I am going to be put on the chopping block for this post, but feel the need to throw out the opinion, so here goes. In the scheme of the whole mystery shopping business, we as mystery shoppers are the golden link. Schedulers work to get jobs assigned, which we accept, and editors edit the reports that we submit. In the chain of events that provides an opportunity for us to even do a shop, all three parts have to work. Needless to say, all three players in chain get annoyed with each other. I would hate to think what I would find if there was an editor/scheduler ONLY forum out that that talked out us as shoppers and all of the issues they deal with.
That being said, I think a scheduler has the worst job in the chain. They have to hustle and beg to get shops done at the lowest cost to the client, then cross all fingers an toes hoping the shopper they gave the shop to fulfills their duties completely as the shop instructs. I give them props as I would have not one hair left on my head if I had to beg, hope, pray, and wait to see if "my" job got done. Then there is us as mystery shoppers. We are independent contractors. We take what fits into our schedules, and if you are like me, have had to cancel at the 11th hour because of a personal/family emergency, or, maybe just even forgot that you had the shop. I did that just last week because my schedule was saved on my old computer that died and my written notes were not as extensive as my notes on the computer.
Then, there are the editors. These are the last people in the chain before the report gets sent to the client. They have rigid instructions with minimal room for assumption and tolerance for "iffy" comments. Assumption and "iffyness" (yes, that is my made-up word!) are typically not welcomed by clients. If the client rejects the shop, no one from the scheduler, shopper, or editor gets paid. Editors often have to nit-pick reports because they may know the clients expectations on answers in reports which may not be clearly conveyed in the survey questions. I can say all of this about editors, because I have started editing, and, trust me, it has given me an ENTIRELY NEW OPINION on reporting shops. In some cases, an editor will review and correct the shop. The report is then reviewed by another editor to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks before sending to he client. All this is done to make sure that the client does not reject the report and will not pay for the shop.
So, I think instead of ranting on our schedulers and editors, which I have often done and will surely want to do again before next Wednesday, I would like to at least extend an olive branch to our counterparts in this business and maybe back off a little. Let's face it, as mystery shoppers, we are WHY the business exists. If it were not for us, there would be nothing to schedule and no reports to edit. The other players depend on us to do our jobs. I would like to think devotees of the industry that would research far enough to join a forum like this are pretty damn good shoppers.
How about just for the week of August 12th, we make a conscious effort to not talk about those that begin or end the chain of the mystery shopping experience. Wonder what would happen if we all e-mailed our schedulers immediately after completing a job to say that it was done and would be completed by the end of the day and also quickly gave the editor whatever information was needed without showing some attitude in our replies. I am not saying you all have had attitude in your replies, but I am saying that I have had lots of written attitude on some shops!
That's my soapbox moment for the week. Be easy in your replies....I am a mystery shopper as well, just wanted to throw out a thought!

I agree! That's what empathy is all about.

Sorry Amie, too tired tonite to read the whole thing - got as far as feeling sorry for schedulers having to hustle to get jobs filled - true, but they're hustling while sitting somewhere, not driving like crazy to get 6 shops in which are far apart, and trying not to appear as a mystery shopper, but a happpy friendly consumer when you get there, etc etc...and scheduler can sit on butt on phone and computer while we're running with the pressure to get it done, get to the next place, and the next, next, next and then home - no relaxation - sit down at the computer for an hour each report almost or more because of photos.

I ususally do reports until 2 AM - but when it gets to be 5 AM, you get to the point when you just don't care and do the best you can.

sorry for them ?

Everything with them is rush rush rush, urgent report by 6 hours or 12 hours, immediate...or else, with numerous threats. But most of their companies dont rush to pay us for working like dogs or appreciate it.. mind, I said most,because some do.


And the lady says have empathy for them? Nuts. Are we getting any empathy?
for the crick in my neck and my backache at the computer ?

and I shoud feel for them? mmmmm- don't think so.

Just saying.

grumpy and tired.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2012 04:00AM by shoppinalong.

amie: Totally agree which is why I posted the late night reporting post. If is is going to be late let them know it is on the way. It is always appreciated by my schedulers Stop complaining about deadlines. You signed up for it. Just communicate and make it easier on everyone.

