There are various MSC for which I've done countless shops for. And then there is one specific MSC for which I cannot seem to be able to get my foot in the door! The site works in such a way where you need to apply for shops and then they are assigned to you, if they are. I've applied for various shops the past weeks and none ever get assigned to me. And these shops are very appealing, they are interesting and they pay very well. I once found myself speaking on the phone with a scheduler of this MSC (I had called for some specific info). I mentioned this to her and she reassured me that it doesn't mean anything, that I should keep applying because all it means is that there are too many MS. Still nothing though! I've been applying almost every day for at least one shop. Anyone been through this? How long before you could get your foot in the door and was there anything specific you could do to make it happen?

I have been through that also when signing up with a new company. It seems all of the shops are taken so quick that I don't even get a chance to apply. If you get an email with shops open go to the job board right away to see if they are still available. Keep trying, however you may have to kiss a few frogs (low paying shops) before you are able to kiss any princes. Once you get a shop for that company be sure to follow the guidelines and get it in on time (or a little before) and you will get more shops. Keep trying, don't get discouraged.

We could be of better help if you would name the MSC. You are not saying anything bad about them, so I would not hesitate to name them. It might also help if you name the type (NOT the client) of the shop. For instance, some MSCs won't assign a hotel shop until the shopper has done X number of their fine dining shops with high marks. If it is that sort of situation, I'm sure some forum member can help out so that you understand which hoops to jump through to qualify. I know that I cannot do Coyle hotels because they will not budge on their fine dining requirement; since I have no FD partner, I cannot qualify! But, I only discovered by chance that this was the issue.

You stated in another thread you had only been shopping for a few weeks. That is not enough time to feel you just can't get your foot in the door at any MSC that is not self assign.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/25/2015 03:14PM by Mafia_Princess.

@mystique wrote:

There are various MSC for which I've done countless shops for. And then there is one specific MSC for which I cannot seem to be able to get my foot in the door! I mentioned this to her and she reassured me that it doesn't mean anything, that I should keep applying because all it means is that there are too many MS. Still nothing though! I've been applying almost every day for at least one shop. Anyone been through this? How long before you could get your foot in the door and was there anything specific you could do to make it happen?

We've all been through it. It does take time to get your foot in the door.

You have been shopping less than a month. I would think less than a month is not long enough to lose patience at not being assigned shops by a MSC. It's very easy to get Market Force shops, where you self assign and the shops and reports are easy, designed for beginners. It's also generally easy to get fast food shops from most MSCs, because the more experienced shoppers usually limit how many they want.

My advice would be to work hard on reading the guidelines and doing perfect shops on some of the newbie shops and move into the others slowly. With some MSCs, because of heavy competition and more complicated guidelines, it can take months to begin getting assigned shops.

As someone else said, knowing the specific company would help advise you.

It is human nature that if you have an ample supply of known quality shoppers to get the work performed with little time spent either training new ones or cleaning up after ones that let you down, you won't be in the market to give many shops to 'new blood'. If the shops you are looking at pay well, chances are good that the ample supply is requesting them as well. Put on your scheduler hat for a moment. If you have 6 shoppers requesting a shop and 4 you have had good experiences before, 1 screwed up last time and 1 you have never dealt with, aren't you going to award the shop to one of the 4 you know do well and move on?

@Mafia_Princess wrote:

You stated in another thread you had only been shopping for a few weeks. That is not enough time to feel you just can't get your foot in the door at any MSC that is not self assign.

In those others posts, the OP had admitted to already having two, maybe three shops invalidated in a month. Some schedulers and editors work for more than one MSC and they DO talk about shoppers. There is even a private group on another site strictly for schedulers where the good, the bad and the ugly shoppers are discussed. Having a negative reputation among schedulers will hurt one's chances of being assigned new shops never mind high-end and well-paying shops.

@Sybil2 wrote:

In those others posts, the OP had admitted to already having two, maybe three shops invalidated in a month. Some schedulers and editors work for more than one MSC and they DO talk about shoppers. There is even a private group on another site strictly for schedulers where the good, the bad and the ugly shoppers are discussed. Having a negative reputation among schedulers will hurt one's chances of being assigned new shops never mind high-end and well-paying shops.

Ahh. I knew some schedulers schedule for more then one MSC. I was unaware there was a private group for them. Good to know. Very true. I've had 2 invalid shops in 9 months of shopping and feel it's too many. One was a MF goof where I corrected a nugget sauce and though it didn't change the timing, it was a no go. The other, was a gas station where gas and a 2 dollar purchase needed to be made, and when I got inside there was nothing in the 2 dollar range. I couldn't decide fast enough if I should purchase a 5 dollar litre of oil as there was not much else. I emailed the scheduler when I got home, she said she understood and would try to push it through and she couldn't.

