THIS ISSUE HAS NOT, HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED WITH MARITZ, AND I AM FULLY REINSTATED. FULL EXPLANATION IS BELOW.

I WAS ASSURED IT WAS RESOLVED; BUT THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE A LIE. I WAS GIVEN EXCUSES; BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS: I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE WORKED OUT AND NOW I AM JUST HISTORY.


I have been with Maritz Mystery Shoppers over a year. I thought I had a great relationship with them and they were my favorite company.

Anyway, I performed many, many assignments. I thought we had a wonderful relationship. I spent many 18-hour days, working for them. I was allowed to auto assign, and they would call on me seven days a week for urgent assignments. Sometimes, I would even travel to other states, just for their assignments.

I felt as though I knew almost everyone in Team 3 and most of the people in Team 4.

A few months ago, I saw an assignment that I wanted. So I selected it, and got an error message. I could no longer self assign. So, I requested the assignment, and waited. After 24 hours, I called. I was then informed that I could not have the assignment until everyone else had refused the assignment.

I was shocked. I asked why and was told my rating was too low. I asked them what rating are you talking about. They said it was my shopper rating. So then I made the comment: I have never been told my rating. In addition, no one had ever implied that my rating was anything but superior. I have never flaked an assignment. I was only late a few times, and when that happened: I was actually finishing up my reports online when I was marked late. Those were the 18-hour days. (The reports are due by midnight, on the day of the shop. I was always assured that it would not be a problem because they knew I was working exclusively for them on those days and performing as many as five shops on a 400-mile route.)

Since then, I have not received a single assignment. It has been three months since my last assignment with them. I have requested an explanation, and no one will respond to me. At no time did anyone ever comment or notify me of problems in my work. I think I have done about 80 assignments in the last year. One time, I even made a return trip to Oklahoma to get one extra picture, because an editor did not like the angle. I did not complain. I just did it to prove: They can count on me to get the job done right. That trip was over 350 miles.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone know what this means?

Your comments and insights would be appreciated.

I HAD (SEE BELOW) a satisfactory resolution as of 9 pm 10/1/2013
Read my statement of resolution below.

10/9/2013 Maritz has changed policy on me, so my happy resolution has been trashed. They say that I may get another chance some day. :-(



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2013 07:01PM by Assuredd.

I really feel for you. This must be awful. My experience with Maritz is that they are incredibly unforgiving. Once you screw up with them it's all over 'cept the crying. Maybe others have different experiences but I messed up on an assignment with them once and it was all over, it didn't matter that all my other assignments were just fine and they weren't interested in my explanation.

I really love Maritz and have had nothing but positive experiences with them so far. The other day I took a qualifying test for a new round of shops and despite being 100% that my answers were correct, I kept failing. I failed three times and was subsequently locked out and instructed to call the team in charge of those shops. I expected them to tell me I was SOL, but to my surprise, the scheduler walked through the quiz with me and it turns out, they had the wrong answers for two of the questions. I pointed out why my answers were correct based on what I read from the guidelines. She apologized to me, said that I was all set, and that she would have the quiz corrected.

Another time I took some last minute gas station audits for them that were quite a ways up in my state. I completed four out of the five, but when I got to the fifth, it was closed... at 5PM. I knew I would get to them all during normal business hours (or so I thought) so I didn't bother calling ahead to check their hours. I never expected a gas station to close so early. I called up the scheduler, told her it was closed, and apologized for not being able to complete it. She asked if there was any time in the next few days that I could do it, but with my schedule, it was impossible to make it back up there before 5PM. She said, "No problem" and that was that. I haven't had any issues being able to self-assign shops and I still get every shop that I apply for. Oh, and they still call me a few times a week to see if I can pick up shops.

For me, they've been very forgiving. They're also always accessible, either by phone or email (I email, they call me back). I'm sorry to hear that others' experiences haven't been so positive. I would hate to lose a MSC from which a lot of my income derived.

