Does anyone use this system to to record their shops? I'd appreciate any feedback you might have. Thank you in advance.

Thank you,
Pat

I have not personally used it but after checking out the website I have to wonder why would anyone pay for something that you can get for free. Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like it does everything my free spreadsheet that I use to imput all of my shop info into to keep track of fees, expenses, and mileage. It looks like you are basically paying $35 a year to have all this info stored on their servers.

+1

Sounds like everything my Excel/Access files can do for me.

I don't have Excel, nor do I know how to use it or what it does. That is very expensive, isn't it. Don't you have to take a course to learn how to do it? Are there any other idea's about keeping track?

I agree with the comments about Excel Spreadsheet. I am not real good at using it but my wife (who is the family computer expert becaus she teaches this and other subjects for a local high school) helped me design and create a suitable spreadsheet. I would e-mail a sample but I don't know if that can be done on this website.

My Excel is part of Microsoft Outlook. I guess it probably is available as a stand alone product. It does take some getting used to and would depend on your computer proficiency. I learned a few things through jobs and a few things on my own. I'm far from the expert, but I can keep running totals for income and mileage and link workbooks to update as I add or subtract assignments.

I think Shop Tracker was the one that had the beta testing last winter. I was one of the "testers" and found it to be somewhat cumbersome. I was also duplicating and triplicating information I entered on my calendar and spreadsheet. It could be a better system, but in reality I'd already been working with my own system for 3 years and it's so ingrained I'm kinda lazy about changing it at this point.

Pobo35 Wrote:
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> I don't have Excel, nor do I know how to use it or
> what it does. That is very expensive, isn't it.
> Don't you have to take a course to learn how to do
> it? Are there any other idea's about keeping
> track?

I don't have Excel either instead I use CALC, a free version of Excel from OpenOffice.org(it is compatible with Excel files). If you feel intimidated by it then just write down in a notebook all of your shops and include for each one the fees/reimbursement, mileage, and when you were paid. I got a sample template from Flash but you should be able to figure out what you need to keep track of.

As Brak said, CACL is a great free option for an Excel similar product.

There are two options for already done for you. One is free, one is paid.

The free one is called "Shop Sheet." It is a more basic spreadsheet, but works well. I think it can be gotten by emailing a Gary at shopsheet@juno.com. I haven't tried emailing that address in about 3 years, however, so I can't guarantee it will still work. If Gary isn't around, PM me and I can email you his spreadsheet.

The one that costs is "Mystery Shop Bible." You can go to the website at [www.mysteryshoppingbible.com] It is a very detailed spreadsheet, and works great. Sherry is very receptive to any questions you might have, as well. Feel free to email her before or after buying, she will help you. This is the spreadsheet I personally use, and it is a one time $10 fee, which I don't think is too bad.

On these forums, Flash is a great resource as well. See his posts on the following two threads.

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

I already have Open Office so the CALC is there. When I look at that sheet I have No idea just where to start or how to get it set up. Once I know that I know I can get it going. I have never really used a spread sheet on a computer program. I would be very greatful if someone could PM me on how to get it set up.

Try www.Jobslinger.com You can join for free or get the paid version. They are absolutely great!

Jobslinger is OK. They only work for Sassie shops. I do shops on about 30 platforms other than Sassie, so it is not feasible for a tracking system.

Dustygirl - I'm working with you off forum, if anyone else needs help too, feel free to PM me, I'll help work with whatever tracking system you have.

I happen to be pretty organized. I could pull any shop I've done since 2006 out of it's file folder with the paper shop, I can show you any receipt on my computer since then, tell you miles driven, amount paid, date paid, etc., etc., etc. I have my taxes ready to go January 1. I tell you all this not to brag, but to say, PLEASE, come to me if you want some organizing/spreadsheet help/ideas/suggestions. I try to post as much as I can on forums about this, but I'll help via PM/email as well.

I use it and I'd be lost without it. True, you can do it on an excel spreadsheet but why? The software does so much more and is accessible from my phone or tablet from anywhere.

It is still under development to a certain extent. They are adding reports and search features...personally I think it's great and it's dirt cheap.



Pobo35 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone use this system to to record their
> shops? I'd appreciate any feedback you might
> have. Thank you in advance.
>
> Thank you,
> Pat

Lou,

Are you saying Jobslinger works with shops other than Sassie Shops? I'm pretty sure that is not the case, so how does it help with all the shops done (in my case probably 30-100 shops a month) that are not on the Jobslinger platform?

