Anyone shop them yet? I'm curious as to how the reports compare to Coyle's. I have shopped this client before with another MSC and know how far these locations are and how frequently the targets move around. Without additional fees and reimbursements, I'm not sure they are worth the fee they offer.

I had two scheduled
On the morning I was set to shop I received an email from the scheduler cancelling the shops stating the client cancelled the program,

Are you referring to the one that's listed for shopmetric? I'm curious about them as well... Although I wonder why they are still available if the program is cancelled...

yes
the shopmetric home builder

They are showing for me but they don't start until 1-1-14. None of them are close to me. Are these traditional mystery shops or video?

Cancelled? I saw them for 2014 as well. Jackaroe, sounds like your shops were cancelled based on dates but who knows, it could be those areas.

Shop2liveinFL - they are traditional shops.

Hi folks,
Sorry I'm late to the game here. The "new" client that MSI is scheduling on our ShopMetrics site has not cancelled the program. It got a later start in 2013 than anticipated, so the client cut the # of locations being shopped in half. Starting in January, the full list locations will be available.

PS - This is NOT the same client that Coyle is scheduling - just the same type of shop.

But is your angel still a centerfold?

What is the link to your shopmetrics site? I cannot find it. Thanks.

JGiles Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi folks,
> Sorry I'm late to the game here. The "new" client
> that MSI is scheduling on our ShopMetrics site has
> not cancelled the program. It got a later start in
> 2013 than anticipated, so the client cut the # of
> locations being shopped in half. Starting in
> January, the full list locations will be
> available.
>
> PS - This is NOT the same client that Coyle is
> scheduling - just the same type of shop.


Bleah.

These shops were video shops, and paid $85-150+, with a 10 minute report, no narrative.

I think that for $30-35, I will wait until the client returns to video.

You can find it here: [mercsystems.shopmetrics.com]. Thanks!




kenasch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What is the link to your shopmetrics site? I
> cannot find it. Thanks.

JGiles Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can find it here:
> [mercsystems.shopmetrics.com]. Thanks!
>
>
>
>
> kenasch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is the link to your shopmetrics site? I
> > cannot find it. Thanks.

The shopmetrics site still shows "0" opportunities. Is there an ETA of when they will be posted?

(heart)

It looks like Feb 1st!

Thank you for your response, Jamie!

(heart)

Jamie,
1. Why does the shop disappear from the Shop Log when It was completed and not paid yet? The shopmetrics ones do that, but not the regular Mercantile Systems website.

2. Why does Mercantile's instruction for hotel shops state "Do not order the 3 most expensive items"? I can see not ordering the most expensive, but the 3 most ? It was a short hotel menu, if I rule out the 3 most expensive, there is not much left to order besides chicken. That is plain ridiculous.

3. Your hotel shops report is just too long, and the pay, $30 for all those reports and only one night stay, is not worth it. In addition, the instruction say to do only ONE: room service, dinner at the restaurant, or bar evaluation. In other words, no breakfast or bar if the shopper is going to eat dinner.

In addition, one-night stay is just too hectic. The minimum should be at least 2 nights.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2014 01:38AM by ShopperFun99.

Many hotel shops are only one-night stays. Most hotel shops are not relaxing because there are so many observations that need to be performed. The name of the game is to earn the hotel reward points and then use them for a free hotel room in the future without having to write a report.

I used to LOVE a certain restaurant the merch-systems used to do. They paid you by gift card. I happened to love that and saved them up for special occasions.

Holy moly! That post was 8 months old. Call me silly, but why not create a new post with an appropriate title? Maybe I missed something?

You don't need to start a new subject line for every new thought. And 8 months is not that old. Sometimes it is a good idea to read the past history of a thread. Another poster recently resurrected a post from three years ago just so they could bash another forum member. Now that was totally unnecessary and very rude.

Hello Janet,
1. That's just the way that ShopMetrics has their platform set up. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it. You can find shop/pay history by hovering your mouse over "My Settings" and then clicking on "Pay History." We're also happy to update you on payment or shop status at any time. Just shoot us an email.

2. The instruction is there because in the past shoppers have taken advantage of us not setting guidelines and have ordered things like filet mignon meals + Tanqueray and gone waaaay over budget. If you find that this leaves a very limited menu to choose from, you're welcome to email us and let us know prior to your shop and we can try and work something out.

3. I apologize that you don't think it's worth it for the $30 shop fee, reimbursement of a meal plus the hotel stay, valet parking and tips. I have created a lot of the forms personally and while there are a healthy number of yes/no questions, the lack of narrative/commentary should be taken into consideration. I find it to be fair and haven't had other complaints as of yet. You are, of course, always welcome to send your comments to us at shop@mercsystems.com and we'll be happy to take them into consideration.

The guidelines clearly state that you may only complete one of the three options for your Integrity portion of the shop. Unfortunately, you stated that you did not read the guidelines prior to your most recent hotel evaluation and I think this caused some confusion on your part. You can plan your meals around the shop (i.e arrive prior to dinner, eat in the restaurant, leave prior to or around breakfast time). I don't think that's unfair. You ARE, of course, welcome to visit the bar or get room service while there - at your own expense. Additionally, complimentary food is often offered in the lounge of this particular hotel chain , which you're required to evaluation and would provide a free meal as well.

4. The client sets the requirements on how many nights the stay is for. In the several years that I've been working in this field, I've not scheduled any stays that last longer than one night. I do think it's pretty rare unless it's a timeshare shop.

I hope this helps clarify things for you.

- Jamie


ShopperFun99 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jamie,
> 1. Why does the shop disappear from the Shop Log
> when It was completed and not paid yet? The
> shopmetrics ones do that, but not the regular
> Mercantile Systems website.
>
> 2. Why does Mercantile's instruction for hotel
> shops state "Do not order the 3 most expensive
> items"? I can see not ordering the most
> expensive, but the 3 most ? It was a short hotel
> menu, if I rule out the 3 most expensive, there is
> not much left to order besides chicken. That is
> plain ridiculous.
>
> 3. Your hotel shops report is just too long, and
> the pay, $30 for all those reports and only one
> night stay, is not worth it. In addition, the
> instruction say to do only ONE: room service,
> dinner at the restaurant, or bar evaluation. In
> other words, no breakfast or bar if the shopper is
> going to eat dinner.
>
> In addition, one-night stay is just too hectic.
> The minimum should be at least 2 nights.

Anyone had any luck with Mercantile's hotel shops? Is it worth the time and work for $35? Do they have good restaurants as well ? I am doing another high end hotel next week, for a different MSC. This one includes cocktail reception, room service (without the "Do not order the 3 most expensive items", dinner, bar, and full buffet breakfast with "made-to-order" stuffs. It is only one-night, but has a lot of perks, and it pays more than $35. Sounds like a better deal.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2014 08:30PM by BetteL.