Hi all,

My September jobs hadn't been paid by the end of October, and I thought they paid 60 days after doing the work. I could have *sworn* I read that somewhere ~ that, as an example, jobs completed in September would be paid by the end of November.

So, I went to their website (not the Sassie one, but the company one) and find this:
"Compensation checks are released with a one month delay. For example, shops completed in October will be paid the end of November. "

It further says to email Ann if there has been a delay or other problem with your payment. So I did, mentioning my October jobs as well. She emails right back, and says she will take care of it immediately. But, she says she's sending a check. I mention PayPal, as I live down the street from a middle school, and in a neighborhood that's had mail-box theft before. She says my payment is too big for PayPal. (I had a few really well-bonused jobs.)

Is there such a thing as a payment being too big for PayPal? We're talking a payment of $242. I've received single PayPal payments of over $100 from other MSC's. Other times, a larger payment from an MSC has been split up into a couple of payments.

(I have all my pay from MSC's set to Direct Deposit or PayPal, except there are a couple of MSC's for which I do very little work who still send checks for whatever reason ~ but usually fairly small ones.)

Anyway, Ann emailed me that the check was mailed on December 4th, and my Shop Log on their Sassie site reflects payment for those jobs on that date. As you might guess, since I'm posting here, I haven't received the check yet ~ and I've been checking my mailbox religiously, shortly after when I know the mail is usually delivered.

Looking on their website again, it says their mailing address is Los Gatos, California. A reverse search on their phone number says Mountain View, California (about 14 miles from Los Gatos.) I am in northwest Oregon. Depending on when on the 4th it was mailed, that's been six or seven mail days now. It shouldn't take *that* long for mail to go that distance.

I have emailed Ann again, just today, with my concerns. I will see what she says.

My previous experience with JMRidgway is:
1. My first job with them, done in early October 2011, was paid in early December 2011.
2. A couple of jobs done in December 2011 & January 2012 weren't paid until May of 2012. And that was after a
reminder email. I had *totally* forgotten about this payment being due, because it wasn't very big, and I had just
been through the heart-wrenching loss of two beloved pets. But it was sent right away after I emailed them.
3. A job done in late July 2012 was paid in early October 2012.
4. All previous jobs had been paid via PayPal.

So, since I had always been paid, accurately, if a little late, I took some really nicely bonused (and fairly easy) jobs for them in September and October. I truly thought that the pay cycle was 60 days, so wasn't really worried until the end of November went by. Now I'm a little worried.

What do you all think? If I get told that I will be responsible for a "stop payment" order on the check, in case of loss or theft, I will blow a gasket. >: (

If you have used the search function and searched for Ridgway for "all dates" and read all the discussion - also search Ridgeway, I've seen it spelled both ways - then you now know that for several years they have not paid until you call or e-mail Ann. This is nothing new. A couple of recent posters have said that within the last couple of months they received their money without asking for it. (Woohoo...) I worked for them 3 times with the same result all 3 times - I had to come back and ask. Since I feel that I earned the money by performing the shop and writing the report, I don't work for companies that make me "earn" my money again by begging for it. I have not taken shops with them since then. If they improve, I might again apply for shops.

I've received much larger payments into PayPal without a problem. I also understand your concern with checks. Mailbox theft is extremely prevalent this time of year.

I'm another person waiting for a payment from JMRidgway. I've had the same experiences (having to email to receive a payment after several months). This time I am waiting for payment on September shops and Ann has ignored my previous emails on them. To all of you reading this, you might want to think twice before doing work for them. I am hoping their clients also become aware of this problem and perhaps choose another MSC to do shops for them.

Eight days and counting... IF the check was mailed on the 5th as Ann says, and it was cut the 4th.

Isn't JMRidgway located in California? Is that correct?

Could the holiday mail load be messing things up?

I emailed Ann again today to let her know it STILL isn't here. I plan on mailing her every mail day it doesn't show up, and then, of course, when it does. Which it hopefully will!

