Several MS companies I shop for have now entered social media (Facebook in particular). One particular MS company (one of the big ones) is my Facebook "friend."

This MS company sends out daily posts encouraging it's "friends" to look on the portal for particular jobs for specific companies. They even include the portal link. Friends of this companies FB page can comment. For instance, "I love those shops." or "Please bring those XYZ company shops to Burlington, VT."

Doesn't this violate IC agreement? If I post to this MS Facebook page saying I enjoy the Golden Arches shops, wouldn't that identify myself as a shopper for the Golden Arches?

I just find it all very interesting. We try hard on this forum to maintain our integrity as shoppers, while the actual MS company is on Facebook spilling the beans on who they do shops for.

Additionally, if I post a comment to the MS Facebook page, do I violate IC agreement?

Comment please. I wanna know what you guys think of this.

I find it incredibly ironic that an industry where covertness is crucial is now advocating that its field reps engage with them on Facebook.

Anyone want to bet how many seconds it would have taken for them to terminate you if they caught you discussing MS-ing on Facebook before they joined (which makes it ok)?

Among the many reasons that I closed my Facebook account in 2005, and haven't looked back.

I just started a thread on this before seeing this one.

I would say that the Golden Arches discovering that you are a shopper is not something to worry about.

Social media is the new realm of the internet, and it is becoming one of the best ways to reach people on a mass scale. The best part is, there is a connection there. The companies are also monitoring for feedback. When we comment on their social media stuff, they see it and react. Well, they do if they're good about social media. Some companies are happy to have a page and post on it once a month or less, and they won't get the value of the social involvement.

I say get involved! (granted, I'd like to see as many shoppers as possible involved at our facebook page, so I'm a little biased.)


Bottom Line: Learn about your security settings on social media. If you don't want your identity known, lock that profile down tight so only your friends can see your content, and you can even change your profile photo to something that's not you so if anyone comes sniffing around that you don't know, they can only see a name, but have no photo of you to match it to.

If you have security questions, I might be able to help answer them. I'll subscribe to this thread so you can ask away!

I don't trust it either and won't be liking any of their pages. Keeping work and private life separate!

I think you missed the point. Despite my security settings, if I comment or friend a MS company, my profile picture and name are shown. If I comment on one of their clients, I have revealed I am the shopper. Five degrees of relativity will eventually kick in and I would be figured out.


Aeding Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would say that the Golden Arches discoveringZ



> that you are a shopper is not something to worry
> about.
> E
> Social media is the new realm of the internet, and
> it is becoming one of the best ways to reach
> people on a mass scale. The best part is, there is
> a connection there. The companies are also
> monitoring for feedback. When we comment on their
> social media stuff, they see it and react. Well,
> they do if they're good about social media. Some
> companies are happy to have a page and post on it
> once a month or less, and they won't get the value
> of the social involvement.
>
> I say get involved! (granted, I'd like to see as
> many shoppers as possible involved at our facebook
> page, so I'm a little biased.)
>
>
> Bottom Line: Learn about your security settings on
> social media. If you don't want your identity
> known, lock that profile down tight so only your
> friends can see your content, and you can even
> change your profile photo to something that's not
> you so if anyone comes sniffing around that you
> don't know, they can only see a name, but have no
> photo of you to match it to.
>
> If you have security questions, I might be able to
> help answer them. I'll subscribe to this thread so
> you can ask away!

@ Gigi -

That's EXACTLY the reason I have not posted or "friended" any MSC's. I just posted this over on the other thread that also mentions this!

gigishopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think you missed the point. Despite my security
> settings, if I comment or friend a MS company, my
> profile picture and name are shown. If I comment
> on one of their clients, I have revealed I am the
> shopper. Five degrees of relativity will
> eventually kick in and I would be figured out.


I was mostly referring to the idea of an MSP's client poking around in your social media profiles. While I don't feel like MSPs are itching to throw shoppers out, you do raise an interesting point. There are more than a few solutions to the issue you mention:

- We refrain from specific shop information -
The only time to talk about a shop on social media is if an MSP posts about it and you request to be assigned. -though this can just as easily be done over email, and it will save everyone a step. By connecting with an MSP, you are admitting that you are a shopper. Let that be the end of the specific information.

