I just got an e-mail from Mark Bray Enterprises, but sent by:

ashley=instant-replays.net@mail51.us1.mcsv.net on behalf of Instant-Replays/Mark Bray Enterprises

When I clicked on "reply", the e-mail that came up was: Ashley@instant-replays.net

It appears that Instant Replays is using their shopper database to market this guy's anti-aging products unless their e-mail account has been hacked. Seems a bit unethical to me. Any thoughts? I unsubscribed from the guy's website. I suppose I could contact Ashley directly to ask her what's going on, but thought I'd inquire here first. In 12 years as a MS, I've never been solicted to buy products by the MSCs I shop for. Hmm...

Body of the e-mail was as follows, with various photos:

Finally, an age defying breakthrough in skincare with real results!

Mark Bray Enterprises has a new opportunity to share with you, which can help you look and feel younger in 90 days or less. The Nerium age defying treatment has helped thousands of clients around the world, experience a new sense of confidence based on positive results from using the Nerium AD product once daily.

The NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment is a night cream developed from the extract of the Nerium oleander plant. Extensive clinical research has shown that this particular plant extract can conceal the appearance of aging. The Clinical trials of Nerium AD have demonstrated how this blend of natural and effective age-defying ingredients nourishes the skin, while dramatically reducing the appearance of:

Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Hyperpigmentation
Uneven Skin Texture
Enlarged Pores
Aging or Sun-Damaged Skin
The Nerium AD treatment can change your life by simply using the product once every night. Nerium AD can help reverse the signs of aging and enable you to look and feel younger. We are so confident that you will see an improvement in your skin that Nerium AD comes with a 30 day money back guarantee!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2012 09:03PM by shopper1964.

I bet he hacked her account.

I hope that's what happened. I was fairly outraged when I opened the e-mail and saw that crap. Clicking on a link isn't appealing if their account was hacked.

I have never felt "secure" with mystery shopping companies. I asked a question about a data base from a MSC one time, and they forwarded their entire data base of addresses to me. 159 pages double spaced. Of course, it was a mistake, but that's how information gets compromised.

how about a MSC asking its shoppers to fill out a written survey about something -
for free - juset to help out on some marketing program?

isn't that the work we do for pay?

Obviously we shop for some of the same companies... I got that same survey offer today. lol

I was asked to fill out a banking survey today for which I was offered an entry into a gift card drawing Then yesterda,y a different MSC asked me to fill out a fast casual dining survey for which I was offered nothing, so I declined. Like shoppinalong said, there are plenty of companies that pay me to complete online surveys...

You can bet they get payed for YOU filling out the surveys!

shopper1964 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was asked to fill out a banking survey today for
> which I was offered an entry into a gift card
> drawing Then yesterda,y a different MSC asked me
> to fill out a fast casual dining survey for which
> I was offered nothing, so I declined. Like
> shoppinalong said, there are plenty of companies
> that pay me to complete online surveys...

I got the same email from Mark Bray Enterprises. I followed the unsubscribed link and unsubscribed, and got an identical email a few minutes later.

Your unsubscribed and immediately got a second e-mail? I don't care whether it's authorized or not. I'm not clicking on any links.

I unsubscribed and got a confirmation of that instantly, and no other email.

Mark Bray owns Instant Replays. His email and phone line have lit up with complaints. I think that he now realizes that this was a serious misjudgement on his part. This was nothing short of SPAM.

Thanks for clearing that up. While it is still a breach in my mind, it is a comfort to know our information was not shared or otherwise compromised.

Yes, he knows it was a big mistake. He sent out an apology this evening along with a promise that shoppers won't continue to receive any marketing emails for the product.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/24/2012 11:22PM by TechSavvy.

Are you ready for this one ?

Now they're all doing it. Sending survey things and asking us to participate for
free. or for entry of our name in a raffle. Gitouttahere!!

Trouble is, the newbies will participate not realizing they'll be in the suckers'
folder "will work for free".

Here's the latest one from BestMark:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

We at BestMark along with our esteemed clients have the highest level of regard and confidence in the opinions of our shoppers. Therefore, we are extending an invitation for you to participate in the rebranding efforts of our valued client and market leader "Famous Cosmetic CompaNY".

As a part of its rebranding effort, Famed Cosmetic Company XXX is considering the "re-invention" and renaming of their current hallmark, "XXXXX, which has been created to make women feel beautiful in minutes. XXXXXX are free and include skin checkup, foundation finder, fragrance finder, color advice, 2 minute touchups and overviews of the new "must haves" of the season.

In this spirit, we are sending out to our shoppers the unedited list of potential program name options and ask that you select your top THREE favorites (or give us your own!).

If you participate in this poll, and one of your choices is among the finalists, your name will be put into a drawing for $100.00 of
Famous Cosmetic Company "XXXXX"products.

If you are interested in participating then click here.

Your opinions matter to us. Have fun selecting your favorites and thank you again for being a part of the BestMark family!


