First, I'll say that I like Maritz, although I've only done one shop for them. I like that they actually know how to use the phone, and they're nice.

But.... do they have no concept of reality? And do they "mishear/misunderstand" on purpose?

A scheduler called me yesterday asking if I could do shops this weekend for one of their big clients. Same shop I did before, so I know what's involved and that the base fee is ridiculous. (As others here can attest to!)

He offers me a location in my town, but way on the other side. These have to be done by end of month, so time's getting short, right? He offers an $8 bonus; I countered with $18 bonus ($30 total). I won't touch one of these for less--and only if it's local. He says he doubts he can get it approved because he'd already asked another shopper, who lives further away from there; she came back with the same amount, and they wouldn't approve it. Ya know, if you get two people asking for the same amount, wouldn't that be a clue as to what the shop is really worth? He acted as if my requirement was exorbitant, but I said the shop is a lot of work, and that's what I needed to do it.

Then he offers a second location that's at least a one-hour round trip. Then 1/2 hour to 45 minutes in-store (or more), then close to an hour for the report (or more). So, three hours or more total. I said I'd do it for a flat $50 ($38 bonus). Again, I had to 'splain how much work the shop was and that I was already looking at an hour's drive time. In fact, I think $50 was too cheap. But I said I'd do it for that because DH and I would have liked to go up that way, anyway. I normally would've asked for at least $60.

Guy calls me back, saying he got $30 approved. I was like, "What? I said I needed $50 to do this shop--the base plus a $38 bonus." He acted all confused. I'm positive I not only said "$38 bonus," but that I also gave him the total of $50 as being the minimum I needed. Again, he acts like I'm asking for the universe. Says he'll try to get it approved, calls back (I let it go to voice mail at that point) and says he can't.

Do these people (the Maritz powers that be and the schedulers) ever actually have to do a shop? Do they not know how much work they are? Do they know and not care? Does anyone know?

I no longer accept shops from Maritz for this reason. And also because they ripped me off on a shop that I completed for them and then refused to respond to calls and emails asking for payment. Even after I told them that I would not accept any further shops from them until I was paid, they kept calling with "desperate" shops and ridiculously low payment. I finally deactivated my account and blocked their number.

I think Maritz CX is having a problem attracting & keeping their shoppers. They lost me as a shopper because they ripped me on a shop, as well. This, on top of low low shop fees and their apparent inability to enter the 21st century cyberworld means they cannot compete as a MSC.

I just love it that their idiotic website deletes our shops from the completed shop log after 14 days...that way we have no proof of having done shops for them and they can just ignore all requests for payment.

@BlueMoose wrote:

I just love it that their idiotic website deletes our shops from the completed shop log after 14 days...that way we have no proof of having done shops for them and they can just ignore all requests for payment.

That really bothered me, too, because although I keep all my shop-related e-mails, I had no real way of knowing if the shop was approved until I received payment! And if I hadn't kept the e-mails, I would have no way, other than my feeble memory, of knowing if the amount paid was the amount contracted for.

I would like to try more work for them, but only if the shops pay what I think they're worth to me. "Worth" is a relative term, of course, but I can't see that any of their shops are worth it at base pay, unless one does a full route of them and gets efficient enough so that they can dash them off. I know some shoppers here do that successfully, but I'm not sure I'm capable of it. And I'm not willing to lose money in order to find out!

I keep records of all shops. Detailed logs..just in case. Perhaps taking screen shots for proof, but still they hold the purse strings. Best to move on.

I'd love to email Maritz a link to this topic but oops, they don't know how to use email.

I recently bumped into a Maritz shopper performing one of their gas station mega pic audits wile I was filling up the tank, and she had her toddler in the car while performing the shop, snapping pics while leaving this very young child alone and unattended in the car with the the windows rolled down. How did I know she was a Maritz shopper ? She told me. Didn't think bringing kids was allowed, but this is what Maritx can expect when recruiting shoppers for low paying shops.

Good grief. I agree that Maritz is simply a joke. Avoid like the plague.

@BlueMoose wrote:

Good grief. I agree that Maritz is simply a joke. Avoid like the plague.

You registered a week ago and you have posted 16 times. Fifteen of the 16 posts has been a complaint about Maritz. Sounds like an angry vendetta.

Maritz has some drawbacks but they are a reliable company and many of us like them. Now that you've deactivated yourself, why are we still hearing about it? Get over it. Register with other companies. There's a list below of about 200 of them.

@BlueMoose wrote:

Good grief. I agree that Maritz is simply a joke. Avoid like the plague.