- Don't talk about shops on Social Media -
Just don't mention them. If you don't talk about them, there is no connection, and you won't get tossed. I run the social media for Shopmetrics. Specifically the MSJobBoard facebook page. I share information with shoppers in the form of articles, videos, contests, and general questions. We have some good interaction on our page and nobody is talking about shops there. I've not yet had someone post and say "That McDonald's Shop I did was _____!" There's no need for it. I don't think it's hard to hold us to our IC agreements. Sometimes in order to do it, we just have to practice what I lovingly call the "Mouth Shut Technique"

I will tell you though, that there is one thing to watch out for as far as connections to any company or group.

Did you "like" their page? or did you "Friend" their profile? Companys are only allowed to have Pages now on facebook. If they have a page, the only way to get their updates and be subscribed to them is through the "Like" button. When you "like" a company page, they get the credit for your like, and it sometimes gives you access to more of their content. This is fine, and even if you "Like" them, they cannot see information you have limited. What I mean is, If I login to the MSJobBoard facebook page, and I want to find out more about a shopper who liked my page, I see the same information that someone who is NOT their friend does. If your security settings are high, all I will see is your name, profile picture, and a mostly blank profile.

If you "Friended" a company Profile (and companies are not allowed to have facebook profiles for their business), they have all the priviledges that your facebook friends do. They can see everything you post, all the profile information you put up, your favorite quotes and movies, as well as who your friends are.

I guess the trick is to be aware of the amout of connectivity you have, and enjoy yourself on Social Media. Everything is headed in a more social direction, we just need to know how to protect ourselves. (though this will be tough with the privacy stuff that just got passed in the country.)

Aeding Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would say that the Golden Arches discovering
> that you are a shopper is not something to worry
> about.

So that means the MSC won't terminate me if I'm "discovered"?

> Social media is the new realm of the internet

No it's not. Social interaction on the internet has been around for decades.


> , and it is becoming one of the best ways to reach
> people on a mass scale.

Depends on your target audience.

> The best part is, there is
> a connection there. The companies are also
> monitoring for feedback. When we comment on their
> social media stuff, they see it and react. Well,
> they do if they're good about social media.

So let me get this...companies that have been historically rigid to receiving feedback are now going to become these happy-go-lucky organizations that welcome feedback and react accordingly, just because it's on Facebook? Not buying it.



Here's my soapbox speech on Facebook as a marketing medium. Unless your business A) is a single location, local business or produces items purchased directly by consumers, Facebook/Twitter/all the other big social media sites are nothing more than the "new shiny thing" that everyone wants just because it's the thing that everyone wants.

Media like this is great for spreading word of mouth by consumers to consumers. But, you've got to ask yourself, are my consumers going to be willing to openly spread the word about my product? As shoppers, we have had it drilled into our heads by MSC's repeatedly "Keep your shopping activities covert. Don't talk about it. Don't reveal this, don't reveal that. This is confidential." Now you want us to openly talk about it on the fastest moving media available today? What gives?

If it's about suggestions and feedback, what will make interactions via Facebook any different than emails or calls? Often times, we find that giving feedback via email falls on deaf ears. Why should we expect any differently from this? Wouldn't setting up something like a password protected message board be safer?

If it's about trying to spread the word about your business and recruit new shoppers, there is even less incentive for us to do it. You have to remember, although we are a community on this forum, in a sense, we are all competitors. We compete with other shoppers in our area for the finite amount of work there is available. Now granted, we don't all fit the proper demographics for certain shop requirements, but you get the idea. As a business (which each one of us is), why would we openly invite more competition into our area?

Bottom line is, we as shoppers have zero upside and a potentially huge downside to utilizing MSC's social media pages.

I have to say I find it ironic that FB is becoming the de facto platform for MSCs, considering that it's basically addressing shoppers as individuals, rather than businesses.

