Has anyone had payment problems with Consumer Connection lately?

I just posted a note asking the same thing. I did a job on March 14/09 and have not yet been paid. They keep telling me that they are behind on payments and for me to just be patient. I don't want to take any more jobs from them, because of this problem.

Don't do any more work for this company, they are ignoring my calls and e-mails. For the last month they keep saying it's coming soon any day. They are theives as for as I am concerned. They are in breach of their own agreement and don't care.

It is of deep concern when the communication stops. Certainly a company may be tired and feel under attack for their inability to pay as promised, but shoppers should not be expected to do volunteer work when they thought they were accepting a fee-for-work situation. Open communication keeps a company having some shred of legitimacy in a bad financial situation. Closing the communication puts them in the 'thief' category in my opinion for sure.

I received communication from Service Impressions that they are hoping to get a series of shops done in June paid on or around the middle of August. They acknowledge these shops should have been paid at the beginning of August. They apologize and indicate they are engaged in getting this sorted out. Yes, I know that apologies do not pay bills, but the email to those awaiting payment at least indicates they have a shred of integrity.

Yes I agree when the communication stops, it is theivery as far as I am concerned. I am making sure everyone knows about it. I just received an e-mail from them again indicating their available shops. Those e-mails do get through but when it comes to payment forget it. This makes mystery shopping look bad on all companies as far as I am concerned. I will be more leary next time. I will do one shop for a company and see how fast they pay before I do any more work for them. Too bad for all other companies as I do good work but I will not be scammed again.

I certainly hear you on it looking bad for all companies. Over time you will find the reliable workhorse companies that respond with shoppers in a businesslike fashion. Of course they require shoppers perform in a businesslike fashion. But after all, you are running a business and developing business relationships.

I have now been paid for March by Consumer Connection. They did reply to my emails and I feel they are trying their best to resolve the current cash flow problems.

I have been MS for CC for over one year now. I have never had any problems in being paid from this company. Actually, I received my payment for March and April today. They may be a few months in behind in paying, but, they continue to call me personally to do assignments, as, some shoppers cancel at the last minute.
I would recommend this company to anyone who would ask about a good MS company to work with

You received payment for 5 months ago TODAY and you continue to work for them and recommend them? To each their own, but you would not catch me there.

As of Sept 12, I have been paid to the end of May. They still owe me June & July is now outstanding. I agree with Fuschia Girl in that I believe they are trying to resolve their cash flow issues. Regardless, I have stopped doing work for them.

krinklez Wrote:
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> I have been MS for CC for over one year now. I
> have never had any problems in being paid from
> this company. Actually, I received my payment for
> March and April today. They may be a few months in
> behind in paying, but, they continue to call me
> personally to do assignments, as, some shoppers
> cancel at the last minute.
> I would recommend this company to anyone who would
> ask about a good MS company to work with


rinklez, if you are willing to wait and happy with payment five month later, you will probably get a lot of shops from them as other shoppers cancel/refuse to take shops. Most shoppers will not put up with getting paid so late.

Flash, I agree about Service Impressions. They do not have a lot of shops here in south Texas, but I would work for them again. I did a shop for them in June. when payment was late, I got an e-mail, with a contact name and phone number apologizing and giving information on the situation. I got a second e-mail, again explaining. Then I got paid. I thought it was a very up-front and honest way to handle it, and I would not hesitate to take another of their shops. I would, however, hesitate to take shops for companies who pay late, without apology or explanation.

Is anyone else still having problems with Consumer Connection? I am relatively new to mystery shopping, but of the six companies I have worked for this is the only one I have run into payment problems with.

I used to do shops for this company until they starting having problems paying the shoppers. This has been an ongoing issue for them for at least 2 years. Google "Consumer Connection" and you won't believe how many shoppers they've shafted with late payments, lies and blame for why it's happening, etc. Eventually, they pay the shoppers, just not when they say they will. If a shopper does not contact them about late pay, they fall through the cracks. The CEO of this company actually came onto another website I'm part of and tried to defend herself regarding late payment (again, Google is your friend - check out the Frugal Shopper Canada link in regards to CC). She ended up looking like a complete fool.

