It appears that most of the Papa John's shops were rejected. It seems like that was their MO. Take the pictures and not pay the shopper for the lousy pizza.

@jazzzyjd wrote:

I definitely had one that I thought was so wrong and egregious that I spent a tonne of time trying to get it accepted. It was for a gas station convenience store. The stores were franchised and the receipt listed another address miles away (say 15 or so). I shared my google location for the whole day and maintained I could not have possibly been at this other location and the photos were of the correct location. No payment. It wasn't that much money but I had driven out of my way, bought food I wouldn't eat, overpaid for gas and no payment. All because the store had the wrong address in it's register (only the one inside not on the gas pumps) something I think they would want to fix...

I had that happen once when i was doing a gas station audit. Inside receipt had wrong address. I questioned the clerk and put her response in my report.

@pegleg2000 wrote:

I did an Amazon store. I had a lot of areas I had to go to and encounters with employees. Pictures I had to take. I forgot to take one of the pictures so it was rejected.

Sounds like a lot of work for nothing.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2023 05:16PM by tstewart3.

@Insight wrote:

Several years ago, I did 2 restaurants where I forgot to take pictures of the food. Nice evening out Reimbursement would have been about $90. In both cases, I just redid the shops. Can the reimbursement be used as a tax loss when I do my expenses for my taxes?

Yes

Not me, but my son--

We were recently out of town and he took a Pura Vida shop. We were in a huge hurry to make it there within he time window, and when we got off at the bus stop he pulled up what he thought was the right location. The shop only reimbursed $35 but he spent $53. (Yikes, 2 bottled coffees and 2 meatless breakfast sandwiches with no sides!) He submitted the report and the next day realized he had shopped the wrong location. He emailed for help, asking if there was a way to switch the report to the correct location, or if he could do it over, or what could be worked out. Meanwhile his report was accepted, and he never heard a word back on his multiple emails.

So, now just a waiting game to see if they will eventually reject the report and not pay him.

This thread sure makes me feel better! Just to know I'm not alone in screwing up. One day, I shopped not one, but TWO, wrong locations! And they were local! Been doing them for years. I don't know, I just woke up stupid that day. Not even hungover, just stupid for no reason. You know, when your head feels cloudy and you just know your brain is not functioning at normal capacity. But I soldiered on and tried to pay extra attention to everything. Didn’t work.

I was doing a hardware store more than 200 miles away on a route. It turns out it closed earlier than normal, and I got there late, So I did it on my next route, which caused me to go about 90 miles out of my way. But I had committed to it, and I was not going to let them down even if I lost money on it. They ended up rejecting it because screwdrivers are not relevant to fixing a screen door.

@tstewart3 wrote:

@pegleg2000 wrote:

I did an Amazon store. I had a lot of areas I had to go to and encounters with employees. Pictures I had to take. I forgot to take one of the pictures so it was rejected.

Sounds like a lot of work for nothing.

Yes. It is now on my 10 foot pole.

I got my dates mixed up once and didn't check into an expensive hotel. (Well, back then it was expensive.) 2 nights @ $200 a night. Wasted. I wrote it off an an expense, but it still stung.

Some gas station have had a cash register that used to be at a different location (even in a different city and state) and they don't bother to change the information that prints on the receipts. I once had a gas station receipt that had the year 1942 listed as the date!

@jazzzyjd wrote:

I definitely had one that I thought was so wrong and egregious that I spent a tonne of time trying to get it accepted. It was for a gas station convenience store. The stores were franchised and the receipt listed another address miles away (say 15 or so). I shared my google location for the whole day and maintained I could not have possibly been at this other location and the photos were of the correct location. No payment. It wasn't that much money but I had driven out of my way, bought food I wouldn't eat, overpaid for gas and no payment. All because the store had the wrong address in it's register (only the one inside not on the gas pumps) something I think they would want to fix...

This past weekend I got to a hotel 2 hours away and realized I had never made the reservation! I called from the parking lot and thank goodness they were not sold out (they often do). That was a close call.

