Irene, you are among the few who were told the reason for being deactivated. You were deactivated for not taking low-paying jobs? Ummm, if that's their criteria, I don't know how they stay in business.

I was thinking you indicated your deactivation had something to do with you working in Vegas. Must have MF confused with someone else?

Hope your upload finally went through.

I was also curious as to why we sign agreements that we will not disclose mystery shopping companies clients to anyone yet Marketforce openly publishes the clients name AND locations on Facebook to shoppers...is that right, kind of makes no sense?

I assumed I was de-activated due to working both Vegas and L.A., I was wrong and finally wrote and asked them why.
They didn't offer the information until I asked, I find them nice to work with, and do answer any questions I present.
They then told me I hadn't accepted any jobs in L.A. for awhile, and re-instated me. I am now working for them, and
taking jobs in my town, which they have, so now, the $$ I save in gas works for me. Many on this forum have been de-activated,
if they want to know why, just write them. My upload never went through, I faxed it, and wrote the helpdesk, they emailed me
and said this was a huge problem, and are checking into it. I received an email a couple days later saying the problem had been fixed.
Mert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Irene, you are among the few who were told the
> reason for being deactivated. You were
> deactivated for not taking low-paying jobs? Ummm,
> if that's their criteria, I don't know how they
> stay in business.
>
> I was thinking you indicated your deactivation had
> something to do with you working in Vegas. Must
> have MF confused with someone else?
>
> Hope your upload finally went through.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2012 03:31PM by Irene_L.A..

Actually it makes perfect sense. They contract directly with the client, our contract is with Market Force. Two different contracts, two different policies.

When people ask for information about who shops whom and we cannot provide it, the reality is there are many avenues for an industrious shopper to utilize without asking a fellow shopper to violate an ICA or the rules of the forum.

Hairballs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was also curious as to why we sign agreements
> that we will not disclose mystery shopping
> companies clients to anyone yet Marketforce openly
> publishes the clients name AND locations on
> Facebook to shoppers...is that right, kind of
> makes no sense?

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is basically a start again for me and MF....I
> have been trying to upload a receipt for 1/2 hour,
> it doesn't go through,
> any tips? I've read all they have to say with
> nothing helping. Now I'll have to go out and
> fax....ugh!

You know, I was searching through these forums today because my husband and I also got the same email last night. They also sent me an email on a shop performed last week, citing that they weren't paying me because I didn't perform the shop, someone else did. Naturally, I am extremely upset, as my intergrity has never been questioned!

I have had problems in the past with them telling me that they didn't receive my receipts, when there own website noted that they were verified. Now I am worried that they will not pay for the 15 outstanding shop payments that are due us between both of our accounts.

They cannot say they didn't know of our 'association' because they have called us and if one of us didn't want to take the shop, they would ask to speak to the other!

Market Force needs to either WRITE or RE-WRITE their Code of Ethics, because presently it appears they don't have one!


jimates Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My wife and I have been shoppers for MF for over a
> year, and have done hundreds of shops. A few weeks
> ago we both got the email below. My wife's
> mother's account was also locked, but no email. We
> did not know about her suspension, nor she of
> ours. She did send an email to the helpdesk and
> after 3 days they responded with the same email.
> That is when she told us. They will not discuss
> the matter, but it appears that because we have an
> "association" with another shopper that is wrong,
> yet they encourage us to tell "friends". We were
> starting her mother on a couple easy shops near
> her to keep the rotation going so we didn't have
> to wait so long between shops. She hadn't even
> completed any shops yet.
>
> We both had completed shops from earlier that day.
> We sent emails to helpdesk and they just requested
> a copy of the receipts and then sent a follow up
> email that they had processed a supplemental
> payment that would be included with our Oct.
> payment. My sister still continues to do a few
> shops for them.
>
>
> This message is to inform you that your scheduled
> assignments with Market Force Information have had
> to be cancelled. We need to let you know that we
> are opting to discontinue our Independent
> Contractor relationship with you and will not be
> offering you any other assignments.
>
> As part of our constant effort to guarantee the
> integrity of our database to our Clients, we run
> numerous weekly reports to examine our Shopper
> database for inconsistencies. One of these
> reports identified an association between you and
> another Shopper who was formerly in our database.
> We cannot go into more detail concerning the
> nature of the association since this is
> proprietary information and cannot be released to
> the general public.
>
> While we are not stating that you did anything
> wrong, the mere association is cause for concern
> on our part, and it is the reason we have had to
> err on the side of caution by not offering further
> assignments. This action may seem harsh, but it
> is an aspect of the careful attention to detail
> that our Clients expect from us, and one of the
> things that makes us the leader in our industry

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2012 02:26PM by maggiemarie.