EDITED TO REMOVE NAME OF CLIENT. PER JACOB'S RULES MSC AND CLIENT ARE NOT TO BE NAMED IN SAME POST.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2012 06:46PM by shoppinalong.

I received that one too. Gotta love the closing, "have fun..."

This is appalling and unprofessional. I'm glad he's seen the light.

Hello all. First off I'd like to say I am an Independant Brand Partner with Nerium AD, and we do not condone the behavior that was mentioned above. I want to appologize for this. And in case you were wondering how I found this thread, I get daily updates from Google whenever Nerium AD is talked about on the web. Thank you all for your time and again I am appologize for others mistakes. We are a better company than that. Thank you.

Bryan Sweesy

I say he made a mistake which we all have done, and everyone should get one hall pass. I was glad he owned it before I had time to cancel my agreement. They are a great company which I have enjoyed working with. Seems like somebody got a little too far ahead of themselves and "accidentally" took a minute to promote a side business. I think the lesson has been learned based the obvious uprising that prompted the apology email. I give him props for the ambition, but would like to think that mistake won't happen again. Trick me once, your mistake. Trick me twice, my mistake. I don't foresee an e-mail like that being sent again. Of course, not because I personally am someone they should reckon with, but because enough people drew their guns and pointed them directly at him and the company he represents.

I have received a PM email from Bestmark about our discussion of being asked to "give our opinion " on a survey without pay, and our objection to such as a misuse of the mystery shopper database.

Since I am not the only one concerned with what we consider an abuse of the database containing mystery shoppers' contact information, I have advised the writer from Bestmark that they really should have addressed this matter on this thread.

The following is the correspondence for your opinion:

BestMark_Inc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Shoppinalong,
>
> The email you received is not a mystery shop, or a
> shop at all, in fact. It is a one-question poll
> with the *offer* to participate, including a
> chance to win $100 from said client.
> Participation obviously is not required, and it is
> up to the shopper if s/he chooses to participate
> in order to be entered into the drawing.

The intention is absolutely not to take advantage of
> our shopper base; the intention is actually the
> opposite. We are expanding programs and
> incentives for our field representatives by
> providing additional opportunities for monetary
> compensation beyond regular mystery shops.
>
> Please let me know if you have any questions or
> would like additional clarification regarding
> this.
>
> Thank you,
> BestMark, Inc.

From Shoppinalong
____________________________________
Dear Unnamed Bestmark Representative,

If you read the entire thread on the matter, it is the opinion in general of the professional mystery shoppers that this is an improper use of the database containing the mystery shoppers' email addresses.

You say "it is "not a mystery shop". Then why are you improperly using the database of mystery shoppers containing our mystery shoppers' e mail addresses ?

You say it is an opportunity for the MSC to expand its client base and provide more jobs for "field representatives". Then why are you not emailing only your "field representatives" although generally IMHO mystery shoppers are considered your "field representatives".

Either way, it is also the opinion of the mystery shoppers on the posted thread , that Bestmark and other MSC's ARE being paid for this survey on behalf of the client but expect mystery shoppers and/or field representatives to fill out this survey for free. It is usual to pay people of our caliber for surveys.

Yes, it is up to the shoppers who receive your survey whether they choose to participate for free and to have their name entered in a drawing for $100 worth of cosmetic product. However, in my opinion it is still a misuse of the mystery shopper database, especially since you write "this is not a mystery shop".

You really should be posting this private message on the forum thread that addresses the use of mystery shoppers' emails contained in MSC databases for other matters than mystery shopping.

Since I am not the only mystery shopper who thinks we should be paid for our opinions on surveys by MSC's it is only fair to address this to all mystery shoppers participating in the discussion.

Shoppinalong

Payquicker has been sending out emails/letters this week and in the previous weeks about using our information. It does concern me.

spree, can you elaborate a bit more on that?

Surveys from companies don't really bother me as long as it is optional. The exceptions were GKF requiring the survey to be "scheduled" which required going through several screens before even getting to the actual survey and the current ATH banking survey where I was just on the third or fourth screen and the progress meter was not even hitting 20% yet. I don't want to take a 16 plus page survey.

spree Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Payquicker has been sending out emails/letters
> this week and in the previous weeks about using
> our information. It does concern me.

I skimmed the message, figured it doesn't affect us unless you have a pre-paid credit card so not to worry. If you are worried, go the Payquicker and chat on the live chat with Steve. If we were affected we'd be hearing from Ace I figure.
It's some kind of internal banking processing changeover they're making. We all still have accounts with United.

Lisa,


Free surveying is spreading like poison ivy.

If I wanted to take a gamble I'd go to the slot machines at the casino, where at least there's a chance of getting some $$$ however small. Or to enter a drawing? yes, I would enter a drawing for powerball: $139 million.

Did you get this one today from Market Force ? That makes 5 "take this survey for no $ " so far this week...

My neighbor is registered with a survey company that pays between $10 and $90.00
for each survey he enters.
................................................

Market Force is conducting an important research study and would love your participation.

As a registered mystery shopper with Market Force, you have been selected to participate in one of our important research studies.

