I did one of these a couple of weeks ago, and it was kicked back to me for a clarification, which I provided. The report was approved. This morning I get an email saying I did a portion of the shop incorrectly. However, what I'm being asked to re-do is not in the guidelines anywhere. I re-read both the guidelines and the survey--and nowhere do either of them state to do what it is the editor is requiring. I copied the relevant guidelines and the survey, showing that what I supposedly did incorrectly is not asked for. I asked for the written instructions so that I can do this correctly, but the editor simply stated to do what she said. The survey has no accommodation for this requirement. I've emailed my scheduler to see what she says.

Has anyone encountered problems with this shop? How am I supposed to know to do something that isn't stated anywhere?

To update: My scheduler, who is wonderful, gave me more specific guidelines for that portion of the shop--and that's exactly what I had done. So the editor is saying I did this incorrectly, but refuses to provide me any documentation with the guidelines she says I didn't follow. And the scheduler is providing me with what she says are the proper guidelines--which are what I followed.

On top of that, there is no accommodation in the scenario selection menu for the scenario the editor told me to use.

I think the editor is not correct here, but she seems to have copped attitude with me, although I've been polite (but persistent). I have two more of these shops scheduled, but I'm not starting them without some definite clarification or a copy of the written guidelines that I supposedly didn't follow.

I'm so frustrated I'm ready to tell them to go ahead and reject my first shop and cancel the others. I have, though, started the re-do on that section, but have had to ask the editor what I'm supposed to choose for the scenario, since there is no correct selection. I'm not sure she'll even respond.

I encountered the same problem with an editor for an MSC with whom I had been contracted for 16 years. I sent an E-letter to the company stating I had given my best; if that were unacceptable, so be it. To my surprise, my report was both approved and scored a 10. Two problems with rolling over and taking a hosing are that it becomes habit forming and affects one's self respect.

I don't believe your problem is with the scheduler. it's the guy they do these shops for, the client. He's a little demanding to put it mildly. They only do BMW, Audi or Mercedes with an occasional Cadillac, Lincoln or Porsche thrown in.

Sorry you're in this predicament.

There are many people on this board that won't do the shops, including me, unless they are VERY highly bonused.

I did one where he had a problem because I didn't shop the model with an extended wheelbase. The dealer told me that only limo and taxi companies use these and normally it's more of a special order vehicle.

I think he did approve payment, with a deduction, since I didn't shop the correct vehicle.

I know it's not the scheduler; she's marvelous! I think it's the editor, who refuses to show me anything in writing about what I was supposed to do.

This is an online shop, not in-person, so I don't know if it's the same end client. It definitely could be that the client decided to not accept the shop after the MSC already had. But if the guidelines aren't right, why then wouldn't they be changed so that shoppers can do the shop correctly? I asked the editor for a copy of any updated guidelines, but haven't received a response. My scheduler is out for a few days, and I'm simply not going to do the other two shops without a clarification.

I'll see if I can find another contact through the MSC's website.

Is your shop one where you have to do a call, web inquiry, chat and then a fourth type of contact in order? These are new with a different MSC than the shops i was talking about.

The ones I did were originally two visits, Then during Covid they evolved to a visit and an e-mail revised quote or two e-mail quote shop.

If it's the four contact shop, I've been wondering how much time and, as stated in the mass e-mails, organization is required? They appear decently priced shops, but not if you run into trouble with them.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2021 02:43AM by wrosie.

@wrosie wrote:

Is your shop one where you have to do a call, web inquiry, chat and then a fourth type of contact in order? These are new with a different MSC than the shops i was talking about.

...If it's the four contact shop, I've been wondering how much time and, as stated in the mass e-mails, organization is required? They appear decently priced shops, but not if you run into trouble with them.

Yes, these are the four-part shops, 3 online sections and a phone call. They're not hard, but they do require a lot of upfront organization and you need to be a speed demon at capturing and pasting screen shots into a Word doc, then converting it to a PDF. You need four different email addresses and aliases. I'm lucky in that I already have several email addresses and two phone numbers. I did have to get a Google voice phone number, though, in case I was asked for my phone numbers. They don't want you to give a phone number, but you need to be ready with different ones if you're asked for them.

I planned on the additional two shops making up for the upfront time I spent creating aliases and matching them to different emails (it can be hard to keep this straight, at leas for me; I need a spreadsheet!) and getting the Google voice number. One shop may or may not be profitable (depends on how much of that upfront work you don't have to do), but two or three shops would be. But since I can't get any response from the editor on providing me with the correct written guidelines and scenario choice, I've written to the other scheduler on this project, since mine is out, asking if she can help me and if not, to cancel the shops. I don't feel I can correctly do the shops based on what the editor said, and I'm not going to risk two rejected shops and/or having to spend yet more time fixing and resubmitting them. Even if I follow the editor's instruction, the shop survey doesn't have a response that matches the new scenario!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2021 02:37PM by BirdyC.

Birdy,

This job sounds like a cluster f$(k to my ears.

They certainly can be! Mine is turning out to be one. Particularly when the editor tells you that you did one of the sections incorrectly, even though you followed the guidelines.

If they go well, they're just more tedious than anything. But if something goes awry, they're not worth the fee. I'd say that if they get bonused, and you can schedule more than one, they'd probably be worth it. But not until the MSC and the client get their act together on the guidelines and either adhere to them as written or change them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2021 03:29PM by BirdyC.

Thanks, Birdy. I'm glad I didn't pick one up. I was actually going to post asking if someone had done them before and what they entailed before i requested one.

I completed one. Am working on my second, and have one scheduled for each of the next few weeks. The scheduler (who is great) told me that the program ends in mid-December.

@myst4au wrote:

I completed one. Am working on my second, and have one scheduled for each of the next few weeks. The scheduler (who is great) told me that the program ends in mid-December.

Has your first one been approved by the MSC yet? My scheduler (it's probably the same one) had wanted to wait until the first one was approved so that we both were confident going into the additional ones. My first one was approved about two weeks ago, I was assigned two more, then I got the notice that I did the email portion "incorrectly" yesterday.

Time flies when you are having fun! When I just went to look, I found that I had done two . I remembered when I saw them of course. They are both marked "Completed", but not yet "Received". I think that Received is the final step. Time will tell. I am now nearing the end of #3. I was stymied yesterday because the SASSIE recording system was not working for this MSC or for the one other MSC that I needed it for.

@myst4au wrote:

Time flies when you are having fun! When I just went to look, I found that I had done two . I remembered when I saw them of course. They are both marked "Completed", but not yet "Received". I think that Received is the final step. Time will tell. I am now nearing the end of #3. I was stymied yesterday because the SASSIE recording system was not working for this MSC or for the one other MSC that I needed it for.

The phone system cut out on me when I was on the recorded call with the dealer. Luckily, he had my mobile number and texted me to follow up, so I was able to complete that portion of the shop without having to call again.