I had been a strong supporter of MF after working with them for almost 10 years until yesterday. I had a fast casual shop to complete last weekend that was a phone-ahead take-out shop. I called the location on my way and the phone rang 10 times and no one answered. I arrived at the shopping complex and went to a far end of the parking lot to make the second call. The phone was answered in 5 rings with the employee explaining that their delivery truck was late arriving and they had no chicken for me to place the order. So I got his name to input into the report in order to authenticate my visit.

I went through pure HE** for three days trying to get the report submitted!!! Every time I would do it, it would never stop after the page where I had to explain why it was being reported as being closed. Because of some gliche in their system, it kept going like I did the pick-up and I had to go through it inputting information I didn't have because I couldn't make the purchase. I looked through the summary before I clicked the submit button and everything was there. I submitted it but got three emails the next day telling me the shop was either late or showing incomplete, which was a lie because it was showing "assigned" when I went into the website! I went back and forth with them trying to explain what happened and even giving them the confirmation number I got when I submitted the report and when I submitted the CPI.

When the last Help Desk moderator told me I needed to submit it a third time because nothing came out but the first page of the report, I told her I wasn't because it had been done correctly but their system was not stopping at the "Closed" shop explanation page and continuing on for me to report the info as if I had done the pick-up. I thought about it that entire day and the next day I went back in and did the report but took a screen shot of the first 11 pages showing all the information as it was put in. I then got to the last page of explaining why it was being submitted as closed and took a screen shot of it. Then the very next page showed up for me to put the pick-up information so I took a screen shot of it and went through the rest of it like I had done with the others.

I sent an email to the Help Desk once again explaining what happened and attached the pictures of each page with it. I received an email from one of the Help Desk Moderators telling me she submitted what I sent her and it showed it as being complete. I thanked her and told her she had really helped me out.

Well, I got an email yesterday from QC telling me that they knew I had been contacting QC but they were NOT GOING TO PAY ME for the shop because it wasn't submitted right!!! I litteraly blew a gasket when I read that email and I shouldn't have because I've been told by my cardiologist to keep my stress levels under wrap because of my heart! No more will I ever shop for MF or take up for them again!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2012 07:23AM by SoCal Shopper.

Aargh! Thats awful, Socal.

Methinks they must be going through a low point recently: I had TWO issues similar to yours in ONE week (I have never had an issue with them before), and their extreme delay in responding to emails or phone messages made it impossible for me to complete my submissions by the due date. Even their automated email response was delayed over 24 hours. I could have dealt with that if it hadn't been for the snarky attitude and blame I got from them for something that wasn't my error!

sallyf024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> myshop2011:
> Thanks for the input. I think it is hard for the
> companies to understand us "rural" shopper folks.
> I have to go down and up mountains to get to 95%
> of my shops. It takes me an hour to get anywhere,
> so I have to be sure to get at least 2 shops for
> that area before I can afford to make a trip. I'd
> like to up that to 3 but am so paranoid about the
> reports, that a 3rd shop is not plausable at this
> point.
> Sunday, I did a shop for CRI and it alone took me
> over 5 hours, between travel time (2 hrs.), doing
> the actual shop (1 hr to interact with 7
> associates) needing to reinput the shop 4 times
> because CRI's computer system was not working
> properly). All that for a $9.20 commission. At the
> end of that day I was ready to call it quits. Are
> we nuts to be doing this?

Your post makes me ask: Why are you working for five hours for $9.20? Not even counting fuel, wear and tear on your vehicle, that isn't even $2/hr. If you are doing if as a hobby for fun, that's great! If you are doing it to make money, I think you are actually losing money on the venture!

> Your post makes me ask: Why are you working for
> five hours for $9.20? Not even counting fuel,
> wear and tear on your vehicle, that isn't even
> $2/hr. If you are doing if as a hobby for fun,
> that's great! If you are doing it to make money,
> I think you are actually losing money on the
> venture!

