I've made over $3k from these three companies, just this year. The only time I wasn't paid is when I made an unrecoverable error, such as missing a deadline. Usually when I make a mistake I'm given a chance to correct it.

I have worked for all three of those companies, most lately with Bestmark and Monterrey. They have all performed well for me.

Not one shop of mine has ever been turned down by any of these companies, even when I first began shopping and didn't know fully what I was doing. I have never had a problem with any of them and have been paid. I will always take shops by these companies.

Bestmark has paid me on a very consistent everytwo week basis. I have never had a problem with them. BestMark will tell me the information I am missing and sometimes will not deduct pay if you get them the information within a specified time.

I enter all Market Force Pictures and receipts using FireFox. I have never had a problem doing it that way. The only drawback is I find that the reports are better entered on Explorer. Be careful if you use both. Do the receipts 1st on FireFox and then the reports on Explorer otherwies you will not be able to upload the receipts. When I make the mistake, I now have an e-mail address to send receipts and pictures to. Just ask and they will give it to you.

I've done lots of shops for BestMark. Some of the shops can be aggravating, like the electronics shops, so they were one and dones. But I still do wing and fish shops, and haven't had to pay for an oil change in ages! I have never had a shop refused and payment has never been reduced.

I've done hundreds of shops for MF. One was rejected because I went to the wrong location (2 of the carhop shops on the same street, and I got my street numbers mixed up), and a chicken shop reduced by $2 (but not rejected) for something they didn't like. I disagreed with their decision, but learned my lesson on how THEY wanted the shop done. Otherwise, I have been paid in a timely manner for my shops.

As for the receipt issue, if you bothered to read the messages to shoppers, MF has a software problem with uploading receipts and photos. They are still working the issue, and recently uploaded some photos for me. Why aren't you using the time to standing on your head to write the Help Desk?

There all good companies.

I have to agree but I did not do well with BestMark but this does not mean it is not a good company. I screw up by doing to manyshop in a day.. May be i made mistakes, oh well it is my problem no ones elses.. other shoppers who shops with these companies are doing well, so I am not going to bad mouth any company .. They are very nice and if I corrected them with a mistake and it true they will understand,....

Wow~

Blanka, these three company's are my main extra bread and butter. They have afforded me the opportunity to earn an extra income and pay for children's school clothes and supplies. They are not scams in anyway shape or form. They expect the reports in a certain way and they have that right.

I think you just have a horrible taste in your mouth. Never once in over 60 shops each, have I ever not been paid. I have been asked to clairify situatons and I was more than happy to do so. That is my job, it is also my responsibility as an IC to do so.

I take pride in my work. I try to learn from not only this forum, but from my mistakes as well. Maybe you should also.

I have shopped with Bestmark and Marketforce for some time. I have never had issues with either company.

I only work for Best Mark and Marketforce and have never had a problem. At the beginning I didn't even know how to scan or upload a picture. My daughter helped me and these companies were very patient. I do love the recipes.

I only work for Best Mark and Marketforce and have never had a problem. At the beginning I didn't even know how to scan or upload a picture. My daughter helped me and these companies were very patient. I do love the recipes.

Looks like OP has left the building.

I'm not sure y'all took the right strategy with this troll. I would have agreed, told them that pretty much every company is a scam except for perhaps Franchise Compliance.

I would discourage anyone from being a Mystery Shopper. Especially if they're a troll. Especially if they live near me and might steal my delicious burger shops!

Adios blanka!

I have worked for all three and not had problems.

Hey, I have been with Bestmark for about 10 years and have done maybe 75-100 shops over the years. I have always gotten paid. I have been with Monterey for about 5 years, maybe only done about 10 shops, but again, I have always gotten paid. Marketforce I have done about 250 shops for, and again, I always gotten paid.

I don't know what your problem was, but you must not have followed instructions properly. I see that none of the other seasoned shoppers have problems with these companies. Maybe you should try attending some of the MSPA conferences and gain some experience, the problem is not with the companies, I assure you.

I have completed nearly 2500 shops in the past 13 years. I have had some problems in the past with a few companies, but about 99% of the time it was my own fault if I didn't get paid.

