I am not sure if this is the correct area to post this but I am looking for help here. I am new at this and in the last few weeks I have been doing a lot of checking sites out and applying. A couple weeks ago, I joined MSPA and paid the extra $25 so that I could get the Introductory Certification Class. When I was first applying for sites, I saw a number in my member area that said ID. I started using that number on the applications. I received error messages on the application in red saying that wasn't the right number. After finally finding an email address somehow, I sent an email asking why I had not received the link yet for the class. I FINALLY received the link and did the class and was told where to find the certificate number. I started using that number last week and some more error's showed up on my applications again. I emailed again, I also let Candice know that there were no dates showing that I had viewed the class either and this was the reply below:

Your certification code is 497212. It may have not been showing on your Profile just while the database was updating. Keep in mind that while our member companies will have no problem accepting your certification and will be glad to see it, there is an existing issue with the system some are using to verify certification codes.

If there is a Notes section on the application, make sure to include your certification information there. You can also email schedulers directly. Schedulers can manually verify certifications on the MSPA website at [www.mspa-na.org].

SOOOOOO....with all that being said - does anyone know and/or have direction for me to get to the bottom of this. Am I missing something? I'm not real sure what the problem is but just would like to try and find out what is the number that I should be using and how I get this taken care of. I even pulled up the email received confirming my registration and tried to find another contaxct to help me yet that email came back stating 'domain does not exist.'

Sorry so long, just a bit frustrated. Direction appreciated! Thank you all!

What you are experiencing is what others have been dealing with for several years now. It is what the military used to designate (and may still do) as SNAFU. Good luck.

You are in the same boat as many of us, myself included. Disappointing. They say they are working on it, but it's been a problem for way too long...

I had exactly the same experience you described. I managed to track down a phone number for MSPA through their Better Business Bureau listing. No one answered but I left a message and got an email the next day, so I guess that is something... I am new to secret shopping and my family keeps teasing me that it's all a big scam but, honestly, the only time I have felt scammed is in my dealings with MSPA. Now I have Gold certification and am feeling very frustrated because I can't get my number into any systems. The directions from MSPA to "add it in the notes section or contact your scheduler" are not helpful at all because I have not seen ANY applications that offer a notes section. And how do you get in touch with a scheduler if it's a company for which you have never had any assignments? Any suggestions from more experienced shoppers would be greatly appreciated.

Send me a private message letting me know which MSCs you have signed up with and I will reply with some scheduler contact info.

Edited to add that my code is a combination of letters and numbers so it's odd to see anyone with a code of all numbers.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2017 02:43AM by JASFLALMT.

SNAFU is my favorite acronym meaning Situation Normal All @#$%& Up

My gold certification number is mostly letters, not numbers. You can add it to most SASSIE profiles
I've never had an issue with it in 15 years

I'm wondering if the MSPA didn't give them the certification code and gave them their membership code instead. Mine is all letters and 1 number. I've had it since 2003. No issues for me, either.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I'm wondering if the MSPA didn't give them the certification code and gave them their membership code instead. Mine is all letters and 1 number. I've had it since 2003. No issues for me, either.

Same. Mine is in this format: xxxx#x

Mine is x#xxxx

Mine cost $99. I am a member from when they were offering the basic free membership that normally costs $25. Lookingup, I think you might be confused about your membership. It's not the same thing as the certification. I attended a workshop to get my gold certification. Now they offer the certification training online. You have to take a test to get certified. Thats why your number doesn't work on the MSCs website.

It is not the old silver and gold cert codes that are having any problems. It is all to do with the new system of certifications that MSPA introduced about 5 years ago. All sorts of new compatibility issues got introduced then and have yet to be resolved.

Ahhh.

@walesmaven wrote:

It is not the old silver and gold cert codes that are having any problems. It is all to do with the new system of certifications that MSPA introduced about 5 years ago. All sorts of new compatibility issues got introduced then and have yet to be resolved.

This is what I was told as well. I tried both the certificate code and the ID number. Neither works... I became certified in June 2016, and the certification code still doesn't work.

My silver certification from 2013 is all numbers. I have had 0 issues adding it to any profiles. I believe only Sassie companies automatically check the MSPA system but mine has always worked.

My silver certification is all numbers too. I have had problems with multiple companies as far as entering my certification number. I'm not convinced that these certifications help much so I am not worried about it. Because of this long-time problem, I have lost all faith in MSPA. I am much happier with IMSC. Pamela ACTIVELY helps her members.

I believe you are comparing apples to oranges. The MSPA and IMSC are two different things. That's like saying I like AARP better than AAA because they do more for seniors. Well yeah. One is for seniors. The other is for cars. In this case the MSPA is an association of MSCs that are there to promote things that all MSCs need. The IMSC is an association of shoppers and is there to promote things that shoppers need. Often those are the same things. Sometimes they are not. MSCs recognize MSPA certifications for the most part. Many do not recognize IMSC training. I am not in any way making a judgement of which training or certification is the best. Simply what they recognize.

I just got my gold code this week and it is all numbers.

For anyone with trouble adding their code to profiles, how have you gone about getting it added?

I am not familiar with IMSC but will check it out.

MSPA is primarily for MSCs. I am more interested in organizations that support shoppers. IMSC is newer but it is growing. From what I understand, MSPA membership is shrinking. They both have MSC members and tend to keep the MSCs honest but IMSC is MUCH more responsive to the shopper. I will take that any day.

Thank you and how do I send you an email? New to all this awesome stuff.

Thanks. There was an Introductory Course Training offered when I paid my $25.00 and from all the reading I've done on a the site a couple times plus more at this point, I still feel that I was suppose to be considered "certified" now that I took that course. I thought once I had some shops under my experience hat, then I would go for the "gold" yet at this point, if I can't get it recognized and the MSC's can't even verify my #, not sure that would be in my best interest.

Also, thank you for all the input. Unfortunately, I'm sorry others have had the same issue yet glad also to know it isn't just me.

I have had my number for years any never had a problem. (Mine is all lowercase letters) I do know that you must use the same email address to register with companies as you used for your certification. if you have changed email address or use a different one with the companies, the certification number will come up as incorrect. - hope this helps.

I paid for the gold certification. I received the certification. The code has never worked. I email the MSPA, and got a computer generated reply saying they would contact me. I've never received another word. It was a complete waste of money for me. I'm very disappointed with them.

I'm new as well, i haven't done the certification. I wish i could help, please keep us updated

No need to do any certification!

I took the test and earned a Silver Certificate when I began mystery shopping. Mine is all numbers. I have only had trouble adding it to a few extended profiles. I don't think it makes a difference, at all, whether you have a certificate or not. That's just my personal opinion from my personal experience.
I don't recall ever seeing a "Notes" section on any applications either.
There are also schedulers that work for multiple MSC's rather than one specific one. Perhaps that is what they were referring to in the reply email you received.

Do we have to renew our membership each year for $25.00 in order to use our number?

Ask the companies you work for if they care if you are certified or not. Most have told me my reputation and the work I do for them is all that matters. It has saved me some money.

Hello LookingUp17! I am a member of the MPSA Board of Directors, and I would be happy to talk to you about your certifications and the issues you are running across. Please email me at your convenience, and I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Have a great day!

Adrienne Dobson
adobson@customerimpactinfo.com