I signed up with this website and noticed I had a lot of contracts to sign. They represent a few companies. I have gotten work from this website and hope to get more! Anyone use this? 
ISecretShop....aka ISS
I use them all the time. It is not a MS company. You have to sign a contract for each company you want to work for via that website. I just did a shop for a company on ISS and used the phone app and it was extremely easy.
I use them all the time. iSS is a board where the MS companies for the contracts you are signing post their shops. You sign all those contracts at one time and then you use the board. You don't have to sign them all the time. I have not had any problems using the board.
I've used ISS a lot since one of the shops I liked moved there. The interface for submitting reports feels tacky, and when you've got to enter a lot of shops (like 30+), entering the time and other information over and over again instead of just selecting it in a nice drop down box like sassie gets really annoying.
Their ranking system is really weird too. They have a PDF explaining it however it's definitely not updated.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2016 04:56PM by JohnieQ.
Their ranking system is really weird too. They have a PDF explaining it however it's definitely not updated.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2016 04:56PM by JohnieQ.
I've used ISS for a few years. Their interface could be a little more user-friendly, but I've never had any problems with the website not working. I don't worry about ranking; I just do the job best as I can and move on to the next one.
@JohnieQ wrote:
Their ranking system is really weird too. They have a PDF explaining it however it's definitely not updated.
I was looking for a fellow "agent" who could explain whether 20 points is good or bad. I didn't know there was a PDF as I think the site says it uses an algorithm that it won't explain. I will look for that PDF. Thanks for mentioning it. I have used ISS for about six months now. There aren't a lot of MSCs on my ISS local list, but I have had some nice shops. The report form is clunky.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
@PuaM wrote:
@JohnieQ wrote:
Their ranking system is really weird too. They have a PDF explaining it however it's definitely not updated.
I was looking for a fellow "agent" who could explain whether 20 points is good or bad. I didn't know there was a PDF as I think the site says it uses an algorithm that it won't explain. I will look for that PDF. Thanks for mentioning it. I have used ISS for about six months now. There aren't a lot of MSCs on my ISS local list, but I have had some nice shops. The report form is clunky.
The PDF is outdated and incorrect. From what I've seen it's 20 points for a good/perfect shop.
Completing the tutorial = 2 shops self assign, 500 points=3, 1000 points=4
What do the points mean? Is that our rating as a shopper?
I've done one shop on ISS and it says Points: -10
I'm assuming that isn't good. I got paid for the shop, but does a negative score mean I did something wrong?
Edit: Here is what the website says. I'm guessing I have a negative score because I cancelled a shop after reviewing the guidelines
Agent Ranking System
Every time you use the iSecretShop system your Agent Rank is adjusted. You may increase your rank in numerous ways: successfully completing approved shops, successfully completing iSS Prep's online courses and certifications, etc. Likewise, some activities deduct points, including: canceling shops, having shops declined and so forth. Our ranking system uses complex measurement algorithms to evaluate and report on each shopper. It is informed by variables that you can control (like the examples above) as well as other factors that are not published. Please do not ask for details of this process as it is both proprietary and dynamic. The higher your Agent Ranking, the more shops you may self-assign at a time. And some MSPs reserve their 'best' assignments for the highest ranked shoppers.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2016 04:18PM by jgoodwin.
I'm assuming that isn't good. I got paid for the shop, but does a negative score mean I did something wrong?
Edit: Here is what the website says. I'm guessing I have a negative score because I cancelled a shop after reviewing the guidelines
Agent Ranking System
Every time you use the iSecretShop system your Agent Rank is adjusted. You may increase your rank in numerous ways: successfully completing approved shops, successfully completing iSS Prep's online courses and certifications, etc. Likewise, some activities deduct points, including: canceling shops, having shops declined and so forth. Our ranking system uses complex measurement algorithms to evaluate and report on each shopper. It is informed by variables that you can control (like the examples above) as well as other factors that are not published. Please do not ask for details of this process as it is both proprietary and dynamic. The higher your Agent Ranking, the more shops you may self-assign at a time. And some MSPs reserve their 'best' assignments for the highest ranked shoppers.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2016 04:18PM by jgoodwin.
