I did a casino for this outfit.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2012 05:24PM by AZERNIE.

i've done work for them in the past and have never had problems. If you dont like the shop and the reporting requirements, dont take it.

Really? Then why, when I've done these same shops, on the same shift (and other shifts) have I had TWO DAYS to submit your report??

I'm sorry you feel you were "outed" for posting incorrect information by these "bums" as you referred to them - but:

1. Last October I completely forgot about a phone shop. Naturally, I got a flake citation. My fault, my problem.

2. In March, I hesitantly asked if they would consider assigning me one of these. They did and gave me a second chance. I was polite when I asked.

My first shop for them was 2nd shift. DH and I got home at 11PM on Saturday night. I did not even START on my report until 7AM on MONDAY morning. (had a full day of other shops on Sunday, and I needed the day to mull over the information on the casino survey, get my timings right, go thru the texts DH sent me, etc.) My report took me from 7AM until 5PM - yes, 10 hours to write it out.

I had a multitude of revisions - and the Editor sent my report back for clarification.

I POLITELY asked her what needed to be corrected and for clarification on all of her questions on the report so that I would have it completed the right way - the way the client would like it done.

I ended up with a 9 on that report.

3. Two months later I did a 3rd shift shop. Over 1/3 of the required interactions were closed when DH and I arrived. Again, I did not submit my report until the 2nd day after I did the shop. I had 48 hours to submit it. Again, I had multiple revisions. (to top it off, my domain expired - which is what my email address is connected to, so I did not receive emails regarding necessary revisions!)

BOTH times Kylie and the Editors were wonderful to work with. They all answered my questions regarding the survey, helped me to correct errors - AND, I got paid within 30 days for everything, including full reimbursement after I sent in my invoice.

I treated them with respect and was pleasant, and they treated me the same way.

I'm not quite able to self-assign the casinos yet, due to the "1" I got last October; so I have to request them. But, Service Sleuth has been a very nice company to work with - just like all of the others when you treat them with respect, they do the same.

If you were 300 miles away - why on EARTH did you sign up for one of these shops?

And, why in heavens name would you just "plug in numbers" to show that you were working on the survey? If nothing else, go back through and just do names, descriptions and the yes/no radio buttons and leave the narratives for the next day. *You* knew you had a time limit to submit the surveys - it's neither Kylie's nor Service Sleuth's problem if we take a job and then don't submit the survey in the timeline.




AZERNIE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did a casino for this outfit. It was a third
> shift, 12PM to 8AM on a Sunday, and a 300 mile
> drive. They fine you for not submitting within
> their schedule, so I stayed up after an all night
> shop, mocked up a report just to get something in
> on time. Naturally it came back, so as I was
> editing it, Kylee Ostler Client Support Manager,
> asked why the big changes in times, which was
> because I had just plugged in numbers, intending
> to edit the report when I woke up. She shut me
> down, said not to contact them as she would not
> reply. They put me out of over $300.00 not
> including the cost of the 300 mile drive. I
> emailed them before the jo9b telling them I was
> reluctant to do it, they did not answer, so I did
> it anyway.
> I suggest to anyone NOT TO WORK FOR SERVICE
> SLEUTH. Their are so many good, honest companies
> that pay for your work, and help with edits, if
> needed, not these bums!

Azernie, you sound very upset and I'm sorry that you lost payment. Since you were reluctant to do the shop, it's too bad you didn't listen to your instincts and not do it. You said that you "mocked up a report just to get something in on time." Not a good idea to do that, but I would particularly not mock up a report just to get something in if I had a large amount of money (to me $300 is a very large amount of money) at stake. When you responded to the support manager that you had "just plugged in numbers" and that was the reason for large differences in times, I'm sure it suggested to her that the report was not completely ethical so she pulled the plug. In her place, I would have wondered if your times were plugged in and were inaccurate how much of the rest of your report was actually accurate. I would have responded in the same way she did. Although I am a shopper (have never worked for an MSC as an editor/scheduler/etc) and I tend to lean toward the shopper viewpoint, no shopper is entitled to be paid for simply performing a shop. The shop must be done according to the guidelines and requirements and there are strict standards when writing the report. Accuracy and honesty are at the top of the list of standards.

