Last month and now again this month Ace is offering shoppers who complete a shop before a certain date this certificate:

"receive a certificate for a significantly discounted 3 Night Hotel Stay! These certificates are being offered for a limited time to all shoppers who can help us complete our March shops by 20 March, so check out the Open Opportunities on our site at www.acemysteryshopping.com for shops near you!

These certificates will save recipients up to $477 on a 3 Night Hotel Stay with over 50 locations to choose from. Please note that these certificates cover the base room rate for each night and the user only pays a $15.95 processing fee and the taxes ($12-$33/nigh"

I believe last month's email said these are not tied to timeshare visits or anything like this. Did anyone do this last month or have an idea of the hotels offered?

Liz

I would judge each shop on its own merits and go with Priceline instead. I may even prefer a hero citation. :-(

BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would judge each shop on its own merits and go
> with Priceline instead. I may even prefer a hero
> citation. :-(


Well I took the shop because I have been meaning to try it anyway (we just got this store) and I will see what the certificates say once they arrive. I am still being paid for the shop and I know I would not prefer a hero citation as I used to schedule and never saw the value of them as a scheduler either.

I travel a lot and depending on the property this might be a deal for me or it might not be. I am not much of a priceliner as I find the two times I did that snow prevented my travel and I was out the money. I am more a hotel loyalty club person myself.

Liz

I would say do the shop if it is a shop you would do otherwise, not for the certificate. If you do get the certificate read the fine print carefully and see if there are any gotchas. If there aren't then enjoy.

That was what I meant by judging a shop on its own merits. If you've been meaning to try a shop anyway, the certificate won't make you decide not to try the shop. I was being facetious when I said I preferred a hero citation to the certificate. I was trying to say that, to me, both were almost worthless. I've read about this type of certificate for years and I even got one and used it once (long before I started shopping). To me, it was too much hassle and I would rather pay a few dollars more and have many more choices.

As for Priceline, I will always remember when a scheduler supervisor at an MSC not to be named made me waste hundreds of dollars on Priceline. He said nothing to me or my direct scheduler that he was going to take my route away because I had been made as the shopper. So, my direct scheduler and I kept making plans for weeks and I finally booked my hotel through Priceline (since most of the shops on the route were several hundred miles from my home and would take me days to complete).

I love loyalty programs--especially the ones where most of my points came from shops. =D

> Well I took the shop because I have been meaning
> to try it anyway (we just got this store) and I
> will see what the certificates say once they
> arrive. I am still being paid for the shop and I
> know I would not prefer a hero citation as I used
> to schedule and never saw the value of them as a
> scheduler either.
>
> I travel a lot and depending on the property this
> might be a deal for me or it might not be. I am
> not much of a priceliner as I find the two times I
> did that snow prevented my travel and I was out
> the money. I am more a hotel loyalty club person
> myself.
>
> Liz

jwolpert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would say do the shop if it is a shop you would
> do otherwise, not for the certificate. If you do
> get the certificate read the fine print carefully
> and see if there are any gotchas. If there aren't
> then enjoy.


Exactly my thinking.

Liz

Ouch!

Would be great if Ace linked a website where there was more information or something because I totally get what you mean about the hassle of these. That said, I do travel a lot and it might be worth a bit of hassle to me. I will let everyone know when it comes to fruition.

Liz


BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That was what I meant by judging a shop on its own
> merits. If you've been meaning to try a shop
> anyway, the certificate won't make you decide not
> to try the shop. I was being facetious when I
> said I preferred a hero citation to the
> certificate. I was trying to say that, to me,
> both were almost worthless. I've read about this
> type of certificate for years and I even got one
> and used it once (long before I started shopping).
> To me, it was too much hassle and I would rather
> pay a few dollars more and have many more
> choices.
>
> As for Priceline, I will always remember when a
> scheduler supervisor at an MSC not to be named
> made me waste hundreds of dollars on Priceline.
> He said nothing to me or my direct scheduler that
> he was going to take my route away because I had
> been made as the shopper. So, my direct scheduler
> and I kept making plans for weeks and I finally
> booked my hotel through Priceline (since most of
> the shops on the route were several hundred miles
> from my home and would take me days to complete).
>
> I love loyalty programs--especially the ones where
> most of my points came from shops. =D
>
> > Well I took the shop because I have been
> meaning
> > to try it anyway (we just got this store) and I
> > will see what the certificates say once they
> > arrive. I am still being paid for the shop and
> I
> > know I would not prefer a hero citation as I
> used
> > to schedule and never saw the value of them as
> a
> > scheduler either.
> >
> > I travel a lot and depending on the property
> this
> > might be a deal for me or it might not be. I
> am
> > not much of a priceliner as I find the two times
> I
> > did that snow prevented my travel and I was out
> > the money. I am more a hotel loyalty club
> person
> > myself.
> >
> > Liz

Liz,

Will you share the info once you get it? I was thinking about doing the tire shop just to get the hotel certificate. The shop isn't worth it without a perk, but if they hotels are fleabags, I don't see the point.