So they kind of blackmail shoppers into completing crappy shops? I've never liked the platform and am liking it less all the time. The idea of lumping scoring across multiple MSCs is beyond ridiculous. As is the fact no amount of shops performed prior to a MSC using the platform or directly for the MSC since they joined the platform will positively impact an ISS score. I'm all for aggregate platforms but feel they should follow existing standards of scoring being internal to individual MSCs. There is something just inherently wrong with ISS when they take away the individual experiences.
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:
So they kind of blackmail shoppers into completing crappy shops? I've never liked the platform and am liking it less all the time. The idea of lumping scoring across multiple MSCs is beyond ridiculous. As is the fact no amount of shops performed prior to a MSC using the platform or directly for the MSC since they joined the platform will positively impact an ISS score. I'm all for aggregate platforms but feel they should follow existing standards of scoring being internal to individual MSCs. There is something just inherently wrong with ISS when they take away the individual experiences.
I gave a scheduler a list of shops I wanted assigned on ISS, but she accidentally assigned me an extra one that I didn't want. Completely an accident, which she willingly removed once I pointed out the error. I still lost points on my ISS ranking.
I thought you could only assign one shop at a time. I also think they are just negligent in updating scores, they seem lax about things. Haven't used them in months, totally forgot about them.
Live consciously....
Unfortunately, one of my MSC that I had just started working with has now gone with ISS. In doing so, the shop fee was lowered 20%. Last month I did a route of 16 shops. I'm only allowed to request 3 shops with ISS due to their stupid scoring. It's moronic the way they have a multitude of clients, but we can only work an aggregate of three shops between all the companies.
Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.
@COMystery wrote:
Unfortunately, one of my MSC that I had just started working with has now gone with ISS. In doing so, the shop fee was lowered 20%. Last month I did a route of 16 shops. I'm only allowed to request 3 shops with ISS due to their stupid scoring. It's moronic the way they have a multitude of clients, but we can only work an aggregate of three shops between all the companies.
You can only self-assign a limited number of shops on iSS. There is no limit on how many you can have scheduled at a time. I've had as many as eight on my docket at once - and that was very shortly after joining.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
That is true MF Johnston. I have four on the books right now. But, when attempting to put a route together you can only self-assign three. Then you risk not getting assigned to the rest that you requested. Your route falls apart, That's what bothers me. I would then lose points because I would want to cancel the three shops that mean little without the rest of the route.
Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.
@COMystery wrote:
That is true MF Johnston. I have four on the books right now. But, when attempting to put a route together you can only self-assign three. Then you risk not getting assigned to the rest that you requested. Your route falls apart, That's what bothers me. I would then lose points because I would want to cancel the three shops that mean little without the rest of the route.
Instead of self assigning locations why don't you just email the schedulers and let them know you want to put a route together? Or if you want to live the risky life you could submit all the shops as you do them, after the shop is submitted it will let you self assign another one....Though I really wouldn't recommend that.
If you are planning a longer route, you are likely planning a couple of days ahead.... What I do is this: I self-assign the more valuable shops. I then email the schedulers and tell them that I am making a road trip and hoping to pick up a few smaller shops on the way, but would like to see if they can add $5 (or $50) as they assign me.... If you are in a more rural area, the schedulers will be happy to schedule you (likely with a bonus). If you are in a more urban area, there are likely numerous other shops you could pick up last minute if needed. I've never had a request denied of of on iSS, unless another shopper requested the assignment first, in which case I would not have likely gotten the self-assignment either.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@JohnieQ wrote:
@COMystery wrote:
That is true MF Johnston. I have four on the books right now. But, when attempting to put a route together you can only self-assign three. Then you risk not getting assigned to the rest that you requested. Your route falls apart, That's what bothers me. I would then lose points because I would want to cancel the three shops that mean little without the rest of the route.
Instead of self assigning locations why don't you just email the schedulers and let them know you want to put a route together? Or if you want to live the risky life you could submit all the shops as you do them, after the shop is submitted it will let you self assign another one....Though I really wouldn't recommend that.
That's the only obvious solution, but even then, you risk losing shops in your route from others self-assigning themselves.
The platform is obviously geared towards their clients (the mystery shopping companies) and much, much less towards the shoppers, especially the more experienced shoppers and full-time shoppers.
