As you have already been told, this MSC does not pay for about 3 months after the job and I have had to call them on several occasions past 3 months!
I have received 440 payments from Freeman but those are for debrand shops and they are RARE! You still will wait 3 to 4 months for the payment.

They were one of the first companies I signed up with to do mystery shopping when I started 5 years ago. The hotel stays can be in places that are less appealing.

There is a company that does upscale assignments (restaurants, hotels, vacation locations and cruses). It's Coyle. Many of the shops you must pay for then get reimbursed. For example, we performed a high end restaurant shop. Dinner was $180.00 and the report took 2 hours to complete. We were reimbursed and got a small fee. The benefit was dining in an upscale, high end restaurant. Caution..... Detail, detail, detail in the report. You have to discuss everything from the temperature, flavor and presentation of the food to the details of every service worker encountered with timing.

Aren't some of you getting a bit vitriolic here?

I did my Freeman Group shop on 10/11. It will be 15 weeks on Monday. I have no doubt that they will pay me soon just she said in the email but it's just frustrating to chase it down. The only other company I have had to chase down was JMRidgeway. I shopped for them twice and had to chase my payment down twice and never again. I never see shops from them anyway.

On a side note, I shopped one of these Hotel De-Brand shops right down the road from my house. I cleared it with Freeman Group ahead of time if it would be okay for me to NOT stay overnight if I could get them to let me into the room. I went there and told them that my picky mother was coming to town and wanted me to come look at a room (this is not a strange request - my husband and I used to work "on the road" and we would look at rooms all the time before staying in them). They gave me a key and it took like 5 minutes to get everything I needed. There's a variety of excuses you could use for this. I am also a photography student so I could have used that as a foot in the door if I needed to.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2012 07:42PM by LisaSTL.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> D'Agosto, do you feel it above board to sell them
> as W hotels when they are in fact their own
> Franchises. Why not call them as they are, so,
> you know what your getting into.


Well, no, I do not feel that would be kosher. But they are not being "sold" as W hotels. Few guests at any of the discount brands would ever know there was any relationship. It's only the MSC that lists them as W hotels, because W is the client.

That's why each chain has a different name, like "Wonderful 7" or "Nights Out."

Surely you recognized what hotel you were signing up for? We're not talking about Priceline, here.

I would never have known that a couple of years ago, but now that my travels are more extensive and I've signed up for every rewards program known to man that has changed! All of the big chains have that set up with the higher end hotels being the "brand" and then have offerings at every price point. What I've also found is regardless of the name it can be very nice or a real rat trap since many are franchised.

You seriously believe that people who shop for any other reason than full time employment are taking "your" shops away, Kat?

You don't have to worry about me "poaching" any your Freeman shops.....

Dagosto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did my first shop for them 12/25/2011 -- okay, a
> Sunday, and Christmas to boot -- but according to
> their stated 10-12 week pay policy, I'm expecting
> pay and reimbursement between 3/02/2012 and
> 3/16/2012. That shop was approved within two days,
> so there *should* be no delays. I will keep y'all
> apprised, come March.
>
> I've scheduled another as well, next weekend. (I'm
> padding my customer-loyalty program points for
> their client.)
>
> @Irene: the feedback on my report said "In the
> future, please remember to refer to yourself as
> "the Analyst" rather than in first person
> pronouns." Nowhere in the guidelines did I note
> this, so be aware.

First, it definately states it clearly in thier guidlines if you read them that you should refer to yourself as analyst. Here is the exact wording:

These comments should be written in sentence format. Refer to yourself as the Analyst (capital A) and write in the third person – as an observer. This is to protect you, the Analyst and your identity.

Second, don't plan on getting paid on 3/2. In fact, don't plan on getting paid 3/16. You will get paid, I always have and have always done the report right. However, every time I do a job for them, and I do many, I put a calendar reminder to pop up 12 weeks after to alert me to the fact that I need to write in. I copy the shop info from Prophet in my completed jobs in the email and shortly thereafter I get paid.

