Hi everyone, I'd like to get your opinion on something.
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
Yes. Any reasonable company would, as long as you had made an honest effort.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2015 07:28PM by af517.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2015 07:28PM by af517.
Targeted shops have been the bane of shopper existence for a very long time. Generally if you can't catch up with the target you aren't paid. If you make an appointment with the target and they aren't there when you arrive, you aren't paid. Spin your wheels and waste your time.
That's ridiculous and shortsighted. I wouldn't work for a company that refused to pay you for your work just because something happened out of your control.
Welcome to the 'real world'. They can't sell the client an empty report. Some companies are better than others about reports that can't happen for reasons beyond shopper control, but this does not usually apply to target shops. Plus you have the added factor that places like EPMS have been doing the non-video shops for a very long time and the targets know they are subject to target shops and how to bypass the process. So make an appointment and when you arrive they were called out on an 'emergency'. I wish I had a buck for every time a shopper was offered a hefty bonus to go 50 miles on a targeted shop, went and got screwed because the target was not available. That many bucks and I would have an entire herd for Santa to choose amongst.
@Flash wrote:
Welcome to the 'real world'.
Smart companies don't alienate good workers by refusing to pay them for their good faith efforts, even if they can't profit off of them. Good workers are worth holding onto. There's nothing unusual about this. I've always been paid for a good faith effort on a shop, even when the report wasn't usable.
I understand what you are saying Flash, and I also understand what you are saying AF, the situation that I am speaking of are targeted calls, I didn't have to leave the house but I did put in a lot of time trying to reach the target. I like the company but I feel (and who cares about my feelings) that they could offer $5.00 for my time lol!
****************
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Did anybody indicate that all companies are 'smart'? Most 'smart' companies don't get into deals such as targeted shops unless there is a fall back to complete the work using someone other than the target.
pammie8223, there is no harm in asking them for something for your time.
I have just decided not to accept any more targeted shops, I can't make my money based on someone else's schedule.
****************
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Now THAT to me is smart, pammie8223!
Actually that would be something to negotiate prior to accepting the shop. We sometimes forget that everything can be subject to negotiation.
I see Ellis mentioned a lot as not paying if a target is a no show. While I cannot answer for every one of their clients, the ones I've seen do allow for a shopper to tour with someone other than the target and still be paid. The caveat, the shopper either visits the same day as their phone contact with the target or calls to verify the target is working if they make an appointment for another day.
I see Ellis mentioned a lot as not paying if a target is a no show. While I cannot answer for every one of their clients, the ones I've seen do allow for a shopper to tour with someone other than the target and still be paid. The caveat, the shopper either visits the same day as their phone contact with the target or calls to verify the target is working if they make an appointment for another day.
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.
Thanks Flash!
****************
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
Motivation increases when we assume large responsibilities with a short deadline.
You are so right! I stopped doing apt shops from E just for that reason. They do not seem to offer any "anyone" shops anymore.
EPMS generally wants 3-5 phone attempts made for three days. If you are not successful in reaching the target, on Day 3, email or call EPMS. They will most likely give permission for you to ask for the target, and suggest a how-to. In the event that an on-site does not happen through no fault of the shopper, EPMS pays for phone attempts. I have also reached my target, showed up for the tour, and the target hands me off. That just gets reported, and payment is still made.
I don't disagree that targeted shops can be challenging. However, only a minority of my targeted shops are problem children.
I don't disagree that targeted shops can be challenging. However, only a minority of my targeted shops are problem children.
Lisa is correct about negotiating the protocol for being paid in advance.
In addition to EPMS, all of the video and audio recording MS companies that I am aware of have some sort of pay either full pay if you make an appointment , are stood up and have to shop whoever is available or partial pay for an attempt, followed by a chance to go back and complete the shop with the original target for full pay. Most pay the full travel bonus (or insist that the client foot the bill for the travel bonus) if there is an on site attempt based on an appointment (in addition to a partial fee and freedom to return to do a complete shop for complete pay.) Unfortunately, it appears to me that the MSCs with the lowest shop fees for, say, apartment shops, are the least likely to pay for attempts based on a verified appointment.
In addition to EPMS, all of the video and audio recording MS companies that I am aware of have some sort of pay either full pay if you make an appointment , are stood up and have to shop whoever is available or partial pay for an attempt, followed by a chance to go back and complete the shop with the original target for full pay. Most pay the full travel bonus (or insist that the client foot the bill for the travel bonus) if there is an on site attempt based on an appointment (in addition to a partial fee and freedom to return to do a complete shop for complete pay.) Unfortunately, it appears to me that the MSCs with the lowest shop fees for, say, apartment shops, are the least likely to pay for attempts based on a verified appointment.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
In my short tenure, I have done several targeted shops. However, the guidelines for the shops have always addressed many possible scenarios where the target no longer works there, is unavailable, or hands you off to someone else. All of the shops I've done have stated what to do in each case and I have always been paid. I would always have communication first with the MSC to make sure the scenarios are addressed before doing the shop. If an MSC does not address the possibility, then I would not do the attempt because you just never know and a lot of time can be invested.
