Using one desirable shop as bait to take an undesirable one- RANT
@TanyaBai - Are you shopping with more than one company? If not, working with more than one company will provide you with access to a variety of shops. Hope this helps.
Marketing | Business Development
Phone: +1 800 296 6699
www.bareinternational.com
Phone: +1 800 296 6699
www.bareinternational.com
Oh I am signed up with almost every company but this one used to be my favorite...has the most restaurants that I enjoy going to.
This topic has been talked about before many times. Personally I think it's unethical for a MSC to do this. Bundling two totally separate client shops together. I understand we are IC's and we can pick and choose, however I am a firm believer that each shop/client should stand on it's own merit.
In a previous post I asked if the MSC informed all clients that they were bundling and I got crickets. What does that say ?
In a previous post I asked if the MSC informed all clients that they were bundling and I got crickets. What does that say ?
Yeah I tried to look it up but I could not get the right key words I suppose. You brought up a very good point. I wonder if the clients know they are doing this. I suppose they would not like it.
Tanya, if you look at Mystery Shop Companies Discussion it is the thread right near the top with the msc name in the title.
Trends! Most people shop online to buy things. And retailers (small merchants) are losing ground fast. MSC are closing shop as well because they cannot compete with marketing firms to retain there employees. All just a matter of time!
@7star wrote:
This topic has been talked about before many times. Personally I think it's unethical for a MSC to do this. Bundling two totally separate client shops together. I understand we are IC's and we can pick and choose, however I am a firm believer that each shop/client should stand on it's own merit.
In a previous post I asked if the MSC informed all clients that they were bundling and I got crickets. What does that say ?
At the same time, you're really not being treated like an IC who can freely pick and choose jobs if they are dictating terms to you like that. I don't do much shopping these days, and definitely don't shop the company I believe does this notoriously anymore, but you ought to drag out your IC and see if this is mentioned. If not, they better pony up a salary for you.
Most of their dining shops are pretty much reimbursement only with no fee. And it isn't uncommon for them to state you have to tip 20% irregardless of level of service. Some people like the company but i refuse to take any bundled shops.
I received an email from the scheduler for a fine dining/bar/hotel MSC. She was trying to get the bar shops scheduled. She said that doing well on these shops will make you eligible for the coveted high end hotel shops.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I get offered a Sprinkles cupcake shop if I'll take a Blaze pizza shop. Its annoying AF, considering you still have to WORK( write up the reports). Its not like you're getting cupcakes for free.
Are you perhaps referring to the speedy pizza cooked in 90 seconds? And the bait is an overnighter at a nice'ish hotel??? No nibbles here, but someone may want it. There are adequate hotel shops in my area, so no biggie. I don't really blame the scheduler fro trying. What's unfortunate is that the pay + reimbursement amount dropped by about $10 
You used to be able to by a guest's lunch if it was on a separate tab.
You used to be able to by a guest's lunch if it was on a separate tab.
From a business standpoint, if bundling assignments is successful, it is a brilliant strategy. On the flip side, though, if it fails, well at least there is no "what if" question. Personally, I would prefer that not be a practice, but I completely disagree it is unethical. An MSC clearly stating such a condition is acting, in my opinion, in a responsible manner to their independent contractors. It is totally within the prerogative of the IC to either accept or reject such a condition.
@AlfredB1979 wrote:
At the same time, you're really not being treated like an IC who can freely pick and choose jobs if they are dictating terms to you like that. I don't do much shopping these days, and definitely don't shop the company I believe does this notoriously anymore, but you ought to drag out your IC and see if this is mentioned. If not, they better pony up a salary for you.
What does this practice have anything to do to distinguish between being an IC vs. an employee. The MSC’s are our clients. If we don’t like the terms they’re offering such as taking another shop to get a better one, then we can freely choose to not take the work. That’s like saying airport shoppers that take on monthly work aren’t contractors because they prefer us to shop at least once a month to maintain our badging privileges.
Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
It is unethical when you consistently receive emails that state you may self assign and if you have a problem self assigning, email the scheduler. Then....wait for it, she/he informs you if you do this hard to schedule shop that is hours away from you, she/he will assign you the job you were told you were supposedly able to self assign. Can't help but lol. It is all good. I have completed so many other comparable jobs and welcome their newness.
I don't have a problem with a scheduler or company using a desirable shop as an incentive for a non-desirable shop. I am not owed the desirable shop (absent prior agreement/understanding) and I can always choose not to do that shop no matter how desirable it is.
However, if a scheduler/company tries to deceive shoppers (such as falsely claiming a desirable shop can be self-assigned) OR if a scheduler/company disregards a great shopper's history, then I will think twice before doing any future favors for that scheduler/company.
A new rule/scheme goes into effect? Fine. Show me some goodwill by not applying it at least the first time I ask for a desirable shop.
However, if a scheduler/company tries to deceive shoppers (such as falsely claiming a desirable shop can be self-assigned) OR if a scheduler/company disregards a great shopper's history, then I will think twice before doing any future favors for that scheduler/company.
A new rule/scheme goes into effect? Fine. Show me some goodwill by not applying it at least the first time I ask for a desirable shop.
I love Sue Grafton too. So sad that she passed.
and here we go...... I received an email regarding a juice shop in my town. The only fee is 15.00 and we have to buy a smoothie, a bowl and a baked good. So, after that, you'll have very little money left. I tried to assign it and could not. I get this email. Here is the pertinent part.
