Waiting for Schedulers

Please, please give out the assignments quicker. Often I apply for shops and do not find out I have been assigned them until the day before. This makes it very difficult to plan routes etc.

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Unfortunately this is the way some companies work and it has been like that for awhile. Plan accordingly.

On the flip side to this (and I'm only talking because I do assign shops the moment I see them), some shoppers like to apply for shops the day they want to go. That is not a problem if they do it early in the day, but often I will log off at 6 or 7pm CT, check for applications last thing, and log in the next morning to an application or two for the day before. Drives me crazy LOL!

I know where you are coming from - and probably know the company (or at least the worst scheduler) of which you speak. I finally asked the actual MSC to speak with the scheduling company and limit the number of shops that scheduler can have on "their plate". I looked at the job board last night and there were shops listed that had to be completed and submitted 3 days ago....this person just does not make scheduling (and being on top of it) a priority. I know folks who have deleted applications for shops with this scheduler (as have I). But Pete - he's the bomb! He is right on top of it. I have never had to wait more than an hour or so to get my app approved and shop scheduled. I really wish all were as good as Pete.

@RMurp007 wrote:

Please, please give out the assignments quicker. Often I apply for shops and do not find out I have been assigned them until the day before. This makes it very difficult to plan routes etc.

I have learned with these schedulers - to delete my application for any shop at night before I go to bed, unless I have nothing planned for the next day (ha ha).

@FrostyBubbles wrote:

But Pete - he's the bomb! He is right on top of it. I have never had to wait more than an hour or so to get my app approved and shop scheduled. I really wish all were as good as Pete.

Awww, thank you! I try to check about every hour to see if anyone has applied. I will sometimes randomly log in after I'm done for the day to check also (if I'm bored LOL). Whenever I see I missed one from the day before, I will email that shopper to see if they have another day that works for them. If so, great! If not, that's okay too. Whenever I see a shopper frequently applies "after hours", I will give them my cell number to call or text me so I know they can shop. That's what I've found is the best way to get over 1,000 shops per month scheduled on time.

I definitely can understand the frustration of shoppers applying days in advance and watching the shop sit there for days after they could have completed it. I'm not sure how those schedulers get everything done each month.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2019 11:08PM by KSSPete.

You are very welcome. It is schedulers and professionals like yourself that make shopping better, truly!

As far as the other scheduler - I don't know why the very large behemoth company that contracts with that scheduling company allows them to continue. I have sent several screen shots that show those shops (in bright red print) that are days past due. So no one can apply - if you do, you are already "late" with your shop. I found out that this scheduler has a full time job and does scheduling on the side - even sent me an email that they won't even be looking at the schedule to update or schedule any shops for 2.5 days (when they get off their two 12 hour hospital shifts). It is sad that so many shops go undone that could have easily be done. Also not sure why they will not allow self assignment after we have proven we are reliable, dependable and do a great shop

None of us could even come close to getting it done without reliable and professional shoppers!

I was worried that maybe KSS was the scheduling company you were referring to, but now I don't think so. I'm fairly certain that Lorri does not have any part-time schedulers, though we do have more than one office. If it is KSS, and I'm not one to throw anyone under a bus, I'm sure Lorri would want to know so she can fix that.

As for the self-assign part, it could be the client themselves want us to find new shoppers each round, rotation issues that the platform does not have an option to automatically prevent a shopper out of rotation from assigning themselves, etc. I do know that with every client we have, we will set them up to be self-assign if at all possible. It makes it much easier for us also.

@KSSPete wrote:

often I will log off at 6 or 7pm CT, check for applications last thing, and log in the next morning to an application or two for the day before.

....so, Pete, you're saying that you aren't sitting at your computer 24/7 waiting for shoppers to call and email? .....LOL ....

And, yes, Frosty, I agree Pete is da bomb.

Nope, it's not KSS. I know the MSC Frosty is talking about but I'm not calling them out, they're one of my favorites. As for the scheduling company, it also has some stars.

