It went something like this....

Hi Robin, this is Kate with XYZ company. We have 2 shops available to you....*pause*....

hmmmmm I see that you have already done these for this rotation. How about _____ TX? To which I say, "I have no clue where that is." To which she replies, "yeah, neither do I." Well, thank you very much for accepting my call. Have a nice day.

well, there is 3 minutes I'll never get back!!

I received my first automated calls for a shop yesterday. I answered my cell phone, but there was also a message on my home phone. It was a pre-recorded call and told me the company had shops in my area. If I was interested, I should log on to my account and accept the shop. I did not know any MSCs did this (automated calls).

Some companies definitely do the automated calls.

I call them companies I used to work with.

Automated calls are the quickest way for a company to go straight-to-voicemail. You! Bad! Sit next to Mr. CVS voice reminding me of my prescriptions and that you offer flu shots!

Text me Ok Robo call I think NO!

A few MSCs offer a ticky npbox option in yr profile to allow/remove yourself from automated calls. I didn't notice these when I signed up, but recently (finally) transitioned to a shopping-only email adderess and in the process of updating all of my profiles, I noticed this option a few times.

Well, Robin, I guess there are cities in NM and TX that even YOU haven't heard of!

robinhardage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

Robin

Silver certified, I shop in Cities in NM and TX that no one has ever heard of.

spaztck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I received my first automated calls for a shop
> yesterday. I answered my cell phone, but there
> was also a message on my home phone. It was a
> pre-recorded call and told me the company had
> shops in my area. If I was interested, I should
> log on to my account and accept the shop. I did
> not know any MSCs did this (automated calls).


Yeah, Strategic Reflections does this.

spaztck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I received my first automated calls for a shop
> yesterday. I answered my cell phone, but there
> was also a message on my home phone. It was a
> pre-recorded call and told me the company had
> shops in my area. If I was interested, I should
> log on to my account and accept the shop. I did
> not know any MSCs did this (automated calls).


As a scheduler, I have a monthly project that contains nearly 150 shoppers and a lot of them love the automated phone calls that we use. They don't always check their email so they tend to appreciate the phone calls as reminders - we actually receive compliments for it. I only send automated messages if their shop is late and they are not responding to my emails, though - unless its a manageable number, of course. We also give our shoppers the option to opt-out of the phone messages if they wish.

Just curious, why do you guys like or dislike automated phone calls? I can see why they may be annoying, but they don't seem all that different from emails, let alone a scheduler personally calling. In general, it's just another mystery shop offer - and we also include the scheduler's direct phone number in every call so there is always a person they can call back personally. Our company prides itself on still contacting shoppers personally by phone, but for some projects it may not be practical. Sometimes our schedulers have studies where there are nearly 1,000 shops available - would you say that this justifies using automated phone calls for scheduling purposes? Any input is much appreciated.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/2012 03:41PM by DLerner.

Automated phone calls tell me absolutely nothing and they burn up cell phone minutes. Why would I want to drop what I'm doing just to hear, "We have shops in your area. Log on to the site." I often get e-mails stating there are shops in my area and that area is three states away. At least with an e-mail I can read and delete with little disruption to my day. I'm not a fan of any generic notification of shops. Give me some specifics and I can decide whether it is even worth my time to look at the website. The bottom line, time is money and I don't appreciate mine being wasted any more than a scheduler or editor would want theirs wasted.

I just hang up when I get one...most of the time they are SPAM and I'm not interested...I much more appreciate an email.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Automated phone calls tell me absolutely nothing
> and they burn up cell phone minutes. The bottom line, time is
> money and I don't appreciate mine being wasted any
> more than a scheduler or editor would want theirs
> wasted.


If it is that bothersome to shoppers then we will definitely reconsider this strategy.

I can definitely see where you are coming from, but a lot of our shoppers do mystery shopping because they have the free time - or at least that is what they tell us. The automated phone calls also give schedulers a chance to reach mystery shoppers who don't always check their emails or log onto the websites and job boards, but still gave us their phone number in case we wanted to contact them. We also only use phone numbers from the Home Phone Number fields in our database as we do not want to bother anyone on their cell phone, either.

I suppose the automated phone calls would hinder more professional mystery shoppers like you who are a bit more selective and busy. I can also understand not wanting a bunch of voice messages about shops that you may not even be interested in.

We always make sure that our automated phone calls have all of the information, including shop pay, due date, a quick description, and a scheduler to contact if they are interested. We only send out the calls to a reasonable amount of shoppers based on the number of shops available. For instance, if we have 1 shop available, we are not going to send out calls to all 300 shoppers that are within 15 miles of it. We actually set the calls on a location basis, starting by sending out calls to mystery shoppers within 5 miles of the shop, then 5 to 10 miles, and so on. Our system also allows shoppers to take their phone number out of our automated call list and gives us the option to drop the phone call should it go to voicemail so we don't leave any messages.