There will be 100 shoppers who will receive a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card. With the completion of the questionnaire you will be automatically entered to be one of 100 winning respondents.

The 100 winners will be . . . .
- the first 20 properly completed questionnaires
- the 101st through 120th properly completed questionnaires
- the 201st through 220th properly completed questionnaires
- the 301st through 320th properly completed questionnaires
- the 401st through 420th properly completed questionnaires

The 100 winners will receive an email notifying them that they’ve won after the survey has closed. With permission, we will post the first initial, last name, and state of the winners on the Market Force shopper web site.

Thank you for your time. Please click on the link below to take the survey. And good luck in the contest!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2012 10:02PM by shoppinalong.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> spree, can you elaborate a bit more on that?
>
> Surveys from companies don't really bother me as
> long as it is optional. The exceptions were GKF
> requiring the survey to be "scheduled" which
> required going through several screens before even
> getting to the actual survey and the current ATH
> banking survey where I was just on the third or
> fourth screen and the progress meter was not even
> hitting 20% yet. I don't want to take a 16 plus
> page survey.


Lisa it spoke about some information they could share with other companies in the email. I'm not exactly sure what the email means for sure so please do not take this as a criticism of Pay Quicker. I'm actually concerned about so much of everyones private information being shared on the net in general.

Market Force has been doing that for at least a year now, maybe longer. It has become prevalent among certain companies.

spree Wrote:
> Lisa it spoke about some information they could
> share with other companies in the email. I'm not
> exactly sure what the email means for sure so
> please do not take this as a criticism of Pay
> Quicker. I'm actually concerned about so much of
> everyones private information being shared on the
> net in general.

I didn't take it as a criticism. It did pique my curiosity about what types of information they were sharing and if they did or didn't provide an "opt out" for you. There is some information that is completely legal, but thought there were regulations requiring the company to allow you to block the sharing of other information.

Spree

Just received the letter you spoke of from payquicker:

July 27, 2012



To All PayQuicker Members,



Below is the Bank Privacy Notice from PayQuicker's issuing bank, University National Bank. For questions about the Privacy Policy please contact either PayQuicker at 1 (866) 400 2712 or 1 (585) 507-4604 by chat or email at support@payquicker.com or University National Bank @ 1 651 865 5600.



University National Bank Privacy Notice



What does University National Bank do with your Personal Information?



Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.



The types of personal information that we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This can include:

Social Security Number and Date of Birth
Address of Residence and Government Issued Identification Card
Transaction History


When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.



All Financial Companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. Below is a list of reasons financial companies can share information and if University National Bank shares this type of information. For the types of information we share, you cannot limit this type of sharing.



Reasons we can share your personal information

For our everyday business purposes- such as to process your transaction, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus. University National Bank shares this type of information.
For our marketing purposes- to offer our products and services to you. University National Bank shares this type of information.
For joint marketing with other financial companies. University National Bank shares this type of information.
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes- information about your transactions and experiences. University National Bank shares this type of information.
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes- information about your creditworthiness. University National Bank does not share this type of information.
For our affiliates to market to you. University National Bank does not share this type of information.
For non affiliates to market to you. University National Bank does not share this type of information.


How does University National Bank protect my personal information? To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.



How does University National Bank collect my personal information? We collect personal information, for example, when you

Open a Card Account and use your Card
Pay your bills or make a purchase
Give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.


Why can't I limit all sharing? Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

Sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes- information about your creditworthiness,
Affiliates from using your information to market to you,
Sharing for non affiliates to market to you.
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.



Definitions

Affiliates Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

University Financial Corp. dba Sunrise Community Banks.
Franklin National Bank
Park Midway Bank, NA
Non affiliates Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial or nonfinancial companies. University National Bank does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint Marketing A formal joint marketing agreement between non affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. Our joint marketing partners include prepaid card companies.

...................

I aggree, I dont like the sharing of info there is no such thing as privacy anymore.

On Monday I will contact Steve, and tell him I want to opt out of amny information sharing that is not required by Federal Law. I dont need any more advertisements coming to me from affiliates of banks, marketers and other non-interests !

Lisa

what is the difference between a field representative and a mystery shopper?

Is a field rep a merchandiser ?

an exit poller ?

a demonstrator ?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2012 11:05PM by shoppinalong.

Lisa,

Don't laugh. Steve who? Steve where?

A few months back there was a system glitch on a MSC website and a scheduler asked for my SS# so that she could assign me a shop. I gave it to her thinking she would be insulted if I refused. Ever since then I thought to myself I need to be more careful giving out my personal information.

SPREE

please read this first paragraoph carefully:


To All PayQuicker Members,


Bank Privacy Notice from PayQuicker's issuing bank, University National Bank. For questions about the Privacy Policy please contact either PayQuicker at 1 (866) 400 2712 or 1 (585) 507-4604 by chat or email at support@payquicker.com or University National Bank @ 1 651 865 5600.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

you can contact payquicker through any of the above.
Steve is on the online chat when you go to payquicker site.