Not really. I've been shopping for Maritz for years (as well as other MSCs). I've found the people pleasant, helpful and professional. I've not had many problems, but will say that when I have, resolution was quick and painless. I accept their method of contact and have profitted.

Just be a professional, run your business that way and all will be good.

Or burn your bridges and tell them to kya. Your choice, friend.

@BirdyC wrote:

@BlueMoose wrote:

I just love it that their idiotic website deletes our shops from the completed shop log after 14 days...that way we have no proof of having done shops for them and they can just ignore all requests for payment.

That really bothered me, too, because although I keep all my shop-related e-mails, I had no real way of knowing if the shop was approved until I received payment! And if I hadn't kept the e-mails, I would have no way, other than my feeble memory, of knowing if the amount paid was the amount contracted for.

@BlueMoose and @BirdyC, you are running a small business. It is YOUR responsibility to keep meticulous business records whether it be a digital spreadsheet or old school pen and paper (or whatever they used before technology.) It is not the MSC's responsibility to keep records for you.

As for BlueMoose saying, "that way we have no proof of having done shops for them and they can just ignore all requests for payment" is 100% inaccurate. You have to submit an invoice for each and every completed job. You can waste paper and ink and print out the invoice (aka proof) or you can save a pdf file of the invoice (once again, proof.)

@GENERAL PUBLIC: I don't understand this ignorance or laziness when it comes to business matters.

ETA: Apparently some people (yes, this includes you BirdyC, did not like the fact that I did not specifically address my third paragraph/sentence of this post to a particular person and insinuated that it was directed at her (BirdyC) when in fact it was not. By adding @GENERAL PUBLIC, I am not targeting a specific person. But I am sure that this will still not satisfy the people with too much time on their hands.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2016 01:56PM by Sybil2.

I like Maritz and I like their shops and schedulers. But I also do not understand their pay [except for the obvious - different clients pay them different amounts so they pay us different amounts]. To answer one of your questions, OP, NO their schedulers [at least one of them] do NOT know the amount of time their shops take. In a friendly conversation, requesting a bonus for the grocery store shops, the scheduler told me she had never uploaded a picture to a computer. I realize shopping [or knowing how to] is not their job but do think if they did a few, they would be able to empathize and not even suggest $11 is a fair price to offer.

Here's a good one for you.. I got a call last week asking if I could do some gas stations that weren't too close to me. I made an offer for two of them, reluctantly since I didn't really want to go and one had 16 pumps and both were in not so great areas. I told them I would need what I got last time I did them, but the last time I had a group of at least four so I added a few bucks to the request. It was not astronomical, by any means. Scheduler called back with counter-offer shortly after. I decided to take it, again reluctantly. About half an hour later, the supervisor called and told me the incentive was way too high and she would have to pull the shops. She said they had never paid that much.Now, I'm getting annoyed on principle. I reminded her that I had accepted THEIR counter-offer and asked if she was seriously going to remove the shops after they were accepted. I reminded her that I had in fact actually received that incentive several months earlier. She said she would chalk it up to her mistake and leave the shops, but threatened me that I might not be seeing such high incentives in the future. ...Whoa, I'm scared...The incentive was $21.50. That doesn't seem like it would be breaking the bank. Believe me those two stations were worth more than that with the time it took to do them both. I do wish they would walk in our shoes and do the shops themselves so they know what is entailed. Did she think I would just roll over and say, "Oh okay. Go ahead and take them away now." Probably because I was reluctant to accept them in the beginning and they probably found a shopper after the fact who would take them for less. I've found the schedulers to be pleasant and sweet, but the supervisor was nasty.

Sybil, I certainly hope your comment about ignorance and laziness is not directed at me!

As I noted, I keep all e-mails, plus all other shop records for all of my shops: guidelines, copies of the blank reports, copies of my completed reports, receipts, etc., etc., etc. Plus I keep a spreadsheet with all dates, names, fees, etc. Plus I've been self employed for 30+ years, so I "think" I know how to keep records (my tax preparer tells me I'm a joy to work with because my records are always in such great shape, as opposed to those of many self-employed individuals he works with). I may not be quite as organized about it as some people, but I have everything and can access it when needed. (So, if your comment was directed at me, I'd like to know how you reached your conclusion.)

My issue with Maritz is that they should also have easily accessible records on their website. And I think there should be a way for shoppers to be advised when/if their reports have been accepted. Prior to receiving payment.

I said: "...because although I keep all my shop-related e-mails, I had no real way of knowing if the shop was approved until I received payment! And if I hadn't kept the e-mails, I would have no way, other than my feeble memory, of knowing if the amount paid was the amount contracted for."

