I usually don't like to post anything negative, so please don't consider this negative. It is a request for input to let me know if I am personally headed in the right or wrong direction.

I recently had a shop that I completed on schedule (11/14). I did not get a detailed receipt from the shop, but did get the credit card receipt. I did not notice till I got ready to do the report (11/15). At that time I emailed the scheduler and asked if they would accept my cc receipt also letting her know I was waiting to do the report until I heard back. It is a moderately detailed report. I did not hear back until 11/17 from the editor, saying that I had not responded to previous emails and that I had until midnite to complete the report and submit the receipt I had. By accident (my fault) I had deleted the email from the scheduler, telling me to go ahead and complete the report, so I had not seen it. I responded to the editor that I had not seen any correspondence, I would be able to complete the report, however due to a personal commitment, I would not be able to do it until the following morning. The following morning, I pulled up a response from the editor telling me that the shop had be cancelled (taken off my shops and no longer available to me) and that I would be flagged for my next three shops with them. If I performed them according to the guidelines, I could request the flag be removed. No mention was made if it would or what would happen.
It is also important to note that I have shopped for this company for years and this is the first incident. I want to ask them not to flag my account. My question, what do you think?

You live and you learn and I've learned what I should have done in spite of my mistakes. I should have submitted the report, on time as planned, and just explained the situation. That's why I posted this, before sending my initial thoughts to the MSC. I figured the forum would "calm me down" and give it to me straight. I could then put my head down, bite my tongue, and accept my "flag" without having offended an MSC. At least I did this right! Thanks Forum! Below is reply:

I’m sorry. However, the Scheduler can attest to the fact that I have successfully performed EVERY shop I have received from the MSC with little or no request for follow-up from editors. The only reason this one had problems was because of confusion over the receipt, which then pushed us into the holiday week. I went back and looked for the reply email, re the receipt and did find it. It was my fault, as I must have been deleting multiple emails and accidently deleted this one without knowing it. I have come to the conclusion that I should have submitted the report anyway and explained what happened. Hopefully, you have found another shopper to complete the shop. However, if not and there is something I can do, let me know.
I understand your position in handling “flaky” shoppers and due dates. Let me assure you that I am not a “flaky” shopper and am respectful of all due dates. I will complete the “flagged” 3 shops as required, and then request that the flag be removed. ☹



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2018 06:13PM by CureMS.

Why not input the report and submit the credit card receipt originally. They might have given you an exception for the itemized receipt since you had a credit card receipt.

This 100% depends on the company...for instance, this has happened to me with Mercantile, and they accepted the given receipt, however, other MSC;s may not, I'd put what you got through. The other day this happened and I checked and asked for the other receipt, the server had crumbled it up and thrown it away...she pulled it out of the trash and I sent it in (tore and crumpled, it was accepted......some want to see what you ordered, others just the amount, so it's a toss. if you've worked for them and maintained a good relationship, I'd say your o.k.

Thanks Audria and Irene. Unfortunately, the shop was removed from my list of shops because I did not complete it by midnite. Therefore, I do not have access to it.

Regarding the flagging - I can see how you’re frustrated but I would just accept it and ask three shops from now to have it removed. Is it ACL? If so, they will remove it no questions asked if the next three shops have no issues.

Thanks Mickey. One side of me said your suggestion is probably the right thing, because everything was my fault. My inclination said to disassociate myself from the MSC because not only do I expect to be treated fairly by MSC's, I like to work for those that are understanding when "non-critical" mistakes are made. I appreciate your feedback. As for the MSC, I prefer not to mention them as a matter of habit. This could be an isolated case and since I made mistakes.

If you contact them and let them know you completed the shop, they might restore it for you to enter.

Thanks audria, I'm just so on the fence right now. Maybe if I wasn't hosting Thanksgiving this week and had more time, I might feel more inclined. But the other side of me, says move on to other reports that I need to finish before tomorrow where I have to start getting ready for Thursday.

I would have done the report, knowing that there was a possibility that it might not be paid. Although you had a reason to hold off, I would lean towards you being at fault. No itemized receipt, no report/late, etc. If the report had been input, it would not have been late, they would have had the info to give tot he client, and they could verify what you ate by the tab #. Live and learn, we all make mistakes.

@Monk-N-Nut wrote:

I would have done the report, knowing that there was a possibility that it might not be paid. Although you had a reason to hold off, I would lean towards you being at fault. No itemized receipt, no report/late, etc. If the report had been input, it would not have been late, they would have had the info to give tot he client, and they could verify what you ate by the tab #. Live and learn, we all make mistakes.

Aarrrrrgh - I hate being wrong but I will admit, I might have probably maybe kinda sorta been wrong.

Just M2CW, but go ahead and do your usual stellar job on the next 3 assignments and then request the flag be removed.

We all make mistakes; it's how we handle them -- and the fallout from them -- that determines whether we are professionals.

If it were me, and another date is available, I would beg to be allowed to re-shop the location.

Tough spot to be in, @CureMS. I think you've gotten good advice from all the shoppers here. I'm following to see how it all turns out. I wish you the best of luck

In the future, contact the company and ask to have the itemized receipt emailed to you.

I don't think a flag is a big deal in your situation. This was a one time occurrence. You will prove yourself beyond the next three shops. When a receipt situation happens again, and it will, you will know how to handle it.

CureMS - I have done worse and ended up on the naughty list. You're OK.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2018 12:17AM by Monk-N-Nut.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

In the future, contact the company and ask to have the itemized receipt emailed to you.

I don't think a flag is a big deal in your situation. This was a one time occurrence. You will prove yourself beyond the next three shops. When a receipt situation happens again, and it will, you will know how to handle it.

Thanks Honey - It did not dawn on me to contact the company (I have done it before). I guess I am also wrapped up in the Thanksgiving holidays, since I am hosting a crowd of relatives.

Thanks Monk

I have had schedulers tell me not to do that (call the company to get a receipt) because it would flag me as a shopper. Although in this case you could have covered with saying it was a business lunch and you need it for your expense report.

Buy yeah; once the deadline was approaching, if I had not heard back from the scheduler, I would have gone ahead and entered it. And then hoped.

@CureMS wrote:

By accident (my fault) I had deleted the email from the scheduler, telling me to go ahead and complete the report, so I had not seen it.

I would be more concerned with figuring out a method to make sure THIS does not happen.

Here is my opinion:
There are various aspects of a shop needing to be reported to the MSC. A complete, itemized receipt is only one part, or percentage, of it.
Therefore, IMO, you should have done the report, submitted it, and, if there was a spot for your comments, alert the editor of an itemized receipt not being received and/or not being in possession of. After that, you follow up with a call, not Email, advising the MSC of the receipt issue.
Why? You have demonstrated that you performed the shop, did receive a receipt, albeit, the CC part, submitted the report in a timely manner and, noted that the itemized portion was not received.
Personally, I've had various instances, especially in my early years of being a shopper, of having receipt problems. They have varied from submitting the wrong receipt for the shop (address of another location), to submitting a receipt that I received that was not for my purchase (the cashier gave me the wrong receipt and I paid no attention to it - my bad).
All were resolved with maybe a chuckle by the MSC rep to not being reimbursed for my purchase (wrong receipt received and submitted). But, I did submit my report and was paid for it!

Thanks French. You live and you learn and I've learned. That's why I posted this, before sending my initial thoughts to the editor. I figured the forum would "calm me down" and give it to me straight. I could then put my head down and bite my tongue without having offended an MSC. At least I did this right!

CureMS,

It is so refreshing to see someone make such a well-thought out post and not come on here going off the handle at an MSC when a problem arises. Mistakes happen. I'm sure we've all been there. Good for you for keeping your head and wanting to make it right. The old adage is true about not burning bridges. The MSCs that you do shops for should consider themselves fortunate to have you!!!

Most everyone gave you good information. Always submit the report and deal with the results later. I would never wait for a question to be answered by the editor or scheduler.