I do my best, to be honest with schedulers about what my needs and expectations are. I'm a shopper that can be counted on to go to out-of-the-way places and get things done no matter what it takes, assuming the pay is acceptable. For example, I have driven all over Arkansas, Arizona, and California to help clean up Home Improvement store audits for Ipsos, and I did the same for a gas station client at the end of the year. I will say that I was compensated what I thought to be a fair price for the mileage I put of my own car, fuel, flights, hotels, rental car prices, etc. I think it is important that I am honest with a scheduler about what I can do and what I would expect in return. And, I never flake. I have gone to great ends to hold up my end of the agreements that I make. I also try to have a sense of humor about things. That all said, I just had a really sh@tty experience with an Ipsos scheduler. I wasn't even trying to be rude, I was being honest. If honesty is rudeness then I'm not sure what to do. I am going to lay it all out here for everyone. Please let me know if I deserved the email I received in response to my offer.
For some background information, this is about a gas station client for Ipsos that is being scheduled by KSS. I have received between $40 and $125 per location, even when Ipsos has had the account the last few quarters. These locations are extremely remote, and they require a ton of driving just to get to. The rates I received in the past lead me to believe that there are not any local shoppers for any of them. I was attempting to explain that the locations require more than a $5 bonus to make them viable, and if we wait until the last minute, other responsibilities may preclude me from making a route for this project. I am going to lay it all out here. Please let me know if I was being "rude and condescending," and let me know if you feel the response I received was appropriate. This was in response to an email saying that the locations now had a $5 bonus.
This is the email I sent.
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Hi Virginia
I have seen these shops on the board for weeks now. I have been doing XXXXX shops for years, first with MaritzCX, and more recently with Ipsos. In all cases, I received anywhere from $40 to $120 per location depending upon driving distance and the remoteness of the location. I have received similar bonus ranges for XXX, XXX, and XXX gas stations for Ipsos. If you are at a point where you can pay reasonable bonuses, please keep me in mind. I am willing to drive, and I don't mind putting together a long route of hard-to-fill locations if the pay is reasonable.
That said, the idea that anyone is going to get excited about a $5 bonus for an out-of-the-way location is somewhat comical.
Thanks for keeping me in mind. Best wishes in getting your shops filled.
One other thing to keep in mind is that XXXX will be hitting a hard deadline at the end of March. If you want me to do some of these before the end of March, keep in mind that I will be tied up with XXXX most likely, a group of schedulers that have been more reasonable with bonuses. The sooner we can do bonuses the more likely I will be able to help you out.
Respectfully,
XXXXX
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This is the email I received.
Eric,
Please do not be condescending or rude in your email, believe it or not, I have had a lot of shoppers pick these up with a $2.50 bonus as I have 2,000 locations just myself to fill not including the other schedulers that work on the XXXX program. Did you ever stop to think that might be why Martiz is no longer in Business? Also, it is not a scheduler who decides a bonus it is the mystery shopping company with which I do not work for. I work for the scheduling company that follows orders from the MSC. If you have complaints about the pay take it up with them, not me.
I really could care less what XXXX is scheduling or doing, I don’t get paid to schedule them. Each program has a different bonus structure depending on the number of locations and other variables. Again, XXXX is different.
Have a nice day.
Virginia Horton
KSS International on Behalf of Ipsos
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I don't think I was being rude or condescending, only honest. There was a significant amount of rudeness and condescension in the communication, but not until I received a reply. I did say in the beginning that honesty is important, and I do appreciate her honesty. That said, how hypocritical to say that there is no need to be rude or condescending and then reply with a significant amount of rudeness and condescension. This reply definitely leads me to believe that there is a level of stress involved in trying to get people to work for less than minimum wage. I can imagine that it eats at one's conscience after a while.
I will definitely keep this in mind when the locations that I am describing are not filled at the end of the quarter and bonus negotiations begin. I will not be doing the XXXX team any favors any time soon.