As with any company, a little luck helps. I had an editor a year ago who was a complete dolt.

I will do a low paying Ritter shop in between shops. I will have lunch, fill out my report and use the restroom before I go on to my next high paying shop. Ritter bought my lunch today!

gwingman, you only had one editor who was a dolt? Good for you! The rest of us aren't always so lucky, LOL.

I had a store that was in very bad neighborhood for the same company, but I did get all my required photos all though one of them wasn't perfect, I put in the note part of their survey and let them know what was going on at that store, as a matter of fact, I told them about the drug deal I seen going on while I was conducting my audit, I never had a problem with Ritter, they have always paid me and always on time. I'm am actually the route auditor for my state and I love working for them, but they are funny about the pics, I always try and take extra just on case I need them, I work mostly with one specific guy on my reports, and he is great and always very polite. But it isn't Ritter that is picky about the pics, its the gas stations corporate office that wants them and wants them to be perfect.

The bottom line is that the shopper did not fulfill the requirements of the assignment.

Why blame Ritter? Why criticize their forms? How hard is it to touch "caps lock" and answer a few questions?

I had never owned a camera; and I had no idea how to submit repetitive answers. Their schedulers taught me how to take acceptable pictures, simplify completing forms, find difficult locations, shop a location, etc., etc., etc.

The schedulers have endured about any imaginable life event I have experienced; they have never missed a payment, they have never docked my pay (sometimes they could have; and sometimes, if I had been the scheduler, I would have fired me!)

The schedulers experience the same kinds of situations as do we. They provide opportunities for us shoppers; and their jobs are sometimes on the line because of our actions.

At this point in my life, I consider shopping a career. I believe it deserves the same professionalism that I have practiced in other endeavors. I believe that I should cherish the relationships that are built when someone offers an opportunity to me. Having been a shopper for only four or five years, I am addicted to it.

When I find myself in a situation when doubts occur, I call my "best friend," the scheduler. By the way, Ritter Associates is among my favorite companies.

@reneelec wrote:

Here's a thought on this that has nothing to do with any particular MSC. Know the area that you are shopping and simply do not accept shops in areas that you feel the least bit unsafe.

I'm in Jacksonville Florida and there are many zip codes within the city that I WILL NOT do any sort of shop. The MSC or the money have no bearing whatsoever.

Chattanooga is another area you have to be aware of the address in. Just sayin'

Bad places everywhere & you can't live life freaking out all the time.

First of all, if a shop is unsafe, leave. Safety is not only a top concern for shoppers, but for people in general. Shopping is not an exception.
Second - if I did not fulfill all the requirements of the shop, I would email the scheduler before spending 2 hours on a shop. I have done that in situations where I was unsure if the shop would be accepted, even if it would not have taken me two hours.
Third - as ethical shoppers, we should always report things the way we see them and not "alter" what we see in order to facilitate payment for a shop.

@MichelleLF wrote:

The lesson I took from this, report everything as all fine and good, so you don't have to waste your time, and get paid. Or just stay away, they seem like a scam when they find any way possible not to pay someone.

sounds like MichelleLF needs to go back to school. a class in ethics would help her.

Well, thank you so much, @stilllearning. <3

Sometimes my posts get sloppy, and so I clean them up. It doesn't mean a thing, and it usually happens to be less obnoxious to others, not the opposite. Guess I'll try inserting a proverb...

***

As for the posters, AustinMom, Phoebe70, Hoju, and the minions, who wrote about me (and who delighted in the troll-like words from others), there would have been a few sloppy words for you, but I'll wait around to see if you can actually write anything intelligent.

That way, I won't write anything too nasty, and then come back another time to see my own horrid words, and have to delete them. It's sort of a new hobby I have...to keep a list of the mean people in this forum.

Phoebe70, do you even know the definition of an Internet Troll? I know it's a stretch for you, but just click the link to read the first paragraph.
[en.wikipedia.org]




***Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.***

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2015 09:14PM by MelanieOR.

