Bestmark pay only by check?

Can someone verify for me...Does Bestmark pay only by a physical check by mail. I thought that was 1 of the things to look out for as far as scams. All other MS pay by paypal or direct deposit to my account so I was caught off guard when I received a check today.

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Several MSC pay by check. If it is the amount you are owed, then I believe its OK.

Yes, they pay by check only. You can match the dispatch numbers and amounts under your Work/Payment History information which is on the left side of the main page.

It is kind of annoying to get real checks in the mail now-a-days, though. Always worry about theft with our sorta-odd neighbors whose mail box shares our pole, and the fact that we live just several blocks down the street from a grade school & middle school, so there are hoards of kids walking by every day. I so much prefer Pay Pal or direct deposit!

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

Yes, they pay by check. They also pay weekly. While a physical check can be annoying, it is nice to have the cash flow rather that the once a month remittance. I have been paid for work I did for them through 9/12/12 already.

I'm not crazy about paper checks either, but security for me isn't an issue... just convenience. But now I don't mind as much since my credit union added mobile deposit to the iPhone app. I can deposit from the comfort of my couch.

And.... you can use those annoying paper checks to get another $12-20 if you live in an area where a MSC shops check cashing franchises.

I have cashed a $23.50 BestMark check and received an $18 shop fee. I felt like a gangster

MissyH71 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And.... you can use those annoying paper checks to
> get another $12-20 if you live in an area where a
> MSC shops check cashing franchises.
>
> I have cashed a $23.50 BestMark check and received
> an $18 shop fee. I felt like a gangster

Wouldn't that tip them off that you are a mystery shopper? My bank asked me if I was mystery shopping them because one or more of the checks that I was depositing had the words "mystery shopping" or "secret shopper" written on the checks or as part of their company name. I was not MS'ing them but now I never will.

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I haven't seen the words "mystery shopping" on any of my BestMark, BARE, etc. payment checks.

In fact, I just pulled three out of my wallet, and they are very generic.

Yes, if you chose to cash a check as you described, that would be pretty stupid.

But - a generic-sounding check would be fine.

Yes, Bestmark is generic. In 2011, I worked for QAMS and their checks have the full name printed out in bold lettering with the MS = Mystery Shoppers right on the top. Another MSC has the word "Shoppers" as part of their company name and they bank with the same bank I do.

For me it is not a big deal since I don't work for too many companies that pay by check. And I will never shop the bank branch that I do my own personal banking at.

MSPs paying you by check is fine. The issue is when scammers ask you to cash phoney checks, and direct you to take further steps, which they outline.

Checks from MSPs can also be used for bank shops. If the name of the MSP is a giveaway as a mystery shopping company, deposit the check in the ATM.

Bestmark does pay only by check, but they pay MUCH more promptly than other MSCs. I believe they pay every other Friday. I like getting checks from Bestmark, because then I can pick up a teller shop and get paid to deposit it. I've never done a check cashing shop before, but I may look into doing that too.

I'm careful when doing my check cashing shops - in my city, they are in sketchy neighborhoods and are frequently targets of robberies.

I always try to get these shops completed by 9:30, 10 a.m. at the latest. Less chance of problems in the early morning in general.

MissyH71 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And.... you can use those annoying paper checks to get another $12-20 if you live in an area where a
> MSC shops check cashing franchises.
>
> I have cashed a $23.50 BestMark check and received an $18 shop fee. I felt like a gangster

Awesome!

And yes, several of the checks I've gotten (not BestMark's) clearly say something about mystery shopping on them. So couldn't use those for the check-cashing shops!

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

Some checks do have MS on it. I use the ATM to deposit, no slip needed. The receipt even has a picture of my checks on it. My online bank now take check deposits by scanner, just like with a smart phone. Still a bother, DD is the way to go.

Bestmark pays every other week, very timely and reliable company.

I'm not even sure depositing/cashing a check that says "Mystery Shopper" on it would be an issue. (Of course get approval first!)

I have done multiple tax return shops and every year I tell them I am an auditor and one year even told H&R Block I was a mystery shopper (okayed per scheduler) and the guy messed a lot up. He had no clue what it was, and was even more clueless that I was shopping him!

I have deposited many checks personally that say Mystery Shopping on them and notice the tellers don't even look at the check usually to notice and it does not change how I am treated. People get into a routine and don't notice a LOT.

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