For the past 2-3 years, I have audio recorded every shop that I do to verify what I put in my reports is accurate. It is sad that it has come to this that companies being shopped will protest a written report. When I tell the proofreader that I have recorded the session, and I am willing to provide it to the client, they never have another question...

But... I did a visit to an assisted living shop. I recorded the pre-visit call and the hour-long interaction with the sales associate that included a tour. I also recorded the follow-up phone call from the Executive Director. Now, the proofreader (guess which company would be asking for more details)... wants to know all the questions asked and all the answers I provided.

Now, the company didn't ask or pay for an audio recording to insure that all questions asked and answers provided were 100% accurate.

What do I owe that company, who is noted for overbearing and unconscionable conduct from their proofreaders. I offered a full transcription, but I said it would take hours to transcribe, and I brought it to their attention that the instructions did not specify that all questions and all answers had to be provided.

What would you do? I think I may flake on this, because this company has a very long history of proofreaders that should have been fired years ago and replaced with people who have communication skills.... It sometimes just isn't worth the trouble for the pay that is provided on shops. This is such a case.

I had a previous problem a couple years ago with the same company, where the $100 shop was returned to me by the proofreader for more information, where the proofreader appeared to have more knowledge about the shop than I did, and I was the one present at the location. I told the company to send their proofreader out to do the shop... and I refused to change anything on my report, so they invalidated my report, and didn't pay me, which is fine. But I believe 100%, that they used my report without paying me, which is what they would do here again.

Some MSC's have no shame. Some proofreaders.... still need to be fired and replace with people who aren't internet bullies.

Comments please? Anyone else have these types of problems? Where proofreaders what all questions and all answers provided without paying for an audio shop?

I'm editing this to add, that my initial report was 100+ yes/no questions and the narrative was almost 1800 words in length.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2017 04:39PM by Ms.Baker.

I hope that all of your audio recording is done in states that do not require prior consent of all parties before audio recording is legal.

As for the editor/QC person's demands, I agree with you. Time to contact the scheduler.

@walesmaven wrote:

I hope that all of your audio recording is done in states that do not require prior consent of all parties before audio recording is legal.

this was 1st time to come to mind when i was reading op post. after what happened to that nursing home in fl cause of hurricane irma no amount of $$ would get me to do one of those shops. nursing homes r gonna be under total scrutiny moreso.

@Ms.Baker wrote:

Some MSC's have no shame. Some proofreaders.... still need to be fired and replace with people who aren't internet bullies. .

people throw the word bullies around here like yesterdays trash. just because u dont like editors or proffreaders doesnt make them internet bullies. just like posters here who dont like answers they get in forum call other members bullies. people need to stop using bully so loosely. give it up people.

Ms. Baker I did the same shop about a week ago and I totally agree with you on it. I actually enjoyed doing the shop, I learned a lot about assisted living. If anything happens to my dad, I can easily see my mom needing assisted living and I would definitely consider this place for it. I made sure that was clear in my report which like yours, had lots of detail. Interestingly enough, I started wishing I had had an audio recorder with me when I started doing the report. I put in as much detail as possible, but remembering absolutely everything was impossible since like you I was there for over an hour. They asked me a lot of questions, gave me a lot of information verbally, and remembering it all was impossible. I did end up flaking on it because I finally told them I'd given them all I could unless I made stuff up. I've learned my lesson and even if I had a recorder, I wouldn't do this again for any amount of money. Sad really since doing them could benefit me spiritually and financially.

Op - it sounds like there are lots of issues with questions coming from the msc, on info you provided and on beyond the questionaire questions. If the proofreaders are so 'questionable,' is it worthwhile to keep doing shops with them? Especially with so much time and money at stake? That is the question you have to ask yourself. I know what the answer would be for me with this msc.

@MSNinja wrote:

@Ms.Baker wrote:

Some MSC's have no shame. Some proofreaders.... still need to be fired and replace with people who aren't internet bullies. .

people throw the word bullies around here like yesterdays trash. just because u dont like editors or proffreaders doesnt make them internet bullies. just like posters here who dont like answers they get in forum call other members bullies. people need to stop using bully so loosely. give it up people.