I still mainly shop lower end things and more FF then I could ever eat (and don't eat it all) though I wait for bonuses and pick up the things that get flaked on the most. But, this is not my full time job. It's just nice to have decent dinners paid for occasionally, and some extra cash. I still can't get scheduled some things that aren't terribly high end or that lucrative that are not self assign. But I figure after less then a year, while I have made a relationship with some schedulers, there are shoppers who have been shopping way longer and if they apply for the same shop they'd get it over me.

Keep trying and don't be discouraged. All companies are looking for new shoppers and some are looking harder than others. If you're having trouble getting started with a company because they have so many willing shoppers, that's probably a really good company to cultivate. Continue to apply. Someday a ray of sunshine will open and they'll give you a chance.

@Mafia_Princess wrote:

. . . I figure after less then a year, while I have made a relationship with some schedulers, there are shoppers who have been shopping way longer and if they apply for the same shop they'd get it over me.

Thanks Mary. I try to keep applying, though I was getting to the point of discouragement with a few. That's good and nice advice. I appreciate it

If I want to work for a particular company, I'll sometimes apply for the dog job that no one else wants to get my foot in the door. Then I'll do the best job of it that I possibly can. Rinse and repeat. Sooner or later you will be recognized as a reliable shopper who cares about doing good work.

Dog job. I like that. Woof!

Yes, an example is the Customer Impact MSC. They have some fine dining shops that are highly popular and very limited. However, they have a lot of furniture shops that are low pay for the work and therefore, not as popular. Do some of those furniture shops for them and get 10's to show your attention to detail and your writing skill and the chances of getting the fine dining shops go up.

@Mafia_Princess wrote:

You stated in another thread you had only been shopping for a few weeks. That is not enough time to feel you just can't get your foot in the door at any MSC that is not self assign.

If in 3 weeks you've done plenty with others but haven't hit a single shop with a specific company then I would say even 3 weeks is plenty to wonder why.

Mystique, you have A LOT to learn about this business. I suggest you take some time to really read the New Members section, especially the sticky notes. So many of your ASSumptions are sooooo wrong. You do not seem very receptive to the experienced shoppers' opinions. And experienced shoppers are not very receptive to repetitive whining.

Three weeks is nothing in the MS world. Double digit FF shops in a short period of time with 2 or 3 invalidations definitely does not make you an expert.

You've been shopping less than a month and you apply for at least one shop a day and you haven't gotten one yet? Pretty quick on the draw. It always makes me laugh when a new mystery shopper writes that they just started and they instantly want to be assigned shops. Who do you think was doing the shops before you signed up? Do you think the scheduler should dump all the long-time shoppers who have done a good job and give you the jobs? If the jobs are "very appealing, they are interesting and they pay very well," then all the long-time shoppers are applying and want them. Keep applying and sooner or later you may be assigned one. At that point, you can prove that you can complete shops on time, correctly, and with great writing skills. Then you have a track record.

@mystique wrote:

@Mafia_Princess wrote:

You stated in another thread you had only been shopping for a few weeks. That is not enough time to feel you just can't get your foot in the door at any MSC that is not self assign.

If in 3 weeks you've done plenty with others but haven't hit a single shop with a specific company then I would say even 3 weeks is plenty to wonder why.

If in 3 weeks, you have taken shops with Market Force that are self-assign and you have taken fast food assignments with other companies, then you may have taken low-paying assignments that no one else wants. They were easy to get. If you are now applying for shops that must be scheduled to you and the shops are interesting, appealing and pay well, then you are now competing with other shoppers for shops that everyone wants. When a scheduler posts shops that everyone wants, he can pick and choose and will usually pick a shopper with a history with the company and have been mystery shopping a little longer than less than a month. You don't need to wonder why, several of us have told you.

It may be months before a special circumstance lets you in the door. I got my first shops with some companies during summer months when it seems everyone was busy doing other things. Or there could be a last minute flake by someone, and you're the only person available.

If there is a place to write a comment, you should use that as an opportunity to sell yourself. Just a month ago, I applied for a first time job at a company. It was very simple, just mailing some things, not even going to the post office. My application was rejected. The job was still available, so I applied again and said that although I had never done work for that company, I had completed over 300 shops (part time shopper). I was assigned the shop a couple of hours later.

Interesting! Well, for the bashers of course I'm no expert, otherwise I wouldn't be asking the questions or even wonder. For those of you who have offered some answers and personal experiences, thanks, I appreciate your input.

@Sybil2 wrote:

Mystique, you have A LOT to learn about this business. I suggest you take some time to really read the New Members section, especially the sticky notes. So many of your ASSumptions are sooooo wrong. You do not seem very receptive to the experienced shoppers' opinions. And experienced shoppers are not very receptive to repetitive whining.

Three weeks is nothing in the MS world. Double digit FF shops in a short period of time with 2 or 3 invalidations definitely does not make you an expert.

