I was told by a company rep not to waste my money as they did not look at the certifications from the MSPA anymore as it did not make a shopper any more reliable or honest. I am not sure what to think about it. I do not want to spend money if I am not going to get anything out of it. 75.00 is a lot of money, heck so is 25.00 if I get nothing in return. I am going to be watching and learning from the experienced people here.

I agree, azbound. I didn't bother with Silver and it didn't hurt me any. Maybe Gold is different, but I haven't seen a value to it.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I just read another thread where someone said she has to have Silver to do certain jobs..could be Merchandising, not sure. I got mine so long ago (when I started) thinking it would be a foot in the door. Not much money then (15.00), so I actually like it to put down on their app., think experience helps more, but it does show your serious. I would'n tell anyone not to get unless the price has gone up.

It was $25 when I got it last year. It didn't seem like a big cost at the time, and I figured on the off chance that it let me get a couple shops I wouldn't otherwise then it was worth it. I feel meh about it; I doubt very much I will ever get gold certified.

One thing I found out is if you join their facebook group, don't bother trying to complain about a company treating you bad or not paying you. They do not want to hear it and they will delete the post. One more great thing about this forum. You need to be able to get the facts somewhere. I guess they want to protect their members.

So right. But the only members that they want to protect are the MSC members, not the shopper members. So why join?

@walesmaven wrote:

So why join?

While part of me assumes your question is rhetorical, I realize that perhaps it actually needs to be answered.

1. A significant number of MSC's are part of the MSPA. In my experience, it's better to take a cooperative role with people that you work for than an adversarial one.

2. Even if you view the MSPA as your enemy, it's a better tactic to be part of the organization so you can be aware of their operations.

3. If enough shoppers took the initiate to join the MSPA, the organization might actually get to a place where shoppers represented a significant portion of income and could effect policies.

Steve,
I get the MSPA emails without paying to join. It is the MSPA that has taken an adversarial position by deleting FB posts asking for help from shoppers who may have legitimate claims of not being paid.

There is no way. given the lack of ability to contact one another, that a huge shopper MSPA membership could take coordinated action to change the organization.

I am sorry to say that I think that your are being naive.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2016 02:59PM by walesmaven.

@walesmaven wrote:

I am sorry to say that I think that your are being naive.

Well...I think you are being biased, so we can agree to disagree.

I'm not a fan of the MSPA but they do actually have a system in place for filing a grievance for non-payment against a member company, and it does not involve posting details on their FB page. Is this forum being adversarial by deleting posts that don't comply with the posting policy?

I am also not implying that the organization would change with shopper involvement. I'm saying that a substantial number of shopper members would create a voice. Shoppers don't have to necessarily coordinate together to have that voice.

I would also add that I don't see the point in choosing any one organization over another. Shoppers that take an interest in MSing should be a member of every organization that could benefit them.

I've been at this long enough to realize that significant change is not just around the corner. No union is ever going to be set up for shoppers and if every member of this forum and the IMSC quit shopping tomorrow, the industry would continue...so we have no ability to successfully demand change. The best that we can hope for is to have an influence on policy at times. My experience tells me that doing that with cooperation is much easier that rebellion in a situation like this. I have personally influenced policies for a number of MSC's using that tactic, so I assure you that it's not naive.

They are definitely not showing concern for the shopper's problems. A shopper mentioned a company and several other shoppers complained about having the same problem and they deleted all of the shoppers posts. Good thing there are other places shoppers can learn about such companies cause the MSPA is not going to allow new shoppers to be wary of companies that don't treat their shoppers right.

@azbound, I'm assuming that you wrote that before you read what I wrote above, but I will reiterate:

The MSPA FB group is not there for you to air complaints against member companies. They have a system in place for that. I would urge all shoppers with a problem to file a grievance with the MSPA and follow up on it regularly, then come here and objectively post your public complaint.

I'm just curious. Using the grievance policy Steve mentioned, has anyone been paid for a shop after filing a grievance for non-payment against a member company? If you have been paid after complaining to MSPA, please post and let us know the results of the grievance you filed.

Perhaps this should start a new thread. Folks are not likely to notice it unless you name a thread about MSPA Grievance Policy.