Shoppinalong, I am with you. I often am up til nearly the rooster crows doing reports. I have cursed myself out for overloading my schedule. However, I am the one that accepted that stupid shop from the company that I knew would have absurd reporting expectations. So, I am not sure who I should point my fully loaded hypothetical gun at...me, the scheduler, the company, my computer, or my kids who are distracting me from finishing the shop.
All I was trying to say is that without all three parts of the chain, none of us would have a job. I personally don't know what I would do without a job that allows me to choose when and where I want to work and how much I will accept for doing the job.
I seriously do not mean to ruffle any feathers, just wanted to say my opinion. Maybe I have had to referee too many fights with my kids tonight (why, yes, yes, I have!!!!!) that I am trying to think more along the middle of the road without so much frustration, aggravation, and complete annoyance at what typically drives me insane.

It is said that you get more bees with honey than vinegar. I have found that even if I fall short or am running behind, a quick e-mail to my scheduler is usually what it takes to get a little empathy or extension from them. I have to believe that they are not working against us. Why would they? Then, they would have to start the whole process over with a new shopper. Who would want to ever do that when the same issue might be looming in the future?

Amie. Just tired beyond being tired.


But I don't think this is necessarily true:

"allows me to choose when and where I want to work and how much I will accept for doing the job."

Right. Has been my theory ALL ALONG. Ususally works, sometimes not. Amie: can you be my scheduler for everything?

cynb, absolutely not! I would not be a scheduler unless I was guaranteed a SEVEN figure salary, 6 weeks of paid vacation, 4 weeks of paid personal leave, 500% match on a 401k, and medical coverage that had a zero deductible. If you can find that job, let me know, I will take it, and then I will schedule all the jobs you want. Until then, I will just keep shopping, praising, ranting, and raving on this forum.....and hopefully not get blasted too bad for my posts!

No amie, I did not mean just MSing. EVERYTHING like, is it time to clean the bathroom, water the plants, shave my legs. Come on chica, I thought we were friends!!

My offer still stands....7 figure salary plus other perks, I will shave your legs, water plants, cook, clean, pay bills (with your money of course), wait in line at the doctors office, wait in line at the DMV, whatever you want!!!

OK will go to the credit union tomorrow and see how much they will loan me for a personal assistant.I am afraid when I tell them that I am an IC for mystery shopping, that I will not get a lot of cred.):

You should at least get $20 of credit. That's a start! Only $999,980 to go and you have a deal!

I'm pleasantly shocked there's not a lot of @#$%& to go along with this thread, which is what I would've expected with the tone of most of the editor/scheduler posts. People don't usually have anything to say about them unless something's happened to tick them off, but isn't that the way with most stuff?

I would hate to see people get into a finger-pointing argument about whose job is more important or tougher. I've only dabbled in scheduling when I had to for my clients but I MS and I edit. Each has its ups and downs and neither are easy. If you think so, wake up, honey, because you're dreaming!

I have to agree with Amie in that scheduling is probably the hardest. Your job depends on HOPING people get their jobs done. As an MSer, it's all up to me to do the job. As an editor, I don't start my job until someone finished theirs (whew!). As a scheduler, it's all wait, wait, wait and hope it gets done. Schedulers have to deal with hundreds of emails a day, phone calls, excuses, cancellations, flakes, extensions, and trying to schedule hard to get places. There's no choosing not to accept a job. You get a client, you get ALL their crappy locations. Period. I'm not saying pity the schedulers. They're the fool asses who took the jobs in the first place! LOL But I am and always say God bless 'em because they are the craziest in the bunch of the MS world. They gotta be to do that job. Editing can put ya in the nut house but scheduling? PURE insanity!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2012 03:53AM by AlwaysAngie.

I've made several posts about schedulers/editors (and MSCs, actually) that I really love =) Give credit where it's due! And just to make the point...

Schedulers/Editors I love--
Yolanda, Emily, Sara & Mandy @ Baird
Jason Bare, Cohinta Good, and Tim Qua @ Bare
Liza @ @ Informa
Katie S & Jason M @ KSS
Rita @ Maritz
Carol S @ Pinnacle
Charles Roam @ Quest for the Best
Robin Meyers @ Reality Based
Tammy Lee, Ryan Pinter, Laura Moser, & Jason Green @ Second To None
Katie Wilson @ Service Check
Traci, Natalie, Mindy @ Beyond Hello

Every single one of them has my respect.

