Hi everyone.

I've done MS six years now. I am recommending that the complicated high risk shops you left them alone. Example Restaurant visit expense $160.00 fee $12.00.
If you do not have the experience does not risk losing 160.00 for a 12.00 fee.
If you see conflicting information from the MSC do not execute. I've rather be sorry than guilty and waste my hard earned money.
Do not accept instructions and bonuses over the phone. Some MSC do not honor, get them in writing.

If you are new to MSC take the easy jobs first for a period of time until you developed the skills and savvy. All of us have lost money in a bad decision, our fault or the MSC fault? It happens.

That was very informative,that is why I always read the instructions and ask questions.

I am not a "SuperStar" Member, since I only have time to read and respond to posts once or twice a month, but I have been shopping for many many companies since my college days in the late 1970s. I feel compassion for the situation that Computergodess has plunked herself into, as many of you have also indicated.

The mark of a great shopper is to be able to role play while observing (often detailed) points of information and emphasis---and all the while conforming to the (often very strict) rules and guidelines given by the MSC as the agent of the client company. As I have made mistakes over the last 37 years, I swallowed the costs and went on to work with the MSCs to foster professional relationships that have lasted for years now.

Just before the two CI posts appeared, I was crafting my own response to you, Computergoddess, since I have worked with Mike, Barbry, and Adrienne for many, many years and shops. They (and the other employees) are and have always been consummate professionals, and I really did not appreciate the suggestion that they were anything other than that. Please continue to shop! You will find it interesting, challenging (at times), and profitable as you learn how to efficiently and accurately manage assignments. Best wishes to you.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2012 07:00PM by farmboy1x.

Adrienne and Barbry, thanks for posting the whole story. Having worked for several years for Customer Impact, the story did not sound complete. And, I have been in the position of getting most of my payment even after messing up so I can certainly validate that Customer Impact tries very hard to use a report and pay the shopper. Of course, we all realize, or should, that an unusable report means no pay. One question: when I was a new shopper with Customer Impact, I was required to telephone and talk with one of you before performing a shop for a new client. Is this not required any longer?

Computergoddess, I understand it can be devastating to lose the reimbursement when it is a big amount. I encourage you to continue to shop and to start slow and read carefully. Best wishes and good luck!

Howdy AustinMom!

Yes, that is a requirement for several our clients, including this one. I just checked this shopper's log, and she did NOT call in to review. The rule about no alcohol at the table is something that we would have gone over with her at that time.

AustinMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One question: when
> I was a new shopper with Customer Impact, I was
> required to telephone and talk with one of you
> before performing a shop for a new client. Is
> this not required any longer?
>

OK. Just wondered. Get busy and get more shops in my area! I'll apply for as many as you guys post!

I had an issue with a company where the instructions were not clear. I tried to get clarification but I was not satisfied with the information provided so I emailed the scheduler that I would not do the shop.

Got a question? Get a clear answer in an email and state you will follow the emailed instructions - or reject the job.

No point to do a shop when you feel the pay is bad and you are not sure of the instructions. It does not help anyone and the stress is NEVER worth it!

I am so glad the MSC replied to this post. This gives us a much better understanding of the complete situation.

computergddess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I am sure you will justify the company's position.

> So flame away, sometimes I see closed door as
> opportunities to find something better. This is
> one of them.
>
> I see another thread where you guys bashed a
> shopper so I expect it.


Hmmm, My two reactions are 1) What is this poster really trying to do? 2) Does this not sound like a repeat flamer?

Either way there is good advice above for the taking.

Props to Barby and Adrienne for the replies.

My opinion is not always the most popular on this topic, but I think a candid, professional dialog among shoppers and MSC reps is exactly what this forum needs and helps to bridge the gap between us.

It seems like this went a little beyond a misunderstand and ranged on deception on the part of the shopper. While I would encourage anyone to keep up with shopping and always try to improve themselves, an important part of the job is knowing when you are the one in the wrong and taking your lumps.

My excellent track record with lack of shops being rejected is due mostly to me not turning in the shops that I botched. I still blow it occasionally even with all my years of experience. Often, I will reschedule and pay for the original shop out of my pocket, which is always a humbling experience, and great way to learn what not to do.

I agree with Steve. We make mistakes, re-shop at our expense, move on and lesson learnt. We do not cry "scam", report the msc to BBB, and ask to be paid because the shopper is "new.". I weight my risk when doing FD and hotel shops.

This shopper could have faired better had she applied the southern motto. If you make a mistake, own up to it, apologize, and keep it moving.

I think the shopper fully knew she had not done the shop correctly. Her post here misrepresenting the situation appears to have been a last-ditch effort to get the money. In my experience, Customer Impact assigns in advance and sends the usual SASSIE confirming e-mail that gives only minimal information about the shop and requires confirmation. The shop guidelines (for all CI shops that I have done, quite a few) require the shopper to telephone the company M-F 8-5 to discuss the project the first time a shopper performs an evaluation on a client that is "new" to the shopper. I suspect the OP did not look at the instructions until the weekend when the shop was scheduled and by then it was too late for the required phone call. When she performed the shop, she did not perform according to the guidelines.

I have been guilty of waiting until the last minute to read instructions. This is a good reminder to read the shop instructions, especially for a first-time shop, immediately, in case there are other requirements (like a phone call) or if clarification is needed, and to DO EXACTLY WHAT THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY. An unusable shop means NO PAY. I've communicated via PM with a number of unhappy posters who were not paid for a shop even after they stated "I did it perfectly and wrote a perfect report." In PMs, they admit to me that they skipped some of the requirements, because they weren't convenient or because they didn't feel like doing that. But they are amazed and outraged to hear they will not be paid. Go figure.

Adrienne and Barbry, good job for investigating and clarifying! Thank you for taking care of your shoppers like CI does!