I had a grocery store rejected a few years ago because I did not shop the seafood department. Their guidelines said to wait 2 minutes for assistance. All the seafood (and meat, and deli) employees were clustered around a sample display that Boar's Head had brought in to showcase new products. In other words, I was ignored for 2 minutes because the staff was too busy eating samples meant for customers. Wouldn't the store want to know about this and counsel the employees about customer service? Nah, just reject the shop!

Years ago, I did not get paid for a bunch of Papa John's shops because the company went out of business or something. I think the owner might have passed away. I believe I lost about $150.

The weirdest shop that I missed an element and was paid was a fast food chicken shop. It required a photo of the order. When I was sitting down, there was an SUV in the parking lot on fire. The fire was in the engine compartment and moving through the passenger section to the back, where the gas tank was. We called 911, stayed towards the back until the fire department had it under control. I ate the meal and forgot the photo. I explained why and the shop was accepted.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

I got my dates mixed up once and didn't check into an expensive hotel. (Well, back then it was expensive.) 2 nights @ $200 a night. Wasted. I wrote it off an an expense, but it still stung.

Oh wow, definitely a fear of mine on the big money shops and hotel shops in particular!

@mystery2me wrote:

I was doing a hardware store more than 200 miles away on a route. It turns out it closed earlier than normal, and I got there late, So I did it on my next route, which caused me to go about 90 miles out of my way. But I had committed to it, and I was not going to let them down even if I lost money on it. They ended up rejecting it because screwdrivers are not relevant to fixing a screen door.

I try to be responsible, but stuff happens and I wouldn't go 90 miles out of my way. They don't lose sleep over rejecting shops....

I had a Chipotle shop that required delivery from a particular location. I thought I chose it but it turns out Chipotle doesn't actually let you pick where it ultimately comes from. I got the necessary screenshots showing the issue, turned in my report, and was reimbursed. Phew!

@Morledzep wrote:

And the editor said that I should not have made a fuss over my receipt, but they weren't going to pay me without the receipt and the pics of the food, so I was supposed to just roll over and walk out without a receipt, and not get paid or reimbursed?

That was the question that got me deactivated. I refused to change my evaluation, and I questioned how I was supposed to get paid without a receipt after the editor told me that I should have just left when the waiter refused to give it to me.

I have had shops that state "Only ask once for a receipt" but also state "You will not be paid if you don't get a receipt". If I need a receipt to be paid, I'm getting one, even if I have to ask 10 times. Fortunately, it has never been an issue.

I did a hotel once and the rules changed. I was supposed to stay for a reception and I did not stay the entire time. They were merciful and paid for the stay, but told me about it. (It was my fault). There were several other items on the shop which I performed accurately.

I did a debit card shop a month or two ago and the signage stated that there was a charge for credit, but not for debit cards. The guidelines say if you do not think you'll incur a charge, don't buy anything. I did not buy anything since I was supposed to use a debit card. It was denied stating that I needed to make a purchase. I sent in an appeal because I believe I did the shop accurately. Of course, I never heard back.

Thankfully, a majority of my shops are approved. I have gone to the wrong location or ordered by the wrong method. Those just cost me the price of the fast food meal. It was disappointing, but at least it wasnt a high dollar dinner.

@jlcarter1975 wrote:

I did a debit card shop a month or two ago and the signage stated that there was a charge for credit, but not for debit cards. The guidelines say if you do not think you'll incur a charge, don't buy anything. I did not buy anything since I was supposed to use a debit card. It was denied stating that I needed to make a purchase. I sent in an appeal because I believe I did the shop accurately. Of course, I never heard back.

This happened to me not long ago. I reread the guidelines and they have changed-although they were vague. It was funny because it was a deli and I was hungry, so I was excited when I spotted the surcharge sign thinking I was going to be able to order! Then the cashier said there was no fee for debit ,so I didn't make the purchase.

After it was rejected I took the shop again since it was an area I get to occasionally. I got my gyro AND the fee had gone from $12 to $15 ,so I got redemption!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2023 12:52AM by bradkcrew.

I’ve gone to Five Guys and went to fill out the report only to realize it was an online shop.

I once failed to order the specific required menu items at a bowling alley chain.

Live and learn — to always read the guidelines!

I had a McDonald's shop rejected at Boston Logan airport. Turns out there were multiple McD's in the airport and I went to the wrong one.