AlwaysAngie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm shocked there's not a lot of @#$%& to go
> along with this thread, which is what I would've
> expected with the tone of most of the
> editor/scheduler posts. People don't usually have
> anything to say about them unless something's
> happened to tick them off, but isn't that the way
> with most stuff?
>
> I would hate to see people get into a
> finger-pointing argument about whose job is more
> important or tougher. I've only dabbled in
> scheduling when I had to for my clients but I MS
> and I edit. Each has its ups and downs and neither
> are easy. If you think so, wake up, honey, because
> you're dreaming!
>
> I have to agree with Amie in that scheduling is
> probably the hardest. Your job depends on HOPING
> people get their jobs done. As an MSer, it's all
> up to me to do the job. As an editor, I don't
> start my job until someone finished theirs
> (whew!). As a scheduler, it's all wait, wait, wait
> and hope it gets done. Schedulers have to deal
> with hundreds of emails a day, phone calls,
> excuses, cancellations, flakes, extensions, and
> trying to schedule hard to get places. There's no
> choosing not to accept a job. You get a client,
> you get ALL their crappy locations. Period. I'm
> not saying pity the schedulers. They're the fool
> asses who took the jobs in the first place! LOL
> But I am and always say God bless 'em because they
> are the craziest in the bunch of the MS world.
> They gotta be to do that job. Editing can put ya
> in the nut house but scheduling? PURE insanity!

I apologize

Amie and Angie.

I've really only had a big problem with two scheduler/editors;
and I agree, most of them have been terrific and were so patient and helpful when I was a total newbie. As I said I'm overtired, did too much, stayed up too late night after night on reports, computered too much. It has been the week from hell as far as the amount of work I set myself up for - and if I didn't take the job so seriously and care about getting it "right", and doing a great shop and report every time, I probably wouldn't be so exhausted.

However, you're right in that I chose to do this.

And it is silly to have a conversation of "my ____ is bigger than your _____".
I often chime in to agree when there's a thread about a great editor or scheduler or MSC.


But I still think we have the hardest job: physically, mentally, and stress wise.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2012 03:18PM by shoppinalong.

I definitely agree, shoppingalong! =D

shoppinalong Wrote:

> But I still think we have the hardest job:
> physically, mentally, and stress wise.

I like your list, although there is one on here that keeps sending me emails about a shop and when I apply it's closed. Then seconds later another email saying the same kind of shop is available. I feel like the kid in the class with my hand up and they're saying, "Anybody else?"


Also I think we all have a difficult job. Sometimes the roles aren't respected because the roles aren't understand. I used to want to be a scheduler because I thought I could sit at home and call people/email. I don't think I want to schedule now because I now understand that Mom and Pop shop is hodown montana may need to be filled.

After reading the forums, I'm trying to understand editing. But it's hard to sympathize with them when I get emails requesting you correct your shop based on directions that aren't included before the shop.


jentodd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've made several posts about schedulers/editors
> (and MSCs, actually) that I really love =) Give
> credit where it's due! And just to make the
> point...
>
> Schedulers/Editors I love--
> Yolanda, Emily, Sara & Mandy @ Baird
> Jason Bare, Cohinta Good, and Tim Qua @ Bare
> Liza @ @ Informa
> Katie S & Jason M @ KSS
> Rita @ Maritz
> Carol S @ Pinnacle
> Charles Roam @ Quest for the Best
> Robin Meyers @ Reality Based
> Tammy Lee, Ryan Pinter, Laura Moser, & Jason Green
> @ Second To None
> Katie Wilson @ Service Check
> Traci, Natalie, Mindy @ Beyond Hello
>
> Every single one of them has my respect.

Hey pretty! Thanks a lot! =)

I'm not sure which person or which shops you're referring to-- it could be could be three or four of them, but I really don't think it's a matter of them choosing someone else over you. =))

Have you ever thought about contacting the scheduler to see if it might be possible that they schedule you in the future?

For example, I know that Robin @ Reality Based posts some pretty famous shops (ones that people are totally stoked about) and so those shops are kind of hard to get. I typically email her at the beginning of the month (as long as it's the right time in the cycle) to ask if I can help on the shop. She's always so great and tries her best to schedule me. Once we've reached an agreed upon date (and shop-type), I try to email her again the week before she does the scheduling, just as a reminder.

I definitely agree. I think we have an extremely hard job. I also think that that there are plenty of editors and schedulers who can be very dis-passionate about the things we have to do through as shoppers. The thing is, when you get a team of people who are supportive (like those I listed above) and you work together to complete a common goal, it's very fulfilling to be apart of that. That's when shopping is satisfying-- at least to me.

