Scheduler issuing incorrect citations
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Hello, beargirl, and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're generally doing well with mystery shopping. Your first post sounds troubled, and perhaps some of us can make suggestions that will be helpful.
I'm sorry you had an unpleasant experience, but let's talk about it. You indicate in your post that these were last minute shops. When a last minute shop is cancelled, it makes it especially hard on the scheduler and the MSC. It's "last minute" because they're almost out of time. When you pick it up and then cancel, it puts them in a really hard place. This could be what happened to you in this particular situation. The scheduler in question had two of these cancellations, and didn't feel it would be practical to take any further chances on you. Schedulers have to book shops with shoppers who are dependable, and being dependable is one of the major assets any shopper can have.
Your post also indicates that rescheduling and cancelling are something you do with regularity. It's great to be able to reschedule, but that's also a privilege you might want to use sparingly if you want to remain on good terms and get desirable shops. Rescheduling and cancelling because you have picked up more than you can do is not a good reason. A better system for handling your work load would be to schedule a little less than you expect to be able to do. It's always good to have some breathing room on a busy day. Remember, something will always go wrong. Always.
Being dropped by this scheduler may actually be a good thing. It represents a headsup notice that the same thing may be about to happen with one or more other schedulers. As of now, you have the opportunity to schedule your work carefully so you don't lose any more accounts. Executing all of your shops as agreed will build your reputation for being dependable.
I'm sorry you had an unpleasant experience, but let's talk about it. You indicate in your post that these were last minute shops. When a last minute shop is cancelled, it makes it especially hard on the scheduler and the MSC. It's "last minute" because they're almost out of time. When you pick it up and then cancel, it puts them in a really hard place. This could be what happened to you in this particular situation. The scheduler in question had two of these cancellations, and didn't feel it would be practical to take any further chances on you. Schedulers have to book shops with shoppers who are dependable, and being dependable is one of the major assets any shopper can have.
Your post also indicates that rescheduling and cancelling are something you do with regularity. It's great to be able to reschedule, but that's also a privilege you might want to use sparingly if you want to remain on good terms and get desirable shops. Rescheduling and cancelling because you have picked up more than you can do is not a good reason. A better system for handling your work load would be to schedule a little less than you expect to be able to do. It's always good to have some breathing room on a busy day. Remember, something will always go wrong. Always.
Being dropped by this scheduler may actually be a good thing. It represents a headsup notice that the same thing may be about to happen with one or more other schedulers. As of now, you have the opportunity to schedule your work carefully so you don't lose any more accounts. Executing all of your shops as agreed will build your reputation for being dependable.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
Hi Mary:
I understand the crunch with last minute shops which is why I only take them if I am sure. Which means I pick them up the same day I will complete them. It is also why if my plans change I take the time to send an email as soon as I know. I make a point to reach out to the scheduler and generally work things out to get the shop done, or pass it along.
The problem is this scheduler does not communicate until after the fact, so instead of offering to reschedule it has to be cancelled. There is also considerable time between applying for the shop and getting accepted so I've received the notice too late to do the shop at times. The main issue is these shops were not "flake" shops. There is a difference between cancelling and flaking. If I've taken the time to give a heads up to the scheduler it shouldn't be marked as a flake.
My point is that her citation is false.
Tanya
I understand the crunch with last minute shops which is why I only take them if I am sure. Which means I pick them up the same day I will complete them. It is also why if my plans change I take the time to send an email as soon as I know. I make a point to reach out to the scheduler and generally work things out to get the shop done, or pass it along.
The problem is this scheduler does not communicate until after the fact, so instead of offering to reschedule it has to be cancelled. There is also considerable time between applying for the shop and getting accepted so I've received the notice too late to do the shop at times. The main issue is these shops were not "flake" shops. There is a difference between cancelling and flaking. If I've taken the time to give a heads up to the scheduler it shouldn't be marked as a flake.
My point is that her citation is false.
Tanya
While I know it is frustrating to wait forever for an acceptance after applying for a shop, there is a way to deal with this better than cancelling after being assigned. You can either delete your application (SASSIE) or email the scheduler to cancel your application once you know you will not be available. This means do you have the added work of tracking your applied for shops along with the contact information. It will help keep you in the schedulers' good graces, so should prove worth it in the long time.
As for "flaked vs. cancelled" I would have to say that this is a matter of semantics. If "flaking" is described as not doing what is agreed to, then you have flaked. If, on the other had, "flaking" is defined by not doing what is agreed to without notice, you have not flaked. Since it is the MSC's citation, it would be the MSC's definition used for issuing them.
As for "flaked vs. cancelled" I would have to say that this is a matter of semantics. If "flaking" is described as not doing what is agreed to, then you have flaked. If, on the other had, "flaking" is defined by not doing what is agreed to without notice, you have not flaked. Since it is the MSC's citation, it would be the MSC's definition used for issuing them.
By the way, Tanya, welcome to the forum. There is tons of useful information here and many great people. Many very experienced shoppers are here to share advice and answer questions. You will find us an honest bunch who will say so when we disagree with something.
Tanya,
Predicated upon your manner of reasoning, unless it changes, you're going to continue to experience difficulty in this industry. Mary's post to you was "on the money," but it seems, based upon your response, to have not had any effect upon your position that you've been wrongly treated.
Predicated upon your manner of reasoning, unless it changes, you're going to continue to experience difficulty in this industry. Mary's post to you was "on the money," but it seems, based upon your response, to have not had any effect upon your position that you've been wrongly treated.
"I've only been mystery shopping for a few months. I like the extra cash and being able to try new product I wouldn't otherwise look at. I have had great schedulers up until now who understood when I needed to change a date or cancel a shop, especially since I often pick up already overdue shops. "
If you're only been shopping for a few months (I assume four or less) and you have already had several times when you needed to cancel, you need to rethink your strategy. I've only been shopping for a few more months than that and the only cancellations I've done have been IMMEDIATELY after receiving the assignment, once because I realized the shop was far more complicated than the time slot I had available to do it and another when I applied for it thinking it could be done during the summer (it had an ending date in August) and found out they wanted it done "next week" which was in February on a day when I couldn't possible drive to Flagstaff. So both of my cancellations were due to misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the terms of the job.
I have rescheduled about three times; in every case it was a request -- "I CAN do this on the date I said I would but it would be far more convenient to do it on xx/xx/xxx" and in each case they let me move it.
None of these were "flakes" and none were held against me.
I would only cancel a shop otherwise for extreme weather involving my safety, or if I were ill. If you're applying today for a job that is due tomorrow and before you hear back it becomes impossible for you to do it, you need to cancel the APP, not cancel the job after they award it to you.
Learn from this and move on. This is a job. Plan your work far enough in advance that you won't be affected by slow-to-respond schedulers.
I once applied for a post office gig and didn't hear back. The day of the shop I took a package with me to mail, just in case they notified me the day of the shop because I could have worked it into my route even if they told me at the last minute. They never did give me the job, or anyone else. (I think the scheduler was off for a few days.) But I went out prepared just in case. If I had filled the time slot with another job, I would have canceled my app.
That application you put in is an "offer" that is binding on you unless canceled before acceptance. I think maybe you should study a bit on contract law so you understand better what the dynamics of this business are.
If you're only been shopping for a few months (I assume four or less) and you have already had several times when you needed to cancel, you need to rethink your strategy. I've only been shopping for a few more months than that and the only cancellations I've done have been IMMEDIATELY after receiving the assignment, once because I realized the shop was far more complicated than the time slot I had available to do it and another when I applied for it thinking it could be done during the summer (it had an ending date in August) and found out they wanted it done "next week" which was in February on a day when I couldn't possible drive to Flagstaff. So both of my cancellations were due to misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the terms of the job.
I have rescheduled about three times; in every case it was a request -- "I CAN do this on the date I said I would but it would be far more convenient to do it on xx/xx/xxx" and in each case they let me move it.
None of these were "flakes" and none were held against me.
I would only cancel a shop otherwise for extreme weather involving my safety, or if I were ill. If you're applying today for a job that is due tomorrow and before you hear back it becomes impossible for you to do it, you need to cancel the APP, not cancel the job after they award it to you.
Learn from this and move on. This is a job. Plan your work far enough in advance that you won't be affected by slow-to-respond schedulers.
I once applied for a post office gig and didn't hear back. The day of the shop I took a package with me to mail, just in case they notified me the day of the shop because I could have worked it into my route even if they told me at the last minute. They never did give me the job, or anyone else. (I think the scheduler was off for a few days.) But I went out prepared just in case. If I had filled the time slot with another job, I would have canceled my app.
That application you put in is an "offer" that is binding on you unless canceled before acceptance. I think maybe you should study a bit on contract law so you understand better what the dynamics of this business are.
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I pray it does not occur that the last thing I did before I died was vacuum the house or eat broccoli.
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I pray it does not occur that the last thing I did before I died was vacuum the house or eat broccoli.
beargirl Wrote:
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> I've only been mystery shopping for a few months.
> ...I have had
> great schedulers up until now who understood when
> I needed to change a date or cancel a shop...
If you've only been shopping for a few months and you've already had to reschedule and/or cancel assignments, you might want to review your scheduling habits. This early on in your mystery shopping endeavors is when it is so critical to establish yourself as a reliable evaluator. This should be very doable for a new shopper, because typically they are not overwhelmed with job offers. If you can't handle your schedule effectively now, it will be far more challenging later.
So take a look at what is causing all of these scheduling conflicts, BearGirl. This is the time to get them worked out before you burn bridges with more MSCs.
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> I've only been mystery shopping for a few months.
> ...I have had
> great schedulers up until now who understood when
> I needed to change a date or cancel a shop...
If you've only been shopping for a few months and you've already had to reschedule and/or cancel assignments, you might want to review your scheduling habits. This early on in your mystery shopping endeavors is when it is so critical to establish yourself as a reliable evaluator. This should be very doable for a new shopper, because typically they are not overwhelmed with job offers. If you can't handle your schedule effectively now, it will be far more challenging later.
So take a look at what is causing all of these scheduling conflicts, BearGirl. This is the time to get them worked out before you burn bridges with more MSCs.
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
beargirl Wrote:
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> I understand the crunch with last minute shops
> which is why I only take them if I am sure. Which
> means I pick them up the same day I will complete
> them. It is also why if my plans change I take
> the time to send an email as soon as I know.
This is the part of your post that I find totally confusing and contradictory. You pick up last minute shops on the same day you will complete them and then your plans change? How do your plans change within a few hours?
We have all had apps that hang out there for a long time. As others have explained, you simply delete them if that is an option or e-mail the scheduler informing them the application will need to be withdrawn BEFORE you are assigned the shop.
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> I understand the crunch with last minute shops
> which is why I only take them if I am sure. Which
> means I pick them up the same day I will complete
> them. It is also why if my plans change I take
> the time to send an email as soon as I know.
This is the part of your post that I find totally confusing and contradictory. You pick up last minute shops on the same day you will complete them and then your plans change? How do your plans change within a few hours?
We have all had apps that hang out there for a long time. As others have explained, you simply delete them if that is an option or e-mail the scheduler informing them the application will need to be withdrawn BEFORE you are assigned the shop.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
OP : You will totally be "memorable" to the schedulers and the client, but not in a good way...
What schedulers need is as much advanced cancellation notice as possible so that they can meet their deadlines. If schedulers have a pattern of not meeting deadlines, clients are lost and they will lose their jobs. Conversely, a shopper who has a pattern of cancelling on the assigned date (or just forgetting to cancel), stands to lose their job with the MS Company.
I am not saying that you are any of these. But I want you to know that schedulers do keep track of the number of cancellations because their success depends on it, so do give at least a day's notice whenever possible and only when absolutely necessary. Schedulers have a keen sense of knowing when you are picking and choosing assignments at the last minute, just as WE know that some schedulers delay shop confirmation on promised bonuses as they look for other shoppers that will work without it.
Having said that, I know the company of which you speak. The "flake/hero" language is an insult to adult shoppers. Afterall, we are not in grade school and neither are the schedulers. If you feel that the citation is in err, you can request review by a supervisor. Keep records of all communications if you have an "iffy" feeling about the scheduler.
I hope this helps and I hope that my message does not sound condescending. It was not meant to be. Carry on.
Shoppers: thank you for all of your supportive messages during the loss of my mother. It meant more to me than you can imagine.
I am not saying that you are any of these. But I want you to know that schedulers do keep track of the number of cancellations because their success depends on it, so do give at least a day's notice whenever possible and only when absolutely necessary. Schedulers have a keen sense of knowing when you are picking and choosing assignments at the last minute, just as WE know that some schedulers delay shop confirmation on promised bonuses as they look for other shoppers that will work without it.
Having said that, I know the company of which you speak. The "flake/hero" language is an insult to adult shoppers. Afterall, we are not in grade school and neither are the schedulers. If you feel that the citation is in err, you can request review by a supervisor. Keep records of all communications if you have an "iffy" feeling about the scheduler.
I hope this helps and I hope that my message does not sound condescending. It was not meant to be. Carry on.
Shoppers: thank you for all of your supportive messages during the loss of my mother. It meant more to me than you can imagine.
Warning: This User Has Been Banned or Is No Longer Active
beargirl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've only been mystery shopping for a few months.
> I like the extra cash and being able to try new
> product I wouldn't otherwise look at. I have had
> great schedulers up until now who understood when
> I needed to change a date or cancel a shop,
> especially since I often pick up already overdue
> shops.
>
> Unfortunately, I have now twice been issue a
> "Flake" citation for shops that I knew I was not
> going to complete and sent an email ahead of the
> deadline to cancel. I also received an email from
> that scheduler asking me not to pick up any more
> since I had cancelled so many (2!). I understand
> you have deadlines but these were last minute
> shops I tried to complete and when I give notice I
> think a "flake" citation is insulting. Also, there
> was no recognition that I picked up and completed
> several others that were rush shops.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've only been mystery shopping for a few months.
> I like the extra cash and being able to try new
> product I wouldn't otherwise look at. I have had
> great schedulers up until now who understood when
> I needed to change a date or cancel a shop,
> especially since I often pick up already overdue
> shops.
>
> Unfortunately, I have now twice been issue a
> "Flake" citation for shops that I knew I was not
> going to complete and sent an email ahead of the
> deadline to cancel. I also received an email from
> that scheduler asking me not to pick up any more
> since I had cancelled so many (2!). I understand
> you have deadlines but these were last minute
> shops I tried to complete and when I give notice I
> think a "flake" citation is insulting. Also, there
> was no recognition that I picked up and completed
> several others that were rush shops.
I am a little confused. If it's a last minute job pick-up, isn't it even more important to complete them? After all, the scheduler sseemingly already went thru a cancellation and is in dire need to get this done. Today. So, cancelling this type of job - with or without emailing the scheduler - should be a no-no, unless there is an absolute emergency. One cannot accept such an assignment without being absolutely sure that it can be done. Very few jobs have a short time frame within which they can be completed. If necessary, I go to town twice to make sure I get everything done.
In almost 5 yrs now, I've "flaked" once, where I actually did the job, but reported too late, ie. after midnight, and got "banned" for it. It's an MSC that doesn't pay much, and to me not a great big loss. But it was a lesson learned the hard way.
My advice to the OP is, not to schedule any last minute jobs at all, since there seems to be a trend in "stuff coming up". Work with MSC's which let you schedule ahead, and make sure you stick to that schedule. Depending which MSC it is, they may give you a window of several days, and though you may have to pick a date, they may give you the option of CHANGING the performance date, not cancel it. If you have to cancel, because it is impossible for you to complete, it would be prudent to offer a make up date...
Then once you are more familiar and more effcient at this job, you can go back to pick up last minute jobs, and take advantage of possible bonus.
As all of the above posters said, this forum is an absolutely invaluable tool for everyone, but especially "beginners", and in particular those, whe started out alone and without mentoring.
Good Luck.
Kundry
In almost 5 yrs now, I've "flaked" once, where I actually did the job, but reported too late, ie. after midnight, and got "banned" for it. It's an MSC that doesn't pay much, and to me not a great big loss. But it was a lesson learned the hard way.
