Haha, I know, you know and isn't that fun?

(heart)

Canuck volunteered and swept the "F" and G" MSCs:

Feedback Plus OK

Focus On Service Can't find anything

Franchise Compliance OK

Freeman Group Caput-we know about them, huh?

Frontline Focus International OK

Gapbuster OK

GFK Mystery Shopping OK


Global Compliance Research OK

Goodwin & Associates OK

Graymark Security Group OK

Greet America Inc. Web is now Lockheed Martin planes!

Guest Check OK

Guest Service Solutions OK

(heart)

dspeakes volunteered and swept the "I" MSCs:

I-Spy Mystery Shoppers REMOVE; the link comes up in Chinese

ICCDS: ICC Decision Services VALID, BUT NOW NORTH FORK RESEARCH

Impact Marketing VALID

Imyst Mystery Shopper VALID

Informa Research Services VALID

Infotel REMOVE: LINK INVALID

Inside Hospitality LLC REMOVE; LINK REDIRECTS, CANNOT FIND A WAY TO SIGN UP

Insight Shoppers LLC REMOVE; DEAD LINK

Instant Reply REMOVE; WEBSITE NOT UPDATED SINCE 1999, SHOPPERS REPORT NO RESPONSE TO SIGNUP

Insula Research VALID, BUT HAS MERGED WITH RSG

Intellaprice NOT SURE. ONE SHOPPER IN 2014 SAYS THEY WORK FOR THEM. CAN'T FIND A WAY TO SIGN UP. IT'S POSSIBLE THEY RECRUIT.

Intellishop VALID

International Service Check VALID


(heart)

Uh, no.

stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Franchise Compliance OK

I went for the S's - this is after a quick scan of whether the website was up and running and if it looked currently active. Of course, please note if I (or any of us!) got these wrong, if they are operating under a different name, etc. and hopefully we can come up with a master list in the end!

Sales Quality Research Group Yes
Satisfaction Services Yes
Second to None Yes
Secret Shopper -- SecretShopper.com Yes
Secret Shopping Services NO
Sentry Marketing Group Yes
Service Advantage NO
Service Check Yes
Service Evaluation Concepts Yes
Service Excellence Group Yes
Service Impressions Yes
Service Performance Group Yes
Service Research Corporation Yes
Service Scouts Mystery Shopping Yes
Service Sleuth Yes
Service Trac Yes
Service With Style Yes
ServiceSense Yes
Shadow Shopper Yes
Shop Angels Yes
Shoppers Confidential Inc Yes
Shoppers Critique International Yes
Shoppers View Yes
Shoppers, Inc Yes
Sinclair Customer Metrics Yes
Sparks Research Yes
Spies In Disguise Yes
SQM Mystery Shopping - Sensors Quality Management Inc Yes
Star Scheduling--Trouble finding/getting to website... minor discussions on the forum.
SteriCycle Mystery Shopping Yes
Summit Scheduling and Editing Yes
Sutter Marketing Yes

So far we have eight volunteers and could use a few more; anybody?

(heart)

I found their Clientsmart site and got to the registration page. I don't know if they still have any shops available.

Out of curiosity, what exactly is being done to research these companies? While some may be out of business, others have had name changes, switched platforms or just merged. Then we have the case of Franchise Compliance who still has a valid link to their Sassie site despite closing their doors while owing shoppers thousands and finally being kicked out of the MSPA.

stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Inside Hospitality LLC REMOVE; LINK REDIRECTS,
> CANNOT FIND A WAY TO SIGN UP

This is a just a starting point. The initial "sweeps" through the lists are being posted so that members can offer input. I believe Jacob is using the information posted on this thread to update the list.

Any suggestions you may have will be welcomed, I assure you!

(heart)

stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dspeakes volunteered and swept the "I" MSCs:
>
> Inside Hospitality LLC REMOVE; LINK REDIRECTS,
> CANNOT FIND A WAY TO SIGN UP


This is exactly why I like to do my own research. This is a valid company. I receive job offers from them on a weekly basis. If you are going to clean up the list, you need to treat it like a journalism project with editors and fact checkers. Sometimes you need to dig deeper instead of one click, one invalid link and boom, they are off the list.

And like another poster said, Franchise Compliance? Really?

Are you volunteering to help clean it up?

