ANY company ANY... that has an issue with a shop needs to send an email and not rely on us to hunt for a rejection on their web page.

my friend shopped for them & found them very unprofressional too.
their website was so hard to use too.
couldn't submit the date or time shop done eitger.
then after having to spend 3 hours resubmitting
a health ins. co shop...& a stupid office supply shop,
which only paid them $8... was 40 miles away,
their not so nice scheduler Kelly F., saw to it
they were thrown out of their system.
how unfair that is.
Would not suggest that co. to anyone imho!

In my area, they simply haven't had any shops (to speak of) for the new year. I did one, and there were a couple of others I could do ~ but too far away. All the others (and that's still just a handful) are the ones you have to be older than I am to do. Senior information shops.

I think they are awesome. Definitely one of my favorites to work for.

I agree. I did so many shops for them. On my last one, they waited until early evening to send me an email about questions. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the email until after the 12 hours were up. No payment due to this. I only was making back pretty much what I paid for the shop. So, it was a huge waste of time and money. Don't recommend this afterall. They can spend 5 days reviewing your shop report, but only give you 12 hours to respond to an email you might not even get in time.

I like to know why are their is mix feeling about this company. I am a new shopper and I am looking for some good and fair company. please help. thank you limmie

I like them. The latest shop I did for them (a new scenario) was one of the easiest shops I have even done. I have never had any problems with them. I have had questions, but I am always responded to in a very timely manner.

Sounds like it all depends on what district/area you work in and maybe the scheduler you have?

I have emailed my scheduler, to pick-up shops, I am not eligible for, because I have shopped the client so much. The only trouble I have with STN is getting a shop notification, after I have returned from that city. It at times takes them days to assign a shop. I wish I could self schedule them.

Terrible company. They want you to write a novel for such low pay. They have a terrible follow up department. Avoid at all costs

A novel, seriously? Their shops are not narrative heavy at all.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2013 03:11AM by LisaSTL.

These are some of the easiest shops to do.
They pay is low unless there is a bonus. But still some of the shortest narrative required.
Never had A shop rejected or issue with payment form this MSC.

STN is one of the few MSCs that _don't_ want you to write a novel. =)) I am forever getting into "trouble" (only in so much as it's time consuming for _me_) because I write way too much content and have to edit, edit, edit it again to make it fit within their (sometimes not visible) word limit.

Personally, I love STN. I consider it one of those "starter" MSCs that you can still keep with you as you develop your concept of whom you wish to and whom you don't want to continue to work with as a shopper. It sounds like it really depends on whom your schedulers is, though, or possibly if you have some really hard-@ssed editors. I wonder, Arch, was there any way (or did you?) to go back to the scheduler (from the assignment screen-- I think you should still be able to get there-- there should be a "Message your scheduler" link at the bottom of the screen that'll tell you who that is, if you weren't already working with them) and ask for a reprieve. I'm just being honest, but I have always found them really willing to work with me as a shopper. I know that that can all be very YMMV, though. I'm sorry, this sounds like a huge frustration, but good on you for keeping your mind open. =))

Sending the best,

Jen

You won't find a company that everyone loves and no one has problems with. I suspect you won't find perfect shoppers, either. Yes, I know that's a dangling participle or whatever. Get over it. Thank you.

Seriously Mary? No perfect shoppers? I resemble that remark

Seriously, Lisa, and I can prove it. Even though I am outstanding, I forgot to get a business card today and I have to drop back in and get it tomorrow. See? Not perfect. I guess my self assessment will have to drop to 99.999. What a blazing disappointment I am, yes. I regret you resemble my remarks. I try so hard to be kind and gentle but now and then my rough scratchy edge jumps out there. So sorry and I may possibly do better but the chances are not good.

limmie asks:

I like to know why are their is mix feeling about this company

BOB'S reply:

I think my history with this MSC will answer limmie's query.

I signed up with this MSC in April of 2006 and completed 15 assignments averaging $20 per job. The next yr., 2007, STN was one of several company's that chose to lower fees, an action for which I have absolutely no criticism, as I'm a staunch advocate of permitting a business to freely operate. My tally for the period of 2007-2012 was 18 shops at a mean of $28. Last fall, I accepted 2 jobs that needed completed the following day between 10:30 AM and noon. When, though, I attempted to take the required quiz, a snafu in the system wouldn't permit a 2nd attempt, as I hadn't passed on my initial try. After 3 letters to the scheduler weren't answered, I called and left 2 messages, but, as with the scheduler, there wasn't a reply. Realizing this MSC rarely had work at a pay that was acceptable, I requested and was given my deactivation.

