I just received one of the most rude calls I have ever encountered. A scheduler from a LARGE marketing company who I have done many assignments for just called and asked me if I would do one of those TV Health assessments in a doctors office. I have done them before and I really don't mind but they usually request you bring someone else along, and no ones time is for free. He offered me $12 and tried to tell me its ONLY an hour. I wonder if he ever did shopping or auditing? When your assigned a shop where you have to sit in front of a TV and count segments as well as time them and then describe each segment which is shown for 1 hour, yes that does take 1 hour. I didn't ask if it was necessary to write a report or use my gas and time to locate the office, or even if it was necessary to study the scenario or bring along a partner. Perhaps, it didn't and I was in error, however I am pretty sure it did. When I mentioned that it took more than an hour to complete the shop and it deserved more compensation the scheduler immediately became rude and snarled at me and hung up. I have never had a scheduler do this before. Perhaps if the marketing company did their own mystery shops they would really find out what was going on. If I ever encounter this scheduler again, I will certainly ask for his supervisor and report the rude behavior. Have you ever had such an experience?

Yes, I've had to deal with nasty schedulers on the phone. Sorry this happened to you. There are bad apples in all professions. Bad schedulers, bad editors, bad shoppers, etc. I suspect shopping some of them would be useless because some MSCs don't care and rudeness/nastiness may even be part of the corporate culture.

Recently, I had to deal (luckily only via email) with an editor who over-reacted and said some inappropriate things (and in a scolding tone). It was amazing how quickly she changed her tune when I calmly explained my position and told her I would no longer shop for that particular client because of her email.

Sometimes, people just have bad days. That editor has never acted like that before, and she has graded many of my reports. Perhaps your scheduler was also just having a bad day? That wouldn't excuse how he treated you but might explain it.

I'll let bygones be bygones with that editor, but I will remember this incident if she acts up again.

Life's too short.

Yes, it happens. It's unprofessional and certainly paints the MSP in a bad light. The scheduler's job is not always easy. They reach out, at the eleventh hour, with a list of shoppers to call. No answer, no interest, hangups, and the scheduler moves on down the list. Of course, it takes only a few seconds to say "thank you, anyway". We know if the shop doesn't get booked and completed, the scheduler doesn't get paid, and there can be other repercussions, as well.

We can assume that the MSP is in the dark, would disapprove, and find it unacceptable. It's up to you. Report the behavior or give the scheduler a mulligan. My decision would be based on the value of my relationship with the MSP. I have to say though that I am not one to let a scheduler run me off.

Random surveys from the MS companies would be great regarding schedulers (in house or otherwise). Because we are all in this together toward a common goal, my imaginary survey would focus on accurate instructions, scheduler accessibility, timely responses and good communication skills. That's what we are asked for. I expect the same.

The cheaper the shops the ruder the scheduler and editor IMO. They low balled bid the shop and now need results.

I guess we ALL have bad days...but there are a few people that I just plain avoid...it's not worth ANY amount of money to be treated like crap.