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
I find my score to be different on the app vs the website. I do not enjoy proving myself to companies I've worked with for years and years, but I'm finally getting my points up there. I'm up to four self-assigned shops. Is that the highest it'll ever go?
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do
@ShopSouthTexas wrote:
I find my score to be different on the app vs the website. I do not enjoy proving myself to companies I've worked with for years and years, but I'm finally getting my points up there. I'm up to four self-assigned shops. Is that the highest it'll ever go?
No, it can go much higher than 4.
I don't know but it's one of those companies I've done work for a few times and completely forgotten about them. Good pay but I don't remember having developed a real memorable interaction with anyone.
How many are you up to AZWolf?@AZwolfman wrote:
@ShopSouthTexas wrote:
I find my score to be different on the app vs the website. I do not enjoy proving myself to companies I've worked with for years and years, but I'm finally getting my points up there. I'm up to four self-assigned shops. Is that the highest it'll ever go?
No, it can go much higher than 4.
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do
Although the actual MS emailed me with a job in my town, I had to go to ISS to accept.
I'd much rather deal with the company, but, no choice. I've worked a bit with ISS, in this case, the food truck changed time, coming out Friday instead of what they had down (Wed).
ISS didn't know it. I emailed the MS, and had to cancel with ISS. They warned me, 3 cancels and they hold it against you, maybe de-activate. They do not do their homework,
the MS found out through me the change of time. I work for them if I really want the job.
I'd much rather deal with the company, but, no choice. I've worked a bit with ISS, in this case, the food truck changed time, coming out Friday instead of what they had down (Wed).
ISS didn't know it. I emailed the MS, and had to cancel with ISS. They warned me, 3 cancels and they hold it against you, maybe de-activate. They do not do their homework,
the MS found out through me the change of time. I work for them if I really want the job.
Live consciously....
I have performed one restaurant shop for them, and I will wait to be paid before doing another one. They do not have many options in my area.
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Although the actual MS emailed me with a job in my town, I had to go to ISS to accept.
I'd much rather deal with the company, but, no choice. I've worked a bit with ISS, in this case, the food truck changed time, coming out Friday instead of what they had down (Wed).
ISS didn't know it. I emailed the MS, and had to cancel with ISS. They warned me, 3 cancels and they hold it against you, maybe de-activate. They do not do their homework,
the MS found out through me the change of time. I work for them if I really want the job.
That's all on the MSP. iSS is nothing more than a platform. The MSP can choose to cancel or reschedule a shop for you with no penalty to you on the iSS site. iSS doesn't have anything to do with shop times - it's up to the MSP to put the information into the system. It's like blaming Sassie if the MSP writes bad directions.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@ShopSouthTexas wrote:
How many are you up to AZWolf?@AZwolfman wrote:
@ShopSouthTexas wrote:
I find my score to be different on the app vs the website. I do not enjoy proving myself to companies I've worked with for years and years, but I'm finally getting my points up there. I'm up to four self-assigned shops. Is that the highest it'll ever go?
No, it can go much higher than 4.
I'm allowed 10, but I don't think I've ever assigned more than 7 or 8 at once. Most shops on iSS in my area are not those that are grabbed quickly, and I tend to assign most of them within 3 days or less of the day I actually shop them. Shops on iSS are not a large percentage of my total shops.
I ended up contacting the schedule at ISS for the shops I was looking at. I was able to get the date pushed to where I wanted it AND I got assigned to all 14 shops I wanted. Still sucks that I'll be doing the same work for far less money since the company switched to the ISS platform. Oh well, I think they'll still be worth it. If nothing else, I'll earn 280 points. LOL
Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.
Are iSS points like hero citations? Worth their weight in gold?!
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do
@ShopSouthTexas wrote:
Are iSS points like hero citations? Worth their weight in gold?!
If there are shops you like on iss in your area that make it easier to self-assign a lot of locations. . . so at least they have a function.
True, I'm working my way up. 885 so far. With a few scheduled. But I've already proved my worth with most companies on the app so I hate not getting all I want and hoping to get a scheduler to read my request before another shopper snatches it up.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2016 04:29AM by ShopSouthTexas.
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2016 04:29AM by ShopSouthTexas.
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