Hi Pete ,

Oh gosh - I should have clarified and I am so very sorry. Absolutely not it is not KSS. In the years I have been shopping, I have never had an issue with you or with anyone at KSS. As another person stated "you da bomb"

@panama18 wrote:

Nope, it's not KSS. I know the MSC Frosty is talking about but I'm not calling them out, they're one of my favorites. As for the scheduling company, it also has some stars.

Hi Panama18,

I am not calling them out either - I never mentioned their name. I enjoy doing shops for them whether I shop with their schedulers or with the scheduling company. The scheduling company - I agree completely - have some absolutely wonderful folks who schedule other types of shops. The scheduler I am referring to is responsible for certain types of shops. And in my area, there can be pages of shops from only that scheduler that just sit.

Thank you for clarifying

@roflwofl wrote:

@KSSPete wrote:

often I will log off at 6 or 7pm CT, check for applications last thing, and log in the next morning to an application or two for the day before.

....so, Pete, you're saying that you aren't sitting at your computer 24/7 waiting for shoppers to call and email? .....LOL ....

And, yes, Frosty, I agree Pete is da bomb.

It does feel like it sometimes LOL! And thank you also!

I'm very happy to hear it isn't us. Every scheduler I know with KSS puts in a lot of time and effort.

@FrostyBubbles wrote:

@RMurp007 wrote:

Please, please give out the assignments quicker. Often I apply for shops and do not find out I have been assigned them until the day before. This makes it very difficult to plan routes etc.

I have learned with these schedulers - to delete my application for any shop at night before I go to bed, unless I have nothing planned for the next day (ha ha).

I do the same.

No, it is WeCheck. I apply for shops as soon as they are released, then wait. In the meantime, I accept many other jobs or make personal plans for the day only to find out the night before, I got the job. How frustrating! I have been shopping for well over fifteen years and am a reliable shopper who regularly receives a grade of 10. Why I can't self assign is a mystery to me too.

I really only have to wait extraordinarily long with one company. It is what it is, but I have had to delete bunches of applications because their time had come and gone As 7star said, they are probably not going to change.

I never heard of WeCheck. What am I missing, LOL?

@KSSPete wrote:

On the flip side to this (and I'm only talking because I do assign shops the moment I see them), some shoppers like to apply for shops the day they want to go. That is not a problem if they do it early in the day, but often I will log off at 6 or 7pm CT, check for applications last thing, and log in the next morning to an application or two for the day before. Drives me crazy LOL!

BTW Pete, I have not seen your name on shops in my email for awhile. I am getting Ryan. I am guessing he is fairly new. He is very nice and right on top of it. Did Kern divide up shops in time zones or by clients? I am asking because I am in one state now (have been since I have been shopping/scheduling with you) but will be moving back to my real home about 1000 miles away. Trying to figure out if I need to initiate a relationship with a new scheduler...or how that works.

Ryan has been around a long time, but I am scheduling for a couple of new clients, so he took over what I was doing. The majority of the shops I schedule now are in CA, but there are some in other states. I hope you are moving back to somewhere we can work together again!

Well...I feel like I am having a senior moment..or a blonde moment. I guess I had not worked with Ryan. Hope you are enjoying the work with CA - that is two time zones away from yours. I will be moving back to FL - hopefully we can work together again. Oh - BTW there is a thread on here about KSS International. A shopper got an email to purchase 3 $500 gift cards and then call/text scheduler to give the card number. I did not see anyone from KSS comment. You might want to seek it out. I think it was started towards the last week or so of March. She thought it was legit but not sure.... Sad We all advised it was not you all - that is not how you do business.

I do have a few in FL! It is possible you just hadn't worked with Ryan.

Ugh... Another one of those scams. Sometimes we miss the posts on here, but luckily we have all of you to help straighten them out. I honestly can't believe anyone falls for those.

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