I looked for threads for this company, and the last post was from 2010. I'm wondering why there is nothing recent. I have not completed a shop for them, but have been signed up for a while. Last Friday (5/03/13), they sent me an email at 8:30 pm needing an emergency shop at a popular big-box store. The date on the email said it could be completed 5/03 or 5/04. I accepted the assignment and was going to complete it on Saturday.

Then, I received an email at noon on Saturday that the assignment was due and since I hadn't entered the report it had been cancelled. I emailed the scheduler, who said it needed to be completed on the 3rd. I said I still had the email stating it could be completed the 3rd or 4th, plus it wasn't even scheduled until 8:30 pm on the 3rd. They said no dice, it had been cancelled.

Well, lo and behold I tried to login in today to look at the job board, and my login has been deactivated, it doesn't even show me as a shopper. That really ticks me off, as I feel I did absolutely nothing wrong. I have completed over 100 shops in the last month and received a 10/10 virtually every time. My reports are always very detailed and well-written, not to mention early. They are the ones missing out here, but it's the principle that I stand on and makes me mad this was handled this way.

Has anybody else had any issues with them?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/11/2013 08:44PM by Bearclaw14.

There was a review in Issue 2 of the Mystery Shopping Magazine about Secret Shopper: [www.mysteryshoppermagazine.com].

I have only done three grocery store type shops for them in the last three months and haven't had a problem. In fact, I find their report to be one of the easiest. I believe there was a thread about them about three or four months ago.

Edit - Here's the thread: [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2013 02:12AM by beyoden.

Bearclaw14 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I looked for threads for this company, and the
> last post was from 2010. I'm wondering why there
> is nothing recent. I have not completed a shop
> for them, but have been signed up for a while.
> Last Friday (5/03/13), they sent me an email at
> 8:30 pm needing an emergency shop at a popular
> big-box store. The date on the email said it
> could be completed 5/03 or 5/04. I accepted the
> assignment and was going to complete it on
> Saturday.
>
> Then, I received an email at noon on Saturday that
> the assignment was due and since I hadn't entered
> the report it had been cancelled. I emailed the
> scheduler, who said it needed to be completed on
> the 3rd. I said I still had the email stating it
> could be completed the 3rd or 4th, plus it wasn't
> even scheduled until 8:30 pm on the 3rd. They
> said no dice, it had been cancelled.
>
> Well, lo and behold I tried to login in today to
> look at the job board, and my login has been
> deactivated, it doesn't even show me as a shopper.
> That really ticks me off, as I feel I did
> absolutely nothing wrong. I have completed over
> 100 shops in the last month and received a 10/10
> virtually every time. My reports are always very
> detailed and well-written, not to mention early.
> They are the ones missing out here, but it's the
> principle that I stand on and makes me mad this
> was handled this way.
>
> Has anybody else had any issues with them?

Sorry about your troubles. I have shopped with them for years, though they don't have much in my area. They have fixed rules, some of which possibly explain what happened to you. Shop Instructions and the Scheduling Calendar prevail, trumping email communication. From their site: "The following Policy is strictly enforced: Any new shopper trying to reschedule or cancel their first shop will not be allowed to do so and their account will be dropped." Probably, this is what happened to you, as you stated this was your first shop with them. I am assuming that the Shop Instructions differed from the email from them, and the due date was missed, resulting in deactivation.

Likely, in your shoes, I would be irked also, but reading their policies may assuage your anger. Maybe consider emailing them, stating your case, and request a reinstatement?

Call them.

I used to do zillions of shops for them then they lost the bigger account I did for them and I did occasional shops with never a problem once until a hospital visit resulted in a missed shop and they deactivated me. I would see ads constantly for my area with a shop I could easily do so I emailed them and was reactivated without a word. I do occasional shops for them now and most recently had three price check type ones that were super easy and paid well. Additionally the check came the exact date they said it would.

Liz

Haven't seen anything in my area from SS in about a year.

I usually do at least 2 each month. For shops in my area, only 1 FF chain, the reports are easy. Loved it when you only had to purchase 1 item since the pay is a flat rate,, now it's 2. Now I only do them if I will be passing by, lately I don't shop them as frequently. Pay is prompt, don't really care for checks but it is here like clock work.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2013 04:36AM by txwahchick.

They still have shops in Los Angeles. I look forward to them but there are only 2 different ones I see regularly now.

I'm disappointed with Secret Shopper. I did a shop with them in February at <EDITED FOR ICA VIOLATION> with a fee of $ 30.00. It was one of those price check mystery shop. I spent an hour to do the shop. On April I noticed that I have not received payment from them so I emailed them in inquired about payment.
I emailed I think 2 or 3 more times with no reply. Finally on my 4th try I got a reply from Liz Barton informing me that they have not received the check they issued to me back so they are unable to reissue a new one. I was told that I have to pay a $ 35.00 stop payment fee if I want a replacement check. In order for me to get paid I have to pay $ 35.00 stop payment fee for a $ 30.00 check. If a company really cares for it's shopper they could have just issued a replacement check, it's just a small amount to warrant a stop payment. I asked for reconsideration and I was rebuffed.

ntony9 - you should remove the client's name from the first line of your post.

