I hate to make a post like this, because it compromises my anonymity, but I feel it's my duty. Some months back, I took a call from one of their agents while I was in the field, and I accepted a shop with a nice bonus, at a location that was 40-some miles out of my way (round trip). I performed the shop immediately and reported it as soon as I returned home.

While my shop was accepted and I was paid for the shop 2 months later, I was never paid the bonus. The agent did not email me a confirmation of the bonus, even though I requested that he do so. I was in the field, so I was not able to check my email prior to performing the shop. Since then, that agent quit working for NSS, and no one else has been willing to resolve the situation for me. I've spoken to Tami, Tyler and Ryan numerous times, and while I have been promised satisfaction, the money never comes, even though I have continued to perform shops for them.

I've had enough. It's only $20, but for me, the principle matters. Either I'm telling the truth, or I'm lying. If I'm lying, NSS, then terminate me as a shopper. Liars do not make good mystery shoppers. However, if I'm telling the truth, then you should pay me my lousy $20. Until then, I'm terminating you, NSS, because you breached your contract with me. I'm disappointed in you, because I thought y'all were "one of the good guys."

Moral of the story - always get it in writing, or you're subject to ugly surprises like this.

Mantis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hate to make a post like this, because it
> compromises my anonymity, but I feel it's my duty.

Okay, I'm actually more angry than dutiful. =)

There is something going on there...this was my biggest money maker doing about 6 shops per month and always having a wonderful relationship. They lost
their biggest retailer, and I did two small shops for them recently, got two alerts that remain. I called and was told to be patient as there are 900 calls
before mine regarding alerts, nothing is being resolved. I'm afraid for them, and hope they take care of business, I'd hate to see them go down the tubes. Please keep us updated, but without an email and a gone scheuler, in
their condition now, doesn't look good, you may have to write this one off.

Thanks for the post, Irene. I don't know what else to do with this situation. I'm still shocked that they'd rather lose me as a shopper than pay me the $20. And they must know the bonus was promised - no one drives 40 miles round trip for a reimbursement-only pizza shop.

I did send NSS a link to this page. Does anyone else have any words of support or advice?

Based on what Irene said, they may be experiencing financial troubles. Sometimes I wish we could see quarterly financials for mystery shop companies.

Mantis, have you spoken only to employees or have you contacted

Matt Wozniak, President and CEO of National Shopping Service
(916) 577-1010

He provided that information when he posted here a few months ago as nss2510 . Perhaps you could PM him or call him.

Here's the link to Matt's posts:
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

It appears that one of their schedulers really screwed them. Promissing bonus to get their totals...I had a same smaller problem on 2 times; talked with the company, and was given the bonus. I like this company and they have always been fair so do what AustinMom said and call Matt Wozniak, Pres.

Mantis was in contact with National Shopping Service on several occasions in May regarding this inquiry. National Shopping Service has responded every time this shopper made contact in reference to this inquiry. Up until this post, we were under the impression that the inquiry was closed since we never received a response from Mantis since our last communication.
There were 2 assignments preformed. One assignment was negotiated with a bonus and that bonus was paid as promised and as advertised. The second assignment was not negotiated with a bonus and it was paid correctly.
Our intention is and always will be to pay all of our shoppers in a timely manner and in compliance with the fees agreed upon at the time the assignment was contracted. This is the reason why every time a shopper accepts an assignment from us, our system automatically sends a confirmation email to the shopper which includes all details about the assignment they confirmed, including the pay agreed upon.
We believe this inquiry has been thoroughly researched and all findings have been communicated back to this shopper. However, if further information is requested by this shopper we would be more than happy to look at this inquiry again. Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-800-2704. EXT 226.

The issue appears to have been resolved. I just had to get in touch with the right person. Thank you, Brandi. =)

And thanks to my supportive fellow shoppers. These seem like small issues, but the emotional impact is often otherwise.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2012 10:13PM by Mantis.

I just saw today they picked up a huge account, so, things look promising.

Good news, Mantis. I'm glad it was satisfactorily resolved.

I have had a similar situation happen twice. Luckily for me, it was a pizza delivery shop so I did not have mileage or really any inconvenience. The people I have worked with at NSS are SUPER friendly and a joy to work with, but their bonus offers never seem to come to fruition for me. While I do like pizza, I don't particularly like having a 1-topping pizza after having a really good pizza earlier in the week. I took the shop only because I like working with them. After the second promised bonus was not given, I doubt I will do shops for them again. My waistline thanks me.

