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    <title>New Mystery Shoppers</title>
    <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/list/10</link>
    <description><![CDATA[New to mystery shopping?  Get your questions answered here!  There is no such thing as a 'bad' questions -- we are here to help!]]></description>
    <language>EN</language>
    <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:15:42 -0500</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:15:42 -0500</lastBuildDate>
    <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
    <generator>Phorum 5.1.20</generator>
    <ttl>600</ttl>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Am I getting the runaround?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47323#msg-47323</link>
      <author>walesmaven</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well, if you are getting punched in the jaw, at least it means that you are in the ring, as they say.  Yes, plans fall apart, often because of the client pulling the shop, sometimes because the MSC personnel screwed up, sometime because the creek was rising and the bridge was washed out.  (No joke there!)  From what I see on various sites, there are a few schedulers who seem to cancel more shops than happenstance can account for.  Other than those, it's usually just a matter of bad breaks.  I just had a whole route, except for the site furthest from me, fall apart.  But, I will do 160 miles RT to do that shop.  The company that dropped the other shops is not the one that scheduled the remaining one, and my word is my bond.  Becoming known among schedulers as reliable is essential if you want to be sought out for those special, and better paid, opportunities.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47323#msg-47323</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:15:42 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: do we really get paid</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/47301#msg-47301</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I thought that, too, Flash.  Fixed fee.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/47301#msg-47301</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:42:04 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: do we really get paid</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/47300#msg-47300</link>
      <author>Flash</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Is Experienced perhaps referring to the &quot;Fixed Fee&quot; shops?  I do a number of gas stations that pay a flat fee of $15.  I am required to purchase &quot;at least&quot; $3 in gas and some inside purchase for the receipt.  There is no additional reimbursement for this shop, it comes out of the $15 flat fee.  Other shops, of course pay fee + reimbursement so if I need to spend $9.73, that is what I am reimbursed with the maximum reimbursement being $10.  If I spend more than $10 it is out of my pocket.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/47300#msg-47300</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:02:19 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Am I getting the runaround?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47285#msg-47285</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I shop for them, too.  They have some I like, and some I avoid.  One fine dining client (that is not now shopped) had the report from h***.  Some have simple reports.  Most want longer narratives.  They pay when they say they will pay, which is long, but always on time.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47285#msg-47285</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:58:16 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Am I getting the runaround?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47264#msg-47264</link>
      <author>Mert</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The best laid plans, Bubblesandme, can fall apart.  If it were me, I would go ahead and do the Intellishop.  The fact that your schedule fell apart, is not of their making.  They have shops that I like, and yes pay is a long time getting to me - but it gets to me when they say it will. 

Route building is great, when it works.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47264#msg-47264</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:19:53 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: do we really get paid</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/47263#msg-47263</link>
      <author>AustinMom</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I haven't shopped for any companies who have been willing to reimburse no matter how much I spend.  So far they have all asked for a receipt and reimburse based on the receipt.  So far also they have all named a spending limit.  Am I missing out on some really big spender companies?]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/47263#msg-47263</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:41:32 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Have you ever used the restroom at a grocery store before becoming a mystery shopper?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/47260#msg-47260</link>
      <author>AustinMom</author>
      <description><![CDATA[My worst so far was a gas shop I did Monday at a convenience store/gas station.  I asked about the bathroom and the clerk pointed me around back to two porta-potties.  It was 9 pm and dark, not lighted in back and I smelled it as I rounded the corner.  NO WAY!  Thank goodness I didn't need pictures, I just had to answer the question &quot;Was a bathroom available?&quot; and explain my answer.....]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/47260#msg-47260</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:37:38 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Am I getting the runaround?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47258#msg-47258</link>
      <author>AustinMom</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I've enjoyed working for Intellishop.  They don't have much in my area.  They do take a long time to pay, but not so long that I have given up on them.  And they do pay on schedule without me having to contact them and beg for the money.  When companies make me contact them to ask to be paid, I tend not to want to work for them anymore......  I would give them another chance if I were you.  Fun shops, reasonable report forms, reasonable editing.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47258#msg-47258</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:29:18 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Am I getting the runaround?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47245#msg-47245</link>
      <author>Flash</author>
      <description><![CDATA[There are the occasional mishaps in scheduling.  I remember having lined up a bunch of junk shops to go around a sweet job.  Two days before the shop I get the email that the client has decided to pull the shop.  Can't prove a thing whether they did or didn't.  Left me with a long trip for a bunch o' junk shops.  I was not happy.

What I have found is that a little reminder sometimes helps.  I respond to such an email indicating, &quot;Can you go on and queue me up for the job next time it is offered?&quot;  I've always had decent response.

