Since I'm only looking for the opinion of my fellow shoppers and not trying to blast any company at this time, I'm going to try to present my scenario as vaguely and generically as possible. Here goes:

I was awarded a shop in which I was to choose between several available scenarios, as follows:

Customer type #1 can choose:
Scenario #1 (must be creditworthy)
Scenario #2
Scenario #3

Customer type #2 can choose:
Scenario #1
Scenario #2
Scenario #3

I did not meet the requirements needed to be a Customer type #2 at all. I knew going in that I would not qualify for Scenario #1 as a Customer type #1. So, I picked scenario #2, and was prepared to go forward with #3 if something went haywire with #2. The guidelines did not mention that the shopper needed to meet any special requirements, i.e.: have good credit; new customer, etc. The guidelines stated we should call about hours, but no mention was made to inquire about services offered by a certain location.

So, I get to said location, and the products and/or services included in Scenarios #2 and #3 are not offered at that location. Since the guidelines stated that a purchase (not just an attempt) must be made for Scenario #1, and since I knew I wouldn't qualify, I made no attempt.

These shops were performed at several different types of retailers and since no mention was made in the guidelines that some retailers may not carry some products, I assumed that all products would be available at all retailers. Was I wrong in making this assumption? And what I really want to know is: Should I be paid for the shop?

I don't understand the situation from your post.

Huh??

I assume she is talking about services such as DirecTV, internet, etc. not being available in their area by that company, and not being able to qualify credit wise for cell service. I would expect the shopper would need to check and see which services are available in their area.

You did such a good job of being vague and generic that I (for one) don't have a clue what you're talking about.

You don't need to mention the client by name, or the MSC, but you could go into much greater depth on the shop itself.

Meanwhile, report the shop. Depending on the MSC, if you followed all the guidelines, you should be paid.

So... umm... should the OP get hero citations for not outing the MSC and the client? All in favor, say Aye! *Aye!*

As long as you followed the published guidelines, you completed the shop and should report on what happened. In this situation, you should be paid. If there is any grey area or discrepancy between shop guidelines and shop reality, this needs to be conveyed to the scheduler. If the shop reality does not match and cannot match what you are told about it, some sort of change is needed. In that situation, they should pay you, thank you, and change something!!!!! Good luck!

There is nothing to buy for Direct T.V. (answering above post). Being you were required to buy a specific item, and it wasn't available,you could not buy it. Explaining it to the Scheduler is all you can do at this point. Would you re-shop with new information, as I "think" you may or may not get paid, it's 50/50 in my eyes.

Hmmmmmm. I don’t think this is too vague but it is tricky. It reminds me of non-customer bank shops with guidelines assuring you that you can buy a money order. Then the teller says that you need an account.

I think it’s a good practice to check on these things in advance. However, it also seems reasonable that you took the instructions as being well written. They should pay you for your report and update their instructions. It’d be less reasonable if you repeated this at five locations and expected payment.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2019 03:04PM by 1cent.

@1cent wrote:

Hmmmmmm. I don’t think this is too vague but it is tricky. It reminds me of non-customer bank shops with guidelines assuring you that you can buy a money order. Then the teller says that you need an account.

I think it’s a good practice to check on these things in advance. However, it also seems reasonable that you took the instructions as being well written. They should pay you for your report and update their instructions. It’d be less reasonable if you repeated this at five locations and expected payment.

Thanks for all the replies and 1cent, you pretty much said what I was thinking. And every time a similar situation as this happens, I always tell myself I'm going to check next time, but then I get the shop, and think that surely the MSC has researched and made sure that they are not sending shoppers in blind. I guess I give them to much credit.

In my opinion, as a shopper, it is not our job to know what the client is looking for. I only adhere to the guidelines laid out for me. In this, it sounds like you went above and beyond to complete the shop by trying out 2 different scenarios when you were only required to complete one. Make your report as detailed as possible and you should be paid. As far as we know, the associate you interacted with gave you misinformation and failed to either provide a service or sell you a product that should have otherwise been available to you as a part of scenarios 2 or 3. Maybe that's the whole purpose behind the shop. Maybe the client noticed that customers who were not fitting scenario 1 were being turned away. That is information that we are not provided nor is it necessary for us to do our job. We complete the assignment per the guidelines and we report as thoroughly as we can. What your talking about has happened to me many times with many MSC and many clients. I have always been paid as long as I followed the guidelines. I go so far as to quote the guidelines in my report if I think it's going to be an issue.