I agree with a lot that's already been mentioned. One of my pet peeves is receiving an email from a MSC that doesn't give enough details. I want to know, at a minimum, what the job pays, where it's located, and the due date. It's really annoying to log into a website only to find the jobs are not in my area. Thanks for asking!

As for me, I feel that schedulers should realize that Shoppers deserve to be paid $20 per hour. This is the reason I don't apply for retail shops. If I count in all the time it takes me to drive to the location and back, observe the clients business, follow scenario and fill in the report I've probably got at least two to three hours invested. If it is a restaurant shop, I like the reimbursement to cover most of the bill. If I'm required to buy a drink and appetizer and entree I expect to get reimbursed at least $40. If it's an expensive restaurant expect to be reimbursed at least $70. I specially like shops that not only reimburse but give you a shopper Pay on top. When doing the survey, I like it all to be on one page with the questions first and then a large summary section to detail the visit from beginning to end. I don't like when it's split in two five or six different sections. Companies that do that make it so that you feel you're 5 or 6 surveys. It is way too time-consuming and repetitive.

Hi All,

I am new to working as a scheduler for MarketStat and I was wondering what type of perks, bonuses, etc attract you to certain shops?

For example which of the following would you most prefer?

Decent pay, but get paid quickly? (one - two weeks)
Slower pay, but more pay?
Easy Shops without a lot of complications like a target shop?
Good/fast communication from schedulers?
Something else?

What makes your job as a shopper easier, better or more enjoyable?

Thanks!
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I suppose my pet peeve is the company that cuts you off for what ever reason and then does not state why? I know that on two assignments I have encountered the self-righteous editor who knows everything and decides they are gods to the industry and will ban you from assignments for some ill perceived ideology on their part. I admit I make mistakes but I will bend over backwards to correct anything I did that was wrong. If it can not be fixed them don't pay me for the shop. Take it off and note the error. To just ignore emails or text is cowardly and insensitive to the person on the other end. Communication is key. I would like to see volume taken into consideration when assessing a problem.
I suppose from your list I would have to address them like such: pay doesn't matter just so I get paid
higher pay as it pertains to the report asked for.
(I do not do shops I do not get paid for)
Shops with drop down narratives are the worse you never know how long it is going to take with these and I have spent several hours on a report with these type of drop down. I have some I won't touch because of the amount of redundant detail they want. While only offering five or ten dollars for the shop.shop.
Nothing a little respect can not fix. I am a high strung easily miffed individual. I strike back and that is a problem I am working on. I am not as goody two shoes as I should be, I suppose. I admit I speak from feeling rather than just the facts mam just the facts. But I have done this sort of job for a good number of years and I have many years left. Welcome to the forum I hope you find what you seek on here. I am not familiar with your company I shall look you up.
A shopper in Texas

Number one - that it pays well. That pretty much is it! -- I will travel a distance if the pay is reasonable to cover the gas and leave me with a profit. I will do a shop for just reimbursement if I need the item anyway and I don't have to drive far for it. (although I haven't yet done a just reimbursement shop yet because I have very few NEEDS)

But number two is that the report is reasonable. If there is something specific you want me to look for -- tell me in the guidelines - not just the report.

Decent pay. Decent bonuses. Once company raises their fees for one kind of shop in $.50 increments - seriously? If I won't do it for $4.50, I'm not likely to do it for $5. I don't mind slower payment, but I do expect to be paid on time, and I like to be paid through PayPal. I want to see the shop guidelines before I accept a shop. Yes, I can accept, read the guidelines and cancel, but that gives me a bad feeling. What if the scheduler looks at that and sees that I've accepted and then cancelled 3 shops? Is she likely to offer me that really good-paying interesting shop? No. Let me see the guidelines first, because there are little things I don't like to do that other people don't mind, and I can avoid that black mark on my account by simply not accepting the shop in the first place.

I've been doing this for years. I did my first shop in 2001. I don't need to shop, so I'm not likely to choose something simply because it's available, as I would have 15 years ago. When I do a shop, you'll have an experienced shopper with attention to detail and a good idea of what it is you need. It will be reported on time and if you have a question, I will answer you promptly. I expect to be treated like the experienced shopper that I am. I don't care about chances for a $50 gift card. I want to be paid, and paid at a rate commensurate with the difficulty of the shop and the detail required.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/2017 04:21PM by pordener.

Like many others ... I value timely responses to my questions regarding guidelines, due dates, payment, etc. What I find most infuriating is when the instructions/guidelines in a Confirmation email are different from the instructions/guidelines in the shop assignment. This has happened to me in a few instances and when I don't get a response from the scheduler before the shop due date, I am forced to choose one guideline over another and risk not being paid, which has happened. Even when I point out the inconsistencies to the scheduler, I am not given credit for my work because of their errors. Sometimes, shoppers are given one set of criteria and Editors another which causes a conflict and can wrongfully lower a shop score. Just get everyone on the same page and respond to your shopper's requests quickly... as you expect the shopper to do when they are contacted for further information regarding a report. Other than that, I do not appreciate waiting 60 days or more for payment because it causes havoc with my accounting.

