At the risk of beating a dead horse, we will not allow the last post to be one that is untrue. In one of the last phone conversations with this shopper, she was verbally notified that we would be providing the MSPA the factual details of the events that occurred, including documentation of correspondence. The Director of the MSPA sent the report to the shopper in November of 2014, and informed her that she had 7 days to respond to the report. No response was received so the report was posted on the MSPA site. In January of 2015, the shopper became aware of the post and refuted she had received a copy of the report; the Director of the MSPA then provided the original copy to her that had been sent in November. Subsequent unacceptable behavior from the shopper toward both the MSPA and BestMark occurred, so the two companies together agreed to remove the report in a practical effort to stop the harassment and put an end to the matter once and for all. As previously mentioned, we have tried to remain above the fray and have withheld many of the details of this situation. We feel it is extremely unfortunate that we have been forced to go to this level of detail to defend our position and protect our reputation.

What is the purpose of reporting a shopper to the MSPA?

I'm not knowledgeable about it.

What happens? It sounds like there are written reports and notifications and responses and so forth.

Really, I know nothing about it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2015 09:26PM by marklewis.

@BestMark_Inc Don't worry too much about all this. Are worried about losing shoppers over this? Don't be. Any shopper worth working with understands circumstances by this point.

Are you worried about losing clients? At best, a client should be impressed on how your company handled the situation, both internally and here. At worst, potential clients may be concerned you've got some fruit cakes working for you. In that case, it might be best to let this thread die as natural of a death as possible.

LJ -

If you want to start of thread about shopper pay with this company, be my guest.

If there's anything that good shoppers can agree on is that they'd like to earn more for their efforts.

Perhaps I shouldn't do it because of the brouhaha that erupted on this one.

If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that Bestmark reads this forum!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2015 05:24PM by marklewis.

Prior to posting about an MSC that fired me, I always share that info. In 2007, BestMark, which was their prerogative, disolved our relationship due to my refusal to accept thier high work/low pay shops.

As has been previously stated, it was the right of the client to request a different contractor; their reasoning was irrelevant. That should have been the end of the story, but BM offered an appeasement: BIG mistake! When one is right, as was BM, and an attempt to placate is offered, as did BM, you run the risk of it backfiring. I'm positive the management of this MSC, in retrospect, would have taken a different direction with the situation. Although this thread's example is nanoscopic compared to WW2, many historians agree that appeasing Hitler was what brought the world to the brink of disaster.

I almost forgot to mention that I agree with Mary.

Bob -

It would be illuminating to the shoppers and potential shoppers for Bestmark to address their high work/low pay reputation.

The high work/low pay conundrum is one that all shoppers face every day.

They are concerned about their reputation because they told us so!

And they read this forum too.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2015 06:52PM by marklewis.

@marklewis: I disagree; it would not "be illuminating to the shoppers and potential shoppers for @BestMark_Inc to address their high work/low pay reputation." It's their business; not ours.

OTOH, if we don't agree with their payment levels, as ICs, we have the liberating option of offering our services elsewhere.

Seriously, I think you are wasting your valuable time, attempting to galvanize shoppers to rally against BestMark, when you could use that same energy signing up with multiple other MSCs.

I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors!

(heart)

@marklewis wrote:

Bob -

It would be illuminating to the shoppers and potential shoppers for Bestmark to address their high work/low pay reputation.

The high work/low pay conundrum is one that all shoppers face every day.

They are concerned about their reputation because they told us so!

And they read this forum too.

@stilllearning wrote:

@marklewis: I disagree; it would not "be illuminating to the shoppers and potential shoppers for @BestMark_Inc to address their high work/low pay reputation." It's their business; not ours.

OTOH, if we don't agree with their payment levels, as ICs, we have the liberating option of offering our services elsewhere.

Seriously, I think you are wasting your valuable time, attempting to galvanize shoppers to rally against BestMark, when you could use that same energy signing up with multiple other MSCs.

I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors!

(heart)

Absolutely. This needs to be said again - - so I quoted it.

The idea that it would "be illuminating to the shoppers and potential shoppers for @BestMark_Inc to address their high work/low pay reputation" is one of the most ridiculous things I've read in a long time. Who cares why Bestmark pays what it pays? Who cares why Market Force, Intellishop, Stericyle, and other companies pay what they pay? Who cares how they determine their profit margin and designate how much they will pay their shoppers? That puts no money in my pocket. I care only about how much money I will make, and I accept those assignments that meet my needs. If an assignment does not pay enough, I do not accept it.

I care about MY profit margin. It would be far more illuminating to shoppers and potential shoppers to address how to select assignments and how to determine an appropriate profit margin.

There are many mystery shopping companies that offer extremely low pay. Bestmark is one of many. Why are you wasting time bashing Bestmark when it is no better or worse than many other MSCs? Supply and demand determines price ..... if shoppers are available to perform high work, low pay assignments, why would the company pay more?