If a proofreader threatens me in an email... I call that internet bullying. I have reported a particular proofreader to schedulers before with this company and referenced certain threats... so YOU can sit and just take it if you want to... I stand up.

That's why I do record all my shops/audits/ telephone calls and everything else related to this profession. I don't accusations well, and I don't bullies lying down. In my state, only one part of the interaction has to be aware of the audio recording. That's me.

@sassymmmm wrote:

Ms. Baker I did the same shop about a week ago and I totally agree with you on it. I actually enjoyed doing the shop, I learned a lot about assisted living. ... I did end up flaking on it because I finally told them I'd given them all I could unless I made stuff up. I've learned my lesson and even if I had a recorder, I wouldn't do this again for any amount of money. ...

Yeah... I sent the proofreader's email to the scheduler, along with my reply to the proofreader... then, I went back later and deactivated my account. Then, I went back in the report and deleted my 1800 insignificant and worthless words with the statement that I knew they would use the report and not pay me if I left the narrative in. Did you remove you narrative before you walked away? If not, I would almost bet, they used the report and didn't pay you, because those shops are hard to fill. I have done them with other companies without problems.

@Ms.Baker wrote:

Now, the proofreader (guess which company would be asking for more details)... wants to know all the questions asked and all the answers I provided.

I had a previous problem a couple years ago with the same company, where the $100 shop was returned to me by the proofreader for more information, where the proofreader appeared to have more knowledge about the shop than I did, and I was the one present at the location. I told the company to send their proofreader out to do the shop... and I refused to change anything on my report, so they invalidated my report, and didn't pay me, which is fine. But I believe 100%, that they used my report without paying me, which is what they would do here again.

i didnt read any proofreader or editor threats in your op. no examples of internet bullying either. from your own post you sound like threatening one. telling msc to send proofreader out to do shop. refusing to change anything. basically accusing msc of using declined report. maybe bitter is better word.

@Ms.Baker wrote:

If a proofreader threatens me in an email... I call that internet bullying. I have reported a particular proofreader to schedulers before with this company and referenced certain threats... so YOU can sit and just take it if you want to... I stand up.

i dont sit & take it because ive never been threatened or so called bullied by scheduler or editor. i either hear nothing at all or compliments. ill take those sitting or standing or hanging upside down all day long.checks & payments keep rolling in.

I gave a thumbs down to MSNinja's replies; join me, won't you? Those replies beg hard replies from us OP's and then we end up being called "mean". Ive had enough of that. I want to participate in this forum without having to deal with this roguesque, malicious malarky.

Me, thinks that MSNinja needs to actually look up what the definition of bullying is cause if she are not one she ain't far from it!

spicy is very mean, shes always on attack mode. follows people around to other threads. targets people from other threads instead of replying to op of thread or subject of thread. another forum member publicly said that theyre afraid of her. shes definition of internet bully but i bet shes one in real life too.

bul·ly1
?bo?ol?/Submit
verb
gerund or present participle: bullying
use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants.

2stepps i dont have superior strength. im physically weak. ive no influence so how can i intimidate anyone. where have i forced anyone to do anything.

I audio record nearly every shop. I would offer to provide any details not asked for in the guidelines for a fee of an hourly rate.

nice try. 2 little 2 late.

And then consider avoiding that MSC until they get a new editor

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2017 12:35AM by spicy1.

@spicy1 wrote:

And then consider avoiding that MSC until they get a new editor

Yup... walks away...

Some MSC's don't realize that mystery shopping companies really are a dime a dozen... but reliable shoppers who provide good reports in a timely basis... hard to come by... and my phone will keep ringing... I usually don't need to go looking for work... it finds me. You know... big bully and bitter person that I am.

I also record all my shops, when I remember the pocket recorder. One time it came in handy, when an MSC claimed I didn't ask about the right item, and when in my report I stated they did not have it to sell, and MSC claimed they called the store and they had it. Well, I called too. They didn't have it.
It was a $50 shop + bonus. Saying I had it recorded and sending a sample worked.

Recording is where its at!

@TInaMarie wrote:

Recording is where its at!

if allowed in your state.