I love the debrand jobs though because they pay more and require less. You can go online and check out the hotel ahead of time anyway. I've stayed at some places definatly needed help, which is why they are no longer in the rewards program, but others just changed chains. I stayed in a beautiful Holliday Inn Express this way not too long ago. I book these in places I am already going to and so would have paid for a room anyway. So I'm out the money for a 2-3 months, but I would be out the money entirely if I didn't get reimbursed. $40 sure pays the interest for those few months I have were to have that on a credit card! They even give you an extra $5 when they pay late, which is always.
Freeman's are MUCH easier than casino or Coyle shops for sure and take only a short time to create the report.
IMO they are worth it if you are going to the area or have one next to home.

SteveSoCal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You seriously believe that people who shop for any
> other reason than full time employment are taking
> "your" shops away, Kat?
>
> You don't have to worry about me "poaching" any
> your Freeman shops.....


Yes, yes I do believe that, SteveSoCal.

Think of it this way: say you work at a restaurant as a server. You work for tips mostly. You make most of your money on Friday and Saturday nights. This week, the bosses daughter (who doesn't want an actual job) wants to work JUST Friday and Saturday to make some quick cash so she can get her hair highlighted. Well, now you're off the schedule for the weekend therefore not earning much money this week if any at all. "Shop poachers" are the equivalent to this. Most restaurants don't employ servers who only work the weekend nights; they have to "take one for the team" so to speak and work at least one week night when tips aren't so great. It's only fair. The same goes with mystery shopping. In order to keep companies and schedulers happy and keep my business going, I have to do the occasional crappy shop while I wait for the better ones to come along. It's really irritating when some random person swoops in and takes the good ones out from under me when I am not able to grab the shop right away. It's unfortunate that MSC's don't have any shopper loyalty. There's nothing I can do about it, obviously, but it's irritating.

I quit working 6 years ago when I got into this industry because I surpassed the income I was earning at my part time job. I was making $12,000/year just mystery shopping. Now, I'm luck if I clear $4000/year.

ShopperKat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SteveSoCal Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You seriously believe that people who shop for
> any
> > other reason than full time employment are
> taking
> > "your" shops away, Kat?
> >
> > You don't have to worry about me "poaching" any
> > your Freeman shops.....
>
>
> Yes, yes I do believe that, SteveSoCal.
>
> Think of it this way: say you work at a restaurant
> as a server. You work for tips mostly. You make
> most of your money on Friday and Saturday nights.
> This week, the bosses daughter (who doesn't want
> an actual job) wants to work JUST Friday and
> Saturday to make some quick cash so she can get
> her hair highlighted. Well, now you're off the
> schedule for the weekend therefore not earning
> much money this week if any at all. "Shop
> poachers" are the equivalent to this. Most
> restaurants don't employ servers who only work the
> weekend nights; they have to "take one for the
> team" so to speak and work at least one week night
> when tips aren't so great. It's only fair. The
> same goes with mystery shopping. In order to keep
> companies and schedulers happy and keep my
> business going, I have to do the occasional crappy
> shop while I wait for the better ones to come
> along. It's really irritating when some random
> person swoops in and takes the good ones out from
> under me when I am not able to grab the shop right
> away. It's unfortunate that MSC's don't have any
> shopper loyalty. There's nothing I can do about
> it, obviously, but it's irritating.
>
> I quit working 6 years ago when I got into this
> industry because I surpassed the income I was
> earning at my part time job. I was making
> $12,000/year just mystery shopping. Now, I'm luck
> if I clear $4000/year.

Um, I'm with Steve on this one -
I aint the one taking your shops. I think it is safe to say that we are going after totally different shops; you and I Kat.

I think that if you spent more time cultivating relationships (positive ones) with other shoppers you might actually benefit more than treating other shoppers as public enemy number one.

No... cultivating relationships with other shoppers is neither beneficial or detrimental to my business.

I'm glad you guys feel okay with taking work from others who do this for a living as their primary source of income. This can be a cutthroat business and I treat it as such.

ShopperKat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No... cultivating relationships with other
> shoppers is neither beneficial or detrimental to
> my business.
>
> I'm glad you guys feel okay with taking work from
> others who do this for a living as their primary
> source of income. This can be a cutthroat business
> and I treat it as such.