I've worked for Service Sleuth for several years and had no difficulty. I find them available and easy to work with. There are no nearby casinos so I haven't been fortunate enough to do a casino shop, although I would love to. I recommend Service Sleuth to anyone looking for an honest, ethical company that pays its shoppers.

Austin, in my 6 years I have been able to work with the editors to fix whatever they have found, except this one. A Sunday shop,ended on Tuesday with do not contact.
She is either lazy or vindictive, maybe both.

If I were the editor and asked about a large change in times on a report and got the response that the times had just been plugged in, I would have had no faith in the accuracy of the entire report. Ethically, I would not have been comfortable forwarding the report to my client. I'm sure you would certainly have filed an honest and accurate report, but the indication was that there was reason for the company to be unsure about the aacuracy and they appear to have acted in what they believe was their client's best interest by stopping the report and having the location re-shopped by another shopper.

I'm sorry but it sounds like you did it to yourself. Your report should have been done correctly the first time. You can't expect to come back and "fix" it later.

You deserved to be out the money, you didn't do it right the first time around. They have deadlines and schedules. They also expect quality work the first time you hit the submit button.

I've completed 156 assignments for this MSC over a 6 yr. period and am pleased with our relationship. I completely disagree with the original poster and recommend this company to any shopper seeking a business that pays when stated and isn't a bottom fisher with fees.

This company was among the original 5 that I signed up with almost 6 years ago, and since that time, I've never had an issue with them. I've even done shops for them overseas. If I had questions, I would email the scheduler that was on the link in the shop guidelines.

Your circumstances are obviously unfortunate, yet I can't say that this company is terrible.

Always better to be late then make stuff up. Another way to go is to at least begin the report and then post to the scheduler that you need some sleep and will get it in ASAP. Always works for me when necessary. They do not want to have to reassign the shop if they can avoid it.

Never had a problem with this msc. the original poster should not have taken the job knowing the long drive and deadline. Why would it be alright to send in a mocked up report for the editor to work on and expect to fix it later? That's not professional or ethical.

I've never had problems with Service Sleuth. All companies have deadlines, you have to know what you're getting into.

What on earth does "Plugged in" mean, report times and do it right,what do you expect? I just today got email with a 10 and a thank you for an oil change well done. They are a fair company, why blame them when you say you couldn't
get report done....please!!

I have done 3 of these casino shops. Each one has had a 48 hour reporting window. First off, 48 hours should be PLENTY of time to get a report in. One of them, however, took me just over 60 hours to get in. (It was a 3rd shift, and I was thinking 2 days plus the "day" I did it, and was busy on the fire department).

I didn't even get an email questioning, and still got a 9/10. I've also had to request a bit of extra time on different types of shops from them, all with no problems. Again, like others say, this is a fine company to work for.

I'm going to end this 'conversation' by saying I was poorly prepared, not instructed what to do with so many tasks unable to be performed (closed venues), and lack of time to complete the report. So from here on, you are talking among yourselves.

Personally, I really appreciate it when a poster let's us know they no longer have any interest in our advice or input. It saves everyone a lot of time.

I agree with Lisa.

I've never had a problem with Service Sleuth, though they typically don't have to many opportunities in my area. I wish they did the casinos near me!

Let it be a warning to shoppers not to do a shop when they are "poorly prepared." And if that happens and you did not get paid, do not go on a forum and bad mouth the msc, please!

Sometimes I feel like this forum is the Dr. Laura show. You know how people would call in and say the most bizarre things and she would just lay into them about how stupid they were. It leaves you thinking, has this person ever listened to the show before? Because if they had, they never would have called into the show.

I think the OP fails to understand that submitting his report is the same thing as telling his employer that he has finished the job to the best of his ability. The OP seems to think that it's okay for the editor to waste her time editing the report then send the report back to the shopper to fix. OP, that's not how it works. Once you hit the submit button, you have told the person paying you for the job that you have met the job requirement to their specifications to the best of your ability.

Jamiesan, you have put up several posts today posting as an editor. Are you a shopper also? When posting comments as an editor, it would be appreciated if you would identify the company you edit for.