I always print out my shop instructions and email right away. I try to look at it at least several days ahead of time so that I can email or call with any questions or confusing information. You really need to do that every time computergoddess....lesson learned.

computergddess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi mystery shoppers:
>
> I had a bad experience with this company. I did
> the best I could. The shop instructions said bar
> shop, but the email said no bar shop. I could not
> reach anyone, and they stiffed me. Reported to BBB
> but they will not reimburse me for meal that they
> told me to get. I was wondering if you have
> suggestions. I feel that mystery shopping is not
> recognized for what it is. These companies make
> the rules as they go along, and then decide to
> stiff you. Some of the payment amounts are
> pitiful.
>
> TIA

I have never had a problem with this company in the many years I have done shops for them. They have always been fair, have polite schedulers with great communication skills, pay on time, and they are a really good company to work with.

I like Austin Mom's suggestions.

I also did a restaurant shop for the, and Im more than satisfied, with such a great company. I felt the report was self explanatory, it was a sit down lunch and also a carry out through their window. Always ask questions and read the guidelines given, that's what they are for. They also paid me fast. Would work again with this company.

It amaze me that some can not own up to the mistakes they made. Instead they come on here blasting the MSC hoping to turn people against them. Do they not realize one post is not going to turn people against an MSC especially when so many people have had good experiences with that particular MSC. I see they have not posted anything since CI clarified the situation. Looks to.me like the same person has multiple accounts trying to blast every MSC .

I don't agree with all who've encouraged this shopper to "Hang in there." If, and I believe, the MSC is correct, this individual is guilty of libel and, if stated in speech, slander. Hopefully, Customer Impact will pursue a remedy for the shopper's premeditated false attacks on their reputation.

The above isn't an attempt to "brown nose" the company, as I haven't completed a shop for them since they were known as Speedmark Web.

I have been shopping for many, many years and being the perfectionist that I am, I have messed up a few shops in my day. Luckily the fee and reimbursements were low. I just suck it up and learn from my screw up:-)

I've shopped with these guys for years and have never had a problem. I appreciate very much the MSC replying with the other side of the story.

I have done a lot of shops for this MSC and never had a problem with them. They are nice and easy to work with.

Thanks for the heads up on CI

lena10470 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the heads up on CI

You do mean thanks for the heads up that Customer Impact is a great company, right? The "warning" in the subject line has turned out to be bogus.

Kudos to Barbry and Adrienne for clearly researching and reporting that a lot of times there are details left out of some inflammatory postings about MS companies.

I have shopped for them for many years and thank you for giving the other side of the story! Never had any problems with them, they are always helpful and communicate well if you ask questions.

computergddess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi mystery shoppers:
>
> I had a bad experience with this company. I did
> the best I could. The shop instructions said bar
> shop, but the email said no bar shop. I could not
> reach anyone, and they stiffed me. Reported to BBB
> but they will not reimburse me for meal that they
> told me to get. I was wondering if you have
> suggestions. I feel that mystery shopping is not
> recognized for what it is. These companies make
> the rules as they go along, and then decide to
> stiff you. Some of the payment amounts are
> pitiful.
>
> TIA

the amounts are pitiful only if you accept them - don't like the pay don't do the job - simple as that - make a choice on a rate and don't whine about the offer - either take it, dump it, or try to negotiate it upwards

I am an amateur here - have done maybe 600 shops in the past year or so - I do it for the fun of it not as a living so I don't do a lot - but I learned one thing in my very first week - MS companies are staffed by people, and people can almost always be reasoned with and enjoy helping others if approached with respect - if you aren't getting paid, find out why - 9 times out of 10 it is because of a failure to follow directions

My first week I had to do a shop over again because I neglected to follow a very obvious requirement of the shop - 100% my fault - I called the scheduler, explained what I did wrong, took the blame 100% and asked nicely if I could re-shop

computergddess Wrote:

Also, I realize that
> next summer I better get a summer job because
> mystery shopping, although I enjoy it, does not
> command respect from companies. . I see it differently than you - I work I
> get paid. Even before my college/grad school days
> when I worked menial jobs, I got paid. I wasted a
> night, money, gas, and get zero for it?

You did not do what you were told to do period and do not deserve to be paid or reimbursed. This is not some menial job where due to labor law the employer has to pay you for showing up, even if you can't or don't follow directions.

Grow up little girl - this is a BUSINESS not a menial job. In BUSINESS you get paid for results, producing a specific item to the exact requirements of your client - in this case the MSC is your client, and they in turn have to produce reports to the exact specifications of their client, whose eatery you shopped. In BUSINESS you do dnot get paid to show up, or have good intentions, or think well of yourself.

I have had employees like you in businesses I have owned or operated - I got pretty good a sniffing out the Mommy's special little sunshies at interiew and not hiring them, or spotting them in the first week or so and firing them on the spot - luckily NY is an employment at will state and no reason is required for a dismissal.

I hate to come down on you so hard because I honestly think you have absolutely no idea about the concept, but it is really annoying to have people wandering around, apparently with degrees, who have no concept of what real business and work is all about. We are truly doomed as an economy.

I'm with you, Art. I get a lot of PMs from unhappy new shoppers who tell me they did a perfect shop and wrote a great report but didn't get paid. Then they slowly, over the course of a couple of PMs, admit they didn't do some things, sometimes big things. But they did "almost everything." And they are shocked and amazed not to be paid, because - well, they SHOWED UP and they "tried" so they should be paid. And even though the company wasn't able to use their report, so the company won't be paid by the client for their work (until the company has another shopper do the shop correctly and pays them, then bills the client), they still think they should be paid. The concept of "as an IC, if you do the job wrong, you won't be paid" is way beyond them.

Me, three.