This is the company I would least recommend to anyone! If anything, I would say, RUN - no, RUN FASTER - get the hell away from them unless you like having to call, email, threaten, plead and beg to get paid. This entire company is a 10-ft pole to me...

It's interesting, because I did carefully research all the other companies I work for before submitting applications. I started working for Consumer Connection because they called me with a job. They said they got my contact information from the scheduler at Mystery Shopping Canada Inc. At the time I was flattered - but now I understand they were probably just desparate for shoppers.

I have worked for this company since April. I too was contacted by phone and told the details of what to do to get started. It was exciting at first since I work at a business that get shopped regularly. I was told that I would be paid 1 month after the end of the month I did the shops. Then that was changed to 45-60 days. I got paid Aug 3 for the shops done in April. I have been told that they are a little behind and the shops for June will be paid by the end of Sept. I will not hold my breath. I also did a shop for London Drugs through CC and was told that I did not give enough information and I was suppose to buy something from every department. ( My London Drugs cant do this) I was still paid the $100 for the shop and told next time give more information and then 3 weeks later they took it away. I have not received word yet (going on 2 weeks) from either CC or London Drugs why they took the payment away. They have not been answering email lately.
I would not work for this company if you are relying on the money for extra income. If you don't need the money and are happy to wait an unknown period of time for the money then this is the best place to work. I had to go out and find another job to fill the void of money that I thought I would get from CC.

Very unhappy and wish they were part of the BBB so I could complain to them but Consumer Connection is not a member.

The head of this company, Cathrine Ann, was on CBC Radio One today. Her story sounded too good to be true. And it is. She makes out she's gone from being a down and outer to super woman. Trouble is, she forgot to mention that she's done it on the backs of ordinary, decent people, some of whom have given testimonials here. Apparently she lives in a $1.4 million home, yet she screws her workers out of the money she should be paying them. She hasn't changed; she's just learned home to pay the game from the other side of the street.

GOOGLE Cathrine Ann or go to Cathrineann.com for more of her propoghanda.

Check this out. A friend of mine e-mailed Cathrine Ann of Consumer Connection after her CBC Radio One Interview on Jan 15/2011.

What follows are that e-mail and Cathrine Ann's response. I think you'll agree that these add credibility to the testimonials found on this forum.

-------------------
Hi:

This morining, as usual, I listened to NXNW on CBC Radio One. I enjoyed Sheryl MacKay's interview with you. I wasn`t quite clear on what your company did, so I used Google to do a little digging.

Given your previous experience, it all sounded a little too good to be true, and it looks a lot like I was right.

I'm sure you are familiar with the following links:
[www.frugalshopper.ca]
[forum.smartcanucks.ca]

There appear to be quite a number of very unhappy people who have done work for your company. Apparently you pay minimum wage or less, yet live in a 1.4 million dollar home.

My guess is you haven`t really changed. You just learned how to play the game from the other side of the fence.

But you're a good talker, I`ll give you that.

-------------------

CATHRINE ANN's response:

Thank you very much for your e-mail.

There are no 'unhappy people' that have done work for my company - do you think we would be in business for 15 years if we didn't pay people? And what is wrong with minimum wage? Do you send horrible e-mails to other employers across the globe that pay minimum wage to their employees? Or should i work 20 hours a day for 10 years and divide up my money with people that only work one hour a day for me? What were you thinking sending me this e-mail? Your e-mail was evil and nasty and you are badly misinformed. You should be ashamed of yourself. What is it about my story that got you so angry? That I was sexually abused from the time that I was a baby? That I suffer from ADD and a learning disability? That I grew up always hungry and cold and mentally abused? That my uncle pimpled me out to his friends when I went to him to help me and my baby? That I dropped out of school in grade 8? What are you so bothered about? I told my story. You read a story on the internet from someone that we fired a long time ago that had their own agenda and that's what you believe? You really should be smarter than that. I said a prayer for you tonight because you must have something that needs healing in your soul. I prayed that you lose your hate for people. Are you jealous because I have perhaps more than you do? Do you know how much I give to charities each year? NO. You know nothing. Yet you send me this evil letter. Shame on you. I pray you learn to be a more forgiving person in this life. If you really want to know what I endured in my life, read my story. Or hear me speak. Otherwise you simply appear foolish and as though you need some forgiveness. Sad that you took the time to write garbage to me. But I pray for you nevertheless. God bless you and change you.


