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    <title>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</title>
    <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/list/6</link>
    <description><![CDATA[Discuss the good and bad of mystery shopping companies.  Which ones treat you well?  Which ones have burned you?  Give your feedback here.]]></description>
    <language>EN</language>
    <pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:39:38 -0500</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:39:38 -0500</lastBuildDate>
    <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
    <generator>Phorum 5.1.20</generator>
    <ttl>600</ttl>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Which companies are best at communicating with you?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47393/47508#msg-47508</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The companies that are prefer to work with have schedulers who treat me as a person, not a number, and certainly not an annoyance.  They respond when I email, or in the extremely rare instance that I call (which I can count as less than twenty times hands for all the years I have been shopping.)  They are nice to work with, pay fairly, and pay on time.  Am I giving up the names?  Nope.  The money tree in my back yard needs to stay in my back yard.  Every shopper needs to grown their own money trees.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47393/47508#msg-47508</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:39:38 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: ANY COMPANIES WITH AVAILABLE SHOPS IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47475/47478#msg-47478</link>
      <author>Mert</author>
      <description><![CDATA[It's a seek and ye shall find business, HigherDimensionLLC.  Read, learn, go forward.  Best of luck.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47475/47478#msg-47478</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:20:15 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ANY COMPANIES WITH AVAILABLE SHOPS IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47475/47475#msg-47475</link>
      <author>HigherDimensionsLLC</author>
      <description><![CDATA[LET ME KNOW]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47475/47475#msg-47475</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:13:21 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Hotel mystery shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47469#msg-47469</link>
      <author>kimc1az</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks Dee, 
Check your PMs. BTW I snooped around and found an email address for the CEO Bill Freeman. I think tomorrow I will forward the email I sent to him and see if it gets any attention. One thing is certian I will never do another evaluation for this company! I'm in the hole for the  wasted hours attempting to be paid!]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47469#msg-47469</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:51:19 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Hotel mystery shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47465#msg-47465</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[No, I filed for non-payment for Restaurant Evaluators. Many others did too. It is a contract.  You do the job.  If they accept the job, they owe you the money.  They did not pay.  They violated their end of the contract with you.  There must be something in the language you used.  I used to work as an HR Director, and so have knowledge of the employment laws.  I can only think that the language you used must cross into the area of employment law.  If you want to PM me what you wrote, I will take a look at it for you and see if that might be it.  You can edit out identity info, like your name etc.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47465#msg-47465</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:06:09 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Corporate Research Int.</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47464#msg-47464</link>
      <author>lisams901</author>
      <description><![CDATA[NeedsGoodJobs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

&gt;  I also see they got a shop for only 18-25 year
&gt; olds that pays fantastically, but yet, most of
&gt; their other shops are atrocious pay rates. That's
&gt; a little discriminatory to my way of thinking....

I could be wrong, but I think I know what shop you are talking about. They have that age range for a reason, it is to test if the employees request ID. You don't have to be in that age range. I'm 35 and I do those shops all the time, you just need to bring someone with you in that range.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47464#msg-47464</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:04:45 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Hotel mystery shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47463#msg-47463</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[No, I filed for non-payment for Restaurant Evaluators. Many others did too. It is a contract.  You do the job.  If they accept the job, they owe you the money.  They did not pay.  They violated their end of the contract with you.  There must be something in the language you used.  I used to work as an HR Director, and so have knowledge of the employment laws.  I can only think that the language you used must cross into the area of employment law.  If you want to PM me what you wrote, I will take a look at it for you and see if that might be it.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47463#msg-47463</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:02:46 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Hotel mystery shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47460#msg-47460</link>
      <author>kimc1az</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I did file it as a contract issue. I guess the BBB only gets involed if the company is contracted to perform a service and does not fulfill their obligation.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47460#msg-47460</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:57:12 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Shopper's Critique</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/35945/47451#msg-47451</link>
      <author>Irene_L.A.</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I liked the bookstore, and go often...they got Wifi, have decent drinks, and it's fun to hang out.  I will miss shopping them as well.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/35945/47451#msg-47451</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:59:14 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Which companies are best at communicating with you?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47393/47450#msg-47450</link>
      <author>Irene_L.A.</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Companies that communicate best for me are:
1.  Anonyomous Insights (thanks Melissa), she always thanks me for doing the job, and is there whenever needed. 
2.  NSS, they call before assigning and explain the job.
3.  Mercantile, always answer by email immediately when something is needed]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47393/47450#msg-47450</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:53:56 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: GfK</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/46510/47447#msg-47447</link>
      <author>mrcomputer101</author>
      <description><![CDATA[You get a drug test locally. They send you the form. They then send you a link for the background check...]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/46510/47447#msg-47447</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:46:37 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Corporate Research Int.</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47446#msg-47446</link>
      <author>mrcomputer101</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I try to do 6 gas shops per day. For other companies...;)]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47446#msg-47446</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:45:01 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47444#msg-47444</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I don't need a good hobby.  And I am not your &quot;dear.&quot;]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47444#msg-47444</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:42:29 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47438#msg-47438</link>
      <author>NeedsGoodJobs</author>
      <description><![CDATA[well, the other poster said she had someone named Becky, not Wendy screaming at her.