@MelanieOR wrote:

Well, thank you so much, @stilllearning. <3

Sometimes my posts get sloppy, and so I clean them up. It doesn't mean a thing, and it usually happens to be less obnoxious to others, not the opposite. Guess I'll try inserting a proverb...

***

As for the posters, Sybil2, AustinMom, Phoebe70, Hoju, and the minions, who wrote about me (and who delighted in the troll-like words from others), there would have been a few sloppy words for you, but I'll wait around to see if you can actually write anything intelligent.

That way, I won't write anything too nasty, and then come back another time to see my own horrid words, and have to delete them. It's sort of a new hobby I have...to keep a list of the mean people in this forum.

Phoebe70, do you even know the definition of an Internet Troll? I know it's a stretch for you, but just click the link to read the first paragraph.
[en.wikipedia.org]

It looks like i must have missed something big. keeping list of mean people in this forum? you have way too much time on your hands. hobbies should be fun and postive. mean lists are not. from what i have read, Austinmom is a great asset to forum. the other names do not sound as familiar to me.

I don't have a lot of time on my hands, and it's a simple job of cutting and pasting into my password and company database. Specifically, the one I use for this forum.

You wanna be on the bad list? lol

Seriously, if the other names don't sound familiar, they must have toggled you.

For example, in the original post, I was in a hurry, and included Sybil2. I would have deleted the post, but you quoted it. Now, I've been sloppy...

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2015 09:16PM by MelanieOR.

the only list i am concerned about is my to do list. i am sorta new member so i dont understand this toggle thing. i dont read the majority of threads 'cause i have no interest in the subject. if we are responding to a post aren't we supposed to quote it? there is even a button for it.

So people ask why you delete at least half of your posts and that becomes a mean list? Interesting that when folks quote your posts prior to deletion there is never anything sloppy or nasty, just comments on topic. I would think you could understand the confusion rather than go on some sort of offensive. This is the first post I've ever seen you write that contains unwarranted personal attacks and I'm totally surprised.

@MelanieOR wrote:

Sometimes my posts get sloppy, and so I clean them up. It doesn't mean a thing, and it usually happens to be less obnoxious to others, not the opposite.

.... definition of an Internet Troll? .... just click the link to read the first paragraph.
[en.wikipedia.org]

HAHAHAHA, sometimes this forum's a hoot and a half. I spend more time on other forums than here but on most forums you'd be banned.

Here's the definition you linkedi: "In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, [1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response [2] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion."

Read the last 6 words: "otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion." You have quoted a definition that describes your behavior. It appears that you may be the one who does not know what an internet troll is even though you have read and quoted the definition.

I guess I wanna be on the bad list with all the others.

sounds like Jay C just wants to be spanked.

What are we talking about? Is Ritter on some kind of naughty list for trolls? What happened to this thread?

Also, I agree with whoever the OP is. Don't work for Ritter. Just don't. Especially if you're within a hundred miles of me. They're just awful. I heard they steal newborn babies and are responsible for the Japanese tsunami. Avoid!

(eyeroll)

@LisaSTL wrote:

So people ask why you delete at least half of your posts and that becomes a mean list? Interesting that when folks quote your posts prior to deletion there is never anything sloppy or nasty, just comments on topic. I would think you could understand the confusion rather than go on some sort of offensive. This is the first post I've ever seen you write that contains unwarranted personal attacks and I'm totally surprised.

I'm not a troll, and was a bit surprised when accused of being one. Guess I went over board when I confessed to having a mean list. At first, I really cared about how others on this board thought of me, but as time and words go by, I'm beginning to realize the reality of the situation. I'll delete posts if I like, and I won't explain, because it's like trying to communicate with a multi-headed monster, and it gets nowhere.

The fact that you delete a huge number of your posts regularly and without explanation may not make you a troll, but it certainly makes you see unstable and very childish.

Well I applied for my first Ritter shop thanks to this thread.

