I just got an e-mail from a MSC requesting a phone interview to go over training, scheduling and payment. This is the first time I have had a MSC request this. Does this happen often? Should I be worried about a scam?

I had this with BMA or DSG. It is real. Usually you are doing upscale jewelry shops.....

I have done several of these over the years. As long as they are not sending large checks fo you to cash and then forward then funds, it is real. Some of my highest paying shops came from such companies. BUT NOT high paying like hundreds of dollars per shop!!!!

I have had to do a phone training for a hotel shop, sporting venue, and mall shop. Usually a chance for them to clarify guidelines ahead of time.

These were better shops but not unbelievable shops. I would say talk to the individual and see what they are offering. If what you here sounds way out of line, I would ask again here before proceeding.

I have done a few of these and only one was remotely helpful. The others read through the guidelines. Since I have been reading since I was four, I really don't need to listen to somebody else read to me.

I have sat through too many training sessions which involved nothing more than someone reading to me and cannot imagine a bigger time waster. My reaction is to totally zone out as they drone on. It rates right up there with that person who will sit in a meeting with dozens of others and continually ask questions and turn the focus to things that affect them and nobody else.

I have recently been asked to Skype with two different video shopping companies prior to being assigned long, multi-state routes. I was recorded via Skype and discussed the scenario, my video rig, educational background, etc. with a scheduler.

I was hired for both of the projects, and think that the Skype sessions were there primarily to ensure that I fit the target demographic, was able to speak clearly, and so forth.

Just a little peek at the wave of the future coming ahead for us.....

I was asked to Skype with a video shopping company. I don't have the capability or desire to Skype so we stuck with a traditional phone call and all was good

I am curious about this part of your statement, "I was recorded via Skype..." Are you saying they actually recorded you? I definitely wouldn't go for being recorded.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have sat through too many training sessions
> which involved nothing more than someone reading
> to me and cannot imagine a bigger time waster.

Ugh. I used to have a district manager that would hold lengthy teleconferences in which she would read word for word from powerpoint presentations that we all had a copy of. I used to use the wasted time to catch up on business email and take care of one-on-one sessions with employees. Talk about a loss of productivity!

My thoughts are, this is relating to large investment shops with certain Banks.

No, not a bank shop. Can you bring a video rig into a bank? Seems like that might pose security issues.

Skype is available if you have a laptop or iPad with webcam capabilities. Free download. I like it, personally, and have been using it for chats with my far-flung family members for years.

The MSCs informed me that they would be recording the Skype session for their/client's use. I just assumed that they wanted to ensure that I looked, spoke and acted as their client wanted for the project.

What is your objection to recording the Skype session?

The bigger question is why don't you object to being recorded? Were they paying you for that time? If the client would like to meet me face to face, that is fine as I will also be seeing them.

I do not have a webcam, do not want a webcam and will not purchase one. I have downloaded numerous specialty programs for video shopping and Skype is not going to be one of them. Apparently the MSC did not have any issues with conducting the interview and training process in a traditional manner as I have my second route scheduled.

Well, as someone who records the behavior of others for a living - why should I object? I understand that certain clients want very specific scenarios with shoppers who represent their target demographic. If I look too old, young, rich, poor, skinny or fat, I won't work as a mystery shopper. That's how the cookie crumbles, I guess.

We are probably discussing different MSCs and projects. There are many major route projects out there getting filled this month, and more in the pipeline. The two I am referencing I got via referral and aren't on this forum or any other public forum that I have seen.

And - No, of course I wasn't paid for my time. I have never been paid for my time in a job interview. That doesn't make any sense.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2013 07:50PM by ColoKate63.

A video is not necessary to find out if a shopper meets a certain demographic and being a video shopper is irrelevant. While I might be willing to have an interview by way of a video conference, submitting a recording of my interview is not the same thing and puts me at a disadvantage because I do not know who will be viewing the video. For all anyone would know, someone at the client's office could get a hold of it and pass it along down the line. There are certainly enough stories of targets being warned by management. I am as protective of my likeness as is humanly possible in this day and age. There are no photos of me on my Facebook account or those of my friends and family.

