DanteInOH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So how did you like the honey whole grains jon?
>
>

I stick with the cinnamon sugar ones, and occasionally the plain with mustard. Hate it when they don't offer me the dips.

I'm all about the cinnamon sugar ones too

Oh, *definitely* on the cinnamon-sugar ones! With glaze. And yeah, I *HATE* when they don't offer the damned glaze!!!

Cinnamon-sugar pretzels, oh yeah! Like manna from heaven!!!
Funny aside, last month as I was grabbing napkins at the counter, one associate said to a trainee, "Remember to always offer a glaze and drink, because that's how you know if they're mystery shoppers. They don't ever order it, but they always take it when you offer it. Plus they want a receipt."
I guess he was comfortable explaining this with me standing there because I declined the glaze!

elcarev68 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cinnamon-sugar pretzels, oh yeah! Like manna from
> heaven!!!
> Funny aside, last month as I was grabbing napkins
> at the counter, one associate said to a trainee,
> "Remember to always offer a glaze and drink,
> because that's how you know if they're mystery
> shoppers. They don't ever order it, but they
> always take it when you offer it. Plus they want a
> receipt."
> I guess he was comfortable explaining this with me
> standing there because I declined the glaze!

I hope you asked for a receipt!

Back to the DIY shop. If it takes you 2 hours to do the shop you are either doing it wrong. Taking too much time on the report. Taking to much time finding out of stock item. Taking to much time on the interactions. Taking too much time finding a item to buy. Taking too much time on pictures. Or maybe you are just plain stupid. Quick break down of shop and I have done several old and new msp. As been said driving time varies and is route dependent so we can't count that. Walk to any department and quickly find out of stock item not hard maybe 5 minutes. seek out help at most between seeking and getting 5 minutes. Go do scenario seek help right away don't wait 5 minutes just wasting time. 10 minute at most discussion. Go buy item I get a washer like 27 cents. Now cash out takes maybe 3 minutes. 20-25 minutes at store. Report 20-30 minutes. total time 40-55 minutes. Oh and pay it is up to person what they will do job at I won't do at base but have done for $27 pay plus reimbursement. Oh and no just because someone does a lot of them does not mean they are doing them at base rate of $12.

Now I may get blasted on this so called not following guidelines to the tee but guess what I get paid for the shops the same as you get paid. Remember the people we review as mystery shoppers are mostly underpaid minimum wage slaves. Unless they are completely rude and horrible I tend to give them positive reviews.

Pretzel dogs, sour cream and onion pretzel, jalapeno pretzel or pepperoni pretzels are the ones I enjoy.

bgriffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm all about the cinnamon sugar ones too

Kathee70 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Reading just the first page of this thread had me
> laughing... I don't do the shops so I can't
> comment on time personally but 2 hours is over the
> top...
>
> The snitty attitude, again, laughable.
>
> If it's taking you 2 hours to do that shop and you
> are okay with it... great but I bet you won't be
> here long or you will change your ways soon...

Yes, I'm sitting here. Can't.stop.laughing.

Just received another "newly incented" shop email today. Two locations; only one with a paltry incentive. I am almost pining for the repetitive calls...

Okay, I was interested awhile back as to why the bonused shops weren't showing up when I went to look for them. I called to find out. Here is what I was told: You have to follow the link on the e-mail. If there are shops available in your area,only the bonused shops will show up and if there are none available in your area, none will show up. Also found out that if you call on this e-mail, the usual schedulers don't know anything about them and can not usually find out anything unless they talk with their manager. Hope that will clarify things when these e-mails appear.

Also, for the shops that are discussed that are referred to as 2 hour shops, I have them down to 1/2 in the store (usually) and 1/2 hour report. There is one department that I know will always have something out of stock and I spend less than 4 minutes locating it on the web and in store. I have done many of them, both for the old company and for the new. That does not include the drive time which is usually under 20 minutes for the local ones. For more distant ones, I ask for and usually get very high bonuses for them. If they have appeared on though the link and I don't like the bonuses listed, I either call to get them raised or I wait until they call me when they can't find anyone else. Because I have done so many,and have only been questioned only once on why I hadn't asked about an out of stock item (it was in stock and found in another location when the sight said it was out of stock and the shelf was empty), and because they know I am reliable, they rarely try to get me to take it for less. This month for these shops was very, very lucrative as they were at the end of a cycle.