Cathrine Ann

LOL! She's just as nutty as ever!

It's been said before but bears repeating in case anyone forgets: RUN, as fast as you can from this company. When you dare ask for payment months after completing a job, this is the type of letter you'll be getting, accusing you of all kinds of things but never explaining why you didn't get paid. In fact, you might be called a greedy so-and-so just for having the nerve to expect payment in a timely manner for work performed for her company.

IMHO, this is the absolute worst MSC company on the planet with the most immature, irrational CEO. I will never, ever, ever work for them again and have no problem telling anyone who will listen exactly why that is.

MtlShopper Wrote:
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> LOL! She's just as nutty as ever!
>
> It's been said before but bears repeating in case
> anyone forgets: RUN, as fast as you can from this
> company. When you dare ask for payment months
> after completing a job, this is the type of letter
> you'll be getting, accusing you of all kinds of
> things but never explaining why you didn't get
> paid. In fact, you might be called a greedy
> so-and-so just for having the nerve to expect
> payment in a timely manner for work performed for
> her company.
>
> IMHO, this is the absolute worst MSC company on
> the planet with the most immature, irrational CEO.
> I will never, ever, ever work for them again and
> have no problem telling anyone who will listen
> exactly why that is.


Nutty is an understatement. I responded to that tirade and Cathrine Ann sent me another message saying "stop harassing me!" When was responding to an e-mail ever deemed harassment ?

I think this person is mentally ill for sure. She had a horrible upbringing no doubt but that does not give her the right to go around screwing ordinary people who are just trying to make an HONEST living. It's pretty scarey to think that she likely actually thinks she is God's gift to this earth.

You guys have done the right thing by using social media (this forum and others) to get the word out. With social media and GOOGLE, there is a whole new level of justice for us ordinary folk. It may take a while, but I can't see it being business as usual for much longer.

Keep on swinging !!

The Bless word again, this one talks in circles...please just pay your shoppers in a timely manner. Waiting since March is unfair and shows trouble within a company. I have never heard of Co., just wanted to lend support to those having to wait so long for their pay. Thanks for this forum, how would a shopper ever know about this type of company without this forum, I for one appreciate everyones honesty and time.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Bless word again, this one talks in
> circles...please just pay your shoppers in a
> timely manner. Waiting since March is unfair and
> shows trouble within a company. I have never
> heard of Co., just wanted to lend support to those
> having to wait so long for their pay. Thanks for
> this forum, how would a shopper ever know about
> this type of company without this forum, I for one
> appreciate everyones honesty and time.

My Dad had a good saying, "all it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing". If everyone who's been treated badly spoke up, there would be fewer Cathrine Anns out there. And you are right, social media has a huge potential to help in this regard.

You know, I've done quite a lot of work for Consumer Connection. In my experience, they have a very long pay period - you're right about that. But they also pay MUCH more than any other company I've worked for and they do pay. I think it's a little harsh to take on this woman just because the pay period is long. When you sign up to work for Consumer Connection, they are very up front about when you will get paid. Any time I've emailed them, I've gotten a response very quickly and it's usually been a positive response. I have been paid on time and fairly by Consumer Connection. I have actually talked (really, over the phone) to people who work there and they are quite nice and not at all evil.