I'm sure at least one project you are talking about is with the same MSC as I work with several that are by referral only.

If you don't think that shoppers, particularly on highly desirable projects, are willing to falsify their income level, age, or weight then you havent spoken with the schedulers I have met who tell stories about 350-pound women shopping for petite clothing in boutiques, 75 year olds doing preschool shops, or taking a rusted-out Taurus to a million dollar new home shop. This happens all the time, and I sympathize with the clients who end up paying for shoppers that they hired "blind." No wonder they want to Skype and ensure that we are for real before committing thousands of dollars for a route shop!

And I just cannot fathom removing all family photos and the like from my Facebook account. Take those great shots of us dancing at my son's wedding off? Girls weekend at the beach? No way. And my FB privacy is set so no one but friends can see that, anyway.

If someone distributes my likeness, obtained by nefarious means or not, they had better be pretty quick to recognize me during a 10-12 minute covert video shop. I change shopping shirts and rent a car during routes so I'm not recognizable. Other than that, I rely on blending in with the customer base.

I'm a pretty regular looking person, I don't wear anything flashy, drive a memorable car or do anything to draw attention to myself during a shop.. In over 1400 shops to date I've never been "made" as a shopper. I'm not paranoid that my Skype chat will make its way into employee break areas to be diligently memorized and saved for future reference.....

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/2013 12:23AM by ColoKate63.

Nobody had to remove anything because I started mystery shopping. I have always done everything within my power to protect my privacy and my family and friends respect the decision. I don't care what FB says and what "privacy" setting they have, it is not enough for me.

Protecting my livelihood is far from paranoia. There are shoppers who have completed thousand upon thousands of shops and on occasion everyone gets made. Just because you haven't heard about it does not mean it has not happened. There are also shoppers who have been made on that particular 10 to 12 minute video shop, another reason not assume that anyone is immune.

The 10-12 minute shop that I was referencing is a brand new project. It doesn't begin until next week. How on earth have shoppers been "made?" Is time travel involved?

Just an aside...350 lb women CAN shop petites, because petite is only a height designation. There is plus size petite as well as regular petite sizes.

The shops that I was referring to were boutiques that specified a size 0-10 petite. A 350 lb, 5'2" woman isn't by any stretch of the imagination their target demographic.

Ummmm....she could buy....petite socks?

To get this back on thread, I think that more and more MS companies will do phone interviews, Skype, and so on. It's the fault of shoppers who abuse the system and now we have to be vetted more thoroughly. Kind of a shame, but that's the way that it goes.

Kolokate,
I think that the project that you are just starting has been running in other areas since early Feb. Some slots on the team have been filled later than others due to the failure of a few early recruits to peform, and it has taken some time to get the client/MSC links back on track in those areas so that they can "re-start" in those locales.

Phone interviews are becoming the norm as screening for some shops. Most video companies will find a way to at least have a chat with a new shopper before making an assignment. Some hotel and entertainment venue shops do so. Several "by referral" video companies do long phone interviews, with or without Skype. Sending in a test video that conforms to a specific script it also becoming a popular way to screen video shoppers.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/2013 02:03PM by walesmaven.

I'm not going to obliquely discuss any current route shop here on a public forum. That is for other, closed boards and Facebook private pages. Not appropriate here.

I have Skyped, sent in my DMV records, my Experian credit report, my drivers license, car registration, insurance card, been fingerprinted in Nevada, had my background checked, done phone interviews, made many test videos over the past year to get well-paying work with reputable companies. Many of these requirements are familiar to me from previous positions I held during my work career. In my mind, it's par for the course to submit yourself to close scrutiny when applying for certain jobs. I'm glad to see mystery shopping companies doing this, because in time it will raise the standards of the industry and increase the professionalism and trust between shopper, client and MSC overall.

And, at 5'9", I will never, ever, ever apply for a shop in a petite clothing store. That stuff looks like doll clothes to me.