Stay away from these companies. They are frauds. They require a lengthy shop, then bullshit you that the form "needs more information" but they refuse to tell you what is missing. That was Monterey.

Bestmark unilaterally withholds payment after the work was done and the form was sent. They are frauds. Never sign up with them.

Marketforce rejects the receipt upload over and over, and you have to stand on your head to submit it. It took me 12 weeks to get paid, and I had out of pocket costs. Never do it..NEVER

Blaka, welcome to the forum. Please start with our Member Introductions area and introduce yourself to us. We'd like to hear about you and about your mystery shopping experience so far.

Have you had any good experiences with mystery shopping? So far you have four posts and all four are negative. You don't like Monterey, Best Mark, or Market Force.

I've not had problems with any of these three companies.

Please share some of your good mystery shopping experiences.

NONE!!!!!! ALL SCAMS! I tried 3 companies and got scammed 3 times straight! It does not matter that you do the work, and submit everything perfectly! Marketforce rejected one shop because they didnt think I provided a detailed enough description about the moist quality of a hamburger bun. They wanted 100 characters written about a hamburger bun? What jerks! They purposely make it impossible to upload a receipt. It took me 12 weeks to get paid, standing on my head the whole time. Not worth it!

I already wrote about the horrors of Monterey and BestMark. Not any better.

Hi Blanka, I already responded to you here (http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/like_button/like.php?f=like&p=171185), however, I really don't think it's appropriate for you to be creating multiple threads with the same content.

You only need to comment on this issue in one general location. It makes it extremely difficult to communicate with you if it's done in several different ones at several different times.

Also-- it would behoove you to listen to the experience and advice of other shoppers on this board. Just because you think something is true, does not make it so. These companies are not scams and no amount of capslock and flail is going to make it so. =)

They may not be worth your time, but they are not fraudulent companies.

Yes they are frauds. When you enter into an agreement, do the work, and file the report perfectly, you should GET PAID. When you are sheisted out of $15.00 and the $4.00, and then $12.00, are you going to hire a lawyer and sue them?

I think not. These companies deserve to be bashed, because they are fakes and phonies, and in a regular job economy, no one would be signing up for any of these shops. Lets face it, I just put 4 hours of work into a shop, and it was rejected.

I will continue to bash the loser companies that take advantage of broke people looking for work.

I have done work and lots of it for these 3 MSC and have never had a problem. I they ask for more info then give it to them. I will cotinue to do work for thes MSC and will reap the rewards, but you telling everybody that these MSC are scammers is not right. If you have a problem get ahold of the General Manager or some one in a higher position than a scheduler and tell them the. problems they will help resolve the matter.

I have had problems with both monterey and bestmark, but I never did a shop for marketforce. I read what blanka wrote, and it seems like its the same old story with these companies. I never signed up for more shops with either of those companies. They are not upstanding, and that is what this forum is supposed to be for.

Good for blanka , getting the truth out to other prospective shoppers. I went through the same types of issues. I reported Monterey to the mystery shopping network, but I see they are up to the same old things.

You are more than welcome to discuss issues and provide information about what happened. People with experience may even be able to help you resolve the issue. What you should not be doing is using words such as fraud and scam. Those are strong accusations and could be considered libelous.

I needed to edit because I didn't want it to appear I was agreeing with the post directly above mine. blanka has not gotten the truth out to shoppers. She is simply angry and making accusations.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2012 10:45PM by LisaSTL.

Frauds and scams are exactly what they are, and those are the words I will use to describe them.

They should all be arrested.

Blanka - Please reconsider your attack on these companies. These companies are not scams and frauds. Most of us have done shops that don't meet guidelines and therefore we were not paid. It does not mean the companies are scams and frauds. It means we either misunderstood the guidelines, perhaps they were not well written, or we neglected part of the shop through error.

It would be good if you could cordially resolve your issues with these companies so that you have a better understanding of the mystery shopping process. Experienced shoppers are not interested in arguing with you. We are simply trying to explain and be helpful, and we hope you will be willing to consider another point of view.

We are familiar with these companies, and your assertion they are frauds and scams is unacceptable. Please consider that the vast majority of us speak well of these companies.

I have done over 300 shops with Market Force and never had a receipt rejected.

Invest in a new scanner and practice with it...