Tlt14 - was this a gas station out in the middle of nowhere? 5PM seems very early to close a gas station completely. Even our local gas station (Houston, TX) that does oil changes allows credit/debit card transactions 24 hours when they are not around to process cash.

OP, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience. My understanding is that Maritz is very shopper-friendly (based on what I've read about them here, though). Have you considered calling and asking to speak to the Manager/Supervisor of Team 3 or Team 4? I think he/she will be able to provide you with an explanation. I'm sorry though, I don't know who that person is name-wise. Hopefully, another shopper might be able to provide you with a name.

DrSquash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tlt14 - was this a gas station out in the middle
> of nowhere? 5PM seems very early to close a gas
> station completely. Even our local gas station
> (Houston, TX) that does oil changes allows
> credit/debit card transactions 24 hours when they
> are not around to process cash.


Yes, this was a very small town. I've never seen that for a weekday. It would be expected if it had been a Sunday, but this was a Wednesday.

Assured, based on my own experience I'm not optimistic. I had a situation on shopping the blue banks in which some banks popped up on my schedule that I didn't think I'd asked for on the next cycle. I was burned out on the banks and wanted to take a break. I let them know I didn't ask for them and didn't want to do them. They took them off, but a few months later when I tried to schedule banks I found out I was barred forever from any of their bank shops.

I still do their convenience store shops. That incident that happened with the banks was a few years back. I tried to talk with them about it, but I was told that supervisor absolutely would not reinstate a barred shopper on the bank program.

I think you should try your best to get it straightened out, but you may hit the same wall I hit.

Well, this just affirms that I guess I'm OK with never having started up with them.

I tried, a couple of times. The first time on my own, the second time after reading such positive things about them here when I was a new member back in mid-2011 (I think?).

Both times, I applied for jobs on their website. I never heard a thing, or so I thought... until I found voice mails later on. Well, I don't deal with the phone hardly at all; largely because of my odd schedule. Also, I believe there's a three hour time difference, which made it even more impossible for me to either get their calls in person, or to return them during their office hours.

As an aside, I just tried to find out where they are physically located. For some reason, this information isn't specified anywhere obvious on their website. I had to do some sleuthing to find out, and finally got the information ~ albeit in a round-about fashion. They appear to be in Missouri ~ is this correct?

Then I read here, all the posts about them being technologically in the dark ages. I thought: "What a PITA!" If I can't schedule and whatever online, and contact the MSC via email ~ and expect their response the same way ~ it's too much trouble.

Now, reading that they apparently aren't fond being even minimally reasonable, nor of applying logical and/or rational thinking to their decisions (which I should've gleaned from their shunning of modern technology)... well, I'm glad I never got involved.

Too bad, because they have some shops I'd actually be interested in.

They are located in the suburbs of St. Louis. What jumped out at me in the OP was the idea of a 400 mile round trip and the reporting deadline was not extended for the shopper.

Yes... and such lack of flexibility shows serious lack of reason, and rational decision-making skills, IMO. And it seems to not just be the OP's situation, either; given MDavis' and JPGilham's accounts. :/

Thanks for confirming their location, btw!

Man, what a total bummer. I too have worked with Maritz for years - in fact, they were one of the first companies I signed up with and have completed hundreds of shops with them, and I have absolutely no idea what my shopper rating is or that I even had one. It really sucks to have some of your income dry up suddenly like that. I hope you are able to work things out with them and if not, that you find another, better MSC to bridge the gap. Good luck.

The below is a statement predicated upon my experiences with this MSC.

Maritz holds a place in my "top 3," as they are easily accessible through their toll free number, have always been the epitome of flexibility and are willing to spend what it takes to have work completed. In addition, they are quite business oriented; I have never read a post of a payment problem. I do, though, respect others have their opinion. My position is that if you never work for this company, upon each occasion they enter your mind, you will always wonder "what if?" It wouldn't be possible for me to more highly recommend an MSC.