With all of the ruckus being kicked up about shoppers having to be contractors, you would think that they would have utilized a more professional based platform, such as Linkedin.

I reap no benefit from the FB status of any MSC, since I'm not going to like, friend or visit any of them. While the cashier at the golden arches could care less about your FB profile, I shop hotels where nosey concierges know my name and have been known to Google me. My online profile has to be clear of mystery shopping.

As far as having a second FB account goes; I have bough duplicity in my life already with MSing and would like more simplicity, so I'm keeping my FB dealings strictly personal.

For what it's worth, this is not just limited to the MS world. I have people regularly contact me through FB for business reasons and have to inform them that they need to contact me through my professional email regarding business. The last thing I want is another place I have to search to recall a business conversation.

Hello zlinedavid! thank you for your response!

zlinedavid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Aeding Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I would say that the Golden Arches discovering
> > that you are a shopper is not something to worry
> > about.
>
> So that means the MSC won't terminate me if I'm
> "discovered"?
>

Now, I didn't say that What I am trying to share is that I don't think shoppers need to live in constant fear of deletion. If you are wise about limiting what you share, there is no need to worry. I'm not sure if some shoppers are worried because they know that they share too much, or they are just the worrying type.


> > Social media is the new realm of the internet
>
> No it's not. Social interaction on the internet
> has been around for decades.

But I don't think it's been quite this effective before. When forums and MUDs and MOOs and chatrooms were popular, the difference was that the social interaction was a very small scale. Now social media has both the Mass Scale, and the one on one capability.

>
> So let me get this...companies that have been
> historically rigid to receiving feedback are now
> going to become these happy-go-lucky organizations
> that welcome feedback and react accordingly, just
> because it's on Facebook? Not buying it.
>

I think you are free to interpret these steps toward social media however you like, and there will always be exceptions to the rule. I will say that some companies will have a difficult time adjusting to the new social media order, and some might even have knee-jerk reactions to the first negative feedback that comes along. It won't be easy for some, and for others, they will understand that the good comes with the bad, and that it is important to be transparent in their public practices. Not everyone will get it right away.

> Bottom line is, we as shoppers have zero upside
> and a potentially huge downside to utilizing MSC's
> social media pages.

Respectfully, I don't think that is necessarily the case here, zlinedavid. The benefits are that if you choose to connect to an MSP facebook page by "liking" it, you will see them pop up in your news feed when they update, and that can be the extent of your interaction. You are effectively a 'lurker' at that point. There is no requirement to contribute anything at all to their conversations, and since it would be a violation of your IC agreements to discuss shop and company information even on your personal social media pages, I don't expect you'd have anything to worry about. I suppose that the only downside I can see is you could get in trouble if your social media practices regularly violate IC agreements or if your online behavior was deplorable enough that you offend companies that you connect with in your interactions. (Please feel free to share if you think of another downside, I'm really having trouble thinking of risks to being involved in MSP social media.)

If you don't want to participate, there is no need to do so. It's totally optional at this point, and I don't expect any MSPs to operate only through facebook.


zlinedavid, I do understand your skepticism, but I would ask that you look at the social media situation in a different light. I cannot speak for all the companies out there, but I can speak for me and the goals we have set out for the MSJB.

I'm interested in recruiting, yes, but the thing is, social media is not going to recruit very many people. the only peole that I interact with on social media are people who already like our page. Exposure outside of that is fairly minimal.

What we're doing on social media is trying to get our shopper community to engage. My overall goal is to try to continue to help make every shopper out there the best shopper that they can possibly be. That will be done with linking to sources of good information on what is happening in the world of shopping, as well as advice from shoppers to shoppers. I want shoppers (who are the backbone of our industry) to be the most credible, talented, and appreciated source of information we have.

