Snow?

November 15, 2018 08:51PM

How do companies usually handle weather related situations?

We are supposed to get 4"-7" of snow where I am and I am supposed to complete a dining shop tonight. I emailed the MSC this morning, and called twice. I am under the impression that they will let me reschedule.

For those of you who live where it snows, how have these sitautions been handled?

Some companies appear to have no obvious rescheduling policy. I started summer of this year and did not think about this.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/15/2018 08:51PM by Niner.

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November 15, 2018 08:58PM

Any good company will let you re-schedule. Or, if the client cannot have it done at a later date, at least cancel with no negative results on your record. I just rescheduled all of my Thursday shops and it is now looking like all of the slush will freeze solid over night and I will have to re-schedule all Friday shops.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

November 15, 2018 09:08PM

I only had one scheduler act like a pushy beyotch about me rescheduling for weather and it was for an assignment which was going to be a four hour round trip. She was sitting someplace like Arizona telling me the roads were clear. Meanwhile, I was watching local reports mentioning the possibility of black ice on the route and thinking about the new car I had just purchased 4 to 6 weeks earlier. The assignment was rescheduled without penalty, just not before stressing me out.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

November 15, 2018 09:54PM

As a New England-area shopper, I have been impressed with how friendly and understanding MSC's have been in regards to snow concerns. This will be my fourth winter now, and I haven't had a single issue as of yet, that was not handled to my (and their) satisfaction.

November 15, 2018 09:55PM

These are the times when you find out who the real professionals are in terms of schedulers. And, who they are NOT.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

November 15, 2018 10:07PM

I still have not heard back from the MSC even though I emailed twice and spoke with the company directly. The person in charge of the shop has not contacted me. I suppose we will see what will happen.

November 15, 2018 10:08PM

I usually forward a copy of a weather alert along with my request for rescheduling in the winters. I have never had a problem.

November 15, 2018 10:14PM

No reputable company will expect you to put yourself in danger for a shop. Clients understand that, too. Reschedule.

Now... Every once in a while, there will be a shop that MUST be done. The scheduler who assigned you the shop should still let you cancel, but an enterprising shopper able to traverse bad roads just might get a very happy bonus...... Also, if it takes a week to clear roads, there should be nice bonuses on shops that had to be cancelled.....

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

November 15, 2018 11:05PM

I think that most companies will let you reschedule.

When I was a newbie shopper, I went out in the snow to complete three shops with Intelli. I (my car) slid in the parking lot while leaving the first of the shops and hit a post. Damaged my car some, but shook me up enough to want to just go home and not do the two other shops. But I was doing those shops on the due date, in the evening. It took me a looooong time to get home and when I did, I cancelled the other two shops. Yes, it was a "late cancellation." I have lived in snow my whole life, so I thought that driving in it wouldn't be a concern for me. Turned out I was wrong.

My scheduler was pissed and gave me two flakes. I guess since I'd done one, it was assumed I should have done the other two (?) Anyway, to this day, I won't pick up shops from that scheduler.

November 15, 2018 11:35PM

Speaking from not just a schedulers point of view, but a shoppers too, I would not want ANY of my shoppers risking their safety for a shop. I schedule for Minnesota, Wisconsin & Chicago, if shoppers rescheduled every time it snowed there wouldn't be ANY shops from November till March, lol!

My advice would be this, don't EVER put your safety at risk but be fair and evaluate the roads. If schools aren't canceled / delayed then the roads are most likely safe enough to get the shop done.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/15/2018 11:35PM by luckygirl0100.

November 15, 2018 11:45PM

Good advice, @luckygirl0100

November 16, 2018 12:17AM

Some MSCs proactively send out emails during widespread weather events. There is also another aspect to this - some of the clients (notably banks in my area) are prone to close during weather event. Convenience stores generally try their best to stay open.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

November 16, 2018 01:19AM

luckygirl, there is another consideration. The more snow an area averages, the more prepared road crews and drivers are for inclement conditions. We get enough snow and ice, crews are proactive. I still wouldn't get out of my immediate area Monday or today because they were the first snows of the season. To translate, it means anything drivers learned last year has since been forgotten

Depending on how bad it is, the main roads being clear doesn't always help me anyway. I'm at the bottom of a hill on a cul-de-sac which puts my street on the bottom of the list for clearing. The storms that dump 6 to 8 inches or more in a short time can mean we won't see a plow for at least 24 hours.

I have had two occasions to be in southern cities during bad weather. A minor snow by my standards in northeastern Arkansas and an ice storm in Birmingham. Neither even bothered to do anything to the roads. I had to drive about two miles after just two inches of snow in Arkansas and was caught off guard by my car sliding because it hadn't occurred to me there wasn't even any salt down. OTOH, in both cases it was 24 hours or less before nature took care of the roads.

November 16, 2018 01:43AM

@LisaSTL wrote:

luckygirl, there is another consideration. The more snow an area averages, the more prepared road crews and drivers are for inclement conditions. We get enough snow and ice, crews are proactive. I still wouldn't get out of my immediate area Monday or today because they were the first snows of the season. To translate, it means anything drivers learned last year has since been forgotten Depending on how bad it is, the main roads being clear doesn't always help me anyway. I'm at the bottom of a hill on a cul-de-sac which puts my street on the bottom of the list for clearing. The storms that dump 6 to 8 inches or more in a short time can mean we won't see a plow for at least 24 hours.

I have had two occasions to be in southern cities during bad weather. A minor snow by my standards in northeastern Arkansas and an ice storm in Birmingham. Neither even bothered to do anything to the roads. I had to drive about two miles after just two inches of snow in Arkansas and was caught off guard by my car sliding because it hadn't occurred to me there wasn't even any salt down. OTOH, in both cases it was 24 hours or less before nature took care of the roads.

Oh I completely understand! Born and raised in the Chicago area, moved to North Carolina when my oldest was 5yrs old. He had the enjoyment of 2 'snow days' off school for just a light dusting, no measurable snow.
When we moved back to Chicago (he was 7yrs old) he was BONKERS excited the first time it snowed, waking me up by screaming 'no school!'.... I just laughed and told him to get dressed, we didn't live in North Carolina anymore.

November 16, 2018 01:56AM

I would assume most schedulers and MSCs are used to weather related issues.

@luckygirl0100

Born and raised in NC, here. No bread or milk in a grocery store for miles when a dusting was predicted. And whoo boy the ice storms! Beautiful but dangerous.

I recall no forewarning for a storm in the late 90's in NC. It hit AT rush hour in the capitol city. No time to salt the roads. No one moved for hours upon hours. We always joked there was only one snow plow per county.

November 16, 2018 02:16AM

The local weather people call snowstorms French toast days because there is a run on bread, milk and eggs

For me it's coffee, milk for the coffee and wine, LOL.

Several years ago there was a strong possibility we were going to have a thundersnow event bad enough it might take a few days to dig out. I actually had food, but decided it would be fun to do a bunch of baking. It was the first time I've ever seen the grocery store out of bananas. Shelves throughout the store were bare. At the last minute the storm either dried up or bypassed us. It was one of those rare occasions few people complained. All the schools and many businesses had already called off so everyone was so relieved they chose to enjoy a day off instead of griping.

November 16, 2018 02:39AM

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

Speaking from not just a schedulers point of view, but a shoppers too, I would not want ANY of my shoppers risking their safety for a shop. I schedule for Minnesota, Wisconsin & Chicago, if shoppers rescheduled every time it snowed there wouldn't be ANY shops from November till March, lol!

You schedule those areas.....and are used to driving in them. Those of us who live in areas where it snows once every 3 years do not have the same options that you have. Here if 4 flakes fall the schools let out and EVERYTHING closes. The only company I've ever had give me flack about rescheduling was Strategic Reflections, a company that is headquartered in Ohio I think. I still do work for them, but not near as much as I would if they were a better company. And this is one of the 3 or 4 reasons I don't think they're a great company.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

November 16, 2018 03:07AM

A couple of days ago we got very light snow flurries here. My wife was at home sick and she had to miss class and one of her class mates texted her and saying there was snow flurries at the college.

My wife is the coffee drinker. Every time we go shopping either her or I would pick up thoses different kind of coffee creamers.. A couple of weeks ago she had six different kinds in the fridge

I rememeber about 8 years ago we had a BIG ICE STORM at Christmas time.. We were with out power for a long time.. Luckly we had a gas stove in the den and we were able to cook.. It was my brother, my mom, my dad,and I. Sadly in the summer of the following year my brother passed way.

November 16, 2018 05:45AM

I've lived in So. Calif for over 50 years. I haven't been in snow for almost 30 years. I start freezing if it gets below 75 degrees.

November 16, 2018 01:02PM

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

Speaking from not just a schedulers point of view, but a shoppers too, I would not want ANY of my shoppers risking their safety for a shop. I schedule for Minnesota, Wisconsin & Chicago, if shoppers rescheduled every time it snowed there wouldn't be ANY shops from November till March, lol!

My advice would be this, don't EVER put your safety at risk but be fair and evaluate the roads. If schools aren't canceled / delayed then the roads are most likely safe enough to get the shop done.

I teach now and practice law part-time. We were dismissed at 12 noon yesterday and are on a three hour delay today. I actually put in for my first sick day of the year, on the day with 27 minute periods, but, I drive 2.5 hours to get home from work, so I can't risk not being able to drive home with a migraine.