They have also revamped how the jobs can be assigned for a whole quarter if you are an agent who does them a lot. They listed almost all of them that I have done for them including the far away ones for the standard 12 + 1 dollar fee. I only put the local ones on the quarter routes, they can still call me on the others so I get the bonuses. I will not do them for the standard fee.

Again, as many have said, pick and choose and hold out for want you want or need for a bonus.

I stopped doing Ritter.. Did a few, then did some gas stations - to which they kept sending me endless inane emails about nonsense and wanted updates. Hardly work the time. In my opinion, a couple of their schedulers I dealt with are nuts. Good riddance.

I just seen a email for one of those phantom <oops! DIY shops and you were right no incentive. then they called about an hour ago and I said add 20 and I will. so far no call back.



Mod note: I know it's easy to forget, but the MSC is named in the thread title... so we can't name clients in posts. Thanks!

BuffaloNY101 Where im at the ones that are going bonused high I understand why. I waited an hour without so much as a hello from the only person in the tri state area with knowledge about installing deck railing. I walked out, no scenario performed, mr tristate got rave reviews, I hope he lost his job and the whole department got put on warning. Meanwhile I made 8 times normal pay but It almost made me never want a lowes again. Their customer service is horrible period unless you find the one person who enjoys getting people what they want.

Anita Koenig Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You have to follow the link on
> the e-mail. If there are shops available in your
> area,only the bonused shops will show up and if
> there are none available in your area, none will
> show up.

I got the email with the incentive link. The only locations listed when I clicked that link were shown at the original $12+1 flat rate.

jonchance Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Two hours later, I get a call from them saying
> they will assign them for me. I decline. Girl gets
> pissy about why I would "request" a shop I didn't
> want to do. I told her I didn't request, I was
> just looking for the promised incentive.

If you begin the process of self-assigning, it's helpful to check the "no longer interested" boxes for the shops you have added to your cart and hit submit. That will clear the assignments from your cart, and you won't be assigned the shops if you have checked that box. If you just exit out of the selection screen without rejecting those shops, the assignments will move to your requests, and you'll most likely get that follow-up phone call. Note that selecting this option will not decline the visit permanently; you'll be able to reselect it again later if you change your mind.

As for the amount of time it takes me to do these DIY shops, I usually spend an average of 1,084.25 hours per shop. Since I am a thorough, conscientious shopper, I start timing when I accept the shop and stop timing when I receive my check and enter it into my spreadsheet. I have no idea how some of you folks are getting them done in just two hours without cutting corners.