(heart)

So who is going to clean up the clean up? Hahahahaha

stilllearning Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is a just a starting point. The initial
> "sweeps" through the lists are being posted so
> that members can offer input. I believe Jacob is
> using the information posted on this thread to
> update the list.

I know you're saying that in jest, but I think it's a very good point and is perhaps the reason the list has not been cleaned up before now. To me it seems like an overwhelming and time-consuming task and that's why I thought if we all pitched in and did a part of the list, it might be more doable.

I have no special skills or background in this area and, if someone else does or has ideas on a better method of approaching this, their input would be very much appreciated.

(heart)

That was the reason for my question earlier. Admittedly, I don't know the best way to approach the project since it is overwhelming. My thought, if it is going to involve so many people it might be best everyone is at least on the same page and taking the same steps before deeming a company yea or nay.

Here's what I did, in the absence of any actual instructions:

I clicked the name on the list. I observed recency of posts. I clicked the provided link. I observed if it went to a webpage with that name on it somewhere. I looked for a link for "shoppers" or "signup" or something to indicate there was a way to become a shopper for them. I reported what I found. If the link was dead or came up that the url was for sale, I recommended removal. If the link redirected to something that did not appear relevant to mystery shopping, I recommended removal. If the link was questionable and there was no recent mention in the forum (within the last two years) I recommended removal. If the link was questionable but there were recent posts, I read those posts to see if they validated the company's existence and reported what I found.

I also gave my reason for recommending removal, to make it easy for someone to disagree, as has happened here.

If the link attached to the name does not lead to a place for new members to sign up, then there's not much point in leaving it on "the list." We need a new link.

If a company has changed names, then the new name should be on the list instead of the old one. (Maybe with the old name in parentheses) Or the link should be changed to the new company's link.

Keep in mind what the purpose of "the list" is -- we refer newbies to it to find companies to sign up with. It has a link there supposedly to sign up through. If it is redirecting to a totally different name and no apparent invitation to sign up to mystery shop, it doesn't serve a lot of purpose to leave it on the list. There's no law that says every MS company in the world should be on the list just because they exist. We are recommending these companies. That would suggest we (the forum) know something about them other than just their name.

Sybil, if you are shopping for a company that I can't find a way to sign up with, maybe you can help by providing their current website address.

I've tried to use the list to sign up for new companies and have wasted tons of time with links that don't lead to a MS company any more. Sure, the company might still be in business, but if we can't come up with a way to sign up, there's not a lot of point in leaving it on "the list." Or, we could leave the company on the list but remove the link.

Which is making me wonder where these links came from in the first place. (The first link I clicked came up in Chinese) Were they harvested from Volition or MSPA? And who decided originally what companies were put on "the list"? If it was based on posts in the forum, I was also looking at the age of the last post. Some of the "last posts" were four years ago.

Oops, dspeakes and I cross-posted.

@LisaSTL: I agree wholeheartedly! Do you have a suggestion for the criteria to be used or the steps that should be taken before "deeming a company yay or nay"? For example, what kind of research would you suggest?

We still have a lot of companies to cull through, so if we can get a handle on it now, it would be helpful.

(heart)

PS
I apologize if I sound like a broken record, but we could use any guidance you or anybody else can offer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2014 03:56PM by stilllearning.

Based on that I do have three suggestions.

1. Rather than post the entire list for each letter of the alphabet, if the questionable companies were listed other members could include updates to names and/or links if they have one. The only one that wouldn't have been caught by that method would have been Franchise Compliance since the link is valid and the site is still operational.

2. Wait and list all of them in a single post.

3. Place the post into it's own thread and limit responses to only providing updated information.

And I volunteer to take the "Zs."

Those are all great ideas! Thank you!!

(heart)

PS
How about the "Cs"?

LisaSTL Wrote:

>
> And I volunteer to take the "Zs."



Really? Just one letter?

OK. I volunteer to take X and Y

And Q

With all the time you've spent looking for letters with few or no companies you could have cleaned up half that list

The "C"s are still available.

(heart)

Quick with a comeback. I love it!


LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With all the time you've spent looking for letters
> with few or no companies you could have cleaned up
> half that list

Quality Assurance Consulting (QACi) - still active . Has 2 websites - qacinc.com and qaci.net

Quality Scheduling - Scheduling company has jobs posted and has posted recently on the job board here

Quest for Best - still active


This one is not on the list. Perhaps it used to have a different name

Quality Assessments Mystery Shoppers - website is [www.qams.com]

KimmieMae, SCORE!