As independent contractors, we choose who we work for. We have the option of selecting each assignment, knowing how much it pays in advance of accepting it.

=====

added note: welcome back, Bob, many of us have missed you.

Still learning -

Don't need you to wish me luck!

(heart)

@marklewis: I feel I do. Good luck, my friend.

(heart)

AustinMom -

Since you think it would be more illuminating to address how to select assignments and how to determine an appropriate profit margin, why don't you share some of your knowledge.

You have over 10,000 posts on this forum, so you must know all the angles.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2015 09:17PM by marklewis.

@marklewis wrote:

AustinMom -

Since you think it would be more illuminating to address how to select assignments and how to determine an appropriate profit margin, why don't you share some of your knowledge.

You have over 10,000 posts on this forum, so you must know all the angles.

There are plenty of very useful posts on the forum you might read, mark. But I don't think you are interested in reading or learning. I think you have an ace to grind with Bestmark and you are prospecting for dirt so you can bash them.

By now, Bestmark must be loving this thread. They have responded professionally. The more you and the wise one post, the better Bestmark looks. Keep posting - at this point, you are giving them some great free advertising, which appears to be opposite of what you wanted to do. You've totally failed and Bestmark looks like GOLD.

@marklewis wrote:

LJ -

If you want to start of thread about shopper pay with this company, be my guest.

Not really. My only question about their pay is if there is a potential for higher paying opportunities to be made available if I take some of the lower paying ones that I have been passing up. It may be worth the investment of time - or not. But something worth considering for me.

Mark, funny you mention the number of posts AustinMom has [clearly as a valued contributor] when, based on your post history, it appears that your only objective has been to bash this company.

Aside from this, and agreeing with the posts above... don't you think it's unrealistic to expect Bestmark to address or justify its business practices any more than any other MSC? And, out of curiosity, have you ever performed a shop for this company? It seems like you're making some pretty heavy speculations and goose chasing with little substance to backup your statements above regarding how Bestmark was "trying to remedy" and how Cheryl felt about being "blindsided" and yadda ya... somehow, to me, it doesn't seem like you "do not know Cheryl, but I can see how the situation was upsetting and confusing..."

@marklewis wrote:

AustinMom -

Since you think it would be more illuminating to address how to select assignments and how to determine an appropriate profit margin, why don't you share some of your knowledge.

You have over 10,000 posts on this forum, so you must know all the angles.

I have had no problems at all with Bestmark. They pay fast and have never questioned my reports.

AustinMom -

Yes I am interested in learning, as all the readers of this forum are.

Go beyond replying about Bestmark and "address how to select assignments and how to determine an appropriate profit margin." You say that is what is most important.

You don't like negative talk about MSC, so here's a chance to share your knowledge in a positive way.

You don't have to post on this thread necessarily. You can start your own thread, if you want.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2015 12:34AM by marklewis.

What is given generously should be accepted thankfully. We don't owe each other a free education. Expecting someone else to share their business model developed after years of hard work is not realistic. Entitlement, anyone?

I have done several shops for Bestmark and have been paid promptly, with no hassle. Maybe I was just lucky, but I will continue to shop for them until I find out otherwise. I am not going to "rush to judgement" based on what seems to me to be anecdotal evidence.

I shopped only with BestMark in the 90s when I first started. I did a lot of casinos and hotels (in Vegas) as well as dining. When the atmosphere changed, and a Sheriff's Card was necessary, I stopped as I was already working full time. I only had one pay issue with them, a misunderstanding with the scheduler, who said they would pay the overnite stay at the hotel and did not. Of course I was unhappy, but, times were different and I could easily afford the $30, give or take.

Fast forward to 2012 when I started up again. New rules in NV and I got my Sheriff's Card (which was reimbursed by the HS Brands, whom I primarily shop for). Also worked with QSI, who would have reimbursed it, but I was not gonna ask them both. I am an employee for both of them and get my shops from them. I also signed up with BestMark, but found the jobs offered were low paying, so I have not done one with them. My choice. I am kept busy enough with my "employers," but if an assignment from BestMark was reasonable to me, yes, I would accept it. I enjoyed working with them in the past, and my scheduler Mark. I always found Mark to be fun, friendly and professional, and cannot see that it would be any different if I shopped for them again.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

. Of course to make that work well they have to find a renegade shopper with two dimes to rub together which may not be an easy task.

Ah someone with a sense of reality. You hit the nail on the head. To successfully sue you must sue someone with the assets to levy against. The law may give you the right to sue but as a paralegal with 30 years of experience it has been my experience to negotiate rather than sue. People who had business relationships for years had a misunderstanding. They called each other names and vowed they will never do business with one another. Count to ten and negotiate before you pull the trigger. I put humpty and dumpty back together again many times

So I have never posted on here but notice that every time someone asks a question about finding an experience with a company to be negative, or comments that the experience was negative, they get a little blasted by the community.