Most of them I’m assigning to shoppers that can help me with blaze pizza shops. If interested please let me know. Thank you.
Nope, not going to be BRIBED.
Most of them I’m assigning to shoppers that can help me with blaze pizza shops. If interested please let me know. Thank you.
Nope, not going to be BRIBED.
I thought about doing the smoothie shop but I thought the photos seemed too awkward. I will pass.
I don't have a problem with the photo's. People photograph food, facilities, all the time. I hope the 15.00 is enough to cover all the required items. I did get the shop. I told the scheduler that I was sticking close to home because I'm having knee surgery in 2 weeks( truth) and all the pizza shops were too far for me.
I have done that smoothie shop for several years with a different company that uses Prophet. The reimbursement is the same but the order requirements are less stringent and they pay a small fee. No pictures required either. The report has just a short narrative. I see in March the client is listed with both companies. I hope the original MSC is not losing this client.
@Monk-N-Nut wrote:
Are you perhaps referring to the speedy pizza cooked in 90 seconds? And the bait is an overnighter at a nice'ish hotel??? No nibbles here, but someone may want it. There are adequate hotel shops in my area, so no biggie. I don't really blame the scheduler fro trying. What's unfortunate is that the pay + reimbursement amount dropped by about $10
If we are talking about the same pizza shop the pay+reimbursement was restructured. I used to be able to get a second pizza for out of pocket about $3 with no pay at all and had to buy a drink and have a second person with me. Now I get totally reimbursed for my pizza and I can get salad or dessert and can go back on line when I am done and use my pay to get a second pizza for only $1 out of pocket. The only difference I see aside from being more flexible is that the second pizza is not a reimbursable expense now tax wise.
I know the other company well. I do a lot of their other client sops. The customer service and the sizing audits. The smoothie shops with that client are not located in my town. Go figure.
Yes, I dislike it, and played that game for years to defend my "territory", and get the shops I loved the most. I had to take a long break, and when I came back there were new shoppers who were enjoying my favs. There is no use knocking myself out on this work. There is no company loyalty to good shoppers. New schedulers come on board, and biggest horror of all is when someone completely takes over a major supervisory position and does on the job training while constantly fing around with controlling what contactors can see on their version of the job boards. Anyone can see they are running that company into the ground with their stupid ideas.
@kenasch wrote:
I have done that smoothie shop for several years with a different company that uses Prophet. The reimbursement is the same but the order requirements are less stringent and they pay a small fee. No pictures required either. The report has just a short narrative. I see in March the client is listed with both companies. I hope the original MSC is not losing this client.
Just a little update on the "reimbursement" for the smoothie store with the new company. The reimbursement is 15.00( no pay). I had to buy a smoothie( I got a small) a bowl, and a baked good. Total came to 14.87. I never really eat/drink at that store so I had no clue how much things cost. I stupidly thought I'd at least have 5 bucks as pay. Nope. I won't do another one.
For the smoothie shop, you have to eat the food there. With the amount of required food, I would think that means you need to bring a guest....2 people, photos and the report for the $15 reiumbursement seems to be not a good deal to me.
Yeah, what normal customer would buy all three of those things?...
@calicakes wrote:
I get offered a Sprinkles cupcake shop if I'll take a Blaze pizza shop. Its annoying AF, considering you still have to WORK( write up the reports). Its not like you're getting cupcakes for free.
This is never an issue for me. Dad looooooooooves Blaze so I do numerous shops per month so I can take Dad and get him something. Because of this I can ask for whatever I want and get it. And I might be doing even more since there is a Blaze opening up less than a mile from me. I know I will be called every 30 days for this one
@SoCalDude wrote:
@calicakes wrote:
I get offered a Sprinkles cupcake shop if I'll take a Blaze pizza shop. Its annoying AF, considering you still have to WORK( write up the reports). Its not like you're getting cupcakes for free.
This is never an issue for me. Dad looooooooooves Blaze so I do numerous shops per month so I can take Dad and get him something. Because of this I can ask for whatever I want and get it. And I might be doing even more since there is a Blaze opening up less than a mile from me. I know I will be called every 30 days for this one
I think that there are more locations near you than anywhere.
I only do 3 a month. Between those, the extras I do while traveling, and all of the free ones from the gift card promo, even thinking about Blaze is making me queezy.
@SoCalMama wrote:
I think that there are more locations near you than anywhere.
I only do 3 a month. Between those, the extras I do while traveling, and all of the free ones from the gift card promo, even thinking about Blaze is making me queezy.
100% agree. I do so many that when I go I usually bring someone to eat it. Next weekend I am meeting someone about 40-ish miles away from my residence. We are going some place and there is a Blaze where we are meeting before we drive to the place we are going. He loves Blaze and I asked if he wanted it and he said YES! So I'm doing it and giving him the pizza. The report is not that hard and I get a Flame so I get close to 10 and another freebie which then allows me to bring someone on a visit and give it to them, also. Between Blaze, Papa John's and Little Caesars I do so many pizza places it isn't funny - although I give away LC 99% of the time and PJ I give to family to eat or take to work where it gets devoured and they look good to the office for bringing food. I like doing Sprinkles Ice Cream since it pays $5
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