Trendsource
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I like them. The first shop I did, I messed up the pictures, my fault. I thought for sure I'd blown it and they wouldn't want to use me any more. Well, fast forward and I've built a good working relationship with them. No bullcrap, easy shops and fast payment...
I did a shop for them on Nov. 4th. On the 8th, I was notified that because of a high volume of shops not all got processed in the first cycle, but the would run a second payroll batch. I got the money today. 10 days is amazing in MSing and to get an apology for the delay on a 10 day payment----- unbelievable.
Hmmm. I did a shop the middle of Oct. and have yet to receive payment.
I used to. Posted almost an identical thread a year ago.
However, since then, I learned two things: 1.I am considered unsafe to do BVs for them without paying $8 for intrusion into additional of my personal information and watching a video.
2. They will hound shoppers by phone to do inconvenient shops for them and STILL not offer a bonus, just keep yapping. However, don't you dare make a mistake when handling one of their obscenely underpaid big box shops for a computer client. You will be spoken to as if you are four years old.
No more.
However, since then, I learned two things: 1.I am considered unsafe to do BVs for them without paying $8 for intrusion into additional of my personal information and watching a video.
2. They will hound shoppers by phone to do inconvenient shops for them and STILL not offer a bonus, just keep yapping. However, don't you dare make a mistake when handling one of their obscenely underpaid big box shops for a computer client. You will be spoken to as if you are four years old.
No more.
Just checking their site for some jobs and noticed a couple that they listed as being around 25 miles. Something that close should only be 30 minutes maximum each way. Got on Google maps and found they were actually 40 miles each way and 2 full hours of driving. That 25 might be as the crow flies, but since I'm stuck with driving on local roads and highways it really doesn't do me much good. Something to keep in mind if you are on the phone with a scheduler and don't have quick access to a mapping program.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just checking their site for some jobs and noticed
> a couple that they listed as being around 25
> miles. Something that close should only be 30
> minutes maximum each way. Got on Google maps and
> found they were actually 40 miles each way and 2
> full hours of driving. That 25 might be as the
> crow flies, but since I'm stuck with driving on
> local roads and highways it really doesn't do me
> much good. Something to keep in mind if you are on
> the phone with a scheduler and don't have quick
> access to a mapping program.
I've had that problem before, with other MSCs as well. There is a city that somehow showed as being 20 miles from me. That was if you could cut through the cornfields diagonally. Driving time though took a little over an hour one way. I always had the hardest time explaining that to Maritz.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just checking their site for some jobs and noticed
> a couple that they listed as being around 25
> miles. Something that close should only be 30
> minutes maximum each way. Got on Google maps and
> found they were actually 40 miles each way and 2
> full hours of driving. That 25 might be as the
> crow flies, but since I'm stuck with driving on
> local roads and highways it really doesn't do me
> much good. Something to keep in mind if you are on
> the phone with a scheduler and don't have quick
> access to a mapping program.
I've had that problem before, with other MSCs as well. There is a city that somehow showed as being 20 miles from me. That was if you could cut through the cornfields diagonally. Driving time though took a little over an hour one way. I always had the hardest time explaining that to Maritz.
I love working for Trendsource mainly because of the pay schedule and their grocery shops, but they have been getting on my nerves lately. I don't know if all areas have these Insurance presentation shops but there are a bunch around here and they can't get anybody to fill them so they proceed to send me 10 e-mails a day and call me at least once a day. I will be happy when these are done with.
Triple Platinum Certified - Shopping South Central Kansas
Just a few more weeks
I got an e-mail for one today. It was the same site they had listed as being about 15 miles closer to me than it really is. One minor problem with the e-mail, the job was for 10:30 this morning and it arrived at 12:30.
I got an e-mail for one today. It was the same site they had listed as being about 15 miles closer to me than it really is. One minor problem with the e-mail, the job was for 10:30 this morning and it arrived at 12:30.Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I find mileages are screwy because they seem to be based on some point within my zip code that does not happen to be at or near my residence. My zip code extends about 15 miles in one direction and anywhere between 3 and 9 miles in another.