Also, does anyone know about my other original question? Is their pay timeframe 30 or 60 days? Because I could've sworn I'd read 60 when I signed up and when I was tracking payments from them before. Which is why I wasn't worried about my September payment until November came & went. But when I checked their website this time, it says 30 days. I don't care if it's 60, as long as they actually pay in 60. But I really need to know. Actually, I think I have a right to know! I asked Ann in my initial email, and didn't get a response to that. So I've asked again in today's email.

Their payment terms with their Shopper Overview on their website. Link to Shopper Overview:

[www.jmridgway.com]


Each of their shop guidelines provides a link to the Shopper Overview.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/2012 01:04AM by AustinMom.

I haven't received payment for my September shops - heck, I'd kind of mentally written them off until January.

I will send Ann an email right now, as I am wont to do, thanking her in advance for the payment.

If it helps, I have two thoughts on this matter:

1. Ann has one of the worst, suckiest, horrible, no-good (to paraphrase Junie B. Jones) jobs in MS history, and

2. We will eventually get paid.

I agree with the point that Ann's gotta have one of the worst, suckiest, most horrible, no-good jobs in the MS universe.

I have always been paid in the past, I'm just worried about the "check is in the mail" thing this time, rather than PayPal. I believed Ann when she said it was put in the mail... but after this long, shouldn't it be here? There's a reason I don't like being paid via checks in the mail!

And does anyone know the PayPal policy about size of payments sent? Which was the reasoning behind sending me a check this time when I've been paid (from Ridgway) by PayPal before? I will go check out their site later.

As far as "poor Ann" sentiments go, it has been my experience that companies who practice this sort of thing and the employees who take on the job grow extremely thick skins. This is a game to them - holding and perhaps drawing interest on the money they legitimately owe to others. Exposure of their shoddy practices is at least one tool and that is why this kind of forum is valuable.

StormCloud,

Did you get your check yet?

No, I never did!

I kept in touch with Ann via email, and she has been good at responding. On Thursday (the 13th) she said she wouldn't be in on Friday, but if my check hadn't arrived by Monday she would mail another one.

She sent an email Monday the 17th that she would be issuing a new check. She confirmed my mailing address (she had it correct) and said the first check had never been returned in the mail, and hasn't been cashed by anyone.

So... hopefully in a few days ~ at least before Christmas! ~ I'll have the check.

I'll let everyone know when I get it!

IT CAME!!!

My check FINALLY arrived today. The envelope was postmarked December 18th, so it was the second check Ann wrote & sent. I have NO idea what happened to the first one ~ and hope it wasn't stolen somewhere along the way. I emailed Ann to let her know it finally came & that I'll be depositing it tonight ~ and that if the first one ever shows up, I'll send it back... AND, if the first one is ever cashed, it's NOT me.

You might know it arrived on the last day of the world. Humph.

(Ha!)

I am so glad you got it. I was hoping you would.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2012 10:44PM by spaztck.

I have always had to email or call to get my checks. Not sure what their problem is, but they pay when asked. I finally stopped taking assignments due to the followup required.

I've been paid in the past but this time it has been a real hassle. I've sent three emails without response and now they are showing I've been paid but nothing in paypal which is where I have always received it. I suppose I'm about to go through the "check is in the mail" excuse routine for weeks. Think twice before you work for them folks.

Assigment completed 10/17. No payment to date as of of 01/10. Ann was contacted on 01/10 with a promise of pay during "next week's pay run". My shopper log shows that payment was sent on 01/10. I will keep you posted.

First of all the pay date has changed 3 times first it was the 28 of the month following, then it was the first week of the monthfollowing the month after and now it is when ever you email and ask. I have NEVER been paid without asking for my pay and then the paid date shows up for that day but then the check may not get mailed for up to a week after that but has always came through. I did however ask if I would be reimbursed for the ferry to do two bonused shops and was told yes but now the schedulwer is denying the email. I have put in to microsoft to get the emails in question since they updated outlook and all my saved emails disappeared. I called her a liar and now she is threatening me with harrassment. The emails she supposedly sent me asking for proof are no where to be found in my inbox or trash and show todays date at 5 in the morning not yesterdays date but I was informed that she"reported me to all schedulers for harassment" when is it harassment to ask for promised expenses and asking her not to continue to lie?

