I got fired from a company that rates a popular hamburger shop
I mean that they find something wrong with your report such as forgetting to order a milkshake or you did not check to see if there was a greasy streak at the sidewalk as you walked in.
@desikima wrote:
I just found out after two years of doing the same hamburger shop my services are no longer needed because I had 5 invalid shops in two years.
Sorry to hear, desi!
I personally like that company a lot. I have gotten an invalid before.
Consider offering to redo the shop for them for free and/or at base value. If it was a genuine error on your part, I think this feels like the right thing to do. They will most likely let you reschedule and won't really take your "free" offer. But, that's what a lot of people do here, I think.
I know I offer it when I mess up a shop.
Apologize for the error and let them know you are aware this hurts their scheduling and that you'll make a strong effort to correct past issues going forward and will commit to doing shops to the highest standard.
Ask if you can pick up some base value shops to earn back some trust if that would be desirable for them.
We're all human. I mess up sometimes. More often, I've had late shops with a few MSCs, but I occasionally get an invalid as well.
If you enjoy the work and opportunities with the MSC, I'd take the time to try to repair your status with them. There have been many success stories from people in situations like your's here, so it's definitely possible!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2020 07:59PM by shoptastic.
@desikima wrote:
All the time my schedulers were telling me that I was their best shopper and they were constantly asking me to them favors.
It's possible this was true, but that the MSC uses software that flags errors and automatically "cancels" shoppers after a certain number of them.
That's another reason why I would try to speak with representatives personally. They may not know YOU were "fired."
@desikima wrote:
I mean that they find something wrong with your report such as forgetting to order a milkshake or you did not check to see if there was a greasy streak at the sidewalk as you walked in.
To be fair, I do those shops all the time and have had only 1 invald shop with the MSC over 4 years (which wasn't the hamburger shop - I forgot to include something in a photo on another shop). I don't know how you can have 5 invalid shops in 2 years if you do them all the time and at least look at the guidelines to see what kind of shop you are doing before you go - the questions haven't changed.
@nixkit wrote:
@desikima wrote:
I mean that they find something wrong with your report such as forgetting to order a milkshake or you did not check to see if there was a greasy streak at the sidewalk as you walked in.
To be fair, I do those shops all the time and have had only 1 invald shop with the MSC over 4 years (which wasn't the hamburger shop - I forgot to include something in a photo on another shop). I don't know how you can have 5 invalid shops in 2 years if you do them all the time and at least look at the guidelines to see what kind of shop you are doing before you go - the questions haven't changed.
Hate to sound harsh but I agree with this. 5 invalid shops in 2 years sounds like a lot to me. It may be a tough sell for them to take you back right away but worth a shot if you want to. I have also heard from other forum members that they have had luck being reinstated after a year or so. Good luck!
I don't keep track super well, but I think I have 3 invalids for this company since 2017. That's one/year if true.
I've been an independent contractor with that MSC since 2001 or 2002 (they had a different name back then) and I have never had an invalidated shop. I don't do that many of their hamburger shops, maybe 4-6 a year when they add a decent bonus (never at base fee). That being said, I have never gotten "fired" because I was never an employee!
@JASFLALMT wrote:
I've been an independent contractor with that MSC since 2001 or 2002 (they had a different name back then) and I have never had an invalidated shop. I don't do that many of their hamburger shops, maybe 4-6 a year when they add a decent bonus (never at base fee). That being said, I have never gotten "fired" because I was never an employee!
Heh - I probably did 4-6 /month my first year MS-ing.
That's why they probably LOVE me, b/c I did so many fast food shops for $6.00 knowing nothing about mileage. I got called several times a day it felt like. I lost a lot of money back then. They are just now making it up for me.
I wait for bonuses now too usually.
re: invalids - two that come to mindn are going during the wrong meal period.
I am guessing I have at least one other. I do so many, I have lost count. I wouldn't doubt I messed somethign up back then. Note: there are 9 burger plaes within 30-40 minutes of me.
12 of them within 60 minutes. They are poupular here!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2020 11:38PM by shoptastic.
We've got a lot of them here, too. There are 7 within 20 miles from my house. I have no idea what's 30 minutes away because I have my radius set low for this MSC and I don't drive very far from home (hence why I only have about 50k miles on my 2013 car). And I won't drive even 15 miles to go do one unless I have both a bonus ($20-$24 total fee not including reimbursement) and at least 4 more shops to do within a couple of miles from the location.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
We've got a lot of them here, too. There are 7 within 20 miles from my house. I have no idea what's 30 minutes away because I have my radius set low for this MSC and I don't drive very far from home (hence why I only have about 50k miles on my 2013 car). And I won't drive even 15 miles to go do one unless I have both a bonus ($20-$24 total fee not including reimbursement) and at least 4 more shops to do within a couple of miles from the location.
