Would you believe I went to log on to Best Mark, mind you I have over 20 years experience in the MS industry, and I had trouble logging in. When I requested help I was shocked to get an email from an "executive" at Best Mark who said that because I refused to do an assignment saying it paid too little I was banned from ever doing one of their shops again.
To begin with Best Mark gives no details about the job until you sign up for it. When I saw what was involved for just $10 I then told them to cancel it for me because it involved too much for too little money. Apparently this touched a nerve because they now claim I can never do any more work for them.

Printing up a 6 page assignment sheets. then a 7 page survey form, then an 8 page sample form, then a certification test where I got 16 of 17 and the one question I got wrong was dubious at best and then asked to take the entire survey over from the start and then drive to the store, interact for possibly one hour , drive home, fill out the survey, and maybe, just maybe get paid unless you find reason to send it back and deduct another $2.
All this for $10???? I would not even consider it.

Hmmm, well I feel exactly the same way, but not sure I would put it in writing. Although it seems petty that they would fire you for this. I just told them I would not do 5 $3 car calls that are very involved and that I just felt uncomfortable. (This was on the phone with a scheduler who has always been very nice to me). She said no problem, and cleared them from me, and put the reason so it could be viewed by other schedulers. Now I can't self schedule because I have 5 cancelled shops in the last month, but certainly I haven't been banned. Just "applied" for one, and got it right away. Sorry that happened to you.

Carol

I remember saying what I felt when one MSC asked me why I did not want to do a shop again. I told them the fee was too low for that type of work. They wrote me that they have increased the fees. Sure enough, I noticed from the shop list that they did. The odd thing was they only adjusted the fee on the location that concerned me.

Regarding cancelling an assigned shop, I just had a similar experience yesterday. The scheduler asked me if I would do any shops on the list she sent me. Only the postal codes were given; the names of the clients were not mentioned, I noted five of the locations but asked her to please tell me the names of the clients first as I also do a number of the high-ends for other MSC. Lo and behold! I found all five confirmed as my assignments. She had done this before. And I let it go. She probably thought I would not mind.

So I wrote her that I would accept them now but in the future, "Please do not confirm them until you have told me first the names of the clients." Her response was to cancel what I could not do. Huh! I have never, ever cancelled any assigned shop except once when I had to take my husband to ER. Did she want me to get a bad record on something that is not of my doing?

So, now I have five (very) high-end shops to do and I have only Monday and Tuesday. And they are located from one end to the other. Plus my other job...

I won't do another BB shop. Too much for too little and I HATE the fact you are only given the zip code when scheduling. What if it was a company you had a conflicting relationship with?

UGH! So frustrating!!!!

I have the same issues with Best Mark shops. They do not give enough details about their assignment to be able to take it if you have a life outside of MSing.

I need to know exactly where I am going, time of day I need to be there, the true requirements of the shop, and sometimes what kind of car I need to take (although since they changed their job board I think this last requirement has been taken car of).

Dear Bestmark...if you are reading this, we really would like more details for the jobs before we can take them. When you list a city like Chicago as the location it leaves alot of area to cover. The location could be 10 minutes from my house or 2 hours depending on what part of the city you want me to go. Please consider this on your job board.

I fired BestMark on my own. Too much hassle for too little money.

I fired them for the same reason too much info for too little pay! I have fired quite a few companies that I used to work for, the gas keeps going up but the pay does not so what's the point of doing a job.I refuse to do a job now
for less than $15 unless it's restaurant that I really like.

I like Bestmark, but they are aggravating. It is rediculous not to let us know the place we're shopping beforehand. And they won't answer you back to help you find out if you have a conflicting interest to be able to know if you can accept the ahop. Also, recently through some type of error on their own (which they adnitted), they were 2 weeks late in showing my shop as accepted (hence 2 weeks late in paying me). I was later 2 hrs late in sumbitting my receipt (just receipt, not the report). I kindly asked them in light of their recent error if they would wave my $2 late fee - NOPE.

AS for Bestmark they have been fair to me. Many companies post jobs at short fees for new shoppers who don't know any better. We always have the right as private contracters to say no. Perhaps it's time for the mystery shoppers across thw counry to unite. We are treated like crap sometimes with silly rules like 3 invalidated shops and you are cut off-not taking into consideration the volume of shops that you complete.

I love mystery shopping and many of the companies I deal with are fair and reasonable. However some companies are more concerned with volume and hiring new shopers who sign up for low fees to replace veterans who will do the work for a reasonable fee. Gas is now 4 bucks a gallon here and I am not taking any shops unless I need the good or service being provided, or am fairly compensated for my time. I will do lower paying shops if I have several clustered together. I have found that by working with various companies in a specific geographic area each day has cut my gas costs because I am not running around.

I was terminated by this MSC in 2007, due to my refusal to accept their high work/low paying shops. I completely agreed with their decision and have not, in the slightest, missed their assignments.