In 2016, video shops were quite popular; I accepted one for a car dealership at $135. As I had visited the lot the prior yr., I was assured that shop had been removed from the dealer's computer; it had not and I was outed. Had I known I was still listed, my story would have been radically different. When the MSC refused to cover my expenses, I was willing to forego the fee, of a 111 ml. round trip, I terminated our agreement.

I have done car shops and they still had my contact info from the shop in the computer many years later.

@shopperbob wrote:

In 2016, video shops were quite popular; I accepted one for a car dealership at $135. As I had visited the lot the prior yr., I was assured that shop had been removed from the dealer's computer; it had not and I was outed. Had I known I was still listed, my story would have been radically different. When the MSC refused to cover my expenses, I was willing to forego the fee, of a 111 ml. round trip, I terminated our agreement.

Ground advantage does not come with insurance in Virginia.

I had a post office job rejected and rating of 1 given. When I got to the post office I saw a sign that said cash or check only posted on the lobby door. So I ran back to my car, thankfully had a check with me and ran back inside. I honestly reported that I joined the line 4 minutes after arriving at the post office I included a picture of the sign and an explanation of the situation. I did the shop and submitted. The next day, I got a grade of one and nonpayment because I did not immediately join the line at the post office, but that I took four minutes. I learned my lesson for next time. I will just leave, change the date of the shop, and not deal with anything that is an inconvenience. I thought they would want to know about things that are inconveniences or abnormal as that it effects customer service. I did email the reviewer to point out the abnormality and ask what they would suggest to do in that type of situation. I did not get a response.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2023 11:11PM by Rg.

@Insight wrote:

It appears that most of the Papa John's shops were rejected. It seems like that was their MO. Take the pictures and not pay the shopper for the lousy pizza.

What happened to the Papa John shops? Last I saw of them, they were on Presto Map.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/25/2023 12:19AM by whosear.

@Rg wrote:

I had a post office job rejected and rating of 1 given. When I got to the post office I saw a sign that said cash or check only posted on the lobby door. So I ran back to my car, thankfully had a check with me and ran back inside. I honestly reported that I joined the line 4 minutes after arriving at the post office I included a picture of the sign and an explanation of the situation. I did the shop and submitted. The next day, I got a grade of one and nonpayment because I did not immediately join the line at the post office, but that I took four minutes. I learned my lesson for next time. I will just leave, change the date of the shop, and not deal with anything that is an inconvenience. I thought they would want to know about things that are inconveniences or abnormal as that it effects customer service. I did email the reviewer to point out the abnormality and ask what they would suggest to do in that type of situation. I did not get a response.

Well if that happens to me, now I know to report a start time that matches when I arrive the second time. Thanks for sharing.

BY FAR THE SHADOW AGENCY IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED!!!!

YES, THIS IS A VERY LONBG NARRATIVE - BUT THE DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT

I was really happy to get an assignment from them because the apartment shops pay a decent return and they appear to handle moist of the apartment management companies in Portland. But my very first assignment with them went way beyond sour really fast. As I briefed myself on the guidelines for the shop, there were a couple of key items which did not make any sense to me. I immediately shot an email to the coordinator. A day passed without any reply so I called their phone four times and left 4 voicemails each one more urgent than the one before ,.., the next morning was the day I had scheduled the shop and I called the rental office and rescheduled my shop for the following day at 1PM. Literally while rescheduling the email came through. It was brief, cryptic and really didn't clarify much but I had done several apartment shops for other companies and used my best judgment based on other shops. The next day, I took then light rail out to.the closest stop. It was about an hour train ride and I had my sleek, prized Gen 5 Lenovo Yoga with me and made use of the time to proof reports to be sent for other shops. At my stop I closed the laptop, slid it into my satchel and began the 10 minute walk to the property office. I met my target there inside the rental office and sat my satchel and sport coat in front of his desk.He finished his conversation with another employee and returned to his desk where I had been standing waiting. He asked I was ready for the tour and I replied "You bet" and started to grab the coat and satchel to which he stopped me and said "You can leave all that here if you want. You don't have to lug it around with you. I raised an eyebrow and said something like: Really are you sure. He replied the office was safe and other people were around and motioned toward corners of the lobby and mentioned there were cameras so I shrugged, and left the items. The tour took around 45 minutes to a hour and he used language with a definite tone to it which raised red flags and personally was offensive. I am 56 years old but get mistaken for late 30's commonly. His comment was something to the extent of having had some run ins with some older tennants who really didn't match the culture of the community. I paused trying hide my disbelief and asked what he meant. he replied that older people don't fit in well here because our tenants are mostly couples and families in their mid 30's with kids and that old people seem to be bothered when families are outside playing. He added you know, this place has a lot of kids and kids make noise and "?old folks hate noisy kids" There was a lot more dialogue and another really inappropriate comment this time about handicapped people (he was showing me an accessible unit)