What I am saying is that it (cultivating relationships) COULD be a beneficial to your business. I have stated more than once that my relationships with other shoppers are BY FAR the thing that has advanced my shopping more than anything. And at the risk of sounding elitest, I am pretty sure that I have reached the top of the shopping ladder in terms of "plum shops" - through a mixture of hard work, time, patience, and (gasp) cultivating relationships with others - including other shoppers.

I guess I just do not get why you view people who shop because the reimbursement is valuable to them (rather that reimbursement is a $50 a night hotel room or a $10K resort trip) as less valid than someone who shops because they want the $4 or $40 or $400 fee that is attached?

For the record - I take a mix of shops. Some are for the reimbursement. Because it affords me a trip or experience at a hotel/resort/cruise that I feel is worth the amount of effort that I will have to expend in reporting. I make nothing on the experience - and I might even spend money in the course of doing the shop.

On the other hand, I also sometimes take shops for the fee - because the amount of work is commiserate to the fee provided.

In sum, if you want to see me as an evil shop stealer - than so be it, but my honest opinion is that your animosity is pointed in the wrong direction.

ETA - and since this is a Freeman thread - let me add - I never, ever, ever, would take a Freeman shop - no matter the hotel, the fee, or the reimbursement. So I can GUARANTEE you that you have no threat from me when it comes to Freeman shops.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2012 07:01AM by MickeyB.

I think you're all being a bit sensitive here and completely misunderstanding my original point. I chimed in because I was a little late getting a Freeman payment and because someone was complaining about the "fleabag" hotel they stayed in which I thought was a little wrong.

I am so glad for you that you won't do a Freeman shop! Neither will I again! I'll try any company once. I wasn't out any money since I didn't stay overnight and the whole thing including report took about 30 minutes for a $40 fee. No harm in that.

There is really no need for you to come across like you're superior to me in some way because you "never, ever, ever, would take a Freeman shop - no matter the hotel, the fee, or the reimbursement. So I can GUARANTEE you that you have no threat from me when it comes to Freeman shops." Good for you!! I shop for plenty of companies so how can you be sure that you "aint the one taking your shops"? I'm really not sure why you have such an attitude and are getting so offended by me.

vadershero Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> First, it definately states it clearly in thier
> guidlines if you read them that you should refer
> to yourself as analyst. Here is the exact
> wording:
>
> These comments should be written in sentence
> format. Refer to yourself as the Analyst (capital
> A) and write in the third person – as an observer.
> This is to protect you, the Analyst and your
> identity.
>
> Second, don't plan on getting paid on 3/2. In
> fact, don't plan on getting paid 3/16. You will
> get paid, I always have and have always done the
> report right. However, every time I do a job for
> them, and I do many, I put a calendar reminder to
> pop up 12 weeks after to alert me to the fact that
> I need to write in. I copy the shop info from
> Prophet in my completed jobs in the email and
> shortly thereafter I get paid.
>
> I love the debrand jobs though because they pay
> more and require less. You can go online and check
> out the hotel ahead of time anyway. I've stayed at
> some places definatly needed help, which is why
> they are no longer in the rewards program, but
> others just changed chains. I stayed in a
> beautiful Holliday Inn Express this way not too
> long ago. I book these in places I am already
> going to and so would have paid for a room anyway.
> So I'm out the money for a 2-3 months, but I would
> be out the money entirely if I didn't get
> reimbursed. $40 sure pays the interest for those
> few months I have were to have that on a credit
> card! They even give you an extra $5 when they pay
> late, which is always.
> Freeman's are MUCH easier than casino or Coyle
> shops for sure and take only a short time to
> create the report.
> IMO they are worth it if you are going to the area
> or have one next to home.


Hi Vader. Thanks for the more experienced view. Mind you, I didn't say that using "the Analyst" was NOT in the guidelines, I said I didn't remember SEEING it in the guidelines. Since they were 56 pages long, I think I could forgiven that oversight, and was just trying to give a heads-up to others.

I also said that *according to their own stated guidelines* I expected to be pad between 3-2 and 3-16. And I do, as far as they are concerned, but I don't personally from everything I have read about them here. What I personally expect is that as of 3-16 I'll be emailing them to politely but firmly request payment due.