Bestmark was the first company I signed up with. They have been fair with me BUT I only take the jobs that I feel are a fair payment and that are really close to where I live.

I fired Best Mark last week. They expect way too much and offer little.

I have never had a bad experience with Bestmark. They are one of the only firms that have a nice amount of jobs near me without too far to travel.

yup, I have a soft spot in my heart for Bestmark as it was the first company I ever signed up with, and I don't think they have ever docked me in pay. Over 100 shops with them.

Carol

They are my least favorite......and one I don't work for due to my de-activating myself years ago.

i like the speed of their pay schedule but i don't do much work for them. i'll pick up an auto shop if it's very close to me or along one of my routes. the big box electronics shops aren't worth it - not even close. with gas prices high, i have been picking up a lot of the simple Internet inquiries.

sun&fun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like Bestmark, but they are aggravating. It is
> rediculous not to let us know the place we're
> shopping beforehand. And they won't answer you
> back to help you find out if you have a
> conflicting interest to be able to know if you can
> accept the ahop. Also, recently through some type
> of error on their own (which they adnitted), they
> were 2 weeks late in showing my shop as accepted
> (hence 2 weeks late in paying me). I was later 2
> hrs late in sumbitting my receipt (just receipt,
> not the report). I kindly asked them in light of
> their recent error if they would wave my $2 late
> fee - NOPE.


Are they a big company or a small mom and pop?
They say they pay twice a month don't they?
If they're fudging on paying and withholding it for two weeks,could they be
in financial trouble?

And lastly I'm wondering if it's customary for these MSC companies to lie about
"I sent the check out". ??

WOW. Doesnt give the industry a good name.

How about their hair salon shops? Are the forms easy? I heard they just got the account Secret Shopper used to have?

I was let go from them because they did not pay me for 3 months on a very expensive meal ($70). The payroll person kept forgetting and never apologized for the delay. I reported them to the BBB and was deactivated. Whatever. If you can't pay me when you say you will, you don't deserve me working for you.

I do not shop a lot with them. In my market, some of their shops pay fairly and I enjoy them. BestMark has always paid me on time, and is in my top five of fastest-paying MSPs. It's pick and choose, accept or pass, which is our prerogative, as ICs.

Hardtofind, you stated "I refused to do an assignment", "When I saw what was involved for just $10 I then told them to cancel it."

I don't like that their board does not reveal location or specifics of requirements, until acceptance/assignment. Now that I've worked with them for some time, I realize who the client is, and can come within 10-20 miles of their location, based on the zip code. However, if I have no clue, I email them, asking for details, before accepting the shop. They respond, which gives me the information I need to make an informed decision.

Shopperbob, "I was terminated by this MSC in 2007, due to my refusal to accept their high work/low paying shops." This is cause for concern. Shoppers have complete freedom to accept shops, or not. Certainly, I ignore more listings than I accept, without termination.

Whoops! I tried to sign up for e-mail notification of new replies, and apparently I have posted my first post accidentally. Anyway, hi everyone. I've been lurking for about six weeks and learning quite a lot about my new career. Thank you to all who ask questions and to those who share their experience with us.


Mert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do not shop a lot with them. In my market, some
> of their shops pay fairly and I enjoy them.
> BestMark has always paid me on time, and is in my
> top five of fastest-paying MSPs. It's pick and
> choose, accept or pass, which is our prerogative,
> as ICs.
>
> Hardtofind, you stated "I refused to do an
> assignment", "When I saw what was involved for
> just $10 I then told them to cancel it."
>
> I don't like that their board does not reveal
> location or specifics of requirements, until
> acceptance/assignment. Now that I've worked with
> them for some time, I realize who the client is,
> and can come within 10-20 miles of their location,
> based on the zip code. However, if I have no
> clue, I email them, asking for details, before
> accepting the shop. They respond, which gives me
> the information I need to make an informed
> decision.
>
> Shopperbob, "I was terminated by this MSC in 2007,
> due to my refusal to accept their high work/low
> paying shops." This is cause for concern.
> Shoppers have complete freedom to accept shops, or
> not. Certainly, I ignore more listings than I
> accept, without termination.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2012 02:45AM by MaryaMI.

I have shopped them sparingly because they pay so low. I guess they don't have any problems getting shoppers as someone always takes those $10 shops. I only 'ASK' for more if a scheduler personally asks me to do a shop. Most of them are reasonable and say that they cannot offer that amount.

I did a retail shop for BM where I told them in the comment section that the payment was too low for the amount of work involved. I told them I would never do an assignment for that client again. They did not fire me, probably because I completed the shop.

Since then I've only done shops I felt were worth my time and effort. I don't like the lack of information they provide on the client prior to signing up. I also think their forms are a bit much for the amount of money they pay. In the past 6 months I've only done 5 shops for them.