My favorite benefit with social media interaction is when a shopper publicly posts an issue or a problem they are having. That gives me a chance to help in a way that is as transparent as possible. When a shopper has an issue and it gets dealt with in public, everyone benefits from the fixing process. Through a practice like this, we test the companies and their values. If a company takes criticism or requests for feedback and react poorly (by deleting comments from users, or removing their interactivity all together -ever see a facebook wall disappear?), the community will find out quickly and learn the merits of that company.


By the way, Gang, I'm having fun with this discussion! This is a great idea-sharing thread!

When I started this topic I was not referring to msjobboard's Facebook page. I was referring to another MS companies page. Im not sure how you run yours, so I can't speak for it.

The one I am referring to posts big color pictures of the companies they shop and their "friends" are commenting on them. For instance, there is a big picture of a check cashing place. One person posted, "I love those shops! Easy money and quick to enter!"

My point is this, say Johnny is the mystery shopper. His name and picture are beside his post. Susie works at the check cashing place and her cousin is FB friends with Johnny (they were on the same baseball team 20 years ago). Susie mentions at the family picnic that she gets shopped from time to time. Her cousin says, "oh, I think this guy on my FB is a mystery shopper." Susie looks at her cousins friend's list and sees Johnny. Bam. Johnny is busted and doesn't even know it.

You get my point.

Johnny's innocent comment on the MS FB page has now violated his IC agreement.

That is why I was shocked that mystery shopping companies have these facebook pages that anyone can friend.

Perhaps there needs to be more awareness by all the danger of violating IC agreement.

gigishopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Perhaps there needs to be more awareness by all
> the danger of violating IC agreement.

I know you were talking about another company, I just figured our page was a good example I could talk about

I see what you mean about the "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" style discovery of a shopper identity, and it might happen somewhere, but I think it would be extremely rare.

I am learning a lot about other shoppers today. I get the impression that most are fairly certain that every MSP is out to get us. Is this how most shoppers feel?

>> Bottom line is, we as shoppers have zero upside
>> and a potentially huge downside to utilizing MSC's
>> social media pages.

>Respectfully, I don't think that is necessarily the case here, zlinedavid. The >benefits are that if you choose to connect to an MSP facebook page by "liking" >it, you will see them pop up in your news feed when they update, and that can be >the extent of your interaction. You are effectively a 'lurker' at that point. >There is no requirement to contribute anything at all to their conversations, >and since it would be a violation of your IC agreements to discuss shop and >company information even on your personal social media pages, I don't expect >you'd have anything to worry about. I suppose that the only downside I can see >is you could get in trouble if your social media practices regularly violate IC >agreements or if your online behavior was deplorable enough that you offend >companies that you connect with in your interactions. (Please feel free to share >if you think of another downside, I'm really having trouble thinking of risks to >being involved in MSP social media.)


And these updates are of value to me how? They obviously can't be about new shop notifications, because that would violate confidentiality agreements. I would hope they wouldn't be about payments. And other news items that are broadcast are of little to no value to me as a shopper, because they don't concern me working and getting paid. So again, the value of these are....?

Now don't get me wrong, there are a lot of potential advantages for the MSCs. Publicity, interaction and since Facebook is the cool trendy new thing to do in business, the CEO gets to brag to his/her buddies "My company has 14 billion likes on Facebook now, blahblahblah". But there is no true advantage or incentive for a mystery shopper to do so, aside from what amounts to a Facebook-branded RSS feed.


I'll reiterate the risks:

A) Increases the likelihood of being exposed as a shopper
Increases the likelihood of more shoppers entering my area (Good for MSCs, bad for shoppers)

Aeding Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I see what you mean about the "6 degrees of Kevin
> Bacon" style discovery of a shopper identity, and
> it might happen somewhere, but I think it would be
> extremely rare.

You would be astounded at the level and depth of information that can be gleaned from social networking sites, and how relatively easy it is. PM me if you'd like an example, I can't speak to it publically (not related to MSing)


> I am learning a lot about other shoppers today. I
> get the impression that most are fairly certain
> that every MSP is out to get us. Is this how most
> shoppers feel?

Out to get us is maybe the wrong word. I would say that to varying degrees, there is a certain degree of nobility (MSCs) vs peasants (shoppers) mentality with most MSCs though.