Just thought we should have a different point of view here.

ckonrad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You know, I've done quite a lot of work for
> Consumer Connection. In my experience, they have a
> very long pay period - you're right about that.
> But they also pay MUCH more than any other company
> I've worked for and they do pay. I think it's a
> little harsh to take on this woman just because
> the pay period is long. When you sign up to work
> for Consumer Connection, they are very up front
> about when you will get paid. Any time I've
> emailed them, I've gotten a response very quickly
> and it's usually been a positive response. I have
> been paid on time and fairly by Consumer
> Connection. I have actually talked (really, over
> the phone) to people who work there and they are
> quite nice and not at all evil.
>
> Just thought we should have a different point of
> view here.



Hi:

Others tell a different story. And, I got an e-mail from Cathrine Ann saying that I would be hearing from her lawyer for trashing her company. Odd thing, as she is the one doing the trashing. I simply recounted what I had experienced and heard from others. Killing the messenger has never worked in the past and it won't work now.

I am not surprised that her lawyer has not contacted me. He's a money guy and knows better than to work for free on a case that has zero merit. I don't know if Cathrine Ann has tried intimidation tactics on others as she has done with me, but some of us are not so easily beat into submission.

Trust me, I'm not beat into submission! I've been treated fairly by CC and I will continue saying so until I am not.

ckonrad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Trust me, I'm not beat into submission! I've been
> treated fairly by CC and I will continue saying so
> until I am not.

Hmm after reading many posts, I believe this ckonrad person is Cathrine Ann pretending she is someone else.

Tammy Faye.......

Hi,
I have worked for this company for about 8 months now. They initially tended to be about a week behind in sending my pay (it was due the 14th of the month following the shop), but then they changed their policy to have pay issued before the last business day of each month. That worked for a couple of months, but now I have not received any pay for work I did in March 2012. They initially made a payment (smaller than it should have been) to Hyperwallet, and then reversed the payment. When I contacted my manager at the company, I was told accounting had a glitch and that they were working diligently to correct the problem. Well, that was over a week ago. I seem to get no where until I start threatening to cancel scheduled shops, or not submit reports. The lack of communication is infuriating. This company does pay more than any other that I have investigated, but if you don't receive payment, your pay is $0!!
Is anyone else having current problems with this company?

Hi,

I have recently signed up with Consumer Connect LTD and just wanted to make sure it was all legit before i go ahead. I will be doing 10 campaigns to begin with and they have sent me a letter with 4 travellers cheques worth a total of €2000. They say this is for compensation and money to do the assignments with. I have never done mystery shopping before and this is alot of money so just wanted to make sure if this is what happened with everyone else when you first sign up with the company.

Any responses would be appreciated

Thanks

Caroline

Caroline -

Rip up those checks and throw them away. You are being Scammed.

NO ONE - that is NO *legitimate* company will send you money FIRST - and especially not 2000 pounds(?).

Let me guess - they said take your "$200.00 Fee" out of it, deposit that check and then wire the remainder - right? (or something along those lines).

1. Did YOU actively search out this company and sign up with them? Or did they send you an email out of the blue?

2. When you signed up with them, were you on a secure https website?

3. Compensation for shop jobs - AFTER completion - for new shoppers range FIVE dollars to Fifteen dollars. You will get paid 30-45-60-90 days AFTER you submit an error free report.

Please post (here on the forums) the letter or email you received. Google the email address of the SENDER of your email. Google any name in the email - that's one way to start spotting scammers.

To find out more information on "true" mystery shopping - start by reading the forums. Take several days and read, read, and read some more. Go to the "Member Introductions" and if you see my username, I've written up a "Welcome Letter". After you review that, then visit the "New Members" section and review all of the "stickies" at the top of that forum - written by long-time shopper & forum member, Flash.

That will get you started on the right track shopping! Good luck - and good job asking about those checks first before cashing & depositing them!

sunshine Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ckonrad Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Trust me, I'm not beat into submission! I've
> been
> > treated fairly by CC and I will continue saying
> so
> > until I am not.
>
> Hmm after reading many posts, I believe this
> ckonrad person is Cathrine Ann pretending she is
> someone else.