Tlt14 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I really love Maritz and have had nothing but
> positive experiences with them so far. The other
> day I took a qualifying test for a new round of
> shops and despite being 100% that my answers were
> correct, I kept failing. I failed three times and
> was subsequently locked out and instructed to call
> the team in charge of those shops. I expected them
> to tell me I was SOL, but to my surprise, the
> scheduler walked through the quiz with me and it
> turns out, they had the wrong answers for two of
> the questions. I pointed out why my answers were
> correct based on what I read from the guidelines.
> She apologized to me, said that I was all set, and
> that she would have the quiz corrected.
>
> Another time I took some last minute gas station
> audits for them that were quite a ways up in my
> state. I completed four out of the five, but when
> I got to the fifth, it was closed... at 5PM. I
> knew I would get to them all during normal
> business hours (or so I thought) so I didn't
> bother calling ahead to check their hours. I never
> expected a gas station to close so early. I called
> up the scheduler, told her it was closed, and
> apologized for not being able to complete it. She
> asked if there was any time in the next few days
> that I could do it, but with my schedule, it was
> impossible to make it back up there before 5PM.
> She said, "No problem" and that was that. I
> haven't had any issues being able to self-assign
> shops and I still get every shop that I apply for.
> Oh, and they still call me a few times a week to
> see if I can pick up shops.
>
> For me, they've been very forgiving. They're also
> always accessible, either by phone or email (I
> email, they call me back). I'm sorry to hear that
> others' experiences haven't been so positive. I
> would hate to lose a MSC from which a lot of my
> income derived.


You sound just like I did when I started with them. They called me 24/7. I mean it, day and night. I love em. They treated me fantastic and I feel the pay was good, especially the urgent assignments.

I just called the company. The operator told me that she does not think the company notifies any shoppers about their shopper scores. She said they have so many, they do not need to worry about it.

Wow? Really, they do not need to take care of their shoppers. Well "split my lip."

MilessMum Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OP, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience.
> My understanding is that Maritz is very
> shopper-friendly (based on what I've read about
> them here, though). Have you considered calling
> and asking to speak to the Manager/Supervisor of
> Team 3 or Team 4? I think he/she will be able to
> provide you with an explanation. I'm sorry though,
> I don't know who that person is name-wise.
> Hopefully, another shopper might be able to
> provide you with a name.


I did call them and was told that they did not know what the problem was. They would not even agree to check it out and call me back to discuss it. She just said to improve my score.

MilessMum Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OP, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience.
> My understanding is that Maritz is very
> shopper-friendly (based on what I've read about
> them here, though). Have you considered calling
> and asking to speak to the Manager/Supervisor of
> Team 3 or Team 4? I think he/she will be able to
> provide you with an explanation. I'm sorry though,
> I don't know who that person is name-wise.
> Hopefully, another shopper might be able to
> provide you with a name.


I should add: I know everyone on team 3 by name. I know most of the people on team 4 by name. I just did not want to mention their names in an open forum. I have great appreciation for the relationship that I thought we had. Maybe, they do not even know? (Right, I really believe the scheduler does not know my shopper score. :-))

chigirl777 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Man, what a total bummer. I too have worked
> with Maritz for years - in fact, they were one of
> the first companies I signed up with and have
> completed hundreds of shops with them, and I have
> absolutely no idea what my shopper rating is or
> that I even had one. It really sucks to have some
> of your income dry up suddenly like that. I hope
> you are able to work things out with them and if
> not, that you find another, better MSC to bridge
> the gap. Good luck.


I am fortunate: I have not even noticed their lack of business. I just miss them. I enjoyed interacting with them and I felt like I was performing a real valuable service. Of course, I thought I was good at it too. But, that may have been something other than reality. How would we know, if they do not tell us?