 You sure you wanna accuse a total stranger of posting on this forum before? (rolling eyes)

 It sounds like you have too much time on your hands Dee shops. Why don't you take up a nice hobby like gardening or baking or sewing, some positive way to spend your time dear?]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47438#msg-47438</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:20:40 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Corporate Research Int.</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47437#msg-47437</link>
      <author>NeedsGoodJobs</author>
      <description><![CDATA[mrcomputer101 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
&gt; I like the fact that I can get training at no
&gt; cost. When I get bored, I just review another
&gt; training presentation. This has helped me with
&gt; other companies offering similar jobs at better
&gt; pay!


I do think that's true, MrComputer. I know their wages are usually low, but you gotta figure it's good experience for the shops that Do pay well! And you can always say you've worked for them for 5 years, instead of saying you've been looking for work for 5 years! 

  In this horrible economy, it's a shame they won't give the shopper more $$ but at least we got the option of having &quot;something&quot;. I sure cannot live off nothing, that's for sure.
  I see they got alot of training for different companies. which pay the better rates?

 I also see they got a shop for only 18-25 year olds that pays fantastically, but yet, most of their other shops are atrocious pay rates. That's a little discriminatory to my way of thinking....

 Oh, when you do the gas shops, how many or what was the most shops (gas) you did in one day?

 I agree $3 is ridiculous. it used to be $4, which was like being a slave too, but $3 when the gas is getting higher, not lower in price seems absurd.

 We didn't do them for a couple of months due to all the bad winter weather, but then when I went back online to try get some gas shops, I saw they lowered their rate!

 I wonder WHY they did this? This surely is not going to attract more shoppers that's for sure.

 I also see most of the shops taken, in the last 6 months. Oh, well, so much for the stimulus bill!

 It's stimulating me to go check out the price of tents! We may be living in one soon! :(]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47437#msg-47437</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:18:23 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: GfK</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/46510/47431#msg-47431</link>
      <author>NeedsGoodJobs</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I also got an e-mail from Gfk recently, and they also requested that I undergo a background check and a drug testing! How do you do that online for god's sake? lol

 Also.. i went and looked at the jobs they had and they were hours away, so it didn't matter in the first place!]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/46510/47431#msg-47431</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:55:37 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Hotel mystery shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47427#msg-47427</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[That is because you classified it incorrectly.  You are not an employee.  There are other laws that govern employee/employer relationships and the BBB cannot assist with that. This is a contract issue.  They did not fulfill their side of the contract you each made with each other.  Refile.  Use contract issue.  Not that I think it will do more than put another black mark next to their name, but...it's there.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47427#msg-47427</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:34:41 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Hotel mystery shops</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47426#msg-47426</link>
      <author>kimc1az</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Sorry for the long thread. The FreemanGroup Solutions, because that is who sent me the email that my payment was delayed. When I looked them up I found a complaint against them for contract issues.(link posted below)
I got a response from BBB today &quot; We are sorry, the BBB cannot assist in any complaint that primarily involves issues of labor, employment or wage claim. You may wish to contact the Texas Workforce Commission at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ or 800-832-2829.&quot; 

It's too late for me to call today. I've been going from link to link trying to figure out where to file. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be told it is not a labor issue but a small claims issue.
 
