Top 10 Mystery Shopping Pet Peeves
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I don't have ten but here a few:
1. Having to use only email to communicate with schedulers.
2. Loooooong wait for payments (some up to 60 days or more).
3. Narrative requirements that take hours to complete. One company sent me a sample of a report and there must have been 50 detailed paragraphs. They wanted to know minute-by-minute details. It would have taken two hours to fill out the report.
4. Schedulers that schedule you for the wrong day. I had one text me with a request to do a shop (help her out) and I told her I could do it on 12/4 and she assigned me for 12/14. Good thing I checked!
5. Unclear instructions that have contradictory information.
1. Having to use only email to communicate with schedulers.
2. Loooooong wait for payments (some up to 60 days or more).
3. Narrative requirements that take hours to complete. One company sent me a sample of a report and there must have been 50 detailed paragraphs. They wanted to know minute-by-minute details. It would have taken two hours to fill out the report.
4. Schedulers that schedule you for the wrong day. I had one text me with a request to do a shop (help her out) and I told her I could do it on 12/4 and she assigned me for 12/14. Good thing I checked!
5. Unclear instructions that have contradictory information.
Ditto on number 1. Schedulers don't always return the favor when they require that we check our email 24/7 in case an editor has an issue; I often find myself hearing from a scheduler when something goes wrong, and my response to them is, "check your email, I emailed you 4 days ago".
1. Low paying shops.
2. Schedulers who do not remember favors.
3. Long narratives that are not duly compensated.
4. Inconsistent editing by non-native English speakers or kids who were in diapers when I started MSing.
5. Conflicting instructions.
6. Shops due the same day when they're scheduled at night.
7.Inability to self-schedule for a company that you've done hundreds of shops for.
8.Bill.com.
9. MSCs that make you jump through hoops to get paid.
10. Emails touting "easy" or "simple" shops that are the antithesis of easy or simple.
2. Schedulers who do not remember favors.
3. Long narratives that are not duly compensated.
4. Inconsistent editing by non-native English speakers or kids who were in diapers when I started MSing.
5. Conflicting instructions.
6. Shops due the same day when they're scheduled at night.
7.Inability to self-schedule for a company that you've done hundreds of shops for.
8.Bill.com.
9. MSCs that make you jump through hoops to get paid.
10. Emails touting "easy" or "simple" shops that are the antithesis of easy or simple.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
I have no complaints! I have been shopping for 10 years. I select only the pay and companies that I want to shop for. I have a great rapport with all of my schedulers. I will say that I shop part time. I have had a few problems of course, but have worked it out. The companies I get paid by have always been on time. I only go by my experiences no one else's.
1. The subjective and sometimes evasive nature of some lures and teasers. There is no glossary, measurement, or other standardization for the description of jobs. How the unprintable are we supposed to know whether we can reasonably accept responsibility for assignments when we are not given enough information to make an informed decision? Fortunately, some companies provide enough information for our consideration. (see # 10 in iShop123 above)
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2017 10:54PM by Shop-et-al.
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2017 10:54PM by Shop-et-al.
I forgot to mention a pet peeve I have with the forum, those who insist on correcting others misspellings,. your not our teachers or editors, no one doing this needs a degree in English Literature, and this is an open forum...everyone. Low paying jobs equal to using us, waiting forever to receive reimbursemets.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2017 02:19AM by Irene_L.A..
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2017 02:19AM by Irene_L.A..
My BIGGEST Pet Peeve: "Great Paying Shops! Many in your Area!" Then I open it and it's (Airport Shops) .....I wish they would put that in the title so I would not have to open it (if not traveling), read the entire email and then deleting it. 
Mine would be 1.not getting paid for a shop; 2.Shops that require a great deal of background knowledge;3 Instructions that are not clear;4. GPS. (once sent a friend of mine down to the edge of a lake);phone applications dealing with mystery shopping and the desire of some companies to have me fill out the report on the phone; 5. required photos 6. Shop fees that decline and I guess I am showing my age.
I'm having one right now! Just finished 10 shops as confirmed via email, and the scheduler has not actually assigned them to me YET. Now I get to spend TOMORROW entering shops I wanted to finish today. Actually, as I type, they are being entered... several hours after shopping window closed.