I see we are definitely on the same page.



jentodd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey pretty! Thanks a lot! =)
>
> I'm not sure which person or which shops you're
> referring to-- it could be could be three or four
> of them, but I really don't think it's a matter of
> them choosing someone else over you. =))
>
> Have you ever thought about contacting the
> scheduler to see if it might be possible that they
> schedule you in the future?
>
> For example, I know that Robin @ Reality Based
> posts some pretty famous shops (ones that people
> are totally stoked about) and so those shops are
> kind of hard to get. I typically email her at the
> beginning of the month (as long as it's the right
> time in the cycle) to ask if I can help on the
> shop. She's always so great and tries her best to
> schedule me. Once we've reached an agreed upon
> date (and shop-type), I try to email her again the
> week before she does the scheduling, just as a
> reminder.
>
> I definitely agree. I think we have an extremely
> hard job. I also think that that there are plenty
> of editors and schedulers who can be very
> dis-passionate about the things we have to do
> through as shoppers. The thing is, when you get a
> team of people who are supportive (like those I
> listed above) and you work together to complete a
> common goal, it's very fulfilling to be apart of
> that. That's when shopping is satisfying-- at
> least to me.

Wow, I just looked over my post. Please forgive all the typos. -laugh- That's what I get for only sleeping four hours last night! =D

prettygul1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I see we are definitely on the same page.
>
>
>
> jentodd Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Hey pretty! Thanks a lot! =)
> >
> > I'm not sure which person or which shops you're
> > referring to-- it could be could be three or
> four
> > of them, but I really don't think it's a matter
> of
> > them choosing someone else over you. =))
> >
> > Have you ever thought about contacting the
> > scheduler to see if it might be possible that
> they
> > schedule you in the future?
> >
> > For example, I know that Robin @ Reality Based
> > posts some pretty famous shops (ones that
> people
> > are totally stoked about) and so those shops
> are
> > kind of hard to get. I typically email her at
> the
> > beginning of the month (as long as it's the
> right
> > time in the cycle) to ask if I can help on the
> > shop. She's always so great and tries her best
> to
> > schedule me. Once we've reached an agreed upon
> > date (and shop-type), I try to email her again
> the
> > week before she does the scheduling, just as a
> > reminder.
> >
> > I definitely agree. I think we have an
> extremely
> > hard job. I also think that that there are
> plenty
> > of editors and schedulers who can be very
> > dis-passionate about the things we have to do
> > through as shoppers. The thing is, when you get
> a
> > team of people who are supportive (like those I
> > listed above) and you work together to complete
> a
> > common goal, it's very fulfilling to be apart
> of
> > that. That's when shopping is satisfying-- at
> > least to me.

One of the little ironies is that the really good, understanding and supportive schedulers and editors make us all the more frustrated when we encounter the careless, hostile, or dense ones! I have always advocated communicating with editors and schedulers when we have good news or good things to say, because they usually only hear the bad stuff, the disasterous news and the @#$%&. At the Chicago IMSC concerence, Pam and Servanne opened the meeting by reading about 20 minutes worth of horrific, and true, emails from shoppers to editors and schedulers. Here on the forum we get some unfair rants from inexperienced or unprofessional shoppers, but what we see here pales in comparison to what some actually send to schedulers and editors. We dedicated the conference to improving the professionalism throughout the industry and supporting good work wherever we found it.

There is nothing wrong with "calling out" unfair, mean, or just plain cheating behavior by MSCs and some editors and schedulers. The recent overwhelming support for action against Freeman, is a good example. Some other MSCs need to have the warning flags raised, and I am perfectly willing to do that, and have done that. What I dislike is just "popping" off with name calling when the shopper does not or cannot articulate a factual basis for ranting. If a shopper wants us to share her/his frustration and pain, it's incumbent upon them to tell us what happened, not just to say, "Tommy is a mean and hateful person."

So, to me, part of giving editors and schedulers a break is the way that we deal on the forums, in person, and and in emails and PMs with unsubstantiated rants and/or accusations and name calling. It is not how many posts a forum member has at the time of the rant; it is the quality of information supplied, germaine to the complaint, that needs comment by us. Those who simply raise the issue of "well, new poster, what do you expect?" make me very uneasy, because I was treated to that sort of thing when I became a member and had the temerity to voice an opinion that disagreed with a (now banned) major poster on this forum. And, raising the "newness" issue with a distraught new member also makes it more difficult to get their attention on the real issues that may need to be addressed.

One editor rang me and she pleasantly said that her job was the make sure I get paid! I thought that was a great way to look at it. Because of her your shop has more chance of being accepted and you getting paid.