Frauds and scams will continue to be reported as frauds and scams. Your trying to shut me down will have the opposite effect. I will report these scams everywhere I can to warm potential shoppers not to waste their time, gas and money with companies who change the terms of their contract on a whim.

ON A WHIM!! When they see that your report is precisely perfect, 100% complete , and is missing nothing, they invent reasons to withold payment.

And that reason is NO REASON except that they are frauds and should be tossed into a paddy wagon and hauled off to jail.

It's sad when someone is unsuccessful at something and just can't accept that the problem is with him. Instead he must go online and call the companies "scams" and "warn" others about them. What he is really doing is letting everyone know that he tried to mystery shop with 3 very good companies (who many of us have successfully worked with for years) and he was not able to be successful with a single one of the three. Sad. Clearly mystery shopping is not for him. But many of the rest of us manage to make it work and we make money at it. Good luck in a different profession, blanka.

I am with balmka 100%. I already posted something on another thread trying to fish her out of everyone who is defending bestmark and monterey.

Best Mark and Monterey have so many shenanigans and ways not to pay people , that they have damaged their own reputations.

Give Blanka some credit for at least trying to get the truth out. I had really bad experiences with both Bestmark and Monterey...and Blaka has reasons to be annoyed. I am glad that I got a full time job last year, and I only do this once and again...for one legit company (and I wont say which one it is)

Let me ... see...

blanka's account information:
Member Since: 08/20/2012 03:36PM
Last Activity: 08/20/2012 05:06PM

davemlkk's account information:
Member Since: 08/20/2012 04:33PM
Last Activity: 08/20/2012 05:06PM

Hmm. =D

There is no reason to give him/her any credit whatsoever. He/she is not spreading any truth, just responding angrily to what happened rather than try to understand the situation. The attacks on the members of this forum are unnecessary and certainly nothing to be proud of.

How do you know your reports were perfect?

I mean that sincerely. How do you know?

When someone makes a mistake, that person usually does not realize that he/she is making a mistake. Otherwise, it won't be a mistake.

Instead of coming into a new (to you) forum and shouting (what's with the ALL CAPS and exclamation marks?) "frauds" and "scams" repeatedly and in multiple threads, you are likely to find a much more receptive audience if you tell us, calmly and with factual support, what happened with each company/report and why you feel those companies wronged you.

A competent mystery shopper is able to report facts in an objective manner.

Of course, what and how you post is entirely up to you. However, if you continue to post the same things and in the same manner, you may as well scream and shout in an empty cave or empty underground garage or anywhere else with a good echo and no one else around. There, like here probably, you will persuade no one you are right but at least the echos may make it feel like people are agreeing with you about the companies being frauds.

OK, I'm done with Blanka.

Time to put out the "Do not feed the troll" sign.

blanka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes they are frauds. When you enter into an
> agreement, do the work, and file the report
> perfectly, you should GET PAID. When you are
> sheisted out of $15.00 and the $4.00, and then
> $12.00, are you going to hire a lawyer and sue
> them?
>
> I think not. These companies deserve to be bashed,
> because they are fakes and phonies, and in a
> regular job economy, no one would be signing up
> for any of these shops. Lets face it, I just put 4
> hours of work into a shop, and it was rejected.
>
> I will continue to bash the loser companies that
> take advantage of broke people looking for work.


I am not here to bash or argue with you. But let me correct you.
"Broke people do not mystery shop." Mystery shopper are primarily shoppers whom are looking to supplement their income . We also know that some MSCs have a payout and the reimbursement factor. If we don't have the money (broke) we don't want to payout. Many of us, MS around our families, employment and other obligations.

"I just put 4 hours of work into a shop, and it was rejected." You did not spend enough time and effort into YOUR shop. If you are "new" to MS, 4 hour did not give you enough time to read the guidelines. Since it was rejected, you probabley missed an important part of the instruction, even if it was small ans simple. Some MSC are easier to work with and some are harder.



"and file the report perfectly", only YOU thought it was a "perfect report". Don't assume you know everything. The scheduler/editor is available for Q & A's, plus the FAQ section for any problem arising from the shop. (Even after the shop is reported or completed.)

In my eyes, I am as perfect as the next person, but in the eyes of the world----->I need adjustments.