Thank you for your research and input!

(heart)

D=Done

Data Quest LTD - OK

Direct Scheduling Services – Recommend Remove – Domain name for sale, phone number found through online search goes to unidentified voicemail, no current information available for business since 2010, all four threads re. DSS are non-payments in 2010.

Dot 2 Dot Retail Group – Recommend Remove – Domain name inactive, phone number on BBB listing goes to a private individual voicemail, most shoppers lost access to D2D site in March 2014.

DSG Associates Inc(24 Discussions) - OK

***If you are active with any company recommended for removal on this thread, please post a correction with the link to the company's sign-in or sign-up page. Thanks!***

I'll check out some.

Here's the 'C's... spaces in URLs so it stays readable text... you'd need to remove them after copy/pasting to make 'em work... if you're so inclined.


Caliber Mystery Shopping
Name *was* 'Caliber Interactions'... now it's 'Interactions Marketing'
Main site: http:// www. interactionsmarketing. com/services/shopper-insights-mystery-shopping.html
Sign-up: https:// insights. interactionsmarketing. com/ProfileWeb/careers/Registration-Vital-Details-Insights.aspx
MSM Article: http:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/interactions-mystery-shopping-formerly-caliber-interactions/
Contact: (858) 581-8700 Also live chat available
Pay: via PayPal on the 15th of each month for work performed the prior month.
Sassie reporting platform

Campus Consulting
Main site: http:// www. shopaudits. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. shopaudits. com/shoppersignup2.asp
Contact: Paul @ shopaudits.com 360-322-4884
Very little information on this one, nothing in MSM

Castforce
Main site: http:// castforce. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// contracting. castforce. com/
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/castforce/
Contact: sales @ castforce. com (941) 227-4372
They are merchandising, not MS

Certified Field Associates
Main site: https:// www. certifiedfieldassociate. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: https:// www. certifiedfieldassociate. com/Layout_Registration/FieldRegistration.aspx
Contact: statusinquiry @ marketforce.com
Nothing in MSM

Certified Reports
REMOVE ~ purchased by MarketForce, link from the forum list goes to the forum’s MF page

Channel Watch Mystery Shopping REMOVE
They appear to be defunct, from all comments.

Checkmark REMOVE
They appear to be defunct, from forum comments.
Also, clicking the link leads to a page that takes forever to load, and then a ‘Page Unavailable’ message.

Checkup Marketing REMOVE
Even the forum’s page for this one says “Appears to be out of business”. Google finds nothing current, either.

Circle of Service
Circle of Service Mystery Shopping
These two need to be combined. Even though the list says the first has 18 discussions and the second has 12… both links lead to the same forum page with 12 discussions.
Main site: http:// circle-of-service. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// circle-of-service. com/application/
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/circle-of-service/
Contact: support @ circle-of-service. com (314) 416-8091 x7000
Pay: 23rd of the following month via PayPal
Prophet reporting platform

Cirrus Marketing (Actually, ‘Cirrus Marketing Intelligence’)
Main site: http:// cirrusmktg. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: The link on the website takes you to a page where there’s a button at the bottom to sign up, but it’s non-functional. However, Google comes up with this, that does work: http:// www. cirrusmktg360. com/index.norm.php
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/cirrus-marketing-intelligence/
Contact: 888-899-7600
Pay: The end of the THIRD MONTH after job was completed (according to their website)
So jobs completed in January are paid end of April.
Sassie reporting platform

Clear Evaluations Inc.
Main site: http:// www. clearevaluations. com/ (current link good)
SIgn-up: http:// www. clearevaluations. com/video-mystery-shops/shoppers/
Buttons for video and written shopping
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/731/
Contact: http:// www. clearevaluations. com/video-mystery-shops/contact-us/
info @ clearevaluations. com 281-907-7888
Pay: Last day of following month via PayPal, PayQuicker; two weeks longer for check
Sassie reporting platform
Primarily video shopping, but also written/’traditional’