They are the brains we are the heart.I believe that neither exists without the other.

It does sound cavalier to always point out the obvious " You accepted the shop". I've learned to limit myself, within a general area with a maximum of four shops. NJ traffic is very unpredictable and NY radio helicopter reports mostly exclude us. It's either a five car pile up, bears crossing the road or the DOT austerity program that precludes proper or accurate signage. All of these crisis cause much too much rapid heart beat. Soon, I will invest in a navigation system.

I've had to reach out to my scheduler for address clarifications via cellphone. Gratefully, he responded immediately. On the other hand,from the parking lot, I had to confirm the scenario which I failed to enter in my date book. Got no help but a lecture as I had to cancel the shop.Today, as I type, sitting in front of me is an e-mail which gives the assignment finish time as 8PM, the log has 5PM.How do I answer her scolding note? Do I email the first to someone who may not appreciate this as a teaching/learning moment? How does one convince that certain receipts fade as soon as handled and often meet the limit of resubmits? I have e-mailed the original, allegedly not received, e-mail describing a need to reschedule due to Whitney Huston's funeral and am now persona non grata for their shops, did I cross a line ? I don't like being called a liar. I guess brains do trump the heart!

I have been very fortunate and met very few brainless and heartless schedulers.It would be nice, however, to to receive esteem in return

Hmm, I don't think I'd agree with your statement, "they are the brains, we are the heart." I don't know about you, but my brain get taxed plenty on the shops I do. =))

I absolutely agree. The actual shoppers are the backbone of the whole industry for sure. Our job is nerve-racking in detail, often poorly paid when considering the time and effort (I do realize we choose to accept shops, but at some point, it just has to be considered ridiculous), and loaded with the pressure of perfection. I wore myself out today driving 6 hours to do 2 video shops (the pay was was worth it so don't call me crazy). I came home to 2 crazy kids, a husband who was nearly clinging onto the ceiling thanks to the 2 crazy kid's, had to immediately put out all kinds of silly fires, cook dinner, do baths, bedtime, and now upload videos and answer a TON of questions for the report. Today, I would say a mystery shopper has the shortest end of the stick for sure! I have to keep reminding myself that every one of the shops I sign up or are totally voluntary so I need to take a moment to do some yoga before I continue my post.........

10 minutes of yoga later.....

So, remembering back to when I was a new shopper, and I ask you to do the same, how annoyed do you think they were with our very first reports, mishaps, confusions, etc.? I alo wonder if there is not a revolving door with some companies in the scheduling department. Do you think this scenario ever happens.....The newbie comes in, is going to bust balls, (sorry, could not figure out a better/nicer term) whip all of the shoppers into shape, then quickly realizes that theory is a total bomb based on shopper response and future refusal of shops.

Bottom line is that without all three parts, nothing would work. All of our jobs are great, and at times, they are all terrible and conjure up curse words I did not know even existed. My initial post was to suggest that we, as shopper's, be more supportive of our counterparts for one week. That time frame sounds crazy, I know, but unless I am the only one, I get how tense, intense, and frustrating it can be to deal with seemingly short, rude, and undermining e-mails. Key word in that sentence - SEEMINGLY. I don't think I correctly interpret what someone might be trying to convey in printed word. Things are much easier to say and hear when it is a personal conversation like we used to do back in the 90's before the Internet took over.

et pourquois pa? Do elaborate mi amigo! Are you deducting for paper, mileage etc?

jentodd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hmm, I don't think I'd agree with your statement,
> "they are the brains, we are the heart." I don't
> know about you, but my brain get taxed plenty on
> the shops I do. =))

I'm sorry, mari, I don't understand your question. =)

marijaldm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> et pourquois pa? Do elaborate mi amigo! Are you
> deducting for paper, mileage etc?
>

Thought I said 2 parts: brain and heart.
Is the third video?
Hope that you are not truly as tired as you sound!

The children, always the children. Be well, be happy.


amie068 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Bottom line is that without all three parts,
> nothing would work.

amie, there are scheduler only forums

When people have a good experience at a store they rarely share it with anyone. On the other hand, a bad experience gets told and retold and told again. Kind of the reason retailers hire mystery shoppers

Same thing happens when we have problems with a scheduler or editor. I have dealt with dozens and dozens of each. After 4 plus years, I can still count the truly aggravating, pissed me off, ready to quit situations on one hand. Okay, maybe two hands.