True, so so true! I am just trying to work my way up the ranks for better shops with better pay. Slowly, this is happening and I am beginning to get calls for shops w/bonuses. There are literally no other shoppers in my two counties.

All the more reason you should not be taking low-paying jobs. CORI does not increase fees based on your history, rather they are across the board increases for jobs that are not being picked up. If there are no other shoppers available that $9.20 job could end up being $20 or $30 or even $50. For other jobs you may need to negotiate. Just be aware of your costs and time involved so that when you are talking to a scheduler you know what to ask for and be prepared to explain your reasons. A good company is not going to want you losing money either, but they need to know your motivation is not just pure greed or to take advantage of them.

Off hand I can't think of a specific job with 7 interactions. There is one I do with 6 and I can be in and out of that store in 20 minutes, 30 tops. Once you get the hang of it things will speed up including reports. I have also had problems with the input of a report on occasion. Once I have a problem my policy is to attempt to submit it a second time. After that it is an e-mail to the scheduler and/or IT explaining the problem. I will then get up the next morning and attempt the report again. More often than not I can submit it successfully at that time. If you are doing everything right, your pictures are small enough, using a compatible browser, etc., there is no reason to believe that attempting to submit a report over and over again in the same evening will eventually lead to success so save yourself the headaches

Oh no! Hate to be in this type of message board. Wonder if there is any moderator here.

This group seems to self-moderate quite well. I tend to look at the history of the poster (if there is any history) in forming my conclusions.

sallyf024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Your post makes me ask: Why are you working
> for
> > five hours for $9.20? Not even counting fuel,
> > wear and tear on your vehicle, that isn't even
> > $2/hr. If you are doing if as a hobby for fun,
> > that's great! If you are doing it to make
> money,
> > I think you are actually losing money on the
> > venture!
>
> True, so so true! I am just trying to work my way
> up the ranks for better shops with better pay.
> Slowly, this is happening and I am beginning to
> get calls for shops w/bonuses. There are literally
> no other shoppers in my two counties.

I can relate to that. I began by driving all over the countryside for peanuts. I used it as an excuse to take my Mum out for country drives. That got stale fast but it did allow me to establish myself with some of the MSC, and also get some nice phone calls asking "What will it cost to get you to do X?"

Sometimes, I don't consider the time or how much I am getting when I do a shop. If it is fairly easy and I have to do the task anyway, why not? For instance, I needed an MO for a special order for my son which required an MO. Rather than go to the bank and pay the typical $7.50 fee, I accepted a shop that reimburses the fee (at even lower rate) and pay me as well for doing it. It was only $8 but I would not have had it if I went to my bank.

risinghorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sometimes, I don't consider the time or how much I
> am getting when I do a shop. If it is fairly easy
> and I have to do the task anyway, why not?

That's the way I feel about restaurant shops. I have to eat anyway so why not dine out on someone else's dime. I'd rather spend an hour writing a report than cooking a meal!

risinghorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh no! Hate to be in this type of message board.
> Wonder if there is any moderator here.

There are a couple of us plus the owner.

sallyf024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are we nuts to be doing this?

Um...yes, but I thought that was a given. I'm not willing to jump through hoops any longer so I only take shops that appeal to me and have a decent check attached to it.

As you mentioned in another post, you merchandise. I agree it's the way to go. When I had route shops for Rite Aid, I'd do MS shops in between for lunch or whatnot. The combination of the merchandising with the MSing kept me in the black and kept my sanity.

You do NOT need to prove yourself by taking shop after shop after shop. You've done a shop, which is plenty as long as you scored high marks. If shops are bonused, they'll welcome ANY warm body. Having a history can help you get the shop over others but it's certainly not necessary. Stop killing yourself or you'll experience serious burnout like the Lindenburg...poof! You'll get it anyway, but no so quickly or as intense if you pace yourself.

Glad you at least got paid for the job.

I shpped the wrong location last week! Yes, it happens! I just sucked it up and went on. I felt like a dog with his tail not wagging!. It is what it is.

