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Difficulties proofreading shoppers’ reports

December 16, 2017 09:51AM
@SteveSoCal wrote:

Despite the writing samples required, I found that some shoppers clearly had help from others at times or plagerized their samples. Others simply plagerized entire reports. One actually turned in a sample report from the MSC website...that I had written! They changed a few details & thought I wouldn't notice. Others were just horrifically racist or sexist.
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Interesting post, Steve. I was wondering in your experience what percentage of reports are rejected?

Also, how nasty do people get when they are informed that they aren't going to get paid for their work? After all I know you have worked for MS firms which focus on expensive dining and hotel experiences so it more than a few dollars people are going to be out of pocket.
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More About Reports
December 16, 2017 03:58PM
@Catnap wrote:

I was wondering in your experience what percentage of reports are rejected?

A small percentage of reports get rejected. It would range from 1-4% depending on the type of shop. Provided there was no evidence of directly violating rules or protocol, my MSC would work with any shopper to try to generate an acceptable report.

Some simply refused to follow-up, or hadn't performed the required tests...and it was the worst part of my job telling people that their shop could not be accepted. Almost everyone threatened legal action when a hotel report was declined. I don't think a single shopper ever actually went through with filing a case, though.

When I ultimately had a hotel report declined (not by the company I worked for) and admitted fault to the MSC owner, with an apology, they were so amazed about not having to deal with a fight, they offered to split the loss with me!
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December 16, 2017 05:11PM
Steve, Thanks for insider's information. I can imagine the dread of editors expecting a volley of abuse after rejecting a shop with a hefty reimbursement.

But it was nice to hear the story about the MSC that was more than reasonable with you when you admitted you were at fault.
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December 17, 2017 03:36PM
Even if the MSC did not offer to split the cost of the loss, you can rest assured that the honest shopper was awarded high marks for integrity. Reputation/integrity far outweigh the cost of even a fine dining shop or a hotel visit. Kudos to you, SteveSoCal.
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December 17, 2017 05:24PM
@Opanel wrote:

Kudos to you, SteveSoCal.

Well...it was a good situation for both parties. The MSC knew that I was a reliable shopper and the rule that disqualified my report was clear, but particularly draconian (you must get 100% of names in a hotel where nobody wears nametags!). It saved my relationship with them and we have continued to work together since.

I just expected that a description would suffice for a concierge with purple hair, a star tattoo on her left hand and diamond studded septum piercing. They wanted a name....which I'm pretty sure would have been less unique than her description, but lesson learned.
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