Has anyone ever been a scheduler or wanted to be a Mystery Shopping scheduler?

During the past 10 years working on and off as a Mystery Shopper, I've often thought about applying to be a Scheduler. When I go through these phases (usually after coming home drenched with sweat from working a short 'shop'n'go" MS route where everything wrong that could possibly happen does. So, I try to imagine how nice it would be [especially in the dog days of Southern US humidity when opening your car door adds that extra special layer of gloss akin to Crisco] to lounge at the computer with phone at hand and be the fairy god person who allots work to the chosen. But, then I get one of those OMG-can-you-please-please-please do this job for me today messages {and the big $3 bonus) and that thought of being a Scheduler just vanishes.

Has anyone ever been a scheduler, applied to be a scheduler, or wants to be a scheduler?

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I have been a scheduler. I know some that have done it for years. It wasn't for me. I was literally at the computer all day and night and missed several events calling around trying to get people to take shops...all for my 1-3.00 per shop assigned, completed and accepted. I do far better out in the field.

Liz

My friend that got me into MS'ing years ago tried her hand at scheduling and like Liz, decided she had to have a life again. She spent day and night tied to the computer in the office room. At one time I worked for a company that scheduled PRN nurses and I could see what a job that was (thankfully I wasn't involved in filling the jobs) that I know I would never think about scheduling shops.

I'm starting to think that schedulers have it worse than Mystery Shoppers!!!

Um, no. No way, no how, not on your life! In fact, if I'm ever convicted of a crime, a great punishment would be to make me a scheduler. It would be HARD labor! You've got to be a little crazy to shop. You're definitely crazy if you're an editor. But to be a scheduler is a special kind of crazy all on its own, epsecially if you're getting paid a per shop scheduled fee instead of an hourly rate. Crraaaaaaaaazzzy!

Do you enjoy getting hundreds of emails a day, tons of requests to reschedule, about as many flakes, add in all the "my grandma died for the fifth time" excuses, and those who are lonely and just want someone to chat with, then do it over and over every day for possibly a flat per location fee? Well, if you answered yes, here's your straightjacket. You're perfect for the job!

Edited for typo because I'm anal like that.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2012 04:12AM by AlwaysAngie.

Scheduling is . . . hard! I was told about 10 years ago that the flake rate (of new shoppers) is 50%. It was then and it is now. That's why great shoppers are SO appreciated by schedulers and editors. I'm with AlwaysAngie, going back to scheduling would be major punishment. But on the flipside, finding that newbie that turns out to be a gem . . . PRICELESS!

The burnout rate is really high because it is so stressful. For those of you who want to give it a try, there is the same kind of adrenaline rush of getting the job done! Contact companies that you like shopping for. Put your name out there. Be prepared to work long hours and hear EVERY excuse you can think of . . . and more!

Elise the Editor and p/t shopper
Inside Evaluators

No,no,no,no,no!Hell no!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2012 04:30AM by peachgirl.

Agree. I recently spoke about this with a scheduler that I work with and she said run away, for the reasons posted.NO

When I was scheduling, I would wake up every morning and have over 100 emails that needed to be answered.....then the phone calls started. I quit when I began to have stress related illnesses.

I can joke about it in retrospect, but I seriously needed to step away from MSing for about a year after that.

Geez glad you got out Steve. The editing post on Volition today, said you could work as little as 15 per week, which sounds doable.

Hey Cynb, which post is the "editing" post on Volition?

It definitely takes a person with perserverence and a thick skin to be a scheduler.
But I think editors have a much more difficult job.

Joan Gingras
Senior Project Director~BarStoolie Mystery Shopping

Barstoolie@insideevaluators.com

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2012 06:58AM by Inside Hospitality/Inside Evaluators Scheduling Te.

I used to work for Nursefinders, and Firstat Nursing and a staffing agent. The latter was a small office, So i had to work 7a-7p Mun - Sun, and take call 7p - 7a Satuday & Sunday. The pay, and bonuses were great, but for 3.5 years I spent every holoday tied to a laptop, and phone. I think the only plus of being a scheduler is working from home.

barbage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My friend that got me into MS'ing years ago tried
> her hand at scheduling and like Liz, decided she
> had to have a life again. She spent day and night
> tied to the computer in the office room. At one
> time I worked for a company that scheduled PRN
> nurses and I could see what a job that was
> (thankfully I wasn't involved in filling the jobs)
> that I know I would never think about scheduling
> shops.

If someone really needs to work from home, I know there are a number of call centers you can consider, too. It might be a viable alternative to being a scheduler. Since you have set hours you don't have to worrya bout giving away your life, either. My friend works from home at a call center and makes $12 or $14 an hour with benefits. Maybe more. I forgot which company she went through but a quick search would turn up a list of companies. I could see if I can get ahold of her to ask her, too.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2012 07:48PM by AlwaysAngie.

No, but I am looking for editing and/or scheduling jobs. I have been mystery shopping for 2 years.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2012 11:00PM by Suzie1.

Being on the other side, I understand that schedulers get a lot of emails but its really frustrating to send them an email about a current job and be totally ignored or in the case of one this week replied over 3 business days later.......
(sent Monday, replied thursday)

All of my emails are always professional and to the point.

I could understand ignoring stupid emails but ignoring shoppers who have a history of doing a good job and never flaking is a bit bizarre.

Im guessing some days they have too many emails and just hit delete.

dwater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Im guessing some days they have too many emails
> and just hit delete.

No, not delete. They wouldn't delete emails that could be helpful or important. They just haven't waded through the piles of emails to find yours yet. I often send the schedulers or owners of ACE an IM through oDesk (an IM program we use) to give them a head's up I sent an email. Otherwise, it could be days before they see it and/or have time to respond. I don't know how they stay organized with all of the emails!

Im not sure about the delete thing?

I have sent numerous emails that were asking about specific jobs that needed doing or offering my services to do a job they needed doing that NEVER received a reply.
What happened to those emails?

If they were read and ignored then thats probably just as bad as hitting the delete button.

I resepct the schedulers, I fully understand they get a hundreds of emails, I always make my emails short and to the point.

I always supply all my contact details so they can get hold of me via multiple methods.

AlwaysAngie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dwater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Im guessing some days they have too many emails
> > and just hit delete.
>
> No, not delete. They wouldn't delete emails that
> could be helpful or important. They just haven't
> waded through the piles of emails to find yours
> yet. I often send the schedulers or owners of ACE
> an IM through oDesk (an IM program we use) to give
> them a head's up I sent an email. Otherwise, it
> could be days before they see it and/or have time
> to respond. I don't know how they stay organized
> with all of the emails!

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