1. Conflicting shop guidelines
2. Editors that ask for things not listed in the original shop paperwork and guidelines.
3. Shops not self-assign capable.
3a. Shop applications sitting in limbo foreverrrrrrrrr.
4. Ridiculous same-day deadlines when the shop sits in editing for daysssssss.
5. Schedulers who don't respond to emails.
6. Misleading email title teasers.
6a. Misleading payment details in email subject title.
7. Shops that ask for hard to take covertly photos.
8. Low shop fees for shops that require significant work.
9. Reimbursement only shops that don't cover the required purchase.
10. And finally...having to chase payment after the payment date has come and gone.
I enjoy the shops I do, but these are a few of my favorite things...
2. Editors that ask for things not listed in the original shop paperwork and guidelines.
3. Shops not self-assign capable.
3a. Shop applications sitting in limbo foreverrrrrrrrr.
4. Ridiculous same-day deadlines when the shop sits in editing for daysssssss.
5. Schedulers who don't respond to emails.
6. Misleading email title teasers.
6a. Misleading payment details in email subject title.
7. Shops that ask for hard to take covertly photos.
8. Low shop fees for shops that require significant work.
9. Reimbursement only shops that don't cover the required purchase.
10. And finally...having to chase payment after the payment date has come and gone.
I enjoy the shops I do, but these are a few of my favorite things...
"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
Mine is when Dave forgets to take off his rainbow font.
Others are
1. schedulers that will email back and forth fine until the job is assigned then you ask a question or have an issue and all you get is crickets.
2. Shops that go down in shop fee and increase in requirements
3. Shops that they won't bonus and let you do in the beginning of the month that always sit and sit till they have to bonus near or at the end of month. (although sometimes it works out as I make more than I wanted initially)
4. Shops that you have to make executive decisions on site as scheduler not reachable and then they try to fight you to not pay. (I know how to cover my ass).
5. Fun and easy shops
6. Big bonus of $5 or less ( I have seen huge bonus which was $2)
7. Lies Lies and more Lies (The professionals among us know what I mean.)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2017 09:40PM by BuffaloNY101.
Others are
1. schedulers that will email back and forth fine until the job is assigned then you ask a question or have an issue and all you get is crickets.
2. Shops that go down in shop fee and increase in requirements
3. Shops that they won't bonus and let you do in the beginning of the month that always sit and sit till they have to bonus near or at the end of month. (although sometimes it works out as I make more than I wanted initially)
4. Shops that you have to make executive decisions on site as scheduler not reachable and then they try to fight you to not pay. (I know how to cover my ass).
5. Fun and easy shops
6. Big bonus of $5 or less ( I have seen huge bonus which was $2)
7. Lies Lies and more Lies (The professionals among us know what I mean.)
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2017 09:40PM by BuffaloNY101.
I definitely do not love when I submit my report and see questions about things I was not warned to check. Also, I do not love being asked for bank shop documents, as it is sometimes unclear which documents they want. However, week one is down so I am crossing my fingers that my answers were clear enough for them.
In no particular order:
1) Unresponsive schedulers
2) Misleading emails about free meals or items.
3) Hero citations
4) Attempts to out shoppers on forums
5) Reveal shops
6) Multiple emails, to the point of spam, for undesirable shops.
7) Threats and warnings throughout directions compounded by lack of specificity.
8) Anytime a scheduler calls me with an opening line, "Are you still interested in shopping for us...." Especially if I shopped for them yesterday!
9) Stupid message about cookies when I attempt to log in. Another attempt and I'm in and I didn't eat any cookies.
10) Cirrus Marketing
1) Unresponsive schedulers
2) Misleading emails about free meals or items.
3) Hero citations
4) Attempts to out shoppers on forums
5) Reveal shops
6) Multiple emails, to the point of spam, for undesirable shops.
7) Threats and warnings throughout directions compounded by lack of specificity.
8) Anytime a scheduler calls me with an opening line, "Are you still interested in shopping for us...." Especially if I shopped for them yesterday!