Each shopper must form their own conclusion with respect to what is acceptable. Low pay, which, of course, is relative to the typist's mindset, and poor communications are traits that, for me, are intolerable. In addition, there is a philosophy I've read that states to never deactivate your account. As for me, it's paramount to my success that I maintain a positive business frame of mind, BUT, as the old and often stated adage goes, "To each his/her own!"

I'm new to this company and yesterday, saw a shop for a donut company. Pay was low, PLUS I was required to buy a dozen donuts, at my cost. I am not going to do this because it's ridiculous. Add that to my 80 mile drive. (I live in the boonies)

I do not have any experience with them with a shop yet and hope all goes well when I decide to commit to doing one.

I'm doing mystery shopping. I have quite a few companies I shop for. Needless to say have only shop 2nd to none only once. It was a great shop. They paid me on time. I plan on shopping for them again sometime. You set the picture shops and follow the instructions properly. 3 clients ask for specific information and if you fell to give that have a right to penalize you. That's why it's important to check your email every day. I made sure that my emails also come to my phone where I am automatically alerted to any situation that arises. I know are not experienced enough to say that they are a great company,but I will use them again.

Good shopping, shoppers.

Here is my STN story. I started mystery shopping in 2010. From 2010 to 2011 I completed 10 shops. I took a hiatus from mystery shopping for 1 1/2 years (from mid 2011 - Dec 2012) due to an illness. When i decided to start again this past January I tried to check the job boards of the 74 companies that I am signed up with. I was able to logon to all but two. I had been deactivated from MF and STN due to inactivity. I emailed the help desk at MF and explained the situation and they re-instated me without any hassles. I tried to do the same with STN. On two separate occasions I emailed the help desk at STN and have never received a response back. After the second time I decided it was no longer worth my effort. Their shops do not pay enough for me to concern myself with it. My philosophy is: if they don't want me as a shopper then I do not need them.

Shopper bob posted- " Last fall, I accepted 2 jobs that needed completed the following day between 10:30 AM and noon. When, though, I attempted to take the required quiz, a snafu in the system wouldn't permit a 2nd attempt, as I hadn't passed on my initial try. After 3 letters to the scheduler weren't answered, I called and left 2 messages, but, as with the scheduler, there wasn't a reply. Realizing this MSC rarely had work at a pay that was acceptable, I requested and was given my deactivation"

==========================================================================

Last fall I had a scheduler from this company call me and try to bonus me into taking a couple of their shops. Since their pay is just slightly higher then nothing I really did not want any part of it. Finally he made me an offer that sounded reasonable and I agreed to do the jobs. Before he hung up he says to me "Oh wait I see you have not taken the tests for those companies yet let me give you the answers". I said to him "are those tests so hard that I need your help?" And he says no they are easy but many of our shoppers have trouble with them so we just give the answers out if you ask. Anyway I took the answers!

So why even bother offering the tests if the schedulers give you the answers; and why waste the shoppers time taking the tests.

RE tests Because that is what the client requires and the schedulers are just trying to get to the point where you can do the shop. It is not up to the schedulers. When the client signs with an MSC they make the requirements.

I got an email from them this morning wanting me to do those donut shops. Well? I just emailed them back and asked them for more $ to pay for the few gallons of gas I would be using. I mean, if I was to do that, I'd make $1 or so. I haven't heard back from them yet. Hope they reply. They seem like a decent company from what I've read.

Wow, I'm like one of the other posters.....I need to sign up with more companies!

I may be in a small group of cheerleaders, but I love working with them. I just ended a 6 month project and am a bit sad as I thoroughly enjoyed working with my scheduler who always responded to me within minutes of an email. I have nothing but praises for this company.

Well, I like the donut shops. Cuz I like donuts. And I live with three men (not as hot and exciting as it sounds, I promise) so I am basically a goddess for bringing home donuts.

I have NEVER had a problem with Second to None!

I've done a couple shops for them and no real issues. The couple issues I did have were my fault, and easily resolved.

Well I have to say that STN, is among one of the best company I have worked for.
Their schedulers are very co-operative and I have to say that I get phone call from them about last minute shops. I have not witnessed any issue yet. Payments on time – I really like working for STN!