly recommend it even if
> u are not shopping. I did self assign 3 hotels
> in Northern New England. I'm up there on business
> anyway so I will get reimbursed from Freeman and
> my employer. So let's hope they are better than
> Mystique Shopper
Well, you have yet to see if you will actually see that check in the next few months from Freeman, but a note on getting doubly reimbursed: It's not the most legal of all practices. Use caution when admitting that!
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just completed my first restaurant for them. got
> a 9 from them one day after I completed it. I
> emailed them before I shopped telling them that
> parking does not come cheap so they offered $10
> but parking was $35. Try to find cheap parking on
> a Friday night in Boston near Quincy Market. BTW
> dining was a blast. I highly recommend it even if
> u are not shopping. I did self assign 3 hotels
> in Northern New England. I'm up there on business
> anyway so I will get reimbursed from Freeman and
> my employer. So let's hope they are better than
> Mystique Shopper
Well, you have yet to see if you will actually see that check in the next few months from Freeman, but a note on getting doubly reimbursed: It's not the most legal of all practices. Use caution when admitting that!
Hello everyone,
I am relatively new to this board, so I will make this short and sweet. I just wished to add my own personal experience with Freeman to this discussion.
I am a Canadian shopper, and I completed a hotel shop for them on 11/28/2011.
I also received a 9/10 and had my report approved with a couple of days.
It is now, of course, 03/16/2012 and I still have not received payment.
I sent off a few emails to Lisa Price within the 10-12 week after period, to which I received the response,
"Payments are made 10-12 weeks after your paperwork has been received and processed by the accounting department. I am not sure where accounting is in their processing at this time."
I then phoned them and spoke to Pam, who, when I made mention of my due payment, couldn't get me off the phone fast enough and simply told me that they had my paperwork and invoice and she did not know when it would be processed. Reading through your responses, I guess my next step is to continue calling until I do, or do not, receive results.
Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, and I hope my story helps someone as well.
I just wonder what will happen now that they have posted 20-30 more hotel shops in my area, and how many of the shoppers that do take them will get paid and how many will not.
Thank you,
Sj
Thank You,
I am relatively new to this board, so I will make this short and sweet. I just wished to add my own personal experience with Freeman to this discussion.
I am a Canadian shopper, and I completed a hotel shop for them on 11/28/2011.
I also received a 9/10 and had my report approved with a couple of days.
It is now, of course, 03/16/2012 and I still have not received payment.
I sent off a few emails to Lisa Price within the 10-12 week after period, to which I received the response,
"Payments are made 10-12 weeks after your paperwork has been received and processed by the accounting department. I am not sure where accounting is in their processing at this time."
I then phoned them and spoke to Pam, who, when I made mention of my due payment, couldn't get me off the phone fast enough and simply told me that they had my paperwork and invoice and she did not know when it would be processed. Reading through your responses, I guess my next step is to continue calling until I do, or do not, receive results.
Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, and I hope my story helps someone as well.
I just wonder what will happen now that they have posted 20-30 more hotel shops in my area, and how many of the shoppers that do take them will get paid and how many will not.
Thank you,
Sj
Thank You,
For those of you that recall my post regarding payment from Freeman for 6 unpaid shops. I merely contacted the company by phone and everything was resolved with a weeks time. Pennies from Heaven.... I call them... I take the attitude that the motel stay enables me to pick up many shops in an area and when the payment from Freeman comes in.... Then it's wonderful.. I love working with the folks there. So, they are having problems.... don't we all at one time or another. They've been such a blessing to me. I honestly can't complain. Hang in there... All will work out.
Anybody getting the emails from Private Eyes arranging the remaining Freeman shops? What does this mean? Freeman has to contract with someone else to get them assigned? Is Freeman losing the contract? Would this arrangement result in a more reasonable payment schedule? They don't seem to have many I would care to do. Someone must have beat me to them!
okay, in light of recent conversation - I spoke with someone. And they said, Hey, you can drive school busses for $11/hour around here. And, I calculated the difference between what I do MSing and the time/hassle investment of schoolbus driving - and I was like, "Take me to to the next $15 shop!!!!!!!'
Seriously.
Seriously.
All I have to really say is please to read the requirements. If you do not agree DO NOT ACCEPT! Don't just assume. So many of these discussions are about the disagreement between what was stated and what the "idea" was. Read the requirements. If you do not agree, DO NOT ACCEPT!!! Gosh!
northtexas Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody getting the emails from Private Eyes
> arranging the remaining Freeman shops? What does
> this mean? Freeman has to contract with someone
> else to get them assigned? Is Freeman losing the
> contract? Would this arrangement result in a more
> reasonable payment schedule? They don't seem to
> have many I would care to do. Someone must have
> beat me to them!
The way I understand it from the email I got was that Private Eyes were going to be scheduling for Freeman and "they are working on speeding up their pay schedule."
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody getting the emails from Private Eyes
> arranging the remaining Freeman shops? What does
> this mean? Freeman has to contract with someone
> else to get them assigned? Is Freeman losing the
> contract? Would this arrangement result in a more
> reasonable payment schedule? They don't seem to
> have many I would care to do. Someone must have
> beat me to them!
The way I understand it from the email I got was that Private Eyes were going to be scheduling for Freeman and "they are working on speeding up their pay schedule."
none
Just got reimbursed/paid for shops I did in November. Wasn't easy and wasn't worth fronting $150 to earn $20. Too risky! They'll be out of business before long. I deactivated my account and won't take any jobs from PEyes either.
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