Coast to Coast Scheduling Services
Main site: http:// ctcss. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: this is not an MSC, but a scheduling service… However, you can register with them here:
https:// ctcss.archondev. com/mGlobal/mLogin?OpenForm&origLoginReasonType=0&desiredLoginURL=%2FCoasttoCoastSchedulingServices%2FshopperDefs.nsf
Contact: http:// ctcss. com/contactus.html
this page has links for admin, schedulers, editors, etc; that take you to individual’s info
Nothing in MSM
Pay and reporting platforms, of course, vary

Compliance Solutions Worldwide
Main site: http:// www. compliancesolutionsworldwide. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: https:// www. sassieshop. com/sassie/SassieShopperSignup/Signup.php?EmsID=0Iq+eAeal0o=
from the main site, click ‘Contact’, then on the left it says, “Click here for info on becoming an evaluator”
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/compliance-solutions-worldwide/
Contact: http:// www. compliancesolutionsworldwide. com/contactus.html
info @ compliancesolutionsworldwide. com 435-232-3888
No info found on pay
Sassie reporting platform

Confero ~ actually, ‘Confero Inc.’
Main site: http:// www. conferoinc. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. conferoinc. com/shoppers-center/become-a-shopper/ (with clear button to application)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/confero-inc/
Contact: recruiter @ conferoinc. com (no phone for prospective shoppers)
Pay: Jobs 1st-15th paid 25th of following month… Jobs 16th-31st paid 10th of second month… PayPal or DD
Sassie reporting platform

Consumer Connection ~ should be ‘Consumer Connection Inc.’ BAD LINK
Main site: http:// www. ccinc. org/
The current link takes you to a website, however… nothing on this page indicates they do MS.
A quick google for ‘Consumer Connection Mystery Shopping’ yields this:
http:// www. consumerconnection. net/
Sign-up: http:// www. consumerconnection. net/Apply.aspx
with info and clear button to application
Nothing in MSM
Contact: info @ consumerconnection. net (604) 740-8182
No payment info
Shopmetrics reporting platform

Consumer Impressions
Main site: http:// www. consumerimpressions. com/ (same as current link)
Sign-up: http:// www. consumerimpressions. com/create-an-account (does ‘Location Finder’ first)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/1018/
Contact: info @ consumerimpressions. com 800-747-1838
no info on pay or reporting platform

Consumer Perspectives INCORRECT NAME
This appears to be an incorrect name… the link on the list does indeed go to a business’ website… but they don’t seem to do MS, rather marketing/analysis/tracking/etc.… OK... this is *supposed* to be Customer Perspectives.
Main site: http:// www. customerperspectives. com/ (from quick google search)
Sign-up: http:// www. customerperspectives. com/become-a-shopper/ (clear link to app)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/uncategorized/customer-perspectives/
Contact: info @ customerperspectives. com 800-277-4677
Pay: During the third week month following the shop via PayPal
Prophet reporting system

Consumer Research Group aka CRG BAD LINK
Main site: current link is: http:// www. crg2000. com/
BUT when you click it, it goes to: http:// www. crg2020. com
Google confirms the ‘crg2020’ one is correct. It goes to a main page, but most of the graphics etc. won’t load…
you might even think the page is a dud unless you scroll way down.
Sign-up: http:// www. crg2020. com/join/ (again, scroll WAY down)
Google also found this: http:// www. crg-web. com/Registration/register.asp
Contact: webpro @ crg2020.com (919) 526-3481
Nothing in MSM
No info on pay, reporting platform

Consumer Service Analysis
Main site: http:// www. consumerserviceanalysis. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: https:// www. sassieshop. com/sassie/SassieShopperSignup/Signup.php?EmsID=MCaszx8SQpE=
(Click ‘About Mystery shopping’ from bottom of main page, then ‘Sign Up’ at bottom of that page)
Nothing in MSM
Contact: http:// www. consumerserviceanalysis. com/html/contact.html (web form) 808-347-6762
Pay: On or around 20th for all shops in previous month via PayPal
Sassie reporting platform

Coyle Hospitality
Main site: http:// www. coylehospitality. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. coylehospitality. com/evaluators/ (click ‘Evaluators’ at top of main page)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/coyle-hospitality-group/
Contact: info @ coylehospitality. com 800.891.9292
No info on pay schedule
Shopmetrics reporting platform is mentioned, but as a secondary platform