aggiejim72 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> diana615 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I've done many of these shops for Maritz, they
> > only take about 20 minutes to do. Pretty much
> the
> > same time as they were with the old MSC. I
> > couldn't imagine spending 2 hours on this shop.
> > Ever.
> > 2 interactions. First one, 5-7 minutes. Second
> > one, 10-15 minutes. Checkout.
>
> Well, I am sure you are 100% wrong. Absolutely.
> I've done many of these shops for the large
> bonuses. For anyone that wants to know how these
> shops go down, here is real-world. Don't believe
> this poster because, as you will see, it is
> impossible to do what this poster says.
>
> To do one of these DIY shops:
> 1. You have to go online and find an out-of-stock
> item at the location that you are going to shop.
> So you have to use the store locator on their
> website. Then enter search options in the various
> departments until you find an out-of-stock item.
> Guess what? Some stores don't have any
> out-of-stock items listed, in which case you have
> to find an item on the shelf that is advertised
> but isn't stocked on the shelf.
> Time to log on to the DIY site, search for
> out-of-stock item, locate item, record item
> description, log-off: 5 minutes if you are racing;
> 10 minutes if lucky; and 15 minutes if things
> don't go the way you hope.
>
> 2. Now you have to drive to the location. Oh, the
> shopper doesn't think that counts? It does. Both
> ways. Round trip. Time: anyone's guess with
> traffic and time of day. A typical round-trip if
> you are lucky might only be 20 miles driving, so
> that's about 1 gallon of gas. The shopper just
> spent $2- $3.50 to get there and back.
>
> 3. Now you have to park and walk into the store.
> Record your time in. Walk into the store, and
> immediately go to the department where your
> out-of-stock item is located. First, you have to
> make sure the item is out of stock (5 minutes)
> before you ask for help. Oh, and you are required
> to wait several minutes to let an associate help
> you. If no one does, find an associate. Guess
> what? He/she is helping another customer. Now wait
> till your turn. Then they look for the product,
> hopefully using their smartphone. When that
> interaction is done, on to the next.
> Total time: 10 minutes minimum; 15 maximum.
>
> 4. Now go to the department where your assigned
> scenario is located. Let's say you have to go to
> Kitchens, like I have had to do twice. This is a
> targeted shop. Now, as often happens, there will
> be customers ahead of you. This happened each time
> I shopped the Kitchens department. Wait as long as
> 30 minutes, 45 minutes... it happens and it
> happened to me. Sometimes you get an associate
> right away. Now plan on spending 10-15 minutes
> perfoming your scenario.
> Total time: 10-15 minutes.
>
> 5. Now go make a small product purchase. This
> usually takes 5 minutes or less. Buy a package of
> Starburst for $1.18. You'll be reimbursed a
> dollar.
>
> 6. Now go to your vehicle. The first half of your
> shop is done.
>
> 7. Get online and "debrief" your shop. Consult
> your notes so you make no mistake about names or
> time in/out. Logon on to the MSC site. Click till
> you find your report, then begin. Answer all of
> the radio buttons first. Then proceed to the
> narratives (6 or 7 short narratives embellishing
> on the selections you made with the radio
> buttons.)
>
> 8. Now upload your receipt. First take a photo of
> your receipt. Before that select the best image of
> your receipt--make sure the image is in focus.
> Then transfer the image to your computer. But
> first, write the assign id on the receipt before
> you take the photo--so look up the assign ID again
> and double check as your handwrite the assign id
> on the receipt. Then, if you are like me, open
> GIMP and begin to do a good job editing your
> receipt image, then export the image to .jpg, and
> save to file. Then upload the file to your report.
>
>
> 9. Now review what you reported (5-10 minutes). Be
> sure to check the spelling and grammar. Click
> submit. You are done with this DIY shop...
> almost.
>
> 10. Now submit an invoice and re-upload your
> receipt. (5 minutes or less).
>
> 11. Make sure you save copies if their is an
> issue, then log off and turn off your computer.
>
> That is one of these DIY shops. As I said, 2
> hours. It might be possible to complete this shop
> in 90 minutes if you live next door to the DIY.



It has never taken me 2 hours to do one of the shops. I go to the same section in every store for the ots, usually there is someone there so I don't have to look for anyone, I ask for a product that has never been there, they can't find it, that parts done, I go to my scenario, they are usually not very talkative but they do the job for the most part. Come home, scan the receipt, input shop, put the receipt in once at the end and once on the invoice. Done. I don't do a shop that is out of the way so the driving time is no loss. It's an hour tops, driving, doing the shop and inputting the shop.

aggiejim72 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> You, ma'm, are out of touch. Most shoppers do rely
> on job boards, have to take the crappy jobs, and
> don't get invited to do shops, like you do. For
> every shopper like you, who spent years to get
> where you are, there are shoppers who were making
> more money working regular jobs before the
> recession than you ever touched as a mystery
> shopper. I'm not at all impressed that you are at
> the top of the game of shopping.



This is the funniest comment I've read tonight. LMAO!

Yes, HAHAHAHA.

Funny, I got one of the emails just after posting my remark. I followed the link and it said a $10 bonus for a location 45 minutes away. I waited a few minutes knowing that I might get a call regarding it. I did and again was offered the $10. I told them that it didn't even cover my mileage and time. She said she knew that and wanted to know what I wanted. I said $40 bonus (1 1/2 hours of driving at $12 an hour, $16.00 (rounded off and this is a high estimate as gas just went down here) for 4 gallons of gas and some extra money added in). She said she would write it up and call me back shortly. I received a call within 8 minutes with an acceptance. This was for a grocery audit. This is a small bonus for ones out of my location, but it is not as far as several others they call me for and for which I have gotten much higher bonuses for.

Is there an emoticon available with a stabbing yourself in the head motion ???

I need one after reading this thread ...

OOS item that never failed me, three figures of shops? Go to the CFLB area and there's always some missing, always, never a fail in something over 300 shops. CFLB = Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb, BTW.

