Is JM Ridgway for real? Not on MSPA

June 16, 2014 06:10AM

Ok, I am branching out. I have seen many of you more experienced shoppers telling of all the different companies you shop for. In following your example, I have signed up with several new companies in the past week that have brought a few, though not a lot, of new possible shops within my sights. Some of the companies don't even have shops located within my state, let alone my area. I noticed that JM Ridgway has one right in my home town, and not a bad paying one at that. The problem is that, up until now, I have always checked the MSPA website to make sure they are a member company before I sign up (why can't they alphabetize that list, anyway). Well JM Ridgway is the first company that hasn't been there, and I am new enough to be a little gun shy about signing up with whoever. Are there others that are still shopping with them right now and is it worth it? If they are legit, why not sign on with the MSPA? Their website says they've been around since 1924 and they are linked up with listings on Sassie. Any input would be appreciated. Thanx!

Note to Mod: it's Ridgway, not Ridgeway as our "Official List" spells it.

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Could I have a receipt please?

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June 16, 2014 06:55AM

They are definitely legit. I've done a few assignments for them, had no problems, and they paid me on time.

I've noticed one down side to them. If you live in a large state, be prepared to get a lot of e-mail offers for all over the state. 600 miles away? Sure! You can do it!

June 16, 2014 07:11AM

I've done about 10 shops with them. No problems whatsoever. They don't seem to have a lot of shops in my area, however.

June 16, 2014 09:37AM

I've done several shops for them. The shops I have done are pretty well paying and I've gotten some nice bonuses from them too. The reports are a little narrative heavy, but not bad.

June 16, 2014 12:26PM

I have performed three shops for them in just over a year. They don't have a lot to offer in my area and there are rotation restrictions. I have been paid by PayPal with the quickest payment taking 41 days and the slowest payment taking 68 days.

As far as not being a member of the MSPA, I believe that MSCs have to pay a membership fee or something so maybe this MSC does not see any value in it. Maybe they have enough clients and a large shopper base that they don't need the MSPA. This is just speculation.

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“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

June 16, 2014 12:31PM

I thought they paid net 60 around the 10th of the month, in other words, the second month after shops are completed?

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.

June 16, 2014 01:01PM

Many excellent MSCs do not belong to MSPA. Remember, MSPA is mainly an organization to lobby governemnts on behalf of the MSCs. They are not there to help shoppers find the best shops of MSCs.

If you use the search feature on these forums you will find shopper reviews of Ridgway and many other MSCs that are not MSPA members.

MSPA membership is NOT a guarantee of the MSC being shopper-friendly or even that the MSC will pay as promised.

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.

June 16, 2014 01:24PM

Yeah, I've done a dozen or so shops for them over the last few years. They've gotten better with payment (sometimes a little slow) yet they are definitely a legit company.

June 16, 2014 01:31PM

I've done several shops for them in the past few months. Good reviews on my reports. A slower payer than many, but everything is a fee, so not spending money out of pocket. They have interesting shops that pay well. More responsibility but the report and narrative writing is easy.

Plus, they put a section at the end where you could give opinion. I did when I did two locations for the same client. The second, a more experienced manager, did not hit many of the, "marks' listed on the survey. I gave my opinion of what transpired at the end, when I became convinced she knew her stuff and stated for that reason, I would consider joining.

I like it when a MS puts in a section for experiences that don't fit the formula.

Do not read so much, look about you and think of what you see there.
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230

June 16, 2014 01:57PM

They are not in my area much but I do a lot for them when I travel. Last shops I did were in January and I was paid in full and on time. The reports are easy too.

Good luck!!

O.o o.O

Happily shopping New England and beyond!!!!!

June 16, 2014 04:53PM

walesmaven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Many excellent MSCs do not belong to MSPA.
> Remember, MSPA is mainly an organization to lobby
> governemnts on behalf of the MSCs. They are not
> there to help shoppers find the best shops of
> MSCs.
>
> If you use the search feature on these forums you
> will find shopper reviews of Ridgway and many
> other MSCs that are not MSPA members.
>
> MSPA membership is NOT a guarantee of the MSC
> being shopper-friendly or even that the MSC will
> pay as promised.

Thanks for all of the input everyone! I definitely check the forum first before signing up so I don't waste my time for a non-shopper friendly MSC, but I would check the MSPA too, especially if there are old or few reviews. I guess I will give them a try. Wish me luck!

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Could I have a receipt please?

June 16, 2014 05:08PM

The point wales was making is whether a MSC is a member or not really means nothing to the shopper. There have been documented cases of companies consistently paying late and/or not paying at all while they remain a member in good standing. In all my years of shopping I have not checked the MSPA website once. The most reliable information is what comes from shoppers for shoppers.

June 16, 2014 11:03PM

Definitely legit. They do pay slow (the second month after you do the shop, forget what date and can't access my spreadsheet right now) but they pay well, and the payment timeframe is spelled out on their site. A looong time ago they were one that had to be 'reminded' that payment was due... but that hasn't been an issue for a long time now. I like the scheduler I work with, I like the jobs, and I like the pay. All jobs pay decently, but some pay *really* well.

Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.

June 20, 2014 02:07PM

I've done several shops for them, but I have had to call and/or email after 90 days to find out where payment was. Payment was made the same day I reached out to them.

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Is JM Ridgway for real? Not on MSPA

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