Asked about who you shop

I'd like to remind any shopper on this forum, do not tell anyone who you shop.

1st, revealing the information violates your ICA.
2nd, it's not anyone's business.
3rd, it could be someone mining you for information because they can't take the time to find it themselves and they live in your neighborhood.

And one more thing...if you have an issue with a MSC; it's not in your best interest to post your grievances on line.

Luckily, I was well instructed by a scheduler about the above 3 points; who said don't do it on pain of never getting another shop in my lifetime.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

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.

I have a problem with this statement, "And one more thing...if you have an issue with a MSC; it's not in your best interest to post your grievances on line." The problem is then MSCs are allowed to get away with anything and everything because folks don't speak up. How many shoppers wouldn't think in terms of contractual obligations that actually benefit the shopper if not being informed here? Some MSCs love to throw that out there when it benefits them and forget we have a legally binding contract when it doesn't. Or how about when good MSCs have gone bad and stopped paying shoppers? Instant Replays, Franchise Compliance and others left a lot of shoppers holding the bag. It would have been even worse if not for the forum. The key is not to keep an issue quiet, it is to address it in an honest, professional manner which means conveying the problem and your attempts at resolution while avoiding baseless accusations.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

I half agree with poster and half agree with LisaSTL. I will always speak up for myself, however, I have a "friend" (I say that lightly), who has been drilling me about Mystery shopping. I find out her daughter is a teacher and wants to do this in the summer, and
is picking my brain for good companies. Then she'll take my jobs, in a pig's ass...I no longer speak to her. I think the companies owners don't want revenge as much as they want to know what's going on to make their companies better. Truth is all you can learn from.

Live consciously....

Never is very harsh. I receive emails from many companies asking for referrals, many times for specific clients. A number of MSCs openly list some of their clients on their websites. I've identified the MSCs for several clients with a simple Google search.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

Saying that you shop McDs or Walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond is not considered to be an ICA violation...if it was almost every post on here would be a violation.... asking about a issue with Bed Bath Beyond is essentially saying you shop there..

it is only a violation when you connect the store with the MSC

The thing is who can get it done?

I'm not worried about me being stuffed up today.

I am worried about me driving 200 miles and being responsible.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

@LisaSTL wrote:

I have a problem with this statement, "And one more thing...if you have an issue with a MSC; it's not in your best interest to post your grievances on line." The problem is then MSCs are allowed to get away with anything and everything because folks don't speak up.

I speak up but I go directly to the source instead of whining in a public forum. Yes, sometimes there are good suggestions on this forum but I think the whiners and thin-skinned people expect us to wave a magic wand and resolve all their issues. And give them the names of MSCs and their clients. An oldie but goodie request!

I find it offensive you would consider all posts pointing out real problems to be whining. Sure there are some that qualify, but many are written with the idea of making their fellow shoppers aware of a real, legitimate problem and are posted after the shopper has attempted to resolve the issue with the MSC.

@LisaSTL wrote:

I find it offensive you would consider all posts pointing out real problems to be whining. Sure there are some that qualify, but many are written with the idea of making their fellow shoppers aware of a real, legitimate problem and are posted after the shopper has attempted to resolve the issue with the MSC.

Where did I say "all posts?" I even gave some credit to the positive posts by saying "Yes, sometimes there are good suggestions..." The last time I checked "sometimes" does not mean "all."

I can't stand this question of what other MS companies I work for when I go to apply at a new one. I just enter something like, "Too many to list" or "would be a violation of my ICA agreement". They've always accepted that.

Kona Kathie

My standard line is in the past (x number of months) I've completed (number) of jobs for (number) of different companies. I think that shows I'm serious about mystery shopping.

@kathierost wrote:

I can't stand this question of what other MS companies I work for when I go to apply at a new one. I just enter something like, "Too many to list" or "would be a violation of my ICA agreement". They've always accepted that.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

I finally have some time so I can sit and think rationally. I wrote the post because someone specifically asked for specific information.

I do not and never will have an issue to try and help someone else in this field. I was told in no uncertain terms not to reveal any company or the job to anyone including schedulers who work for the same MSC by my very first scheduler.

It was explained to me that the person may be mining for information. Sometimes it's better to take grievances to the company as opposed to having a hissy on the internet. I'm prone to hissy fits so I loved this advice.

I do believe if a MSC is ripping shoppers a raw deal; it should be addressed in a public forum. LisaSTL, called me on the carpet for my blanket statement and she was correct for doing so,

I admit I was hot when I wrote my original post. Someone contacted me and not through this forum for information concerning shops in our area.

I apologize if I have offended anyone. Like I said I was a hot under the collar because someone asked for information that they know full well I'm not allowed to share.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

I wasn't even disagreeing with you really. It was the scheduler who gave you the advice since I found that part of it to be self-serving on his/her part. Strange they would say you could not even discuss shops with another scheduler for the same company.

@LisaSTL wrote:

I wasn't even disagreeing with you really. It was the scheduler who gave you the advice since I found that part of it to be self-serving on his/her part. Strange they would say you could not even discuss shops with another scheduler for the same company.

I may have misinterpreted the information from my first scheduler. She probably was trying to protect me from over sharing with people I don't know in this business.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Asked about who you shop

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine