Why is there so much hatred among people towards MSC's and schedulers? If you have a problem, just don't shop for them anymore. If you read that they are bad, don't join to shop them. Ok, so you lost 10-20 bucks. Move on. Be happy!

Sometimes it's a lot more than just a few dollars and we don't have to like being deliberately cheated out of our money when we worked for it. There are some disreputable companies out there as well as some shifty shoppers who try to pull fast ones. Sometimes we have to speak up or be bulldozed endlessly.

richraynor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why is there so much hatred among people towards
> MSC's and schedulers? If you have a problem, just
> don't shop for them anymore. If you read that they
> are bad, don't join to shop them. Ok, so you lost
> 10-20 bucks. Move on. Be happy!

we are fulfilling a divine cause to weed out sinister scheduler behavior within corporations, so as to perpetuate a better world for humanity devoid of financial human suffering. will you please rally with us in this divine cause? together, we can create a better humanity and a better world.

I think a lot of emotion comes from trying to meet a MSC's needs and schedules, at the cost of our own, foolishly believing we will be rewarded for it. Then we the shopper is removed, or job rejected, it becomes the 'no good deed goes unpunished' motto and shoppers come here to vent and share experiences. I support that.

There is also the element of disparities in the facts between schedulers and shoppers. It's alarming.

I think Hatred is too harsh a word. Do I have companies I would never consider working for? Yes. Do I have companies I would never work for again? Yes. Do I have companies I beleived did me wrong? Yes. DO I LOVE READING ABUT HOW OTHER SHOPPERS FEEL ABOUT THOSE COMPANIES (Good or Bad?) YES! Substitiue schedulers for companies and the answers are the same. But I honsetly don't think I could say I hate them.

There's no hate. There's intense dislike for sure. For me to hate a company or scheduler would mean that I actually care about them. By the time I get to intense dislike, I no longer care and would rather spend my time and energy on other, more positive, things.

It's better for me to just flush and forget a company/scheduler that's done me wrong.

For me also it is like or dislike because I should have trusted my instincts and parted ways with a company long before it could rise to a level of hate. And for me it revolves around professionalism, which requires respect on both side of the equation. Where that mutual respect does not exist, I will be disappointed with them and move on. I see little point to screaming my 'outrage'. If there is/was a problem I will try to work with the company to sort it out and if they are intransigent and unapologetic, then 'flush and forget' is an appropriate response.

I for one am glad to see folks complaining about bad MSC's.
If I see one that is supposedly bad, I will know not to go there, but if it weren't for someone complaining how would we know the good from the bad?

There are ways of making folks aware that there are companies that have not worked well with you that do not require slamming the company or being hateful. And you will find measured warnings throughout the forum about companies that are not paying on schedule, have way too many expectations for the fee offered and that in the normal course of affairs have longer pay cycles. For someone to have a screaming hissy fit about not being paid in 45 to 60 days by a company whose stated pay cycle is 90 days just shows they failed to do their homework prior to accepting the job. For someone to claim a company is a scam because they didn't get paid when it would appear they didn't follow intructions is also counterproductive. So they vent and I suspect it discourages new shoppers from working with perfectly legitimate and professional companies.

My feeling is not one of hated (very harsh word), but rather venting and letting fellow shoppers know our experience...isn't that what a forum is for.
Praises are welcome, and we give them as well. Shoppers that go overboard,
must have alot of $$ owed, so, let them tell, it warns us to stay away.
Free speech is a good thing, and a great way to "unload", one doesn't have to read negative, just stay in lalaland, it's all good.

Here's a praise....I did a fabulous fun shop Saturday, got a watch, everything went smoother than smooth...oh msing is great, and will be paid within a month!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2011 08:02PM by Irene_L.A..

people talk about negative experiences 3-11 times more than good ones... thats why we are employed...

sure people get testy... especially if someone gives a kudos to a company that someone feels is really bad, or vice versa...

but as you cannot control other people... all you can control is the way you feel about a situation... and if it hurts... ignore it... or do not read the thread...

"Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Easily they flow. Quick to join you in a fight." -Yoda

For me it's not hate, it's offense.

I get offended by people taking advantage of others and making the industry look bad as a whole. There are different levels of offense, with scammers being at the top of it, followed by non-payment from MSCs.

Shoppers are a big part of it too and we don't really see that so much on the boards, since any of us are long-term shoppers. As you scheduler, you have to deal with a lot of fly-by-night shoppers who try to cheat the system, hence the bad feeling that many schedulers have about shoppers.

Always two sides to a story as Steve points out.....

ymmud Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I for one am glad to see folks complaining about
> bad MSC's.
> If I see one that is supposedly bad, I will know
> not to go there, but if it weren't for someone
> complaining how would we know the good from the
> bad?

The problem I have with some of the complaints is that they really say nothing. Their purpose seems to be to slam the company as hard as they can without giving any real usable information to the other shoppers. I appreciate a nice rational complaint from another shopper, identifying the company, and detailing the problem the shopper had with the company. I pay more attention to posts made by posters who have been around for a while because I "know" them and, based on their prior posts, I can determine how much I respect their opinion. I typically pay little attention to a complaint from a first-time poster because in most cases I know the company much better than the anonymous shopper. When I see posts that say "XXX are scammers! They don't pay!" "Another shopper cut off! Don't sign up with XXXX" or "Don't trust XXXX! They are unfair to shoppers!" that don't tell any facts about the problem the shopper had, I have little respect for the post. Some complainers seem to believe that if they use flamboyant, accusatory language to grab attention that should be all that is required and no facts are provided. I'm all for a complaint about a MSP (I'm a shopper, I am not a company employee) but if you truly want to warn me about a "bad" (or tell me about a good company!), give me a detailed, factual complaint that actually tells me what the issue is so I can truly understand what is bad - or good - about the company.

Well. hatred is a harsh word. I should have said disenchantment.

yes but then people would have thought you were talking about Gandalf...

actually richraynor when I saw your post I thought of one person who insists that a particular MSC is engaging in criminal behavior. I think comments like that are beyond the pale (and might actually be libelous).

I agree with all those who share thoughts along these lines...

a. it is fine to post about one's experience. (I have learned so much from reading these posts--positive and negative. I have learned others have also had similarly exacerbating experiences. And how to avoid making mistakes and falling into bad situations...for example, taking $4 CORI shops!)
b. keep it in perspective. (not everyone has had the same experiences. I won't work with a couple of MSCs that others think are just fine. I love a couple of MSCs, including the one that is supposedly engaging in criminal behavior (LOL).)
c. remember, we are ICs. we don't HAVE to work for anyone. if you don't like an MSC, you are free to not work for them.

happy shopping!

and happy chanukah!

jersey07032 Wrote:
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> b. keep it in perspective. (not everyone has had
> the same experiences. I won't work with a couple
> of MSCs that others think are just fine. I love a
> couple of MSCs, including the one that is
> supposedly engaging in criminal behavior (LOL).)

yes, it's very individual. much like the people that we get along with. i may get along fine with someone whom you don't get along with, and vice versa. it can often be the same with mystery shopping companies, or even schedulers. i don't try to dissuade anyone from working for a mystery shopping company that i don't personally like. it's all individual choice. try out the company directly and see if they work out for you. each relationship is situational, and not all situations are identical.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2011 07:53AM by vince.

Agreed Vince.

However, when I read posts from folks who have had similarly frustrating and/or negative experiences with a company, I feel vindicated. I tend to think if something goes wrong, I must be the guilty party. However,reading these posts helps me put my experience in perspective. Sometimes, after reading them, I determine I may have over-reacted to an experience. Sometimes I learn ahead of time a shop just ain't worth the time and effort. Sometimes I learn after the fact I am not the only one who has been through hell and back filling out a report etc etc etc.