I understand why these companies get away with this, no one has the time or energy to find the right channels to file a complaint and if they get their money they drop it. Back channeling seems the only recourse. If anyone has suggestions I welcome them.  

http://www.bbb.org/dallas/business-reviews/shopping-service-protective-comparative/freeman-group-solutions-in-richardson-tx-90131815]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/45482/47426#msg-47426</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:30:49 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47425#msg-47425</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well, it is very strange that this EXACT story was posted previously.  On April 02, 2009 at 06:55AM , PollySecretShops wrote:

BEGIN QUOTING STORY

Well, is that the company out of Kinderhook, NY? Trailer checks don't pay nada compared to an open check. That pays you for the whole day. I did work for Certified at one time. They were good to work for for their Open check dept.

Their blind check dept.. the worst ever... they expected me to drive home after doing a blind check all day in a snowstorm.. I knew the storm was coming and said I might NOT be able to finish up the day. They told me IF i didn't finish the day I would NOT be paid at all! This was after I had paid my way into the theatre with my own cash for the entire day.. we live in an area that if it snows, there's really no snow trucks out for hours and driving is treacherous...

Plus I had to head up a mountain pass to get home. I asked if they'd put me up in a motel so I could finish my Blind check and they said No way.. I'd have to pay for it, meaning what I'd have to pay for motel would eat up whatever pay I'd made for the day. Meaning I'd worked for 10 hours and gotten NOTHING for that day!

This woman, Becky, started to scream at me at the top of her lungs over the phone... It was most distressful and she ended up deleting me from their system..
I tried to explain via e-mail what happened including sending them weather reports I had had my friend download for me showing the snowstorm was indeed coming our way, but they refused to let me enter back into their system.

I think I've heard other bad things about their schedulers. Some of the blind check dept are the pits there, and extremely rude to their checkers....

I'd never do a blind check for them again.. but Now I cannot even get back into their system. I had thought about contacting their president and seeing if he'd reinstate me if I sent him a snail mail letter.

Would that even work??


    * PollySecretShops
    * Expert Member
    * Posts:34

END QUOTING STORY.

SEE:
http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/search/2/search=pollysecretshops/page=1/match_type=AUTHOR/match_dates=0/match_forum=ALL]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47425#msg-47425</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:29:33 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47424#msg-47424</link>
      <author>NeedsGoodJobs</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I don't know what you are talking about, but if the company has a reputation for eliminating shoppers for legitimate reasons, then calling them on the phone probably won't do much good. I could well reach the same woman who was screaming at me.

 I did try to go through their lower echelons, but it did no good.

 Well, what are other movie checking companies then? I really didn't like doing the blind checks anyway, they were expensive to go to, and then you had to wait for your check plus the compensation. Had it been only an Open Check I was scheduled for, I probably would of been willing to stay for another movie, but the weather was moving in swiftly.

 I always did Open Checks with the other company. And DeeShops you don't know me, and I've never come here before.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47424#msg-47424</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:14:16 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47414#msg-47414</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[No, not you Mickey.  :-) We have a history.  I would PM you.  :-)  

I was speaking to NEEDSGOODJOBS.  The story is identical, the writing is more sane this time.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47414#msg-47414</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:00:48 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47413#msg-47413</link>
      <author>MickeyB</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Dee are you speaking to me or the original poster? I am assuming the original poster but just checking (my story is not so unique that it would be out of the realm of possibility that it happened to more than one of us - especially with Certified).  But regardless, I have never posted any other name...]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47413#msg-47413</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:45 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Which companies are best at communicating with you?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47393/47393#msg-47393</link>
      <author>iblessyah@yahoo.com</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I emailed yesterday to move three shops in southern Indiana to Monday instead of tomorrow.  I originally planned to do them today, but reporting got backed up and I needed some give in my schedule.  When I scheduled them, I had plenty of time and I took an early date so I knew there were other later dates out there.  I got no response to my email and I've written two additional emails since then.  Still no response and now it is too late to do all three of them anyway today.  I have no phone number for the scheduler or the company so email is the only way to communicate (or not communicate it seems).  It will be me they label as a flake for not doing the shops, when I have made every effort to communicate with them.