Yeah, mileage estimates from most companies don't bother me because they are what they are. Trendsource is just so exact and that's what schedulers quote on the phone so they don't seem to get it. Like the commercial says, your mileage may vary
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Fiiiiinaly got my first business verification, it's an easy one, pictures only, $15 and about two miles from another shop I had scheduled already :-)
What does everyone think about the business verifications? I did the training but stopped when I had to pay for the background check. There seems to be two or three a week in my area.
~~*~~*~~*~~ kal ~~*~~*~~*~~
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.
I did my first business verification for them recently; it was a straightforward assignment and a legitimate business. I requested PAD (Is that the right acronym? I can't remember what it stands for) because of the distance -- otherwise it wouldn't have been worth my time. I will definitely do more, but I wonder how often a "sketchy" in-home business or something like that is assigned?
kalfini Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What does everyone think about the business
> verifications? I did the training but stopped when
> I had to pay for the background check. There seems
> to be two or three a week in my area.
I loved them when I did them before the background check requirement. All of mine were in legitimate office complexes/store fronts, etc. Easy-peasy.
-------------------------------------------------------
> What does everyone think about the business
> verifications? I did the training but stopped when
> I had to pay for the background check. There seems
> to be two or three a week in my area.
I loved them when I did them before the background check requirement. All of mine were in legitimate office complexes/store fronts, etc. Easy-peasy.
I am a new member to the forum. Just browsing to see what's happening in the world of mystery shopping. I am looking for jobs in Oakville, Ontario and neighbouring cities.
I have done probably a dozen or two BV through the years. I would TOTALLY take more if they were closer, or could be done at, oh, say, 11pm when I tend to have free time. I have never been to a shady in-home business, and I've been to more than a few in-home businesses.
I did have to pay the $7 or $8 for my background check, but that's a tax deductible expense, and increased my income. To me, it is not that big of a deal. EVERY job I have ever had required a background check except for the camp I worked at. (I am a firefighter/paramedic and used to work loss prevention). Essentially background checks don't tell Trendsource much, other than you are or are not a criminal, what kinds, etc.
I did have to pay the $7 or $8 for my background check, but that's a tax deductible expense, and increased my income. To me, it is not that big of a deal. EVERY job I have ever had required a background check except for the camp I worked at. (I am a firefighter/paramedic and used to work loss prevention). Essentially background checks don't tell Trendsource much, other than you are or are not a criminal, what kinds, etc.
treydawgmt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have done probably a dozen or two BV through the
> years. I would TOTALLY take more if they were
> closer, or could be done at, oh, say, 11pm when I
> tend to have free time. I have never been to a
> shady in-home business, and I've been to more than
> a few in-home businesses.
>
> I did have to pay the $7 or $8 for my background
> check, but that's a tax deductible expense, and
> increased my income. To me, it is not that big of
> a deal. EVERY job I have ever had required a
> background check except for the camp I worked at.
> (I am a firefighter/paramedic and used to work
> loss prevention). Essentially background checks
> don't tell Trendsource much, other than you are or
> are not a criminal, what kinds, etc.
OK but I do not get why they are the only Msc that I have come across that requires background checks. The only one. why?
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have done probably a dozen or two BV through the
> years. I would TOTALLY take more if they were
> closer, or could be done at, oh, say, 11pm when I
> tend to have free time. I have never been to a
> shady in-home business, and I've been to more than
> a few in-home businesses.
>
> I did have to pay the $7 or $8 for my background
> check, but that's a tax deductible expense, and
> increased my income. To me, it is not that big of
> a deal. EVERY job I have ever had required a
> background check except for the camp I worked at.
> (I am a firefighter/paramedic and used to work
> loss prevention). Essentially background checks
> don't tell Trendsource much, other than you are or
> are not a criminal, what kinds, etc.
OK but I do not get why they are the only Msc that I have come across that requires background checks. The only one. why?
cynb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK but I do not get why they are the only Msc that
> I have come across that requires background
> checks. The only one. why?
It's a business decision on their part. Not much mystery there.
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK but I do not get why they are the only Msc that
> I have come across that requires background
> checks. The only one. why?
It's a business decision on their part. Not much mystery there.
Maybe a shopper who passes a criminal background check would be less likely to accept a bribe offered at a business validation location?