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Assured, based on my own experience I'm not
> optimistic. I had a situation on shopping the
> blue banks in which some banks popped up on my
> schedule that I didn't think I'd asked for on the
> next cycle. I was burned out on the banks and
> wanted to take a break. I let them know I didn't
> ask for them and didn't want to do them. They
> took them off, but a few months later when I tried
> to schedule banks I found out I was barred forever
> from any of their bank shops.
>
> I still do their convenience store shops. That
> incident that happened with the banks was a few
> years back. I tried to talk with them about it,
> but I was told that supervisor absolutely would
> not reinstate a barred shopper on the bank
> program.
>
> I think you should try your best to get it
> straightened out, but you may hit the same wall I
> hit.


I had an incident with another company, similar to that one. I contacted the scheduler for the company (EPMS), and asked why I was expected to take the assignment. She gave me an explanation, and then commented: I will just take your name off of the Bank Shop List. I said: Whoa! Do not do that. If, this is required, I will do it. At least they paid for my mileage on that assignment. I did not get a fee though; because, they paid me a fee for doing the location earlier. At that time, there was no banker on the premesis. It turned out, the contract we have states: we do not get paid, unless we complete the assignment as stated. They do not care whether a banker had gone home sick that day or not. I had to go back and perform the assignment again or be removed completely. I did not know this rule, prior to the shop. I had never called to verify a banker would be onsite during my visit before. I do now. But that was with EPMS.

As far as Maritz is concerned, I am free to submit my applictions; but, what is the use? If I have to wait until every "qualified shopper" refuses the assignment, I will waste a lot of time trying to schedule something. Then when the assignment does come in, I will have no idea of the date. That means, I may be scheduled and unavailable. That does not sound like a good plan. I just think we have a right to know when we are screwing up assignments. I believe in training people that are doing something wrong. You know: Help them be better shoppers.

shopperbob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The below is a statement predicated upon my
> experiences with this MSC.
>
> Maritz holds a place in my "top 3," as they are
> easily accessible through their toll free number,
> have always been the epitome of flexibility and
> are willing to spend what it takes to have work
> completed. In addition, they are quite business
> oriented; I have never read a post of a payment
> problem. I do, though, respect others have their
> opinion. My position is that if you never work for
> this company, upon each occasion they enter your
> mind, you will always wonder "what if?" It
> wouldn't be possible for me to more highly
> recommend an MSC.


I guess this is exactly how I felt 6 months ago.

I like Maritz, I work for them often. I like that they seem human and do things a bit differently in the MS world. But often times I think, with them in particular, we forget they are an MSC. They too terminate, bar, and exclude shoppers when they need to. They don't have to explain, they don't want to explain. That is just the world of MSing...no rules, only the MSC is ever right, no explanations, my way or the highway kinda place. We as shoppers just expect more from them because they are so personable we develop relationships with them.

But like many others, I like them. I work a lot for them and if the day ever comes that I don't I will be hurt and upset and loose a lot of money, but this is the MSing world game.

I feel that they have a right to do exactly as you say. I also feel contractors have a right to standards required to fulfill the assignments they perform. If standards are not met, contractors should be notified, and expectations clarified. Any other contractor would be told when standards are not met.

Obviously, I have not given Maritz cause to terminate me, or that would have been done. Even so, it seems they might just as well, if they do not allow me to take any assignments. I put through a call and was promised someone would call me about this within 24 hours. Hopefully, I will get some kind of explanation or at least enough input to make an in the know decision about continuing with them.

Without saying any names, does anyone see anything besides fuel for them?

Hi Assuredd,

A scheduler, who finds me mildly amusing, revealed my score, after I asked. I was sitting there, all ready to hear something like 95 or 97, when, instead, the scheduler said a number between the upper sixties and the low seventies. Moi? I'm always been there for them, have always done my best, never flaked, blah, blah, blah. I mean, I've consistently gotten 9s and 10s from other MSCs and THIS is what they think of me and my services?

I eventually got over feeling indignant, but I no longer have the same warm fuzzy feeling I had previously about this MSC and I realize this is a business. Businesses don't feel any allegiance or loyalty to you and we're just setting ourselves up for hurt feelings if we think, for a second, they do.

