In case any of you didn't see my other post entitled "What would you do", I took a huge shop from Cirrus, my first one with them actually.

It paid $70! It was for a large retail store. I had to go and evaluate just about every department of the store, which included a child's play area and a restaurant. I had to make a purhcase and do a return, inquire about home delivery, and more. Something like 20 different employee interactions. It was a difficult shop to say the least, but because I do like going to this store, and I had to go there anyway, I figured for $70 why not. Just for an idea how detailed this shop was, there were about 280 multiple-part (!) questions PLUS narratives.

After about an hour into the shop, I knew I was going to have a problem. I had to get EVERY employee name, even if it meant asking them for it, which is not normally a problem. All of the employees had name tags, but most were covered with a store-issued jacket (it was cold) or it was on a laynard and turned around. I asked them their names, but due to the area I was in, most either had a heavy accent, or they were from an ethnic area and had a name I had never heard of and could not understand, short of saying "And how do I spell that?" Needless to say, getting every employee's name became a problem for me, so I took notes on very detailed descriptions. I spent 3+ HOURS at this store gathering all the information. In the end I was missing about 7 names.

The guidelines state you can miss a maximum of three names (out of 20 or so) and once I started entering information I realized I had better email the scheduler and let them know what happened before I put more time into it. The reply was they cannot guarantee that I will get paid, but they want me to continue entering the information in hopes that I will.

I felt a scheduler should know what the general outcome is from a client, or at least have a contact with the company.

When I didn't reply in less than 12 hours after they replied to me, they cancelled the shop on me. I am out 5 hours of my time and the money I had to spend on lunch.

So-if you are going to take the BIG retail shop from Cirrus for $70 Be Careful, especially at the NJ location!

Susan-I've been really tempted to try this shop because of the fee...maybe I should reconsider. Sorry it turned into such a nasty ordeal for you.

I heard that the shop for this store was hell on wheels. You proved that. If you want to be considered for other, (better???) shops for this firm, then I would just bite the bullet and do what they asked. If they have little to nothing of interest in your area, it might be worth blowing it off, and deactivating (with a note as to why.) Whatever you decide to do, I bet you won't be taking this shop ever again. That is the reaction I have heard from almost everyone who posts about that shop.

I want nothing to do with this firm from now on. I was actually PM'd and told that pretty much everyone who does them ends up with a problem of some sort. It was absolutely impossible to do this shop the way they wanted. I am not joking when I say 20 names, almost every department and 280 multi-part questions with narratives. It took me 2 hours of inputting and I was nowhere near done when they cancelled it on me.

The fact the this company has had so many problems with this shop in the past but then they won't tell me if I'm going to get paid if there are more than 3 names missing to me isn't very honest. Maybe, maybe not is the answer I received. I'm sure they know a trend as far as rules of payment and how it's going.

They say on their job board that this shop can take 2 hours or more, so be prepared to dedicate the time. I spent 3+ hours in the store trying to get help, trying to find employees. Many times it took me 20 minutes or more to track someone down-it was exhausting to say the least. I think one employee new I was a mystery shopper anyway. She answered the questions too perfectly, before I even had a chance to ask them she knew what to say, and do. It was weird. Not like an employee who was just willing to help. I'm sure it was becuase they had me ask a stupid question about returns and warranty when it was posted ALL OVER THE DEPARTMENT! I felt stupid even asking the question.

Sorry for your horrible, terrible, bad news shop. I was hoping you'd post the MSP's name and give more detail. Thanks.

Thanks for the info. This is good information to know. Kudows to you Susan MB. It is amazing how many ridiculous things some of the shops required, bt I think the schedulers know that when they make those ridiculous requirements, or rather the company does.

Usually there are reasons that shops are priced where they are. They are priced at "what the market will bear". That holds true for the higher paying jobs as well as the lower paying ones. Sometimes that price is related to the complexity of the shop, though more often it is related to the ease of getting shoppers to perform them.

They told me it was a very long and detailed shop, and it could take 2 hours at the location. I don't mind that sort of shop, I actually prefer them, so I was happy to see it. But I was DUPED, and they were not helpful! It made no sense, why would I have the required receipts (which show times hours apart I might add), do all of the legwork, start entering information but not have some names ON PURPOSE??

I should have been offered more assistance is the bottom line. My bad for not calling them right from store. Next time I will have the number and make a call.

I do understand the sense of betrayal when you are trying everything you can to make it work and the company does not work with you. There is a reason why I tend not to even look at the "Fast, Fun & Easy" shops that have a reasonable looking price--I've been duped by the 'simplicity' too often.

I have done many shops for Cirrus in New Haven with no problems. True, they are difficult shops but pay well. I made the error of doing one for them in Stoughton Mass.That one did not workout so well. I got the name of a person passing through a department. The store said that he did not work in that department so I did not get paid. In addition, they said that the names I submitted as employees were bogus and there fore I did a fraud. Not true. I did not get paid and I am stopped from doing those shops due to something that I allegedly did. Of course, I am just a poor shopper and have no rebuttal to the allegations. I guess it is dependent on where you shop. Retailers also have no heart for shoppers and regard us as second class citizens. Tough thing is that the scheduler is a really nice person. When the company makes you persona non grata, that is what you are, lower than whale doo doo.

If the scheduler is a nice person, s/he's getting whale doo-doo from Cirrus also. They get stuck in the middle. Sometimes I get really desperate emails from various schedulers, and I can just sense the pressure that's being put on them.