I don't know if Jamiesan's an editor as I don't read here with regularity but the information posted is common sense. I knew that long before I was ever an editor. If I submitted a shop as completed, I didn't expect to be able to have the editors send it back for me to fix. I'd have submitted it late but with the correct information and hoped for the best if I was in that situation. Common sense.

I asked Jamiesan to post the company she works for in her signature when she posts as an editor because she posted in the "OK" thread, saying that, as an editor she must removed "OK" and substitute "okay" and so she asked that shoppers not use OK. I asked that when she posts as an editor she let us know her title and her company. I think it's only fair to ask her as other MSC employees are asked to do so.

It is common sense that when a shopper report is submitted, the editor begins to work on it. To knowingly submit a report wrong so that you will be able to fix it when the editor returns it after working on it (and then expect the editor to work on it again after you fix it) is appalling. The OP wrote that she has done this for SIX YEARS. I'm amazed that she was allowed to get away with this for that long. How much double- and triple-work might her editors have been doing? And when one editor refused to allow it, the OP branded her "either lazy or vindictive, maybe both." Go figure.

Your second paragraph is great. Thank you for posting.

Regarding "I think it's only fair to ask her as other MSC employees are asked to do so," I'm not an employee. I'm an IC.

My two cents:

I don't care if Jamiesan's status as an editor is that of an employee or an independent contractor.

If Jamieson posts something as an editor, I look at the substance of the post and disregard the claim of Jamieson being/having been an editor because there is no proof for or against that claim (AFAIK).

If Jamieson posts something as an editor and posits that something is against the rules of one of his/her MSC clients, then I expect Jamieson to be specific and identify that MSC. If he/she refuses, that is his/her right. However, if he/she repeatedly does that, it is not only suspicious but also annoying. He/she still has the right to do that, and people like me have the right to discount his/her posts because we have our doubts.

Just because I want Jamieson to be more open does not mean he/she should or must do so. We are both just posters/readers here. Unless Jacob has a rule about this situation, I say, "Post in peace."

BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My two cents:
>
> I don't care if Jamiesan's status as an editor is
> that of an employee or an independent contractor.
>
>
> If Jamieson posts something as an editor, I look
> at the substance of the post

That's probably the best thing you can do. Take away what you want and leave the rest.


> and disregard the
> claim of Jamieson being/having been an editor
> because there is no proof for or against that
> claim (AFAIK).

Why would I need to prove that I'm an editor? Why does it matter? Even if I name the company, you still can't prove it, can you?

Besides, I have stated in my intro and in another post why I am not naming the company I work for.

I also cannot prove that I am a shopper or that I have gold certification. Many on this forum can't prove what they say. Such is the Internet.

> If Jamieson posts something as an editor and
> posits that something is against the rules of one
> of his/her MSC clients, then I expect Jamieson to
> be specific and identify that MSC.

I mention mainly what we editors must change, per the MSP, not the client (rarely the client). Some of these changes are required, and some are just preferred. I want to make my bosses happy, so I usually comply with their preferences.


> If he/she
> refuses, that is his/her right. However, if
> he/she repeatedly does that, it is not only
> suspicious but also annoying. He/she still has
> the right to do that, and people like me have the
> right to discount his/her posts because we have
> our doubts.

I can live with your doubts and suspicions and discounting my posts. None of us can please everyone. Such is life. Some forum members might be interested in what I have to say.

Please keep in mind that asking me to state my MSP is like asking everyone else to use their real names. (For those of you who don't mind using your real names, I guess this doesn't apply to you, but are you sure that you would want all of your MSPs to see everything you post?)

As I posted in my intro and on another post, I am female.


> Just because I want Jamieson to be more open does
> not mean he/she should or must do so. We are both
> just posters/readers here. Unless Jacob has a
> rule about this situation, I say, "Post in peace."


Thank you. I will continue to post in peace.

Namaste.

Jamiesan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > My two cents:
> >
> > I don't care if Jamiesan's status as an editor
> is
> > that of an employee or an independent
> contractor.
> >
> >
> > If Jamieson posts something as an editor, I
> look
> > at the substance of the post
>
> That's probably the best thing you can do. Take
> away what you want and leave the rest.
>
>
> > and disregard the
> > claim of Jamieson being/having been an editor
> > because there is no proof for or against that
> > claim (AFAIK).
>
> Why would I need to prove that I'm an editor? Why
> does it matter? Even if I name the company, you
> still can't prove it, can you?
>

You don't need to prove that you're an editor, just as you don't need to keep saying you are an editor. =)

If you name the company, some of us who work for that MSC or have contacts at that MSC may be able to figure out if you are indeed an editor for that MSC.

