Why Are Reports Due Within 12 Hours?

When I do a route of shops that are all due within 12 hours, I gotta say I'm pretty blurry-eyed and struggling to put out my best work at 2:00 AM. But hey, if they need that report that fast, I'll get it done.

What really chaps my butt though, is when I bust my hump getting all my reports done in time and see the majority of them pending review for three or four days.

Does anyone have the MSC's perspective on this?

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

More About Reports

I was told once that if they don't ask for them in 12 hours, people think it's okay to wait 2 or 3 days.

If you ask the schedulers BEFORE you run the route, many of them will gladly give you 24 hours, or noon the next day, or make some accommodation. I think the short window is because a late report may be the only clue they have that a shopper is flaking so the sooner they spike it and get it back on the board again, the faster they can get it done.

I'm going through the Gold certification video and one of the things the woman said in the first segment was that 25% (!!!!) of shops that are claimed get flaked on. That is a HUGE percentage, and probably why some of us "see" the better shops and many newbies continue only seeing $5 and $10 shops for a very long time. If they don't take it seriously, they may not get to "take" much at all. Integrity is everything, and reliability is key.

But if the scheduler knows your work and knows you're not a flake, they will often give you more time after a route. The ones who won't -- do them first, and do the others after a good night's sleep.

But you can always ask.

Time to build a bigger bridge.

I can see their reasoning - somewhat. I don't usually deal with schedulers as I prefer the self-assign options. 25%??? That is outrageous!

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

When on route always email the scheduler and see if they will give you 24 hours to get it in. Funny I do my best work at 2 am.

Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.

I guess I could do that, Buffalo, but I don't even know most schedulers and have only dealt with a handful. I guess I could easily figure who goes with what by perusing my old emails.

Thanks. I'll try that this week.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

I would ask for more time through your scheduler. If they know you are reliable, they should allow it. I request this all the time. 24 hours. I have never been refused.

LJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone have the MSC's perspective on this?

I don't know if this is the reason but I suspect that schedulers would like the reports done while the shop is fresh in our minds. Therefore the 12 hours.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2014 10:21PM by LIJake.

I have not had a problem with asking most of my MSCs for a shop report extension, when I perform multiple shops in a day.

The first few times I asked, I was asked if I take lots of notes, or report the shops by memory. I stated that I took lots of notes, and never rely solely on memory, and they seemed satisfied with that, and gave me extensions.

I always ask before even accepting a shop, though, if I can get a report extension, and only when I already have a few shops scheduled for that day, or am planning on it.

------------------------------------------------
Plan the work. Work the plan.

I always assumed it was the client who made this request.. as well as that your recollection of the events from the shop are the most fresh within 12 hours. *shrugs*

Silver Certified ~ Shopping all of Toronto and beyond

The 12 hr policy is really a killer, some places do 24 and I prefer that, think of it you finish a shop at 8PM and it is due by 8AM the next day, for one shop that is doable but not if you have 3 shops and finish the last at 8PM to me it should always be 24 hrs. Maybe there would be fewer flake outs if they provided more time.

I do all my reports when I arrive home. I refuse to keep track of who wants them done in 12 or 24 hours. Get it over with and I'm done. I do agree 24 hours is preferred.

I've been working on a long route and had to ask for an extension because (1) it was a really long day, and (2) I caught the flu! The scheduler happily gave me an extension. So, yeah, don't hesitate to ask.

**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************

Fresh! ....(as others have said) .....That is what the client wants. Your memory is best within that time frame

As example, 10 minutes after you drive down the road, you have probably already forgotten the cashiers name! You have saved it though, by writing it down, recording it or texting it to yourself.

Now, 8 hours later you have 7 reports and you have to juggle "all" the information with all the locations.

I know Market Force sends their reports to the client "hourly" so the faster you give it to them, the sooner they can proof it and send it over to the client.

I just ran across one that is due 6 hours after shop is completed. Puh-lease.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

Haha wow 6 hours, that's brutal especially is there is a narrative required. I usually, if possible, input the data straight away on my phone or tablet. Especially if I am doing multiple shops same day.

Silver Certified ~ Shopping all of Toronto and beyond

The ESSENTIAL thing is to make it a habit to get to know your schedulers if you ever intend to try routes. Once I established a track record of good reports and no flakes, I have literally had just one MSC in 9 years fail to extend a deadline when I was traveling.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

LJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just ran across one that is due 6 hours after
> shop is completed. Puh-lease.

That has to be one of Sinclair's bank shops

LJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just ran across one that is due 6 hours after
> shop is completed. Puh-lease.

One of the companies on the top of my list has their phone shops due within 2 hours of the call.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

I believe it was, Sunny.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

I make complete notes that answer all of the pertinent questions within a few minutes of doing the shop. I have a great recall, based on my notes. 24 hours doesn't matter. I always ask for longer time if needed. Lots of times I don't need the extra time, but on routes or evening restaurant shops I do.

I just saw a phone shop that was due ONE hour after completion. The MSC is not one known for its easy-peasy reports, so, no thank you, I'm definitely passing.

(heart)

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

Some of my recorded ones are due in one or two hours, too. I believe the system only stores your recording that long before discarding, if it wasn't saved/submitted by then.

------------------------------------------------
Plan the work. Work the plan.

Why can't they pay us within 12 hours?

FrugalCat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why can't they pay us within 12 hours?

Joke or a legitimate question?

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

I did a pretzel one that had a really short time but it was one of the best about 6 questions and one pic. It does not pay much but for the time required it is not too,bad at all.

N/A

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2014 04:08AM by Shop2LiveinFL.

It gives people a deadline and gets the shop turned in quickly. Otherwise, people would sit on them, not turn them in then gripe because the company never paid them ..... for a shop never turned in

Don

I too hate the 12 hour requirement. One company I do nice restaurants for has the 12 hour thing. But when you have dinner at 8 PM and travel , we get home like midnight. and the report is due in 12 hours?

I always email and ask for 24 hours and they've always said yes.

Well, the First Show movie trailers require one hour after the shop or a call report. Calling would be no problem but most of the time, nobody could take the call. But because of the very short report, it has not been a problem.

I had a restaurant shop due in 8 hours. Did they think we only do a shop a day? Why the rush?

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Why Are Reports Due Within 12 Hours?

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine