It's that time again! Where I open myself up to the criticism and the critique and let you in my head. So what are your questions? Your complaints? How can I help?

Thanks,

Sarah Caddell
KSS International,Inc.

My question is: Can I interview you for Mystery Shopper Magazine?

(heart)

If it's okay with Lorri, it's fine with me. Can you pm the info?

Is a scheduler able to waive a rotation on a shop?

I'm sure there are different rules for different MSC's.

There's different rules on each project. I have 2 projects for the same type of shop; 2 different companies. One company allows the rotation to be waived if certain criteria are met, and the other will not bend. Those rotations are never up to the scheduler though. It's the MSC and ultimately the client that make those decisions.

I have never worked with a scheduling company and I do have a few questions. I just do self-assign companies but would like to expand. Do you schedule for a variety of MSC's? If I accept a shop with you then do I have to fill out the forms to become a shopper for that particular company? Sorry if these questions seem simple but I really do not know and have been shopping for almost 3 years and the whole scheduling companies vs. working for the company directly. Thanks for any info - I live in S. California - any work for me?

Hi,

Chances are, we've worked together and you don't even realize it. KSS schedules for multiple companies. Some are self-assign shops, some aren't. We schedule both on the clients sites as well as recruit on ours. You would need to register with both the client company and to see the list of shops we have, KSS. I do know that there are shops in your area. I have some as well. You can check out our job board at www.sassieshop.com/2kern. If you PM your zip code, I can tell you exactly what I have.

Thanks,

Sarah

Godluvya, Sarah! My, but you are a brave one.

Assuming clients set the procedures for assignments, is there any way for schedulers to convey to the client aspects of jobs that potentially undermine the evaluation's effectiveness, e.g. requiring attire not locally appropriate, requiring precisely worded questions that sound ridiculous simply saying them out loud let alone to another human being, backstory scenarios that don't change for months at a time, etc.?

Can every email from sassie stop reminding me that I am receiving this email because I signed up for it? can it at least not be the top of the email? put it in light grey at the bottom where I can't see it.

When I get an email I want to know:
pay
description
location or client
link
basically just the important necessary info.

I hate that I have to scroll down and search for key words to figure out what it's all about. or maybe in the user profile people can select to receive "simple, concise, straightforward " or "dumb" email format.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because you have previously registered on the XXXXXXXX system, you are receiving this automated posting of mystery shops. Receipt of this email does not indicate that you have been assigned any shops. You MUST apply for these shops AND receive an acceptance email BEFORE performing any shops.

Please do NOT reply to this message directly.

TO APPLY FOR A SHOP: Find your state/region/country among the "Available Shops" and click on its link.

TO STOP RECEIVING SHOP OFFERS from XXXXXXXXX:
Please login at [www.sassieshop.com] and:

-Deactivate your account
or
-Check this box: "I do not wish to receive mystery shopping offers by email" (to stop emails, but keep account active)


see how annoying that is?

We do let them know and many times the MSC understands. However, the verbiage, the shop requirements, and shopper demographics are set by the client. Sometimes it change. As a scheduler, I would LOVE a less restrictive shop. The less requirements, the easier my job is, but the client is looking for the outcome of particular scenarios. Not what would make my job easy.

Thank you Sarah.

At KSS we do that. Our message is on the top and the disclaimer is on the bottom. But there are 100's of MSC's using the same platform. It's up to the individual to make that adjustment.

KSSSarahC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> At KSS we do that. Our message is on the top and
> the disclaimer is on the bottom. But there are
> 100's of MSC's using the same platform. It's up to
> the individual to make that adjustment.




well I wish all of the MSCs would read this and do this

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2014 03:06AM by quiettime.

Thanks Sarah....how does one try to schedule quickly? Many a time I've found myself with time to shop and one that I can do close by, but I have to apply. I hate cancelling shops, so I have to decide do I risk having to cancel to have a chance to perform the shop? Obviously contacting a scheduler either via email or by phone call would be best.

EMAIL! EMAIL! EMAIL! I get my email to my phone, as do most schedulers. However, my work phone turns to voice mail after 5:30 on weekdays and doesn't go back on until 9am. Calls don't go through to me during those times.(Calls during business hours forward through to my phone if I'm not at my desk.) That means there is a whole weekend where you won't be able to reach me. However, if I'm out with my daughter, cleaning the house, or even going for a run, I will check my email on my phone. Obsessively.

I know what is still open and will either tell you to go ahead and I'll assign you officially when I get back, or if I'm able, assign you right then and there.

To avoid that risk I say that I am in the area until XX: XX PM PST and would like to complete this shop or simply I need to know by XX: XX PM CST please. (I always include the time zone) I put this in the comments (if available when applying) or in an email to the scheduler. This doesn't always work, but at least I've covered my butt.



whosear Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Sarah....how does one try to schedule
> quickly? Many a time I've found myself with time
> to shop and one that I can do close by, but I have
> to apply. I hate cancelling shops, so I have to
> decide do I risk having to cancel to have a chance
> to perform the shop? Obviously contacting a
> scheduler either via email or by phone call would
> be best.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2014 03:04AM by quiettime.