I know you're hurt and I certainly don't blame you as I would feel the same, but, perhaps, it might be time to wave good-bye to this MSC and remove yourself from a hurtful situation, which has the potential to get worse. There are so many other wonderful MSCs out there, who will appreciate you and your dedication.

(heart)

CANADAMOMMY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Without saying any names, does anyone see anything
> besides fuel for them?


Yes, banks and grocery stores. I said in a different thread they were trying something new and bundling shops then offering thru email only. This may be the case in your region.

SecretAgentMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CANADAMOMMY Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Without saying any names, does anyone see
> anything
> > besides fuel for them?
>
>
> Yes, banks and grocery stores. I said in a
> different thread they were trying something new
> and bundling shops then offering thru email only.
> This may be the case in your region.

Okay, I'm confused. I thought Canadamommy was talking about "adding fuel to the fire". No? heehee I was going to agree with her.

(heart)

I may be slow. Lol. Could have been!

So far I've had decent luck with them, yes they have clients other than those that require that lovely orange vest. Been with them 18 years now. They also have been bundling things together and just send me paperwork for a couple of bundles.

I also really liked this MSC. They seemed willing to work with me (though rarely necessary) and they were easy to talk to and seemed flexible. All I am saying is if you get in their bad books you are truly done for. It doesn't matter if you have done hundreds of fantastic shops with them, once you mess up that's the end of it. In my case I messed up once. I made a really stupid mistake. The scheduler called me and spoke to me about the job and made the comment "Now if you get to the location and there are no lawn tractors outside, then just leave the location." I did not confirm this in the shop instructions. I got to the location and there were no lawn tractors outside so I left. I got home and called the scheduler and she said "Well did you check inside?" I said "but you said if there were none outside to just leave" and she said "Well you were supposed to check inside." Now it might have all been okay because she asked me if I could go right back and I said I really couldn't. That is where I really messed up. I should have just put everything else on hold and went back but it would have been difficult for me so I didn't and as a result I was no longer able to work for that company Now when this happened to me I spoke to schedulers who seemed really sympathetic but they said their supervisors were adamant and they could not schedule me anything. I was sorry to lose them too.

^ I don't know if I'd really want to shop for a company that would so be unreasonable in a situation you mentioned, jphiljam.... That's pretty lousy.

I have a satisfactory resolution!

Oh I am a lucky man! At 9 pm, the MSC supervisor from Maritz called me at home. She reviewed my file, and did some digging. She discovered the automated system penalized me for not completing my reports by midnight, and for taking all day to resolve a hold problem. The real issue was I was driving hundreds of miles, and it was not given any consideration.

Twice, my reports were on hold. It had to wait until I drove to Oklahoma for one picture, on one occasion. On another, I had driven to Memphis, TN. So the system determined I took too much time to resolve the hold issue. They did not consider That I spent eight hours driving to get the information.

She told me that she wanted me to continue doing my work, and if I have any problems, to call her directly. She immediately lifted my restrictions and is notifying the teams of my status upgrade. In the future, they are to give me extra time, when I am driving all day to get the assignments.

How nice to know: Maritz did not intentionally lower my rating. It was automated and could have been avoided, because of the distances involved. I am glad I went beyond the MSCs to complain about this.

No I was just seriously asking...... I see tons of fuel ones. Just fuel. They called and said they had
more non fuel all the time......
Thanks for the updates for grocery and banks. Appreciate it.



stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SecretAgentMom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > CANADAMOMMY Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Without saying any names, does anyone see
> > anything
> > > besides fuel for them?
> >
> >
> > Yes, banks and grocery stores. I said in a
> > different thread they were trying something new
> > and bundling shops then offering thru email
> only.
> > This may be the case in your region.
>
> Okay, I'm confused. I thought Canadamommy was
> talking about "adding fuel to the fire". No?
> heehee I was going to agree with her.
>
> (heart)