I thought that there might have been a post about this but did not find it.

I just got assignned several hotel shops. I need to read the guidelines before accepting them. When I download the guidelines they all open up in some machine language crossed with Urdu or some such script!

Any insights into a solution would be welcome.

I have emailed the scheduler, of course, but was hoping for an early resolution.

Same problem, different MSCs. I think printing, using "normal" instead of "fast draft", solved the problem. Try it and see if that works.

(heart)

Wales, is it a PDF you are tying to open? If so, it sounds like your system doesn't have the required fonts to display it properly.

Chances are the the mistake is on the end of the MSC in creating an incompatible PDF, but be sure you have the most up to date version of Acrobat reader just in case.

I have the sofyware to open PDFs. In fact, I have asked the scheduler to forward a copy in PDF. So far, she has answered a question that I posed in the same email, but has not addresses the guidelines matter at all.

The document opens immediately instead of asking what program I might want to use to open it.

You can save the document to your computer, and then from Windows Explorer, right-click it and one of the choices is "Open with"... and then you choose what you want to open it with.

I hate when they don't answer the questions, though! Or only some but not others! Sheesh!

Chances are it wasn't saved in the right format or with the proper extension.

If it's not opening up in Acrobat, you should do as storm cloud mentioned and force it to. The right click->open with works on both mac & PC

walesmaven, did you have the required hotel status prior to accepting these shops? I am one elite level below the requirement and wonder what my chances of getting one of these shops might be. Of course the fact that I have yet to do a shop for Merc probably works against me far more than hotel status level! Didn't sign up last time these popped up, but thought I might try one this round.

Question...why do you need 600.00 for a one nights stay. We just stayed at the <hotel apparently in question> in Fla., and the cost was 79.00.



Mod note: Oops! Apparently the hotel Irene named is associated with the MSC being discussed.

saacman,
I have the appropriate status and snagged all 4 that I applied for. BUT, earlier this year, an MSC got me upgraded to that level for free, so that I could do similar jobs. So, I conclude that one does not always have to be at that level to get selected.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Question...why do you need 600.00 for a one nights
> stay. We just stayed at the Marriott in Fla., and
> the cost was 79.00.

It depends on what part of Florida and when. Some cities in FL offer greatly discounted prices in the summer months/off-season. I have stayed at the same resort in August and then in March. The same type of room jumped from below $200 a night to over $800 a night.

You may have to evaluate valet parking, the bar, the breakfast buffet and room service. Those will add to the total.

saacman5033 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> walesmaven, did you have the required hotel status
> prior to accepting these shops? .... the fact that I
> have yet to do a shop for Merc probably works
> against me far more than hotel status level!

My first shop for Mercantile was one similar to the current round. I was one tier too low, but applied anyway. They accepted my application and had my account upgraded, I've since done others for them (and enjoyed the upgraded status).

Some of these get snagged up and assigned quickly, while others linger on the board for a while. Also, some have a deadline right around the corner, others are a few weeks or more into the future. I would imagine those two factors (time until deadline and lack of interest in the shop) would work for/against you just as much as your current status.

Speaking of assignments that get picked up quickly, I have a funny feeling walesmaven got two of the shops in this series that I really wanted!


**EDIT: So as to be helpful to the OP, I noticed that the guidelines for both of my shops in this series got updated since the initial assignment email. The linked guidelines (Word document) was the same for both shops, and I was able to open on both Windows and Android without issues.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2014 07:47PM by CapitalJay.

Thanks walesmaven & CapitalJay! And sorry for dragging this off topic.

Hi There, saacman!
While we do give priority to those who already have the top tier status and those who have completed shops for us, it does not rule you out from being assigned. Please make sure you have an updated extended profile, verified SS# and a current photo of yourself uploaded to your extended profile. Thanks!

-Jamie



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/2014 01:10PM by JGiles.

Thanks for the help Jamie!

I must say... I don't think Mercantile likes me. Even though I have completed numerous low paying shops for this company, it seems I can never get a hotel assignment and I have been applying for them for two years! I go out of my way to take on the low paying shops and getting high scores for them (even a couple for said schedule), alas no go. But it is okay I will just keep on applying.

Hi Linda,
I'm sorry you weren't chosen for the location/s that you applied for. With popular shops such as these, we can receive upwards of 20 applications. To narrow down those applications to just one is quite a task. Ultimately, the person who gets chosen is usually done so on the basis of several criteria: their overall shop history with MSI (how many shops completed, how many flakes, cancellations and reschedules as well as how many times they’ve gone out of their way and completed hard-to-fill shops for us), the date they can do the shop (usually, the earlier the better) and how far away they are from the location (the further away someone is, the greater the chance they’ll flake or cancel). So you see, it’s not necessarily that you’re not a good candidate, but based on these factors, we found someone more qualified at the time. Please don’t take offense to not being chosen. It most definitely isn’t personal. I look forward to continuing to work with you. Have a great week!