I am on different mystery shopper sites. I dont seem to be able to finish. Make these sites mobile friendly please.

Welcome! I shopped for the Italian restaurant client you had before this year. The pay was in two months (but I knew that going into it and was worth it as food was delicious). The client seems to have moved to another MSC (yes, I found it!). Are you going to get more dining clients?

I agree with most on this forum, good pay when it is supposed to get there, quick pay doesn't matter as much unless it is a large reimbursement. Let me know what I need to do before I commit to it, especially if it has a long survey with multiple narratives. Quick, survey without narratives should actually be quick surveys without narratives.
My biggest pet peeves- Sending me an email about a shop that has already been filled and editors who don't actually read the survey. I get an email for about 200 shops that have just come out, I click on the link in less than a minute after getting the email and all have been scheduled. If I can't submit a survey without filling in all fields, don't hold up my form because you need the associate's name. This causes a "clarification" against my record and makes it look like I don't pay attention.
Are you in North Carolina?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2017 05:33PM by aribacat.

I don't take a shop unless the pay is what I expect.
I have great schedulers that are there for me, they are a gift.
I shop routes also and the schedulers know this and will book me in advance, usually with bonuses.
How and when they pay is not important to me because each month is full and the pay comes in monthly anyway.
I am fortunate that I do not have to depend on the pay. I am retired and shop to keep my brain up to date.

I wish shops paid sooner than 6 weeks. Some do, but many do not. Also, I wish companies would look at the shop and allow a purchase reflective of the store. For example, the Eddie Bauer shop gives you a $10 purchase reimbursement. Honestly, there is nothing in that store that is $10 or less. I end up spending more than the shop pays including shop fee. I might get a shirt, for example, but I really lose money if I am trying to make a living doing mystery shopping.

I really don't like it when my inbox gets flooded with emails for the same set of stores every day.

In order of my importance

Respect the shopper and the shopper will respect you
The ability to access the guidelines before accepting the shop
Pay commiserate with time involved including the distance plus reporting time
Self assign
Clear, concise guidelines without errors
Able to change the date once with parameters (not from one month to another, etc)
Eliminate redundant narrative
Try to be realistic on email blasts, some of them defy the imagination
Stop sending the same email 10 times a day
All msc companies should include a section for optional other notes from the shopper to explain things not covered in guidelines

I'd like to add another suggestion. When a shop engagement ends, somehow let us (shoppers) know.

Self assign is imperative to me. I do not like getting texts or emails for shops that aren't on the board and I can't self-assign. My latest pain was a text that I stupidly agreed to. The text said, "Could you help with this shop tonight at "Chain restaurant." Thanks!" So I texted back and said I would. THEN, when I was scheduled I was able to view the shop and saw it was alcohol compliance shop and you had to be under 30. I'm not. So I emailed and texted the scheduler and said I didn't meet the requirements so I couldn't do it. Then, the next day, I get a "late report" message. URRRGG!

When the location has been reported as closed, please do not relist it!!!! Especially if you aren't paying me for finding out that it is closed for you and your client!

I don't mean "you", by you, actually, just in general.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/05/2017 03:36AM by spicy1.

Just because the shopper doesn't get paid doesn't mean the MSC isn't being paid. When I was trying to clarify I would be paid for a closed location on a high dollar route, the scheduler said, "Of course you will be paid in full. We bill the client for the full amount."

Hmm, I sent her (them actually) an email with a photo of the store, having been closed, as well as a geoverify pic. They said they will remove it from my shop log. This was a travel shop early this weekend and I was going to the area for a very profitable shop and I picked these two up at the last minute so I didn't bother to check if it was open for business. It's a large retailer and I just assumed it was open.

What I will do is not take a few shops from the two of them until they're bonus'd to make up for it. That'll teach 'em.

I accepted a shop and when I went there it was out in the boonies, difficult to find, and in someone's house. I emailed the MSC and explained to them. They gave me the option of reshopping, (making an appointment). I wasn't able to fit that into my schedule, so I spent an entire morning hunting a client down for them and got nothing. I don't see why that is okay.

@aribacat wrote:

I agree with most on this forum, good pay when it is supposed to get there, quick pay doesn't matter as much unless it is a large reimbursement. Let me know what I need to do before I commit to it, especially if it has a long survey with multiple narratives. Quick, survey without narratives should actually be quick surveys without narratives.
My biggest pet peeves- Sending me an email about a shop that has already been filled and editors who don't actually read the survey. I get an email for about 200 shops that have just come out, I click on the link in less than a minute after getting the email and all have been scheduled. If I can't submit a survey without filling in all fields, don't hold up my form because you need the associate's name. This causes a "clarification" against my record and makes it look like I don't pay attention.
Are you in North Carolina?

Hi there,

We don't currently have any shops in NC. Right now we are mostly in Texas, Oregon, Illinois, Kansas, and Arizona. We are in a handful of other states and expanding as we can. Thanks for giving me your feedback!