9) Stupid message about cookies when I attempt to log in. Another attempt and I'm in and I didn't eat any cookies.
10) Cirrus Marketing
Evaluating and mailing packages since 1994. I am an undercover connoisseur of customer service, a master of disguise in the aisles, and a sworn enemy of subpar experiences. I blend in, observe, and report—because excellence should never be a mystery.
Reading a boatliad of disclaimers for a Sassie job post, then all sorts of non-specific shop requirements and I still have to click on it to find out the pay!
Requesting a shop several days before a route, hearing nothing until I am thirty minutes past the location of said shop on that route and then getting a desperate call asking if I still want the shop.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Schedulers that would not take my original offer in the middle of, or after the middle of the month because I asked for too much. Then assigns it to me at the end of the month at which time I asked for and received three times as much but wants me to report it right after the shop or other companies that want it called in right after the shop so they can type in the report because they have to have it in to the client tonight.
How did DavePi get all those beautiful colors on his reply?! Thank you and Shopping Luck to all, Love, Night Owl at 1:12 am
1. Low pay
2. Conflicting, ambiguous, or incorrect shop instructions
3. Bad editors--those who do not have a good command of shop requirements, and the overzealous ones who ask for a ton of unnecessary stuff for what is already a great report
4. Having to log into each MSC's website instead of being able to access shops from all of the MSCs that share a particular platform
5. Having to keep track of (and sometimes chase) payments
6. Shops with pages, and pages, and pages of instructions
7. Shops that require extensive narratives and far too many details
8. Not being able to self-assign
9. Schedulers who play hardball (Hey buddy, I know you want that shop. What's it worth to ya? You willing to do a couple of these PITA shops for it, eh?)
10. Being e-mailed about an awesome shop, and logging in to find out that someone else has already snagged it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2017 06:32AM by MSF.
2. Conflicting, ambiguous, or incorrect shop instructions
3. Bad editors--those who do not have a good command of shop requirements, and the overzealous ones who ask for a ton of unnecessary stuff for what is already a great report
4. Having to log into each MSC's website instead of being able to access shops from all of the MSCs that share a particular platform
5. Having to keep track of (and sometimes chase) payments
6. Shops with pages, and pages, and pages of instructions
7. Shops that require extensive narratives and far too many details
8. Not being able to self-assign
9. Schedulers who play hardball (Hey buddy, I know you want that shop. What's it worth to ya? You willing to do a couple of these PITA shops for it, eh?)
10. Being e-mailed about an awesome shop, and logging in to find out that someone else has already snagged it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2017 06:32AM by MSF.
oookay, thought I was done, but I'm not.
11. MSC's whose shop logs show a 'paid date" that has passed, yet they haven't actually paid me.
12. ISS shops that display a perform shop date, yet the description details restrict that date.
13. 6-month rotation Banking shops that flood the presto map and crowd out legit shops.
14. Signing up for a new sassie msc, and then finding ZERO shops on their job board.
15. Shops that require a purchase, followed by a specifically timed return of that item.
16. clicking on market force shop and finding out that there are "no available dates" after answering the dumb questions.
17. MSC's with a tiered pay schedule (shops performed on 1/1to 1/15 paid out on so and so date.,)
18. Shops that require supplies to be mailed to you before you perform shop.
19. Applying for a shop, and having to phone the scheduler so he can check his email and assign the darn thing to you.
20. Signing up for a new MSC only to find out that....GASP.....they are on gigspot...nooooooooooo.
11. MSC's whose shop logs show a 'paid date" that has passed, yet they haven't actually paid me.
12. ISS shops that display a perform shop date, yet the description details restrict that date.
13. 6-month rotation Banking shops that flood the presto map and crowd out legit shops.
14. Signing up for a new sassie msc, and then finding ZERO shops on their job board.
15. Shops that require a purchase, followed by a specifically timed return of that item.
16. clicking on market force shop and finding out that there are "no available dates" after answering the dumb questions.
