Customer Service Experts

I have deactivated myself for any further job notifications from Customer Service Experts out of Annapolis, MD. Every time I applied for a shop I never heard back from them. Today I cancelled my requested shops that they still hadn't given me. One had a due date of today and still hadn't been assigned. My schedule is too tight to have to wait and wait and wait for them to decide who they're going to give it to. This is very unusual so far in my mystery shopping experience. Has anyone else had this happen?

Jen B.
Shopping Maryland, DC and VA, Silver certified

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I used to do a ton of shops for them when they had a particular client. If I did not hear from them, I just called and asked to be connected with whoever was handling an account, talked with that person, and usually got a satisfactory answer. I enjoyed every employee with whom I came in contact there over about 6 years. They have very strict editing guidelines, but once you get used to their reports, it becomes second nature.

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.

Hi Jen, I understand your frustration on not hearing back. You've already cut loose from this company, but if you run across a similar situation in the future there are at least a couple of ways to handle it. First, if possible you could put a deadline on your application so that the application expires at XX time on XX day. If their system won't accommodate that, you can make a note on your own schedule and if the application is not accepted by your deadline, you can go into their website and cancel the application. Sometimes it's hard to get started with a new company and it takes some extra effort. Wales' suggestion to call is good, and you might also try emails if you can get the addy for a concerned scheduler.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

Thanks for the information. I don't really have time to go chasing shops since I work full time. It's enough to just keep up with all the emails I get and complete the shops I do end up scheduling! I've chosen not to work for CSE due to the way they assign their jobs. I realize that they can do what ever they want to do but there are many other companies out there that don't work that way. If they are that picky I feel they could do a better job of informing their shoppers and not wait until the last minute. Their system doesn't work for me.

Jen B.
Shopping Maryland, DC and VA, Silver certified

Is there any more recent feedback on this company?

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut

vlade,
More recent than a few days ago? Nope. However, if you click on the link below the original post on this thread it will take you to other discussions of the company. Some shoppers find their editors too strict for their liking. But most who have shopped for them like the schedulers and the shops. More pople want to shop for CSE than CSE has shops, apparently. I would not be deterred by the OPs experience.

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.

I have shopped for CSE for years. There schedulers are great to talk to. Always get paid on time too.
I'm not sure about scheduling. They know me well, lots of times I send them the dates I'm available. Look at their job board, don't always wait for them to email you. I have gotten almost all 10s with them. Just get to know what they want, basically answer ALL questions on their forms. Follow their Guidelines and you'll be O.K. They shop most of the Airports in the US.

I have just started to work with CSE on airport shops my only issue is that they schedule 9 shops all small for one day and want everything turned in within 2 days, if this is your primary job that is fine but I have a full time job. Many of the shops have the same question format but they want each narrative to be unique so if you follow the rules you spend a lot of time writing. While I enjoy food hitting 6 places for food all in the same afternoon is difficult, if you stop to take notes in between you will be there a very long time.

komondor,
The airport circuits become very easy and fast as you do more of them. The benefit is having 9-20 shops all in one location. CSE actually gives the shopper longer to get the reports in than many MSCs that do airports. I agree, circuits may not be a good choice for a shopper with a 9-5 job, but it is an important "niche" for many shoppers.

There is nothing unusual about an MSC not wanting any "cut and paste" between similar reports, so I am not sure what makes CSE unusual. They do have very strict editing standards, but, again, once you get into the rhythym of their reports, it becomes second nature.

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.

Have you tried to negotiate an extension of time? I do that all day long. I'm a detail oriented type so many companies like my reports. I've told them I can submit them by deadline, but without proof reading. I usually submit by the next morning.

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

That's typical. I did a post security shop, took the bus to the airport. While they would pay parking, they would not reimburse two way bus fare without a receipt. I have a request for the same job again. It has been on the boards for two weeks. My rotation date is one week away. IF not filled, I probably have it. This time I park. Unless the late payment complaint is chronic.

komondor,
You may be "over writing" if your CSE reports are taking so long to do. The very same elements go into every one of their reports. Making each unique is as simple as writing "in a welcoming tone of voice," or "in a cheerful manner," or "in an upbeat tone of voice," etc., about how the greeting sounded. If you were not thanked and did not get a pleasant parting remark, there is always, "The passenger then departed without further acknowledgment of any kind."

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.

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