I work best with companies I can contact by phone when I need to reschedule, cancel or just need a rapid response to a question while I'm on the right side of town for it to make a difference.  So far Bestmark, EPMS and Trendsource have provided a number so I'm not left out in the field usually just waiting to hear from them.  Leaving a voice mail is somehow more comforting than an email that is buried on someone's long list of them.  Or better yet, maybe someone else will pick up that can help!

One company had a shop I applied for three days ago and they approved it for tomorrow when I'm out of town.  Of course they didn't tell me they approved it until this morning.  I've been waiting all day to hear from them about rescheduling it.  

If the MSC's expect us to do the shops, they need to be available to answer questions if they aren't going to do rapid response to emails.  Seems like it is in their best interest (and ours) for them to have phones available.  To get a bunch of emails to say that you are late when you are waiting on answers is nerve wracking!

Is everyone else having such communications problems?   Which companies communicate the best???]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47393/47393#msg-47393</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:41:37 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Corporate Research Int.</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47389#msg-47389</link>
      <author>cooldude581</author>
      <description><![CDATA[ahh... i think if they are desperate then they will work with you... as they did me... i had to redo the shops twice and cancel one (which they docked me some points for) but hey about 10 a shop for four shops you can not beat... it was easy and on my way... 

WV has some good shops for them... i saw one bonused all the way to 50 bucks but i think it was on top of a mountain]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/27688/47389#msg-47389</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:06:28 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Bank Shops-- Which Companies are Doing Them?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/20938/47388#msg-47388</link>
      <author>cooldude581</author>
      <description><![CDATA[you have to contact them... they will send you the shopper information packet which you print sign scan and email back to them... then if they have shops they will contact you by email... there is no job board or online application...]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/20938/47388#msg-47388</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:02:28 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: PROS Payment WTF?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47222/47381#msg-47381</link>
      <author>lisams901</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I guess I can see it both ways. 

I was just surprised to see it yesterday since PROS hadn't done that before.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47222/47381#msg-47381</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:33:02 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47377#msg-47377</link>
      <author>dee shops</author>
      <description><![CDATA[We have heard this EXACT story before. Last time you used a different forum name. PollySecretShops, as it were.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47377#msg-47377</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:16:13 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47365#msg-47365</link>
      <author>MickeyB</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Flash gave you some great advice about how to get back in, assuming that is what you want.

Certified is notorious for treating cancellations like you just murdered a public figure. I was long ago deactivated from them for canceling a job before the due date due to a diagnosis of breast cancer. While nobody was mean to me, they told me that they had a no-exceptions policy for any and all cancellations and that I would be deactivated. Seeing as I was going into surgery/chemo/radiation and had no idea if I was going to be making it past a year - I really did not care, and I did not argue or try and find out a way around it. That was six years ago. I have never tried to get back in, but I have heard from others that you can have some success by calling and begging and apologizing and falling on your sword.  I agree, don't bother with a letter or email - it will probably not be read. Call and try and get a live person on the telephone.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47365#msg-47365</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:37:26 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: How does one get back in the game with Certified Reports?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47363#msg-47363</link>
      <author>Flash</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I wouldn't start at the top but start at the bottom and work your way up as needed.  I think going to the top is appropriate when lower eschelons are unresponsive.  Going to the top is also very confrontational.  So I would weasel in as I could.  It may take a bunch of phone calls but I believe they have a toll free number, so feel free to abuse it :)  And I would not put it in writing at this stage of the game because that is too easy to ignore or discard.  A person on the phone at least gets an ear and only if they are willing to be rude will they hang up on you.  Sweetness and light, kissy kissy so sorry, which butt cheek would you like me to kiss is the approach that most folks seem responsive to.  Witch Wendy is for comment here, if she comes up on the phone it is just Wendy and &quot;I understand why she was upset.  I was scared by the storm that was moving in and was perhaps unreasonable because if I stayed overnight at a hotel I would likely be snowed out of my home for possibly days.&quot;  Don't mention cost, don't mention fees and reimbursements lost if your goal is to get back on the payroll.]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47347/47363#msg-47363</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:29:29 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Crossmark?</title>
      <link>http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47362/47362#msg-47362</link>
      <author>cooldude581</author>
      <description><![CDATA[anyone hear of this company... they found my application on monster...]]></description>
      <category>Mystery Shopping Company Discussion</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/read/6/47362/47362#msg-47362</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:24:38 -0500</pubDate>
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