They have the shops up again (or is that still...) and they actually have the nerve to say "Fun retail shops". LOL

That was the WORST shop I have ever attempted. Such a debacle. After 3+ hours it just wasn't even possible to actually get it done. Real fun.

I think that is "still" because I get almost daily emails. Aren't any even close enough to consider. . .

Consider yourself lucky. It's hard to turn down $70, but by no means are those shops FUN! Anything but. They qualify as the worst shop I have ever accepted.

Even FUNNIER! They are STILL sending out the shop request, but now it says you must be bi-lingual in Spanish to qualify! I guess I'm not the only shopper who had a hard time understanding names. Many of the name are ethnic becuase they are of another race (either African-American or Asian) not just another language though. It's still going to be difficult.

Does the shop pay more for someone who's bilingual? Just curious.

No. It was the same. I think they realized unless you speak Spanish you will have a hard time obtaining name, but it's not just Spanish speaking people that work there so I have no idea how this would really help.

I wonder if they get pressure from their client? As a Swedish company that is international you would think they "get" the idea of someone not understanding an accent.

I've done three shops for them, two at $60, one at $65. In the Los Angeles CA area. It is possible to get through the store in 3 hours, but it takes practice, finding a fast route through the store, and aggressively finding sales people. It seems they are trained NOT TO go to people browsing.

Getting names can be a challenge, so some times you need to ask for them. If you do, make sure you use the name in your conversation, to makes it personal.

Filling in their online form has taken over 3 hours each time, so I figure 3 hours on that and 3 hours in store is about minimum. If one can do that, it's 10/ hour. Excluding travel time.

I'm still wondering when it will be fun.

My problem wasn't with the time that it took, but the fact they were going to deny my shop because I could not get names. It was so cold the day I went that many employees were wearing a fleece that was given to them by the company, OVER their name tag. I asked them their names, but being the average non-Hispanic white girl that I am, I simply could not understand their names. I had the perfect descriptions, down to what they were wearing that day, (even their shoes!) but they did not want to hear it. Now the shop is offered for Spanish speaking shoppers only. The area that this store is in is very ethnic, and that is the way it's going to be there, but even then, unless you know African American names, you will still have trouble. One girl's name was so beautiful, but thankfully she had a name tag on, because I never would have been able to spell it so that it made sense. I had one strike from the get-go because there was no door greeter.

It was a debacle plain and simple.

IF, reports and feedback have been read, and experienced shoppers' concerns have been heard, adjustments will have to be made to this shop. Either MSP, evaluation, or both. What did the client pay for and/or receive? In any economy, you need to get what you pay for.

Yup! Just had the same problem with them! Tried reasoning with them via email and over the phone, but they REFUSE to pay me for the 5+ hours I spent on this shop! OUTRAGEOUS! This company should not be allowed to do business!

I read this forum before performing this shop last month. If the staff member did not appear to be working in the department, I asked to be sure. When a staff member said they didn't typically work in the department but they'd like to help, I asked them to point me to someone who did, because I wanted to see if it was the same person who helped me last time.

I wanted no excuses.

I think the most ridiculous part, is returning the item. Pick up item from one window, walk one foot to the right and inquire about home delivery, then slide item a few feet and return. In my case, it was the same team of three people who worked all three areas. I looked like a lunatic.

I'm just sorry that every shopper doesn't find this forum before accepting that shop!

I know the shop well, was one I did (once) 4 years ago, and still have a bad taste in my mouth, the pay then was $50.00...it was an impossible shop to do then, and I see nothing has changed.

deletedmessage, just realized the OP is over 2 years old

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/17/2011 08:38AM by rainy.

Yes - the recent posts are just updates, showing that this is still the shop from hell. Too bad shoppers don't read here before accepting ..... or they could probably never get those shops done!

Yes, old post but same @#$%& going on today! The problem is shoppers don't all know about this forum. If they did, it would definitely help us all!

CIRRUS MARKETING IS THE WORST!!!. And worse than doing the shop from hell, is trying to get paid by them. I did the shop. It was the same nightmare Susan described. It took hours to do and many hours more to do the report. NEVER AGAIN. I'm sorry I didn't see this post first.

I DID THE SHOP IN JUNE. I AM STILL WAITING TO GET PAID. THEY KEEP CHANGING THE 'PAY BY' DATE.

Does anyone know who I should report this too?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2013 03:45PM by pro-shopper.

RobinMarie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I read this forum before performing this shop last
> month. If the staff member did not appear to be
> working in the department, I asked to be sure.
> When a staff member said they didn't typically
> work in the department but they'd like to help, I
> asked them to point me to someone who did, because
> I wanted to see if it was the same person who
> helped me last time.
>
> I wanted no excuses.
>
> I think the most ridiculous part, is returning the
> item. Pick up item from one window, walk one foot
> to the right and inquire about home delivery, then
> slide item a few feet and return. In my case, it
> was the same team of three people who worked all
> three areas. I looked like a lunatic.

I thought it sounded lame, also, but I think I came up with a plausible return reason. I told them I realized I purchased the wrong color as soon as they brought it to me.

So glad I read this thread, too. Pretty sure I know which shop this is, and I've taken the vow to never, ever, not-in-a-million years do this! I've been meaning to get to the store near me, which is an hour away, but it will be for a fun shopping trip with a friend, not on a mystery shop. My time is worth more than this shop pays, and my sanity (what's left of it) is priceless!