I input the fee amounts into my spreadsheet, but it's possible I could make a typo (I'm not perfect like some people), and typing isn't my strength. I do proofread everything, but, again, since I'm human, I make mistakes. Surely even you make them from time to time? Or aren't you human?

So, IF I didn't keep my e-mails, which I do; and IF I made a typo, which is possible; it would be very nice if Maritz had a user-friendly system in place, which they don't.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2016 12:30PM by BirdyC.

@BirdyC wrote:

Sybil, I certainly hope your comment about ignorance and laziness is not directed at me!
...(So, if your comment was directed at me, I'd like to know how you reached your conclusion.)

You may want to read my post again. The first paragraph was directed at you and BlueMoose. The second paragraph was directed at just BlueMoose. The third paragraph/sentence was a general statement.

Why do I bother using the @{FORUM MEMBER'S NAME} in my posts? I am not sure how to make it any clearer. I think some people are just way too sensitive while others like to jump to conclusions and still others who just like to stir up shyt. No, @BirdyC, I am not addressing you specifically in this paragraph.

@BirdyC wrote:

I input the fee amounts into my spreadsheet, but it's possible I could make a typo (I'm not perfect like some people), and typing isn't my strength. I do proofread everything, but, again, since I'm human, I make mistakes. Surely even you make them from time to time? Or aren't you human?

No, I am not human.

@Sybil2 wrote:

You may want to read my post again. The first paragraph was directed at you and BlueMoose. The second paragraph was directed at just BlueMoose. The third paragraph/sentence was a general statement.

Sybil, your very last sentence certainly appears to, although standing by itself, refer quite pointedly back to both of the previous paragraphs. I (logically, I believe) assumed it was directed at both BlueMoose and me. Sorry if I misunderstood, but I'm not a mind reader.... No way for me to know from reading your words that you weren't referring back to your previous two "directed at specific people" paragraphs, but were making a general statement.

On top of which, you did imply, in your directed statement, that I don't keep meticulous records and that I expect Maritz to do my record-keeping for me. Since you don't know me, I don't know why you assumed that. People who do know me often accuse me of being anal in my recordkeeping.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2016 01:36PM by BirdyC.

@BirdyC wrote:

On top of which, you did imply, in your directed statement, that I don't keep meticulous records and that I expect Maritz to do my record-keeping for me. Since you don't know me, I don't know why you assumed that. People who do know me often accuse me of being anal in my recordkeeping.

Yes, I don't know you. From reading some of your posts in the past, I do know you are anal about grammar. As for my conclusion that you don't keep meticulous records, I quoted your previous post directly...

"That really bothered me, too, because although I keep all my shop-related e-mails, I had no real way of knowing if the shop was approved until I received payment! And if I hadn't kept the e-mails, I would have no way, other than my feeble memory, of knowing if the amount paid was the amount contracted for."

First of all, I am not sure what "shop-related e-mails" you are referring to since Maritz is notorious for not using e-mails as a form of communication.

Second, it is easy to tell if your shop is approved or not with Maritiz. If a shop has an issue, it is put "on hold" in red writing. I have never had a shop rejected so I am not sure what it says in that case.

Third, you are the one who wrote "my feeble memory" not I.

Maritz CX web portal will tell you if your shop has been accepted. There is a gap missing, however, in that there are no on line records for the shoppers to refer to of when payment was issued, and for what shop. This is so like Maritz CX and why they need to get with the program and enter the digital world. Either way, I keep thorough records of shops, dates, accounts receivable, etc.

@MsJudi wrote:

Here's a good one for you.. I got a call last week asking if I could do some gas stations that weren't too close to me. I made an offer for two of them, reluctantly since I didn't really want to go and one had 16 pumps and both were in not so great areas. I told them I would need what I got last time I did them, but the last time I had a group of at least four so I added a few bucks to the request. It was not astronomical, by any means. Scheduler called back with counter-offer shortly after. I decided to take it, again reluctantly. About half an hour later, the supervisor called and told me the incentive was way too high and she would have to pull the shops. She said they had never paid that much.Now, I'm getting annoyed on principle. I reminded her that I had accepted THEIR counter-offer and asked if she was seriously going to remove the shops after they were accepted. I reminded her that I had in fact actually received that incentive several months earlier. She said she would chalk it up to her mistake and leave the shops, but threatened me that I might not be seeing such high incentives in the future. ...Whoa, I'm scared...The incentive was $21.50. That doesn't seem like it would be breaking the bank. Believe me those two stations were worth more than that with the time it took to do them both. I do wish they would walk in our shoes and do the shops themselves so they know what is entailed. Did she think I would just roll over and say, "Oh okay. Go ahead and take them away now." Probably because I was reluctant to accept them in the beginning and they probably found a shopper after the fact who would take them for less. I've found the schedulers to be pleasant and sweet, but the supervisor was nasty.

they assigned you the shops, and them pulled them away from you? wtf. had that happen to me once(not maritz though), and was pissed off. the fact that a supervisor would do that is even more messed up. i haven't done any work for maritz in months. they stopped going for my bonus offers, so i stopped doing shops.

