Mercantile Systems
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I've only done a few shops for them. They don't have much in my area, but the pay was reasonable and I don't remember any problems with payments.
I've done a few for them, too. Really nice people to deal with, but they don't have a lot in my area, either. I'd gladly do more if there were.
I did my first shop for them last week.
Payment was promised within five days. It came in three days.
Very reasonable fee for the amount of work involved. I'd love it if they had more assignments in my area.
And I agree with Shopping in CA, they are super nice people, as well.
Payment was promised within five days. It came in three days.
Very reasonable fee for the amount of work involved. I'd love it if they had more assignments in my area.
And I agree with Shopping in CA, they are super nice people, as well.
Good company! They do not have much in my area.
I work for them, one of my first...excellent company. They have monthly bar audits (loss prevention), if your into that.
They also do a nice restaurant that pays with gift card for the restaurant.
They also do a nice restaurant that pays with gift card for the restaurant.
Live consciously....
It's so unfortunately with the gift card reimbursement! I know which restaurant you are talking about. I did it, would have continued if they at least repaid the expenses in ONE gift card instead of spreading it out over four/five $25 gift cards.
Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I work for them, one of my first...excellent
> company. They have monthly bar audits (loss
> prevention), if your into that.
> They also do a nice restaurant that pays with gift
> card for the restaurant.
Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I work for them, one of my first...excellent
> company. They have monthly bar audits (loss
> prevention), if your into that.
> They also do a nice restaurant that pays with gift
> card for the restaurant.
I do shops for them, usually restaurant shops. I like them -- both the shops and Mercantile. Their restaurant shops give me an excuse to have a nice meal out with my husband without having to bear the expense.
Thanks all! I appreciate the feedback. Can't beat all the positives and I'll wait to see if I get assigned the shop.
Deb
Deb
Hi Deb!
I work for Mercantile. If there are any questions I can answer for you, please feel free to reach out.
Take Care,
Jamie
I work for Mercantile. If there are any questions I can answer for you, please feel free to reach out.
Take Care,
Jamie
Jamie Giles
Scheduler
Reality Based Group
jgiles@realitybasedgroup.com
Scheduler
Reality Based Group
jgiles@realitybasedgroup.com
Has anyone done one of the bar integrity shops? These shops pop up in my area every once in a while and since they are not quickly snapped up it makes me think that, perhaps, they are not that easy and/or the report is long or something.
Their reports are usually very easy.
plmccut
That shop is okay, the food is okay. However for the low fee and low reimbursement it is not worth the effort in my opinion. There are two different shops for the same client. If you took the qualification quizzes you will have an idea of what they expect. The one I did, the report was quite lengthly with specific timings, observations and a lot of narrative. The fee should be much higher. What I did not like is, in the report, you are asked where you sat and what you were wearing making it easy to identify you. Also if you are not promised payment within a specific time frame you can expect to be paid in 60 days. For me, and obviously others, it was not worth it. If you do accept the shop, try to make it during their Happy Hour when the drink & bar food specials are available costing you less out of pocket. Best of luck!
That shop is okay, the food is okay. However for the low fee and low reimbursement it is not worth the effort in my opinion. There are two different shops for the same client. If you took the qualification quizzes you will have an idea of what they expect. The one I did, the report was quite lengthly with specific timings, observations and a lot of narrative. The fee should be much higher. What I did not like is, in the report, you are asked where you sat and what you were wearing making it easy to identify you. Also if you are not promised payment within a specific time frame you can expect to be paid in 60 days. For me, and obviously others, it was not worth it. If you do accept the shop, try to make it during their Happy Hour when the drink & bar food specials are available costing you less out of pocket. Best of luck!
The reports are straightforward and the people are great to deal with.
I have done the shop ShoppingBee is referring to, and I swore I would never do it again. The reimbursement only covers the cost for one person, and the level of detail is just not worth it. I found the report to be poorly designed, and it took much longer to complete than it should have.
Edited to add: I really like all of the other MercSystems shops I have done. This one is an outlier.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2015 10:33AM by Roxie.
Edited to add: I really like all of the other MercSystems shops I have done. This one is an outlier.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2015 10:33AM by Roxie.
I have done several food and hotel shops for them. Jamie is absolutely great to work with. Love the hotel shops!
Has anyone recently gotten a malware warning when clicking on a link in an email from them?
Has anyone recently gotten a malware warning when clicking on a link in an email from them?
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Very friendly MSC. Just remember payment is by check in the mail; but tends to be speedy enough!
One of my favorites.
One of my favorites.
Somewhere in the Midwest, shopping / auditing full time since 2014. Will use PV-500 for food! 
I thought they were 45 days. Are they 60?
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I think they're stated 45 but I've gotten my checks (so far) quicker than that.
Speedier than a few MSCs I can think of.
Speedier than a few MSCs I can think of.
Somewhere in the Midwest, shopping / auditing full time since 2014. Will use PV-500 for food!
It is stated payment is at 45 days. I have ratings of 10s and get paid in close to 60 days. Check you payment dates.
I do like their friendly comments from editors and ratings too... 10s all around here as well.
Somewhere in the Midwest, shopping / auditing full time since 2014. Will use PV-500 for food!
One of Mercantile's clients in my area is in my monthly rotation. Great to work with. Good restaurants. Simple assignments.
Not sure what background you have with bar integrity shops, but Mercantile has detailed guidelines on what they look for in their bar integrity shops. Thanks to Mercantile's shops, this made all other bar integrity shops I've done for other MSC cake.
@plmccut wrote:
Has anyone done one of the bar integrity shops? These shops pop up in my area every once in a while and since they are not quickly snapped up it makes me think that, perhaps, they are not that easy and/or the report is long or something.
Not sure what background you have with bar integrity shops, but Mercantile has detailed guidelines on what they look for in their bar integrity shops. Thanks to Mercantile's shops, this made all other bar integrity shops I've done for other MSC cake.
Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
All the bar integrity shops I have done for them have been quite easy, whether the bar was empty or crowded.
I am also usually paid in less than 45 days. Love those 10s and editor encouragement!
I am also usually paid in less than 45 days. Love those 10s and editor encouragement!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I love their bar integrity shops. They're a staple for me as well. The place has top notch food too.
Somewhere in the Midwest, shopping / auditing full time since 2014. Will use PV-500 for food!
From my experience, their food comes premade off a Sysco truck. Standard pre-fab food in my opinion. The reports are not worth the time or effort. Others obviously feel it's good. I do not know how they can claim to do high end restaurants shops. Maybe their shops are high end chain/multiunit food shops, if there is such a thing.@AlexG wrote:
I love their bar integrity shops. They're a staple for me as well. The place has top notch food too.
Their bar audits are easy. They are nowhere near as complicated as I have seen elsewhere. They are basically a beginner level. The food is good too. No idea what ShoppingBee has eaten there. I'd not be caught dead in Olive Garden or anywhere similar for reference.
I have done audits where you need a drink trail of 8-10 other drinks (plus yours) and you must include the brand, pour method and count and cash flow.
I have done audits where you need a drink trail of 8-10 other drinks (plus yours) and you must include the brand, pour method and count and cash flow.
It may be the area that I am located in, but I have done a number of high end restaurant shops for Merchantile and found them to be great to work with, on many levels. The reports were detailed but that was spelled out in the expectations. They payed within a reasonable amount of time, the schedulers were freindly, and the sites enjoyable. All in all, a positive experience!
Also, many of their bar integrity shops allow me, as a solo shopper, to do them and they can be done during daylight hours! The reimbursement is easily enough for a nice lunch and a glass of quite good wine. There is always plenty of food to take home for another meal.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.