What are your thoughts on independent schedulers or scheduling services?

For example, What/whom do you like? Dislike? Why?

What, if any, ethical obligations do you think outside schedulers have?

Thanks.

I find it unethical for a scheduler to continue scheduling for a company that is not meeting its stated payment guidelines. Once I see a scheduler who has a track record of scheduling for (and defending) non-paying MSCs, I avoid that scheduler.

Agreed. In fact, it was seeing yet another email for SSS that caused me to start this thread.

MSCs turn to outside schedulers/scheduling services for many reasons and I think of outside schedulers as a useful and necessary part of our industry. However, it is also a warning sign sometimes when an MSC who never or rarely used outside schedulers begins to use them for many, most or even all of their shops. (It is different when an MSC has a history of using outside schedulers for most or all of its shops. That's just a different business model.)

Sometimes, an MSC has become so poorly run or has earned such a poor reputation among shoppers that it can no longer find enough shoppers to fill its shops. A shopper recruited by an outside scheduler may either not be familiar with the troubles of the MSC or may rely on the reputation and integrity of the outside scheduler. This is when things get tricky.

On one hand, as a shopper, I am responsible for my own decisions and actions. A scheduler cannot force me to shop for an MSC that I know or suspect has questionable payment practices. It is up to me to keep my eyes and ears open. That is one reason why this and other forums are so useful.

On the other hand, it would certainly be wonderful if I could rely on an outside scheduler who knew or suspected there was something very wrong with an MSC not to try to earn his/her scheduling fee at my expense.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2012 12:20AM by BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz.

Good post Busy. You have provided a good overall understanding of the mechanics in play.

Thanks, Kathy.

Of course, outside schedulers can be beneficial to shoppers in many ways, too. I did not want to dwell only on the negative.

For example, if a shopper has a good history with an outside scheduler, that scheduler may help the shopper get a shop that may otherwise go to a shopper with an established history with the MSC.

Some schedulers have taught or told me things that gave me a better understanding of MS.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2012 01:59AM by BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz.

It seems to be going in that direction. Less expensive? I like indies in that they are generally easier to find and will more often respond. Many MSCs do not have anyone in the office after 5p or on weekends. Hello, we work after 5 and on weekends!This has screwed up several shops for me. If you expect me to work on weekends and evenings, then please have support available.

This happened to me one time where a schedule emailed me about an assignment for a company. When that company didn't pay me until I threatened to go to the MSPA, I wrote the scheduler that I had a bad experience with that client, and to take me off the list for that client. The scheduling company still sends me emails for jobs, but not of that particular client.

Got an email from Elise@bldschedulers.com. Not an ethical issue. Just another example of things that give me pause.

"Register to shop with Palm Scheduling Services here:
[www.mystshopsol.com]

Thank you.

Cheryl Durbin, Owner
Palm Scheduling Services
[www.palmschedulingservices.com]


Cheryl@PalmSchedulingServices.com"

I got the opposite of that e-mail from Cheryl asking me to register for BLDS.

::sigh::

I know it makes sense for independent schedulers/scheduling services to help each other out but I scratch my head when a scheduler/scheduling service who has a good/great reputation recommends another that has a questionable/not so great reputation.

I only got the email from Elise because Cheryl did/should not have my email address.