I received a forwarded e-mail from a Candice Maher, identifying herself as a recruiter for The In Store Group. The e-mail said I was listed on a merchandising database. I am, with Market Force. I'm trying to determine if this is legit.

The first line of the e-mail is in smaller type than the rest of the e-mail. The message was written as though the individual didn't pass high school sentence structure/punctuation class. I know that computers can do funny things, so I want to give this person the benefit of a doubt.

The e-mail says that there are projects that they are gearing up for in January, and some starting now in December. The States listed include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The shops seem legit. They pay $12 for the first visit, then $10 per month for a 30 minute visit.

These are the things that are raising a flag,
1) forwarded message
2) poor e-mail structure, especially if they wast to recruit quality shoppers
3) would Market Force really share their data base information?
4) they attached an application for me to download ... I didn't open it yet. Why not just send me to their site to apply?
5) I didn't see In Store Group on the forum's approved list

Does anyone know this company? Did anyone else get this e-mail? If it's not legit, maybe we should get the word out.

I didn't get this, but I sure wouldn't click on that link. I would go to their website and check them out.

The In Store Group is not a mystery shopping company. Look them up. They are an in store vendor company.

I got the email, signed with them last night and have four stores that are mine already. It is merchandising, not mystery shopping.

I did a job for them earlier this year -- simple stuff, putting new price labels on CD's and DVD's.

They actually paid me twice for it, but they had to ask me to input the data twice due to their error so I figured that was why. They had recruited me off my NARMS membership.

This is what my email said:

The InStore Group has requested to connect with you immediately for a Merchandising Services position. This is a preliminary step to determine if you and the hiring company are a good 'fit'.

They would like to invite you to apply for a position titled, Merchandisers NEEDED Various Locations.

Interested?

Take the next step - click the link below, log into your RetailRecruiter account, click on My Saved Jobs to locate the job listing, and submit your interest to The InStore Group.

Merchandisers NEEDED Various Locations<---- this was a link to [jobon.theretailrecruiter.org]

Congratulations and good luck,

The RetailRecruiter™ and World Alliance for Retail Excellence & Standards®



It was sent by support@theretailrecruiter.org.

I just got a text message to my cell phone for a 5-hour demo from a scheduler for this company. I do not even know what NARMS is so I am curious how she got my phone number. Says that they pay by check or direct deposit every two weeks. There was no link or anything really suspicious. She gave her first name as Kim.

Does anyone know where the store locations - USA Region - they operate? I do not want to sign up unless I am sure they have things where I live.

carrieout - if you click the link above that dspeakes posted, the list of cities they are recruiting for is right there.

Thanks, DUH! Sorry bout that. I can read, really ;-)

You should sign up with as many companies as possible. Maybe the locations are limited for this particular project but who knows about the next project that comes along. I am contacted often by companies who have never had work in my area and then boom, jobs galore.