I do agree that the reports, despite their length, are easy as pie. Why? Because you can take it along with you and fill it out on-site. And I don't mean on a laptop. I print the paper form and bring it tucked in my overnight bag, and fill it out while watching Dog the Bounty Hunter or Jurassic Park III. (Yes, on last night's form, under the question about TV/remote control function, I actually wrote, "Both TV and remote control appeared to function properly. The hotel cannot be held at fault for lack of quality programming."

And I also agree with your reasoning about the reimbursement. If one must rent a hotel room somewhere anyway, one might as well be reimbursed. But there is another angle as well, if one is patient enough to await the reimbursement. Points for the "W" program count whether your stay is reimbursed or not. So if one is a "W" member, as I am, one can pad one's points by staying overnight at a local hotel (for which one gets reimbursed...eventually) and in the process, earn free stays at other hotels.

And since I use my credit card to pay for the upfront cost, I also earn airmiles to travel to those other hotels where I'll stay for free later. It's not at all a bad deal if one is patient enough.

Kat, it seems to me that you are the one misunderstanding the point.

Despite any shopping experience you may have, you joined this forum and quickly went on the attack against others who don't share your opinions, which is rude in the world of internet chat boards. That's what offended me.

While I may not be someone who shops only for the money, I still broke the $12k threshold for 2011, with most of that coming from jobs that came to me by way of referrals from other shoppers.

Just because you believe something does not make it true. Take the time to establish positive relationships with other shops and you may be surprised at how it benefits you....

ShopperKat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I'm really not sure why you have such an
> attitude and are getting so offended by me.


I am offended because of your analogy to the "boss daughter who doesn't want the real jobs, she just wants to come in and work Friday and Saturday so she can get her hair highlighted." To make that analogy to mystery shoppers is rude and insulting to people you do not know.

If after 6 years, Kat, you are only clearing $4k you must have either not registered with enough companies or have terminated or been terminated by them. While the pickin's are slim in my neighborhood as well somehow I still get enough plums to continue making this highly worthwhile even as a substantially retired person. Perhaps the same attitude you are taking here has alienated you from the plum providers? You get along by getting along.

Just an small addition. This was my 1st. job for them, and I never heard of these programs mentioned like, "Wonderful 7 and Nights out". I was a virgin
and after assigning, yes I knew the name of the hotel, did think it was owned by W, however, felt it had a decent reputation, however, the city was wrong and the hotel a fleabag (sorry to offend anyone). The loction was extremely dangerous and I was afraid to leave my car.
when you have to walk across the parking lot and behind the vending machines
to find a small make shift room used for coffee and pastries, and no restaurant
that your supposed to evaluate....well, just calling it like I see it.


Cat, I found you extremely rude, as you are new to our forum, and came on like
gangbusters, because I used a word you disaproved of.....really. I never worked for them before, but tried as they stated they now pay in 10 to 12 weeks. I wanted a getaway, not the 20.00 they pay so, sue me. I felt your response to my post, being a newcomer judgemental and plain rude. I think you now know all shopppers shop for different reasons, and are not lurking to hear about jobs and steal them.. when Steve is doing his upscale hotels for his pleasure and lifestyle, I'm lucky enough to get a couple of his restaurants, it works making friends, I have learned so much from him and others, and am enriched by knowing him, and a few others on this forum. Take it for what's it's worth.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2012 07:00PM by Irene_L.A..

This got me thinking, for all those shoppers who have provided me with help, solace and encouragement a huge THANK YOU. I might still be shopping without them, but would never have reached the level I am at now "all by me onesies" I get a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction when there are occasions that allow me to pay it forward.

LOL.

You people are highly sensitive. It seems like I am the one being attacked, not the other way around. I was right in thinking this is more like high school than a forum. I must not have gotten the memo hat says only common opinions are allowed here. We could keep going back and forth like this and eventually people would agree with my side too. But if it makes you all feel better and superior to gang up and attack me, then go right ahead. Unlike all of you, your negativity doesn't affect me.

Steve: just because you think something is UNtrue, doesn't mean that it is, my friend. You, sir, are not always right either. You can save your lectures on "positive relationships" for someone who cares. I built a successful business without help from anyone. I made lots of "friends" with shoppers and schedulers alike the last time I went to an MSPA conference and guess what, it did me no good as far as increasing my income so don't dilute yourself.