When shops are scheduled, who updates the presto maps and jobslinger? It seems that lots of jobs are left on these types of sites long after they have been filled. With prestomaps, it could be a lag, but with jobslinger, and possibly other platforms, it is days, or weeks. I am just curious who would be responsible to remove the post? Thanks!

Is this just open for KSS employees to answer or may any Scheduler offer their thoughts?

Personally, I try to be available as much as possible for shoppers; by phone, email, text, etc. You never know when someone is out trying to complete an assignment and has an urgent question or problem.

whosear Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Sarah....how does one try to schedule
> quickly? Many a time I've found myself with time
> to shop and one that I can do close by, but I have
> to apply. I hate cancelling shops, so I have to
> decide do I risk having to cancel to have a chance
> to perform the shop? Obviously contacting a
> scheduler either via email or by phone call would
> be best.

Yes but only have exhausting all Shoppers available first.

Canuck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is a scheduler able to waive a rotation on a shop?
>
>
> I'm sure there are different rules for different
> MSC's.

Yes but ultimately it is up to the client to finalize changes or implement recommendations. In my experience, there are clients that are willing to take their chances knowing that their shopping program may cause the shopper to be unable to shop a specific type of shop again. It puts much undue stress on the MSCs and shoppers.


elcarev68 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Godluvya, Sarah! My, but you are a brave one.
>
> Assuming clients set the procedures for
> assignments, is there any way for schedulers to
> convey to the client aspects of jobs that
> potentially undermine the evaluation's
> effectiveness, e.g. requiring attire not locally
> appropriate, requiring precisely worded questions
> that sound ridiculous simply saying them out loud
> let alone to another human being, backstory
> scenarios that don't change for months at a time,
> etc.?

Have you ever come across a creme dela creme shop and decided to do it yourself?

Sarah,

Would you prefer us to email you directly, rather than use the Help / Contact button on shops? I emailed a question to you when you were scheduling some shops, and you responded almost as soon as I clicked send. But then, after I had a problem with one of the shops, I sent a question through the help function and so I would know what to do if the same problem occurred on one of the other shops I had scheduled, I never got a response. So I wasn't quite sure what to do.

KSSSarahC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> EMAIL! EMAIL! EMAIL! I get my email to my phone,
> as do most schedulers. However, my work phone
> turns to voice mail after 5:30 on weekdays and
> doesn't go back on until 9am. Calls don't go
> through to me during those times.(Calls during
> business hours forward through to my phone if I'm
> not at my desk.) That means there is a whole
> weekend where you won't be able to reach me.
> However, if I'm out with my daughter, cleaning the
> house, or even going for a run, I will check my
> email on my phone. Obsessively.

Directs emails are faster. Also, if you are asking me to change a date, or extend a time, and it's not during work hours, or it's the beginning or end of the month. Chances are I'll extend the shop, and may not be able to answer you. (Most likely I'm doing these from my phone after hours. It may not be feasible for me to answer.) And sometimes, that help email may not have gotten to me.


jatufu1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sarah,
>
> Would you prefer us to email you directly, rather
> than use the Help / Contact button on shops? I
> emailed a question to you when you were scheduling
> some shops, and you responded almost as soon as I
> clicked send. But then, after I had a problem with
> one of the shops, I sent a question through the
> help function and so I would know what to do if
> the same problem occurred on one of the other
> shops I had scheduled, I never got a response. So
> I wasn't quite sure what to do.
>
> KSSSarahC Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > EMAIL! EMAIL! EMAIL! I get my email to my
> phone,
> > as do most schedulers. However, my work phone
> > turns to voice mail after 5:30 on weekdays and
> > doesn't go back on until 9am. Calls don't go
> > through to me during those times.(Calls during
> > business hours forward through to my phone if
> I'm
> > not at my desk.) That means there is a whole
> > weekend where you won't be able to reach me.
> > However, if I'm out with my daughter, cleaning
> the
> > house, or even going for a run, I will check my
> > email on my phone. Obsessively.

I shop myself but I have to follow the same rules everyone else does. (Shopper rating, certification, rotation.) I see the same shops everyone else does.

I may assign myself a shop that I like from time to time but the same goes for the flip side. If there is a shop remotely close to me that I can't get filled, I've needed to do it. (I've driven over 50 miles to complete a shop so I didn't miss the deadline.)




LindaM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have you ever come across a creme dela creme shop
> and decided to do it yourself?

Why do some shops require "age requirements" below 50 etc...

Why do some sites require you to pay and join for jobs that are free on other sites?

The client(the store that you are shopping) requires a particular demographic.

kevinl4 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do some shops require "age requirements" below
> 50 etc...

kevinl4 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do some sites require you to pay and join for
> jobs that are free on other sites?


I'm not sure.

Thank you Sarah. I wasn't asking to change a time or date. So most likely the help email did not get to you.

I am fairly new to mystery shopping, so I am still feeling my way along everything.

KSSSarahC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Directs emails are faster. Also, if you are asking
> me to change a date, or extend a time, and it's
> not during work hours, or it's the beginning or
> end of the month. Chances are I'll extend the
> shop, and may not be able to answer you. (Most
> likely I'm doing these from my phone after hours.
> It may not be feasible for me to answer.) And
> sometimes, that help email may not have gotten to
> me.