Happy shopping
and Happy Chanukah

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Agreed Vince.
>
> However, when I read posts from folks who have had
> similarly frustrating and/or negative experiences
> with a company, I feel vindicated. I tend to think
> if something goes wrong, I must be the guilty
> party. However,reading these posts helps me put my
> experience in perspective. Sometimes, after
> reading them, I determine I may have over-reacted
> to an experience. Sometimes I learn ahead of time
> a shop just ain't worth the time and effort.
> Sometimes I learn after the fact I am not the only
> one who has been through hell and back filling out
> a report etc etc etc.
>
> Happy shopping
> and Happy Chanukah

yes, the forum certainly adds perspective. i wouldn't have the confidence to be shopping right now if not for this forum or one like it.

richraynor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why is there so much hatred among people towards
> MSC's and schedulers? If you have a problem, just
> don't shop for them anymore. If you read that they
> are bad, don't join to shop them. Ok, so you lost
> 10-20 bucks. Move on. Be happy!

That's the whole point of this forum, I thought, for us to share information on which MSCs and which shops are just not worth it. Or am I missing something?

You nailed it Doc...

I thought the guidelines strictly forbid stating the name of the company. Also, while some shoppers might have a bad experience, some or others may not. It's all about the individual. However, when you have a group consencus about one company, there is generally a problem with the comapny and not the shopper.

You know, I also have discovered when I perform apartment shops, and am provided with a target, sometimes that target has received a bad rap from the tennants or others. Then when I go in, I find the person is generally quite nice and provides a very good tour of the community. I have discovered over my many years of experience you get what you give.

I've done some shops and not gotten paid. After emailing the MSC repeatedly, I looked to these forums and found others had the same experience. Using this information, I was able to get an alternate contact and collect the $200 owed me for 10 shops. This is specifically why stating the ugly truth works and is helpful.

AustinMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ymmud Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
I'm all for a complaint about a MSP
> (I'm a shopper, I am not a company employee) but
> if you truly want to warn me about a "bad" (or
> tell me about a good company!), give me a
> detailed, factual complaint that actually tells me
> what the issue is so I can truly understand what
> is bad - or good - about the company.

Amen to that! I know a lot of newbies come here who don't know the etiquette of writing reports, following directions, and completing the shops. They post one thing but then I know the scheduler or someone from the company who has a completely different take on why the shopper didn't get paid or the report was rejected. The stories are often at opposite ends of what happened. So, for me, the details, details, details are priceless as is the reputation of those involved. I'm nore likely to believe a scheduler I have positive personal experience with than a newbie shopper with 10 posts. Likewise, if a shopper whose posts I respect has something negative to say about a company I respect, I'll give more weight to what that shopper wrote. That allows me to judge based on the information where the truth lies and whether the company is one I would be interested in working with or whether I want to steer clear.

As for hatred, there is only one person in this industry whom I can't stand because she tried her well-known unethical and unprofessional garbage on me. Still, the word hatred doesn't even come close. Dislike, absolutely, but I can't say intense dislike because that shows passion and this person isn't important to me...other than having to correct her attempts to blacklist me because she's hypersensitive about her self-important ego. (Ha ha. Sounds a little more "passionate" than I'd like but she's certainly known on the MSP side as a nutcase.) On the bright side, I know the slippery slope she's built for herself over the years is getting steeper. As such, where some didn't act out of fear when I put in formal complaints, fewer people are afraid of her or are willing to work with her, so karma will eventually boot her and the industry will become a better place for it.

The above doesn't give the details I was preaching about in my prior post but that's because...

