How can I redeem myself????

When I first began mystery shopping( 3 years ago), I made a huge mistake by posting a Yelp review for a restaurant. The MSC is Customer Impact. I'd done 3 or 4 restaurant shops for them and then I did the dreaded shop where everything went wrong(manager drinking at the bar on duty, watching a football came). I am an Elite Yelper so I thought " why not write it up". Obviously, I did not read the ICA or else I would not have done what I did. Yes, it was wrong. Thats not the point of this post.

After the review went up, someone from the MSC called me and screamed at me at length on the phone. I apologized to no avail, said I was new, didnt read ICA, etc. His final words were " why would you even write a review for food that we paid for". Yeah, ok. I did remove the review from Yelp.

ANYWAY...... Its been a few years now and while I'm still registered on the site, I can't find anything about my status or score. I've applied for shops and don't get them. I'm sure its because of what happened years ago.

So, I'm wondering how I can correct it now, what can I say and who can I say it to so they'll forgive me and let me shop again. There are a few restaurants in my town that I'd love to shop.

Please NO LECTURES on what I did wrong. I know and I've owned up to it.

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I doubt you can correct it...and if I were you, I wouldn't want to...the MSC was right to admonish you, but the tone was inappropriate.

I had an issue with a restaurant shop where I asked for no TOPPING (singular) on an item, but my order came with no TOPPINGS (plural) at all....while I was paid, the MSC claimed that in restaurant lingo, the restaurant was correct in not giving the other topping....

i don't want to say specifically what it was as that may out me...

but it was very annoying that I was expected to speak their lingo without any training in the lingo...i asked others about the lingo..and no one else understand the 'restaurant language'

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2016 10:10PM by jmitw.

Perhaps enough time has passed you can call them to plead your case. It is interesting they were harsh yet did not deactivate your account. They basically left the door open so now the question is will they let you walk through. Submitting applications doesn't show them if you have grown as a shopper and independent contractor like a phone call might.

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.

If all else fails beg.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

I certainly agree that you need to deal with this by phone. "I know I messed up big time a few years ago when I was just getting started. I'm still shopping and have learned a whole lot in the years since then. I was hoping there was some way that I could get back into your good graces so that I can perform restaurant shops for you again." A grovel doesn't always make it better, but it can go a fair distance.

I'm still fairly new to mystery shopping, but I have been around the block a few times and MSP's are not all that different than most companies. If they are in need of more shoppers in your area and you call with a great attitude, coming across as articulate and intelligent, there is a strong chance that they'll give you another shot. If they feel they have enough shoppers, they will (most likely) at least tell you as much - and whether or not they'd accept you back at some point.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

I don't even know who I should call( at the company)? My profile shows active, but obviously I'm not. I don't remember the dude who screamed bloody murder at me.

Wow, I love Gmail. I found his original email asking me to call him. It was October 2014. I wonder if he still works there.

If the "dude" is Mike Green, you are in it deep.

@SoCalMama wrote:

If the "dude" is Mike Green, you are in it deep.

LOL. I guess I'm in deep. So, basically you're saying "don't even try".

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

I agree with the above. I would first read the ICA if you have not already, or read it again so it is clear in your mind, so you can honestly answer YES, I have read the ICA, just in case you are asked that question.

and then I would call

Barbry Booth | Senior Scheduler
Customer Impact, LLC
(800) 677-2260 ext 152

Barbry was our forum's scheduler of the year and she's super. She may not be in a position to make a decision on your status, but that's who I'd call.

I'm with AM. That's who I would call too.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

Thanks, I'll call her tomorrow.

Mike is her boss. He owns (owned maybe he sold it?) the company. I've met him personally on more than one occasion. He doesn't seem to be the type that would forget something like that.

There are at least 300 other mystery shopping companies. I don't know why you're bothering ?

Same thing goes if you did that at STN and Jeff Hall called you. Give up. Move on

Well, I have not "bothered" yet. I like a couple of the restaurants they represent so I thought " why not". I may or may not call. Maybe I'll email Mike.

Calicakes, they have one on the board now, I just got two I love, one is the one you like, for takeout and I'm thinking of it for lunch, as well...... if you want it, I won't self-assign.

Live consciously....

Are you following the topic? I can't take them, I was screamed at a few years ago and even though I'm active on the board, I apply and don't get them. So, I got the message they don't want me. Not sure why they have not deactivated me.

As predicted, I could not self assign( I just tried). However, my spouse who signed up as a shopper( this will be her first shop), was able to self assign so I guess she will do it.

o.k., I was following topic, thought you were going to call name AM gave you...oh well, at least you'll have a good meal.

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2016 03:46AM by Irene_L.A..

I haven't called yet. I might or might not call.

My wife is supposed to call before the shop( scheduled for tomorrow). How can she do that if they are closed on the weekend?

That's a hard question because the MSC will have their doubts because you burned them once and the old saying "Fool Me Once, Shame On You" rings a bell. Your getting your answer by the MSC not giving you the Shops. You brought shame upon the MSC by posting on YELP and reviews are never truly taken down because everything we write is on the Internet forever.

I still have no idea why you would write a review on Yelp when the MSC was paying your dining bill. Does Yelp give you stock options or do you get paid to review products? MSC Schedulers and Owners are trying their best to make slim profit margins and all it takes is one Shopper to blow up a client-company relationship. You need to ask yourself would you gamble on someone who has already admitted their a Yelp-a-holic writer? We discuss how writing free reviews basically is eliminating the shoppers jobs. Why should companies pay for a Mystery Shopper's fee when Yelp has tried to eliminate your job?

College Humor has funny skit aimed at Yelpsters.

[www.collegehumor.com]

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2016 03:22AM by GuyFawkes.

@GuyFawkes thanks for sharing that skit, it was great!! 500 A**holes indeed!

@calicakes wrote:

My wife is supposed to call before the shop( scheduled for tomorrow). How can she do that if they are closed on the weekend?

You posted that she self-assigned on Friday. Was it after-hours?

She self assigned yesterday.

Further, I'm an Elite Yelper( and I do get a lot of free meals, events for that) and I took the review down the same day I wrote it. Doubtful you'll find it.

I bet they checked you out on Yelp, I think your in trouble. Sorry, but, if the shoe fits....

Live consciously....

Really? Thanks for that comment.

Remember, this was almost 2 years ago. I've admitted my mistake over and over again( on the phone to the guy and here). At the time of that shop, I maybe had 300 reviews, I have over 600 now. Not that that matters. I don't know why they did not deactivate me. I can still see all open shops.

I think they may de-activate, but not getting shops is a hint, especially if their in your town. I don't mean to be hard, but some mistakes are irrevocable. This would happen to anyone, it's almost a trust matter..since your wife gets the shop, you go enjoy the meal with no report, and let it go, remembering if we all did that, getting a meal as shoppers and another partaking with private information and getting another meal on yelp,
distance yourself and think about it.

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2016 03:43PM by Irene_L.A..

@calicakes wrote:

I don't know why they did not deactivate me.

Simple answer; If they keep you active, they can keep track of you and make sure you don't get assigned shops.

If they close your account, you would be more inclined to make another account in an attempt to get back in with them, or have your spouse sign up (which it seems like you have done anyway).

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I bet they checked you out on Yelp, I think your in trouble. Sorry, but, if the shoe fits....

What a rude and unnecessary comment. The OP has already said that the MSC saw the Yelp review and discussed it with her. She removed the Yelp posting within the day. Although she was not deactivated, since that time she has been assigned no dining shops. Is the purpose of that comment is to put her down? What additional point are you making?

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