> Besides, I have stated in my intro and in another
> post why I am not naming the company I work for.
>
> I also cannot prove that I am a shopper or that I
> have gold certification. Many on this forum can't
> prove what they say. Such is the Internet.
>

True to a certain extent. However, as far as I can see, you are the only poster who keeps bringing up that she is an editor when it doesn't seem to be necessary. Why?

I actually agree with many of your posts on grammar, etc. I just don't understand what's the purpose of saying you are an editor in some of your posts unless you are employing argument from authority. If that is the purpose, then it is important for you to establish that you are indeed an editor and thus an authority whose opinion has more weight than that of "just" a shopper.

> > If Jamieson posts something as an editor and
> > posits that something is against the rules of
> one
> > of his/her MSC clients, then I expect Jamieson
> to
> > be specific and identify that MSC.
>
> I mention mainly what we editors must change, per
> the MSP, not the client (rarely the client). Some
> of these changes are required, and some are just
> preferred. I want to make my bosses happy, so I
> usually comply with their preferences.
>

No, I was not talking about the end-client. If you are an independent editor, the MSCs are your clients.

>
> > If he/she
> > refuses, that is his/her right. However, if
> > he/she repeatedly does that, it is not only
> > suspicious but also annoying. He/she still has
> > the right to do that, and people like me have
> the
> > right to discount his/her posts because we have
> > our doubts.
>
> I can live with your doubts and suspicions and
> discounting my posts. None of us can please
> everyone. Such is life. Some forum members might
> be interested in what I have to say.
>

I am one of the forum members who are interested in what you have to say. As I said, I agree with many of your posts. I just don't understand why you keep bringing up you are an editor.

> Please keep in mind that asking me to state my MSP
> is like asking everyone else to use their real
> names. (For those of you who don't mind using your
> real names, I guess this doesn't apply to you, but
> are you sure that you would want all of your MSPs
> to see everything you post?)
>

Mmmm, I don't see the two as being too similar but I can see your point.

> As I posted in my intro and on another post, I am
> female.
>

My apologies. I missed that. I was using his/her because I did not want to assume. I do remember, though, that you posted once that you did not see every post where someone asked you to name the MSCs you worked for and that you should not be expected to read every post. The same principle applies here. I haven't read all your posts.

>
> > Just because I want Jamieson to be more open
> does
> > not mean he/she should or must do so. We are
> both
> > just posters/readers here. Unless Jacob has a
> > rule about this situation, I say, "Post in
> peace."
>
>
> Thank you. I will continue to post in peace.
>
> Namaste.

Namaste.

BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> You don't need to prove that you're an editor,
> just as you don't need to keep saying you are an
> editor. =)

I have received complaints for NOT saying that I'm an editor. That's why. (I can't please everyone at once [shrug].)

> True to a certain extent. However, as far as I
> can see, you are the only poster who keeps
> bringing up that she is an editor when it doesn't
> seem to be necessary. Why?


Ditto my above comment.


> I actually agree with many of your posts on
> grammar, etc. I just don't understand what's the
> purpose of saying you are an editor in some of
> your posts unless you are employing argument from
> authority. If that is the purpose, then it is
> important for you to establish that you are indeed
> an editor and thus an authority whose opinion has
> more weight than that of "just" a shopper.


Well, maybe you can just think of me as someone who knows good grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.


> I am one of the forum members who are interested
> in what you have to say.


Thank you. I appreciate it.

>As I said, I agree with
> many of your posts. I just don't understand why
> you keep bringing up you are an editor.

Again, I have received complaints for NOT saying that I'm an editor, so I have said it on almost every post since I was chastised. I also have since put it into a signature, so I don't have to say it.

Jamison asked the following question:

.....are you sure that you would want all of your MSPs to see everything you post?

BOB'S reply: If I'm not willing to place my name upon what I've stated, I've no business posting; I do, though, respect that others may wish anonymity.