November 16, 2018 01:12PM

I grew up, learned to drive, and drove for many years in Wisconsin and later in Northern Michigan. So, I know where Lucky is coming from (literally!). But in the DC Metro area what we get is ice storms. If any of the 2 inches of ice happens to melt, even a little, it will refreeze into a rutted mess of ice overnight. This area does not have the equipment to handle that or even the rare heavy snowfall. As one of the Obama children said about the first local school closure she experienced here, "Back home we wouldn't even have canceled recess."But, back home the snow freezes, is plowed and stays in frozen, huge mounds well into warm spring weather. In other words, it is better behaved, from the standpoint of safe driving, that snow and slush and ice are here. If I was in Chicago, I would not have had to reschedule; here, local government was asking folks to stay off the roads if at all possible. And, with good reason. I can drive in snow; I want to stay the hell out of the way of the majority of local drivers who cannot.

Waving at you from afar, Lucky. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! Did your children have a chance to build their first snowman of the season?

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2018 01:26PM by walesmaven.

November 16, 2018 07:10PM

@walesmaven wrote:

I grew up, learned to drive, and drove for many years in Wisconsin and later in Northern Michigan. So, I know where Lucky is coming from (literally!). But in the DC Metro area what we get is ice storms. If any of the 2 inches of ice happens to melt, even a little, it will refreeze into a rutted mess of ice overnight. This area does not have the equipment to handle that or even the rare heavy snowfall. As one of the Obama children said about the first local school closure she experienced here, "Back home we wouldn't even have canceled recess."But, back home the snow freezes, is plowed and stays in frozen, huge mounds well into warm spring weather. In other words, it is better behaved, from the standpoint of safe driving, that snow and slush and ice are here. If I was in Chicago, I would not have had to reschedule; here, local government was asking folks to stay off the roads if at all possible. And, with good reason. I can drive in snow; I want to stay the hell out of the way of the majority of local drivers who cannot.

Waving at you from afar, Lucky. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! Did your children have a chance to build their first snowman of the season?

Thank you for the birthday wishes! They did not make it out to play in the snow yet. Although it is/ was heavy "snowball" type snow. We have just been too busy this week with basketball practice, swim lessons, girl scouts and Vegas IMSC conference for me. I need about a week long nap!

November 16, 2018 10:31PM

Usually, where I live, in the country, we use our plow truck for clearing the drive. Sometimes my partner uses the bobcat and sometimes we take the bobcat into town for groceries. If it is really bad, we might take the snowmobile(s).
As for shops, I've never had to cancel. But, I have rescheduled some.

I just stay cognizant of the forecast.

November 17, 2018 03:49PM

@bgriffin wrote:

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

Speaking from not just a schedulers point of view, but a shoppers too, I would not want ANY of my shoppers risking their safety for a shop. I schedule for Minnesota, Wisconsin & Chicago, if shoppers rescheduled every time it snowed there wouldn't be ANY shops from November till March, lol!

You schedule those areas.....and are used to driving in them. Those of us who live in areas where it snows once every 3 years do not have the same options that you have. Here if 4 flakes fall the schools let out and EVERYTHING closes. The only company I've ever had give me flack about rescheduling was Strategic Reflections, a company that is headquartered in Ohio I think. I still do work for them, but not near as much as I would if they were a better company. And this is one of the 3 or 4 reasons I don't think they're a great company.

You're right, but you left off my "advice"... basically I wouldn't want any shopper to put themselves in danger but the OP didn't mention the part of the country they are from.
I would be disappointed if one of my Chicago shoppers canceled based on a few inches of snow (not black ice/ other dangerous conditions) but wouldn't mind at all if I was helping out scheduling say Virginia and had the same thing happen. Schedulers are human, and most of us have some common sense. That's EXACTLY why I said if your LOCAL schools are not cancelled the roads are most likely ok. But in the end it comes down to your own personal decision. We are all IC's and have to make these decisions.

November 17, 2018 08:49PM

The first snows of the year are often terrible driving weather where I live. It's because there is no salt/sand on the road yet, plows are not up and running, and the ground is still warm which causes slick ice to form. Even if the snow itself is minimal, it can be treacherous.

November 17, 2018 09:22PM

There were something like 400 accidents in the NY/NJ area from this storm. My school let us out at 12 and they were closed on Friday. The scheduler was understanding and rescheduled.

November 18, 2018 10:13PM

We had very high winds and downpour, and I called the company and they told me, I could do it another day. Most companies, are great.

November 19, 2018 02:18AM

Should have sent a photo of damaged car & asked if they will pay forit.lol

November 19, 2018 02:51AM

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

You're right, but you left off my "advice"... basically I wouldn't want any shopper to put themselves in danger but the OP didn't mention the part of the country they are from.

I'm not sure what your point is or what you thought mine was. I think we are crossing wires. I wasn't commenting on your advice or whatever. I was simply stating that while you wouldn't want a shopper to endanger themselves there ARE companies that are based in snowland that don't understand the difference between snow there and snow in the deep South.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

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