A shopper who passes a background check (especially one they pay for) is probably FAR less likely to flake. I have talked with the Trendsource schedulers, they are often called multiple times a day looking for status updates on business verifications. Apparently this is often the LAST step before loan approvals, business being able to give credit, etc...
Ah, that makes more sense. The flake rate among traditional, written shops is very high.
TechSavvy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ah, that makes more sense. The flake rate among
> traditional, written shops is very high.
Hi Tech
Not trying to challenge your info but would like to know wht you mean by traditional written shops and how to find out if flakes are high. Also can someone tell me what the BV shops are meant to do. Really do not understand. Are the store managers aware of this? What are we looking for exactly.Thanks so much.
cyn
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ah, that makes more sense. The flake rate among
> traditional, written shops is very high.
Hi Tech
Not trying to challenge your info but would like to know wht you mean by traditional written shops and how to find out if flakes are high. Also can someone tell me what the BV shops are meant to do. Really do not understand. Are the store managers aware of this? What are we looking for exactly.Thanks so much.
cyn
cyn,
For how to find out if flakes are high on "traditional written shops" (The bulk of mystery shops done, regular shops that anyone can pick up, available on job boards, that you write a report. Not audio or video shops, specialty shops, etc) just ask an scheduler. They will tell you a LARGE percentage of their shops are flaked on. Something like 60-80% of first time shoppers will flake! Maybe as high as 50% of all shops are flaked on. Look at the two articles below for sources. Point is a TON of shops are flaked on.
[www.mysteryshop.org]
[www.nationalshoppingservice.com]
What are BV (Business Verification) shops meant to do? We are meant to ensure that a business actually exists, is legit, and is not doing something illegal. Auditors go to a business (usually run out of a home or office building) and announce themselves. This is after placing a phone call alerting them of your intentions and scheduling an appointment. They are usually aware even before you call, and absolutely know your coming after the call, since you schedule an appointment.
For example, a small construction business wants to take out a loan for $500,000 to build something. The bank who is offering them a loan wants to make sure the people who run the business actually have an office at their home with papers and other items consistent with a construction business.
Or, another example. This small construction business is doing a $150,000 remodel of a basement for a customer, but takes only 1/2 payment up front, and 1/2 upon completion. (This is quite common, I used to work for a small contractor.) The business owner wants to make sure these people aren't actually a bad credit risk, and so runs a credit report on them, just like a bank would. In order to be approved to run a credit report, the credit bureaus (sp??) want to make sure they are a legit business, and not just some scam artist stealing peoples identity.
These are just a few examples of what BVs are doing.
For how to find out if flakes are high on "traditional written shops" (The bulk of mystery shops done, regular shops that anyone can pick up, available on job boards, that you write a report. Not audio or video shops, specialty shops, etc) just ask an scheduler. They will tell you a LARGE percentage of their shops are flaked on. Something like 60-80% of first time shoppers will flake! Maybe as high as 50% of all shops are flaked on. Look at the two articles below for sources. Point is a TON of shops are flaked on.
[www.mysteryshop.org]
[www.nationalshoppingservice.com]
What are BV (Business Verification) shops meant to do? We are meant to ensure that a business actually exists, is legit, and is not doing something illegal. Auditors go to a business (usually run out of a home or office building) and announce themselves. This is after placing a phone call alerting them of your intentions and scheduling an appointment. They are usually aware even before you call, and absolutely know your coming after the call, since you schedule an appointment.
For example, a small construction business wants to take out a loan for $500,000 to build something. The bank who is offering them a loan wants to make sure the people who run the business actually have an office at their home with papers and other items consistent with a construction business.
Or, another example. This small construction business is doing a $150,000 remodel of a basement for a customer, but takes only 1/2 payment up front, and 1/2 upon completion. (This is quite common, I used to work for a small contractor.) The business owner wants to make sure these people aren't actually a bad credit risk, and so runs a credit report on them, just like a bank would. In order to be approved to run a credit report, the credit bureaus (sp??) want to make sure they are a legit business, and not just some scam artist stealing peoples identity.
These are just a few examples of what BVs are doing.
I'm considering their business verifications. Anyone do them recently and are they worth it? I'm pretty sure this is the company I did at least one for years ago but I can't remember the extent of the report. I don't think it was difficult but I did feel a little like the IRS demanding receipts for write-offs. However, one is right in town a few minutes away so I wouldn't mind doing that. 
treydawgmt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> cyn,
>
> For how to find out if flakes are high on
> "traditional written shops" (The bulk of mystery
> shops done, regular shops that anyone can pick up,
> available on job boards, that you write a report.