My advice to the OP is, not to schedule any last minute jobs at all, since there seems to be a trend in "stuff coming up". Work with MSC's which let you schedule ahead, and make sure you stick to that schedule. Depending which MSC it is, they may give you a window of several days, and though you may have to pick a date, they may give you the option of CHANGING the performance date, not cancel it. If you have to cancel, because it is impossible for you to complete, it would be prudent to offer a make up date...
Then once you are more familiar and more effcient at this job, you can go back to pick up last minute jobs, and take advantage of possible bonus.
As all of the above posters said, this forum is an absolutely invaluable tool for everyone, but especially "beginners", and in particular those, whe started out alone and without mentoring.
Good Luck.
Kundry
There is a company that gives "flake" citations? That is absolutely insulting. Be professional, have company standards, give warnings and terminations if those standards are not met. No to hero or flake citations, yes to more money for jobs well done and on time.
Hero citations may be worthless in many instances but flake citations are not. Flake citations are warnings that have real consequences. Many companies use them.
How are flake citations insulting? Do you find written warnings in an employee's file insulting, too?
How are flake citations insulting? Do you find written warnings in an employee's file insulting, too?
Along that same school of thought, thank you Jacob for not rating your posters: "Apprentice", "Contributor", "Star", "Super Star", etc., as is done on the V site. We are all equals here as we learn, perform the same work and advise. No need for grade school ratings or public beratings when ambiguos and ever changing rules are not followed. We are treated like adults here without a tierd system and the troublemakers are dismissed quietly. No insults and no gold stars.
BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
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> Hero citations may be worthless in many instances
> but flake citations are not. Flake citations are
> warnings that have real consequences. Many
> companies use them.
>
> How are flake citations insulting? Do you find
> written warnings in an employee's file insulting,
> too?
Hi Busy,
I have never seen a "Flake Citation", don't know how subjective they are or how freely they can be distributed.
Buzz On!
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> Hero citations may be worthless in many instances
> but flake citations are not. Flake citations are
> warnings that have real consequences. Many
> companies use them.
>
> How are flake citations insulting? Do you find
> written warnings in an employee's file insulting,
> too?
Hi Busy,
I have never seen a "Flake Citation", don't know how subjective they are or how freely they can be distributed.
Buzz On!
Hi, Kathy.
On SASSIE, a flake citation has a grade of "1," which can reduce a shopper's average grade significantly. However, if the shopper has done many shops for that MSC and has great scores usually, then a flake citation may not have any apparent effect on the shopper's average grade at all.
In other words, a shopper who has a long and great history with an MSC may still qualify for all or most of that MSC's shops, but a shopper who has a short or not-so-great history with an MSC may have a difficult time qualifying for another shop again.
If a scheduler or an editor or MSC issues flake citations haphazardly, then the citations are meaningless and the MSC will get a well deserved bad reputation on forums.
Some shop postings contain a warning that any shopper who applies for and is assigned a shop and then does not complete the shop correctly will receive a flake citation and a grade of "1." I don't care for the tone of many of those postings and choose not to apply for those shops, but I do appreciate the clear communication of the MSC's expectations.
Who sees a shopper's grades and citations? The MSC (and its representatives) and the shopper. The grades are not posted publicly.
On SASSIE, a flake citation has a grade of "1," which can reduce a shopper's average grade significantly. However, if the shopper has done many shops for that MSC and has great scores usually, then a flake citation may not have any apparent effect on the shopper's average grade at all.
In other words, a shopper who has a long and great history with an MSC may still qualify for all or most of that MSC's shops, but a shopper who has a short or not-so-great history with an MSC may have a difficult time qualifying for another shop again.
If a scheduler or an editor or MSC issues flake citations haphazardly, then the citations are meaningless and the MSC will get a well deserved bad reputation on forums.
Some shop postings contain a warning that any shopper who applies for and is assigned a shop and then does not complete the shop correctly will receive a flake citation and a grade of "1." I don't care for the tone of many of those postings and choose not to apply for those shops, but I do appreciate the clear communication of the MSC's expectations.
Who sees a shopper's grades and citations? The MSC (and its representatives) and the shopper. The grades are not posted publicly.
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