I think Lou is referring to the purchased software 'My Shop Tracker'.

Jobslinger does work with shops other than Sassie to the extent that it pulls job posts off of the MSPA website, the Volition.com website and a few others. It states on there where they are coming from, though overall the jobs posted are SASSIE. On occasion you will note a double post of a job because it was picked up from a couple of feeder sites.

As for Lou's comment about 'My Shop Tracker', I am definitely an Excel person and find that a spreadsheet is perfect to add a column if there is something else I decide may be useful to keep track of. I've made up my 'sheet' for 2012 and added a couple of pages to the workbook to keep track of non-mystery shopping things in my life so that everything scheduled, every expense, every tax deductible item both for my Schedule C business and for my 'real life' are all readily available as soon as I open the spreadsheet.

I'm enough of an Excel person that my freezer inventory is even on one tab so I make sure I get stuff used before it turns into an 'unidentified frozen object' to be sent to the garbage. There is a page for the livestock--purchases of feed, hay & meds, mileage for that business, gas for off road equipment, sales, preventive meds schedule, etc. There is a page for the doc visits for us that also has doc and pharmacy co-pays, insurance payments etc. Flexibility is the key for me and no packaged software will ever allow that.

No...I was talking about My Shop Tracker. You're right...Jobslinger just works with Sassie Shops.

treydawgmt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lou,
>
> Are you saying Jobslinger works with shops other
> than Sassie Shops? I'm pretty sure that is not
> the case, so how does it help with all the shops
> done (in my case probably 30-100 shops a month)
> that are not on the Jobslinger platform?

I have come up with a simplistic byt workable system (at least for now). I went to Google and input Decenmvber 2011 Calendar Printable. This brought up a suitable calendar website so I printed out a calendar. I then jotted down the shops I had lined up in the appropriate days. The site happened to be free, BTW. My thoughts in doing it this way was that if I came across a shop prior in time to other shops it was easier to input it rather than screwing around cutting and pasting and rearranging eyerything. Hope this is useful.

I just started trying the My Shop Tracker site today on a 30 day free trial to see if I like it. However, I just saw the post here about the Mystery Shopping Bible spreadsheet and am looking at that too. Not sure which one I will go with but I definitely want to get better organized.

I do like some things about My Shop Tracker so far but see a big room for improvement as well.

Thanks so much for your feedback and inquiries regarding My Shop Tracker. We are currently in the process of developing My Shop Tracker Version 2, which will implement vast improvements to the interface and reporting functions. Version 2 will also be released with new subscription levels to give users more economical options in cloud-based shop tracking software.

Look for your chance to help us beta-test our latest release soon.


Gretchen van Helden
President, My Shop Tracker

I think I'll probably wait on the new version before I think about subscribing. I like the idea of it but right now it just doesn't have what I'm looking for. I ended up purchasing the Mystery Shopping Bible spreadsheet from Sherry Fox for now and it's pretty awesome. I will check My Shop Tracker out again though later after the new version is out.

I, too, got the MS Bible. I'm completely ignorant about accounting, spreadsheets, etc. When I noticed the tabs all the way across the bottom of the Bible, I finally think I have a slight clue. I just need to be consistent about doing it every day I shop.

For the posters who said that why pay the $35 a year for something we can use for free, like Excel/Access, CALC, etc., well, there are thousands of us people out there that haven't a clue how to use any of these software. Also, after the reading I have done on My Shop Tracker, I am led to believe that it will print out a number of different reports as needed. What it will do that I don't think the other software systems anyone might set up in Excel/Access, CALC, etc., is to remind you when a shop is due, when shop payments are due and when they are overdue. I have to admit I have only watched the My Stop Tracker video and read some posts on Volition so I only have limited knowledge on the product. I really need a product like this to organize my mystery shopping life and I am willing to pay $35 a year if it is user friendly and works like the video promotes. I hope version 2 is coming out very soon.

One of the functions apparently is that you can store your receipts etc on their server. I know you don't HAVE to do it that way, but something about that doesn't sit right with me. A bit TMI out of my control.

I have good news...My Shop Tracker version 2 is here! We have gone to great efforts to retool the software and make it more user-friendly, and this admittedly took a bit more time than originally planned. Thanks for your patience.

You will find many improvements and time-saving features, as well as reporting that ranges from basic to comprehensive. The best part is that we now offer a FREE version, as well as standard and premium memberships that include enhanced features.

Visit our website to find out more!

