This thread is for sharing what we like and appreciate about the things that specific MSCs do, and wish that other MSCs did. Almost all companies have some processes or features that are of benefit to shoppers, even if the company itself is not a universal favorite. So go ahead and sound off about what you like and what keeps you shopping for an MSC. Who knows, maybe other MSCs will borrow from these best practices.

Market Force - printable assignment sheets with information about the location including landmarks, a synopsis of the assignment requirements, along with other details such as pay and due dates

Brandt Group - assignments with a three day completion window

Mercantile Systems - appreciative and supportive editors that offer positive recognition to shoppers

Corporate Research - assignments with easy to complete requirements

Secret Shopping Services - providing gift certificates to shoppers before an assignment visit

Bestmark and IPSOS - quick payments

I love any company who lets you self-assign after you've proven yourself competent on a few jobs.

Ardent - hands down the nicest editors who have all the tact in the world when they are giving you corrections.

ACL & STN - great schedulers who respond very quickly even on the weekends which surprised me

Goodwin - finally paying within their stated timeframes w.o. a request, very easy reports and self assign board.

Marketforce - self assign board and reschedule ability

Market Force - ability to choose from many available dates when scheduling an assignment

Measure Consumer Perspectives - ability to confirm multiple assignments at one time

Brandt Group - prompt accurate pay via PayPal

Mercantile Systems - flexibility with report submission deadlines for dining assignments

ACL Their schedulers and editors make me feel that we are working as a "team." An payday is clearly stated for every shop and the checks come on time.

Other MSCs that have similarly good practices: Ardent, Clear Evaluations, Instant Replays.

As I read the above posts, I was quickly reminded of the old adage "What's one person's meat, is another's poison." The majority of the above MSCs are on my 10 foot pole list. My choices and my reasoning:

EPMS-This, to me, is the epitome of a business oriented company. Never any BS, and as Sgt. Joe Friday so often stated, "Just the facts ma'am."

Informa-Above average pay and easily accessible.

Maritz-Very easily accessible and willing to pay to have work completed.

Strategic Reflections-Flexible and accommodating.

Each of the above 4 MSCs has an 800 number.

In addition to the afore stated, Quest For Best, Service Sleuth, Measure Consumer Perspectives and About Face all approach business in a manner appealing to my interests.

All of my above selections are predicated upon what works for Bob. I have no interest in being chummy with schedulers/editors and the speed of payments, unless beyond the due date, is not important to me. It is all about the work:pay ratio. That is why MSCs such as BestMark, Mercantile Systems and Goodwin are not good fits for me.

Reality Check - editors that identify themselves by name when they are courteously asking for additional information or making a worthwhile suggestion for future reports

Market Force - detailed pay statements for easier bookkeeping reconciliation

Corporate Research -quick editing turnaround times

Measure Consumer Perspectives - dialog box to communicate with scheduler when applying for an assignment

Informa - no quibble bonusing on long distance assignments

MCP: Very accomodating re reschedules and extensions. They encourage you to do so rather than cancel and do not scold. Also they do not do the grading thing.

I can't recall which company it was, but I appreciated that "No" answers turned a different color, so it was easy to remember/identify what you had to specifically address in the narrative section.

My (partial) list:

Beyond Hello, Brandt Group, Jancyn -- respectful and pleasant communication on the part of schedulers and editors.

Market Force -- self-assign, multiple dates to choose from, sometimes with date ranges, self-reschedule, prompt payment, documentation (including CPI) that gives details on the exact specifications on the shop requirements, reasonable reporting requirements.

Corporate Research International -- for providing comprehensive, clear training materials. Yes, it can very annoying to have to complete training before even being able to see the rate for a shop, but I do appreciate the training being available. Those photos and detailed walkthroughs make completing that first shop a breeze.

Reality Check -- for the reason shopgal mentioned above: "editors that identify themselves by name when they are courteously asking for additional information or making a worthwhile suggestion for future reports". To expand on this, I like getting those constructive suggestions, in general. I want to know what I'm doing right, and where I can improve. A string of "9" ratings won't do me any good at all if I don't know what I could have done to earn a perfect "10". Editors who provide specific, constructive feedback help me to improve as a shopper and as a writer.

Intellishop -- for having schedulers who communicate promptly, effectively, and courteously, and are often available by phone. Also, for providing easy-to understand, generally clear guidelines, and for offering flexibility and a willingness to work with me when things don't go as planned. Their expectations are high, as they fully admit, but they have demonstrated respect for me, and are one of my preferred companies to work with.

There are others, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind as I scan down my list.

Omgee provides some really thorough perspectives about some of the more well-known MSCs. Thanks for your great feedback!

National Shopping Service - for including a space on reports to add "off the record" comments to the editor that do not show up on the client's copy of the report