LisaSTL - Thanks. And I agree with your too. But I often do turn off their email messages if I am not actively working with them, as some of the schedulers go way over the top. LOL.

Any company that pays decently and without having to wait a long time for payment is a good one to me. I had to wait a long time to get paid from Intellishop at first, but now they pay within 6 weeks instead of over 8. Their editors can sometimes be ridiculous, but I have always been paid. The only company I had to really hassle for payment was Cirrus. It took 4 months to get paid for the first shop and 5 months to get paid for the second. Never again.

I am annoyed at GFK currently, because even though they pay timely, the pay is usually low, and if you are unable to evaluate the manufacturer's reps that aren't normally employed by a big chain electronics store because they're not at the location on the date they ask you to shop, they won't pay you the original shop fee. They also ask you to wait 40 minutes in the store. They'll pay you $3 instead of the agreed shop fee, which is the same fee they pay if a location is actually closed. It's very insulting. My advice about them is to only shop restaurants (or any shops where you can evaluate the regular employees) where you want to eat.

For some strange reason I have never had an experience with an MSC that's been so bad I'd never shop with them again.

Of the companies mentioned in this thread, I specifically have not had issues with Intellishop (though I did finally get a shop graded lower than 10, it was a 9 for grammar errors). I haven't shopped with Sentry in quite some time but I had no issues with the shop I did do for them.

I did do one shop each for Goodwin and Bestmark. No issues with either company.

I did one shop for Service Sleuth. Waiting on payment, but it's not due for another week (for a shop done in January). Other than that, the shop was accepted and graded 10 with no issues.

I'm signed up with Beyond Hello and JM Ridgway but have yet to find a shop in my area that I want from either company.

I would recommend against Service Saavy as I am chasing payment with them right now and it's very annoying, and I would recommend very highly Research Services Group.

LisaSTL

I really agree with your post. Clients, schedulers and editors come and go. Be up front and professional. In most cases you will be treated professionally.

New shoppers
Start slow and figure out each companies needs. Never rely just on the editors and speak up. We don't always agree with the editors. The editors need to be aware that our jobs are based around our evaluations, not on our grammar or spelling.

Shopper8,
My evaluations are based on good grammar and spelling. How else would one get their point across?

Actually I have shopped for Goodwin and they aare great. The pay is good and I have never had a problem. The same goes for Intellishop. Just my opinion.

Bad companies for me are those that don't pay shoppers, the rest is more about personal preferences. Yes, I had issues with Intellishop editors, but no matter what grade I get, I get paid so I keep doing shops for them.
Bestmark might not pay much, but I find their reports easy to write and editors don't contact me often.
JMRidgway pays for my shops on time, they have good shops in my area.
With Regal, it takes 90 days to get paid/reimbursed but they have good shops as well, so it is worth waiting for me.
Goodwin might not pay much and their shops are not very glamorous but their reports are easy.
I am still waiting to get paid for December shop I've done for Cirrus, so I probably won't shop with them again, their reports are long to write too.

junk1958 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm a bit new to all this, so you can take my
> advice for what it is worth.
>
> I follow two steps:
> Step 1.) Read what folks have to say about the MSC
> on this forum. Use discernment and then decide
> whether they go on the "test" list or if they
> should be completely discarded. Not too many
> would be discarded - most would be on the test
> list.
>
> Step 2.) Sign up with them and do one job for
> them. If it goes well, if you find the editors
> are reasonable, and if they pay in a timely
> manner, sign up for two more jobs and do them.
> Then make a decision.
>
> Most likely, during the first few jobs they will
> be looking at you as much as you are looking at
> them. If it is a good fit after the first few
> shops, you will know. And if it is not a good
> fit, you will know that too.
>
> One other thing. Make sure your first few jobs
> don't require a purchase. That way if you find
> the editors are unreasonable (as I found out in
> one case) or if their client is ridiculously
> picky, you are out only your time and not your
> reimbursement.


I like your last bit of advice. Very good advice. I have one company I utterly trust as they have truly been good to me - the one who let me get my feet wet with a lower end lodging shop and now I'm up to Hilton with them - I will put cash on the line for them. I know that if I have any issues I can email a scheduler and will get an answer back and I truly feel that I am working on a team with them as to getting my shops done at an acceptable level. Their support has truly been that good is my experience. (Ouch, sorry, caught myself mentioning the MSC here and I did mention a client so I came back to self correct.) Other than that, I'm not a fan of cash outlay required shops unless it's a pretty small amount we are talking about.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/2014 04:08PM by squireparty.

Do not give out SS# until you have signed up and finished the first shop, and needs to get paid. Most MSC's are reasonable when you explain this to them. I have signed up with companies that when I browsed their Job Board and emails they sent, they did not have any jobs that interest me. I was glad I did not give out my personal info.

Still new in the Mystery shopping world, but have found that each company has its set rules and the way they want shops done. I agree with what was said about Market Force, they are really good for new shoppers, they pretty much walk you thru what they require, and encourage you to contact them if there are any questions. I have taken to really liking phone and web site shops, and so far have not had any trouble with the editors. I did apply to work for one company when I saw a shop listed, and it was thru KSS for scheduling... I should have went with my gut after the first shop, and not proceeded with the company. But, each person has what works best for them, I like to know what is required, like Market Force, Trend Source and several other companies state on the shop, I do not like the guessing game and things not being outlined , especially working for different companies and each with their own preferences. I do advise that IF you are unsure of ANYTHING on the assignment, make sure to contact the company. I went and did a shop and was told to take a picture of an exterior, and the location was in a mall....needless to say, my exterior and their exterior were not the same, and the shop was incomplete.

Also, always get in writing if there is a bonus attached, so if questions arise you have proof.