Mantis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've quit caring about shop grades. They're close
> to meaningless.

With intelli-shops it is a good attitude to have. It is good for your mental health to have the ability to ignore the shop grade when dealing with editors who lack the reading comprehension to understand your report.

When they contact because they are confused you explain the issue and your reply to them. They agree the answer is acceptable they deduct a point or two because they had to contact you for the explaination. You did nothing wrong and you get dinged!

Has anyone else experienced this?

I have done several car shops and those dreadful tire rotation shops of recent. There is 1 specific proofreader there that does not get the program. No matter what I submit (I was 2 minutes late to a tire rotation due to a Law Enforcement Officer holding traffic for a crane) and I was deducted 1 point for being late. Guess I should have lied and not mentioned I had an appointment; however being the honest shopper I am I reported the 'truth'.

It would not have mattered what I had written, on any shop, if this proofreader gets it she/he finds fault. Best to get a life or that person needs another job.

These tire rotations no shoppers would take them so I helped out the scheduler and drove out of my county used 3 different vehicles and cleaned them all up for her. Then the proofreader changes my allocation of points in the comparison. What is with that? I was the one face to face doing the shop. How would the proofreader know the personal interaction.


I have to say the scheduler was very thankful for my help and awarded hero citations which can be used on future shops to obtain a 10 on a shop. But I have yet to be paid in full by them. Guess I missed the cut off.

Also being an AOL user there seems to be some issues now with receiving shops. I dont know if others are having these same issues or not.

We will be moving to NW TN the firdt week in October so I am just taking a hiatus and changing my address fo now. WSe will be on the KY line also so I hope there is shops available in the area.

Overall I have found Intelli to be a good MSC and enjoyed working with them.

I stopped doing any work for Intelli-Shop a LONG time ago. They are one of the more agonizing companies to work for I found and the low-paying jobs were not worth it. Correct me if I'm wrong (because it's been that long since I stopped doing work for them) but aren't they also one of the companies that can take 2 to 3 months to pay? I seem to think that entered into my decision to drop them but I may be thinking of Service Sleuth.

Angel

I have had the same problems only with Intellishop. I do apartment shops. We all know how much writing is involved there. What really gets me is that I teach reading, writing, spelling and grammar. They always reduced my score. I do not think scores matter much, since they keep sending me jobs to do. However, I do very few of them.

.

Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/2014 01:59AM by asdf.

It's not like the editors are Harvard scholars so don't put any weight if they nitpick about things you consider correct. The only reasons you should be doing mystery shopping is because you enjoy it and want additional income. Empty praise from an anonymous editor should not be one of them.

.

Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/2014 01:59AM by asdf.

.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/2014 02:00AM by asdf.

asdf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm a proofer at IntelliShop. I would just like to
> say that I really LOVE this company. I can't say
> enough good things about it. Such a positive
> atmosphere, and you can tell that everyone really
> cares about each other, as well as the shoppers.
>
> I love proofing, and I love shoppers!
>
> - asdf


I'm sorry... I laughing hysterically. You are a proofreader at Intellishop... and you posted this???


Two hundred thirty characters, and you had to edit it four times?

Of course you did... LOL

No wonder shoppers are fed up with the proofreaders!!!!!

My last shop, I told the scheduler to send the proofreader to do the shop, because apparently the proofreader knew more about the shop and location than I did with my 40+ pictures taken.

Just wondering, are you the proofreader that returned a car dealership report to me because I failed to include the route taken on the test drive even though it wasn't a requirement that I put the route of the test drive in the report?

Anyone else been asked to provide the route taken on a test drive for a car dealership? Just curious here.



As a proofreader for Intellishop--I want you to think "anal" for one moment. READ what these shoppers are saying, and then ask yourself, is it really worth losing good shoppers to be so asinine in proofreading reports?

Personally, I sent an email to Intellishop asking what type format they wanted in grammar and capitalization. Here, as a proofreader, please tell me, which style do you use in proofreading reports?

[www.aresearchguide.com]


I personally like and usually use the Chicago style. That's because I published a technical newsletter for over three years that went out worldwide. I did have an editor to check the entire newsletter so it would be perfect. He preferred Chicago style, so I converted to that style.

