Long scenario ahead!

I shopped for a company at least 15 times before moving out of the area (major sporting events.) Had a great relationship with the scheduler but she left by the time I moved back to the area (I didn't know this). Now these shops were not easy to schedule back then and I got 75% of the ones I applied for (probably the longest reports I've ever done) but the events make my husband happy, so I did them. I got assigned one time to an event (not one that was in demand at all, but I still wanted to get back in) only to have it taken away. The scheduler claimed the client took it away and she emailed me. I never got the email. She claimed the system should have emailed me too, once the event was deleted. Nope, still no email. I happened to be checking the parking lot I was to use on my way out the door when *wham* no event listed. I called the old scheduler thinking she was still with the company. She apologized and says she isn't with them anymore. I talk to the new scheduler (who happens to live in my city) and asked for the trouble, if perhaps I can receive the next event I apply for since this was really upsetting and a last second change of plans for my son and I (husband wasn't interested in this meaningless event). Well, first she tells me she herself has been doing most of the events, then claims she has 30!!!!!! new shoppers to train and that they want fresh shoppers. I haven't shopped but one time since 2015 due to my moving out of the city! I've applied again and again to have shop applications deleted. I've emailed her asking what was up and she said she had some nice phone shops I could do. My question- I am friends with the owner of the company on FB. Do I contact him about this? I also have the contact for the old scheduler who is still close with the owner and acts as a consultant. Do I reach out to her? Or let it go? Keep on applying to be ignored going on about a year now? It's frustrating and I can't see her finding 30 capable new shoppers from my city out of thin air. I think she just wants to do them all herself? Or just really has something against me??

(Thanks for moving this to the correct forum!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2017 02:21PM by ShopSouthTexas.

Just in my opinion, the new scheduler sounds like she is one of those control freaks if that is the proper term.. Perhaps when the client or owner sees who has been doing the shops, the scheduler might be questioned about her integrity. It could be that she is over her head when she confessed that she was doing the shops herself and had 30 new shoppers to train. Does that sound off to you? I would let it go and let the scheduler's record speak for itself. Whenever you correspond with this scheduler, just it keep a business relationship. Don't ever mention that you know the owner or the previous scheduler to that scheduler.

I would not involve the old scheduler. I would consider approaching the owner about this only if we were more than FB friends. Even then, I would tread very carefully.

IMO, if you know the head of the company on a personal basis, then it's worth a shot to talk to him. But if it's only a FB relationship it makes it a bot more difficult. On the other hand, what do you have to lose, it's not like you are losing lots of time/business right now. As long as you do it professionally. Let us know what happens.

Thanks guys. I agree leaving the old scheduler out makes sense. I just know how close she is with the owner, even to this day. And I also agree that at this point, what is there to lose?! She won't use me anyway! Unfortunately I've never met or spoken to the owner on FB or any other means. Just somehow became his "friend." My husband suggested to continue requesting shops so that I could establish a pattern and to wait and see. Now that it's been almost a year, reaching out to him directly doesn't seem so crazy... but perhaps would be seen as such?

And yes, 30 new, competent and willing shoppers for events that offer little pay and sometimes are the crappy cheap seats with 3-4 hours report time afterwards seems SO off. When she told me this as her excuse about not using me, I told her I was impressed and congratulated her (I wasn't being snarky or rude, I truly thought that was impressive!). I know that's why they hired a scheduler here, but it just doesn't seem realistic or likely... I realized this after a few more weeks went by and my applications continued to be ignored and I truly thought about the treasure trove of shoppers she somehow lucked out on... not likely!!

Well I don't know about the 30 new shoppers to train but I do know many MSCs love the schedulers to do their shops. And it's often listed as a perk of being. a scheduler for some companies. I would not consider that unethical at all.

Liz

She told me the client didn't want her to do all of the shops, as they wanted "fresh" shoppers. Not saying it's unethical, but why have them on the board to apply for if she plans to snatch them all up?

@ShopSouthTexas wrote:

She told me the client didn't want her to do all of the shops, as they wanted "fresh" shoppers. Not saying it's unethical, but why have them on the board to apply for if she plans to snatch them all up?

Well just knowing the logistics of scheduling its possible that the shops come in an form to her that she can't just take one out - plus she needs to input it so the editor can get it and then it all needs to be sent from the one form. Not saying for sure but that is how it worked when I scheduled for most companies.

Why do you say she's getting all of the shops for herself? If the client wants 30 new shoppers, they want 30 new shoppers. You aren't a new shopper.

@ShopSouthTexas wrote:

She told me the client didn't want her to do all of the shops, as they wanted "fresh" shoppers. Not saying it's unethical, but why have them on the board to apply for if she plans to snatch them all up?

@HonnyBrown wrote:

Why do you say she's getting all of the shops for herself? If the client wants 30 new shoppers, they want 30 new shoppers. You aren't a new shopper.

@ShopSouthTexas wrote:

She told me the client didn't want her to do all of the shops, as they wanted "fresh" shoppers. Not saying it's unethical, but why have them on the board to apply for if she plans to snatch them all up?

Just going off of her telling me she was having to do them all... and the unlikelihood that she found these 30 new pro shoppers. I have shopped once since moving away in 2014. Not new, but certainly a new/ fresh voice!

You have to start anew. Your competition has a definite advantage as the scheduler, yet s/he is known to you. That's a leg up. Keep on applying. Maybe scheduler will be busy, not interested in the event, OR, will turn in a less than stellar report.

I would not advise going over, or around the scheduler.

I would Def reach out to the owner and let them know that I am being blocked by the scheduler.

Hi Jane Doe,

I'm not sure if you remember me but I use to be a an independent contractor for [company name] from [years]. I mainly worked with a great scheduler [name] who I recently found out no longer schedules for company. I'm writing you because I moved from the city in year which is why I stopped accepting assignments. However, I have since moved back and would love to continue the great relationship I once had with company.

I applied for several shops recently and have had difficulty getting assigned shops. One shop in particular was assigned to me then removed from my shop log with no explanation. Am I still eligible for shops with company?