Cettie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> risinghorizon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Oh no! Hate to be in this type of message
> board.
> > Wonder if there is any moderator here.
>
> There are a couple of us plus the owner.


Thanks. That's good to know. As I read my last post, I just noticed some posts disappear before it.

Sally - YES!!!

sallyf024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are we nuts to be doing this?

I started with MF 3 years ago, they were great.By the second year I noticed changes so I kept an eye on them.Now starting my fourth year with them I can no longer say they are a company I could reccomend. They have become arrogant, and can not be trusted. You must get a conformation on all bonus they offer and even with that you still might not get what was offered.

They are pretty surprising - I've learned that unless they absolutely say "we cannot pay you for this shop" - and then that's their final answer after the shopper argues - they pay.

sallyf024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> myshop2011:
> Thanks for the input. I think it is hard for the
> companies to understand us "rural" shopper folks.
> I have to go down and up mountains to get to 95%
> of my shops. It takes me an hour to get anywhere,
> so I have to be sure to get at least 2 shops for
> that area before I can afford to make a trip. I'd
> like to up that to 3 but am so paranoid about the
> reports, that a 3rd shop is not plausable at this
> point.
> Sunday, I did a shop for CRI and it alone took me
> over 5 hours, between travel time (2 hrs.), doing
> the actual shop (1 hr to interact with 7
> associates) needing to reinput the shop 4 times
> because CRI's computer system was not working
> properly). All that for a $9.20 commission. At the
> end of that day I was ready to call it quits. Are
> we nuts to be doing this?


I'm beginning to think I have been nuts to keep doing this. I have been mystery shopping and merchandising since 2005. I was determined to make a full time income at this. I have worn out seven cars and made some gas stations very rich. I have worked from daylight to after dark and groveled with the different schedulars. I have been deactivated from one company several times. It always seemed to happen right after they sent out the 1099s when they saw how much money I was making.

This winter I have been very ill and when this company deactivated me yet again I was puking my guts out in the bathroom and decided to just let it go this time. I had decided to just slow down but since it took me so long to get to feeling better this time I cancelled all the shops I had scheduled with other providers and have just rested.

Now as I sit here and count the money in my pocket I am amazed at how much I still have at this time of the month. I am beginning to see that most of the money I was making doing this work was being spent doing the work. I think I will be better off for the time being staying retired. I am not going to cut off my nose to spite my face though. There are some companies I have a good relationship with and I know I can schedule with them when I get back on my feet.

i have the same trouble i did a quick chek for iccds i did the shop came home did the report and they said invaild time mm am pm ithe shop haD TO BE DONE 7 AM2 PM I9 WAS THERE AT 1259 AMANS LEFT 150 PM I DID EVERY THI NG RIGHT

I can't figure them out, once they decide not to pay you they are finished with you.

JRSD5715 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> i have the same trouble i did a quick chek for
> iccds i did the shop came home did the report and
> they said invaild time mm am pm ithe shop haD TO
> BE DONE 7 AM2 PM I9 WAS THERE AT 1259 AMANS LEFT
> 150 PM I DID EVERY THI NG RIGHT

It sounds like you entered your time wrong. 12:59AM is 59 minutes after midnight. What I suspect you did was spend only 51 minutes in the shop and the times should have been 12:59PM and 1:50PM. Some companies will work with you on this kind of goof while others indicate that if you are 'that inaccurate' on your times you are 'probably inaccurate' on the rest of the report as well. Doesn't make it any less annoying.

I can understand the frustration. I had a scheduler contact me nearly a month after performing a shop. I told them I couldn't possibly remember the details they were asking about,and that something of that nature should have been addressed in a more timely manner. He tells me all shoppers are supposed to save their notes/information for up to 120 days. Sorry buddy, I scrible a few random notes on a sheet of paper (names, times) and the rest for the most part is from memory. If I had that information to begin with it would have been in the report or you should have asked sooner.