That's good, friend.

well, thanks for the tip on these gas stations

Austin mom I suspect you are a scheduler because you are consistently taking up for the scheduler's rather than shoppers who are having difficulties and are frustrated just my opinion.the people on here that are shoppers that truly need help or not helped at all they sent their frustrations but instead of getting help there's all kinds of smart ass no adult roles that try to smash them like a bug make them seem incompetent like they're experts themselves and know everything if all of y'all were so smart you would have gone to school and learn to decent trade so you wouldn't have to do mystery shopping for nickels and dimes to make a living.it doesn't feel good to be judge doesn't like Bambi's mom said if, you can't say something nice don't say anything at all..that's the whole reason I don't like forums and don't like to get on them I just had to say my piece over and out y'all have fun and have a good and prosperous life.

In a real world schedulers are supposed to help, that's their job!
But some have been doing it a long time and are burned out and overwhelmed and very busy or don't feel like it. When they finally decide to respond to you the shop is past due and you lose out.
So basically it's your fault but not necessarily totally your fault ...because you asked for help and did not receiveit in time to get your report done before the deadline.
when you realize you've been had and they dropped the ball on you..and you decide to complain, they're very good at twisting the truth around claiming it is your fault because you misunderstood, you didn't follow the rules,your shop was denied because of this and that ..blah blah blah blah..then they tell you that your shop could not be used and had been assigned to another shopper..all the while you're the last one to find this out..
How do you know they still didn't use your shop and just decide not to pay you by giving you some lame excuse .the shopper is at the losing end of the team because they don't see what exactly is going on...only the little scraps and crumbs of information that the scheduler and proofreader decide to share with you. you set out with a good attitude looking to do the best job you can for the shop hoping for the best that you will actually get paid and that your report will be accepted,praying that if you get locked out there will be someone to help you praying that if you need some help you can get ahold of someone in a timely manner.if we are expected to be able to be contacted within a certain amount of time after being contacted then I believe the proof reader and the scheduler should be held to the same standards. if there is not enough staffing to get this done then perhaps hire some more staffing or some technical number you can call when your locked out of the report
.

@Gabishopper wrote:

Austin mom I suspect you are a scheduler because you are consistently taking up for the scheduler's rather than shoppers who are having difficulties and are frustrated just my opinion. I just had to say my piece over and out y'all have fun and have a good and prosperous life.

Nope, I am not a scheduler and I have never at any time been employed by any MSC as a scheduler or editor. I've been shopping since 2008 as a part-timer. I have a full time job that pays the mortgage. I shop for reimbursements rather than payment. I do this to improve my lifestyle more than earn money.

Although I am a shopper, I keep an open mind, and I try to use my mind and be fair. I realize that MSCs make mistakes and that shoppers make mistakes. I don't agree with other shoppers simply because they are shoppers and so am I. I have been known to criticize the MSCs when I think they are wrong. When I think a shopper is wrong, I say so. Blindly agreeing with either shoppers or MSCs without considering the situation helps no one. I try to "keep it real."

@Gabishopper wrote:

if all of y'all were so smart you would have gone to school and learn to decent trade so you wouldn't have to do mystery shopping for nickels and dimes to make a living.

Shows how much you know. I have a college degree and I am currently in a Masters program. I have a full-time job (with sick, personal and vacation days / medical, dental and vision) and MS on the side for vacation money, massages, jewelry and other perks. I do not work for nickles and dimes. Newbies sometime have to but once you get established and prove yourself as a reliable and trustworthy shopper, the floodgates will open with high-paying jobs and special projects.

I agree with most of you. I have done a many shops for Ritter and they pay very fast and the reports that I do are very easy. New shoppers might find any report a bit cumbersome but that comes with the territory. I said the same when I began years ago. They are not the highest paying company but they have a lot of work here where I am and pay very fast. Another Bonus is the schedulers will talk with you on the phone and not only via email.

Ritter has always been good to me. I messed up a shop a long time ago, had to forfeit another one for a good reason, and they were understanding both times.

GAWD! Why is this thread still alive!!??

@Hoju, didn't I just say that about another never-ending thread regarding a different MSC?