It is not something I have seen often.  More often what I see are changes to job parameters.  An in person shop magically turns into a cheap phone shop, photos or other proofs get changed between acceptance and payment (some times AFTER performance and reporting), and similar types of nonsense.  Most of the time they are easy enough to deal with.

Intellishop is far from my favorite company to work with precisely because of the long wait time for payment.  Generally I will consider shops that do not have a large out of pocket expense, but even these I hesitate because of the scheduled long payment.  As far as I know, they pay on schedule, it is the schedule that is awful.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47245#msg-47245</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:00:31 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Am I getting the runaround?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47220#msg-47220</link>
      <author>Bubblesandme</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I am new to this but have completed 4 shops for another company.
I accepted a credit union shop with a different company for this coming Friday.
Yesterday I get the following email

I am sorry but I am going to have to drop you from the XXX Credit Union assignment that you picked up. It dropped off a shopper’s board accidentally. But I will keep your name in mind and next month there will be more shops available. Just for our records, do you have an account with XXX?

Should I tell them to shove it? Is this something that happens a lot? Just for the record my tolerance level for BS is low so I do on occasion tell people /companies to shove it if I think I am getting the jerk around and I have no problems with that.

Also
I had another shop in that area ready to go and now it is hardly worth the effort and travel for that alone.
It is with intelli-shop who I now understand take very long to pay! Slow plays rank right up there with jerk arounds in my book.

When I agree to do something it is important to keep my commitment but seeing as this is a slow pay company and it appears that some of these companies have no problem reneging on there end should I reject the Intelli-shop commitment? Either way I doubt I will do any future shops for this company]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/47220/47220#msg-47220</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:59:20 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Basic needs for mystery shoppers</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/47157#msg-47157</link>
      <author>Flash</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I was in my friendly Walmart within the past month looking at watches (mine is gonna go soon, I suspect) and they had the really basic digital stop watch ones with a rubber wrist band and 2 big enough buttons on each side of the face so you could push them on and off easily blind, unfortunately they had a red maroon band and loud baby blue.  They were marked down to $8.99.  I couldn't see either of them as 'invisible' and I sure don't want to draw attention to my watch.  I think the original price on them was up to around $11 or $12.  What I failed to mention in earlier posts is that you do want one that you can push a back light on.  Critical in dark restaurants or sitting in your car in the dark at a drive through.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/47157#msg-47157</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:56:48 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Basic needs for mystery shoppers</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/47143#msg-47143</link>
      <author>LoveToMysteryShop</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I just read this forum.  Thank you to Flash and all the others for your great advice.  I'm about to go shopping for a digital watch so I can keep the time in seconds that is needed.  Flash, you mentioned that there's one in Walmart and Kmart, but that post was dated over a year ago.  

Have you or anyone else found a watch that you think is great for keeping time and also keeping one from looking at the watch?  

I like the way you described doing hitting the watch while opening the door.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/47143#msg-47143</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:23:13 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Have you ever used the restroom at a grocery store before becoming a mystery shopper?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46536#msg-46536</link>
      <author>Flash</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Sure beats the stuffin' outta me.  Actually I suspect the reason is that part of the station's contract is that they are required to pay for their monthly evaluation.  Based on that evaluation they may or may not get a bonus.  If you are so far out of compliance that you will never see the bonus, why bother fixing anything?  If you are keeping you nose clean with the law and making enough money, many companies will not close you down.  Clean up and maintenance cost money, so if you are getting by without paying that expense, that alone will probably save you more money than the bonus would be.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46536#msg-46536</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:53:26 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Normal pay for trailer checks?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45439/46535#msg-46535</link>
      <author>Mert</author>
      <description><![CDATA[SPAM]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45439/46535#msg-46535</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:50:04 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Have you ever used the restroom at a grocery store before becoming a mystery shopper?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46534#msg-46534</link>
      <author>Mert</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Man oh man.  Why pay for mystery shopping if the same problems gets reported month after month after month, with no demonstrated improvement.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46534#msg-46534</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:48:31 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Useful FREE Software for Mystery Shopping</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9099/46532#msg-46532</link>
      <author>Mert</author>
      <description><![CDATA[SPAM]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9099/46532#msg-46532</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:40:06 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Basic needs for mystery shoppers</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/46529#msg-46529</link>
      <author>Mert</author>
      <description><![CDATA[SPAM]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/46529#msg-46529</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:10:30 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Have you ever used the restroom at a grocery store before becoming a mystery shopper?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46505#msg-46505</link>
      <author>Flash</author>
      <description><![CDATA[A gas station near me has a unisex restroom in a separate building.  Luckily the door opens towards the convenience store so I could stand in the relative shelter of the door to snap photos.  The door had no lock except a padlock to use overnight.  The toilet was most frequently clogged and overflowing when I used to do shops there.  I never set foot into the restroom (forgot my waders) and standard procedure was to knock and if nobody yelled from inside, open the door on a held breath with the camera ready, shoot and scram.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46505#msg-46505</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:45:08 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: do we really get paid</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/46502#msg-46502</link>
      <author>Experiencedmysteryshopper</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Some companies pay you back the exact amount that you paid based on the receipt. Other companies have a standard amount to pay you back no matter what you spend.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/39364/46502#msg-46502</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:31:10 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Have you ever used the restroom at a grocery store before becoming a mystery shopper?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46500#msg-46500</link>
      <author>Experiencedmysteryshopper</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Have you ever walked in, while on assigment, for the first time in a rest room somewhere and wanting to turn around and run?