17. MSC's with a tiered pay schedule (shops performed on 1/1to 1/15 paid out on so and so date.,)
18. Shops that require supplies to be mailed to you before you perform shop.
19. Applying for a shop, and having to phone the scheduler so he can check his email and assign the darn thing to you.
20. Signing up for a new MSC only to find out that....GASP.....they are on gigspot...nooooooooooo.
@BuffaloNY101 wrote:
Mine is when Dave forgets to take off his rainbow font.
Others are
1. schedulers that will email back and forth fine until the job is assigned then you ask a question or have an issue and all you get is crickets.
2. Shops that go down in shop fee and increase in requirements
3. Shops that they won't bonus and let you do in the beginning of the month that always sit and sit till they have to bonus near or at the end of month. (although sometimes it works out as I make more than I wanted initially)
4. Shops that you have to make executive decisions on site as scheduler not reachable and then they try to fight you to not pay. (I know how to cover my ass).
5. Fun and easy shops
6. Big bonus of $5 or less ( I have seen huge bonus which was $2)
7. Lies Lies and more Lies (The professionals among us know what I mean.)
I need some of your C.Y.A. secrets. I've resorted to sending multiple emails with the final email stating I won't complete the shop and quote the "you must contact scheduler for any questions regarding the shop or instructions" for why it's not being completed! I refuse to take my time completing something and have them deny payment because they didn't reply to my inquiries.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2017 01:09PM by Luv2Shop4me.
I agree with most here. One of the items that I dislike is when I am asked for certain photos on guidelines, but there is no place to upload them as they forgot to create an upload section for that picture type in those platforms that require such specific prompts be created. So, I have to email them. I would prefer there be a small catch-all section for any additional photos at the end of a shop. This would also help bring any proactive items to light more easily.
@rasheedb:
One unnamed company has this feature in its unique report form. If this company can do it, so can others.
One unnamed company has this feature in its unique report form. If this company can do it, so can others.
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
Having a MSC call you and ask if you can complete 15 shops and you already have 10 on your schedule. Once you are in the middle of completing the shops on the weekend, you receive about 13 emails stating the shops have been cancelled. No apology or anything for my travel time as well as time spent having already completed 6.
Geeze, that last one is unforgiveable!
I actually have a few pet peeves.
1. Shops with looooong narratives. Period. I try to avoid taking these.
2. Shops on any of the platforms where there is no way to get ahold of the scheduler in order to ask questions BEFORE accepting the shop. Sometimes I could have easily completed a shop but I won't accept without knowing in advance what the requirements are.
3. Chasing down pay after 60-90 days. Most of the time it is an oversight. But those few cases where it is something else means that I give the company an "F" rating and will no longer accept work from them.
4. Shops that are due within 12 hours or by midnight, whichever comes first. My mind shuts down around 2pm. So would you rather have a crappy report at 5pm or an outstanding report at 10 am. Most schedulers I talk to perfer and allow 10 am.
5. Shops where I am contacted after 4-6 weeks about the shop AND expected to be available immediately to answer any questions. Sometimes I am just not available for a couple weeks at a time. But I will always get back to you when I return.
That's all I got!
1. Shops with looooong narratives. Period. I try to avoid taking these.
2. Shops on any of the platforms where there is no way to get ahold of the scheduler in order to ask questions BEFORE accepting the shop. Sometimes I could have easily completed a shop but I won't accept without knowing in advance what the requirements are.
3. Chasing down pay after 60-90 days. Most of the time it is an oversight. But those few cases where it is something else means that I give the company an "F" rating and will no longer accept work from them.
4. Shops that are due within 12 hours or by midnight, whichever comes first. My mind shuts down around 2pm. So would you rather have a crappy report at 5pm or an outstanding report at 10 am. Most schedulers I talk to perfer and allow 10 am.
5. Shops where I am contacted after 4-6 weeks about the shop AND expected to be available immediately to answer any questions. Sometimes I am just not available for a couple weeks at a time. But I will always get back to you when I return.
That's all I got!
When you learn, teach, when you get, give. Maya Angelou
Schedulers or people they say to call if you need information or help on an assignment who don't really know what they're talking about because they have never completed an assignment so they can't really help you. Then, they can hear your frustration in your voice and concern themselves with that and having a big ole' bouncing party of a conversation about that instead of just going to find out the answer.
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