My dad always said that part of being an adult is taking responsibility for one's own actions instead of laying blame with others.


blanka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 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

Ripe avocados (buy them hard and let them ripen in the windowsill), fresh cilantro washed and chopped, red onion, fresh garlic, lime juice, salt and pepper.

robinhardage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I will write full narratives for anyone that can
> give me a fabulous guarcamole recipe!!

I have not seen temper tantrums in some time. But it does match the current political climate. I mean, we just cannot let facts get in the way. A tantrum feels so much better.
I know, I am only only page 1 of 4. I cannot imagine page 4 much better, except for these great recipes!

Hey Blanka

Kudos to you for warning the rest of us about some of this companies. I notice a pattern in this forum everytime someone posts a negative post about a company there are always those who come out in its defence what they forget is that the MSC is in it to make money. It has to stiff some shoppers to pay others just like borrowing from peter to pay paul. It is the state of the economy and the fact is a mystery shopper is lower than a barn-yard dog. You have no rights.If and when a conflict of interest does arise between you and the msc you WILL BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG ALL THE TIME.Learn from your mistakes . The MSC is paid by the client and they have no incentive to take your side . Furthermore you are replaceable faster than a house fly reproduces. Learn your position in the totem pole humble yourself, sharpen your skills and be selective in the shops you take. When an MSC is desparate hike up the fee and celebrate because 90% of the time you will be working for less than minimum wage so when the sun shines make as much hay as possible. You will get scammed many a time in this industry but it is the economy the msc has to kiss the client's ass and if they do not get paid that applies to you too. Do not get angry get even.Juggle the msc's in the same way they juggle you. The more companies you sign up with the less it will hurt when you get stiffed . Do not put all your eggs in one basket and remember this industry is laden with sharks there are others who will discourage you because they know you are their competition.There are bad companies out there and congrats for speaking up.

I am relatively new to posting in this forum. I have spent a very long time over the past several years reading posts so that I could become more aware of the aspects within the MS field. The only defense I see is when people actually have firsthand experience with the companies that one shopper has an issue with.
I have seen many of posts about MS companies that truly are very questionable and the forum has supported that and not “bashed” the shopper. Anyone who MS knows that you are not going to get rich, you do however need to take pride in your work, follow directions and if need be, ask questions to obtain the clarification you need.
I am an IC that shops for these companies. I, like many others, have personal experience with them and not from an employment point of view, but from a professional IC point of view.
It is my opinion and not necessarily the opinion of others here, that If Blanka/Dave feels that MS is such a scam, then they-she-him-it, should find some other part time work to do. The comments are not conducive to a positive work environment nor are they posed in such a manner that they would be helpful to a new shopper that actually can/does make money from these companies.

I never had a problem with Monterey or Best Mark. Marketforce likes to let people go without a reason. That is not right. But you go on.

Twelve weeks to get a receipt thru to Marketforce? I don't think so. They are one of the few companies that allow you to mail it in, so calm down, Blanka

Beware, if you post anything negative about MSC's the so called superstar members will be on you like a duck on a June bug. The are here to defend the MSC's. Take anything you read on here with a grain of salt. These are just opinions. Like they say everybody has one even me. Ha!

jimntx3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Beware, if you post anything negative about MSC's
> the so called superstar members will be on you
> like a duck on a June bug. The are here to defend
> the MSC's. Take anything you read on here with a
> grain of salt. These are just opinions. Like
> they say everybody has one even me. Ha!


So because I have posted XX number of times, my experience and knowledge mean nothing, and I am incapable of original thought?

Thanks for the insult.

Why would you come here if you don't trust was experienced shoppers have to say?

I've shopped all three, Monterey only once but Bestmark and Marketforce quite a few. Never had any problems but they were all at the beginning of this year. I may take other assignments but will be watchful and report back if I have any experiences such as Blanca has had. Sometimes a heads up on companies that start going nuts,is helpful.

Dear Jimntx3 - You are mistaken. I am here because:

(1) I want to learn everything possible about mystery shopping, and I find good information here.

(2) I want to have fun, and I do.

(3) I want to do something kind every day for someone else, and sometimes I get an opportunity to do that here.

(4) I want to be part of a work community, and since I work alone I find that community on line.

Here is my program:

Maintain order.
Practice tranquility.
Be kind and caring.
Support friends and family.

What is your program, Jim. What are you doing? What is your purpose?

Would you like to be friends? You can choose to have friends, or you can choose to not have friends. We all choose, Jim, and we all live in the place we make for ourselves.