I visit a gas station monthly for mystery shopping and every time I dread it. If it wasn't for the money I would never visit it again. It is SO disgusting. Filty, wrecked, small, nasty. I always make sure to have some old rags on and a plastic cover in my seat of my car. I always have to buy food but that I throw away, couldn't bare to eat it.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/14711/46500#msg-46500</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:26:40 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Normal pay for trailer checks?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45439/46476#msg-46476</link>
      <author>abhishesh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[thanks for telling about the normal pays to a trailer check.I usully see the films without thinking about the languages..]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45439/46476#msg-46476</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:31:12 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Basic needs for mystery shoppers</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/46475#msg-46475</link>
      <author>abhishesh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks for giving idea about the basic needs which is suppose to be have by a shopper]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9047/46475#msg-46475</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:27:47 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Useful FREE Software for Mystery Shopping</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9099/46474#msg-46474</link>
      <author>abhishesh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks for telling about this software.I use to have more struggle about shopping problems.From now i can do my work without any tension.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9099/46474#msg-46474</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:25:35 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Mystery Shop Forum Job Board</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45715/46403#msg-46403</link>
      <author>scral10</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanx,]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45715/46403#msg-46403</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:04:59 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Mystery Shopping and taxes</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/36144/46255#msg-46255</link>
      <author>rarely done</author>
      <description><![CDATA[You don't have to wait for the IRS forms to come out, or even for Office Max to stock Turbo-Tax.

Turbotax.com lets you start your taxes on their website. This year it was free to start your taxes. You get a login, so you can start and then return later to work on it more.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/36144/46255#msg-46255</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:07:08 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: BestMark - Sign off &quot;immediately?&quot;</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45383/45839#msg-45839</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Not save at issue.  Save doesn't let YOU keep it.  You still need the screenshots.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45383/45839#msg-45839</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:30:25 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: BestMark - Sign off &quot;immediately?&quot;</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45383/45835#msg-45835</link>
      <author>Robin75</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi Coupon,
I have completed TONS of shops for BestMark.  I do try to confirm as soon as I can, even from my phone.  In my mind, this alerts the scheduler that the shop is completed and they can breathe a &quot;sigh of relief&quot;, if you will. Especially if you are a new shopper for them, they worry about the completion I think. As far as the reports....I hit save, save, save.  I have never lost a report from BestMark.  I definitely have from other companies. Hope this helps.  Have fun shopping!]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45383/45835#msg-45835</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:27:16 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Odds and Ends for Mystery Shopping</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9242/45755#msg-45755</link>
      <author>walesmaven</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Kool.  Thanks Dee.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/9242/45755#msg-45755</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:22:12 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: canceled shop-feel bad</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45533/45753#msg-45753</link>
      <author>sequoia</author>
      <description><![CDATA[If you cant say no, just dont pick up the phone. Let it go to voicemail, then you can decide at your own time and pace if you like the job or not. I always try to figure out how much work is require before accepting any jobs. 

Just make sure whatever you agree on the phone, ask them to email you. I do not do assignment unless I have written agreement/email at hand. This comes handy incase you get paid less, or there are problem in the future.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/45533/45753#msg-45753</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:37:44 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: A Game Plan for Beginning Signing Up for Shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/33098/45731#msg-45731</link>
      <author>Luanne Turner</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I am so excited to get started. I have wanted to do for some time and never slowed down to apply. I feel like I could do a great job and looking forward to plenty of jobs.]]></description>
      <category>New Mystery Shoppers</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/10/33098/45731#msg-45731</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:03:54 -0500</pubDate>
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