I emailed the scheduler who sent out the notice to see if she would/could provide some info on the certificates, but I didn't get a reply.

But I agree that we probably ought to review the shops on their own mertits.

Yes I will. I wonder how long it will be before I get it. I just did the shop today.

Liz

DRJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liz,
>
> Will you share the info once you get it? I was
> thinking about doing the tire shop just to get the
> hotel certificate. The shop isn't worth it without
> a perk, but if they hotels are fleabags, I don't
> see the point.
>
> I emailed the scheduler who sent out the notice to
> see if she would/could provide some info on the
> certificates, but I didn't get a reply.
>
> But I agree that we probably ought to review the
> shops on their own mertits.

Did they say whether they were mailing the certificates, or emailing them?

DRJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did they say whether they were mailing the
> certificates, or emailing them?


No they did not say.

Liz

What a deal this is!

A quick scan says I'll have to pay a $15.95 processing fee, tax and fee deposit of $33 a night ($99), a $50 "refundable reservation guarantee deposit" , a $20 surcharge for Friday and Saturday nights, and a $5 per person per night fee for any children under 18.

So, let's say I want to take the family of four on a-three-day weekend vacation, I'll be paying $215 for starters. I think I'll stick to Kayak.

Here's the fine print:

Terms and Conditions

This certificate will be considered void if bartered or sold for legal tender to the recipient. This certificate is valid for a reservation request form offering 2 adults 21 years of age and older plus up to 2 children under the age of 18, 3 nights of hotel accommodations in the city of their choice of available cities. The cost to redeem this certificate to receive the reservation request form is just a one-time non-refundable $15.95 processing fee. The cost upon requesting reservations is just a tax & fee deposit of $33 per night. Taxes & fees usually range from $12-$33 per night depending on when and where you travel to. If the taxes & fees are less than the $33 per night the difference will be refunded after travel is completed. 30 days advance reservation notice is required. In order to guarantee that you will show up to your booked reservation you will be required to pay a REFUNDABLE $50 “Reservation Guarantee Deposit”. 7 days before and after holidays and conventions are not available. This offer is valid 7 days a week subject to availability. Friday and Saturday nights will require a surcharge of $20 per night. A $5 per person per night surcharge is enforced for each child up to 2 children under the age of 18. This offer is not valid for group travel. The recipient of this certificate is responsible for all expenses including but not limited to: transfers, food, gratuities, all pertinent fees, taxes, hotel surcharges, resort fees and any other miscellaneous expenses. If you redeem this certificate online you will be able to instantly print your reservation request form. If you cannot print your own reservation request form we will mail it to you. You should receive it in the mail within 14 days. This certificate cannot be combined with any other promotional vacation offer. The expiration date on this certificate pertains only to redemption of this certificate and not actual travel. You must redeem this certificate by the expiration date printed on this certificate in order to receive the reservation request form. You must fill out the reservation request form with your destination choices and arrival dates and mail it to our fulfillment department within 6 months after redemption, however travel can be completed within 12 months after redemption. You will be required to give the travel agency multiple arrival dates and destinations. Only one 3 Night Hotel certificate Per Household Per Year. This certificate has no cash surrender value, void if discontinued and where prohibited by law. The terms of this offer are subject to change without notice. Do not rely upon representations other than what is printed on this certificate or the reservation request form. CST # 2091925

Interesting. What cities appear to be "available"?

I got mine today and it's pretty much as stated above. The thing I don't get is you can't see locations/destinations at all before you redeem for the certificate. Certain locations might make me interested in the certificate even with the fees. Also the certificate expires in a month...not sure if that means you have to redeem by then or have your stay completed by then either which is an awfully tight turnaround.

So...seems not very appealing at all.

Liz

Traveliz,
You need to "redeem" (i.e., start the process) within a month, but you have a year to use the document that you get once you "redeem".

I have gotten similar certificates as gifts when I did a time share shop and was able to use them, in that case, at many hotels of a major hotel group. I think it was the Wyndham group, but am not certain. AND, it is for 3 nights, not just 3 days and 2 nights, so can be worth a fair amount.

walesmaven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Traveliz,
> You need to "redeem" (i.e., start the process)
> within a month, but you have a year to use the
> document that you get once you "redeem".
>
> I have gotten similar certificates as gifts when I
> did a time share shop and was able to use them, in
> that case, at many hotels of a major hotel group.
> I think it was the Wyndham group, but am not
> certain. AND, it is for 3 nights, not just 3 days
> and 2 nights, so can be worth a fair amount.


Thank you so much for that additional information. Unfortunately their homepage leaves a lot to be desired.

Liz

After reading the website it just smells like a total rip off, its not close to being free as claimed.

Why would a mystery shopping company try to sell a scam to its shoppers who do good work for them.

Just totally bizarre marketing by ACE.

