What to do when your're ill?

I had a business inspection this past week, but the client had the wrong address listed. The project was on "hold" and by the time the "hold" was released, I came down with the Norwalk Virus. The virus lasts about a week and you are contagious for a few days afterward. Of course, there is no one to talk to on Saturday, so I left two emails. Also, I had to cancel a $50.00 bank shop due to being ill. Are most of the MSC's understanding when a person is ill?

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I was ill only once that I was in bed, and it was the last day of a merchandising assignment for the old Certified. I notified them. They dropped me. When I explained it, I was reinstated. I haven't had the exact type of situation you have. I was in the hospital once but I didn't schedule anything during that time.

Op hope your feeling better. It really depends on the msp and your reputation with them.

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

I got very sick while I was doing some airport shops. I waited a while then, completed the shop. I told the scheduler. Next thing I knew, I had a nice citation for having completed the shops while sick.

Another time, I had a kidney stone attack and missed doing a shop. I told my scheduler and she very nicely rescheduled the shop.

When my late husband was around, I used to take him to ER a few times. One time I had an scheduled shop and here we were waiting for an ambulance. The scheduler extended the due date. I had been lucky in working with sympathetic people.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2015 05:23PM by risinghorizon.

Generally as long as you let them know the minute you get sick, it's fine (even if it's a weekend, they will get the email on Monday). I sometimes just ask for an extension if it's not too close to the end of the month. If it's a scheduler you don't know very well or MSC you haven't done much work for, scan and attach a copy of your hospital/doctor's office record.

I've only had this happen a couple of times. Schedulers have been very forgiving, especially when offering to reschedule instead of cancel.

I have had a cold that has gotten worse by the day since Thursday. I will finally try to see a doctor today, since it looks like now it has become a sinus/ear infestion, too. Here is the note I just got from a scheduler whose EOM, highly bonused, shop I missed on Saturday and cannot even think of doing today or tomorrow:

"No worries, just feel better soon! I am going to remove it from your log, but feel free to pick up anything when you feel up for it. Take care and rest!"

That's what I call "a class act."

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.

@walesmaven wrote:

I have had a cold that has gotten worse by the day since Thursday. I will finally try to see a doctor today, since it looks like now it has become a sinus/ear infestion, too. Here is the note I just got from a scheduler whose EOM, highly bonused, shop I missed on Saturday and cannot even think of doing today or tomorrow:

"No worries, just feel better soon! I am going to remove it from your log, but feel free to pick up anything when you feel up for it. Take care and rest!"

That's what I call "a class act."

Actually, I've had to cancel one shop as well as a business inspection. I received the same type of message from the business inspection company stating that they hoped I felt better. I don't wish this bug on anyone!

I know everyone gets sick, has car trouble, etc. and I personally do try to be understanding when a shopper lets me know.

I'm not speaking for all schedulers, but I will tell you that schedulers are more likely to be cranky (myself included) at the end of the month when we have assignments canceled on. Most schedulers only get paid when a shop is completed so they are essentially losing money and at the end of the month, makes it hard to get rescheduled. I also know of schedulers who have to use their own money for bonuses.

Last week, a shopper did not submit her high end restaurant report within the required time and had no contact with me UNTIL she got the notificaiton that the assignment was removed. She then emails asking for me to put it back and she will submit that day. I did put it back but as of this morning, she still had not completed her report and then emailed that her child had an ear infection and if I would put it back..... I'm sorry but the client will not accept.

With that shopper and another shopper who canceled a high end hotel shop... well.... no one should want to talk to me today. LOL *said by the cranky shopper who now has those two shops among other EOM shops to get rescheduled.

Deva Roberts
Director of Operations
shoppers@acemysteryshopping.com
ACE Mystery Shopping
[ace.shopmetrics.com]
[acemysteryshopping.com]

I realize that it's difficult on schedulers, especially at the end of the month as it is now. I would never cancel unless it was an emergency. Happy shopping, Deva!

Same here. If I could see straight to drive, I would be doing that shop!

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.

I agree with doing everything in your power to complete a shop even when sick - unless you're contagious. In that case, do the world a favor and stay home.

Those who cancel and reschedule shops for anything less than a true emergency will be sorry when they really do have an emergency and can't complete a shop because the schedulers won't be very understanding - and rightfully so. Don't ever "cry wolf" and you shouldn't have to worry when the wolves really are at your door.

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

I guess it depends. I had an accident and had to cancel some shops no problelm. A broken hip and a stay in the hospital without internet and someone else cancelled for me. Again no problem. However, getting sick at the job location-really sick at the job location meant no pay and that's a problem

I did get sick at the job location, the airport. And I was paid because I completed the shop, although with much pain. Maybe if I did not, the unfinished shops would not have been paid. I had no problem with that. My health was more important.

But as mystery shoppers, we aim for the finish line as much as possible. It's gratifyng to know that some MSCs or schedulers are still human. But as LJ's post, "cry wolf" creates a very bad reputation. And they are responsible in some ways for the hardened way some schedulers act toward the real bad situation.

Our best defense is our integrity and good reputation. But that would not be enough to some schedulers who have been bitten hard by some unscrupulous shoppers or are naturally "cold." And we can't do anything about that...Wait, nooo.
We can...!

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What to do when your're ill?

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