If the said MSCs are not working for you, , then register with another. There are many listed at the bottem of this page. If you find that the others need bashing also, then the problem is not THEM, but you.

In a usenet group I used to frequent, there was a tradition of posting yummy recipes instead of feeding the trolls. There was no need for even a troll warning. One of the group veterans would simply change the subject header and feed the group instead of the troll.

[www.cooks.com]

1 salmon steak for each person

MUSTARD SAUCE:

4 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. dry mustard
3 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. white vinegar
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 sm. bunch fresh dill, chopped

Grill the salmon steaks on an outdoor grill. This improves the flavor, although a broiler works almost as well. To make the sauce, combine the mustards, sugar and vinegar in a bowl. Add the oil in a thin stream until the mixture is thick (I use a wire whisk). Stir in the dill. Refrigerate until ready to use. This sauce is also good with other mild tasting fish fillets and with cold chicken.

Lets take a look at the "Superstar" postings on this thread. They all seek to impugn my efforts to get the truth out about these SCAMS!!
First, I can read.

Second, I read all of the guiidelines ahead of time. Some require a receipt, some require a stopwatch, some require a business card, etc.

They all have very specific time requirements that must be adhered to. You must do the shop on the scheduled day (or days) and complete the entire report by midnight or within 24 hours of the shop. You must upload or fax or send your proof of purchase or proof that you were there.

You have to do certain things while there, and ask specific questions. You must take note of the service person, his/her age, hair style and dress.The questionaire has many details and check boxes, and some require a minimum number of characters to describe the interaction. You do all of this to perfection.

Now, having gone this far, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that non-paymnet is a SCAM done by FRAUDS, and the people who are on here defending the SCAM are the SCAMARTISTS themselves.

I will continue to post the truth about these horrific companies.

Sorry I don't have quantities.

Ingredients:
Asparagus
Roasted Red Pepper (jarred or make your own)
Orzo
Orange, Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar
Saffron

Drizzle asparagus with oil and roast in 400 degree oven or grill until tender. Cook orzo in boiling water with a pinch or two of saffron until al dente. Drain pasta. Cut asparagus into 1/2 in slices and chop some roasted red peppers. For the dressing mix together some olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and the juice and zest from an orange with salt and pepper to taste. Combine everything and either serve immediately or let chill. If you are lucky enough to have a Trader Joe's nearby, sub their Orange Muscat Champagne vinegar for the white balsamic.

My kingdom for an ignore button. =D

[website link removed]

Ingredients

6 tbsp halo-halo mixture, divided into 2 tbsp each
2 tbsp macapuno (preserved shredded young coconut)
2 tbsp kaong (palm nuts)
2 tbsp nata de coco (coconut gel)
2 tbsp fresh grated cantaloupe
Crushed or shaved ice
1/2 cup evaporated milk
vanilla ice cream (can also use mango)

Directions

In a tall glass, layer the first 5 ingredients. Cover with enough ice to fill the glass. Pour evaporated milk onto the ice. Top with a scoop of ice cream

I give it three years and all of these companies will be sour pickles, belly up (pork bellies) and defiantely, not as happy as clams!

Monterey, BestMark and Marketforce are all SCAMS

I have PM'd Jacob. Maybe he would like to post a recipe or two.

No doubt, he is an excellent chef and I'm looking forward to it.

BTW, Buzz, great idea. I ended up on the phone discussing a new project and got a late start prepping dinner. Thanks to your idea, I realized I had some leftover asparagus and could throw together my side dish quickly. You saved my dinner!

[www.copycatrecipeguide.com]

Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles Ingredients

Frying oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups pickle chips
Ranch dressing or horseradish sauce


Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles Recipe

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large deep pan until oil sizzles when a water drop is placed on top.

Combine flour, salt, pepper, sugar and cayenne pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to incorporate all the dry ingredients.

Drain the pickle chips to remove excess water. The pickles do not need to be completely dry as some moisture is needed for the battering process.

Toss a portion of the pickle chips in the seasoned flour mixture until the pickle chips are well-coated with the flour.

Transfer the pickle chips to a wire strainer. Shake to remove excess flour from the pickle chips.

Carefully place the pickle chips in the hot oil. Cook for three to four minutes, or until the pickles float to the surface.

Remove from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towel to drain. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.

You're welcome, Lisa. The credit belongs to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes. Have a great dinner.