My money is it was a foolish, not to mention unprofessional, ploy to get MsJudi to counter with a lower offer. The supervisor doesn't seem to understand the fine art of negotiation

I agree that this MSC is harder than most to know the status of completed reports. Usually there is no email to refer back to. That is a good idea to save a PDF of the invoice as proof of the shop and the fee/bonus amount, and I am going to start doing that. I also keep a detailed spreadsheet, but without that, I would have no proof if they ever changed the amount paid or never paid me at all-- just my word against theirs. I'm also uncomfortable with the fact that they could easily promise me one fee on the phone, but I can't see that number until I submit the invoice. If they promised me a $50 bonus on the phone, then decided to make it $10, I would have already done the work before realizing the switch. (I am not implying that they do that.) I consider this company "is what it is"... they seem well-meaning, but stuck in Flintstones technology that stands out in contrast to almost all the others. I do a limited amount of work for them.

Actually, you can see the bonus before the invoice. I discovered that by accident one day. If you click where it says "see more in this project" or very similar it will show everything you are currently signed up for in that project. It also shows what each shop pays and any bonuses attached. I was happy I found it!

Duplicate post deleted; sorry!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2016 09:42PM by BirdyC.

Can someone direct me to where on Maritz's website one can find out if one's shop is accepted? I looked all over and couldn't find that, but it was my first shop for them, and I had a hard time navigating their website. I haven't done any more shops for them, but it would be good for me to know where to find that information!

And, Sybil, I didn't realize that using correct grammar (and hoping/expecting that people who get paid to write do, too) is being anal. That's a new one on me!

Sorry, duplicate post

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2016 10:22PM by LIJake.

With Maritz, they will call you to let you know your shops are accepted for the first 5-10. Once you show you get your shops in on time and fix them when they go on hold, you get self assign rights. When that happens, you see them under "Current Shops."

Twilight Zone fans will probably remember an episode entitled "In the Eye of the Beholder".

Last week I set up a mini route of 7 gas stations totaling 135 miles, taking 6 1/2 hours (due to heavy Summer traffic) and producing $286.50. That is a 4.2 profit to expense ratio (based on $.50 a mile car expense) and an hourly wage of $44.

I think Maritz is beautiful.

When schedulers call with unreasonable requests just say no. Either they will pony up your requested amount or they won't. However, I think it's a little unreasonable to expect them to when you have only completed one shop for them. Your record is everything with Maritz and if you don't have one yet don't expect much. Keep shopping and prove that you are reliable, that you check to see if anything is on hold and make corrections, and that you follow guidelines and can write reasonably well. THEN you can start to gripe about pay. I will tell you that in my experience, whoever is supervising that day is subject to change by the next shopping period and the amounts you will be offered are subject to change as well. Sometimes that's a good thing.
Much like LlJake I have figured out how to make Maritz work for me.

@CoffeeQueen wrote:

When schedulers call with unreasonable requests just say no. Either they will pony up your requested amount or they won't. However, I think it's a little unreasonable to expect them to when you have only completed one shop for them. .

I "get it" about establishing a track record before "expecting" to be awarded higher bonuses. But this particular shop is underpriced as is; everybody here agrees on that, from what I read. Plus, I got a $28 bonus for the first shop (same shop) I did for them. I was asking for less of a bonus ($18) on one of these because it was closer. And another shopper asked for the same amount--which makes me think it's fair.

Then the scheduler "misheard" me (maybe on purpose?) on the second shop he asked me about. That one was an hour round trip, plus in-store time, plus report time, and they wanted me to do it for $30 in total? That's crazy--for anybody--to do it at that. I think the $38 bonus I asked was fair, all things considered.

I'm not griping for me, personally; my point was that Maritz seems to be out of touch--at least on this particular shop--on the time required and what's fair compensation. I asked for bonuses that were lower on one and higher (due to distance) on the other. They gave me a nice bonus on the first one, I must have done a nice job since they paid me--everybody was happy. Why is it unreasonable to ask for and expect a bonus again? Why would anybody do a shop for far less than he or she did it for the first time?



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2016 11:31AM by BirdyC.