That type of call is not only acceptable, it would be welcome. While e-mail is the preferred method of communication for most of us these days, I happily answer calls from MSCs whenever possible. A call which provides enough information to make an informed decision about the assignment is all I ask and apparently that is just what Informa provides

I would welcome a detailed automated call - the ones that just say "log in to see the jobs" are the ones that drive me nuts. Also, as someone without a landline, I have to put my cell phone number in the *required* "home" section. I don't want to put my Google Voice number there as I do, genuinely, want live calls from schedulers. I agree with LisaSTL, though, that the automateds are frustrating especially for those of us who work a 9-5 and only mystery shop outside of work hours or who use a cell phone as a "home phone".

I have to agree, I wouldn't want to waste time with a "log in to see jobs" call because if I have to login I'd rather see an email with the information. But if someone called (robo or not) with a "We have a shop for you at (location) paying (amt) that must be done by (deadline) press 1 for details, 2 to decline, 9 to opt out of getting these calls in the future" I would not object at all, and I hang up on telemarketers all the time. Although I would want to be able to "press 1 to accept this assignment" to be available from the detail recording so I know that it's my job now.

Now that I'm MSing, I answer calls from unknown area codes and listen to more than the first three seconds of a call.

itsasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have to agree, I wouldn't want to waste time
> with a "log in to see jobs" call because if I have
> to login I'd rather see an email with the
> information. But if someone called (robo or not)
> with a "We have a shop for you at (location)
> paying (amt) that must be done by (deadline) press
> 1 for details, 2 to decline, 9 to opt out of
> getting these calls in the future" I would not
> object at all, and I hang up on telemarketers all
> the time. Although I would want to be able to
> "press 1 to accept this assignment" to be
> available from the detail recording so I know that
> it's my job now.
>
> Now that I'm MSing, I answer calls from unknown
> area codes and listen to more than the first three
> seconds of a call.


Glad to hear that it works for most of you! I can't even begin to tell you how much telemarketers bother me - I had to change my phone number once because it was so bad.

That is exactly what Informa does when it comes to our automated calls, we actually use a script to make sure that all of our schedulers follow it and include all of the information. We looked into ways for a shopper to accept a shop by pressing a certain number but were unable to find any solutions. The best we could do was enabling our shoppers press a certain number to say that they were interested. Once our automated calls were complete we got a spreadsheet that showed us which shoppers were interested. I just checked who the shoppers were and then called them back and assigned the shops to them if I could. Even if the shop was already taken, we make sure to call back each shopper that responded as interested just to let them know. It was difficult getting used to it and we made a few mistakes at first but we've gotten a lot better at it. We don't really use it all that often but it's becoming a very useful tool.

If it makes a difference, I feel the same way about the "we may have shops, log in to our job board" e-mails that provide no detail. They are deleted immediately. I do log into those MSC's boards a few times a week on my own, but a vague e-mail is never going to convey they sense of urgency they want to instill (for me, anyways). Even adding a category like "A [gas station, cell phone, dining] shop is available, log in" e-mail would be better than the no-info ones. So it is not just calls that can frustrate, though it is much easier to delete an e-mail than it is to have to answer a call while you are out/at work/performing a shop.

I got a call from a MSC that said they needed a new car shop done in a city close to me. I said I knew someone at a dealership in that city. Then mentioned that I was traveling that weekend and ended up getting two shops scheduled. CHACHING

I cannot stand getting ANY calls from MS companies - that's why I always use email. First of all, burns minutes, secondly, I will approach the company if I want to accept a job. Third - I always feel bad to have to turn them down when they are begging for help on shops they need to get done. Forth, it is quicker and easier for me to check and read an email than have to speak with someone.

Not to mention, I don't like using the phone at all for anything other than speaking with family. With all of the tons of political calls and donation service calls, etc. I've been getting - I am thinking about throwing the phone out the window!

Chix Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I cannot stand getting ANY calls from MS companies
> - that's why I always use email. First of all,
> burns minutes, secondly, I will approach the
> company if I want to accept a job. Third - I
> always feel bad to have to turn them down when
> they are begging for help on shops they need to
> get done. Forth, it is quicker and easier for me
> to check and read an email than have to speak with
> someone.
>
> Not to mention, I don't like using the phone at
> all for anything other than speaking with family.
> With all of the tons of political calls and
> donation service calls, etc. I've been getting - I
> am thinking about throwing the phone out the
> window!


