Problem with a scheduler

I recently did a shop for Bare Intenational. I read and followed the guidelines from the guidleines page of the site.. I did the shop and turned in my report. The scheduler, Mandy, said I didn't follow the guidelines she sent me so the client was not going to except my shop. I never received guidelines from her. I put ALOT of effort into this assignment. My feelings are that she messed up and didn't send me the guidelines and told the client I didn't get all the correct information. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is Bare International a reputable company? Has anyone had experience with Mandy Houghton?

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Bare is a reputable company. I don't know that I have ever interacted with Mandy. I would contact her either by phone or email and ask what was done wrong. You can indicate that you went by the instructions with the shop and did not receive instructions from her directly, so you wonder what was wrong. And, of course, you would hope that if there was something additional needed you would be able to answer it from your notes on the shop. I had problems with some early shops with them with names that were not readable because of hanging hair, turned over nametags, nametags worn low so they were below counter level etc. We did get these issues worked out and they were helpful about how to extract the information.

One way to make sure you never work as a shopper again, is to write a negative about a named person on a bulletin board.

There are some companies that are sticklers. Bare, Intellishop, About Face, Kinesis, Service Savvy, Beyond Hello and Service Sleuths; there are others. They also have some of the best shops, and pay better.

Read the instructions then read them again. Give examples for everything, plan on spending time on the report.

Even the best shopper loses a shop sometimes. Ouch! It stings. If you are right, you can argue it through to management, but you better be sure you are right.

Wannabe scheduler/editor

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I have done 3 shops for Bare, and yes, they are reliable and a very good company. I don't know Mandy, however, they do always send instructions for you to print out and study. Perhaps if your new, you didn't know how to print them out. I have never not had instructions before going on a job. There instructions go before the guideline instructions. Chalk it up to experience, bite the bullet, not fun, but we've all been there. Next time, you'll do great.

I don't know any companies that don't give instructions. Oh, yeah, that weird one with the google eyes.

Some are easier to find than others. Without instructions, how do you know what questions to answer? Some sites make you take tests too.

Wannabe scheduler/editor

I am not new to mystery shopping. This was my first experience with this company and I did read and re-read the guidelines. This scheduler said she e-mailed me extra instructions. I did not receive anything extra. I print out and keep instructions and e-mails I receive from the scheduler in individual folders. Sorry, though, I am new to the forum. I was given advise to put my problem on the forum and see if I could get help.

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Can you give the name of this company, or if you had to pay to get this job, just curious.

I did not have to pay.

Some of the guidelines require psychic skills. Someone mentioned Shop and Check before, also Bestmark and ath; great instructions and minimalistic surveys. I love the 5 hour shops that they don't tell you are five hour shops.

I don't fool as easily as I used to.

Wannabe scheduler/editor

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Same here, if they have to push push push, the shops aren't worth doing. I have had experience with
Bestmark and their motto "do this one" elec shop $10.00 and you'll get on my gift list. Right.....evaluate 2 depts., cashier and greeter and buy something. What did the greeter say, give detail on your interaction with the greeter.....well, the greeter said "hay, how ya doin", so, I proceeded to ask him what University he went to...LOL. Wise up and your expectations will be in the reality of what this job is all about, shopping, not brain surgery.

Oh, I was misinterpreted.

My comments towards Shop n Check and Bestmark were positive.

The 5 hour shop winner goes to Kinesis, and I have done it twice (I need a brain surgeon). It pays $50 and is in a store I love, but it is exhausting and the report is worse.

BTW, Bestmark's payoff shop for good little boys and girls is worth the price of admission. Let me just say it is $50 with a 12 question report in a store everyone uses. And the electronics shop you describe has a report that takes a maximum of 30 minutes; a better deal by far than real estate shops.

Greeters need love too!

Wannabe scheduler/editor

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Sorry if I misunderstood your remark. I beg to differ about Bestmarks $50.00 gift card which I was told I had to spend 30 and get 20. They had 2 gift cards, one worth it and the one I got was dissapointing, as I would have loved the whole 50.

You obviously have the right shop in mind, but there are two "flavors", a $30 and a $50 version. LOL, I guess it is how much they like you.

Wannabe scheduler/editor

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Boo Hoo...so, I won't be on the list for next time, as I severed ties. Just can't bring myself to do the elec=10bucks one ever again. The truth is, I had just signed with them, after reading rave reviews on this forum. liked Cory (scheduler) and did 2 jobs due to his engaging charm. Since I was a newbie to that company, I was given second best. Will I live through this ordeal...I think so! I just did a great high end Jewlery store where I didn't have to buy anything, took 20 minutes and paid $25.00...report simple. World of difference between the two. Let's just say, I ordered Chocolate and got Vanilla. LOL

Have a great Sunday

There are three components to getting great shops; just being out there, being good and getting a reputation and dumb luck (otherwise known as being in the right place at the right time),

I am out shopping all day; it is frustrating to find a great shop in my mailbox, only to find it gone. But then again, I am west coast and many schedulers are night owls, so I grab the overnight shops, well, overnight.

When schedulers call me at the end of the month, begging for me to drop everything and do a shop for them, I am so bold I shock myself. I say, at the end of the conversation, "Now remember me if some great shops come up." And they do, too!

Nothing asked, nothing gained.

Wannabe scheduler/editor

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I agree, this is a business for the aggressive....laid back doesn't cut it. They will come to you, if you go to them first. I know I needed to check my spelling above, forgive me great forum, at least I know the difference. The other component to getting good jobs are keeping your rating 9/10. Funny thing happended. I work for a company, and right now I have a 9 rating (last job). They have a family type restaurant that I self-applied for and low and behold, I needed a 10 rating to get it, when I assigned myself, the computer flashes me with "you need a 10 rating to apply for this job". I have done restaurant's for them that would seem more challenging....thoughts! Self assign are NOT for the new, hardly, they want you to be at least 8/10, and that's when they let you self-assign. I know there are different thoughts on this, this is only my humble experience.

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