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Jimntx3 - You are mistaken. I am here
> because:
>
> (1) I want to learn everything possible about
> mystery shopping, and I find good information
> here.
>
> (2) I want to have fun, and I do.
>
> (3) I want to do something kind every day for
> someone else, and sometimes I get an opportunity
> to do that here.
>
> (4) I want to be part of a work community, and
> since I work alone I find that community on line.
>
> Here is my program:
>
> Maintain order.
> Practice tranquility.
> Be kind and caring.
> Support friends and family.
>
> What is your program, Jim. What are you doing?
> What is your purpose?
>
> Would you like to be friends? You can choose to
> have friends, or you can choose to not have
> friends. We all choose, Jim, and we all live in
> the place we make for ourselves.

The "LIKE" button is not strong enough for this one. Bravo, Mary! Can we make part of this a forum motto?

Monteray and BestMark paid me faster than many of the other companies did. Unforturnetly for me, I had to cancel many of my Bestmark shops and they fired me! I can't really blame them but I miss them.

Hmmmm. . . I new to this posting game, but I'm a fairly new mystery shopper (so far, Market Force only, and that since October of last year. Since that time I have gradually risen from a confused beginner learning the ropes to a - in my opinion - relatively seasoned shopper with about 550 shops under his belt. I was only paid (in my opinion at the time) late twice, because I was not smart enough to go the direct deposit route at first, but since that time have been paid on the 12th or 13th of the month regularly as clockwork with never a single mistake on amounts. I get calls from my case schedulers regularly offering me premium shops, and if I point out that the distance is too high, they always sweeten the job with extra money and shops to make it worth my while. I have only been treated unfairly once, my very first shop, because a store challenged that I had even been there. I received an apology after I demanded it. It did not hurt that I was able to describe all on-duty personnel in detail and frequently by name.

I'm a retired military officer and a retired executive. I do this not only for fun (great fun, some of the better restaurants), but also to supplement my pension to the tune of now $1250 to $1500 a month, as well as the biggest draw, being able to write off the entire price of the car. I'm still intrigued that in addition to tons of burgers in a great chain, I also get ordered to drink alcoholic beverages and get paid for it.

It takes a while to know what you are doing. I now shop five times a day (which they let you do when you're experienced), and my schedulers help me maximize my work load while minimizing the time. For example, lunch at a well known bread and pastry specialist chain, followed by 3 stores belonging to one parent company in a single mall, followed by a well known burger chain for dinner, or, less common but I've done ten of them, an expensive restaurant chain with a $70 reimburseable. I don't make minimum wage anywhere for the hours I put into it. I do set up my routes and my scripts by computer and smart phine it all to me. I photodocument a lot, from meals eaten to burned out lights and clothing sales tags, and especially anything negative. I rarely need the backup. And it works. It works really well. I'm a new father of a one year old, who accompanies me frequently. Talk about an icebreaker with young sales girls! I always get their names while they're flirting with my little son, and none of them ever wonder why I'm checking out young women's clothing.

I too would like to make more, but in every job I've ever had I had to pay my dues. I fully expect to be doing better next year.

Sometimes I think back to my days as a commander, and I have to remember that not everyone has enjoyed that experience. To Blanca ((and her Doppelgaenger) I really have to say: Careful out there! The head you extricate from someone's ass may be your own. Remember to always - without exception - treat people, especially an employer, the same way you expect and demand to be treated.

With Market Force since October last year and shopping the MidAtlantic states,

Werner Saemmler-Hindrichs

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2012 02:46AM by wernerhindrichs.

Great post. Thank you for your service.

i think marketforce is a great company to work for. if you do the project per the instructions you get paid. if you do not do it right they reject it. what is all the flap about. they pay quickly and i have NEVER had a problem with them. i shop or merchandise for them at least twice a week for the past 5 years.

I think it is interesting what has been said about MF and the "soggy bun". I have done approximately 25 shops of the unwritten fast food company for MF and have never had any trouble being paid when I answer the questions, give explanations about food that does not meet their standards and scan the receipts. The instructions are very clear that you will need to explain negative comments.

I suggest you give MF and the fast food company another try. Read the instructions and be objective. Remember, they are paying us to provide information about what we observe. It is always better to explain in detail the negative coments than to gloss over the information. I can attest that MF is not a SCAM.