We returned to the rental office and he began to gather paperwork and he cost to move in. I asked if he minded if I made notes and crunched some numbers on my laptop and he said sure, go ahead,. But there was no laptop inside my bag. He saw me pause and look perplexed and asked if I was okay. My mind was racing. How am I supposed to handle this? I was fearful of blowing my cover and not getting paid and I did not have a single clue what The Shadow Agency's policy was for something like that, so I finished there shop and began emailing and calling the shop coordinator - no answer. Left at least 6 different messages and returned home to finish my report on my computer at home. The final date the shop had to be completed was still 48 hours away. No one responded to my calls or emails. I said screw it. That was a $2800.00 laptop and each day that went by I knew I had lesser chances of recovery. Just to cover my bases I called the transit authority and asked them to just check the security footage. They eventually called back and confirmed I clearly had the laptop when I exited the train.Finally a message from The Shadow Agency: - not about the lapto but rather a warning my complete reprort had not been received. I wrote lengthy emails explaining what had gone on at the property in detail and asked to know who the company was and how to contact them with the police report info to see if their insurance covered the theft, under what conditions and what then procedures were to file a claim. NEVER GOT A SINGLE RESPONSE. I indicated on the report that due to my inability to get any form of reasonably timely communications, I had been left with no choice but to contact the rental office I had shopped and ask them, directly who their management company was. They resisted, so I finally explained who I represented and what my business had been that day. The office manager became suddenly very apologetic and said she would call me right back. Finally, I got the call, back - but not from the office manager, but from the person who had been the target.He curtly, and let me emphasize curtly told me that they had reviewed the camera footage and that I had no laptop with me when I came into the building, that only a black satchel but I did not have any laptop.He also very curtly as well added that the cameras also showed us leaving the rental building together and that the door had been locked due to no one else being in.the building and then cameras showed nobiody coming or going until we returned. I knew what he was saying was entirely a steaming pile of compost. I told him the version he was selling me was false and asked if I could get access to the video or a copy. He flatly said no referring to privacy concerns. I asked agfain how to reach his boss or the parent company to which he just hung up,.

In spite of me explicitly sending niumerous detailed emails and voice messages - and even clearly stated in the online rewporting in ALL CAPS denoted with asterisks and exclaimation points that due to their failure to respond, provide protocol.or policy or show even the smallest measures of regard for my business, property or bottom line, I had disclosed my identity in an effort to reclaim my property. All I got were emails alerting me my report was over due and to submit it by the end of the day or I would not be paid. Finally late that day I received an email from a person I had never hear of from the Shadow Agency saying she had been out of her office for several days and had receioved a number of voicer mails and emails from me. the email went on to s and ay that she assumed I was trying too reach her due to the "iincident at the property and would get back in touch as soon as she was able to look into it and understand what was going on. Numerous calls and emails to her, voice mails etc - no response. The last email I sent was very brief and simply asked them to remove me from their list of available shoppers because I can not afford to work for any company who establishes rules I must abide by to protect their company image and bottom line but show absolutely negligent indifference to my own.

Within 15 minutes I received a response confirming per my request, my info had been removed.

My total losses from data on the laptop to complete other shops which could not be ccompleted, software, private proprietary intellectual; property, the time I lost and the value of the stolen lap[top exceed $4,000.00

Reading even on here, case by case of people who cannot get responses, can't get clarification, cannot track down payments they are owed - thi list goes on, I can't imagine anyone working for them. BE WARNED

@1_Eval_Dude

That's horrible! Were you using an alias, is that why you hesitated to say something?