Am I wrong?

December 16, 2019 10:06PM

So I had a conversation with a scheduler about an assignment I requested online. I asked for a PAD of $60. She asked if I can name a lower price so I state I will do the assignment for $45. She then asks if I can complete three more assignments and I agree once again clarifying g on my for $45 PAD each.

I go online to see my new assignments and the PAD is listed as $30. The project pay is $21 so I’m confused as to where is the $45 PAD we discussed. I reach back out to her and she states she meant $45 total for each project.
This still doesn’t add up, so I ask her how is that possible if the project total is now $51. She states oh it’s her mistake as she thought the project was $15. How could she possibly make an error with the project payment when she has to add the PAD and project to my account. I’m sure this is impossible without seeing the total. I ask to remove the projects from my account if my PAD request can’t be met and she states I can buy by doing so this will reflect negatively on your account. Why should I be penalized for her mistake?

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December 16, 2019 10:20PM

Time to go higher up the chain of command at that MSC, if you have the history in writing.

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.

December 16, 2019 10:25PM

Tereceag inquires--Why should I be penalized for her mistake?

Bob replies--The situation was either caused by the scheduler's error or it was a ploy. No matter which, if you permit such behavior, you set a pattern whereby life will use you. In that you typed PAD, if indeed the MSC is Trendsource, I fired them, after 13 1/2 yrs., a few months back. In my case, the office person refused to listen to reason. I had picture proof the business had vacated the building. In addition, the phone was disconnected and their prior neighbors stated they had moved from the small town.

December 16, 2019 11:16PM

I asked her to remove me from the shops due to this error and she removed all my shops, including one of the same project that was already accepted with $40 PAD. So I am already being penalized or she made another “mistake”.

December 16, 2019 11:40PM

Is her name Sydney?

December 17, 2019 12:25AM

I would definitely take walesmaven's advice and go higher.

December 17, 2019 12:28AM

This is why I only negotiate fees in writing, except Maritz (but nothing ever went wrong there). Long ago I learned about the verbal negotiation and the follow-up switcheroo. If this was not in writing there is not much you can do but if you have written proof, definitely pursue it with a manager. If for nothing else but to retain a good shopper rating.

December 17, 2019 12:29AM

@LIJake wrote:

I would definitely take walesmaven's advice and go higher.

If it's the MSC that I think it is, you'll be getting the 25 year old supervisor of the 20 year old scheduler. They could give a rat's a$$.

December 17, 2019 12:34AM

SoCalMama, I don't know which MSC it it but if it as you describe, I would drop them like a hot coal.

December 17, 2019 12:35AM

or is that a hot potato?

December 17, 2019 12:56AM

@Tereceag wrote:

She asked if I can name a lower price so I state I will do the assignment for $45.

Did you say "I will do the assignment for $45" or not? Not what you mean. What you actually SAID. Because it sounds to me like you agreed to do the shop for $45. Unless you mistyped here.

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

December 17, 2019 02:59AM

I believe I stated I would do the assignment for an additional $45 PAD. The assignment totals were not even $45 it was $51 which is why I believe she tried a switcheroo on me.
What bothers me more is that she said by removing the shops this will affect me negatively, when the error was on her part.

December 17, 2019 05:34AM

@LIJake wrote:

SoCalMama, I don't know which MSC it it but if it as you describe, I would drop them like a hot coal.

They are all millennials. The use the special speech and "reach out" "connect" "I appreciate you" etc. One ghosted me last week. It is actually quite funny. Another one is actually quite lovely. She is articulate and doesn't mess around with the money.

December 17, 2019 07:26AM

Well we all learn. When I initially read it, it did sound like you agreed to $45 total per shop or you would have said $45 Pad or $45 Bonus. Now I do get what your saying on the $51. I also half see her point is she thought base was X when it was X + $5. Overall lets do the math you wanted $45 bonus or Pad so $21 plus $45 is $66. You got $21 plus $30 so $51. $66 what you wanted minus $51 what you got is $15. $15 times 4 shops is $60 will you make enough on future work to make up for your perceived loss of $60 or is the principle worth losing many more times that $60 in earnings. That is for you and you alone to decide. What I would do is note it down if you are going to continue to work with the company and now you need more on future work until you recover the $60 plus a little more for the aggravation. Of course you don't tell Trendsource or whoever the MSC was.
Lastly it also as mentioned by others teaches you to always negotiate in writing. I too learned this lesson.

Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.

December 17, 2019 07:34AM

@sestrahelena wrote:

This is why I only negotiate fees in writing, except Maritz (but nothing ever went wrong there). Long ago I learned about the verbal negotiation and the follow-up switcheroo. If this was not in writing there is not much you can do but if you have written proof, definitely pursue it with a manager. If for nothing else but to retain a good shopper rating.

Its funny cause on Friday I submitted a bundle offer of 2 shops with Maritz for $120 or $60 each. They were listed at $40 each. I get a call on Friday with a counter offer of $100 or $50 each. I told the guy I was firm at $120. He told me to hold on while he checked to see if they would come up to my original offer. It was accepted at $120 all over the phone. I get the shop email with and its listed at $100 or $50 each shop. I call today Monday and explain what happened. They fix it in a matter of seconds. It is listed correctly on the site. I am good to go. That is why Maritz is top notch in my book and like sestrahelena is the only MSC I will negotiate over the phone with without asking for an email confirming the agreed upon price. Thankfully Maritz does send out the email for accepted shops now even those negotiated over the phone. I never actually would do a shop before confirming the price is right on my shop log.

Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.

December 17, 2019 08:49PM

@Tereceag wrote:

I believe I stated

So you *think* you said it but you're not sure. If you definitely said $45 PAD then you are absolutely right. If you did not say $45 PAD and you said "I will do this shop for $45" as your OP stated then the scheduler is absolutely right. And in that case you are not being punished for something that is their fault.

I don't have a dog in this hunt as I don't do shops for the company that calls bonuses PAD anyway (because OMG $1 bonus isn't a bonus!). But it basically comes down to how you worded it and I personally would make sure I knew which way I said it before I started throwing a company and their schedulers under the bus in an open forum. But that's just me.

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

December 17, 2019 11:12PM

I know/believe what I stated. I also know/believe I did not throw any schedulers under the bus I just stated my situation and asked for feedback. Comments about the schedulers and MS company were left by other members of the forum based on similar experiences.

December 17, 2019 11:16PM

I’m glad it worked out for you! I usually only request bonuses online as well but this company rarely calls me and actually caught me off guard. Now I know better for next time.

December 17, 2019 11:52PM

@Tereceag wrote:

I know/believe what I stated. I also know/believe I did not throw any schedulers under the bus I just stated my situation and asked for feedback.

But you're still saying know/believe. All I'm asking is which one is it? It's either believe or it's know. The two by definition are mutually exclusive.

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

December 18, 2019 12:20AM

...clarifying for $45 PAD each.

Pretty clear the scheduler tried to pull a fast one. Dang, griff, you're in a testy mood. Holiday blues?

"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams

December 18, 2019 02:26AM

Not in a testy mood at all, but wording is important and I get the distinct feeling that based on how the OP worded the post that it is very likely they also worded their communication with the scheduler that way. And when I ask the question I get a non-answer and then chastised for asking the question.

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

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2019 02:26AM by bgriffin.

December 18, 2019 02:35AM

Also, the first clue that there was possibly miscommunication is they went from one shop to four. That's a good sign that the offer was below what they were willing to pay.

Now, who was at fault in the miscommunication who knows, and really I think it probably was simply a miscommunication and not some scheduler trying to pull a fast one. But I do know we have a scheduler who is not here to give their side and a shopper who refuses to point blank say the wording used, only that they BELIEVE they asked for $45 PAD.

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

December 18, 2019 02:45AM

I will do shops for this MSC only for very high PAD. Which means I rarely do anything for them. That being said, there is a certain cell phone store that has been beaten to death with regular shoppers for a measly $6 fee and they have been overshopped to the point that I can get $19 PAD for them, even if they are only 4-15 miles away from home

December 18, 2019 07:38AM

@bgriffin wrote:

Also, the first clue that there was possibly miscommunication is they went from one shop to four. That's a good sign that the offer was below what they were willing to pay.

Now, who was at fault in the miscommunication who knows, and really I think it probably was simply a miscommunication and not some scheduler trying to pull a fast one. But I do know we have a scheduler who is not here to give their side and a shopper who refuses to point blank say the wording used, only that they BELIEVE they asked for $45 PAD.

be·lieve
/bəˈlēv/
Learn to pronounce
verb
1.
accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.

This is correct terminology for the situation.

The 1 Shop was already scheduled with PAD approved before the phone interaction for $40 PAD. The additional 3 shops were scheduled on the phone after the 45 PAD was I requested by phone and approved there was no miscommunication about that.

December 18, 2019 02:03PM

There is a difference between believe and know. I can copy and paste definitions too but if you don't just instinctively know that there's not much I can do.

I believe I fell asleep around 1 this morning but since I didn't look at the clock after midnight I don't know.

If you read my post I never said there was a miscommunication about the 3 shops. I said the fact that they offered you 3 more at the same rate was an indication that there was a miscommunication on the first one.

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

December 18, 2019 02:21PM

Well thanks, I listened to the other members of the forum and spoke to a supervisor. She did agree that I should not have been removed from this shop and reinstated the first one so I do BELIEVE you are wrong. Happy holidays!

December 18, 2019 03:38PM

@sestrahelena wrote:

This is why I only negotiate fees in writing, except Maritz (but nothing ever went wrong there). Long ago I learned about the verbal negotiation and the follow-up switcheroo. If this was not in writing there is not much you can do but if you have written proof, definitely pursue it with a manager. If for nothing else but to retain a good shopper rating.

I ALWAYS negotiate in WRITING even with MartizCX. It is just a good business practice. Afterall, we are running a business.

December 18, 2019 03:44PM

@Tereceag wrote:

Well thanks, I listened to the other members of the forum and spoke to a supervisor. She did agree that I should not have been removed from this shop and reinstated the first one so I do BELIEVE you are wrong. Happy holidays!

That's spectacular news!
I ever said you should be removed from the shop though. I said that based on the wording of your original post it was probably just a miscommunication and not the scheduler pulling a fast one. I still stand by that.

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

December 18, 2019 03:55PM

Regardless of whether there was a miscommunication about the $45 being PAD on top of base fee or $45 in total for the shops, the scheduler still was in the wrong when she "thought" the base fee was $15, when it was listed as $21. Either way one works the math, the scheduler was in error. No way to know whether that was on purpose or by accident.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.

December 18, 2019 04:07PM

No worries, me and the scheduler heard 2 different things apparently so I guess we’ll never know for sure.

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