And being an experienced shopper shouldn't give you the right to be so condescending. It's the rude comments such as yours that I am less receptive to. If you consider my posts "whining", even though they aren't, then just don't answer. As simple as that.

mystique, stop playing the "woe is me act." Just because some members disagree with your unfounded statements about MSCs using invalidated reports, does not make them bashers. Expecting to be reimbursed for required purchases when your report has been ruled invalid because you did not follow the guidelines properly is laughable. You expecting to have schedulers knocking down your door with high-end and high-paying shops with three invalid shops in less than a month is just delusional.

Do you really think you could properly perform a fine dining shop when you are struggling to properly follow the MF guidelines? Like I said before take the time to READ the sticky notes in the New Members section. You will learn a lot,

I remember when I was a newbie (about 5 years ago) and I wanted this famous "candy shop in the mall" I wanted it so bad! But I could not get picked. I got overlooked for weeks. Every time it came up, I eagerly applied for it!

Nothing.

It took 6 months to get one! I asked the scheduler (just out of curiosity) and she said, "The schedulers don't know you yet. They pick the shoppers they know will complete it correctly, accurately and on time." I told her I was busting my butt trying to prove myself! She said, "Give it time. You will be chosen." .....

I have since done about 8 of these candy mall shops in the last 5 years.

Patience is a virtue.

@Sybil2 wrote:

mystique, stop playing the "woe is me act." Just because some members disagree with your unfounded statements about MSCs using invalidated reports, does not make them bashers. Expecting to be reimbursed for required purchases when your report has been ruled invalid because you did not follow the guidelines properly is laughable. You expecting to have schedulers knocking down your door with high-end and high-paying shops with three invalid shops in less than a month is just delusional.

Do you really think you could properly perform a fine dining shop when you are struggling to properly follow the MF guidelines? Like I said before take the time to READ the sticky notes in the New Members section. You will learn a lot,

My statements have been a matter of opinion which I thought I was sharing with respectful people (thank goodness there are some). There is a way of disagreeing without being offensive. You are replying here, referring to another thread. Why? I did not make any statements on this one, in fact I was asking specific questions. As for my "struggles", it seems to me that you are making your own assumptions as well. Yes I did make a timing mistake on a single MF FF shop, admitting my fault. How does that translate into generally struggling with shops? Yes, I have mentioned about another shop which was just returned as well but if you've noticed I also mentioned the scheduler agreed to have it further reviewed because it was a particular case. Since you're keeping such good track of my replies, please do tell me where I mentioned of a third invalid shop. Finally, no, I'm not expecting any scheduler to be knocking down my door, it simply seemed odd to me how you can get plenty of shops from one MSC and none from another. I did get to understand this better through various replies though so I'm glad about that. The part where you personally come in though has been totally unnecessary. I will read the sticky notes though! Thanks for that!

mystique, since you seem sensitive and you do not like reading my posts, may I suggest that you use the toggle feature and PLEASE block me. Thanks in advance.

@mystique----------->This forum affords us with the ability of looking at a Postors "past" posting history. And that's a good thing. Sometimes we can form an opinion on the Postor without personally getting to know them. But if we met you in the street we may not know or remember who you are.

That being said, your posts gives us or anyone reading through this forum a taste of "Your" habits. While you have been MShopping for a few weeks, you have had a few invalidations. And yes, you said that you knew it was YOUR fault. (BUT who else fault is it) While those invalidations appear legit, you then challenges the MSC for its decision. Are you so right, that you need to challenge a MSC for your incorrectness? Do you really know how much time that takes? Invalidations come from the MSC. The Client very rarely sees a shop that has been invalided for one reason or another. We all spend money on a reimbursement factor, why is your money different? If YOU are not reading the guidelines or interpreting them to your likeness, then MS is not for you.

MysteryShoppingCompanies reads this forum. Some of them are covert, and some are in your face/space. That is a given. If the MSC is reading your post and replies, they are saying--->"We need to stay away from this Shopper like a 10 foot pole". Therefore, getting your foot in a door might be harder for you than the niceties that some of the Repliers have afforded you.

This forum is full of professional shoppers, and I am not one of them. I do listen and learn from the Shoppers on this forum. So before you toggle any one, get your MS habits in check. Correct your past invalidations and challenges. Not every invalidation need to be challenged, that is way too mush stress. Do the shop right the first time

@sojo917 wrote:

This forum is full of professional shoppers, and I am not one of them. I do listen and learn from the Shoppers on this forum. So before you toggle any one, get your MS habits in check. Correct your past invalidations and challenges. Not every invalidation need to be challenged, that is way too mush stress. Do the shop right the first time

Just to clarify, I ASKED the OP to toggle me. I would prefer that she does not read any of my comments. I would like to help the people who are level-headed and receptive to construction criticism.

There is a new thread by Liz36 with a somewhat similar issue but she presented her case in a positive manner and has been more than gracious in accepting the views and advice of other forum members.