Would anyone be buying into their new jobs (sunglasses), where you give the Associate a $10.00 bill for a job well done?
I think this is yet another way of taking the shopper, since they pay slow and slower.

if they send me the money the first I'll do it.

I think personally, that's a little bit negative. I enjoy these shops as I was an outside rep in the optical industry for 14 years. I still have somewhat of an interest in the optical industry so I think that it's fun.
I on the other hand extremely dislike cell phone shops, and pretty much have decided not to do any more.
Anyway, to each his own!

I don't think it is negative at all. If they want shoppers to award $10 to associate's then they should provide certificates or something. It can be a lot of money out of pocket. Last I saw they were trying to schedule them early in February so the reimbursement wouldn't hit PayPal accounts until March 31, almost two months later.

I saw a few of those types of shops from a couple of different companies in the last year or so. I was about to hit the yes button when I saw that we had to give the money out of our own pocket then get reimbursed in the check. Way too risky for me, especially if the company decides to just reject the shop and not say why they are doing it. Beyond Hello is a great company, and I love working wiht them, so I know they would not do that. However, there are other companies that might. But I just don't trust that kind of shop in general.

At least with a traditional reimbursement shop you would have something to show for it even if it is just a mediocre meal or a tchotchke.

I agree...I have done some "reward" shops in the past but ONLY for companies that I KNEW would re-imburse me in a timely fashion.....

LisaSTL Wrote:
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> I don't think it is negative at all. If they want
> shoppers to award $10 to associate's then they
> should provide certificates or something. It can
> be a lot of money out of pocket. Last I saw they
> were trying to schedule them early in February so
> the reimbursement wouldn't hit PayPal accounts
> until March 31, almost two months later.

I agree. That's the main reason I stopped doing the Subway shop for another company. Awarding the associate $10 was akin to financing the project for the company. There are a few cases when I would do a shop because of personal enjoyment. But not in this case. Mystery shopping for me is business. If it doesn't follow that guideline, then I have allowed myself to be a charitable institution. I am into charity of my own choosing.

Beyond Hello was one of my favourite MSC but in this case, I would not accept any shop where I have to finance their project. Reimbursement for my purchases is understandable but this is different.

Other companies mail out certificates ahead of time for reward-type assessments. Even one of the most notorious non-paying MSCs on this forum sends out gift certificates prior to an assignment. There's no reason Beyond Hello cannot do the same. I wasn't comfortable in handing over my own cash, so I took a pass on these assignments.

We on the forum must not be alone. It looks like every location in my metro area is still available.

Hi:
I signed up any tips you can offer me.

Be sure to check out the New Mystery Shoppers area, SweetPea.

4sweetpea Wrote:
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> Hi:
> I signed up any tips you can offer me.



Yes, I have a tip. Follow the shop instructions very carefully or you risk losing the $10 AND the time it takes to do the shop.

To New Shoppers,

I have been doing mystery shopping for many years. I am not the bank for any mystery shop. I will do a shop and then get reimbursed as this is okay. Once a company asks me to front the money to any shop situation, I am out of there.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think it is negative at all. If they want
> shoppers to award $10 to associate's then they
> should provide certificates or something. It can
> be a lot of money out of pocket. Last I saw they
> were trying to schedule them early in February so
> the reimbursement wouldn't hit PayPal accounts
> until March 31, almost two months later.


Exactly! I lost my Elite Membership in one MSC because I decided not to accept any assignment where the shopper
has to award the associate from her own pocket. They said the award was reimburseable. That's fine. I just did not agree with the idea. I felt I was temporarily financing the success of the program. Perhaps, if the program started that way, it
would have been acceptable. But they used to send the award themselves. When the associates complained that
some were not receiving them, they placed the onus on the shopper to make the program work. Coupled with paying for
the required purchase, providing for the award for a program just did not have the appeal for me. They used to financed the
purchase as well. They took the easy way out by making the shopper shoulder all the expenses, then refund them.

I figured I am an independent contractor. I am not an investor or co-owner of the business I am mystery shopping for.

I was not in agreement with that new policy so I have not accepted any shop with that company. As somebody said, to each his own.

I am thinking because I refuse to do these jobs, I am not getting other jobs from them...anyone else feel that way?

Check, check, and double check your location! I did one at a kiosk because they said they were the same company, just bought out. I don't shop at those places so what did I know?! Well, the lady did a FANTASTIC job. I gave her that $10 and lost it down the drain. I feel a little okay since the woman was so happy and thankful but at the end of the day, I lost money. I won't do them anymore. Not because I don't think I would get it right from now on but because it isn't worth risking my money AND time if something goes wrong.

I had one of those. Paid out the $10 then, when got home, received an email saying the in-store locations were not being included in the promotion. I contacted the scheduler, explained what happened, and I got paid for it, including the $10.