I know of a lot of shoppers like this - you are the group that we worry about bothering with this whole phone messaging system. We don't want to waste a shopper's time, let alone their calling minutes if they have a phone plan like that. Its not worth our time and money, either. I can also understand feeling bad or awkward when a scheduler reaches out to you and you have to reject their offer - I feel the same way when a shopper calls me and I have nothing to give them. I think what we need to do is ask our shoppers if they want to receive phone calls from us or if they prefer emails.

starblazr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Automated calls are the quickest way for a company
> to go straight-to-voicemail. You! Bad! Sit next
> to Mr. CVS voice reminding me of my prescriptions
> and that you offer flu shots!


At least your CVS voice works. Ours just says "presione el tres" and hangs up. Took us a while to figure out it was CVS. We've told CVS and they just shrug. Maybe I should shop them.

I think your idea is perfect DLerner!

I signed up with a mystery shopping company, and one of the questions was what kind of car do I have. So I give that information. Well ... I keep getting calls from said company asking me to do dealership shops for said brand and type of car. So I keep asking them ... why would I do a shop for a car that I already have, and that they can look up in their system as a car I already have and just got? So then they ask me if i would do it for a $2 bonus!

Whenever I call shoppers and say something like that, I'll laugh it off and say "Well, the system says it's dear you, let me Google Maps it for you"

We usually have a good laugh about it, then I get told off because it's 4 hours away...woops!

sethd85 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I signed up with a mystery shopping company, and
> one of the questions was what kind of car do I
> have. So I give that information. Well ... I keep
> getting calls from said company asking me to do
> dealership shops for said brand and type of car.
> So I keep asking them ... why would I do a shop
> for a car that I already have, and that they can
> look up in their system as a car I already have
> and just got? So then they ask me if i would do it
> for a $2 bonus!


It usually doesn't matter if you already have the car, just don't let the dealership know. If anything you can park around the corner or a block away so that they don't even see it. If they know that you already have the car for whatever reason, just say that you want to get another one for your mother, wife, or kid.

DLerner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sethd85 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I signed up with a mystery shopping company,
> and
> > one of the questions was what kind of car do I
> > have. So I give that information. Well ... I
> keep
> > getting calls from said company asking me to do
> > dealership shops for said brand and type of
> car.
> > So I keep asking them ... why would I do a shop
> > for a car that I already have, and that they
> can
> > look up in their system as a car I already have
> > and just got? So then they ask me if i would do
> it
> > for a $2 bonus!
>
>
> It usually doesn't matter if you already have the
> car, just don't let the dealership know. If
> anything you can park around the corner or a block
> away so that they don't even see it. If they know
> that you already have the car for whatever reason,
> just say that you want to get another one for your
> mother, wife, or kid.


okay but if one of the requirements is to test drive that car, why would I be test driving a car that I already have in the first place?

sethd85 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> okay but if one of the requirements is to test
> drive that car, why would I be test driving a car
> that I already have in the first place?


I didn't consider that - that's a good question. I'm sure there's a clever way to get around that, but the shop would be pretty tainted by now if things would have had to come to that. It wouldn't exactly emulate a normal experience if the representative knew that you had already bought the car. That's why I highly recommend just parking the car a block away and walking up to the dealership - that MSC should be advising all of their shoppers to do that. Especially if a shopper who drives a 20 year old Toyota could pull up into a BMW dealership for a shop. That just wouldn't look right and could compromise the shop as well.

ITA with you CHIX! Only my family, close friends and my kids schools have my cell. Others, have my google voice number. I absolutely hate unsolicited phone calls.
I'd much rather an email.
Forget a landline...we have 6 cell phones in this house, no way I am paying for a landline.


Chix Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I cannot stand getting ANY calls from MS companies
> - that's why I always use email. First of all,
> burns minutes, secondly, I will approach the
> company if I want to accept a job. Third - I
> always feel bad to have to turn them down when
> they are begging for help on shops they need to
> get done. Forth, it is quicker and easier for me
> to check and read an email than have to speak with
> someone.
>
> Not to mention, I don't like using the phone at
> all for anything other than speaking with family.
> With all of the tons of political calls and
> donation service calls, etc. I've been getting - I
> am thinking about throwing the phone out the
> window!

Dylan, in my area it is difficult, if not impossible, to park somewhere else and walk up to a car dealership. This is where our creativity can really come into play. I have had to play off driving into dealerships in different states with Missouri plates and taking my $15,000 car to look at a $45,000 car. If seth is driving the same model year as the evaluation, it will be difficult. However, having the two cars be different model years with some differences in equipment is certainly believable. There are still people that change cars every year, just not on a mystery shopper's income