1) This isn't the appropriate thread. I was simply using this as an example of how, despite her nastiness, I don't have hatred.
2) This is more personal than professional, though her actions made it business-related.
3) Many of you know of whom I type from our previous lives at other forums, so why dredge it all up again? However, on the right thread, I'd be happy to share specifics of said company owner's actions. And have.
4) Hatred is detrimental to one person only...the one feeling the emotion. Avoid it at all costs because it'll only consume you and make you bitter. Case in point: the company owner I'm writing about.

richraynor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why is there so much hatred among people towards
> MSC's and schedulers? If you have a problem, just
> don't shop for them anymore. If you read that they
> are bad, don't join to shop them. Ok, so you lost
> 10-20 bucks. Move on. Be happy!


The difference between being a novice and an expert is experience. You can get experience by performing an assignment WITHOUT ASKING a scheduler questions or WITHOUT READING this forum. Schedulers might try to mislead you with their EASY shops, but reading the experiences of your peers is gold.

I might come off sounding like sour grapes sometime, but I hope people including schedulers, read my posts and are educated. Wouldn't it be nice if schedulers grew a back bone and SUGGESTED to their clients that reports are more honest when you do not reveal yourself by asking questions or doing things only a mystery shopper would say or do.

destiny1234 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I thought the guidelines strictly forbid stating
> the name of the company. Also, while some shoppers
> might have a bad experience, some or others may
> not. It's all about the individual. However,
> when you have a group consencus about one company,
> there is generally a problem with the comapny and
> not the shopper.
>
> You know, I also have discovered when I perform
> apartment shops, and am provided with a target,
> sometimes that target has received a bad rap from
> the tennants or others. Then when I go in, I find
> the person is generally quite nice and provides a
> very good tour of the community. I have
> discovered over my many years of experience you
> get what you give.

You read "How To Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie That book has saved me a lot of fustration and unhappyness because, with my attitude, I can change the demeanor of the person I am interfacing with. You learn this also when you are a Sheriff's Officer and you are there to make peace not throw gas on the fire.

barbage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think Hatred is too harsh a word. Do I have
> companies I would never consider working for?
> Yes. Do I have companies I would never work for
> again? Yes. Do I have companies I beleived did
> me wrong? Yes. DO I LOVE READING ABUT HOW OTHER
> SHOPPERS FEEL ABOUT THOSE COMPANIES (Good or Bad?)
> YES! Substitiue schedulers for companies and the
> answers are the same. But I honsetly don't think I
> could say I hate them.

I couldn't agree more. As I keep saying, if you don't like an MSC, there are hundreds of others to get assignments.

I realize schedulers have a difficult job in assigning and keep track of all the assignments. I imagine they keep a "little black book" of dependable shoppers.
Most of them that I personally spoke with are diligently working people trying to do their job. It must be a big headache to try to cover every store.
As I rattle on, I don't think I have spoken to 95% of my schedulers. I am "friends" with a few on Facebook.
So, this is my two cents of commentary.

We do have the ability to pick and choose. There are several that I do not deal with. sadly, they could not find their butts in the shower if the lights were turned out. I have no interest in others experiences, my decision on working with some or not working with others is based upon my experiences with them.

If you do not like a company for reason, fire them. Work with who you choose to work with.

Jersey, never a truer word (your post) has been spoken

Don, Las Vegas


jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> actually richraynor when I saw your post I
> thought of one person who insists that a
> particular MSC is engaging in criminal behavior.
> I think comments like that are beyond the pale
> (and might actually be libelous).
>
> I agree with all those who share thoughts along
> these lines...
>
> a. it is fine to post about one's experience. (I
> have learned so much from reading these
> posts--positive and negative. I have learned
> others have also had similarly exacerbating
> experiences. And how to avoid making mistakes and
> falling into bad situations...for example, taking
> $4 CORI shops!)
> b. keep it in perspective. (not everyone has had
> the same experiences. I won't work with a couple
> of MSCs that others think are just fine. I love a
> couple of MSCs, including the one that is
> supposedly engaging in criminal behavior (LOL).)
> c. remember, we are ICs. we don't HAVE to work
> for anyone. if you don't like an MSC, you are
> free to not work for them.
>
> happy shopping!
>
> and happy chanukah!