I would add that wheeling and dealing for terms on most traditional mystery shops would be a waste of time. As a traditional shopper (as opposed to video), attempting to negotiate terms on run-of-the-mill assignments beforehand would cost me business. The shops would be long gone by the time I got a reply.
You are mistaken to think my negotiating is primarily for video shops because that could not be farther from the truth. The reality is most video shops and travel costs often don't require much negotiating. OTOH, I regularly ask for something on traditional shops, whether it is more money, a longer reporting deadline, an extension on the posted shopping deadline or to be assigned a cluster of shops.
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.
@LisaSTL wrote:
OTOH, I regularly ask for something on traditional shops ... to be assigned a cluster of shops.
I do the same thing. Pretty regularly, when I have to apply for shops rather than self-assign, I will say at the same time something like "I have also requested x shop, y shop, and z shop. It only makes sense for me to do all of these shops at the same time, so please either award me all of them or none of them. Thank you." I almost always get all of them.
Lisa, I agree with most of your bullet points. I also negotiate deadlines and extensions after the fact, when needed. However, run-of-the-mill shops do not allow room for negotiating before accepting. The shops are taken in hours, if not minutes, where I live. Hard-to-book locations, last minute-flaked or rejected shops, are the exceptions. Those, I may have some time to talk.
My reply was in response to negotiating "prior to" or "in advance" of accepting easily booked shops.
My reply was in response to negotiating "prior to" or "in advance" of accepting easily booked shops.
Well. I had a targeted shop, not a telephone and I missed the target. I was told I would get a 1/10 but I asked to redo it as it happened during my friend's funeral. They allowed me and that saved my rating. Sometimes, the MSC will allow a redo, especially for targeted shops.
I get what you are saying Mert. I just didn't want anyone to believe that my method of doing is business is strictly because of video shops versus traditional when traditional shops still contribute a significant portion of my revenue. It is likely more report extensions are after the fact, but shop deadlines are something I negotiate up front.
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.
Exactly. I know that there is a town north of me that almost always gets bonused for several shops at the end of most months. If the scheduler has others that I want that are closer, I'll bundle the farther one to get the others.@meghan9262 wrote:
I do the same thing. Pretty regularly, when I have to apply for shops rather than self-assign, I will say at the same time something like "I have also requested x shop, y shop, and z shop. It only makes sense for me to do all of these shops at the same time, so please either award me all of them or none of them. Thank you."
Uggg. I just knew this thread was gonna be pammie asking everyone's opinion on how awesome I am. :/
Oh well. I agree. Targeted shops suck and honestly I only do them as personal favors to a few schedulers.
Other than new home shops, which almost always will only have 1 person scheduled on the day you shop. And if you get the wrong person you always get a trip charge.
Oh well. I agree. Targeted shops suck and honestly I only do them as personal favors to a few schedulers.
Other than new home shops, which almost always will only have 1 person scheduled on the day you shop. And if you get the wrong person you always get a trip charge.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Since the consensus seems to be that targeted shops are a PITA, I guess we are actually talking about bgriffin in the same breath!@bgriffin wrote:
Uggg. I just knew this thread was gonna be pammie asking everyone's opinion on how awesome I am. :/
@bgriffin, before you pull out the "it was sarcasm" card, my card is filling up with frequent user rewards points. I earn a free bgriffin when the card is full!
Holy Moses, Sybil2! What in the world are you going to do with a free bgriffin? 
Oops, forgot to say that, pammie, targeted shops are actually among my 10-foot-pole shops and when I do take them, I am usually not myself. lol.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2015 02:33PM by risinghorizon.
Oops, forgot to say that, pammie, targeted shops are actually among my 10-foot-pole shops and when I do take them, I am usually not myself. lol.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2015 02:33PM by risinghorizon.
A free bgriffin is worth what you paid for it!
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Won't do 'em anymore, since I FINALLY got ahold of the taget once, made an appointment for the next day, and when I showed up she was out sick for the day! I was VERY pressured to go ahead with the shop with another leasing agent, so I did, and did the report. I bet they used it, but the shop was rejected. They had no interest in what I went through to get ahold of the target- I have no interest in ever doing these again!
Kona Kathie
I was given $5 for not being able to reach a target, because I found out the target no longer worked there.
~niteflytes
"Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink."
"Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink."
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.