@aeding, the "6 degrees of Kevin bacon" as you call it and is more common than you think.

Some of us want to maintain integrity as shoppers and remain secret. I agree with zlinedavid. How can friending a MS company on FB possibly benefit the shopper?

zlinedavid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'll reiterate the risks:
>
> A) Increases the likelihood of being exposed as a
> shopper
> Increases the likelihood of more shoppers
> entering my area (Good for MSCs, bad for shoppers)


I think we are just going to go around in circles on this one, David. I understand your viewpoint, but I just don't feel that social media is the detriment to your shopping career that you are illustrating. I feel like social media is an incredible tool that when used properly, can change the way business and relationships work. If you have a few minutes, there is an excellent news video I'll link to from the program Sunday Morning about the impact of social media today.

[www.cbsnews.com]

For increasing the liklihood of shoppers in your area? That will always be an MSC's goal. That will probably never change. The only way I can think of that will change the need for constant recruiting is if all the shoppers in the world become super excellent at the job, and the MSCs notice. There is also the argument for shops with a rotation. The shops still need to get done, but I can't hit the same bank every month and expect that nobody will notice that I'm asking the same questions over and over again.

> > I get the impression that most are fairly certain
> > that every MSP is out to get us. Is this how
> most
> > shoppers feel?
>
> Out to get us is maybe the wrong word. I would
> say that to varying degrees, there is a certain
> degree of nobility (MSCs) vs peasants (shoppers)
> mentality with most MSCs though.

It is likely that our points of view are just different. I am looking at the industry with a fairly fresh take on all things MS. I've not had the experiences that you have. And knowing that I am still young in my experience, I will simply say this:

I believe that MSP involvement in Social media, whether they choose to accept that they are doing so or not, can only benefit shoppers by allowing a direct, public line from shopper to MSP to communicate.

While your scenario of nobility and peasants might be right for some individuals, the companies know that without shoppers, there would be no mystery shopping industry. Those companies that step toward social media connectivity have made it clear that they are connecting with their shoppers. Some have joined FB because they are following a trend, but knowingly or not, they are stepping into our realm They may not always listen, but darn it they will HEAR what we have to say!

gigishopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> @aeding, the "6 degrees of Kevin bacon" as you
> call it and is more common than you think.
>
> Some of us want to maintain integrity as shoppers
> and remain secret. I agree with zlinedavid. How
> can friending a MS company on FB possibly benefit
> the shopper?


I really do think that by keeping up with industry news and trends between shoppers and MSPs can help you in your craft. It's similar (in a small way) to the need for a Doctor to keep studying and know of the latest medical advances. If I were a scheduler and I saw that you were an involved and appreciated user on my facebook page, I would be happy to give you the jobs you apply for and skip over the person whose skills I don't know.

I am facing a certain amount of skepticism about the connections on the internet on this thread. (Granted, with the CISPA issue that just passed, MSPs knowing that we are shoppers is a drop in the bucket compared to what the government will be allowed to see where our privacy is concerned...)

Simply put, I believe that a connection on a site like facebook does not hurt your shopping. I believe that it can help. I see the other viewpoints on the thread, and I will not ignore or put my fingers in my ears. The connections have value to me, and I know they won't apply to every single person out there. -as much as I might LOVE to see everyone "like" my MSJB page

That being said, if you don't want to connect with MSPs on facebook, Don't do it. There is absolutely nobody requiring it. It is available for the people who like the updates. If you don't want to know what decision the MSPA made recently, or how this new scam is sweeping the nation and giving the MS industry a bad name, don't get involved. That's fine

Also, just a side note on terminology, never "Friend" a company. Only use the "Like" button. Using a "Friend Request" gives that company full access to your profile. The "Like" does not give full access. The "like" shows a company only the approved information in your limited profile access options you set up under the account security.

Not sure if it is posted elsewhere on this thread. I think WE should have our own Facebook page to discuss shopping (no names attached) and problem companies. I would be willing to start such a page but wouldn't want to use my real name.