MickeyB: It's sad that you allow yourself to get so offended by a stranger. However, my analogy was correct.

Flash: there are a lot of reasons my income has gone down. Not that its really any of your business, but I can no longer devote the same hours as I used to because I have small children. I have seen a lot of the bigger clients disappear when the economy went south and there are also apparently a lot more shoppers in my area than when I started. I would also guess that I am and have been registered with many more companies than even you might be, dear. So... sorry to deflect the dagger you're trying to throw at me but try a new attack.

Do you people realize this all started because of one poorly worded comment I made that was taken out of context. I've been trying to defend it and explain myself ever since but you guys just keep analyzing everything I say and working yourselves and each other into a frenzy. Thanks, but I'd rather not form "positive relationships" with people like you. I don't want to be part of your little "club." I'm actually really not all that surprised at your narrow minded reactions; I've come to expect that from the "older" crowd.

Why are you all so hung up on being a "newcomer" and how many posts someone has under their belt? That is completely absurd.

HEY, FRIENDS! How 'bout a Mongolian grill shop with a $5 bonus! Any takers?!

They make out like a fat rat! If in one month say they have 1000 jobs to fill and each one costs 50 per hotel. That is $50,000 they have of your money to put into the bank for 3 to 4 months and draw interest on prior to paying you.
Nothing like living off the other person's money.

It's not the number of posts that one needs to gain respect, but when you arrive and hurl insults at people who have selflessly helped out other shoppers for years, it comes off poorly. MickeyB & Flash are 2 of the most knowledgable and experienced shoppers I know. You are foolish to attack them and not heed their advice.

What sort of context are we supposed to see your comments from, Kat? You challenge the validity of what I write and accuse me of being "diluted" (I'm assuming you meant deluded). It there a good context hidden in there?

ynot321 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They make out like a fat rat! If in one month say
> they have 1000 jobs to fill and each one costs 50
> per hotel. That is $50,000 they have of your money
> to put into the bank for 3 to 4 months and draw
> interest on prior to paying you.
> Nothing like living off the other person's money.


ynot, I think the issue with Freeman is that they DON'T have the money in the bank. They seem to be always struggling to get money to pay shoppers who are hounding them.

The old robbing Peter to pay Paul method.

I'm actually impressed that Freeman has held on this long with payment problems.

In the past, when MSCs have had trouble paying, most have folded within 2 years of shoppers smelling trouble and deserting them.

Having nice hotels and restaurants mixed in with the dogs helps Freeman limp along, I think. There's enough built in appeal of someday getting a payoff of a nice resort shop that some will endure the slow payments.

Steve: how do you presume to know how knowledgeable I am just because I am new to the forum. Maybe I am even more knowledgeable than they are, that remains to be seen. You know nothing about me. Just because I have offended you doesn't make any of my points less valid. I am not attacking anyone and I ga have yet to see any advice that I should "heed."

You are also challenging the validity of my comments. It seems everything you say to me can be turned right back around on you therefore all but negating everything you say.

As far as the comment being taken out of context, I was originally attacked for saying something about shopping for one's own benefit. Since I am responding from my phone (which has faulty autocorrect, thank you for pointing out my typo, spelling police) my responses gave been abbreviated thereby offending the masses.

Don't you think all this "nit-pick the newby" stuff is getting old? Why are you upset again? Was if because I don't like it when part-time shoppers take shops that I normally do regularly? How is it wrong of me to feel that way? What if you owned a store of some sort and one if your biggest sellers was a brand you sold exclusively. Well now that brand decides to open its market to ALL retailers. Well that is cutting WAY into your business. As a "business person," you have every right to be irritated about that. Of course, there is nothing you can do but it us still irritating. I think you all think I was calling you girls that want their hair highlighted. It was a hypothetical analogy and you all take things way too literally.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2012 07:57PM by ShopperKat.

You're right, Kat this is just a back & forth argument. I was not questioning your shopping knowledge. My point was that you seem unaware of online message board etiquette. Let the disagreement end there.

Can we return to the topic at hand? Let me get it started:

Payment problems still continue with Freeman. Most who have shopped for them in the past will not continue to do so. Google a potential hotel before taking the assignment. Anything I missed?