But I could change. If you had the nerve to post what style you used in all your proofreading skills, I would convert to that style. The problem is, there is no accepted style. The entire proofreading process at Intellishop depends on the individual whims of the Intellishop proofreaders.

As I said, do you really think it is worth losing good shoppers over erratic proofreading requirements?

As I posted on the Intelli-shop rant thread a couple of days ago:

"One of my chief beefs with this company is the e-mails that cite "Simple". Good grief! Even "Easy" would be better than "Simple". Inference is I'm too stupid to do a "Difficult" shop. This MSC doesn't have a clue about the meaning of "Respect". "

Nothing's changed. Nothing. I got another e-mail citing a "Simple" shop this morning. No thanks.

Ms.Baker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asdf Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm a proofer at IntelliShop. I would just like
> to
> > say that I really LOVE this company. I can't
> say
> > enough good things about it. Such a positive
> > atmosphere, and you can tell that everyone
> really
> > cares about each other, as well as the
> shoppers.
> >
> > I love proofing, and I love shoppers!
> >
> > - asdf
>
>
> I'm sorry... I laughing hysterically. You are a
> proofreader at Intellishop... and you posted
> this???
>
>
> Two hundred thirty characters, and you had to edit
> it four times?
>
> Of course you did... LOL
>
> No wonder shoppers are fed up with the
> proofreaders!!!!!
>
> My last shop, I told the scheduler to send the
> proofreader to do the shop, because apparently the
> proofreader knew more about the shop and location
> than I did with my 40+ pictures taken.
>
> Just wondering, are you the proofreader that
> returned a car dealership report to me because I
> failed to include the route taken on the test
> drive even though it wasn't a requirement that I
> put the route of the test drive in the report?
>
> Anyone else been asked to provide the route taken
> on a test drive for a car dealership? Just
> curious here.
>
>
>
> As a proofreader for Intellishop--I want you to
> think "anal" for one moment. READ what these
> shoppers are saying, and then ask yourself, is it
> really worth losing good shoppers to be so asinine
> in proofreading reports?
>
> Personally, I sent an email to Intellishop asking
> what type format they wanted in grammar and
> capitalization. Here, as a proofreader, please
> tell me, which style do you use in proofreading
> reports?
>
> [www.aresearchguide.com]
>
>
> I personally like and usually use the Chicago
> style. That's because I published a technical
> newsletter for over three years that went out
> worldwide. I did have an editor to check the
> entire newsletter so it would be perfect. He
> preferred Chicago style, so I converted to that
> style.
>
> But I could change. If you had the nerve to post
> what style you used in all your proofreading
> skills, I would convert to that style. The
> problem is, there is no accepted style. The
> entire proofreading process at Intellishop depends
> on the individual whims of the Intellishop
> proofreaders.
>
> As I said, do you really think it is worth losing
> good shoppers over erratic proofreading
> requirements?

I just wanted to comment that there were many "toads" in your post, from the very first sentence: "I laughing hysterically."

Who are you to corner one proofreader, and blast her or him with your frustration? You might think about going to a Craigslist and venting your anger on Rants & Raves, since your post is disturbing to others.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2013 03:02AM by Mary Smith xoxoxo.

I finally got paid for July shops from Intelli-shop last week. I thought I'd never get the money. If there are a hundred proofreaders employed there alone, I can just imagine the size of the staff altogether. No wonder Intelli-shop pays their shoppers so little, if they have to pay 100 people alone just to review the reports.

That said, I will still work for them if a shop is close to home or convenient for me, appeals to me in some way, or pays over $15. There aren't many, and I've probably already done most of the shops they have that pay over $15 in my area. If Intelli-shop had a faster payment schedule, they'd get more shoppers to do expense reimbursement shops. Why would anyone spend $50-$100 of their own money if they have to wait 2 months to get reimbursed? I see the same shops just sitting on the job board every week and month because the pay is too low and the expenses too high to wait and nobody wants to do them. Even if they would reimburse the expenses within 2-3 weeks and wait to pay the shopper fees later, it would be preferable to the way it is now, in having to wait so long for both.