> Not audio or video shops, specialty shops, etc)
> just ask an scheduler. They will tell you a LARGE
> percentage of their shops are flaked on.
> Something like 60-80% of first time shoppers will
> flake! Maybe as high as 50% of all shops are
> flaked on. Look at the two articles below for
> sources. Point is a TON of shops are flaked on.
>
> [www.mysteryshop.org]
> _ID=40
>
> [www.nationalshoppingservice.com]
> s/articles/online_media/mystery-shoppers.asp
>
> What are BV (Business Verification) shops meant to
> do? We are meant to ensure that a business
> actually exists, is legit, and is not doing
> something illegal. Auditors go to a business
> (usually run out of a home or office building) and
> announce themselves. This is after placing a
> phone call alerting them of your intentions and
> scheduling an appointment. They are usually aware
> even before you call, and absolutely know your
> coming after the call, since you schedule an
> appointment.
>
> For example, a small construction business wants
> to take out a loan for $500,000 to build
> something. The bank who is offering them a loan
> wants to make sure the people who run the business
> actually have an office at their home with papers
> and other items consistent with a construction
> business.
>
> Or, another example. This small construction
> business is doing a $150,000 remodel of a basement
> for a customer, but takes only 1/2 payment up
> front, and 1/2 upon completion. (This is quite
> common, I used to work for a small contractor.)
> The business owner wants to make sure these people
> aren't actually a bad credit risk, and so runs a
> credit report on them, just like a bank would. In
> order to be approved to run a credit report, the
> credit bureaus (sp??) want to make sure they are a
> legit business, and not just some scam artist
> stealing peoples identity.
>
> These are just a few examples of what BVs are
> doing.
OK that is great info. Just let me know what kinds of questions need to be asked of the owner. I just want to feel comfortable doing this before I apply or confirm.
Thanks so much.
Cyn
-------------------------------------------------------
> cyn,
>
> For how to find out if flakes are high on
> "traditional written shops" (The bulk of mystery
> shops done, regular shops that anyone can pick up,
> available on job boards, that you write a report.
> Not audio or video shops, specialty shops, etc)
> just ask an scheduler. They will tell you a LARGE
> percentage of their shops are flaked on.
> Something like 60-80% of first time shoppers will
> flake! Maybe as high as 50% of all shops are
> flaked on. Look at the two articles below for
> sources. Point is a TON of shops are flaked on.
>
> [www.mysteryshop.org]
> _ID=40
>
> [www.nationalshoppingservice.com]
> s/articles/online_media/mystery-shoppers.asp
>
> What are BV (Business Verification) shops meant to
> do? We are meant to ensure that a business
> actually exists, is legit, and is not doing
> something illegal. Auditors go to a business
> (usually run out of a home or office building) and
> announce themselves. This is after placing a
> phone call alerting them of your intentions and
> scheduling an appointment. They are usually aware
> even before you call, and absolutely know your
> coming after the call, since you schedule an
> appointment.
>
> For example, a small construction business wants
> to take out a loan for $500,000 to build
> something. The bank who is offering them a loan
> wants to make sure the people who run the business
> actually have an office at their home with papers
> and other items consistent with a construction
> business.
>
> Or, another example. This small construction
> business is doing a $150,000 remodel of a basement
> for a customer, but takes only 1/2 payment up
> front, and 1/2 upon completion. (This is quite
> common, I used to work for a small contractor.)
> The business owner wants to make sure these people
> aren't actually a bad credit risk, and so runs a
> credit report on them, just like a bank would. In
> order to be approved to run a credit report, the
> credit bureaus (sp??) want to make sure they are a
> legit business, and not just some scam artist
> stealing peoples identity.
>
> These are just a few examples of what BVs are
> doing.
OK that is great info. Just let me know what kinds of questions need to be asked of the owner. I just want to feel comfortable doing this before I apply or confirm.
Thanks so much.
Cyn
cyn, the MSC will tell you exactly what you need to ask, check for, get a picture of, etc.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.