I have had the same thing happen to me with Market Force. I did a lot of fast food shops, some audits, etc., and one day they accused me of fraud. They also became very nit-picky and wouldn't pay me for (already low paying audit shops) because I was missing a business card (none was actually needed), and so on. I argued with them and finally got a superviosr to call me. She thought a business card was needed and I said, check the instructions, she did, and agreed. They started questioning all of my jobs and finally I just had enough and said forget it. I thought they were one of the better companies, but now I'm beginning to think the Mystery Shopping industry as a whole is crooked (don't even get me started on Intellishop)!! I finally just gave up on Mystery Shopping altogether.

I found only a few good companies and they are Pinnacle and BARE International. They pay well (for mystery shopping) and are flexible with dates.

IsaArcega Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm
> beginning to think the Mystery Shopping industry
> as a whole is crooked (don't even get me started
> on Intellishop)!! I finally just gave up on
> Mystery Shopping altogether.

So are you no longer involved with mystery shopping?

You're not shopping anymore? I regret you've decided this business is crooked, but your experience is not the experience of the average shopper. I assure you it is not crooked. I've been doing this since 2009 and I shop for many good companies. If you're so at odds with everyone that you think the whole business is crooked, you've done the right thing by moving on. Sorry it didn't work out for you and I hope you can find something you like better. Since we all carry our own circumstances with us, you may run into the same problems on the next thing you try. Is there anything we can do to help you?




IsaArcega Wrote:
--------------------- I'm
> beginning to think the Mystery Shopping industry
> as a whole is crooked (don't even get me started
> on Intellishop)!! I finally just gave up on
> Mystery Shopping altogether.
>

I tought they were a good MSC to work for untill they dropped me for no reason.

After 12 months and 100's of shops done, one scheduler mentioned that I could have a second account using my mate or children name so I could do more than 4 shops in 1 day or doing 2 fast food in the same time period. I didn't and less than 6 weeks later I was no longer needed.
That was in my early days as a mystery shopper.
As per the agreement state: you can quit or they can drop you at any time.

This is a tricky one.

All I can say in my personal experience I like the MF MS side

I don't do the low paying board jobs, they mostly call me to get jobs done that have been flaked or they cant fill.
They know they can ring me at the last minute and I will help out if I possibly can.

They know I am 100% reliable, I have never flaked on any job period.

Maybe one day they will deactivate me for no reason, if they do it was a good ride while it lasted.

They did have some issues with file uploading a while back but as others have stated if it doesn't work just send the scan via email to the helpdesk with all the job details.

One word of warning, check the CPI's carefully.

I have seen them put down the wrong amount if you agreed to a bonus, Its happened about 4 times to me, its always for smaller amount than was agreed. To be fair to MF I have emailed them everytime and it was corrected very quickly.

If Market Force ever fires me maybe I will finally stop screwing off from my real job and make some real money! Its a win win situation thats why it will never happen to me!

This is not a good company to work for. While it is nice to get free meals, their system is set up so that you benefit more if you give less than truthful information. If you give negative ratings, they will scrutinze the reports because the companies they work for do not like negative ratings. So it is in your best interest to lie, as someone has said, in order to stay out of trouble and continue to get free meals. Seems to go against the point of mystery shopping, if their company punishes you for giving negative (and honest) ratings. I would not recommend them. It is more trouble than it's worth. Go with another company who is more professional and does not punish you by scrutinizing every little thing when you give negative ratings. Their paperwork is often full of typos and inconsistencies as well (which they do not change even when told about)...yet they expect you to be perfect and ding you if you have even one typo.

I'm surprised you pulled up this very old thread.

MF is in business to make money. So are we. If we don't like shopping for them, then don't. I've read so many negative things about MF. I'd like to read more positive ones.

I have no problem with them because I explain everything. I am very careful when filling out the reports. I try and balance the negatives with the positives. I accept base fee shops and hold out for bonuses on other shops, mainly because of driving distance. What I'm doing is working for me. Sure, I may get the boot but right now, I'm making a ton of money with them and have nothing bad to say about them.

That is my experience. If that changes, I won't be coming here and whining. I'll just move on like many have done here.

laurie1800, it sounds like you were giving them a large proportion of negative reports. That sounds odd to me because the majority of the places I shop get mostly positive reports. I've done some negative reports for MF and I can assure you I got no blow back at all on them. I take exception to your position that they are opposed to negative reports. If most of your reports were negative, I believe the problem may lie with your having exceptionally high standards.

Also, I've been with them a number of years and I've never been "dinged" by them. For this particular MSC, what do you mean when you say they "dinged" you? Are you calling any request for more information a "ding" or was there some kind of penalty imposed as a "ding"?

I understand the position you are taking in warning others off the company because of your own experience, but new shoppers should be aware this company is reputable and offers a tremendous amount of work across the nation. You are doing a disservice to new shoppers when you do not explain these facts in favor of the company and simply warn them off based on the failure of your own relationship.