I just received a call from a Secretshopper scheduler today asking me if I could do a job for them. So, this is the very first shop I am going to be doing for them and it's for tomorrow. Turned out it's a high-end one. I am supposed to make a "small" purchase. I checked the website and the smallest purchase possible is in the vicinity of $50. But I will try it once. I realize I have signed up with a few companies and never bothered to do any shop for them because they did not have anything in my area or anything I like. I'll keep you posted.

I looked around and found something less than $50 which I could really use.

Everything went well. I completely forgot to check the feedback. They gave me 3. The report was not long. They have no other shops available for me. I guess I will have to wait for someone to call me.

I am having problems with Secret Shopper. They supposedly mailed me a check on 6/20 that I still have not received. I sent an email two weeks ago and did not receive a reply. I sent two emails last Friday, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon requesting an escalation and for the name of someone who could help me get the issue resolved. I received a reply from a nameless Coordinator who informed me that a lady named (no name provided by the Coordinator) would get ahold of me sometime this week. I sent a followup email Monday advising noone had contacted me and informing them that no name was provided. I just sent my fifth email advising that the shop I completed last night would be submitted as soon as somebody at Secret Shopper has the professionalism to take care of my issue.

I'm not a big fan of companies who try to hide behind a veil of anonymity like Secret Shopper does. I'm even less of a fan of a company who takes no action at all and leaves their shoppers hanging without assistance or courtesy of a professional reply. Pretty sure I will be deactivating my account with them once somebody finally does contact me and informs me that it will cost me $35 of the $65 I am owed to get another check reissued.

If anyone has a contact name or phone number for someone who might be able to assist me I would greatly appreciate it.

A thoroughly unprofessional company based on my limited experiences with them. This is the second major issue I have encountered with them. There won't be a third.

Mert Wrote:
>From their site:
> "The following Policy is strictly enforced: Any
> new shopper trying to reschedule or cancel their
> first shop will not be allowed to do so and their
> account will be dropped." Probably, this is what
> happened to you, as you stated this was your first
> shop with them. I am assuming that the Shop
> Instructions differed from the email from them,
> and the due date was missed, resulting in
> deactivation.


Just FYI, I actually had to reschedule my first shop with them due to snow and had no problems. I had a quick reply. I was only given one option for rescheduling but I'll take anything when a scheduler is willing to work with me.

Covert and Ntony9, I want to second what you've said. I've completed 2 shops for them, one at the end of May and one at the beginning of July. For the one completed in May, their website says a check was mailed on 6/20. However, I've gotten nothing. I did notice their policy that says I would have to pay a fee of $35 to receive a new check from them! I checked, and my address in their system is correct. I also have no problems receiving checks from BestMark and Ath. I, too, have tried emailing them, but have not received any response. Maybe I will look for a phone number next?

I did have to make a small purchase on the first shop, but it was less than $5, so no big deal. However, I refuse to do any more shops for them until I receive some sort of pay! Its a shame too, because I enjoyed both of the shops I did, and would really like to do more of the same type.

I used to do shops for them and I *believe* all went well - but it seems it's mostly retail shops that I'm not too into.

I had something strange happen at the ATM today. I tried to deposit a check from Sights on Service (aka secret shopper)dated 6/20 into the ATM. The machine (it must have been a very smart machine) spit the check back out and told me to contact the issuer because the check would not be paid. Hmmmm, it was for a measly $30. Is it possible they don't have $30.00 in their checking account? My bank is the same one as the issuing bank so I'm assuming they could tell right away that there was a problem. I'll contact them tomorrow, but am wondering if anyone has had a check returned or bounced from them recently. Maybe it was just a mistake or maybe they changed their bank account since June...I'm trying to be optimistic, okay.

So, if you all have received your checks, did you cash them without a problem. I tend to hold my checks until a get a nice lump sum to deposit, or I desperately need it. BTW, the check was not stale. It was good for 60 days.

Don't want to sound alarm bells. I just am wondering if anyone had experienced this with Secret Shopper.

TIA

I had the same problem with my check - I called customer service and they said that account had been closed due to fraudulent activity. They asked me to send back the check and they will reissue from a new account.

Yowzers, maybe I should be glad this happened to me and I didn't actually do the shop??? I have been shopping for seven months and have never had a problem to date getting paid or really any other major problem. I currently shop for 27 companies and based on what I have read, I guess I've been lucky to have no problems.

Bearclaw14 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yowzers, maybe I should be glad this happened to
> me and I didn't actually do the shop??? I have
> been shopping for seven months and have never had
> a problem to date getting paid or really any other
> major problem. I currently shop for 27 companies
> and based on what I have read, I guess I've been
> lucky to have no problems.


