EIN for Trendsource

Is Trendsource now requiring an EIN?

When I logged in just now I had a message at the top saying they still need an EIN from me. This is the first I've heard it mentioned by them and can't find anything on the site about it being required.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2012 01:24PM by lisams901.

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More Discussions About TrendSource / MSI Mystery Shopping (All Companies)

I just saw it when I logged on and sent them a message. Since they also require shoppers to pay for their own background check in order to get the occasional BV it would not surprise me if this is now required. If so, no big deal for me. I did fine before them and things will be just fine without them

BTW, I went in planning on entering my SSN to see what would happen and the page is not secure. The hell with that!

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.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2012 01:32PM by LisaSTL.

Let us know what they are sayin' LisaSTL...I just saw that on my board too when I went to see if the jobs I have available are set up for bidding...they are not. Regular fees, regular reimbursements.

I think I'll be fine without Trendsource. I've had issues with them saying one thing and then doing something else. They are not a MSC that I trust.

Trendsource was one of my favorite MSCs in previous years. I find the bidding from them to be disappointing.

People like to @#$%& about CORI starting fees so low, but at least they actually increase during the month. They don't attempt silly bidding wars to reduce them further.

LisaSTL Wrote:
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> People like to @#$%& about CORI starting fees so
> low, but at least they actually increase during
> the month. They don't attempt silly bidding wars
> to reduce them further.

When I first signed up with CORI (a month ago) I was shocked about how low their fees were...then I waited and watched. Now I am quite pleased, they can really boost them quickly. AND they are reliable for pay.

I don't think I will partake in bidding wars at Trendsource unless my month sucks and there is no more money out there to be taken and the bidding wars page comes up on my board there.

Here's the reply. I e-mailed back to ask if they were going to handle deactivating accounts or if I should do that myself. Maybe if someone has some time today they could research these Federal and State regulations that are being referred to here.

"Yes the EIN is a new requirement in order to meet State and Federal Independent Contractor regulations, TrendSource and MSI Services are requiring all Independent Field Agents to obtain and use an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is safer than using a Social Security Number. Obtaining one is free and the process only takes 5 minutes. EINs are used for people who are in business for themselves; for example, Independent Contractors. Please be aware that you can obtain an EIN if you are employed by another company, while also performing work as an Independent Contractor for MSI and other Mystery Shopping companies. All MSI Field Agents are Independent Contractors and must obtain an EIN. Beginning in March 2012, MSI will no longer accept Social Security Numbers for new agents and will instead require an EIN. By May 2012, all existing Field Agents must provide an EIN to continue to receive payments."

Too bad/so sad for TrendSource that all of us "seasoned" mystery shoppers will be deactivating. Have fun with all of the newbies! Hope it works out for ya!

That's ridiculous. People the world over operate as IC without EIN. Most 1099s are issued to people with SS numbers, not EINs.

Evaluating and mailing packages since 1994

If this is to fulfull some sort of "requirement," why have other MS companies not clued us into this?

gigishopper Wrote:
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> If this is to fulfull some sort of "requirement,"
> why have other MS companies not clued us into
> this?

Its not. They assume shoppers are all ignorant and that people will believe the old "The government makes us do it!" excuse.

Oh well, adios MSI. Was nice while it lasted.

While the process for obtaining an EIN may be simple, it complicates the tax reporting for us..I don't plan on doing it.

Maritz tried the same thing last year or so and pulled back after receiving flack from their shoppers.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

I received the same response to my question. I have deactivated my self...:p

Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.

Trendsource has shown questionable judgment too many times in the past for me to be willing to work with them. A few years back they got into a brouhaha because they chose to discuss one shopper's work with another shopper. That little drama was played out on Volition.com and has subsequently been redacted to protect the guilty. I gave them a year to cool their heels before I went back to working with them and then the showed up with the absurd 'background check' that for the cost would be a quick and dirty and likely inaccurate. It would also represent shoppers as something they aren't. I haven't worked with them since and the EIN is just another indicator of shopper abuse and poor judgment as far as I am concerned. I like their shops, I just don't like them and certainly do not trust them.

Once again it is a company paying peanuts wanting to cover their butts. Could it be because they have shops with time estimates for on site and input at an hour or more and only pay $7 and work out to less than minimum wage?

Another one bites the dust in May....me. I've personally never had a reason to be mistrustful of Trendsource, but the bidding and EIN have certainly enlightened me.

I took a peak at that other forum last night to see what reactions were like. Most were the same as ours. There was one exception who apparently got an EIN almost immediately and told everyone how painless it was. Whatever. I don't do their crap jobs anyway. My only interest was in the BV program and the only way I was going to even consider paying for a background check was if I reached self-assign status. I made it only to discover that the only things I could self-assign were the $5 to $7 shops anyway.

As with several of the above shoppers, I'm unwilling to comply with their directive and have decided to bid this MSC farewell after almost 6 yrs.

If enough Shoppers tell them what to do with thier EIN requirement, It may go away.
It did with Maritz...

Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.

And hopefully it will be the same for the bidding. I was surprised to see that they planned to solicit feedback, but the jury's still out as to whether or not they'll really care about what their good shoppers have to say.

Of course the fascinating thing about an EIN is that, as it's name--Employer Identification Number--implies, it is legally only required when you are paying employees. So I guess this would allow me to set up a shopping service and hire employees to run out and do the shops. So much for establishing a profile to match shopper demographics with the shop!

And I can open as many EINs as I might wish. In fact I could name one for each goat in the barn--Claire's Shopping, Danny's Services, DeDe's Delights, etc. Since each EIN and associated name would be unique, I could have a registration in each and defeat both rotations and 1099s. Wait, isn't that why ACE was going to have PayQuicker through the banks verify that we were only registered ONCE?

And then you could let the goats bid on shops and increase your profits!

They would underbid me because their favorite 'pay' is weeds. . .

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There was one exception who apparently
> got an EIN almost immediately and told everyone
> how painless it was.

Is not this person someone who has some kind of position in all these self-annointed shoppers/MSPA organizations that have no power to do anything when we/the shoppers/the ICs, have to go after crappy MS companies that do not pay? She also has a mystery shopping book for those who can not figure MShopping by themselves.

I believe its starting to work. I have been flooded with job offers since I requested they remove my currently assigned ones. I have just resent my request. I know other shoppers in my area are refusing. The job offers I am receiving were backups...

Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.

All I can say is WOW! It will be interesting

I too do not like this EIN requirement, and find it both unnessary AND unfair. They pay us little, they should not expect us to complicate our taxes on top of it all. I have enjoyed the shops I've done for them - grocery shops, though those have ended, and pizza shops - but am afraid I'll have to deactivate also.
Sad, really.

It is not the income tax complication that is an issue so much as all the various jurisdictions wanting fees for 'operating a business', inspections of said business, business occupancy, intangible tax returns for property used by such business etc. etc. etc. Luckily I am not in city limits so I would only need to deal with county and state. It is a whole can of worms and as soon as you establish a 'business' with an EIN the vultures start circling for their piece of the action. Hardly worth it.

I just e-mailed them asking to cancel my assignment for next week and parting ways if this is a must.

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