Somebody at Intelli-shop isn't that intelli-gent.

Last time I checked their FAQs (earlier this month), the payment terms listed there were 30 days yet they are still paying many at 60.

Intelli-shop aside, since I don't shop for them and don't "know" them, one poster's mention of style guides is a great point!

If the MSC's would tell us whether to use AP style or Chicago style, that would help a great deal for some of us. There are significant differences in a few areas between those two guides.

Additionally, it would be helpful if the editors themselves were crackerjack grammaticians. One of my last reports garnered editor's comments that were simply awful from a grammar standpoint.

I'm always worred I'll get "marked down" on something that's grammatically correct, because the editor's not aware of correct usage!

I was asked for my route once too. You are correct, it wasn't in the guidelines.

I'm glad the proofreader loves working for "Team Top Gun." I hope they value her and pay her better than they do shoppers. I cringe at the thought of ever having to do another shop for them. I'll have to be falling on hard times.


Ms.Baker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asdf Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm a proofer at IntelliShop. I would just like
> to
> > say that I really LOVE this company. I can't
> say
> > enough good things about it. Such a positive
> > atmosphere, and you can tell that everyone
> really
> > cares about each other, as well as the
> shoppers.
> >
> > I love proofing, and I love shoppers!
> >
> > - asdf
>
>
> I'm sorry... I laughing hysterically. You are a
> proofreader at Intellishop... and you posted
> this???
>
>
> Two hundred thirty characters, and you had to edit
> it four times?
>
> Of course you did... LOL
>
> No wonder shoppers are fed up with the
> proofreaders!!!!!
>
> My last shop, I told the scheduler to send the
> proofreader to do the shop, because apparently the
> proofreader knew more about the shop and location
> than I did with my 40+ pictures taken.
>
> Just wondering, are you the proofreader that
> returned a car dealership report to me because I
> failed to include the route taken on the test
> drive even though it wasn't a requirement that I
> put the route of the test drive in the report?
>
> Anyone else been asked to provide the route taken
> on a test drive for a car dealership? Just
> curious here.
>
>
>
> As a proofreader for Intellishop--I want you to
> think "anal" for one moment. READ what these
> shoppers are saying, and then ask yourself, is it
> really worth losing good shoppers to be so asinine
> in proofreading reports?
>
> Personally, I sent an email to Intellishop asking
> what type format they wanted in grammar and
> capitalization. Here, as a proofreader, please
> tell me, which style do you use in proofreading
> reports?
>
> [www.aresearchguide.com]
>
>
> I personally like and usually use the Chicago
> style. That's because I published a technical
> newsletter for over three years that went out
> worldwide. I did have an editor to check the
> entire newsletter so it would be perfect. He
> preferred Chicago style, so I converted to that
> style.
>
> But I could change. If you had the nerve to post
> what style you used in all your proofreading
> skills, I would convert to that style. The
> problem is, there is no accepted style. The
> entire proofreading process at Intellishop depends
> on the individual whims of the Intellishop
> proofreaders.
>
> As I said, do you really think it is worth losing
> good shoppers over erratic proofreading
> requirements?

C-store audits I used to do now only pay 7.00. They were easy and I usually got a free lunch out of them with the couple dollar reimbursement. Now I don't touch them because of the distance and I notice they stay out there awhile too.

Mary Smith xoxoxo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> since your post is disturbing to others.



No offense, and I don't mean to disturb you; but I wasn't disturbed by that post. Yeah, having a grammatical error in the opening sentence wasn't a shining moment considering the content; but I honestly don't think the post was all that disturbing.

But then, I've never been easily disturbed.

Until now I have had an acceptable relationship with Intelli-shop. I just received a very unjustified 6/10 grade which is the lowest grade I have ever received from any MSC after doing hundreds of shops! The explanation was an untrue statement about submitting the shop late and unspecified "changes for capitalization and/or punctuation". I must now agree with the other people who have negative feelings about this company.

Let's just say they are not among my favourite MSCs. I have not done anything for them for a while because I have almost forgotten about them. I have put off deactivating my account a while back because of the advice in this forum.

