So I'm trying to decide how to proceed. I've done 40 shops for Corporate Research International over the last 18 months. In September I had an issue with a bookseller shop and it took 3 days past the deadline before I could get direction on how to proceed. I attempted emailing the shop scheduler (who was on vacation), the scheduler covering for her, I submitted a request via the website, and I left a message on the phone line (I couldn't reach a human). Finally I heard back from the original scheduler when she got back and it worked out fine.

A month ago I did a shop requiring photos for them. 4 days later the scheduler emailed that there was an issue with one photo. I responded within 6 hours asking if an alternative photo would work and explained the difficulty I had because of the unique location which was not covered in the shop training or instructions. She never responded. The next day my shop was voided due to "shopper error." She did not respond to a follow up. I attempted to email via the website and ask for clarification, no responses after 72 hrs so I sent a follow up email. No response again.

I've appreciated working for CORI in the past, but this was a 40 mile round trip and 90 minutes wasted. I'm not sure if tgey just don't have the resources to adequately cover their workload or what, but it strikes me as unprofessional and a huge warning sign when a MS company is unavailable.

I'm trying to decide now if I want to term my contract with them or not. I routinely have taken shops way out in rural areas, and now it feels rather risky. I'm also considering other avenues, such as contacting the BBB and MSPA to lodge a complaint.

Thoughts?

The difference in your two attempts to contact them was that the first time, even though you didn't reach a live person, you called and things were resolved favorably. I've never had to call more than twice about any concern I've ever had.
Even if you're fed up, however, don't terminate. Just lay low and keep your options open for the future. They went (are still going) through a transition having been bought out recently, and things may get better for you with them, and who knows what's next for their future. No point burning a bridge that may be improved or even sold to someone else.

I recommend you hang in with this company and don't rock the boat. Lots of work, quick pay, big bonuses. They're in transition and everybody goes through a rocky patch now and then. Give yourself a break and don't terminate.

One of my favorite schedulers works for CORI and I do lots of his shops. Very professional very easy to deal with and just great all the way around. My least favorite scheduler also works for CORI. She never responds to emails. I just quit taking shops that she schedules. Never had a problem with anyone else there.

I have had a couple of issues with CoRI shops, but all have been resolved favorably. They all had to do with photos. I have dealt with about four different people there, and whenever they send an email, there is a phone number with an extension attached. I've kept a list of the different people, and now, if there is an issue that needs a quick fix, I just go down the list until someone answers.

Also, when I get an email saying a photo is bad, instead of just asking if I can send a replacement, I just attach one or two different photos that I think might fix the problem. A lot of times they don't respond, but will go ahead and update the shop, and I'll end up getting a 5 on it anyways, so it all works out.

Just my $0.02

JC

I'm curious. How do you know which scheduler has which shop?


gogogirl Wrote:
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> One of my favorite schedulers works for CORI and I
> do lots of his shops. Very professional very easy
> to deal with and just great all the way around.
> My least favorite scheduler also works for CORI.
> She never responds to emails. I just quit taking
> shops that she schedules. Never had a problem
> with anyone else there.

I keep a list of who schedules what for the the company. They only have a few clients in my area so it is pretty easy.

Ah! brilliant! Now, why didn't I think of that? duh!!

I have completed over 300 jobs for this company in the past year and find them to be very consistent and easy to get a hold of provided I am not using the Help link on their page. I have only had one issue that I requested be escalated to a manager and the scheduler complied with my request and the job did get submitted to the customer. The few other issues I have had were training issues of my own, poor photo, cash in lieu of credit card etc. There is an extension for mystery shoppers that is provided when you call their 800 number. It seems to get me through most times on the first attempt other than during the lunch hour. I have also found that since the transition communication is much better and their backlog on payments has been resolved.

Hi, I recently answered an email from CORI for mystery shopping and they sent a check for $2410 and instructions on what they want me to do with it. Is this a scam? Are there two CORI? How do i find out which is the legit one?

If you answered an email and received a check, yes, it is a scam. Scammers sometimes use the names of legitimate companies. Find the REAL Cori listed in our company list, Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies, the blue link at the bottom of the page.

Scan the check and instructions and send a copy to the real CORI, and deliver to the police or postal service the originals.