@lbw1000 wrote:

Welcome! I shopped for the Italian restaurant client you had before this year. The pay was in two months (but I knew that going into it and was worth it as food was delicious). The client seems to have moved to another MSC (yes, I found it!). Are you going to get more dining clients?

We would love to break into the restaurant business a little more! We are currently in an acquisition phase for apartment complexes and are hoping to move into restaurants in the next couple of months!

I couldn't have said it better myself, but I will try. Being asked for narrative after a multi-choice question and then being asked for a detailed narrative at the very end is annoying to the n-th degree. Drop the requirement for a narrative after each multiple choice question. Then at the end ask for supporting narrative for each question that had a negative answer. OR Do it vice-versa. Ask for a narrative to support each negative answer but not again at the end.

I provide very detailed answers to each question. Even if I wanted to, I can seldom think of anything more that I could add in the final narrative. So what I find myself doing now is a cut and paste job. I take the narrative to each individual question and paste it all together at the end. I do some editing to make the aggregated text read better. It is such a tedious exercise. It would be less tedious if the shop fee was increased by 25%.

This is my first time posting. My above answer was meant as a reply to the comment made by sassymmmm at the top of this thread. Can anyone please tell me how my answer ended up here

This is just how it works. Welcome to the forum!

@schumacherboy wrote:

This is my first time posting. My above answer was meant as a reply to the comment made by sassymmmm at the top of this thread. Can anyone please tell me how my answer ended up here

This may be beyond your control. I would like an exhaustive list of shops and shop types.

This list should include accurate and complete job descriptions. It should identify number of shops per shopper, one-time or recurring, frequency of occurrence, all shopper qualifications, and as many other descriptors as legal and possible that can make it easier for shoppers to make informed decisions about self-scheduling and applying. Shoppers have provided a partial list of descriptors.

The list shoukd be updated as needed.

It should be available for all shoppers.

It nust not link clients and MSCs.

I would like a reimbursement plus pay (even if it is small) rather than straight pay. I do not pay taxes on the reimbursement. I do on the pay. So it makes no difference in the amount of money coming from the MSC but it makes a difference to me.

Actually how they divvy it up shouldn't make much of a difference if you are deducting your expenses.

I have been getting emails to do a retirement home in IL, when I live in CA. I have written many times and still get them. I worked for them twice in my area, so where did they get Ilinois as my state, yes, I checked my profile and it says CA., radius being 30 miles, not 2,000. I never do out of states routes.

Hit quote instead of reply and the text you are replying to will be above or below your words. You can even edit what the other person wrote by deleting all but the pertinent parts you are replying to. So if it is a long quote and you're replying to one thought only then just leave that thought in.

@schumacherboy wrote:

This is my first time posting. My above answer was meant as a reply to the comment made by sassymmmm at the top of this thread. Can anyone please tell me how my answer ended up here

Welcome,
I'm glad you asked, but I'm not sure how much "pull" you'll have in regard to what the shoppers want.

I used to shop more, but I am disabled now. Because of this, I mainly do food and easier shops that are local to me, or on the way to a doctor's appointment in a larger city.

Because of my health and circumstances:
- I need to be able to see the guidelines for new or changed shops in order to know if I am physically up to performing them. I prefer being able to cancel the shop myself, and do cancel promptly if the guidelines require too much time on my feet, etc. I don't mind asking a question of a cashier, but I'm no longer up for asking questions in three different departments and of two additional associates. The more information you can give up front, the better, and I strongly agree with others that would like to see the guidelines and/or the questionnaire before accepting the shop.
- I also agree: don't expect comments after each section and then a full narrative at the end. I've done those shops, and I spent hours filling them out. Now, I primarily focus on the ones with quick questionnaires where I can just select my answers and only comment when it is needed.
- I need to be able to cancel or reschedule on the day of the shop (I have an autoimmune condition that can flare up to the point that I can't go out), and I love it when I can reschedule shops myself. I often certain take shops that reimburse for my food costs plus a small amount, because I can self-schedule for the latest date available and then self-reschedule it once to the actual date that I am able to do the shop.
- That being said, I expect the reimbursement to be sufficient to cover the items required for the shop. Be aware of rising costs and adjust the shop when this happens.
- I can pick up last minute shops on days that I'm feeling well, and often look for them before going out on errands. For this reason, I prefer being able to self-assign, especially if you want it done today or tomorrow. If I'm getting ready to leave the house and you haven't told me yet if I have the shop, I'm not going to be able to do it. I don't have the same standard of phone that I had when I was working and my limited data is prepaid. I need to be able to go through all the guidelines before I leave, plus I need to manage how much I'm physically doing that day. Unless I can self-schedule, I need to know by the night before.
- I prefer payment via Paypal. I expect payment within less than 2 months, and that's if I perform the shop at the beginning of the month and you pay toward the end of the following month. Faster is much better, but either way, pay by the date specified. I'm on a limited budget and the reimbursements from past shops pay for doing the current ones.

I know I'm not the route shopper. I never have been. I used to do it for extra income. These days, shopping means free food and gas money for doing errands.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2017 12:30PM by RiverSong.