Some editors, I suspect, are not aware that there are differences in American English and British English, especially in spelling. I get 9s because of that ignorance on their part. I used to adjust my spelling depending on whether the MSC is based in US or Canada. But I was told once by an editor that because I am in Canada, I should write as a Canadian. You see, I had to adjust when I moved from the States.

Skibunnie92--- since they have accused you of being late in your report, they probably are never aware or refuse to admit of any glitch in their system. Two others have accused me of such. One even docked me $2 only to find out that the problem was on their end. That really irritates me because I have never been late in my reports and I had to advise them that they
were wrong.

I am surprised that I am not encountering these kind of problems with my favourite MSCs. Or maybe they run their companies more efficiently and professionally.

I recently completed a hotel mystery shop for Intelli-shop. It was my first one. It took 2.5 hours to fill out the form. I tried to complete the narratives as detailed as I thought they wanted. I got it in the night of the day I checked out. In two days I got a note saying "I need your incomplete shop ASAP. It is over due." I was taken aback. One of the items was really silly-"What were the exact words of the driver?" I had already said he thanked us and wished us a good day. The 2nd item had to do with the in-room dining which was probably legit. I apologized and explained that this was my first hotel job. I don't mind having to redo some of my answers but it was the tone she used. Then she deducted 2 points. Are they always so rude?

I kinda like intellishop. The schedulers have always been nice to me. I don't care what I get for a "grade" as long as I get paid, though I don't think I've gotten below a 9. The editors tend to be over zealous but what do I care as long as they accept my work. My guess is that they are probably required to find fault in every report they can so they can "prove" they've actually processed it. Why take it personal?

I was assigned a nursing home shop on Monday that was due today with the understanding that I would do the shop yesterday, Tuesday. I did the shop and wrote the entire report. I couldn't submit it, because you must wait for 24 hours after the shop to see if the sales director makes a follow up phone call. It has now been more than 24 hours, and the form will still not let me enter the answer. The box says in red, you must wait until 24 hours after the shop. And it will not let me submit the form without an answer for that question. Anyone else have this experience?

Don't worry Canuck, you will be fine shopping for them. They can be harsh in their scoring, but there are certain shops of theirs that I really like. So long as their scoring does not affect my ability to choose shops, and it stays above an 8, I will keep doing their shops.

I see a lot of shoppers avoiding this company like the plague, me included.

Okay, I'm new to this. I don't know how they pay, because the first shop I did for them was in February. But, I haven't seen anything I disliked about them in the first seven shops I've done for them. '

I've gotten six 10s, and one 9. My first reaction to the '9', which claimed to be for reasons of spelling and grammar, was, "Hmph, I suppose I'll need to write in short simple sentences that they can understand." My next reaction was, "Well, maybe I typoed something and didn't catch it."

One shop was such a total mess that I assumed I'd be writing it off. I e-mailed the scheduler to say what had happened, and the response was, "Just fill out as much of the report you can, and submit it." It's in my log now, payment pending for full fee and reimbursement.

I e-mailed a scheduler to ask about a shop that I thought I couldn't do as specified, so I hadn't applied for it. The response was, "It'll be easy, so I'm assigning you to it." I raised my eyebrows about that, but, she was right. It was easy. That was a little high-handed, but as it turned out, I'm glad she did.

So far, so good.

Ismael, you must love "paint us a picture"!

(heart)

Well, I just thought that it wasn't fair to have things be entirely 'Intelli-shop is evil', unless it was justified.

I think it's rare that an MSC is evil. I think they sometimes screw up. And I think some screw up more than others. But evil? Doubt it.

I think intelli is okay, however, I did a car shop. The same person that I shopped previously, I got again. I got a contact from intelli saying I needed a new business card. It was another business card, but it was the same person and he did not change his card from 6 months before. My grade was lowered because they had to contact me. They did not have to contact me, they chose to contact me-my answer did not change but my grade did!

I've been trying to head off the business card/proof of being there problem by writing the date on any cards/documents I scan, for any MSC. Are there any situations where that will backfire and get me in trouble for 'defacing' the card, or something?