As for MSC pages on FB....I doubt they would allow anything but positive comments on their page. They are probably doing it to show their clients and potential clients how loved they are by their minions of satisfied shoppers. LOL.

Set it up and provide the link. I guess that means I'll have to make up an alias FB so I can "like" your page.

Alex, no disrespect meant, but your take on all of this is based on your specific needs, and your position is different than virtually everyone else on this forum. Your company markets a product to both shoppers and MSCs, so you are neither an MSC or shopper. You don't have to deal directly with the ugly treatment that sometimes occurs from both sides.

Having been on both sides of the fence, I can tell you that there's a lot of animosity, but it's mostly due to a lack of understanding. Both parties are working hard at their jobs and the blame gets put to the other side when things go wrong.

The wall that separates shoppers and MSCs serves a purpose. IMHO. As a scheduler, if I had access to more personal info about my shoppers, it would make it harder to do my job. Scheduling should be based on job performance only and not who posts the nicest notes or 'likes' my company. As a shopper, at least once a month I'm deeply irritated at something that transpires between me and a MSC. For the most part, I eat crow and continue on, but if I had access to blast the offender on social media, it would just be too tempting...and I'm a relatively moderate person.

won't happen this week, but I will.

gigishopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Set it up and provide the link. I guess that means
> I'll have to make up an alias FB so I can "like"
> your page.

Why risk it?

I have NO desire to post my profile on any MS facebook page.

We as shoppers have so many rules/ risks and warnings about what NOT to do.

Putting our face on your MS Facebook page, is just asking for trouble.

because we want exposure (so newbie shoppers can find us). I plan on using an alias. feel free to do the same. other shoppers have indicated a desire for this. it might not be for everyone. now, I am not talking about putting anything on any MS page. I agree with you there. I am talking about our own page.

SunnyDays2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why risk it?
>
> I have NO desire to post my profile on any MS
> facebook page.
>
> We as shoppers have so many rules/ risks and
> warnings about what NOT to do.
>
> Putting our face on your MS Facebook page, is just
> asking for trouble.

Exposure! Try Googling anything about MSing and see what comes up...this forum will be in the top 10.

Is this not social enough? I don't see the point of reinventing the wheel. We have a social forum where our identities are concealed if we desire. The moderator is really accommodating and it has years of input and content available.

because others have said they want it. just don't participate, Steve. Love ya, but geeeeeeeeeeze.


SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Exposure! Try Googling anything about MSing and
> see what comes up...this forum will be in the top
> 10.
>
> Is this not social enough? I don't see the point
> of reinventing the wheel. We have a social forum
> where our identities are concealed if we desire.
> The moderator is really accommodating and it has
> years of input and content available.

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> because others have said they want it. just don't
> participate, Steve. Love ya, but geeeeeeeeeeze.

Fair 'nuff. Didn't mean to come off like a naysayer.....

love ya. I have a bigger problem. I am infested with tiny little moths. I am trying to fill out some reports and every 30 seconds I get "attacked" by one of these varmints. I am getting cranky.

As for the social media. I think it will be good synergy for the Forum. I am hoping it will direct traffic here.

I would suggest (just a suggestion) that anyone who wants to participate, use an alias (such as the one you use here...in fact, it might be a good idea to use the same one so we recognize everyone.

If this doesn't fly, we can just drop it.

I don't see the point of starting another forum/page for basically the same people that are already here. What added value would it have that this place doesn't?

I also don't see the value in "liking" a MSC's FB page. Unless they suddenly decide to start posting the shop offers there, I'm content with the way things are now. I don't want to start another FB page with an alias. Having to log in with 2 different identities & remembering to keep my "lives" separate will eventually bother me.

Nope, I'm sticking it out right here. This place has everything I need to know, when I need to know it.

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would suggest (just a suggestion) that anyone
> who wants to participate, use an alias

The only problem with that idea is that Facebook tries to crack down and police multiple profiles. They want you on there, and they only want one of you.