I REVIEWED THEIR SHOPS FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE ACCEPTING ONE AT A SOUP SALAD PLACE FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT, NO FEE. THE FORM WAS PAINSTAKING. NEVER AGAIN. AL THE OTHER SHOPS I HAVE SEEN DO NOT EVEN COVER GAS, AND PRINT. I FIRED THEM.

SecretAgentMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have the same issues with Best Mark shops. They
> do not give enough details about their assignment
> to be able to take it if you have a life outside
> of MSing.
>
> I need to know exactly where I am going, time of
> day I need to be there, the true requirements of
> the shop, and sometimes what kind of car I need to
> take (although since they changed their job board
> I think this last requirement has been taken car
> of).
>
> Dear Bestmark...if you are reading this, we really
> would like more details for the jobs before we can
> take them. When you list a city like Chicago as
> the location it leaves alot of area to cover. The
> location could be 10 minutes from my house or 2
> hours depending on what part of the city you want
> me to go. Please consider this on your job board.


I totally agree! I won't work for them again! So many 'last minute' changes, not paying because of things I had no control over. No matter how detailed an explanation and scenario-they seem to look to not pay you after you've spent the money(and more than you'd be reimbursed) and done hour long evaluations.

OP you might disagree with me but I would have done the job, sucked it up and never taken another one of that "type" again.

To cancel the shop because of low pay or horrid directions will likely pis* off the MS company. (Not saying that's right or their methods of *sneakery* but I would bite the bullet and do it "IF" I liked the company and was making money from them.)...Or, you must make up something like you don't feel well. I would not say low pay to them, that's just me. Some here might. I don't have the "cajones" to say low pay.

Example: I chose a shop I thought was in my own state. It turns out it was in the next state!..(my state has a similar city) I quickly mapquested it and found it to be 50 miles away. Instead of cancelling, I decided to go, enjoy the trip and found 3 more shops with my bank to throw in there...

gigishopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I won't do another BB shop. Too much for too
> little and I HATE the fact you are only given the
> zip code when scheduling. What if it was a company
> you had a conflicting relationship with?
>
> UGH! So frustrating!!!!


Feel free to ask your scheduler one on one about more details on the shop. There's nothing wrong with finding out more details about a shop before you agree to it, but I understand why they can't put the name of a client in a mass email. I never accept a shop without knowing the specific location and the client name and I've never had a problem finding out this information from the scheduler if I send them a quick email.

As I have been on both sides of the table, please know schedulers DO NOT want to reschedule a shop, they want to assign it and get it done the first time, so all you people who believe MSC want to cancel shops and not pay you for no reason are way off.... what is the point of cancelling a good shop? Do you think we want to refill that again? No way! It's taking more time away from us that we would be focusing on filling other shops..it's a waste of time and money for all involved.

The best advice I can give is to ask your scheduler one on one about the detail or the address of the location, then you can find out exactly where it is and if it's worth it for you. I've even asked for a sample of the survey before accepting the assignment and they are always willing to give it to me! Don't be lazy, be proactive! It's your assignment and you should be responsible enough to ask for the facts before making a desicion on whether you want to complete the shop or not.

They still do not pay enough to cover time and car expenses. I only work with MSPs who give actual addresses in the posting. Thiose who do not name client, I can usually figure out who it is. Susan

Cholie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> gigishopper Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I won't do another BB shop. Too much for too
> > little and I HATE the fact you are only given
> the
> > zip code when scheduling. What if it was a
> company
> > you had a conflicting relationship with?
> >
> > UGH! So frustrating!!!!
>
>
>
>
> As I have been on both sides of the table, please
> know schedulers DO NOT want to reschedule a shop,
> they want to assign it and get it done the first
> time, so all you people who believe MSC want to
> cancel shops and not pay you for no reason are way
> off.... what is the point of cancelling a good
> shop? Do you think we want to refill that again?
> No way! It's taking more time away from us that we
> would be focusing on filling other shops..it's a
> waste of time and money for all involved.
>
> The best advice I can give is to ask your
> scheduler one on one about the detail or the
> address of the location, then you can find out
> exactly where it is and if it's worth it for you.
> I've even asked for a sample of the survey before
> accepting the assignment and they are always
> willing to give it to me! Don't be lazy, be
> proactive! It's your assignment and you should be
> responsible enough to ask for the facts before
> making a desicion on whether you want to complete
> the shop or not.

As in my previous post, I did ask the scheduler and what did she
do? She gave me all the high-end shops I have enquired about. Just
like that, I had them all on my shop log. Since I don't have the practice
of cancelling shops assigned to me, I did them all, but I told her that
that was the last time I would be doing shops I did not request as she did it before. She told me I could always cancel them.

Regarding shops cancelled or rejected, the shopper does not know if it was reassigned or just went through as completed without paying the shopper. I am not too sure I trust everyone.

I rebuke your statement that schedulers "always" do anything in particular. I have had all the requests you cited ignored by various schedulers at one time or another. Why do you assume the person complaining is at fault? Emailing back and forth is inefficient communication. Phones answered would and quick conversations would be best.