I would cry if I got unplugged from said MSC. They have other shops I like too. Saves me money on my food bills!!
p.s., I would be willing to drive 1 hour to do a burger shop. They don't bonus them that far for me (at least, not what I want...most I've ever gotten was a $58 bonus, I think...for a 40 minute drive). Nowadays, I only get around $20's....Cannot even get $30's anymore. I think other people are picking them up cheaper. That means I stay very local. 15-mile radius most of the time. My first year was the killer year. I was taking them anywhere, everywhere, any price (i.e., base, b/c I had no idea they were ever bonused...I think the schedulers shoved so many calls down my throat that I had NO TIME to check boards to know they went up in price....I took them ALL at base several times a week....often with bare bones routes that were money losing/break even).
I get wanting to save money on food, but you have to think of your health. If you are choosing some of the other menu options besides the burger, that's great, but everything they serve there is high in sodium. I do love their burgers, and the bacon cheeseburgers are my favorite, but there is more than one reason I am so stubborn about how much of a fee I want to do one of them. If I answered the phone and let them talk me into going below $20 it would be bad for me. I don't want to gain weight or develop other issues from eating fast food frequently. Moderation is the key here. It would be better to pick up some grocery store shops and prepare more meals (salads and veggies) at home.
I agree - although, I've stopped doing so many not initially for health reasons (I took breaks back then too to be fair), but simply because bonuses have dried up. 
I always take parts of my ff meals home usually. The fries and tater tots are my breakfast.
I go on "cleansing" phases when I feel bad after a lot of ff shops. Everyone shoould do this if you're a heavy ff shopper. It adds up and makes you feel miserable.
I always take parts of my ff meals home usually. The fries and tater tots are my breakfast.
I go on "cleansing" phases when I feel bad after a lot of ff shops. Everyone shoould do this if you're a heavy ff shopper. It adds up and makes you feel miserable.
I think every shopper should have a variety of jobs to do (don't put all your eggs in one basket) and remain diversified in all areas of life. Eating, shopping, work, stock portfolios, and really, really--just everything. If you don't drive yourself too hard (and crazy) on one particular thing, it's pretty easy to maintain balance. And then you can stay calm.
desikima, I am so sorry that happened to you. The same thing, or something similar, happened to several other shoppers. It sucks that they have the upper hand in that way.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
As an IC shopper, the only thing I'd be "leery" of is "All the time my schedulers were telling me that I was their best shopper." That sounds like a line of bs to get the shop filled. I work for money and I know schedulers do the same. Unfortunately some of them stretch the truth to get the shop filled. Sorry you're disappointed. Don't take it personally, it's just business.
@MrEd wrote:
As an IC shopper, the only thing I'd be "leery" of is "All the time my schedulers were telling me that I was their best shopper."
I look back and think that I WAS their best shopper!
I took SO many burger shops at base! But, that's being the best shopper for an entirely different reason.
I have 2 invalid shops (2010-2013) and I've been shopping with them since 2004. I don't remember why they were invalid, but I have not ever been "fired" for shops being invalid. I was deactivated once for not logging in, but they reinstated me when I asked them to. I can't imagine having 5 invalid shops in 2 years when you're doing the same shop over and over again.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2020 05:01AM by Jenny Cassada.
Shopping the South Jersey Shore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2020 05:01AM by Jenny Cassada.
This company will always be one of my favorites because it was the first MSC I contracted with. For about a year, it was the only MSC I worked with. I continue to do many shops for them, including the burger ones. I have done too many to count. Like some others have mentioned, I am going to pretty much eliminate the the S burger shop. It's just too unhealthy. I looked at my history, and I have 6 invalid shops in 4 years. Four of them are between two of the burger joints. Hopefully you can find another MSC to replace this one. I have found that there are way too many jobs available in the MS world, more than I can handle. However, I would probably miss this particular one if I lost it because their shops are so simple and they are plentiful.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
I get wanting to save money on food, but you have to think of your health.
I don't want to gain weight or develop other issues from eating fast food frequently. Moderation is the key here. It would be better to pick up some grocery store shops and prepare more meals (salads and veggies) at home.
I asked to be removed from the account after doing one of these in 2012. There are 9 within 20 miles of me.
I have less than 5 invalid shops in 20 years with them. (Recently) Two were during the month that their computer was wonky and was invalidating shops left and right saying that shoppers were re-using photos or had the wrong photos. It wasn't worth the argument.