I have come across this problem for the first time today. I got a call at my day job from a National Scheduler. I actually thought I had removed my work phone from all MS databases but guess I forgot this one. The scheduler wanted me to take a $10 shop that I didn't particularly want, and he promised $15. I agreed to do the shop for $15. I actually will be right down the street on Saturday. He said he would schedule me and send me a confirming e-mail. You guessed it. He immediately scheduled me but sent no confirming e-mail. I just sent an e-mail requesting confirmation of the shop at $15. If I get it tomorrow, I will do the shop Saturday as scheduled. If I do not receive the e-mail, I will cancel explaining why. Although these folks are, as amie068 noted, super friendly and a joy to work with, they may be losing shoppers due to a lack of coordination. I never perform a shop without written confirmation of the agreed amount, whether the amount is in the guidelines/instructions or whether (bonused) it is in an e-mail. That's just good business, just as the MSC will require a business card or a receipt to document my shop.

I have recently started to shop for them and have done several bonused shops. The bonus did not show on the job in my account. The first time I called and had them send an email to me about the bonus. I did get paid the bonus. I always keep a copy of an email with details until I get paid. Hopefully that will be enough proof if this happens to me or else I too will be gone from their shops.

The new account is a 10.00 reimbursement with no pay, I was told I'd get a 5.00 bonus......yawn. I don't need anything from this sporting Co., and don't want to make two trips. Surprised, Sandyf, I'm sure you did this shop, was it easy, I'm told it is.

Tha is why I always feel weird and snake-like...but I always ask any scheduler from any company to put the bonus in writing prior to me doing a shop. It is just easier that way instead of fighting it at the back end. I'm sorry for your troubles but glad they got resolved. NSS has always been good to me. I have shopped alot for NSS, I used to shop a ton with them when they had the frozen yummy shops and Ryan was always great.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/2012 01:19AM by Iguana.

After doing many, many shops for them I just got dropped because they said I was identified as a shopper. I did a Pizza shop for them, took the pictures, did the report, all was well then I get a very short e-mail saying I had been dientified and coulkd not shop this client any longer. I was identified because I did not give them a good report and I guess the pizza place put together the pictures and me. I guess if I had given them a glowing report I would still be working for them. I thought we were to be honest when doing these reports. Maybe honesty is not the best policy, haha. I only did their shops when they called me anyway because they only pay for the pizza unless they are in a bind and need help.

GAShopper, were you dropped by the company or were you only dropped from shopping the pizza client? It's common to be dropped from a client if they say they identified you. It happened to me, and I didn't feel the MSC was responsible. If the client wants you gone, you're gone. The MSC can't do much about that. I sympathize, and it's probably small comfort to know it's happened to a lot of us.

This is a Nasty Practice of promising you a bonus and disappearing with it..

I would not shop for this company until they 1) Pay you the bonus they promised and 2) Put it in writing.

Since the owner is watching and posting here...he should see that his "employees" are not doing a good job and replace the culprit. It's really NOT ok to have to beg for what you are promised...

They are one of my favorites, and I also think you were dropped from shopping that one company...you need to check first,
they have always been fair, answer all phone calls and will work with you. I have given reports (never did the pizza shop), but many upscale retail and really, feel your being unfair until you check it out.

Since my last post I have done several bonused shops for them and so far have gotten paid. They seem to be very nice to me.

I've always found the peeps at NSS to be easy to work with. Just like GAShopper, I was notified that I had been identified as a mystery shopper by one of the pizza clients, but NSS was really nice about it. They knew I felt kind of bad about it, and was surprised as well, so they made sure to let me know that this kind of "outing" happens a lot with this client. That turned things around on a positive note for me, and they have tried to steer other kinds of assignments my way frequently.

I always wonder why most of the pizza places don't realize we are shoppers due to the scenario we have to use. Most of the time there are specials that are cheaper and we can't order them. It's way too obvious so I wouldn't be surprised when the client drops us.

You said "pizza" so I had to sign up with them......

I have a soft spot in my heart for NSS. This was the first Mystery Shopping company I ever worked for. I have not done a shop for them in about 6 months (not because I had a problem) and I am sorry to hear about the bonus issues. I will have to think twice before I shop with them again.

I am a new shopper with nss. I love them. I had my pizza report dropped because the company is really picky about the pictures. So in the future I will not take those assignments. I love the grocery assignments because I get free groceries. YAY. I have not gotten paid yet but look forward to the check coming. This is a fun way to make much needed extra money.

Hmmmmm! My pictures were rejected, too. Not only that, but they never
returned my calls. They just say that the people are too busy. Not a very
professional outfit! Lucky I don't depend on them.

I, too, thought I was supposed to have been paid a bonus once, but when I went back and looked through my emails and documentation, I could not find supporting evidence. Now, I save every one of those opportunities in an email, or print the page from the web portal showing reimbursement, regardless of which company I shop for. Accidents happen, although based on feedback from others it might not be an accident.

I shop for this company and they provide amazing service and have great shops in our area. I am glad that I can perform these evaluations and when I have issues, I have someone to contact at NSS. Their scheduler assignments change from time to time, but if you call them and communicate with them, they are amazing.