I really had no intention of posting on this thread, but after reading the comment below, I have no choice. "For every shopper like you, who spent years to get where you are, there are shoppers who were making more money working regular jobs before the recession than you ever touched as a mystery shopper."

WTF?? In general, somebody working a "real job" (especially before the recession) is going to make more money than a mystery shopper. (YES, I know some people do this full time for a living, but that is the minority) What an ass hat.

I am disappointed we have spent so much time on an idiot who's clear intent is to make us go crazy. I'm calling TROLL on this guy.

And finally, I for one am impressed at the amount of money some of you make doing it part time. I am not inclined to do video shopping, and only do MSing about 4 days a month, so MORE POWER TO YOU!!!



N-TownShopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> aggiejim72 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > You, ma'm, are out of touch. Most shoppers do
> rely
> > on job boards, have to take the crappy jobs,
> and
> > don't get invited to do shops, like you do. For
> > every shopper like you, who spent years to get
> > where you are, there are shoppers who were
> making
> > more money working regular jobs before the
> > recession than you ever touched as a mystery
> > shopper. I'm not at all impressed that you are
> at
> > the top of the game of shopping.
>
>
>
> This is the funniest comment I've read tonight.
> LMAO!

Okay, so we have here a shopper announcing in a public forum, on a thread where the client is barely disguised and the MSC is named, that he does not follow the shop instructions, lies about waiting for help to show up spontaneously so management can know whether staff is looking for customers who might need assistance or not, does not check online to choose an item that is really out of stock in the store (not just on the shelf at that moment) to truly test what the clerk will do about the situation. Oh, and he takes pity on the underpaid minimum wage slaves and does not evaluate them correctly either. Basically, he is turning in a meaningless, incorrect shop and bragging that he will still get paid for it and encouraging others to do likewise.

How many shoppers do you suppose there are in Buffalo NY who have done multiples of these shops? Frankly, I hope you get busted and never get to work for that company again.

We are not here to advise people how to not do the shop and still get paid. Follow his advice at your own risk.




BuffaloNY101 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Back to the DIY shop. If it takes you 2 hours to
> do the shop you are either doing it wrong. Taking
> too much time on the report. Taking to much time
> finding out of stock item. Taking to much time on
> the interactions. Taking too much time finding a
> item to buy. Taking too much time on pictures. Or
> maybe you are just plain stupid. Quick break down
> of shop and I have done several old and new msp.
> As been said driving time varies and is route
> dependent so we can't count that. Walk to any
> department and quickly find out of stock item not
> hard maybe 5 minutes. seek out help at most
> between seeking and getting 5 minutes. Go do
> scenario seek help right away don't wait 5 minutes
> just wasting time. 10 minute at most discussion.
> Go buy item I get a washer like 27 cents. Now cash
> out takes maybe 3 minutes. 20-25 minutes at store.
> Report 20-30 minutes. total time 40-55 minutes. Oh
> and pay it is up to person what they will do job
> at I won't do at base but have done for $27 pay
> plus reimbursement. Oh and no just because someone
> does a lot of them does not mean they are doing
> them at base rate of $12.
>
> Now I may get blasted on this so called not
> following guidelines to the tee but guess what I
> get paid for the shops the same as you get paid.
> Remember the people we review as mystery shoppers
> are mostly underpaid minimum wage slaves. Unless
> they are completely rude and horrible I tend to
> give them positive reviews.

I've been working for Maritz for a while. I would like someone to tell me how they knock out the report in 10 minutes. Please--do tell!

I accept some of the $12 shops every now and then but I have also do get the incentive shops. They can be as high as $50 if you get a hit at the right time. The only problem is that the scheduler has to get those incentives approved, sort of like buying a car, the salesman goes in the back to talk to his manager...
They have a lot of shops that do not show on the board and if you take some of those low pays, you will get on their special call list. I only know that it is worth your time to make up an excuse and be polite if it isn't convenient to take a low pay every now and then because they do pay in less than 30 days for the most part. But the reports do take time--like a report that is set up for a 24 pump gas station and the station has only 2 pumps.
It's all relative, sometimes I can drive for an hour but make $50 for each of 2 shops within a mile of each other. That nets out around $30-40/hour so I don't hang up on their schedulers.