Yowzers: I really don't consider it a problem, just a small inconvenience. Secret Shopper has been a reliable company in my past dealings and they replied promptly today to my email about the check. They explained the same thing as above about fraudulent account activity and having closed that account. If you hang around this business long enough, some gliches will surely come your way. This forum is a huge help.

hamgam: Thanks for the response. I'll be sending my check back to them.

I have been waiting for a payment I did for them in January. It was a purchase and return, so I had to go back the next day. The pay offered for completing both parts was $50. Very good for a pleasant job. Fortunately, I was not out of pocket, except that it is August and I still have not received payment. The first inquiry I made about a month or so after receiving a nice job grade of "10" was asking what the job was. I replied immediately, of course. I received a reply that they had not been paid by the client yet and the client had indicated they would send an explanation shortly.

Then I waited, waited and waited and am still waiting. I just sent another email to them after reading all these posts. I realize it is probably futile, but it makes me feel like I am doing something about it. This is the only job I have done for this company and I often checked their listings to see if there was anything near me....never was till this one.

So, a lesson learned. I don't know of anything further to be done about it. Complaining to them seems pointless. Any ideas?

It is good to be able to vent a bit here. Hope it is helpfull as well.

I see a disturbing trend here. Maybe they are doing this deliberately to avoid paying shoppers in the guise of the check getting lost in the mail. I pleaded with this person I won't say the name but she remained steadfast of not issuing a replacement check. I told her why would I pay a $ 35 fee for a check of $ 30.00. If they really care for their shoppers they won't mind sending a replacement right away. She keep on insisting to me that if they don't get the check back they can't send a replacement. I asked what if it was lost in the mail and she said that's their policy. Meaning we should eat up the loss.

Funny this thread is back on top. Today I received the replacement check for the one that was issued from a closed account. Of course, I did send the old check back to them, but it was a pretty quick turn around on their part.

ntony9: Sorry you are having problems with them. I can't say that I blame you for being upset. Asking a shopper to pay $35 for a stop payment on a $30 check is ridiculous. Maybe you can try calling and speaking to someone else about it. I would keep trying.

Glad I read this thread. I used to do several different shops for this company. They were easy and I enjoyed them, especially the veterinary clinic ones. Looks like they no longer have these accounts, so I haven't done any shops for them for a while. I did pick up an ice cream shop that goes quickly. Looks like my report has been accepted so now all I need to do is make sure a good check is in the mail.

Have any of you considered filing a complaint with the BBB? They may be able to help resolve your issue. And if the company won't come to an agreement, it will affect their rating.

nct49 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have been waiting for a payment I did for them
> in January. It was a purchase and return, so I
> had to go back the next day. The pay offered for
> completing both parts was $50. Very good for a
> pleasant job. Fortunately, I was not out of
> pocket, except that it is August and I still have
> not received payment. The first inquiry I made
> about a month or so after receiving a nice job
> grade of "10" was asking what the job was. I
> replied immediately, of course. I received a
> reply that they had not been paid by the client
> yet and the client had indicated they would send
> an explanation shortly.
>
> Then I waited, waited and waited and am still
> waiting. I just sent another email to them after
> reading all these posts. I realize it is probably
> futile, but it makes me feel like I am doing
> something about it. This is the only job I have
> done for this company and I often checked their
> listings to see if there was anything near
> me....never was till this one.
>
> So, a lesson learned. I don't know of anything
> further to be done about it. Complaining to them
> seems pointless. Any ideas?
>
> It is good to be able to vent a bit here. Hope it
> is helpfull as well.


Are you sure you had done this shop with our company? The purchase/return and $50 payment does not describe a shop I am familiar with, and we have never left a shop unpaid a shop because the client had not paid us. Additionally, our shops are graded on a scale of 1-3, with "3" being the highest rating.

What address are you contacting? You can send any questions to coordinator@secretshopper.com. We have not received any recent emails about anything that resembles what you are referencing. I suspect you may be confusing us with another company.

To other shoppers: We do apologize for the inconvenience regarding the closed account. The checks should have been valid, but due to a misunderstanding with our bank some shoppers have not been able to cash them. We only request that the checks are returned before sending a replacement to ensure that both checks are not cashed.

Additionally, the $35 stop payment fee is a fee assessed by our bank, and has always been a part of our policy. We have no problem reissuing checks that have been returned by USPS.

Thank you,

The Coordinating Staff at Secret Shopper
coordinator@secretshopper.com

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2013 04:57PM by Coordinator.

But why penalized a shopper for a check that has been lost in the mail? What recourse does a shopper

have for a payment check that has not been received and got lost in the mail. If this thing happened to

you don't you think it will upset you too, knowing that you won't get paid because the company does

not want to reissue a replacement check. The company should be responsible in making sure shoppers

are get paid.

I completed two shops for them last month. When I tried logging in, it tells me there is no email or shopper id like that in their system. I tried contacting them via their online fill in form and I get redirected to a error page. I tried to sign up again, and it tells me I'm already registered. How do I get in contact with them? Has anyone else had a problem w/ them?

Do they use Prophet?