Creative Agency Services Team (Cast Retail Project)
Main site: http:// www. castretail. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. castretail. com/careers/ (click ‘Careers’ from main page)
Only mentions merchandising… googling the name + ‘mystery shopping’ yields nothing… forum seems to indicate it’s merchandising too…
Nothing in MSM
Contact: http:// www. castretail. com/contact/ (web form) (877) 550-2278
No info on pay scheduler or reporting platform

Creative Image Associates
Main site: http:// www. creativeimage. net/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. creativeimage. net/For-Shoppers.html
(from ‘For Shoppers’ on main page) gives info to use ‘Contact Us’ button for sign-up
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/creative-image-associates/
Contact: admin @ creativeimage. net (888) 366-5460
Pay: Mailed last of month for jobs month prior, by check only
No info on reporting platform

Customer 1st / The Troy Dolan Group
Main site: http:// www. customer-1st. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. customer-1st. com/shopping/
(click ‘Shoppers’, ‘Shopping for Customer 1st’ -- NOT just ‘Shoppers’)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/uncategorized/acquisition-unites-prominent-mystery-shopping-companies/
(Not really about Customer 1st, but their acquisition by Business Evaluation Services)
Contact: help @ Customer-1st.com also cust1stqc @ customer-1st.com no phone listed for shoppers
Pay: Only mentions payment by check, mailed the 15th of the month following job
iSecretShop reporting platform -- you must register with iSecretShop separately

Customer Impact
Main site: http:// www. customerimpactinfo. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: https:// www. sassieshop. com/sassie/SassieShopperSignup/Signup.php?EmsID=BK1I8MXAf18
(Click ‘Shoppers’ then ‘New Shopper Signup’ -- not just ‘Shoppers’)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/customer-impact/
https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/interview-with-customer-impact/
Contact: http:// www. customerimpactinfo. com/contact-us
Web form, PLUS emails/phones for different departments
Pay: Between 15th and 25th of month for jobs in previous month via PayPal
Sassie reporting platform

Customer Perspectives ~ see ‘Consumer Perspectives’ above

Customer Service Experts
Main site: http:// www. customerserviceexperts. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: http:// www. customerserviceexperts. com/mystery-shopping/become/
(Click ‘Shopper Connect’ then ‘Become a Shopper’, clear link to application)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/uncategorized/customer-service-experts/
Contact: erin @ customerserviceexperts.com 410-897-8444
Pay: Within 45 days of shop date via PayPal (usually 5th of following month), can also get check
eView reporting platform -- looks/works just like Sassie, but is called eView

Customer Service Perspectives BAD LINK
Googling the name brings up ‘Perception Strategies’, which is Healthcare MS’ing and a MSPA member…
Current link re-directs to advertising/marketing firm (ndp.agency. com)… can’t find anything there about MS’ing…
Google didn’t reveal anything about what may have happened to CSP… all links re-direct to the ndp site… although I didn’t search past first page results… Most recent discussion on our forum is from 2013… nothing in MSM…

Customer Service Profiles
Main site: http:// www. csp. com/ (current link good)
Sign-up: https:// www. csprofiles. com/secure/csc/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fsecure%2fcsc
(Click ‘Evaluator Login’... there isn’t anything on main page about becoming a shopper)
(This page has a link to click for contacting them)
(Also says, ‘Need to Register? ‘Click here’... but doing so indicates you have to be invited?)
(HOWEVER… MSM article gives THIS link, which is good: https:// csp. clientsmart. com/)
MSM Article: https:// www. mysteryshoppermagazine. com/mystery-shopping-companies/customer-service-profiles/
Contact: info @ csprofiles.com (800) 841-7954 ext:101
Pay: No info on pay
Clientsmart reporting platform


(edited for a wrong payment date & a couple typos)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2014 10:32PM by StormCloud.

Wow. Storm gets the overachiever award on this thread!

Haha! That's how I roll. Get that from Dad.

This post has been brought to you by the letter 'E'...

Ellis Property Management Services / EPMS - OK

Excel Shopping & Consulting – Recommend Remove – Posted website is dead link - Phone numbers disconnected - No one on Forum has indicated ever working with them.

Extra Eyes Nationwide, Inc –Recommend Remove – No longer in business.

Eye Spy Spotter Services Inc – Now operating as Hospitality Checkpoint - [www.hospitalitycheckpoint.com]

Recommended Addition
Eye Spy Critiquing & Consulting - [eyespycc.com]