OP I don't see how its your fault, something like that should have been addressed within 72 hours inmy opinion. They take their sweet time, they should be able to give you some time as well.

sferro, that would be frustrating to be contacted that late after an assignment.

However, as the MSC told you, most do state to keep your notes/records for a certain amount of time in case they need more information later. By taking the assignment, you are agreeing to do this.

Well like I said, I put down everything in the reports. Most of my shops are done through Sassie, and this was a Sassie company. If I leave anything out it's because I didn't get the informtion to begin with since they don't limit what you have to say in the comments section. My scores are average or higher, so my method of record keeping is not the issue here. It's their slow turn around time.


lisams901 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sferro, that would be frustrating to be contacted
> that late after an assignment.
>
> However, as the MSC told you, most do state to
> keep your notes/records for a certain amount of
> time in case they need more information later. By
> taking the assignment, you are agreeing to do
> this.

To go back to the original post. I think the problem is on the MSC's side not because they asked for something to be redone but because they just assume shoppers are sitting around doing nothing but waiting for them to get back to us about our reports. They should have worked with the shopper to get the photos reshot when she had the time to do so. It is not the shopper's fault that they took two weeks to review the report which led the MSC to be facing a tight deadlline.

I was dropped by the merchandising side of this company. I was supposed to go into a store to do inventory and straightening of a display. We were supposed to call the store first to set up an appointment to do the task. When I spoke with the department manager, she said she did not want me to come in because they were preparing for a big sale but could go in after the sale which was also after the due date. I advised the scheduler of what I was told. Then, I inadvertently deleted another assignment which was not yet due. I sent them a message that I did that. Never got a reply then realized I was de-activated. Not sure why it's my fault the client didn't want me to come in because they were too busy. I just decided if a company was so unprofessional and inconsiderate as to not respond to messages or advise the account is de-activated aand why, I don't want to be bothered with them.

Yes, the merchandising side of this company will drop you and never tell you. They will do it while you are out doing jobs for them and then you can't get paid for the work you have done. I am so through with them.

I started with Market Force a few months ago. They are very stict from what I can see. I have always gotten paid, so far, knock on wood. However, I did make a mistake on one audit. I could have sworn the place opened at 10am, but I was wrong, it was 11am. I caught the mistake myself though and emailed them on it. They did reschedule me for the next day.
One thing I don't like is that if I need answers a.s.a.p. I really would like someone to get back to me a.s.a.p. like the other MS companies do. They sometimes take long, in my opinion to get back to me.
But I do a lot of shops with them. I just make sure I pay close attention to detail and don't take a shop too far away that if I have to go back, It will be easy to do.

I received this message on the message board. Anyone knows about this?



"Market force has a great opportunity for an assignment currently being conducted by our sister company!!! This particular assignment pays $70.00 for successful completion and is targeted for those CFA’s who have not yet completed their 2011 taxes. We encourage you to log into the website by going to www.marketforce.com. If you are not registered yet please join our shopper force and sign up under the mystery shopping blue portal, please take a moment and choose “CMS” from the drop down menu when doing so. You may research the specifics of this particular assignment using the code SBTPG tax shops or should you have any questions please contact our help desk at helpdesk@marketforce.com and we would be happy to assist you."

risinghorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I received this message on the message board.
> Anyone knows about this?
>
>
>
> "Market force has a great opportunity for an
> assignment currently being conducted by our sister
> company!!! This particular assignment pays $70.00
> for successful completion and is targeted for
> those CFA’s who have not yet completed their 2011
> taxes. We encourage you to log into the website by
> going to www.marketforce.com. If you are not
> registered yet please join our shopper force and
> sign up under the mystery shopping blue portal,
> please take a moment and choose “CMS” from the
> drop down menu when doing so. You may research the
> specifics of this particular assignment using the
> code SBTPG tax shops or should you have any
> questions please contact our help desk at
> helpdesk@marketforce.com and we would be happy to
> assist you."

I do believe it's a tax shop. You do your taxes with the company they assgn you to. I'm just guessing though