You have NEVER been paid without having to go back and beg for your money after earning it and waiting to be paid according to their state payment terms ------- and you've continued to work for them why? When you've repeatedly had difficulty with payment with a specific MSC, continued problems should not be a surprise. When I encounter companies that do not pay according to their stated payment terms, I am hesitant to work for them again.

As for harassment, IMHO, yes, angrily calling her a liar would be harassment. Attempts to collect a promised bonus by calmly explaining what you were told and forwarding the emails documenting the bonus would not be.

It is not a promised bonus it was a promised reimbursement for expense incurred for the ferry to get to the shop. They have always paid though even though I have always had to ask. It has not been "begging" just an email asking to pay which was always done. after asking which I said above. I have never not been paid I just have always had to ask. I have not angrily called her a liar just stating a fact. When I questioned her email that was supposedly sent "yesterday" why it said after 5 this morning she replied that it was due to different time zones I had not realized that central and pacific time zones were more than 5 hours different silly me. It was sent 1 minute before the other email stating "I sent this one to you yesterday" as well which againwas not the truth.

This is only my 2 cents but....May I suggest a locked mail facility for your checks?

Like PakMail or UPS store?

I have that for packages mostly, so they are safely sent....

If you are getting continuous checks and you don't feel they are safe in an unlocked mail box, how about securing a locked one? I pay low.... (less than where I used to live).

My mailbox fee is $8 a month.

Should have checked this first. I'm supposed to do a job today at a furniture store.

I have only done 1 shop for JMridgeway, which was a few years ago, and got paid for it. I do want to mention that it took a long time to get paid. I got paid 77 days after the shop was completed. This is the longest that I have ever had to wait.

They will pay you, sadly you just need to remind them sometimes. You don't have to beg for your money, just ask them and they will send it.

I just accepted my first shop with JMRidgway. It is a dry cleaner shop in the town that I live in. I have two dresses that need dry cleaning and I have been lazy in dropping them off. Now I will get a small payment plus reimbursement. Or will I?

I forgot that this was one of the MSCs that pay very slowly or you have to stay on top of. I used to have to do that with Goodwin and Associates but they have done a 180 in a positive direction.

Does anyone know how the report is for their dry cleaning client?

I haven't done any shops for them in a while (temporarily moved and just don't have anything in this area), but I've done quite a few jobs for them in the past and have never had a problem getting paid. I can't remember exactly what the pay schedule was, but I never had to ask for it and always got it one time. Guess I was one of the lucky ones.

I did a mattress shop for them a few years ago. I had no trouble getting paid but their pay at that time was slow. It took me 77 days to get paid.

Hey Shop2LiveinFL,

I was the complaining OP.

I have been meaning to come on here and post about this, but keep forgetting and/or running out of time.

Since my original post, starting with the new year, I have to say that JMRidgway has been paying ON TIME, without being 'reminded'. On time being the end of the 2nd month after the shop. So, shops in January will be paid by the end of March.

Although they still hadn't, last I checked, changed their website that says payment will be the end of the following month. The end of the 2nd month thing was listed somewhere else ~ I forget where, perhaps in an email when I asked one time.

It is *so* nice to not have to hound an MSC for your payment! I was stunned to receive notice of payment from them, that first time, when I hadn't even had to bug them about it after it was overdue! Happily stunned. Heh.

So, *YAY*, JMRidgway!

You had to ASK for your payment? Are you serious? Glad I never shopped for these clowns! Unbelievable!!!

They had better pay me!!!

Did you do the shop according to instructions, or according to what you think the instructions should have been?