Right out the gate, the free version would be inadequate for me since it only covers 15 shops a month. The mid-range would be adequate for some, but not all, months since it covers 30 shops and I'm usually right at or slightly above that level.

Which leaves the $50 a year full-featured version for unlimited shops.

But as others have said, I am doing all this on my spreadsheet already and I don't need reminders because I look at my personal shop log every day where all my upcoming and completed shops are listed, in date order. If I know what "today's" date is I can easily see if I have a shop to do.

Maybe it would be a good tool for someone starting out who doesn't already use a spreadsheet program -- but if it were to fail in any way, it's YOUR reputation as a shopper on the line.

I think this would go over better if the full-featured version were available for a three-month trial period. But the free version is useless to me and I'm not going to pay $50 to see if the advanced version might be helpful.

itsasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think this would go over better if the
> full-featured version were available for a
> three-month trial period. But the free version is
> useless to me and I'm not going to pay $50 to see
> if the advanced version might be helpful.

+1.

Also, is there a mobile-friendly front end for web users, or an Android/iPhone app for this service?

And can I easily import data from a spreadsheet to the service?

Jobslinger Plus gave a free trial. I decided it was of no use to me and I didn't have to pay anything to find that out or do anything to cancel. I barely even use regular jobslinger any more. Some things that are useful to newbies have little value to experienced shoppers.

There are free programs like openoffice.org - Cached
Free Software: similar to and compatible with microsoft word ...
Free software from Open Office.org ... Excel, Access and PowerPoint), Lotus SmartSuite™, Corel WordPerfect™, Adobe Acrobat's™ PDF format.
webweevers.com/freesoftware.htm - Cached

itsasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Right out the gate, the free version would be
> inadequate for me since it only covers 15 shops a
> month. The mid-range would be adequate for some,
> but not all, months since it covers 30 shops and
> I'm usually right at or slightly above that
> level.

Thanks for responding to my post...I appreciate your feedback!

To address the concern about the limitations of the free version of My Shop Tracker, let me explain our reasoning. The free version, with its 15 shops/month limit, is designed to give you a hands-on opportunity to interact with the software to allow you to see how it works...a trial version, if you will. In addition, it might be all someone who does low-volume mystery shopping would need to track their work and provide basic year-end tax reporting information.

We do offer a month-to-month membership for both our standard and premium levels. This pricing, $4 and $6/mo respectively, provides you with the chance to use the enhanced and full-featured software without a full-year commitment. You always have the opportunity to upgrade to an annual membership, which gives you 12-months for the price of 9.

We've added a special discount for the members of this forum...20% off any My Shop Tracker membership.

Pricing with Mystery Shop Forum discount:

Standard Membership $3.20/mo or $28.80/yr
Premium Membership $4.80/mo or $40/yr

Enter the promotional code MSF at checkout.

I'm sure that will be appreciated by some who might have been considering trying this, but since one of the features is pay tracking and we wouldn't be able to test that feature for two months or more, we'd be having to pay for three months before we could even evaluate if 1. it works as described and is not full of glitches and 2. it is actually helpful to us.

Which is why I suggested a three month free trial. You're asking us to pay money up front for something that may be of no value to us whatsoever.

I'm not trying to tell you how to market your item, just letting you know that there is a certain category of shopper who might be able to use your product but you'll never get them to pay up front to discover that. Almost any software I can find on the internet will let me use it free for 30 or 90 days to decide if it is useful to me.

When we're sometimes only getting paid $5 for a fast food shop, even laying out $4.80 a month for a few months is a lot of money when you consider how long and hard we have to work to earn that. I'd be willing to experiment to see if it is useful, even though initially that might be double work because I would not abandon my current shop tracking method (on Excel) while I was testing the new one, but I'm not willing to put up $15 on the chance it might turn out to be useful since what I am using right now works fine and doesn't cost me anything.

The harder I work, the less willing I am to "gamble" with the money I have. And this would be a gamble. I'm willing to pay money to acquire something that will enable me to do something I can't do now, but not willing to pay money to do something I'm doing now for free, just differently. You're asking me to pay you so you can prove your mousetrap is better than mine. I'm suggesting you should catch a few mice for me before asking me to buy your cat.

Now, if you had a program that could automatically sign on to all my MSC's that I work for, do a search within "X" mile radius of a designated zip code, and deliver me up a list of shops I can do so I don't have to sign in to 50 or more MSC's when I'm trying to plan a route -- THAT I would pay money for because that's something I can't do by myself for free and it's a lot more time consuming than keeping up my shop log in Excel.