Once I forgot to order coffee in August at lunch. Once I went to the wrong location. Once I didn't realize that the shop was invalidated for at least six months, so I don't know what was wrong.
I've only been working for that company, at least the mystery shopping part, for a short time. I've had a few invalid shops, and I've questioned them each time and got an explanation. Only a couple of them were my fault, the others were misunderstandings, and they don't let you change your answers. I haven't been penalized for them at all, at least not that I know of. Well, except for not getting paid..
I had been shopping for these easy shops for 4 years, and only got 1 invalid when I forgot and shopped between 2-4 PM. I was extra careful and accurate with the timing, and yes, the ones in my area were always offered to me when they get bonused. And yet, I was taken off by the "client", according to the scheduler because someone spotted me as a shopper. Don't know how, but that was the reason I was given. She did say it happens often
@JASFLALMT wrote:
I think every shopper should have a variety of jobs to do (don't put all your eggs in one basket) and remain diversified in all areas of life. Eating, shopping, work, stock portfolios, and really, really--just everything. If you don't drive yourself too hard (and crazy) on one particular thing, it's pretty easy to maintain balance. And then you can stay calm.
The first time I got terminated from them I cried and called to discuss in person. The algorithm had too many rescheduling but they were all due to major snowstorms that year. I continued for 6-8 years after that making ~$7K in fees per year from this company. Yes, never did a drive thru for less than $40 within a 10 mile drive. Have not paid for movies for years. Have not bought my great shampoo for years. Shocked!, Deer in headlights! Like bad BF break up. Lasted for 3 days and then I moved on with life. I feel better healthwise and had more time to look for shops and plan my schedule for more profitable days. Diversify, especially if you live in a smal rural area because if an MS loses a client you were hooked you will be in trouble.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2020 02:53PM by KateH.
Like many of us, I have done a lot of shops for this company over the past few years. You can see a list of invalid shops on your shop status page. I have three, all from 2017. One is from the burger place and was probably milkshake related. One is from the quick serve Chinese place, because I didn’t include the tap water in my photo of the food. The third was a cell phone shop and I’m not sure why it was unacceptable, but I do know that the location was out of business cards.
This MSC definitely has a low tolerance for error, but it also offers some of the easiest shops around.
This MSC definitely has a low tolerance for error, but it also offers some of the easiest shops around.
I'm only about 5 months into mystery shopping but have done a ton of assignments for this company and have a hard time believing the MSC would cut you loose for missing a few grease stains. Several incidents of not ordering shakes when it's on your CPI and "assignment details," that I'll buy. $17.75>$12.75.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2020 06:52AM by KokoBWare.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2020 06:52AM by KokoBWare.
@desikima wrote:
I mean that they find something wrong with your report such as forgetting to order a milkshake or you did not check to see if there was a greasy streak at the sidewalk as you walked in.
You're kind of making it sound like those are minor mistakes that the MSC is being "picky" about. Those are legitimate reasons for a report to be rejected. Forgetting to order a milkshake on a milkshake shop is a major issue. Like others, I think 5 invalid shops in 2 years sounds like a lot, especially if they're all for the same client.
I'd throw myself on their mercies, ask to be reinstated, and, above all, admit you messed up and promise not to do it again. Show them you can accept responsibility for your own actions instead of minimizing them. And good luck. I'd be disappointed, too, if I were deactivated from this MSC.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
@Stephanieteaches wrote:
Like many of us, I have done a lot of shops for this company over the past few years. You can see a list of invalid shops on your shop status page. I have three, all from 2017. One is from the burger place and was probably milkshake related. One is from the quick serve Chinese place, because I didn’t include the tap water in my photo of the food. The third was a cell phone shop and I’m not sure why it was unacceptable, but I do know that the location was out of business cards.
This MSC definitely has a low tolerance for error, but it also offers some of the easiest shops around.
I have often wondered about the water. Since there is no where on the report to indicate you received a water cup, how would the MSC know it should be in the picture? It is not mandatory to get a drink, even water. Sometimes I include the water cup in my photo but sometimes I don't and I have never had a shop rejected.
I did one (ONE) shop for them and enjoyed the burger, however I had to get a shake, so didn't get a drink...my bad. I didn't get paid, but they keep sending me emails monthly to do same shop....of which I decline, just too many burger shops to do here, and reimbursement doesn't cover the out of line fee for a burger/fries, drink.
Live consciously....
In my case, the free water was on the receipt. Oh well. Other shops, I’ve left chargeable drinks out of the picture with no problem. At the time, it was in the guidelines that a picture of everything received was required.
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