$15.95 "processing fee" plus some other taxes and a deposit (?). I received the e-mail as well. Here's the fine print:

This certificate will be considered void if bartered or sold for legal tender to the recipient. This certificate is valid for a reservation request form offering 2 adults 21 years of age and older plus up to 2 children under the age of 18, 3 nights of hotel accommodations in the city of their choice of available cities. The cost to redeem this certificate to receive the reservation request form is just a one-time non-refundable $15.95 processing fee. The cost upon requesting reservations is just a tax & fee deposit of $33 per night. Taxes & fees usually range from $12-$33 per night depending on when and where you travel to. If the taxes & fees are less than the $33 per night the difference will be refunded after travel is completed. 30 days advance reservation notice is required. In order to guarantee that you will show up to your booked reservation you will be required to pay a REFUNDABLE $50 “Reservation Guarantee Deposit”. 7 days before and after holidays and conventions are not available. This offer is valid 7 days a week subject to availability. Friday and Saturday nights will require a surcharge of $20 per night. A $5 per person per night surcharge is enforced for each child up to 2 children under the age of 18. This offer is not valid for group travel. The recipient of this certificate is responsible for all expenses including but not limited to: transfers, food, gratuities, all pertinent fees, taxes, hotel surcharges, resort fees and any other miscellaneous expenses. If you redeem this certificate online you will be able to instantly print your reservation request form. If you cannot print your own reservation request form we will mail it to you. You should receive it in the mail within 14 days. This certificate cannot be combined with any other promotional vacation offer. The expiration date on this certificate pertains only to redemption of this certificate and not actual travel. You must redeem this certificate by the expiration date printed on this certificate in order to receive the reservation request form. You must fill out the reservation request form with your destination choices and arrival dates and mail it to our fulfillment department within 6 months after redemption, however travel can be completed within 12 months after redemption. You will be required to give the travel agency multiple arrival dates and destinations. Only one 3 Night Hotel certificate Per Household Per Year. This certificate has no cash surrender value, void if discontinued and where prohibited by law. The terms of this offer are subject to change without notice. Do not rely upon representations other than what is printed on this certificate or the reservation request form. CST # 2091925

Wyndham group? There are Wyndham timeshares and we get telemarketers offering a similar "offer."


walesmaven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Traveliz,
> You need to "redeem" (i.e., start the process)
> within a month, but you have a year to use the
> document that you get once you "redeem".
>
> I have gotten similar certificates as gifts when I
> did a time share shop and was able to use them, in
> that case, at many hotels of a major hotel group.
> I think it was the Wyndham group, but am not
> certain. AND, it is for 3 nights, not just 3 days
> and 2 nights, so can be worth a fair amount.

Yes, Wyndham. They also have a whole family of hotels.

Are the certificates for the good family of properties, or do you have to stay at Days Inn, Travelodge, or Knights Inn? (If I knew how to make one of those green ill-looking smiley faces on here, I would.)

The certificates do not give you a choice - you choose dates and destinations. You have three choices and dates have to be 30 days between (it's first second third choice). You then send them your money and they search their inventory for available properties and "assign" you. There is no information about what properties they use beyond the fact that none are rates lower than 3 on tripadvisor (not sure how reassuring that is!).

I think it's way too much of a gamble.

Liz

Sure is a lot of uncertainty. At least with Hotwire you know when and in what city you'll be staying.

But at lease the minimum rating of 3 should eliminate the three properties I listed above.

I won't be doing any shops just to get one of these "deals".

I finally signed up for ACE just the other day and then got an email with the hotel voucher. I haven't done a shop for them yet but it must be some incentive for new shoppers also. I have the same hesitations that you all mention.

Do you think Ace gets some money for each person that uses these? I think they must.
Otherwise why would they have chosen this "incentive".

mistry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Do you think Ace gets some money for each person
> that uses these? I think they must.
> Otherwise why would they have chosen this
> "incentive".


I totally think they get a kick back for every person that uses the certificate. It's so tight that unless I was planning already some trip of this type I would not do it and know "I have a year to decide" because we just don't decide and lose the near $100 for this trip.
Check out the place: www.funrewardsforyou.com
As you can see, not much information unless you active (pay) for a certificate.
I'm passing on mine. Anyone want to barter?

"This certificate will be considered void if bartered or sold for..."

Sorry ACE I think you have very few happy customers to take these job offers for the reward involved. Cash is cash. And a gift certificate from this will not fill the gas tank.

The job still paid -this was just extra and honestly it paid fine for what I did. The hard part I think for them is it is inside a warehouse store and you either have to be a member or be willing to do what you have to do to get in. I am just not a huge fan of warehouse stores so that is what keeps me from doing the shop every month.

If I can get some other shops in there the same time then that is better.

So to recap...the hotel deal was not in place of cash; it was in addition as an incentive to try and get some more people in.

Liz

Not worth it. I purchased the certs for a promotion for one of my businesses. I paid $10 for 100 certs and gave them to my "best" customers. Should have saved them for my dregs. Too many restrictions and fees. I don't think any of my clients actually redeemed any

I got one too. I don't understand the part about not knowing what city you are going to get. Seems too risky with all the fees etc. Would not be motivated by this again. Website looks scammy.