Certainly not all of us will choose to shop for the same companies. I appreciate your input but I would encourage you to paint a larger picture when doing a critique on any of the companies. This particular company is exceptionally friendly to new shoppers and it is a disservice to warn them off entirely from this potential stream of income.

I encourage all new shoppers to try MF and find out for themselves. There are a lot of complaints about the company, I agree with that. Bear in mind this is a huge company and the larger the company, the more you will hear about it. You will also hear more complaints than kudos because that is human nature. I once paid a psychologist a great deal of money to tell me that the average American worker considers it his job to complain about management, no matter how positive the circumstances may be.

I agree with Canuck this is a good company. You do not agree and you are free to leave the relationship with them, but let's be fair. Many, many shoppers are making the relationship with the company work to their advantage.

I know many have genuine issues with MSC's, but what I find frustrating is when they don't elaborate. They come in here and post negativity without explaining it.

It serves no purpose.

In another thread, didn't someone think they got deactiveated because they gave too many POSITIVE reports?

It seems so. They want average shoppers. Average customers. Something like that.

I am not copying the blatant lies being posted here.

Anyone saying to lie are themselves dishonest and not to be trusted.

Close to 50% of my shops include issues, across all MSCs. MF just called me an hour ago, because I am honest.

Coyle keeps giving me more assignments as I do more shops for them. Four of my last five for them included negatives.

If you are honest and objective, but having issues with MSCs look at yourself. Look at you grammar, explaining all negatives, following guidelines.

Many people have negative comments about this company. Here's my two cents: they have a lot of work in my area, I've taken many highly bonused shops, they have rarely asked me for any type of correction or clarification, and they pay on time month after month.

As far as I'm concerned, kudos to a well-run company!

Yes and they will continue to grow, expand and make a lot of money, while some will continue to whine and complain and troll the boards looking for bait.

Where's the Nurse when you need her?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2015 03:48AM by dspeakes.

okay........

laurie1800 Send a Private Message Add to my buddy list View all posts by laurie1800
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Someone's been here almost three years, finally decides to speak up, and echoes the sentiments of ... someone else? Who then comes along and delivers a repeat of a rant that launched a thread Jacob just shut down?

Those trolls are so obvious, aren't they? I thought they liked hiding in dark, damp places.

The shops I accept are the ones I enjoy. I like MF but I could also live without them. Whether there is a reason or not why one get deactivated it should come as no surprise since it is not a secret how MF operates. Being deactivated may be upsetting but things happen for a reason and it is better to move on. Many have said they end up making more $$ post MF. I suppose the transition is what freaks everyone out. There is no need to to go into a lengthy speech or become I SPY and judge someone else. Hopefully these situations work themselves out.

MF is...a company. I think it very much depends on who is doing the reviews of yoru reports. Sometimes they're very easy to deal with, sometimes their a pain. Biggest issue I have with them is that they don't communicate things very well at times and can be very capricious.

@dspeakes wrote:

Someone's been here almost three years, finally decides to speak up, and echoes the sentiments of ... someone else? Who then comes along and delivers a repeat of a rant that launched a thread Jacob just shut down?

Umm ... and what if she is a real person with feelings who finally speaks her opinion for the first time in three years, only to be immediately accused of ... something? I thought her post was insightful and in line with the dozen posts that came before it, and did not provide any provocation. I don't understand why it's significant she's posted only once.

Jacob,
This one of the posts that slipped by you------>it was started at least 3 years ago and last reply was almost as long until "LAURIE1800" went looking for it. And L1800 has been trolling the board for almost three years waiting to start some negativity and probably will not be back to respond to the current 2015 responses. If L1800 really have a beef with MF, them let her show it without filtering the wavelengths with someone else mishaps.

She has only posted once because she wants to stir up mischief. @ mystery2me

@mystery2me wrote:

@dspeakes wrote:

Someone's been here almost three years, finally decides to speak up, and echoes the sentiments of ... someone else? Who then comes along and delivers a repeat of a rant that launched a thread Jacob just shut down?

Umm ... and what if she is a real person with feelings who finally speaks her opinion for the first time in three years, only to be immediately accused of ... something? I thought her post was insightful and in line with the dozen posts that came before it, and did not provide any provocation. I don't understand why it's significant she's posted only once.

It's just odd that if Laurie1800 has been here for years and just now decided to say something, the thing she says is an out of the blue rambling rant against Market Force.

You'd think if she was upset with Market Force she would have posted to one of the more recent posts about Market Force -- why drag up this old thread? Her rant has nothing to do with the subject of this thread -- she was not accused of fraud by MF. So why post here about not making negative reports?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2015 02:59AM by dspeakes.