Yes, everyone agrees that if you don't like a company, don't work for them. But, the point of a forum is to share those experiences.

So here is my take on BestMark - and to be fair, I have not done a shop for BestMark in quite a few years so they may have changed - I personally find their paperwork to be too tedious and take too much time for the pay I am getting. I find their payment policy to be slow and outdated as well.

I am not blasting the company, and as I indicated I have not shopped for them in quite some time because I did not like the experience. I am just sharing my thoughts.

On a positive note though they did have quite a bit of shops available. I just don't like to have to track how much I am owed for that long, I do not like non-electronic payments, and their reporting system just involved too much printing and scanning and just seemed inefficient to me that the rate of pay boils down to like $2 an hour and just does not seem worth it.

msb132abc -

I agree with your point that some people don't like negative talk about MSCs.

I've come to the conclusion that at least some of the problems shoppers encounter with MSCs stem from the turnover of the home office staff and the quality/unhappiness of the employees they hire.

Read Glassdoor.com reviews of this company and other MSCs. The ratings are some of the lowest of any company on Glassdoor.com.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2015 06:37PM by marklewis.

I agree 100% that as far as the forum members are concerned the purpose of the forum is to share experiences. Our experiences in performing shops, the problems we encounter, and the solutions we develop are the meat of the forum. Our friendly and casual relationships with one another are the joy. Many of us have at first taken much and later given it back over and again, enabling others to become successful quicker. A few come here to criticize and complain, and while we listen we may not listen well.

I fully understand when someone wants to share that they are unhappy with a company, did not like the reports, did not get on well with the staff, or find the pay level unsatisfactory. That is interesting and I will keep it in mind when I sign up and try them out. Unless a company does not pay for accepted work, I will not accept any one individual's recommendation to avoid them based on their personal experience.

I put no credence in the first time poster who comes here to rant and rave about "they treated me like trash and I did a great job and they won't pay me and I won't ever shop for that scum again". I don't care. But write a controlled and fair post telling me what went wrong and I'll try to help you. I can't speak for everyone else on the forum, but I'm sick of the baseless attacks posted here (sometimes by those with multiple identities) seeking vengeance on an MSC for a shop gone south. I have one floating down south right now, and it's not likely to come back north, but you won't hear any badmouthing of the MSC from me. I know I screwed it up and if I lose it, well, I lose it. Hard cookies.

Many of us are signed up with hundreds of companies and over the course of years have probably shopped for hundreds, even though we may only be active with ten to twenty at any given time. We have learned that some hated companies are our favorites, and we have learned that some favorites of others do not make our Christmas list. Experience has taught us to take "avoid" recommendations with a thank you and a notation to disregard the disparagement until proven further and with more than one shopper.

It's true that sometimes a poster will get blasted because of a negative post. It depends on the information given to substantiate the complaint and whether we feel we got the real story. Remember, we've been there and we've seen the show up close ourselves. If there's a rat in the store, we'll smell the rat and when we smell the rat we are not happy posters. That's when you're likely to see a little kickback on a negative post.

Good post, my friend.

I like Bestmark because I have never had any trouble getting paid by them, and they pay quickly. Their pay is low, but it comes fast. I was even able to get my daughter started on some mystery shopping with their compliance checks. I miss the interview/survey shops they used to have in my area.

Whenever they have missed a payment, they have always quickly corrected the error once I notified them. I have never had to chase after them for payment (unlike some other companies. Remember Freeman?).

I like them too. They can pay low, but they can pay high also. The audits are/were awesome and if you are reliable you solicit you for the audits.

Bonused does not mean they have low balled their shops. They want to finish all shops, much like you want to finish all your reports. So paying a bonus to complete a round of shops is a feather in the cap of the MSC.

500 shops with the same MSC in only 2 years?!

I've worked for BestMark for 6 months now. I've been lucky enough to some of their higher end shops (casino, upscale hotel) and really have no complaints. They were the first company that hired me, and that allowed me the practice writing reports, since theirs are so lengthy. I don't do a ton of work for them right now, since they mostly have car service shops that I can't do and car dealer shops that aren't worth the money. I don't find that their pay is that terrible, but they definitely don't issue bonuses like a lot of others do.

I can't use them anymore unfortunately. They used to have exit interviews where they would pay 65.00 per shop. However their customer cancelled these so I was out some fairly decent coin. Now they seem to only have shops where you have to have only certain types of cars and I don't have any of the 2-3 types they're looking for.
Actually I have to change the comments above. They could once again become one of my favorite. They just came out with a number of electronic shops rating sales staff for printers, cameras and TV's. Paying 11.50 to 17.00 eachm

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2015 09:48PM by BillB007.