We all need to remember that schedulers' pay and their jobs depend on monthly and/or quarterly completion rates. Even if your average score on their shops is 9, they may have enough shoppers applying for the jobs that you apply for with averages of 9.1 or above so that they feel the need to give preference based on average scores. In addition, total number of shops completed is a big factor. Even with a somewhat lower average shops score, the shopper who has been 98 % reliable in submitting acceptable shops may win out over one with a somewhat higher score, but based on fewer shops. Finally, with MANY MSCs, the scheduler would have to get special permission to give certain shops to any shopper with fewer that X number of completed shops.
Those three factors make up the objective roots of much of what may be perceived by shoppers as "favoritism." But, remember, a scheduler would have to have a professional death wish to "favor" shoppers who do not make the scheduler good at meeting their goals in a timely manner. So, being a "buddy" will only get you very little in the way of "free shots" at that scheduler's shops. That said, among all of the otherwise good-to-excellent shoppers on a scheduler's prospects list, being one of the few that always says "please and thank you." for things like changing a shop date or a deadline, and who sometimes shares good news as well as disappointing news about a shop outcome, WILL stand out.
Finally, shoppers ALL make mistakes, and some of them totally compromise a shop. I the shopper lets the scheduler know, ASAP that they must cancel, ask for a chance to retry, or has "blown" a scenario IMMEDIATELY, and apologizes like a pro, will get extra credit for giving the scheduler a chance to get another shopper onto that job ASAP and may just save the scheduler's bacon. It should come as no surprise that helping the scheduler will help the shopper. Groveling and butt kissing is unnecessary.
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.